The Marí

Part.16

"Emerald... Merald... pssst, wake up." A voice, so familiar yet strangely urgent cut through the fog of my sleep.
"Go away, Hena," I mumbled my voice thick with sleep and irritation "It's not even morning yet and I don't think I want to dance anymore. Geez, can't a princess get her beauty sleep around here?" I groaned burying my face deeper into the soft warmth of my blankets, swatting absently at the hands that had settled on my shoulders.
"It's me... Simon."
I froze at the sound of his voice—Simon? My eyes fluttered open, squinting against the dim light of moon entering my room through the windows as my vision slowly adjusted. There, standing at the foot of my bed was Simon, he was dressed in nothing more than his trousers and an open shirt, his chest subtly exposed still damp from a recent bath. His hair—perfectly styled just the day before—now had a rebellious, tousled look that seemed almost intentional as though he'd just walked out of a movie set embodying that magnetic, tortured hero.
"Yes, princess," he said with a teasing smooth confidence that made my pulse spike, he took a step closer the air between us crackling with unspoken tension, reaching out his fingers brushing against the soft strands of my hair, tucking a stray lock behind my ear. I blushed shamelessly acutely aware of how my nightdress clung to me, revealing more than I would have liked—his eyes never left mine and the intensity of his gaze sent heat rushing to my cheeks. I clutched the blankets tighter around my body hoping it would shield me from the sudden awareness of how exposed I felt.
"I'll be waiting," he whispered his breath warm against my ear, sending a wave of shivers through me. His lips brushed the delicate curve of my ear with a soft tantalizing bite that made my breath hitch, the sensation was unexpected and thrilling, leaving me speechless for a moment as I tried to process the impact of his touch. His gaze lingered on me for just a beat longer before he straightened up a knowing smile curling on his lips. He turned and walked out of my room his movements slow and deliberate leaving the door slightly ajar behind him, the dim golden light from the hallway spilled in casting a dramatic silhouette of him as he walked away. For a moment, I lay there frozen my heart pounding in my chest, what had just happened? I shook my head trying to clear the fog of sleep and confusion from my mind but the lingering warmth of his breath on my skin kept me rooted to the bed. I couldn't wait to see what he had in store. Hastily, I pulled on a robe trying to gather some semblance of composure. The anticipation of whatever Simon had planned made my pulse quicken, I stood up trying to be as quiet as possible careful not to wake the other maids or even Hena.
The cool air hit my skin as I stepped lightly out of my room closing the door as softly as I could behind me, my eyes followed the faint glow of light from the hallway where Simon's silhouette had disappeared just moments before. Each step I took toward him seemed to echo in the silence, the anticipation building with each soft footfall. Truthfully, Simon stood at the end of the hall way quietly waiting for me his presence palpable even before our eyes met, the moment our gazes locked the tension in the air thickened charged with an unspoken energy. My pulse quickened, the rhythm of my heart in sync with the electric current running between us slowly he reached for my hand his fingers curling around mine with a gentle but possessive grip. He pressed a soft kiss to my knuckles the warmth of his lips sending a shiver up my arm before leading me outside through the kitchen entrance. The cool night air hit my skin as we walked, the path eerily silent save for the soft rustling of leaves guiding us back to the place where we had trained earlier. Once we reached the quiet shadowed clearing, Simon stopped "Sit," he ordered his voice low and commanding but with an undeniable tenderness beneath the surface, his eyes locked onto mine piercing and intense as though he could see every thought in my mind, every secret buried deep within. The weight of his gaze made it impossible to look away like a hex pulling me closer. Obligingly, I sat my knees brushing against the cool ground still gripping his hand as if it were my lifeline, he mirrored my actions settling down across from me his gaze unwavering the night air seemed to grow colder the chill of the evening heightening the crackling electricity that swirled between us. The hum of insects distant and melodic filled the silence lending a strangely nostalgic air to the moment, Simon leaned in slightly his face so close now that I could feel the warmth of his breath against my lips, his eyes never left mine and the intensity in them deepened his voice dropping to a hushed murmur that seemed to vibrate with the force of his words. "Emerald," he began the sound of my name rolling off his tongue like a chant, "I've wanted to tell you something for some time."
My breath hitched at the weight of his tone anticipation flooding my chest, what was he about to say? "You know you can tell me anything, Simon," I whispered my voice barely a breath "What is it?"
A small knowing smile curled at the corners of his lips the kind that always made my heart flutter, that same charming grin that could melt any barrier "Have you ever heard of the monster that laid awake looking for the other piece of his soul?" His question caught me off guard and for a moment confusion clouded my mind, I furrowed my brows not expecting this shift in our conversation. Was he serious? Was this some sort of riddle or game?
"The only monster every child fears from where I'm from," I began;trying to steady my voice, "were the ones that live in the unbarred lands. Sure, it would be a thrilling tale if it were true but now that I'm here and based on my experience, I think it's safe to say there are no monsters behind these walls—just strange humans trapped in the past clinging to outdated beliefs and using their so-called liberty to oppress travelers who are only seeking a safe place. They're stuck in the middle of nowhere and treated like slaves in a land that no one recognizes or acknowledges." My voice had risen with each word frustration bubbling over and before I realized it I was staring at Simon with burning intensity, my chest heaving. Simon didn't flinch his face an unreadable mask he simply watched me his eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite place. A mixture of admiration, perhaps? Or amusement? I wasn't sure.
I cleared my throat suddenly realizing I'd said far more than I'd intended "Sorry, Simon. What do you mean by that?" I asked:my tone softer now but still laced with curiosity and a hint of unease.
Simon took a slow deliberate breath, his gaze softening just slightly but there was still an unmistakable fire in his eyes "What if I told you that the legend was true?" he said his voice low and serious vibrating with a dark intensity "And every month, on the night of the new moon women are sacrificed to the beast to keep him at bay? To prevent him from running wild into the human world in search of his other half. Because when he does find it..." He let the words hang in the air, heavy with the weight of their implications "When he does, he would cause thousands to be slaughtered severing your kind forever." He paused watching me closely noticing the subtle change in my expression, the creeping discomfort that I could no longer mask. The last thing I wanted was to be dragged deeper into whatever tale he was weaving, without thinking I slowly retracted my hand from his, my chest tight with unease. I needed distance.
"Are you trying to scare me, Simon?" I asked forcing a laugh that came out weaker than I intended, rubbing my palms together as if to mask my discomfort "Is that why you brought me out here tonight? To tell me a spooky story?" My voice dropped a little lower than usual a soft tremor betraying the unease I felt despite my attempt to mask it, I could feel my pulse racing the blood pounding in my ears. What game was he playing? What did he want from me? Simon's expression softened yet beneath it, there was an undeniable glimmer of concern that shadowed his usually playful demeanor. He leaned closer his voice dropping into a serious tone "Absolutely not, Merald," he began, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my stomach twist "I brought you here tonight to warn you. You are in danger. You might be the very next sacrifice."
I felt a rush of cold terror seep into my veins. Sacrifice? The word echoed in my mind turning it into a buzz of frantic confusion as I stared at Simon my eyes wide in shock and fear. His gaze remained steady but something in his expression—something about the weight of his words—kept me rooted to the spot, unable to speak for a long moment.
Suddenly, Simon broke into a deep, carefree chuckle, his features relaxing as he shook his head "Relax Merald, it was just a joke," he said laughing heartily at my reaction his voice was light again but the chill in my spine didn't fade, I swallowed hard trying to shake off the knot in my stomach. Was he really just joking? His laughter felt almost too much, too sharp like he was testing me, playing with me and I hated it.
My voice came out shaky as I tried to steady myself, forcing the fear to remain buried beneath a cool exterior "Simon, this isn't funny," I said my breath catching in my throat. I swatted his hand away when he reached for my cheek, his fingers cold against my skin a stark contrast to the heat rising within me.
Despite my attempt to keep my composure, my mind was racing, ,tangled in fear, confusion and now disbelief  "But seriously, Simon," I said my voice trembling "why did you bring me out here?" I couldn't help the desperation that slipped through.
Simon sighed running a hand through his damp hair in a manner that felt far too casual for the gravity of the situation "You know," he began lazily "sometimes the truth is hidden in the most unexpected places and tonight I just needed you to understand that not everything is as it seems. Sometimes the line between legend and reality is thinner than we think." His words dropped into the air with weight and I felt the tension between us thicken once more. Before I could process what he'd said he leaned in closer his eyes searching mine with a depth that sent another wave through me.
"Don't you want to go home?" he asked suddenly his voice cutting through the heavy silence that had fallen between us, the question was simple but the tone was heavy, loaded with something I couldn't place. I blinked caught off guard my mind struggling to shift gears, i leaned my head on his shoulder closing my eyes for just a moment seeking comfort in his presence, his fingers brushed a stray lock of hair from my face the gesture gentle but it only confused me further.
"I mean," Simon continued his voice softer now, "you haven't mentioned home once since you were brought here. It's only fair I ask." I inhaled deeply caught between the strange closeness I felt and the knot tightening in my stomach. I had no answer to give him—not a satisfactory one, anyway. I opened my mouth to speak but just then Hena's voice pierced the night air sharp and urgent.
"Emerald!!"
The sound of her shout shattered the quiet and I snapped my head toward the approaching figure of Hena. Her hurried steps echoed through the night as she strode toward us her face pinched with concern, her maids trailing closely behind. The weight of Simon's words lingered and it felt like the entire night had shifted in an instant, something had changed between Simon and me, something I couldn't name and the possibility of it being more than just a joke gnawed at me. Hena's arrival seemed to break the spell cutting through the fragile connection I'd felt with Simon, she reached us in an instant, her grip tight and insistent as she grabbed my hand pulling me away from Simon. The force of her movements startled me and for a moment I was helpless in her hold she yanked me toward her pushing me roughly into the hands of her maids who gripped me with surprising strength, their hold firm and unyielding. I struggled against their grasp confusion and anger bubbling up inside me as I glanced one last time at Simon his eyes followed me dark and unreadable and for a moment, I felt a flicker of something—regret? Resignation? the sharp edge of his laughter echoed in my mind as I was pulled away from him.
Back in my room, the maids shoved me onto the bed  their hands still holding me firmly in place until hena arrived I felt like a prisoner in my own life, I was a princess not a child to be dragged around yet here I was powerless to stop them. Hena's voice broke through the tension as she entered the room low and cold "I have no idea what is going on between you and Simon and frankly, I don't care. But I'm going to make one thing clear Emerald—stay away from him!" she hissed her eyes flashing with anger "If you want to survive in our world, you'll stay away from him!"
Her words stung sharper than I expected, I wasn't used to being spoken to this way and my temper flared immediately "Simon and I did nothing wrong," I snapped my words rushed in defense, my voice rising against the force of her tone "We were just talking—"
"We are done here, young lady!" Hena interrupted her voice cutting through mine like a whip, her finger pointed dangerously close to my face her gaze fierce with a demand I wasn't willing to meet.
"Are we clear? I said, are we clear, Emerald?!" Her voice rose to a yell filling the room with an intensity that could not be ignored I couldn't help but wonder if the entire inn had heard her by now.
"Yes, Hena!" I snapped back my voice thick with frustration and annoyance, the maids gently released me bowing and retreating as they left the room leaving Hena and me alone. I sighed heavily the weight of the situation pressing down on me, angrily pulling off my robe in one swift motion I flung it carelessly across the room landing on top of the vanity knocking down some stuffs in process, I stood still for a moment my hands pressed to my face in frustration what had I done to deserve this?
"Good," Hena said sweetly her tone abruptly shifting "I'd advise you go to bed now, I shall not leave your side I'll keep watch right here," she added her voice saccharine and strangely soothing. How does she do that?
I rolled my eyes but I couldn't suppress the sigh that escaped me as she tucked me in with unnerving care, the blankets were pulled up around me the weight comforting yet stifling. Hena sat on the other side of the bed, her eyes never leaving me i could feel her gaze even with my eyes closed and I wondered just how much she was truly watching me. Sleep claimed me eventually though it wasn't easy, my mind raced with questions I couldn't answer. Why did Hena want me to stay away from Simon? What was the real reason behind Simon's warning? Was there something between them that I didn't know about? And most troubling of all, Simon's words about the creature in the unbarred lands—they echoed in my thoughts was it real? Had I seen it that night during archery with Regina? Was that the beast he'd spoken of, the one he joked about? Was that really a joke? I drifted in and out of uneasy sleep my mind a tangle of uncertainty and for the first time I felt how truly unprepared I was for the truths I was beginning to uncover.