Chaart Acrat 1 - The Flying Bride

Chapter 7

After getting enough courage to open her eyes, Owata saw that they were approaching the ground floating slowly. Tricame's wings were twitching on her both sides, but the wind had ceased. Finally the shia-ag's legs reached the ground, then her abdomen, wings and head. For a moment no one moved.

"I'm sorry, Tricame, but I had to," Siarme whispered. He went crouching beside the lizard's head and petted her forehead. Tricame groaned.

"What did you do?" Owata's voice was still shaking.

Siarme didn't answer right away - he was observing Tricame. Then he stood up with a wide grin on his face. "Well that was a ride!" he laughed and lifted Owata, who was shivering, from the lizard's back. "Never have I seen a Fiaan fly before! Or anyone else who hasn't been taught to fly!"

Owata stared at laughing Siarme, her mouth opened. She felt her legs going numb and clutched his arm.

"What an extraordinary bride I have here! Trying to flee a night before the wedding - flying!" Siarme continued laughing and lifted Owata up holding her under the armpits. Owata felt like vomiting. "Put me down!" she squeaked.

As she was emptying her stomach in the grass Siarme was examining Tricame and petting her head. "She'll be fine by tomorrow. Had to make her do a slowed landing... I guess I won't explain you the details since you're in that condition."

Owata settled under a nearby tree, leaned on its trunk and picked up a water bottle from her bag to rinse her mouth. Siarme sat down next to her.

"You're not mad even though I tried to steal your shia-ag."

Siarme gave a laugh. "This is way too funny."

"I think this is not funny at all." Owata took water in her mouth and spat it in the grass. "What am I going to do now? Will I have to run to the next village?"

"What about not escaping at all?"

"And marry you? No way!"

Siarme pursed his lips. "It couldn't be that bad. I would be a good husband. I'm a good kisser too. Look."

Owata got paralyzed as she felt Siarme's lips on hers. She felt warmth flowing through her body but she didn't want to feel it, she tried to push it away but couldn't help it.

"Well?" Siarme's face was too close. Owata was staring at his eyes. They were almost black in the darkness.

"I don't know what you're -" she started but Siarme leaned against her again, this time tighter, lifted her away from the tree and pressed her back against the cool ground and leaned after her...

"No," Owata whispered but Siarme kissed her again Owata wanted to forget everything, just be here forever and...

"No!" she didn't want to forget, Siarme was a sneak, he didn't want her, he just tried to make her marry him so he could get rid of her fast...

"Stop!" Owata sat up and pushed Siarme away. She felt her cheeks burn. "You're just a... just a conspirator! Stay away from me!"

Siarme looked stunned. "You don't really think I -"

"You can't make me do whatever you want by pretending that you like me! I know I'm nothing but a filthy worker to you!" Owata heard tears in her own voice but she fought to keep them away. "You could never love a Fiaan, probably no one else either, because you are selfish and arrogant!"

"Owata, I -"

"Don't say my name!" Owata shouted. "It's not meant for your lips!"

Siarme was sitting in the grass, looking baffled and scratching his head. "I do konw that -"

"We both know and that's the reason you won't see me in your wedding tomorrow!"

Owata stood up quickly, nearly lost her balance and felt sick again but picked up her bag and left for the sand road, staggering. Siarme didn't come after her.