Nigel and Ellie were silent, either they were dizzy like me or were surprised at my sudden outburst, it was hard to tell.
“They’re proud of you Curtis for doing the right thing,” Ellie assured sweetly.
“I never intended to hurt father, but he made it difficult not to,” I continued, ignoring Ellie’s statement. “I blamed him that he couldn’t save mother after the accident… and I hated him for not doing anything after she was gone…” I stared at Ellie or a figure of who I thought was her as my eyesight started to become woozy.
“Curtis…” Ellie’s voice trailed off.
I took a deep breath then let it out and chuckled. “I’m fine… I wouldn’t have this any other way… So, more wine?”
We continued laughing and telling stories until it was a struggle to stay awake. With Ellie’s help, I then made our way to our room trying to walk without falling. When we were inside, we lied down beside each other on the bed and immediately fell asleep. Lying in the dark hoping the world would stop spinning.
On our fourth day in Vienos, there was still no news of William or from Olfren. The longer he was gone, the more agitated I became, something must’ve gone wrong or maybe he was caught, the worst scenario kept playing in my mind. Ellie tried to cheer me up when she noticed my silence and she was indeed a lovely distraction.
We mostly spend our time in the fields or at the barn helping Nigel. Ellie was keeping herself busy and all the while relishing the experience, I on the other hand needed something to keep my mind off the question of what was to happen to us after Vienos. When there was nothing left to do, we’d stare at the horizon until the sky changed its color to pale orange telling the world it was time for the sun to rest.
When Ellie and I were alone in our chambers, her presence affected every part of me, the thought of just us in a private room, her subtle movements, her figure and every details suddenly was an inspiration for immense desire. Her smooth skin, her long slender legs, and the shy look she gave me whenever she caught me gazing at her longingly which she always remedied with an awkward smile. Even the way she tucked her hair behind her ears sent my sensual feelings into overdrive. Despite the intoxicating vision of her, I couldn’t do much about it. Suddenly I hadn’t the slightest idea anymore how to react around her when we’re alone, fearing I might offend her or some sort.
But the last couple of nights, I slowly permitted myself the courage to try to be intimate, just enough to test what she’d allow. I started cuddling her when we slept and she didn’t object to it, in fact, she seemed to like it especially during the cold nights. We then slept in peace without a care for once about everything but us.
There was one night though, when we cuddled again on the bed after a long day of harvesting, with only the moon shining inside the room, her slow and steady breathing and the sweet scent of her hair on my face stirred something inside me I couldn’t control nor resist.
She was already asleep on her side facing away from me while my urges kept me awake. I moved closer, gently kissing her shoulder and tenderly caressing her arm careful not to startle. I swiped her hair away from her neck and took my time planting sweet kisses. She slowly stirred half-awake as I continued and she didn’t refuse any of it. I lightly pulled her shoulder towards me with no resistance and she turned obligingly. I shifted myself so my face was over hers. I was now kissing her lips, it began slowly then intense, one hand supporting my weight and the other stroking her waist down to her thighs under the blanket. She slowly wrapped her arms around my neck, pulling me closer. I was at the brink where I was about to completely lose it. I felt the ache, and the heat surging in my body. The yearning was so powerful, my entire being was screaming to be quenched from the torture. With her eagerly anticipating my every touch, it became a struggle to prolong.
I rose and knelt over her and she patiently gazed up to me, her eyes dazzling against the moonlight. I was about to take my t-shirt off when I heard a soft knock on the door. I stopped abruptly and we were completely still and quiet. Ellie had a fright on her probably because the door might open and catch us in this embarrassing position. I on the other hand was hoping what I heard wasn’t real, or something fell outside the door creating a sound, if it was even possible. But when there was a second knock, there was no denying someone was outside.
Then just like that, the reverie broke, gone and carried to nowhere with no opportunity of returning. I sighed in frustration, got off from the bed and made my way to the door. I opened enough to see who was outside, squinting my eyes from the glaring light of the hallway. It was Nigel standing in front of me with an apologetic look.
“I’m sorry to wake you Curtis but I thought you’d want to know as soon as possible,” he said.
“What is it?” I asked anxiously.
“Olfren is here.”
CHAPTER 9: OVERTURE
ELAINE
We weren’t expecting Olfren to come here in Vienos. It was for the best though since he knew safe passages lessening our probability of running into the Corps or Protectors when we leave. He warned us it’d be difficult but remained confident he could get us to Gelhem without being noticed.
Olfren wasn’t wasting any time upon his arrival and laid out his route and plans despite it being so late at night. There were three small cities he mentioned that were less guarded but much farther away, and we had to pass through these cities before we could reach Gelhem since taking the usual route was risky now and Olfren wasn’t willing to take it.
He asked something specifically from me he believed would help us travel unnoticed.
“My Lady, I need you to dye your hair black, just temporary of course for this trip,” Olfren requested.
I had to comply. Women with auburn hair tend to stick out in crowds.
The next morning, a maid came to the chamber and handed me the black dye for my hair. She assisted me with the application and assured it’d wash off with water. When we were done, I stared at the mirror, it was odd and I hardly recognized myself with a different hair color, and I thought this could actually work.
After the necessary preparations were made, we left first for Lespin. Nigel came along saying he needed to see his brother and mother while we were there. We rode the lift again, only this time descending. I felt the heaviness of my heart, leaving the beauty of Vienos behind was like departing the havens of the supernatural but the bitterness I had to swallow for the safety of Vienos.
Lespin wasn’t like other cities, it had limited structures but the land was wide and spacious. Wild trees and grasses coexisted with the residents in the city. The streets only had two lanes and barely had any cars running through. No tall buildings, just single or three floor structures but it made up for its wideness. It was quiet and pleasant, and the residents who crossed paths were familiar of each other.
We were about to say our farewell to Nigel but he requested us to stay in a café first for about half an hour before we leave. Olfren expressed his reluctance we had to wait for him, there were no Corps or Protectors but he wasn’t willing to wait for them to appear. Nigel pleaded and promised he wasn’t taking long and he won’t go far, he also gave assurance the owner of the café was a friend and the place was safe while we wait. Curtis nodded and told Nigel we’d wait for him. Olfren had a defeated expression and couldn’t do much anything about the decision.
It was almost half an hour since Nigel left, Olfren became restless inside the café and Curtis was trying to calm him down. Nigel kept his word though when he finally arrived. We stood up when we saw him approaching.
“I guess this is goodbye then,” Curtis sadly said to Nigel.
Nigel grinned. “Not yet my friend. I’m coming with you if you’ll have me.”
Curtis was shock then chuckled. “You’re not serious?”
“I’ve never been more serious.”
“But what about your brother and mother?”
“That was why I was gone. I had to tell them and they understood.”
&nb
sp; “But why?...” Curtis voice trailed off still finding it hard to believe.
Nigel shrugged. “I also believe our system is flawed.”
We couldn’t be happier that he was joining us, even Olfren was impressed. So we left together with renewed energy for the hopeful, riding the air shuttles to three more cities, maintaining a vigilant watch over our surroundings. Never making any eye contact to anyone we passed and whenever we’d run into Corps or Protectors, we turned to the other direction, trying to act natural.
The trip took longer than I expected, it was already pass midnight when we finally arrived in Gelhem, the smell of salt and fish still lingered in the air. We followed the same route to the caves like the first time we came except the rebels guarding the area let us through with ease and without questions.
Inside the cave, our presence was anticipated. Thomas was there staring at us with new found respect. Allison cheerfully bounded towards our direction and gave me a tight hug. A few of the people who were still awake in the late hours greeted and gave compliments like, “We’re so proud of you”, or “Great job.” Their words had a rewarding feeling. Ryder and Quinlan, her second in command, approached last, she still had a stern and cold expression on her.
“You’re here at last,” Ryder declared in her monotone voice.
Curtis nodded. “Unfavorable circumstances brought us back,” he explained.
“It was unfortunate but the important thing is you’re all safe, and now that we’re reunited at last, the two of you are truly Defiers now and your friend too of course,” Ryder glanced from Curtis to Nigel.
“Thank you. I hope we’ll be of much help around here,” Curtis said.
“You will be,” she expressed seriously and continued, “In the meantime, you must all be hungry, Allison will take you to the mess hall and assist you in all your needs.”
Allison smiled widely and said, “Please follow me.”
The cave had a ghostly atmosphere with no people coming about. It was quiet and had a wet rock smell as moisture accumulated from the cold outside. Nothing changed since we left. The same cave with metal sheets on the walls and floors along the hallway and white light tubes illuminating it.
After we had a bite to eat, Allison guided us to the living quarters where we’d be sleeping. The rooms were limited at the moment so she assigned one room for Curtis and Nigel while I stayed with her. I slept peacefully that night, too exhausted to mind the small empty space and thin mattress on top of shabby wooden bed frame.
The next day, I washed my hair in the women’s bathroom and I was glad my natural color returned. Allison gave me a change of clean clothes, faded gray pants and a comfortable cream cotton sweater.
I followed Allison on her daily routine, wishing I could be helpful in anyway. She gave me a tour of the cave along the way and taught me what her responsibilities were, mostly coordinating with the people in charge of each department like the man in the laundry department requested more linens for the living quarters so we listed the request then went to the people whom she called gatherers, she explained these were the people who go out to the cities or towns to collect the resources needed in the cave.
After all the requests were gathered, she spoke to the man in charge of the gatherers informing him the items to be acquired by his team. She also did updates on the progress of each department, what was accomplished and what required to be done next. She was basically keeping the cave organized and running, making sure everybody was doing what they were supposed to do and on schedule.
When we were done with the morning routine, we headed for lunch. The mess hall was empty the last time I was here but now it was full of people when we entered. I was searching for Curtis but he was nowhere to be seen. I fell in line behind Allison with a tray in hand to get our food. The food was placed on a white plate when the server gave us our share. It was a meager portion of baked potatoes, green beans and a slice of chicken meat and for dessert was a cup of assorted fruits of bananas, watermelon and apples which Allison said were grown on a nearby farm just outside the cave.
I took a seat on the wooden bench across from Allison and shared a table with others who were also dining. They smiled excitedly and told me they knew who I was and wanted to meet me ever since they heard I was coming. I smiled in return happy by their friendliness, at the same time uneasy by my sudden popularity that seems to grow inside the hall. I welcomed their questions most eagerly though, and it was satisfying having a normal and proper conversation with the people I belonged to. I didn’t have to pretend with them or get confuse of what they were saying or trying to say like what I did when I was with the Elites and Alphas. More joined our table gazing with curiosity while those sitting on the nearby table turned eagerly to catch a glimpse towards my direction but eventually their curiosity fizzled out.
I searched the hall once more hoping to find Curtis and when he wasn’t there, I faced Allison and asked, “Do you know where Curtis is?”
“I think he’s with Olfren, I overheard they were seen together this morning,” she replied.
Giving up, I ate my meal and had a pleasant chat with the people at the table. I was talking to a woman sitting beside me when I glimpsed pass her a familiar golden hair on the other table not far, my heart skipped… it was Devon with two others, he clearly stood out from his companions, beaming while staring at me. I averted my eyes quickly, pretending I didn’t see him. Something came alive inside me but in a very uncomfortable sense. Then I blamed myself why I even looked at his direction even if it was only accidental. I was terrified he might come over and when he didn’t, I was relieved. I made sure I wasn’t glancing again at his direction but I felt his eyes never left me.
The mess hall started to clear and so did the people in our table. They said their goodbyes until Allison and I were the only ones left, I was eager to get out but Allison showed no signs of leaving yet. I stole subtle glances at Devon, fearing he’d come over. He slowly rose from his seat with his companions, and instead of leaving, he waved his hand at them and started walking towards us. I was then flustered with panic.
No… No don’t come here.
It was useless, he was already at our table grinning and I stared at him not amused.
“Hey Allison, I heard you have new assistant,” he remarked smiling, taking a seat beside her.
I was indifferent and I shifted my gaze to Allison.
“Oh hi Devon, yes Ellie has been a great help,” Allison said in a cheerful tone.
“Really? Then you won’t mind if she works with me? I need help with the gathering,” he asked.
I glared at him and he gave a smile.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea bringing Ellie to the towns and cities when the Emperor is looking for her,” Allison replied skeptically.
“Of course not, what I meant was she could help me with the harvest maybe or with my other responsibilities. You know I’ve a lot of things to do and with no help from anyone,” he explained almost as if begging.
“I think I’d be better off with you Allison,” I said hoping she agrees with me.
“Well… we do lack gatherers, and you could help us more in that department,” she stated then added facing Devon, “Just promise me to stay away from cities and towns.”
Devon was smiling triumphantly. “Don’t worry I’ll take good care of her.”
“You better,” she exclaimed then faced me with a cheerful smile, “You’re in good hands Ellie so I’ll see you around.”
I was about to say something to object but Allison already stood up, said her goodbye and left. Then I turned to Devon who kept on smiling. What was he trying to do? Why did he have to complicate things?
I frowned at him. “Why are you doing this?”
He was surprised by my asking and I found it to be unbelievable. “Do what?”
“I was doing fine with Allison and now you want me to work with you.”
He shrugged. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. All
I know is I needed help with my work so I asked for it. It just happens you’re the extra hand.”
I sighed. “Fine, let’s keep it that way.”
I followed him from the mess hall to the hallway. He walked confidently and happily, greeted all the people we passed. Briefly saying something nice to them without stopping, they in turn were extremely delighted to see him. The way they exchanged words and smiles was like they knew each other for a long time. Whenever he spoke to the women, some giggled shyly and others playfully teased him. He was warm and kind with everybody we passed. Sometimes he asked a short personal question only requiring a short answer and they gave willingly. People were happy to see him and I felt bad I was the only one who wasn’t enthusiastic by his presence.
He stopped in front of a wooden door with a sign that says agriculture. He opened and entered and I followed. The small room was more like a storage everything made out of wood, and inside was farming tools such as watering cans, rakes, wagons and shovels. On the shelves were small baskets of seeds organized basing on its kind. There were also piles of sacks of fertilizers at the corner and a man was packing seeds in small plastic bags on a table at the corner.
“Hey Alfred, you got what I need?” Devon asked.
“Yep, almost done,” he answered, filling a clear plastic bag with black seeds.
When he was done, he gathered the other two bags with red and brown seeds in them from the table and placed it inside a black backpack and handed it to Devon.
“Here you go and please tell Joe I’ll come by tonight for a drink,” Alfred said smiling.
Devon nodded and grinned, slinging the backpack on his back. “I will.”
We left the room and before we continued to walk again I asked, “What’s next?”
He faced me and replied, “We’re delivering these seeds to a farm just outside.”
I frowned. “Have you forgotten I can’t go outside?” I reminded.
He chuckled. “No I haven’t and it’s not far, only ten minutes away. I doubt anybody will be looking for you there.”
The Prevalence: Sequel and Final Book of The Premortals (The Premortals Series 2) Page 16