Scarlet Desires: Last High Blood

Ch.13: The Line Between Hate And Love

EDITED

 The sound of birds chirping overhead stirred me from my sleep. Groggily, I turned around and felt someone breathing next to my face. The smell of freshly cut grass invaded my nose, sending tides of happiness to my dazed state. 

   I wanted to stay in this way with the stranger but curiosity got the better of me. Hesitantly, I opened my eyelids and saw an amazingly adorable elf's face just inches away from mine. His long ears poked out from the soft blonde curls - which rather looked odd to me since I never seen an elf other than him. A small giggle almost escaped from my lips when the blades of the grass tickled his adorable face, making him snort every now and then.

   I should have put some distance between us and cursed him but behind all that facade of hate, I couldn't help but long for his attention and care. You sound like a love sick fool, Artemis! A sarcastic voice from the back of my mind snickered. I never paid any attention to it though. My golden eyes roamed all over his face before admiring the tall lean body. As usual, he was clad in a simple peach colored tunic and shaggy green pants.

   I wonder what his long ears feels like... I wondered to myself, reaching out for one of his pointy ears. Out of nowhere, the feeling of being touched arrived and I saw Desmond's arms looped around my slim waist. Blood rushed to my cheeks when he tightened his grip and pulled me closer to his body.

   "Please..." His voice turned all desperate and weak. "Don't stop..."                    

   Afraid of what was coming next, my body stiffened under his loving caresses and my breaths came in short bursts. My inner voice kept yelling at me to shove him away and spit a couple of mean words to him yet somehow, I was still stuck in this awkward position, being fondled by a stark handsome elf. His chest rose up and down in rhythm – it was such an adorable sight to see.

   Slowly, he opened his green eyes and blinked rapidly.

  "Artemis?" His voice sounded dumbfounded and surprised. "You've been watching me...?"

   "O–Of course not!" I snapped, covering my flaming cheeks. "Get away from me, you... you pervert!"

  To emphasize my last words, I gave him a good kick and watched him yowl in pain. Heavy footsteps mixed with light ones rushed to our side. "What just happened!?" Lincoln barked, helping a barely unconscious Desmond up. I sat on the soft grass, eyeing their movement. "We need all the support we get and you kicked him?" He half shouted in front of my face.

     Avoiding his scrutiny stare, I turned my face around and mumbled something along these lines. "I don't know, geez."

     Out of the corner of my eye, Lincoln face palmed himself while Liliane tried to comfort him by patting his back. My eyes drifted around Liliane's outfit and noticed that a big part of her long dress went missing.Even the long sleeves and fancy skirt had burn marks, disfiguring the Gothic masterpiece. Liliane's skin looked even paler than usual - her eyes burned with need and blood thirst but not even a single complaint left her lips.

   Probably because she didn't want to burden her brother.

   "No, it's okay." Desmond tried to smile but it looked more like a grimace instead. I nearly forgot he's here with us, I thought to myself, musing. A couple of tired yawns caught my attention and my eyes found Margaret and Gwen. Just like me and Liliane, their French costumes looked messy and parts of their elaborate outfit were lost to the flames from yesterday's incident.

   "Did you see Picasa yesterday?" I asked, whipping my head around to face Lincoln.

     After a few seconds of consideration, he shook his head slowly. My eyes widened in horror at his words. My jaw dropped and I quickly snapped it shut. Oh great, two important people are gone. Lost. Freaking great! The gap between my eyebrows ceased. Important? Picasa... is important? To me...? That thought never occurred to me before. I heaved a sigh and stopped giving excuses to myself. Of course she's important. She helped me - in a way.