Taking back forever and a day

by Marcy Lynn

  She watched carefully, waiting. The man said something else causing the rat to hiss at him with its hair bristled. She swallowed hard as black pools filled with rage pinned her with a monster gaze. It dropped to the man’s feet, running out of sight. To her astonishment the man began his task again as though the rat had never come to him. Derek had brought other casters to the Island too. She stood dumbly for a moment longer; trying to determine what she should do. If the others knew about Zo’s practices, then he wasn’t dangerous?

  Deciding not to judge quickly about him, Elanor took careful steps towards the pots and pans. After all Derek wouldn’t have invited him to stay here.

  It occurred to her that she’d been drawn to another magic user. But she had no idea if he knew she was one. Seekers used generation old knowledge about casters to group them into two sides. A light side, which seemed to be their fairy god mother stories and the dark side, which entailed evil monsters. They never grasped the idea that all casters and all magic held both. It only came down to intent and reason that a fellow caster would be considered evil or not. Elanor hadn’t a reason to judge him either way. He hadn’t done anything to her. But the dark entity made her wary and watchful.

  Soon other people gathered to help prepare the midday meal with them, she had been early to offer it seemed. They didn’t talk to her, nor did she to them.

  She did listen though. Watching now and then to their banter and family gossip. The elder man continued to prepare the tube like root. He didn’t talk to any of them either. She found comfort in that. It made her feel less out of place to know he chose not to interact. Elanor watched for his rat now and then; sure that the next time she saw it, it would do the same with surprising her. Dark sources often loved fear.

  Caspin’s daughter ventured over as did his son after a time. They watched Elanor cut and clean a fish, then moved to the man talking in his language. He lifted a fish head, making its mouth move. The children giggled at his puppet show. She wished she knew what he said, the funny tone he used with his gravel voice made her smile with them even though she hadn’t the slightest idea what the words were.

  She caught sight of Derek watching her but the smile didn‘t leave until she saw the way he stood. His arms crossed over his broad chest, he looked irritated as though she‘d done something wrong.

  “What now?” She asked.

  “I’m just making sure you don’t have any plans for that knife.” He answered. The knife? Again? Hadn’t they already gone over this? Did he think she’d threaten the children or the man? No, they’d already had this talk on the ship. So what could he possibly mean by it? His eyes lowered to her ankle in a gesture.

  Guilt rose when she realized she hadn’t even thought of trying to cut the leather away. She’d been having such a good time trying to figure out how to communicate with the older man. She’d forgotten!

  Elanor shook her head angry with herself. Pride made her speak harshly to him now.

  “I have no intention of doing anything but using the knife but what is for.” She did a haughty toss of her head and shrug of one shoulder. “I‘m doing my part since I am a prisoner.” He didn’t say anything. She pointedly went back to cutting the fish. It was less enjoyable with him watching her like a guard. The good natured feeling had left completely. He’d been the one to remind her, she didn’t belong. Elanor cut the fish‘s head off and cocked her arm back to throw it at Derek.

  “Go away!” She said. The fish head just missed him and bounced on the ground. King swooped to it, sniffing and then snatching it up before the other dog could.

  The man said something to Derek, pointing a tube at him as he did.

  “I’m not bothering her Zo, I’m just standing here.” The man spoke again, she heard his tone and though she didn‘t understand his words, his body language clear.

  “I know she’s been helping out. You don’t know how she is, Zo.“ The man talked fast and shook the root at Derek again.

  “Fine, but if she tricks you and disappears, you and me Zo,” Derek pointed to the man backing away with a grin. “You and me.” He shook his head at Elanor.

  “I don’t know what you just said, but thank you for it.” He gave a slight grin, nodding. He motioned for Caspin’s little girl to come to him; she had wandered to play with the dogs. He said something while pointing at Elanor.

  “Zo says thank you too for the help.” She shyly pressed her face into the Zo’s shoulder after.

  Elanor smiled openly, nodding her head.

  “Thank you for being patient enough to let me help. My name is Elanor, it’s nice to have met you both.”

  Elanor had been glad to have a chance to do something other than feel guilty, angry or confused even if it were a short time. Oddly enough as much as Derek wanted her to like this place… he’d been the one to ruin it and remind her.

  ***

  “Aren’t you going to eat too Elanor?”

  “I’m not hungry right now.” Elanor explained to the sweet little girl, Breeze. They had finished cooking the meal; drawing everyone from their daily chores to sit and eat together. It truly being a community that worked, ate and lived together. Oddly enough, it felt just like being home in the country side with her Grandmother’s coven. She hadn’t seen Derek since throwing the fish head at him. That he wasn’t in sight prompted her to start to sneak away from the crowd until Caspin’s little girl had spoken to her.

  Leelah who’d been talking to Zo, now watched too having mother ears for her daughter’s question. Elanor felt like a scrutinized insect now, with so many eyes on her. She paused in her creeping to the path.

  Leelah spoke up, gesturing to the food.

  “There is plenty.”

  “It’s good too.” Caspin said around a mouth full. There was a chorus of agreement around the tables laden with the mid day meal she’d helped to make. Elanor was grateful to Zo’s help in getting to know some of them. Even Leelah seemed less abrasive to her.

  She politely smiled shaking her head silently while resuming her dragging of the ball towards the path.

  “You’re not going for a swim are you?” Derek asked.

  She nearly jumped out of her skin, turning to see him standing so close.

  His upper body bare and glistening in the sun; King trotted happily beside him, bounding for her.

  “I was going to go look for you.” She gave a sardonic smile as King demanded attention.

  “I bet you were.” He took a small cloth from one of the tables, wrapping up food in it. He gave a head jerk for her to follow him, heading down the path. She limped behind him without arguing. Derek led them to the short path to the house, but stopped before it instead continuing.

  “I’m of two minds.” He said.

  “About?” She inquired carefully.

  “I want to go for a walk and show you something at the beach. But,” He looked down at her leg. “That is a problem.”

  “Oh.” She knew he was baiting her to promise that she wouldn’t run off. Elanor knew his tricks by now, easily avoiding them. She purposely didn’t say more.

  “How about a deal?” He prompted. “I’ll take it off for the rest of the day, in exchange, for a kiss.”

  “A kiss? Really? That’s your deal?”

  “That’s right. A kiss for the rest of the day to have your leg unshackled. Nothing more, nothing less.” He said.

  Elanor weighed his new baiting in her mind. She didn’t have to promise not to run away, so if the moment arose she could bolt without breaking her word. And she was faster than him running.

  She had kissed him many times before, a simple pressing of lips and she’d have her leg free. Not a terrible feat to accomplish.

  “Alright, I agree. One kiss and it is unshackled for the rest of the day.” She said limping towards him.

  “But not yet. I’ll unshackle you now, the kiss will wait.”

  “Why?” Her lack of trust edged in the tone.

  “When we reach the water, so you can wash
up. Not to be funny or anything- but you smell like lunch.” He smiled.

  “Oh.” She chuckled softly having completely forgotten what they’d cooked.

  “Are we going to the water now?”

  “That eager to kiss me are you?” His grin made her heart skip a beat making her shake her head at him. Clearing her throat, she gave a sarcastic twist of her hand in the air.

  “I merely wanted to know when I’d be free of this weight pulling on my leg everywhere I go.”

  “Does it hurt your leg?” The concerned question made her heart thump louder, a tenderness there she hadn’t expected. He made it hard to stay angry at him and he didn’t even know it most of the time. She had to work to keep focused on what was important.

  “It cramps my thigh,” She proudly lifted her chin. “But it’s nothing. Just an uncomfortable feeling to get used to. I am not asking for it to stay off or anything.”

  He snorted crouching. “Of course not.”

  The leather fell loose from her ankle and he rubbed where it had been latched. His hands worked their way up her calf easing the muscles. She hadn’t realized how much it did bother her leg until his fingers found muscles that hurt a little when he massaged.

  She allowed him to continue reluctantly since her leg really needed it. When his hands smoothed over her thigh, her own hands held his shoulders to steady herself. The muscles there flexed and shifted under his small circles beneath the material of the light dress. “Better?” His gray eyes lifted to meet hers. She felt her lungs hitch again.

  “Yes, better. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” Derek told her. His firm lips were usually curled, always ready to smile or laugh. But just then they held a sensual secret that only she knew. Elanor considered then if the deal she’d made was actually equal in risk. He must have read her mind because he gave her a cocky grin before standing.

  “Too late. Come on,” His fingers warm and slightly rough slid around hers. “You’ll like what I’m going to show you down at the beach.”

  Chapter eighteen

  “It’s like a rainbow under water!”

  Elanor watched the water like a delighted child. Each shift of movement made her sight gravitate towards a different direction.

  “Oh! Oh look at that!” She leaned over further; her face inches from the water. Black and white striped fish shimmered in the sun light, flickering glints of light off their scales every time they switched directions. Yellows, blues, reds, any and all colors flit beneath the surface.

  Derek pointed. “There’s another one.” He said before submerging under water. When he reappeared, a giant shell emerged with him. She waded through the water to him, looking over the pink and white shell.

  “This one is much bigger than the last one!” She accepted it from him so she could take a better look. Its lip spiked with small pointed pieces though the inside of it felt smooth. Her fingers slid along it towards the inside, liking it‘s texture.

  She gave a startled cry of surprise when a suction sound and water spit out at her. Throwing it away from her the splash sent droplets on them both.

  “Ah, that one was occupied.” He laughed.

  “Yes, by a slimy wet thing!”

  “They tend to be wet in the water.” He flashed a teasing grin, his firm lips forming into a boyish expression that she knew well. She rolled her eyes at him, laughing. “Yes but this was slimy and wet. Two things combined that make even the bravest person squirm.”

  “They don’t make me squirm, Miss.” He said in an exaggerated deep voice flexing his arm muscles.

  “Nothing makes you squirm, Sir.” She giggled without realizing. Despite herself, Elanor found herself having fun.

  “Some things do make me squirm.” It had been just a hint to his tone but it was enough to make the butterflies flutter in her belly. His arresting smile and charm could captivate her so easily. She teetered a little with the shifting sand under the water not giving much support to her now jelly legs.

  “So he doesn’t use the rat for dark magic?” Purposely she changed the subject back to Zo. At the moment dark magic was the lesser of the dangerous topics.

  “No. He was on a ship from Aprica and from what he told me- a lot of sadness, fear, anger attracted it. Zo used his magic to trap the Enity in a rat that had been nearby. I guess it amuses him to keep it around.” Derek shrugged look at the crystal clear water looking for more animals. “Look how bright yellow that one is.” He pointed to a flash of yellow in the water. “There’s usually a large school of those up there.”

  Elanor looked towards the large rock he pointed at in the water down the shore line. “They seem to like whatever grows around it. Come on, I’ll show you.” He started wading through the waist deep water heading towards the rock. She followed, the sand shifting under their feet making progress a bit slow.

  Elanor watched him navigate the water with grace and dexterity. His muscles flexed in his smooth bronzed back as strong arms shifted with the motions. The sun had bleached his hair in the short time they’d been on the Island. His light brown cropped hair now held hints and streaks of blonde. When her mind wandered to when her fingers weaved through the short strands, a new disruptive sensation developed. He wasn’t looking so she was safe from him knowing the sudden spark of arousal he’d managed to invoke inside her. She’d just got caught up into the moment is all. She couldn’t be blamed for animal attraction but she needed to restrain it.

  Diving into the water, she began swimming at a leisure pace towards the rock jutting out of the water. He took example of her idea and soon he was keeping pace beside her. The water warm like silk as they cut even strokes through it.

  She noticed his speed increased slightly, doing the same to keep in time with him. Elanor saw the grin on his face as each time he increased his speed, realizing he was challenging her. She grinned too. They raced towards the rock, keeping even now and then, though one would take the lead over the other.

  When they reach the rock, it ended with a tie.

  “I could have beat you, but I figured it was gentlemanly to let you tie me.” He boasted trying to catch his breath.

  “I didn’t know we were racing, if I had, I’d have swept past you.”

  “Alright Ela, let’s see you try. We swim from here to shore.” A boyish grin on his handsome face as he laid out the terms. “First one standing on the beach wins.”

  “Sounds fair to me.” She crouched her upper body, readying for it.

  “Hold on. What’s the stakes?” He asked.

  “Stakes?” She stood up right again.

  “Yes, what shall we bet on?”

  They’d always placed bets on their challenges. Sometimes they would be silly bets where they just wanted to see who would win at the challenge. Sometimes, they were high staked bets where each thought they could honestly out do the other and get something they normally wouldn’t out of each other. She could see it would be a high stake bet. And she knew without him saying it, he had a high stake already in mind.

  “Two full days of no ball and chain if I win.” She said.

  May as well bet big, she thought, he’s going to.

  “If I win, when you kiss me, it has to be a real kiss. No holding back. Like- we used to kiss.”

  Her heart lurched at the idea of kissing him willingly. There had been a time when the awkwardness of being inexperienced had passed and familiarity had made their kissing almost primal. His bet meant it be like that if he won.

  She eyed the distance to the shore.

  Taking a deep breath, she gambled. “Deal.” Elanor knew she could beat him. He maybe a strong swimmer, but so was she. And she had magic on her side. She just had to focus her intent. This of all things should be easy for a water elemental witch, right? They prepared themselves, crouching to dive.

  Excitement and anticipation jolted through her. “This is going to be like the pasture.” She said bringing up a past race she’d won.

  “No my darling, this is goi
ng to be nothing like the pasture. I’m going to cannon right past you.”

  Taunting was part of the thrill. They both enjoyed the challenge and the prospect of making the other admit the victor. One of the things she had always liked about Derek had been that he’d challenged her. Never holding back. Of course if he won, he didn’t hold back then either. But neither did she.

  “Ready?” He asked after they’d had a moment to prepare.

  “Ready.” She answered.

  They launched into the water when he said go. She pumped her arms and legs, cutting through the water. Her strokes short. Her kicks rapid. They began close, neck and neck.

  Elanor focused her energy into the swimming.

  She told herself to think of swimming like a fish and for a moment she gained on him. Thrilling energy surged through her as magic aided her movements. She was doing it! Even her cotton dress lighter then her usual apparel felt like a second skin. But he dug harder into his strokes; gaining back the distance to be even with her. Elanor’s confidence began to fade and the energy began to burn faster than she could focus. Panic overcame the positive energy and the feeling of wane began to take hold.

  He broke out of the water just before her, beating her by seconds. After securing his victory by standing, he dropped to his knees breathing hard.

  “That was close.” He said after gulping in air. Water dripped down his face and chest, streaming in wet paths over his tanned muscles. His hand rose to push through his hair sending droplets everywhere.

  “Not close enough.” She replied when enough air supplied her own lungs. Disappointment heavy in her heavy breaths. For a moment she though she’d figured out another way to harness her magic.

  “It was an honest try. Had me worried I may lose!” He said, offering his hand to help her up after he’d done so. Elanor took it, getting to her feet and conceding. “You are the better swimmer.” Her competitive side rearing its head. She had to get stronger in both her magic and physical strength to match him. She’d square off with him again, of that, he could be sure. Taking in bigger gulps of air, she noticed a glint to his eye, which moved entirely too slowly down her body. She expected him to taunt her now that he’d been a good sport.