Ari

Chapter 22: Proposal

My heart was pounding so hard panicking while trying to keep my mind focused on the situation.

I tried to check his pulse, but my gloves were too thick to feel a weak pulse. I had to remove it despite trembling as my eyes started to tear up in fright and my head got dizzy while my stomach was turning upside-down.

I instinctively yawn a few times, fighting my urge to throw up as I touched his neck checking for a pulse but found nothing.

I had to perform a consecutive set of chest compressions followed by an artificial ventilation by blowing the air into his lungs through his mouth simultaneously until he regains his heartbeat and breath.

By this time, I totally shook aside my fear of males for the time being as the fright of seeing someone die in front of me overwhelmed me like hell subconsciously directing me on saving the patient.

I was not sure if I was doing it correctly, but I was sure I followed the steps taught to me during a hands-on practice that I failed to perform in a health education class in my previous life.

I could see a glimmering light coming from my hand to his chest and my energy was draining up, but I didn't mind it and no one was around to see it so it didn't matter. Hence, I continuously repeated the steps until he started to breathe again on his own.

After he regained his heartbeat and breath, I suddenly felt the urge to throw up due to the sudden release of stress so I ran in a distance near the opening of the cave to throw up.

"A-Ari..." Dillon uttered as he tried to reach me with his hands despite my distance to him calling my attention.

My legs felt weak, my head was numb and I felt exhausted but I still managed to go back to his side to check his temperature and took my shawl that had already dried up and placed it on him.

He was staring at me as I tried to cover his eyes with my hands, hinting him to go back to sleep without uttering a word due to my exhaustion and sleepiness.

My body was trembling uncontrollably. My head was aching due to the sudden release of adrenaline, but Dillon's scent started to fill the cave indicating that his body has already started to subdue the poison inside his body by creating antibodies raising his immunity to similar poison.

The aroma of mint exuded a calming effect, soothing me like a cradle as I unconsciously laid down beside him and fell asleep.

I can faintly feel Dillon's movement as he pulled the shawl on his body and placed it on mine. He then embraced me as I fell deeper into slumber.

We haven't even had a chance to have dinner so we were both exhausted and the fire was slowly dying as the night got deeper.

The night started to grow colder as the fire started to fade. We can only rely on each other's embrace to warm ourselves throughout the rest of the night.

The next morning, I woke up, but I still felt sleepy in Dillon's embrace while he was already awake, staring at me with a bright smile on his face.

He hugged me tightly, not wanting to let go as I almost fell back asleep sniffing the scent of mint on his body.

"Thank you. I promise I will take responsibility and marry you once you come of age. Please don't reject me anymore. I feel so happy right now that I no longer wish to go back. I want to stay like this longer." He whispered sweetly while blushing.

Is this a proposal? I don't know, my mind feels empty due to exhaustion, but I can feel his heart beating fast as I came closer and leaned my head to his chest to rest some more.

Right, we will get in trouble once they find us like this, but I really feel exhausted.

"I want to sleep more..." I mumbled as I closed my eyes.

He laughed at me and kissed my forehead while caressing my wings. His body feels cold, so I unconsciously enveloped him with my wings trying to warm him up while I dozed off.

A few moments later, we heard the voices of our fellow tribesmen shouting our names from a distance.

I transformed back to my passive form and tried to stand up sleepily, but Dillon hindered me by not letting go.

"Please stay like this a little longer, I won't be able to hold you like this once we get back to the tribe until our wedding." He mumbled while feeling aggrieved knowing that I will be locked in my room once I got back home.

We were still lying down cuddling one another when some tribesmen found us in the cave we were staying at.

They were all surprised seeing the first male to be able to get close to me. They felt relieved as they can finally reassure themselves that I can participate in the courtship ritual once I come of age, though we broke a rule of the tribe and shall receive our punishments once we get back home.

While others were relieved, my father was furious, seeing his precious daughter being held by another male in a shabby condition covered with only a thin sheet of fabric while knowing the night was cold due to the rain that only stopped deep into the night.

He wanted to search for me since the night of my disappearance, but the elders and the other tribesmen stopped him because of the rain and the cloudy sky. It was more dangerous to dispatch the group of searchers and also, only a few tribesmen were available because the bonfire celebration was held as soon as the rain stopped.

The exhaustion and worry were shown clearly on his face.

Dillon looked dispirited when the tribesmen appeared at the entrance of the cave and had no choice but to let go of me as he sat down while looking at the search team.

I wanted to stand up, but I was still extremely exhausted and finally fell back asleep as my father and the elder healer approached me.