What Lies Beyond the Ocean

Chapter 7

I lied in my bed, which was in the room I shared with Alyard. Feralo occupied the other room and Javvad in his own room. I couldn't sleep; rain pounded the window, and thunder made the sky shake. I made my gaze towards Alyard, who was fast asleep already. He looked so tranquil in his sleep, and he also didn't seem as pale as he was earlier that day. I smiled, and I wondered how he slept so perfectly. After about a few seconds, I find myself growing tense. I felt anxious, even stressed, and my heart was beating against my chest rapidly. I thought about my father. I can't keep my secret to myself anymore. I needed someone to talk to. I glanced back at Alyard, and my whole world fell dark. I allowed this innocent, caring man into my whole world of secrets and lies. I dragged him out of his home to go on a journey through a false promise. I felt so contrite; I have to come forward. This is the time, and I prayed to God that Alyard wouldn't be incensed about this whole ordeal. I took a shaky, quivering breath as I slipped out of bed. I walked over to Alyard and pushed back his brown locks. He looked so handsome, statuesque even. I leaned over and brushed his cheek. I stroked his hair. 
"Alyard..." I whispered.
He didn't show any sign that he heard me, so I gingerly shook him. His eyes flickered open, and he smiled at me as he realized it was me.
"I can't sleep. C-can we talk about something that's been bugging me?" I asked gently. He nodded.
He yawns and leans up, and scoots over to make room for me on his bed. I felt anguished, but I took another deep breath and looked him into those amiable eyes of his.
"What's going?" he asked, his voice sounded raspy due to just waking up.
"I-I..." I looked away quickly, and tears slowly roll down my cheek. I built up some courage made eye contact with him.
"I- I lied about the whole bookstore scheme; my "mother" isn't actually my mother; she was a close friend of my father. I don't know who my biological mother is, but she's from Zalfa. My father and Casa, my adoptive mother, both come from Férto and my biological mother. I'm even from there, but I was moved over to Allience to live with Casa and have done so most of my life. I'm so so sorry," I took both of his hands and rubbed them. He looked crestfallen, but a mixed warmth on his face as well.
"It's okay," he said quietly. "I understand it's all hard to explain, but I'm not mad. I would never be mad at anyone. There is one thing that bewilders me; why are we heading to Zalfa if you're not going to find a special book?"
"I'm looking for my biological father and mother now since I found out when Casa visited me back in Scott's dungeon."
He rose an eyebrow.
"You were knocked out, so you wouldn't remember. Feralo doesn't even know himself." I brush his hair out of his face once again. It kept getting into his eyes.
"I've wanted to find my dad alive, or even dead. I need to find out his fate,"
He smiled, and he put his right arm around me, and I leaned against him. I kissed his hand that was on my shoulder.
"Thank you for understanding, Alyard." I smile. "For everything."

Pound, pound, pound, someone knocked on the door rapidly and rather quickly. I woke up and saw that Alyard's arm was still around me loosely. He was fast asleep, and I sat up. The knocking resumed.
"Yes?"
Feralo comes in, beaming with health and exhilaration.
"What're you happy about?" I chuckle a bit.
"Breakfast is ready!" he exclaims. "Wake up, Alyard and come downstairs before Javvad and I eat all of it!"
He dashed out of the room and raced down to the kitchen.
I hid my laughter. "Alyard, breakfast is ready!"
Immediately, Alyard woke up. He stretched out his arms and placed a fat grin on his face. He sat up and began to dress.
"Wait, Al," I sat him back down. "I have a question."
He gave me his attention.
"Do you promise not to tell Feralo and Javvad about last night?"
"I promise," he replies.
"Good," I pat his hand. "Let's get some breakfast!"
We rushed downstairs and met ourselves with a hearty breakfast. Javvad whipped up some fluffy, golden pancakes with eggs on the side.
"How'd everyone sleep?" Javvad ardently asks.
"Fantastic!" Feralo replies with a mouth full of food. "I dreamt of food!"
Alyard snickered, and I crack up. Javvad smiles, a smile that resembles Alyard's.
"I slept pleasantly," Alyard elucidated as he sipped his water.
"And heavily," I whispered to myself, smirking. He caught my statement and shrugged, of course.
I poked his elbow playfully, and he rolled his eyes in response.
"You guys lovebirds now?" Feralo piped in with a chuckle.
Javvad nods. "Lovebirds bloom in' in front of our eyes."
I reddened and stirred around the eggs on my plate. I did have some attraction to Alyard. I liked him- but I was unsure if it was enough to be in 'love' with him. I sneaked a glance at Alyard as he bit into his pancake. My heart began to flutter at the sight of him. I looked down back at my food before he caught me glancing at him.