ORPHEUS

Chapter 10

Seeing her smile, Orpheus felt victorious for the first time in his bleak, resurrected life. He felt as if he had rescued the planet.
That brilliant beam coming from her lips, it made her whole face glow -as if she had not been sobbing her heart out just mere moments ago- and made his heart stutter. The effect she had on him was astounding, he cetainly did not expect it, though it should have been obvious, with her beauty and the little that Orpheus had learned about her, she was capturing his heart, piece by piece. The emotion he felt when she so much as looked at him, was indescribable, he knew not why. No woman had ever affected him that way, and no woman should ever hold that power over a man. Because Orpheus knew, that in that moment, if this woman sitting before him would tell him to take his own life, he would. Alright maybe he wouldn't, but a few more days with her and she would be able to convince him. He was under her spell. He knew that he shouldn't be, it was dangerous for her, as well as himself, but he didn't know where these feelings came from, much less how to stop them. He wouldn't ponder over it, he thought as he gazed at her with tendernes he did not know he possessed. Looking at her as if she was his whole world, as she shyly glanced up at him. She was better now, not showing any signs of terror from her nightmare. Her scream had startled him awake. His body had tensed, prepared to jump at whoever trespassed into his cottage, even before his eyes opened. Instict. But he could not sense anything, nor could he hear anything abnormal except Katherines irregular heartbeat and whimpers. The sound broke his heart.

He had sat up so fast, he felt light headed for a moment. He had seen that the sun had almost risen, bathing its light on Katherines shaking form. He soothingly ran his hand along her back, trying to comfort her. When she started sobbing in her sleep, he could not resist. He heaved her onto his lap, cradling her head on the crook of his neck, shushing her as he rocked back and forth, trying to calm her, as if comforting a child. He did not care that his behaviour was inappropriate at the moment, all that mattered was the woman sobbing violently on his shoulder, her body viberating with every sound that came from her. At one point Orpheus realized she had woken up, but her sobbing continued, eventually slowing down to adorable little hiccups and sniffles. He wanted to ask her what her nightmare had been about, but she had just calmed down and he had decided to lighten the mood further, besides it was exciting to have her this close and he did not want a reason to break the intimacy. He almost felt like a hormonal teenage boy, eager for a girls touch, not the merciless killer he was. He cherished the feeling. He would as long as he could.

And now here she was, still on his lap, her eyes wide and her mouth gaping. She looked absolutely precious, as her cheeks flooded with even more colour. Her hand that was on his chest was hesitantly making its way to her cheek, as if she couldn't believe what had just occurred. In all honesty, neither could he. He had surprised himself with his actions, he hadn't meant to kiss her, he shouldn't have. But she just seemed so innocent and when she turned her face away, he couldn't resist. He swooped in and pecked her cheek. And in that peck Orpheus knew he felt a spark, it warmed his insides. It was unexpected, it might be due to the attraction between them, but he needed to consult someone about it and her -quicker than average- healing abilities, the spark could be some power coursing through her. He would seek answers from his friend in the town today.

"Kathy?" He asked, seeing her snap out of her daze.

"Huh? Oh-um, I" she stammered as she realised their position, jumping off his lap, and in turn finding herself on the hard wooden floor. Orpheus suppressed his urge to laugh, but all humor quickly left his thoughts as he heard her moan in pain. He reprimanded himself, how could he have forgotten about her injury.

"Kathy!" He said in panic and swiftly took her in his arms again. He laid her on the large bed and asked her to turn over. As soon as she did, he started working on the laces. He should have thought of those while he bought the damned dress, it was so difficult to unlace.