Inheritance

Part 2. Chapter 56: Complex Thoughts

I'm too tired right now.

I'm too tired right now.

I'm too tired right now.

He remembered himself repeating to Lollia over and over again.

A gasp brought him back to reality; he unwrapped Eory's arms from his neck and dashed out the door.

He clicked the door shut behind him—his palms leaving a coat of sweat on the knob—and ran away.

__

He found himself alone in the bathing room and seeking the comfort of water.

He approached the nearest tub and hung his wrists over it. Closing his eyes, he let water gently flow from each of his fingers until the tub was entirely filled. He submerged his hands into the water and flattened them; he concentrated the heat of his body into his palms.

The water, which was previously cold, warmed to a point that was comfortable to the selkie.

Maruka submerged himself into the hot water and placed his ankles on the edge of the copper tub—creating a pleasant combination of a hot body and cool feet.

The selkie sighed and allowed himself to relax for a moment, but only a moment before noisy thoughts crept in on his peace and quiet.

What was I thinking? How could I even think of doing to him what Lollia did to me?

The selkie closed his eyes in shame. Forgive me, Eory.

To try and forgive himself for having such an atrocious thought, he repeated his regret aloud three times.

"Forg-give me, Eory."

"Forgive m-me, Eory."

"Forgive me, E-Eory."

He whispered to himself as he rubbed water into his pale arm.

Hurting Eory would be unavoidable with the manipulative intentions Maruka had toward him, but he by no means wanted to do damage to the fairy that he didn't have to do.

I have no interest in his soul... He's a beautiful creature, and nothing else to me. Maruka thought to himself ashamedly. I've never had any interest in anyone's soul...

Maruka held his breath and sank into the water—plastering his back to the bottom of the tub.

His black hair billowed around his face; his hearing was muffled by the water which hugged him on all sides.

He did not close his eyes. He looked up through the water unblinkingly.

A smile pulled his lips upward.

He blinked and saw the iron ceiling.

He blinked again and saw a blue sky blanketed with wispy white clouds through a body of rippling water.

He had no cares in the world. He had no deep thoughts to think nor any important tasks to accomplish; he was free.

He held a hand in front of his face and saw that it was not the familiar, pale, five-fingered hand he was used to having.

No. It was a smooth, slippery, gray flipper.

Around him, his seal friends traveled together in a giant, shrinking and expanding white wave.

He let instinct take him and rule him; he joined his seal friends in a beautiful dance of camaraderie as they chased down a school of fish.

The group of seals gained on the fish quickly, wearing the smaller sea creatures out and eventually snapping them up in their jaws.