30

Keres moved into the cave when she opened the door for her, trying as much as she could to free her mind from all that was bothering her because she knew Desdemona could see through her, and if she did, her secrets would no more be safe. She forgot about everything, she came because she wanted to know what they were now going to do with Aranya and the Zinambra they had first wanted to leave to.

Desdoma grinned at her when their eyes met as she moved around the cave and stood by the kitchen. “I was just making tea, would you like some?” She knew everything she was trying to hide, but she was going to play dumb since that was what she wanted her to do.

“Yeah, I’d appreciate some.” Keres answered with an exasperated tone as she rubbed her hands over her eyes. She was tired, but the rummaging thoughts in her mind will never let her rest. She had to do all she had set her mind into, or at least, have perfect plans for it which she was certain would work out. Maybe then, she might be able to rest.

After a few minutes, Desdemona sat down opposite her as she served her the tea and after they both took a sip, she cleared her throat. “So, you got married to King Bhaltair?” She asked, as if she didn’t know that was what had happened even before Keres spoke a word about it.

“I did, it was to save my clan not because I love him or he loves me in return. I’m just a piece for peace.” She sighed tiredly, “If that makes sense.”

Desdemona looked up at her before she grinned, “It makes,” she sighed and had a sip of her tea. “Peace always makes sense whenever King Bhaltair’s name appears.” She tasted the bitterness she had always felt in her heart whenever she remembered the sole reason of her grief was King Bhaltair. She wanted to bring an end to him but she knew that was something she would never do alone. Her entire clan had been raided and the only person she had left was taken by him, caged and locked for his own use.

“What do you suggest we do?” Keres asked as she placed down her cup of tea and fixed her eyes on Desdemona. She knew she didn’t have to elaborate more on what she meant. Because she knew she knew what she was thinking of.

“About Zinambra, lets go to Belrynna first. Take me there as your maid and I’ll let you know of the rest of job that’ll be done, okay?” She had her look back, no matter how much she wanted to disguise her bitterness in front of Keres, she could not. She was back to being one of the dangerous Durushs to have ever live on earth.

“I could see that you have a very huge thing to settle with Bhaltair.” She stood up with a smile on her face, as much as Desdemona thought that she was only using her, she was using her too as well. “I guess you have to follow me to Kestramore then, I’m set to leave to Belrynna in…”

Desdemona stood up and the smug look was now back on her face, “In two days, I know.” She wanted this woman both dead and alive.

•

Aranya was walking around the palace with slow steps, she had a faint smile on her face. She didn’t know why she was feeling what she was now. Was it because she had missed Lorcán, he said it wouldn’t take him long to be back but how many minutes had passed already? Was it an hour already? She wondered. She moved through rooms that were filled with royal beauties and wondered how people lived in this palace. What there life was before whatever it was that had happened happened to them. Even though it was empty and evident that there hadn’t been a sign of life since when they left, its beauty was still there.

She walked out of the palace and was amazed by the beauty of the island. She had always being in love with islands and seeing herself in one made her so happy that she was glad they had left Zinambra the way they did, because if not, she was sure Lorcán wouldn’t have brought her here for safe keeping. No one lived here in a very long time but the flowers bloomed with such beauty that she couldn’t resist the urge to place her hands on them and feel their soft texture. She plucked out one and sniffed the fragrance.

She heard the sound of the waves, was it an ocean? She chuckled lightly, what was she expecting in an island? There should be water of course! Even though she was still pale and the fire that usually kept her alive was no more running in her body, Aranya used up the remaining energy she had in her and ran toward the sound of the waves. She met an incredible ocean she had never seen in her life and she palmed her mouth due to how astonished she was.

“This is so beautiful.” She silently whispered. She could already feel the peace, the serene feeling of being around ocean. She rushed toward the edge of the water and when it swooshed to her now bare feet, she closed her eyes and looked up to the bright blue sky. “This was the paradise Lorcán used to live in?” She asked with her eyes still closed and her face lifted to the sky why she felt as the water kept on splashing on her face.

She was used to the darkness and coldness of Zinambra. She had never known that the sky could be this blue and light until she began to go for her hunt and even after that, she had never seen a place as beautiful as Elfnour was. “I wish I could live here forever.” She muttered under her breath, opened her eyes and before she made her next move, she felt as strong arms wrapped themselves around her from behind and she widened her smile.

She leaned more onto his broad chest and he placed his head on her shoulder, “I’ve always loved this ocean too, it’s soothing to know that it hasn’t lost its beauty even though it has been alone for all these years.” He spoke lightly, but she could feel the pain he was trying so hard to conceal in his heart.

She placed her hands on top of his that were around her waist and patted him softly. “It’s such a beautiful place, a paradise even. I can live here forever.” She chuckled at how babyish her voice sounded and Lorcán turned her to face him. His hands were still wrapped around her back as he brought her closer to him with her eyes fixed in his.

“We can live here, alone, for the rest of our lives.” He said lovingly and she didn’t like where the conversation was going.

“Who will cook for us? I’ve never cooked anything in my life.” She chuckled shyly. And that was the truth, she had never cooked in her life, never saw Betla cooked either. She either cook when she was asleep or did that by her magics. The first time Aranya saw a woman cooking was the first time she went for her hunt and it was a whole new adventure for her.

He pinched her nose playfully and spoke, “I could cook for us. Dûsan used to be a foodie, so I had to learn how to cook for him to survive.” He chuckled, but he didn’t have to tell her that he was in pain for her to know that he was in pain. It was evident that he missed his younger brother with every second of his day and especially now that he was back to Elfnour, that feeling would even pain him more.

She dropped her eyes down, feeling guilty to the point that she felt she didn’t deserve to be loved by him. “I’m sorry, Lorcán.” That was all she could utter, because she knew nothing could make him feel better and nothing she could say or do will bring back Dûsan.

He tightened his hold on her and the bright smile was back, “I told you not to be, didn’t I? Let’s go, I’ve brought everything we will need.” He released his hold on her and when she longingly looked at the ocean, he chuckled. “We will be back at night, with the moon and stars, it’s the most beautiful view then.”

She turned to look at him with a pout on her face, “Promise?”

He nodded and stood midway, “I won’t promise until you promise me something as well.”

Her pout was even more beautiful and with each second, Lorcán was finding it so hard not to kiss her so hard until he knocked her out of her breath. “What is it? Make sure it’s not something we both know I won’t do.”

He chuckled and shook his head, “It’s easy, just give me a little you.”

She looked clueless. She looked around the ocean, then back to his face that was smiling widely at her. “A little me? Where could I find a little me? I don’t have a younger sibling for…” when he pinched her forehead, it was a little too hard that her face had to lean back a little, “Ouch! That pains.”

“Dummy, I meant a daughter! Give me a daughter that looks exactly like you.” She stared at him before a slow smile slowly broke her lips and she lifted her feet and merged their lips together. She kissed him lightly, and even when Lorcán wanted to deepen the kiss, she broke their lips as she grinned at him.

“I will, but feed me first, I’m starving.” She broke into a run before he took a hold of her as she laughed out so loud. The wind was making her hair sparse into different directions as she turned to face him with the most beautiful smile he had ever seen on her face. Why did he have to love this woman so much? Did she know? That he could sacrifice his life for her to live?

He ran after her, “Wait there, Aranya!” But she didn’t listen as she ran further while her laughter echoed all over Elfnour. She brought back life to the place had held so much misery in it.

They got to the palace as they all panted for their breaths. He guided them to the kitchen and the first thing he gave her was water, but she shook her head. “I can’t take water now that I’ve ran this much. Betla has drained all the fire in me and the little that’s left will cause me harm if I drink water just after I’ve ran.” She smiled sadly and pulled herself up on the beautiful kitchen counter.

Lorcán came and stood between her legs, she wrapped her hands around him and stared into his eyes. “Stop giving me that look as if you’re going to cry. I’m alive, I’m okay. It’s only time and she’ll bring back everything to me.”

“How are you feeling, Aranya? I haven’t even asked you that.”

“I’m feeling much better, just that I feel empty without the fire, but I’ll be fine.” She briskly stared at the food items that were on the table and turned at him, “What are you going to cook for us?”

He smiled now, realizing that she she didn’t want to talk about that. He would let her be, but just for a while. “It’s a traditional food in Elfnour, Mother loves it so much that I have to know it by heart. She’s mostly in the kitchen making it and she doesn’t want the chefs to cook it for her.” He smiled sadly, but when he stared at Aranya that was admiringly staring at him, his real smile surfaced.

“I’m sure she’s so beautiful like the two of you.” He nodded his head before she added, “I guess it wouldn’t be bad to give you a daughter knowing so well she’s going to be this pretty.” She palmed her lips almost as immediately as she said those words. “Oops, a mistake.” But he shook his head and laughed and they both knew that wasn’t a mistake.