God, that was awful.
I couldn’t stand lying in front of Mamita. Acting and lying in front of my grandmother is too awkward. She knows me well—too well. She knows me more than I know myself.
She smirked because of my hysteria. “There could only be someone you meet in these treacherous woods of ours, Cassidy.” She turned towards me, my eyes yielded in shock, betraying me. “Who is it?”
I didn’t answer.
My blood suddenly boiled because images of the strange man’s blood-soaked body appeared in my mind. Even though his body needed a few stitches, he still looks smoking hot. Seductive. And I couldn’t bear the idea of me being swept away by his appearance.
‘Why am I thirsting over him if I loathed him?!’ I cursed my own mind, even my own thoughts are refusing to obey my emotions.
“It sure looks like you did,” my mamita whispered when I still did not answer, giving me a look that says she finally found the last piece of a puzzle. “Tell me what happened, then. I couldn’t stand the dolefulness of your eyes, darling. Was it a boy, Cassidy?”
“He doesn’t look like a boy,” I scoffed.
“Oh dear. So it’s not a human…” she murmured. “Tell me, then.”
“It’s a man, mamita.”
An “oh” escaped from her lips. I softly glared at her but she grinned instead.
“Did he do something to you?” My grandmother grabbed my wrist, staring straight at me in the eyes. “Did he harass you?!”
“No,” I shook my head. “It’s not that, Mamita.” I removed her grip, then, I started telling my grandmother what happened from the start: I found a big dog which disappeared and a bulky man lying on the wooden floor of the cabin where I left the dog. I skipped the part where the strange man humiliated my body.
My grandma told me not to think about it. Her decision is still firm to ground me inside the castle. She won’t let me get out of the castle alone.
And for the rest of the days, I remained a prisoner in my own abode.
***
Every time I sneak out of my room, she’s always on guard at the main entrance. Even at the back door.
“Mamita!” I shrieked when I opened my door, and there she was, standing like an eerie children-eating witch, waiting for me to be devoured.
“What is that?” I asked and pointed at the broomstick she was holding.
“Oh, I was cleaning earlier,” she gestured outside, “and I decided to check you up. Have you eaten?” Sighing, I shook my head because it was painfully true. Even though I was angry, deep inside I’m hungry. Meal time was the only moment I had to get out of my room, and the only time I won’t be staring at my pink-colored walls.
“Then let’s go,” she dismissed and told me to follow her in the dining room.
“Mamita…” I initiated, but she already shook her head even if I was just about to say something. I tighten my grip on my fork and spoon, “But—”
She gave me a sharp look that told me I should shut my mouth that instant. “That man you found in the cabin will be fine, Cassidy. You need not to worry. Besides, why do you still want to go there?” She knows that I hated that man but she doesn’t know that some part of me still wants to know him. And befriend him, maye.
I pressed a thin line on my lips and nodded, not wanting to persuade her anymore as I continued to eat my supper.
***
Grabbing the small basket and a thick red cape, I opened the glass window of my room, throwing the long brown rope that I found in the attic outside.
My Mamita is probably in the foyer sweeping out the snow, or perhaps cleaning and tidying the kitchen after having our dinner earlier. She’s going to check up on me later, but I put a bolster and pillows that epitomize the shape of my body. Quite dumb but somehow clever. However, I knew it’s going to be temporary. Sooner or later, she’ll know I’m out and have left our castle.
Swift but careful, I head towards the cabin, quickly closing the door the moment I step inside.
I removed my cape and gloves as soon as I let the silence of the night sink in, indicating that no one is following me.
As I reached the table, shock flashed before me. But I managed to cover my mouth to refrain from a shriek escaping my lips.
“Oh God!” I silently cursed. The man is pale and freezing, his jaw fell open upon seeing me. It looks like any second from now, hell’s gate would open for his arrival.
“Are you alright?” I gently asked, holding his arms as I led him to sit down on a cushion situated on the floor.
He was literally on top of the table earlier, where the wind was directly whipping him. Torturing him. I couldn’t stand the sight of him being weak even with his strong features.
“Why… did you… come back?” his voice was hoarse and his teeth were clamoring because of the cold.
“If I didn’t, imagine what would happen to you.”
He chuckled mirthlessly. “You should’ve… stayed… in your… castle…anyway.”
“Well, I could’ve—” My eyes went wide. “Wait, castle? How did you know I lived in a castle? And, oh my Heavens, can you just please stop talking and save your energy?”
Of course he doesn't listen to me. Who am I for him to listen? I’m just a kid to him. “W—What’s your name?” his gaze slid to my face upon his question.
“C—Cassidy…” I whispered anxiously, my heart pounding. I stared back deeply at his ember green forest-like eyes. “Please raise your arms,” I muttered. “I am going to stitch your wounds.” While I was away for a few days, he managed to stop the bleeding, but that doesn’t mean it absolutely stopped. There were still remnants of dried and new blood gushing out from his skin which proves that I am correct.
“Where were you?” Is he asking me that question for real? I paused and peered at him. This is the first time I’ve seen this reaction from him, he looks mad but something…I couldn’t fathom what kind of emotion it is.
“Why do you ask?” I raised a brow. “I thought you don’t want me here.”
He grinned. “And now you’re here again.”
“Oh,” I smirked back. “You’re good at throwing questions at least.”
“Not only that.”
“What do you mean?”
He exhaled through his nose. “You’re too young to know, kid.”
I throw the cloth beside me, grabbing the needle and thread to start stitching his eyebrows. His body jolted a little when I aggressively suture his wound.
“Do you want to die?” he hissed.
“No. Do you?” I smiled in a way that I knew would irritate him. I shook my head in the last minute, “I should be the one asking you that.”
His throat bobbed. “What—”
“You want to die, but you anticipated that I’ll still come for you and treat your wounds.” I squared my shoulders. “Okay, I get it now.”
“Stop imagining things, kid.”
“I told you to not call me a kid!”
He burst into a cackle. “I was just telling the truth. How old are you, then?”
“A century-and-one years old.”
“See? You’re still a kid.” He sighed but grins, “You don’t understand what you’re doing right now.”
“Do you think of me as a joke?” Rolling my eyes, I pushed my chest even more and straddled on his lap. “For the record, I do know what I’m doing.” He looked away after I said that without breaking contact with his eyes. This man’s eyes were on fire, burning. I saw it with my own. Looking at his hands, it turned into balls as he clenched his fist.
Leaning, I whispered in his ears. “What’s your name, Mister?”
He didn’t reply. Instead, he shifted his seat and grabbed my squared shoulders. To my surprise, I almost stood from straddling him but he held my wrist firmly. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Huh?” I asked innocently.
“No fucking way,” he whispered, more to himself. I don’t know how he did that but I just saw him in front of my sight pacing back and forth. “Do you like me, kid?” he asked like he was disgusted just by the thought of it.
I was tongue-tied. My mind got haywired. What he blurted out were just five words, yet—
It pained me so much. And I start questioning myself, too. Do I really like this strange man? I don’t even know his name because he wouldn’t tell me. This man is so, so mysterious but I still find him so hot to the point that I keep on going back here even though his health is none of my freaking business.
I didn’t answer. I let the silence answer back at him. His eyes were so bright that I think I have seen the reflection of my own. Sad, like the sun in the day of mist, when his face is watery and dim. Sorrowful as the tears the sullen winter weeps.
My heart is as sad as a black stone under the blue sea. I couldn’t understand what I felt. It was all foreign to me.
Yet still…I am hoping. I am hoping that, somehow, we have met at the right time and at the right place. At another time and another place.
I am still hoping even though I know that love is a rebellious bird that nobody can tame.
“Well, you have to listen to me attentively.” His finger pointed to me, firm and bold. “You have to stop coming here. I don’t have plans to have you in my bed anyway.” The way my right hand instantly flew to his face made a clapping sound in the air. But he’s still chuckling.My fist turned into a ball of flaming fury after that, and I saw the redness on my skin as it sting me painfully. His jaw clenched, but there was still the amused face I beheld minutes ago. “I was just helping you and—” I spoke to him in a louder voice now. “I hate you. I hate you so much!” “My pleasure. My name is Zarion by the way.”With that, hot tears pooled down my cheeks and I found myself running away from him. Again. But this time, I know I’m not going back to that cabin anymore. Not after what he said to me. Never mind if that is my own cabin, I will not return there again whether he leaves or recovers. That’s not my problem anyway.Yet…I still found myself—telling myself—that no matter how hurt I a
“Please, Zarion…” I moaned, my pink lips parting as a soft breath left me before he tempted me once more.A shudder rakes down my spine. Running the tip of my tongue over the opening of my lips, I let out a sigh of relief when the side of my bed pushed down because of his weight. Zarion’s thoughts were lewd, I know. He wanted me so badly just like what I wanted. I’m innocent and young, yes, even a virgin. But this thirst flooding my soul…he’s the only one who can quench it. He needed me so much, wanted me so much. I can feel he never wanted or needed anything or anyone so much in his life the way he needed and wanted me. For him, I was his personal sanctuary—the only one he could go to and feel calm, relaxed. Just being around with me was enough to take him out of his worst moods. Slowly, his hands covered the right side of my neck as the tip of his nose traveled down the nape of my neck. Erratic pulses of my heart beating from my chest resound in my ears. There’s no turning back n
“Y–yes…” I finally answered his question as he slowly lifted me up.“Hmmm, differentiate it, then.”I was so delirious just because of his touches, the heat radiating from his sweaty palms. He’s touching my body everywhere that I couldn’t help but stifle erotic sounds I’d never know I could hear from myself. “D-Differentiate, what?” I exhaled.“The difference between romantic and sexual feelings.” The fuc—what? I couldn’t understand anything anymore because his calloused huge hands were touching my tits. He was teasing it, the way he wanted it to, and damn if that doesn’t make me feel things inside my thighs. He was so good at making me feel these foreign things.These strange things that are making me delirious. “Now I think you don’t understand the difference,” he giggled darkly. “Do you want me to show you instead? Show not tell, as they say….” I gasped. No, I gaped. This man—he’s everything I hated. Yet, still, I ached for him, every inch of him. I wanted and needed him in all
I shifted, my curiosity taking over my body. Why was he injured and wounded in the first place? “Where do you live? Do you even have a family?” “I don’t have a house. And no, I don’t have a family.” That was all he said—that was all his answer to my question. “Please, just stay…” I begged. “If you don’t have a house, then maybe you could live in one of the rooms in our castle. We have a lot of empty rooms that you could use and occupy. I promise I won’t tell my mamita.”“No, thanks.” Zarion’s throat bobbed. “That’s not a good idea.”“Why not?” Before I could say anything, he cut me off. “I’m on a quest.”“A quest…” my brows met. “Like a mystery to solve?”He nodded. “I’m looking for the witch that will give me the information about who’s my mate.” Mate? I don’t understand. A witch? I don’t understand either. I’m pretty sure that only exists in fairy tales and fantastical stories. “Okay, but—” I scratched my head. “You could do that while living in our castle, right?” I hate how my
Her jaw fell open, silence possessing her very being now. I saw how her breathing quickened the moment I said those words. It’s true—I love Zarion. Deeply. This is not just some puppy love that I used to have when I was fifteen.The moment I laid my eyes on him, I knew he’s the one who will take care of my life the way my father took care of my deceased mother. They may not be here with me, but based on the stories my grandmother shared with me, I know my deceased parents lived their life to the fullest.And I want to live mine with him. “Mamita, please listen to me—” “I am not listening to any of these absurd things again, Cassidy!” “But—”“You are just eighteen years old!” She bellowed, veins bulging in her forehead.“And I’m old enough to indulge in these things!” “Oh yeah? You already knew it? Then, you tell me then—” She heaved a deep sigh and pointed the walking stick at my chest. “What do you know about love, child?” I was taken aback because of the term she had called m
My heart won over my mind, my emotions took over any rational thoughts swarming within my brain. Nothing can stop me from going out into this castle now. Nothing—not until I find Zarion in the woods.Or in this city. Even if I walk barefoot across the world, I will find him.“Wherever you go, I will go, Zarion,” I whispered, letting the wind carry my words to wherever he is.“One step outside the castle, Cassidy, and you’re gone from our family.” I paused, bones stiffening. It’s as if I felt someone pour a pail of icy cold water amid the harsh winter weather. “If you go out tonight, I will abandon you—leave you. I will forget that I had known a family that goes by the name of Cassidy Salem Blythe.” Bile rose in my throat. Fear, not for myself but for the promise that—for eighteen years—I just broke now. You will take care of your grandmother, Cassidy. My mother once wrote in her journal, directly addressing me. I exhaled, willing the air to enter my lungs again. Pain etched in my ches
“Zarion!” I paused for a heartbeat to let my voice echo. “Zarion! Zarion!”But it was no use. I’ve been walking around the woods with an almost frozen body, a coat made of sheep’s skin is the only thing between me and the cold while shouting Zarion’s name. The snow kept falling, the wind whipping my hair as if it was dragging me back to the castle. It seems Mamita also has power over the wintry weather.There was a blizzard already shoving its here from the western horizon. I couldn’t find the right path anymore. There was no trace of him, his footprints might have faded with the wind’s harshness. Earlier, I caught his scent, a scent of cinnamon and vanilla, so I followed it. I know his scent is very feminine but I don’t even know where he got that too sweet fragrance. But to my dismay and misfortune, even before I could completely follow, it vanished. Just vanished, with no idea how.“Zarion, Please…” I prayed, coughing when a snowflake landed on my tongue. I don’t know why I’m utt
It’s warm and cozy here, my eyes smiling when they found the fireplace. A piping hot bowl of venison stew beckoned me to sit beside the blazing fireplace.I ate half of the food for ten minutes. Noticing the lavish royal blue curtain, I scooted away from the fireplace and pushed aside the curtains. I just realized that it served as the door between—“This place is a village,” I breathed, wiping my mouth clean from eating. From just the look of the surroundings, I’m pretty sure this village is in the middle of the forest. And near a lake, the briny scent could never hide the smell of fresh forest rain. I watch the people who are busy doing their own businesses as I tend to my own business—being busy scanning the surroundings on where the fuck I am. The name of the place, who carried me here, and—“Zarion,” I realized, calling his name as if he’s around. “ Zarion must know where I am, and probably the one who carried my ass here.” My eyes darted to a small cottage in the corner—to wher