Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Tales of Intempia ❯ Chaper Six ( Chapter 6 )

Disclaimer: These characters and settings belong to me - please don't steal them!

 

Chapter Six

“Estyrn?”
The forest seemed to be closing in on them. He tugged on her hand, keeping her moving.
“Not much further.” He didn't look back. As he promised, the trees soon gave way to a vertical cliff face, and through a narrow gulley ran the river. It was through the gulley that he led her.
“Dear Elders…” she breathed, as it opened into a lush, green paradise.
“I found this sheerly by accident.” Estyrn glanced over his shoulder at her and, for the first time since he'd abducted her, he smiled. The icy violet chips in his eyes seemed to melt, and he seemed to glow. But not in the same way as Masye. Estyrn's glow came from within.
“Alsentia?”
She blinked and suddenly realised that he was knelt by the river, removing the bandages from his arm. Beside him lay fresh medical supplies. Hiding her embarrassed flush behind her hair, she sat beside him and began to clean the gash he'd uncovered. His arms were muscled enough to be strong and toned, but they weren't bulky and cumbersome. Despite all the fighting, his skin was smooth and cool to the touch. The pulse beneath her fingers was steady and unhurried. Risking peeking at him through her hair, he was watching her thoughtfully. Glancing away, she picked up a fresh bandage, and almost dropped it again when he spoke.
“Why don't you try and run?”
Her gaze remained fixed on his arm. He saw her lips move but her reply was lost to the roar of the waterfall behind him. His fingers stilled hers.
“Alsentia?”
Sapphire met lavender.
“Why have you not yet tried to run?”
She remained silent and he waited. He had patience.
“I'm curious.”
He returned his gaze to her, but she was looking away.
“For as long as I can remember I've had doubts about the things my father used to tell me. But I couldn't accept it. I'm a shape-shifter, born and bred. I couldn't possibly disagree. It's certain death to go against the Elders. It wasn't possible for me to disagree. So I've kept it hidden. Convinced everyone, even myself, that I believed in the actions of the Elders. I was… curious to find out about you.” She flushed deeply. “And now I have the opportunity to.” She eased her fingers from his and continued to tie off the bandages. Estyrn remained in silence, watching her and considering what had been said.
“Can I ask you something?” she picked up a cloth and wetted it, beginning to dab up the blood from his forehead.
“You can try.” He almost smiled, his lips twitching. She nodded slowly.
“What are you?”
He blinked in surprise.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, you're not a vampire, I know that much. Your eye colour says werewolf, but you took the form of a horse.” She met his gaze head on. “So what are you?”
He arched an eyebrow.
“What makes you think I'm not a vampire?”
“You're sitting with me beneath the sun. You're bleeding.”
Estyrn snorted.
“You don't really believe the myths about vampires not being able to walk in the sunlight, do you?”
Alsentia frowned.
“They're not true?”
“Nope. The mirror one isn't true either.”
“But you're still bleeding.”
He shrugged.
“You got me. I'm not a vamp.”
“So what are you?”
He hissed slightly as she dabbed at the cut on his scalp.
“Is it really of great importance?”
“Yes.”
“Well I don't think it is.”
He rose, stretching out his cramped legs and moved a few paces away.
“Let's leave it as, I'm different.”
“Different?”
He glanced back over his shoulder. She sighed.
“Sorry, I forgot. We're leaving it there.”
He nodded, turning back to the waterfall. Alsentia retreated back into her own thoughts, idly wondering where her father was and how many were out looking for her. Hopefully they were a long way away. Her eyes wandered back to Estyrn. He was immobile, standing as still as the ice he reminding her of. No, she hoped they were far away. She was… She considered it for a minute. She was happy here.

“Alsentia…”
The word sent a shiver down her spine.
“Yes?” she breathed. He looked back at her, his eyes unreadable.
“Do you really want to know?”
She nodded. He turned slowly, eyes fixed on hers.
“Really, really want to know?”
She nodded again, and he moved steadily towards her. She remained where she was, those enchanting eyes captivating her. He crouched a short distance away, leaving enough room for her to move away from him.
“Why is it so important to you?” His eyes were curious. “No one has ever cared about it before. No one has ever bothered that Masye and I are different. To the rebels we are one of them as we are against the Elders. To the Elders we are just more rebels.” His eyes changed again, something flicking through them before they became unreadable once more. Without thinking, Alsentia spoke.
“Why are you so unreadable? Why do you keep yourself shut away and allow others to think you are so cold when you really are not? Masye is the fire, burning and bright. You on the other hand are the ice, immovable and cold. How can you stand to live like that?” She flushed as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Estyrn chuckled, a deep sound that seemed to echo from within him.
“So full of questions.”
His laughter did nothing to lighten the blush that rushed across her cheeks. His fingers found the burning skin, cooling the heat there.
“Don't fret, I don't hold it against you. It's quite a relief to meet someone who is interested in my life. As for the answer to your questions, that links to your first question.”
“Which you're not going to answer?”
His smile broadened.
“Which I'm not going to answer.” He glanced thoughtfully at the sky and murmured, “Yet.”