(Under Quick Construction) Elemental House Series: Sea of Flames

Chapter 3: Truth and Choice ☽

My eyes peeked to find myself slumped upon the willow. Feeling dazed and hazy, my view slowly came back into place. I saw someone—a guy—remove the duct tape from my mouth. My vision cleared and in front of me stood Ivan; his face slackened; his brow furrowed—eyes darting about in concern as if he were searching for a place to hide.

"YOU!" I stood up and struggled to maintain my balance. With a trembling finger I pointed at his face.

"You are the one who attacked me. What on earth is wrong with you?"

My normally calm and pleasant demeanor immediately converted as my face contorted in an all consuming anger; nostrils flared, eyes flashed, my mouth quivered; slurred words that were unintelligible spewed out like a volcano releasing its pent up emotions into the darkness.

He released a stone block of tension as his face filled with relief. "Prinkípissa, thank the gods you're alright," he said, reaching out to her.

"No. Don't touch me! Ugh, I can't even look at you," my eyes rolled in disgust. "I can stand up myself thank you very much." Although, just my luck I tumbled to the ground like an idiot. My honest and bewildered eyes gaped up at him, abashed and aghast. He stared at me blankly for a moment and then daintily laughed.

"Look, Prinkípissa, I'm not the one who attacked you. I actually saved you from that—thing. There's a lot to explain, but I need trust and patience."

"What are you talking about? Saved me? Wait, am I still knocked out?" My eyes darted around, laughing, but from fear rather than amusement.

He sighed. "Miss Emilia. Listen. Things might not make any sense right now, at all, but you have to trust me," he gazed up at my presence, "Why don't we sit down here and talk it out. I just simply need you to listen. You know miss Catherine would want you to." He obtained a sly, furtive look to his face....as if he was concealing something from me.

How does he know about Catherine? The curiosity and fear swirled around me anxiously. In hesitation I sat beside him. Come on, he knew my aunt's name. It's always been a struggle for me to find trust in others. Besides, Catherine did tell me to go along with....anything. Although part of me suspected he's some sort of stalker or kidnapper.....I just had this—feeling I should trust him. I've got nothing to lose. I usually doesn't go with this, but you know what they say: always trust a gut feeling.

We both sat beside the old willow tree. He examined me, and then trailed his eyes out into the distance softly chuckling.

"What?" Em said irascible, but concerned.

"It is a burden how I was chosen for this task. And the rumors are true. You are quite a fine lady in person if I say so myself. Don't get the wrong feeling though, Madame. Plus I'm the least convincing. You're not going to believe me, Miss." His glassy eyes stared right through mine, clearly revealing the distress shielded behind his eyes, just waiting to bail out altogether.

I blushed at what he had said. He did call me a fine lady.... I can't help it; I feed off of compliments. I'm like puppy, constantly needing attention. But the good kind of attention. Nope scratch that, that sounded awful. Man, I swear sometimes I just can't express my thoughts without sounding arrogant or annoying.

But anyway, for a put together kind of guy, he truly was torn.

"Look, I won't judge. I'm giving you my trust." Although deep inside I only had a tad bit of trust conserved for him.

An earnest expression overtook his face, "Ok." He once again looked out into the distance nervously. "First, you don't live here. You live in Emelonia. You're part of this royal family—Prinkípissa Accalia. You were brought here in hiding—from the Skotádi. Mostly the Zervas fam—"