"No." He shrugged. "I was just curious."
I could hear voices like Malcolms, only slightly different, coming from up ahead.
"We're almost there," he urged and moved me along a little faster..
We picked up the pace for the next few meters until we burst out into a clearing. Now it was my turn for a jaw drop. The clearing was filled with beings that looked like Malcom and some that looked a little more like me. Only instead of blue skin, theirs were earthy tones of all shades from almost as light as a snowflake to as dark as midnight, all unique and all beautiful. Behind them they had created a large city of earth and stone where all the families worked and played together. It looked peaceful.
"Wow," I breathed. "This is your village?" Malcolm smiled and nodded. Then swept his hand out before us, encompassing the entire village.
"Welcome to Eden."
Chapter Eight
Supper With a Side of Surprise
"It's beautiful Malcolm. Thank you for bringing me here. " I gushed looking up into his warm brown eyes. Real joy sparked there.
"You're welcome,” he whispered. “ Come meet everyone."
He still held me against him for support as we meandered into the village.. I kept glancing up at the happiness shining in his eyes. His smile stole my breath away.
He really is excited to be home. I wonder who here is his family. Are his parents still alive? Is he married? If so, does he have children? There was so much I didn't know about him and so much I wanted to ask. Instead I stayed quietly at his side as he lead me into his village.
As we approached, everyone stopped what they were doing and gazed at us wide eyed. Children clung more tightly to their parents. Wives moved closer to their husbands. No one spoke. No one moved. Malcolm lead us into the center of the crowd were a small wooden stage had been built for what I didn’t know. Maybe for times like these. We walked up onto the platform and gazed down at the gawking crowd.
"Everyone," Malcolm announced, "this is Raina. She is our guest here now. So I expect everyone in this village to welcome her and treat her fairly."
Some murmurs rose among the people and I watched Malcolms face darken into a scowl. The first sign of real anger, I had seen from him. His expression sent chills down my spine.
"If I hear of anyone treating her otherwise, they will answer to me." he growled. “Is that understood?”
The crowd was silenced but each one of them nodded in understanding. No one argued with him or questioned him. They simply obeyed. I looked up at Malcolm in awe and he gazed down at me with that same strange gleam in his eyes I had seen earlier...was that possessiveness? Whatever it was, I had to shake off the eerie feeling it gave me.
"Now carry on with your day," he ordered the crowd.
I watched, mouth agape, as they quickly obeyed. The people thinned out and got back to their daily business. Shopping, cooking, cleaning, playing, the village burst back to life like nothing had ever happened. Like there wasn’t a strange blue skinned person standing in the center of their town with their village...king?
"You are their king?" I asked. I could still feel several pairs of eyes sizing me up from the crowd. For the first time all day, I was thankful for clothes.
"Yes." He smiled at me. "Are you hungry?"
"I'm not sure." I shrugged. “How do you tell?”
Malcolm chuckled and shook his head. The dark scowl was gone, replaced once again by his radiant smile.
"Come on, I have something I want you to try."
"Ok," I smiled back, my cheeks warmed under his gaze and I allowed him to lead me off the stage and toward one of the stone buildings.
The smell of spices hit us before we even opened the door. My mouth watered like a fountain and my stomach rumbled loudly. Malcolm eyed me, a little surprised, and grinned.
“That's how you know,” he smirked.
“Oh. I guess I am hungry,” I giggled.
He shook his head at me like he would a child. Then he opened the door and ushered me inside. Voices and laughter filled the building. Smoke from two cook stoves, along with the low lighting from the hearth created a cozy haze over the room. Ten circular wooden tables were set up around the right side of the building. Each table was surrounded by about five chairs, most of which were full. To the left ran a long wooden bar which separated what must have been the eating area from the cooking area. The cooking area on the left was comprised of the two wood stoves, the long bar which was used to cut up vegetables, and an open fire with a large cauldron-like pot boiling over it.
Everyone glanced at us as we walked in. From behind the bar, a rather round and much older female waddled up to us. Graying black hair puffed up in wild curls on the top of her head. Her face was round with bright rosy cheeks and her blue eyes sparkled as she beamed up at Malcolm.
“Oh bug you're home!” the woman exclaimed. Then she laughed heartily as she wrapped Malcom in a big hug. Malcolm returned her embrace with a warm hearted chuckle.
“You were gone for over a week. I was worried sick!” She chidded as she leaned back to look up at him. Malcolms cheeks flushed slightly and his eyes roamed the floor sheepishly.
“I'm sorry Aunt Mindy. I went to explore the beach and I found someone,” Malcolm turned to me, grabbed my hand and pull me closer to his aunt.
“Aunt Mindy, this is Raina. Raina, this is my aunt Mindy. She raised me,” he explained.
Mindy held out her slightly wrinkled hand and I took it. Her grip was soft but firm, like steel wrapped in velvet. Her smile was warm and inviting, but there was a sheen to her gaze that didn't quite fit… almost like a regretful, knowing, sadness.
Oh stop it. You're just being paranoid. I growled at myself. You don’t even know this woman.
“Welcome to Eden, Miss Raina. It's a pleasure to meet you.” Mindy said as she gently shook my hand up and down.
“Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you as well.” I nodded my head in affirmation. I was going to let go of her hand when her grip tightened and she pulled me into a bear hug.
“It’s about time Malcolm brought home a woman!” she exclaimed with a whoop. I couldn't help but laugh and hug her back.
I really like these people. But what did she mean by that?
“It’s not like that aunt Mindy,” Malcolm growned, his cheeks flaming red.
Oh...that’s what she meant. I felt my own cheeks burn and I was relieved when she finally let me go.
“Follow me dear and I'll get you all set up,” Mindy ordered, then she abruptly turned and started walking towards the hearth that took up the center back wall of the dining area. We followed her to a small round dining table just big enough for two. It was scarred and warn like all the others, but sturdy. Two wooden chairs sat side by side and close enough to the fire to feel its warmth. Malcolm pulled out my chair and helped me sit before taking the seat next to me. The chair was more comfortable than I expected. The fire was inviting and so so so warm. I felt the tension, I hadn't even realized was there, melt from my body.
Aw..I could fall asleep right here…
“Fetch us the finest food and drink you serve.” Malcolm demanded in a regal tone.
“Excuse me young man,” Mindy's brows rose. Malcolm looked like a wounded puppy before he grinned wickedly and winked at her.
“Just joking Auntie. Would you please bring us the finest your amazing hands can cook up? This is our guests first meal, after all, and we do want to make a good impression. Don't we?” He winked at her again but this time it felt like some sort of hidden message was passed between them.
I'm just being paranoid. These are nice people.
“Of course dear.” Mindy beamed but this time there was no twinkle in her eyes.
“Oh and two of your finest mugs of mead please?”
“Oh most definitely,” Mindy nodded and excused herself to retrieve the order.
When she had gone, Malcolm turned to me with a silly lopsided grin.
“So what do you think of my aunt?�
�� he asked. I could hear the hope in his voice.
He really cares what I think about her…
“I think she's adorable and really sweet.” I answered honestly. “You said she raised you?”
“Yeah,” his smile broadened and he nodded. “She took me in after my parents died. She never treated me like a burden. She protected me, cared for me, and treated me like her own son. I'll be forever grateful to her for that.” His gaze misted over as he spoke, like he was no longer there but living in his memory. I felt myself longing to see what he could see. I wished I could peer into his memories with him. Then suddenly...I was.
Images of him and his aunt cooking together, doing dishes together, playing outside together flashed through my mind. A vision of her tucking him in at night and laying a soft kiss on his forehead flashed next. He couldn't have been more than seven. My heart ached for that little boy. To lose both your parents at such a young age...it must have been devastating. My respect for Mindy grew tenfold as I watched her from his eyes. She really had raised him. Then just as suddenly the images vanished and I was back to gazing into his eyes. Malcolms eyes were clear again. He was back in the present.
“Alright dears,” Mindy was back with two large wooden bowls and two stone cups. All of it steadied on top of a large circular wooden disk that she sat on the table between us.
As I gazed up at this woman who meant so much to Malcolm, I had to do something for her to show her that she was appreciated for everything she’d done. I just had to give her something. So as she turned to go, I took her hand and gently stopped her.
“You are an amazing woman Mindy. I have something for you.” With my free hand I pulled gently on my upper arm with my nails. After a second, I slowly drew out a long thin gold chain. It came right through my skin and left behind so tiny of a mark, you you wouldn’t even have known it was there. This I handed her as a gift. Both of them sat frozen gazing in wonder at the gold in Mindy's outstretched hand. Then the expressions wore off. Mindy blinked a few times before smiling down at me.
“Thank you dear. That was...this is...somethin’ else. It's beautiful! What is it?”
I giggled softly and stood to my feet.
“It's a gold necklace,” I explained. “You wear it around your neck. Can I show you?” Mindy handed me the gold chain and I carefully hung it around her neck. Her hand lifted to caress the chain tenderly. Then her eyes misted up and she threw her arms around me for another hug, nearly knocking me off my feet. When she pulled away, she had to wipe the tears from her eyes.
“Thank you Raina. I love it!”
“You're welcome, but you really do deserve it. After everything you did for Malcolm, I only wish I could do more to thank you. Not everyone would have done that. Especially a girls so young, and without someone to help you raise him. It really is remarkable.”
See father, not all humans are bad.
“Don't be silly dear,” Mindy brushed my words away. “This is more than enough. But look at us gabbing while your food is getting cold. Go ahead and eat deer. I've got customers to get back to.” Mindy seemed to float as she headed back towards the stoves. My heart felt just as light.
“That was a good thing you did for her,” Malcolm said as I sat back down. His eyes were so filled with longing that my cheeks flamed.
“That was nothing,” I shrugged. “What she's done is worth way more.”
“You really are amazing Raina,” he whispered. My cheeks grew hotter and I couldn't meet his gaze. Why do his words have such a strange effect on me? I need a distraction....oh yes. Food! I wonder what this stuff taste like? It smells amazing!
I took a bite of the steamy brown and green concoction that swam in the bowl. My tastebuds came alive. Mindy had served us jucy savory meat, with crunchy green vegetables, slathered in a rich brown gravy sauce that set my mouth on a trip to mars.
“Mmm,” a moan escaped my lips and I shoveled another bite into my mouth. “This is amazing!” I mumbled between bites.
“You should try the mead,” Malcolm said with a chuckle and pushed my mug closer to me with the back of his hand.
So I grabbed the mug, took a huge gulp, and nearly spit it back out. It was liquid fire burning its way to my stomach. I gasped and coughed desperate for air. Malcolm laughed harder and pounded me on the back until the coughing fit eased.
“Drink it slower next time,” Malcolm grinned and sat back in his seat.
“That was good,” I wheezed. I grabbed the mug again and took a long slow sip. This time, the liquid felt warm, but not like lava, as it ran down my throat. When it settled on my stomach it created a pool of warmth that seeped into my blood and spread throughout my body. Now I was cozy on the inside too.
“Tell me about your childhood?” I asked taking another bite of the delicious stew and another long sip of mead. My body was starting to feel fuzzy.
“Well I was ten years old when I learned how to ride a horse. I was a short little chubby kid at that age and, when I mounted, I had to wiggle and scoot my way up onto the back of the saddle. It was pathetic really,” his cheeks were slightly red but, even though embarrassed, he continued on. “Well, one day I was wiggling my way up there and I must have hit a nerve on the horse because all of a suddenly he bucked up and charged forward. Now, I'm only half on the horse,” his eyes twinkled as he got to this part. He lifted his hands into balled fists, turned sideways in his chair and started bouncing up and down on it like it was the horse.
“So I was this little round rolly polly, hanging onto the reins for dear life as the horse galloped around the village, going “Help.... HELP!” the entire village stopped to laugh except for aunt Mindy. She ran up to that big stallion. Her expression fearless. Her hands raised slightly up and she soothed the horse. She grabbed his reigns, steadied the stallion, and helped me down. The village didn't stop talking about it for months. And my aunt has called me bug ever since, because I looked like a little round bug bouncing along on top of that giant horse.”
We were both laughing together by the end of his tale. I had taken quite a few more drinks during his story and my head was feeling mighty fuzzy. I smiled warmly up at him. Our gazes locked, held, and for a moment everything else melted away.
“Your lips are like rose petals,” he whispered huskily as he tilted his head towards mine.
I wasn't sure what was going to happen next, all I knew was that I wanted it. I felt my body lean towards his, my eyelids fluttered closed, and I inhaled the rich woodsy scent of him. His lips touched mine in a velvety soft caress that stole my senses and captivated my heart. I was lost in him. Lost in feelings so strong there could only be one word for them.
“I love you,” I breathed against his lips and felt him still against me. He pulled back, a frown on his handsome face and a coldness in his dark eyes. Then his features began to fuzz out. My head felt weightless and wobbly. Then the world began to spin.
“W-what's g-g-going ooonnn?” my words were slurred.
It's hard...to think….
”What d-did y-you do to mmmee?”
“I drugged you.” Malcolm answered, his voice cold and distant.
“W-why?” I whispered. I felt my useless body falling backwards.
“Because I know what you are Drifter. And I need you.” Those were the last words I heard before darkness claimed me.
Chapter Nine
Whispers on a Dreamless Night
I was floating...drifting through the clouds...weightless...The sky was a hundred different shades of blue. Then the white clouds began to swirl around me like a funnel. Soon a tunnel of clouds surrounded me, and it was moving me, sliding me through the air. At first, that tunnel arched up, up, up into the sky. Then, it suddenly shot steeply downward. My stomach plummeted as I slid down the tunnel at such an alarming rate that I was basically free falling...into darkness.
It was cold, so very cold in the dark. I wrapped my arms around my chest to ward off the mind numbing chill. But this cold was a palpable thin
g, like a thick winter blanket filled with ice cubes...suffocatingly cold. My body shook as I walked through the darkness, one hand outstretched to feel my way. It felt like forever but my fingers finally brushed against something cold and chain like hanging slightly above me. It was the only change in hours.
I grabbed the chain and tried to pull it down towards me. There was an audible click then I watched as little blue squares lit up on the floor all around me. My eyes, were so used to the dark that even this small amount of light took some getting used to. After my eyes adjusted, my body froze and I gazed wide-eyed at the world around me.
I was standing in a vast room that appear bluish in the light. It seemed to stretch on forever in both directions. The floor was made from some sort of hard shiny squares that felt cold beneath my feet. The blue light squares mixed with these lighter squares to create a checkered pattern and cast the entire room in an ether real blue glow. I think the walls were pale blue but it was difficult to tell. That’s because I could only see patches of them through the rows of various items that filled the entire room. When I looked up I expected to see a light blue roof shining back at me. Instead, all I saw was sky. A brilliant midnight blue sky that was dotted here and there with shiny golden stars. It covered the entire expanse of the room as far as my eyes could see, like a blanket tossed over a box.
Where am I?
I wandered over to the closests row to me so i could examine some of the endless items that were stacked there. Some of them looked similar to what Malcolms people were using in the village. Including a replica of one of their stone houses. But the items didn't gleam like they did in the village. There was something wrong with them. I walked over to a scarred, broken down, wooden bench that held a bunch of knives and axes. I picked up a dagger to inspect it closer. The blade was dull and chipped. Parts of the steel was rusted and browning from age. I put it down to examine a small hatchet. The hatchet was in pretty much the same condition. Infact, everything on the bench was weathered and aged.
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