Chapter 7: A Quest

I shifted, my curiosity taking over my body. Why was he injured and wounded in the first place?

“Where do you live? Do you even have a family?”

“I don’t have a house. And no, I don’t have a family.” That was all he said—that was all his answer to my question.

“Please, just stay…” I begged. “If you don’t have a house, then maybe you could live in one of the rooms in our castle. We have a lot of empty rooms that you could use and occupy. I promise I won’t tell my mamita.”

“No, thanks.” Zarion’s throat bobbed. “That’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?” Before I could say anything, he cut me off. “I’m on a quest.”

“A quest…” my brows met. “Like a mystery to solve?”

He nodded. “I’m looking for the witch that will give me the information about who’s my mate.” Mate? I don’t understand. A witch? I don’t understand either. I’m pretty sure that only exists in fairy tales and fantastical stories.

“Okay, but—” I scratched my head. “You could do that while living in our castle, right?” I hate how my voice sounds so hopeful. “Right?”

His back turned away from me. His stance was aggressive as if he was ready to crush something—someone. Zarion’s shoulder tensed, his chest moved in rhythmic oscillation. He was—is—controlling himself. Zarion’s hand forcefully grabbed onto the edge of my arched window that the wooden frame creaked.

Something moved on the ceiling. I immediately tear my gaze away.

“Z-Zarion?” I asked, and my mouth started watering again. He’s gone the moment I looked back to where he was. In just a blink of an eye, he was nowhere to be seen inside my room. Again.

I fucking hate that he didn’t even bid goodbye to me. He said thank you, yes. He gave his “wholehearted” gratitude in front of my face. But can he also do that the moment he leaves? Goodbye is just two syllables, that’s just so easy to be uttered. Or he can even wave a hand to me.

Anyway, what’s done is done. What happened has already happened, time only runs forward. Never backward.

I could hear the loud banging of my heart against my chest as if it wanted to run away and hide in whatever hole it may find. My mouth fell open slightly. I couldn’t breathe his scent anymore though Zarion’s fragrance still lingers in my system. It seems he’s still here, yet I couldn’t find him anywhere in my room.

“Am I imagining things again?” I suddenly thought of something. “A c-coat… I need a coat,” I whispered to myself while looking around to find the coat that I got for him earlier.

I couldn’t explain what I was feeling. Something tells me that I need to follow him. That I need to see him; I need to be near him. My hands shake as I grab my winter ear muffs on my bedside table and go out of my bedroom door. Looking at the mirror situated beside a feminine statue, I passed by our vast hallway, catching a glimpse of my reflection. My tear-stained face was puffy and swollen with grief.

Grief. Why the hell should I be grieving?!

“Mamita shouldn’t see me looking like this,” I softly whispered to myself as I wiped away the tears cascading from my eyes. Sniffing, I was about to step out of the stairs when I saw a dark reflection following me behind. To my shock, mamita was already there when I turned my back.

“Mamita!” I blurted, appalled by her sudden presence. How did she do that again?! Since when did she come here? I didn’t even notice her footsteps nor her presence. But then again, maybe I was preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn’t notice her approaching.

She was holding her walking stick, hoisting it slightly as she pointed towards me. Her piercing eyes didn’t falter. “Why are you crying?”

“C-Crying?” I chortled anxiously. “I’m n-not crying, mamita!”

“Oh please, my dear. Don’t try to fool me. You’ve been in my care for eighteen years. I know yourself better than you do”

“Oh,” I shook my head. “Nothing. I was just thinking about—about the injured dog! Yes, the dog that died in the cabin.”

“A dog?” She inched nearer, her walking stick meeting the floor once again. “We have a dog in the cabin?”

I nodded, refusing to meet her gaze.

“What about the boy?”

“Huh? The b-boy? What boy?” I asked, answering her with two more questions. Eyebrows furrowing right at this moment, deep inside, I knew she knew what happened all along. And what I’m about to do right now.

“Yeah, the boy you have a little crush on.” Her smile faded into something…delirious.

“Mamita, I’m…”

Her eyebrows sculptured and I saw that glimpse of sadness flashing before my face when she peered at me. “No, no, no, Cassidy. You won’t tell me you’re—”

“It’s not just a little crush, Mamita,” I corrected, damn my quivering voice. Looking at her straight in the eyes to tell her I wasn’t kidding, I lifted my bare hands in the air, palms wide open. It’s our little gesture to say that one is not lying. Not even a bit.

“These aren't my silly little jokes anymore that I used to do, Mamita. Never in my life has I been so sure of this decision, of my feelings towards someone. I know it may sound wholly ridiculous but—” I inhaled through my nose, reaching for that last tendril of courage within my soul. “I love him. I love the boy, Grandmother.”