The Second Mate

TWENTY-FIVE

Marianne hummed as she dipped further into the soft material she was resting her head on. A low chuckle escaped Kendall's throat. Marianne stirred and tickled the fairy's chin. Kendall tightened his hold on Marianne's waist and placed a kiss her forehead.

"I'd love to cuddle up in bed with you, Honey. But, we have a plantation in need of our care. We wouldn't want the plants to die." Kendall murmured.

Marianne jolted awake and stared at the fairy in fear. She scrambled off the bed they were laying and moved away. Her eyes travelled the room and she recognized it as Kendall's room in the farm. Her attention went back to the fairy who stood up from the mattress.

"Gianna, what's wrong?" Kendall approached his wife.

"What? What did you call me?" Marianne stretched out a hand, gesturing the fairy not to step closer.

Kendall respected his lover's request and stood in his place.

"Gianna--"

"How did you know my name?"

"My love, did you have a nightmare--"

"Answer me! How did you know my name?" Marianne's voice raised. Only a few number of people knew of her middle name and she never disclosed it to Kendall.

Kendall looked at her with concern. He wanted to ease her mind. It has been hard for Marianne. After the Vessel of the Moon goddess came out from hiding, Marianne had been disowned by the people she once called her family. Kendall knew of her struggles, his wife had cried on his shoulders retelling him the betrayal she encountered. He also knew that Marianne would constantly have nightmares that fogged her sanity. It was one of the small struggles he encountered for loving her. She was having an episode. The fairy had confronted the situation many times before yet no matter how many times it occurs, he would aid the person he loves.

"The day we took our vows. You told me your name the day we got married. Marianne Gianna Lilly." He answered her question. It was true, he had learned her name on their wedding day. He liked her middle name and grew attached to it. He began calling her Gianna after Marianne revealed that no one called her by that name.

Tears fell down her cheeks as Marianne shook her head. No. This isn't real. I'm dreaming. Marianne told herself. She took a step back and felt the wall on her back. She leaned against it and grabbed the roots of her head.

"Wake up!" She insisted and began pulling on her hair.

Worry etched his face. Kendall held Marianne's hand to stop her from her feat.

"Please, stop. You're hurting yourself." He pleaded.

"If you want answers, I can give them. Please, I can't handle you getting hurt." Kendall locked her in an embrace after getting ahold of her wrists.

Marianne wriggled away from his touch and pushed him off.

"Don't touch me! Don't fucking touch me!" She warned. Her words were laced with hate and disgust. Kendal didn't want to believe it but her gray eyes reflected them stronger than her words. She loathed him.

The pain was evident in his eyes. Despite his own, he listened to his wife's request.
"Gianna--"

"Don't me call me that." Marianne hissed with spite.

Kendall's shoulders dropped from defeat. He raked his fingers through his hair and took the stool from the corner. He took a seat and looked at Marianne, who was watching him move around.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I know you're scared." He paused. He hated saying that nor the thought of it. Why did his wife hate him? Every time she had an episode, why did it always result to Marianne hating him? Was it because she doesn't truly love him? Is the reason she was staying with him was because she felt obligated that he saved her life and she reciprocated by responding to the attraction he felt for her?