>>Amber
Out of all the things one could expect as a reaction from a dance like this, what he did was definitely not it.
I felt so sleepy, like someone had put me under a spell. And then I collapsed onto him, falling into a deep slumber.
>>Hael
I caught her as she fell. I could never have thought she knew a skill like that.
I looked at her sleeping figure resting on me while I sat on the chair. She snoozed softly, like a little kitten, but then I felt annoyed
Where did she learn such a dance from?! Why would she know something like this!?! Was she forced to learn or did she learn it for someone?
The more I thought about it, the angrier I got. A frown appeared on my face, that simply got deeper the more I focused on the issue.
Something so vulgar, how?! How does she know something so explicit!??
Who did she do it for before?!?!? Is there someone I need to kill?
My blood boiled as the intense feeling wanting to covet increased in me. I balled in fists in an attempt to not let my anger consume me.
I'll get it out of her.
And then I'll burn whoever it is to ashes, to dust, till there's nothing left.
***
>>Amber
My eyes fluttered open.
Hmmm?
I was lying on my bed, there was no light turned on in the room yet the room was nicely lit. Turning my face around, I noticed that there was an abundant amount of moonlight coming in, which illuminated the room
I was still sleepy and I wanted to go back to sleep when I noticed the sounds
Someone was talking
???
I couldn't make out what was being said, so I pulled myself up and sat down. But, I still couldn't hear clearly. I turned my body around and up from the bed.
My body was wobbly. As soon as I stood up I felt like I would fall but I somehow managed not to, and made it to the door.
I opened it as quietly as I could and stuck my head out.
"Did you tell her I'm here?" Hael was standing in the lounge, at a blind spot from where I couldn't see properly but I didn't move from the door frame and remained there.
"No," Helena replied to him as her gaze dropped, "Not yet,"
What are they talking about? My brain was foggy. I couldn't think straight but I wanted to listen.
"Good, don't tell her either." Hael replied.
"Why don't you stay a little longer?" The Queen said, "Things are different than back then?"
Hael scoffed, "We both know that's not true," He shook his head at her, "I'm not staying here for another second more than necessary." His voice carried a sense of sadness, "And don't even think about bringing that woman in front of me."
That woman?
Is he talking about his mother.
"She's going to find out sooner than later." Helena said, "She usually doesn't leave her quarters much but the word will reach her eventually."
"Then have everything prepared, we'll go through the process early in the morning." He looked away, "And then we'll leave," His gaze dropped, "Before she finds out."
"..."
Helena didn't reply to that, "Alright," She turned to leave, "I'll meet you in the morning then." She walked out the door and Hael turned his head in my direction
!!!
"Why did you wake up?" He asked softly, the previous sternness in his voice was gone.
I stepped out the door and walked to the lounge, still sleepy, "No reason. I don't know why I woke up either."
"Go back to sleep." He said and I stared at him, "What is it?" He asked
I never asked him about his life before he met me. And now that I'm meeting people who knew him before he met me, I've gotten curious. There's so much about him that I don't know
Like,
"Hael, why do you hate your mother?" What did that woman do to him for him to never speak about her.
"You don't need to worry about that." He stepped closer to me,
"Can't you tell me? I want to know how an elvish prince ended up with humans."
"That's because I am human." He answered in a whisper, "So, of course I would be with humans."
...
Is it wrong of me to pry in so much?!?
But I want to know. I need to know so I can understand him better
I know this is selfish of me
But Hael is too much of a mystery. He has never talked about himself. But I don't think he has any intention of telling me.
And on that note, my head is getting heavier. I don't think I can stay standing for long.
"Okay," I whispered and turned around to go back to bed.
I'm definitely going to ask him in the morning. I'll think of something that will work as an excuse or even a threat.
I got to the door and turned around, only to see Hael who had his eyes on me. I tried to look back at him but my eyelids were too heavy.
I walked through the door and closed it behind me. And as soon as I hit the bed, I was gone.
***
I was refreshed when Hael and I walked towards the Queen's palace. We haven't exchanged any words since yesterday and I'm too ashamed to start the conversation.
I can't believe I gave him a lap dance. And what I can't believe even more is that I have no idea what he felt when he saw me dance. I wanted to see his reaction, it was going to help me understand his feeling but before I could ask anything about it or get a proper reaction, he put me to sleep.
And I have no idea how to take that as.
...
Maybe I should just ignore it, pretend it never happened. I nodded to myself. That's the better option.
I glanced at him. I have other things to focus on. Such as how do I get him to tell me about himself? I've been thinking about it ever since I woke up. I wasn't in my right mind when I woke up in the middle of the night but I still remember my resolve.
I pursed my lips
There's only one thing that comes to my mind. He told me to make my mind ready for ingesting the mana core, and that's the only thing I can use.
"So, what if I die?" I asked casually as we walked.
"I won't let you die" He answered calmly as he kept his gaze ahead. We were a few steps away from the palace.
"The Queen said even a tiny part of the core can kill a human."
"And so could consuming a holy artifact. But you're here. I'll make sure nothing goes wrong." He seemed bothered being here but on that note, he's been on an edge ever since we came to the elf city.
"Hey ... If I have no will to live. Will I die when I ingest the mana piece?"
Hael's eyes went wide and he stopped in his path, "Why would you not have the will to live?" He was finally looking at me.
"I'm just saying." I shrugged, "If I give up halfway.'"
"You can't!"
!!!
I didn't expect that would rile him up!
"I might," I'm going to use this then!
"No," He held my shoulders, "Your will to live counts! You can't give in!"
"This isn't what I wanted to begin with," I shook his hand off of my shoulder, "I don't even know why I'm doing this! You're the one who forced this on me!"
The color in his skin drained
"I-" He seemed frustrated, "We have to increase your mana so that we can show the king something."
"So?" I shook my head, "That's still not what I want, it's what you wanted." I shook my head, "Because you seem to have this weird obsession with being in power."
His gaze dropped, "Being in power is important..."
"Fine," I rolled my eyes, "I get it. Power grants you a lot of authority but it doesn't give you everything."
"It gave me what I needed." He replied.
"Well, whatever it is you got, it's not what I want."
He closed his eyes, "...." Then sighed, "How can I make you agree?"
"I want to learn more about your life."
"..." He stared back at me in bewilderment, "There's nothing interesting there."
I rolled my eyes, "You're part elf, from a royal lineage, you think that's not interesting?"
"You won't like what you'll hear."
"I don't care," I said, "I want to know,"
He turned his face away, "I'll think about it."
!!!
Well, that's progress, right!!!
YES!
***
Taking my place on the bed, I felt a wave of serenity wash over me, as if I were being cradled in the arms of the forest itself. Before me, the Mana Core pulsed with a radiant energy that seemed to dance in time with the beating of my heart.
The bed was especially made for some ritual but it was brought here, underground, for me to use. It's elven craftsmanship and one that I don't think humans would ever be able to achieve.
At my side stood Hael, his eyes ablaze with determination and in his hands, he held a small, shimmering speck of mana, extracted from the very heart of the Core. He wasn't holding it directly, he was using magic to avoid touching it with his skin.
And that alone was enough to unnerve me, but we were already here, I can't back off now, especially now that I have a story waiting for me as a reward.
"Are you ready?" He asked, his voice soft but filled with an undeniable intensity.
I nodded, my heart pounding with nervousness as I gazed upon the mana speck before me. It shimmered with a mesmerizing light, casting a warm, inviting glow that beckoned me closer.
With trembling hands, I reached towards it but Hael pulled it away, "Don't touch it." He said, "Just open your mouth."
I did as I was told and he put the tiny thing in my mouth. I gulped it down immediately and felt a surge of energy course through my veins as the mana flowed into my being. The taste was like nothing I had ever experienced before, pure magic tinged with a hint of sweetness that danced upon my tongue.
I closed my eyes and savored the sensation, feeling its warmth spread throughout my body like a gentle embrace. In that moment, I felt a profound connection to the Mana Core, as if I were being welcomed into its embrace with open arms.
As I opened my eyes once more, I met Hael's gaze, and then I saw the Queen. They both were looking at me with concern.
Hm,
I think I'm fine, is anything supposed to happen?