Lesson 104- Make sure to wash all the important spots, even behind your ears!

This time when I wake up, I feel a lot better. Not actually GOOD. But comparatively? I feel fabulous. I sit up and realise that Torin is STILL here, actually I think he’s asleep. A glance at the clock tells me it’s been about six more hours. He’s been sitting with me for over twenty hours. Which answers two questions. Does Torin legitimately care about my wellbeing? And why am I SO hungry? I turn and hang my legs over the edge of the bed and look over at Torin. He looks tense, even in his sleep. I stand up and although my knees wobble a little bit, I’m mostly steady which is a relief because I have definitely slept long enough. I’m not in pain anymore, just a little bit stiff. I tap Torin on the shoulder to wake him up. He startles awake.
“Rina! You’re up? Should you be up? Are you okay?” He jumps to his feet and places his hands on my waist as if he’s worried I’m going to fall over. I rest my hands on top of his and smile up at him.
“I’m okay Tori. Seriously, I am.” I assure him. Once Torin is sure I’m not about to topple over, he sighs in relief. I expect him to let me go, but instead he pulls me into a tight hug. Like I can barely breathe it’s so tight, but I don’t tell him to let go or loosen up. Mostly because he seems like he needs the hug. I’m going to have to have a serious talk with him about the whole binding spell thing because clearly it’s just as dangerous to me as the people who want to kidnap me. But right now I’m happy to just let Torin comfort me and himself.

We stand there for a long time and despite everything that’s just happened, I don’t think I’ve ever been so relaxed. Every time I start to feel like I shouldn’t trust him, something happens and he proves that I can. Eventually he pulls back a little to look at my face.
“I am so glad that you’re okay.” He says softly and I smile at him.
“I’m glad that you’re okay too. I was worried for a second there, that's why I had to come and help.” I comment. Torin blinks.
“Wait, is that why you left the bar? I thought the kelpie must have dragged you out.” He says, confused.
Kelpie?” I repeat. Torin shrugs.
“It’s a shapeshifter that has some control over water and is really into drawing people. I’m pretty sure that guy was a kelpie. But you didn’t answer me. Did you leave the bar because of me?” he demands insistently.
“Well… Yeah. I was worried you were going to drown, I had to do something.” I answer easily. Torin stares at me, he looks completely shocked.
“But… The spell. You could have died!” He actually raises his voice. I don’t think he’s ever sounded so agitated when speaking to me before.
“And you could have died fighting that kelpie guy. I didn’t do anything you wouldn’t have done for me.” I answer bluntly. Torin continues to stare in shock for a moment, then he bends down, yanks me forward and presses his lips to mine. I stand frozen for the two seconds it takes my brain to catch up. Torin. Is. Kissing. Me. I know this is a TERRIBLE idea. But that doesn’t stop me from kissing him back. I don’t think I COULD stop myself. I’ve only been dreaming about it since the night I met him. We are DEFINITELY going to have to talk about this, but for now, I’m just going to enjoy it.

All of a sudden Torin pulls back and lets go. I stumble back and end up dropping to sit on the bed. Torin is bright red and his breathing is heavy.
“Uh… I… Sorry. I shouldn’t have… That was an accident. Sorry.” Torin turns and without another word rushes out of the room. A moment later I hear his office door slamming. What in the actual hell just happened? I sit there, completely stunned. Torin just kissed me, apologised and ran away. Honestly, him running off after something like that isn’t really a shock. He is pretty shy. But what was all that about it being an accident? How do you accidentally kiss someone? It seems like a fairly intentional thing to me. Like oops I accidentally leaned forward and pressed my lips against yours for an extended time period? That isn’t a thing. I sigh and force myself to my feet. I need to think, but I also need food… And a shower. I feel disgusting. I would normally eat first, but I don’t even want to consider stepping foot in the kitchen like this. I head to the bathroom, walking carefully and slowly since I’m still not completely steady. I stand in front of the mirror and gasp in horror. Shit, no wonder Torin went running. Look at my hair! It’s an absolute bird's nest. I guess being tossed around in water and who knows what else does a number on your hair, particularly if you then sleep on the wet hair for like twenty odd hours.

I strip and head straight into the hottest shower I can stand. Okay, so I know Torin didn’t really rush off because of my hair. He was panicking, and I probably should have gone after him. But to be fair I was freaking out a little bit too. Actually, I still am. While I wash my hair, I try to think about how I actually feel about it all. So I know I kissed him back, and even Laura has noticed that I’m more than a little interested in him. But I can’t actually be with him, not while I’m technically his prisoner. I need to think this through. If I didn’t have to worry about all the me being a prisoner and whatever stuff, I would probably have to say I love him. I know as a friend I adore him, and as something more? I think I would want that, if it was an option. A real option. But it isn’t… Because I AM trapped here. Should I be worried about Stockholm syndrome or something? I don’t THINK I have it. I’ve liked him from the start and I’m pretty sure it can’t kick in that fast. Not to mention that MOST of the time, I think of him more as a friend and protector than as an actual captor. I know he isn’t willing to let me leave, but what if it was safe for me to go? If there was no one after me, would he still be so insistent on it? I’m really not sure.

I wash my hair like four times and scrub every inch of myself thoroughly. Considering how rough I feel, it’s strange that I don’t have any visible injuries. But I guess that’s how it works when you’re attacked with magic. Plus, despite the fact that he almost drowned me, the kelpie guy was actually being fairly gentle with me. When he realised that I couldn’t breathe, he actually let me go. Sure, I doubt that he expected me to actually be able to escape or anything. But I don’t think he wanted me hurt or dead. I step out of the shower and head to my room to get dressed. I pull on some comfortable leggings and a t-shirt, then I go to look for Torin. I don’t make it very far. As soon as I pass the kitchen I remember how starving I am and I change direction. I’m planning to raid the fridge, which is why I’m surprised to find what I can only describe as a three course meal laid out on the bench under plastic wrap. There’s a little handwritten note in front of it.

Eat. You’ll need the energy. There’s a lot of cleaning up to do.
-Kyle

I can’t help but laugh. Of course Kyle couldn’t just say he’s glad I’m alright. He had to sass me. But the note comes with food so I’m okay with it. Despite how good the food is, and how hungry I am, once I actually start eating I find my eyes are much bigger than my stomach. I only manage a few bites before I start to feel full and a little sick. Maybe I’m not ready for such a big meal after all. I cover the food back up and put it, and the desert into the fridge. I’ll try again a bit later. For now, I need to go find Torin.