War's Love

Final Decision

May was running around me in circles because of my wedding night. She was being more attentive than she ever was. I could feel for her. She was about to lose her youngest sister to a God. She was probably worried and distraught. It was natural for her.

I was in my bed and I hugged close to the sheets. I want to stay here until I see him and not a moment sooner. That boy promised me and now I'm a mess. I wanted no part in my family's long standing tradition of marrying at the age of 16. I wanted that boy to take me with him instead of leaving me here. Sure he was a stranger to me, but he was mysterious and alluring every time he spoke. 

May made me stay in the bed. "I'll see if Oriana can do something about your ankle, don't leave that bed," she called as she headed out of my room in haste. 

I had no intention of leaving the bed right now. I had nothing, but that boy on my mind since I went to the shoreline. Why couldn't it have been someone else I had to marry?

 I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. I looked down at my ankle and I could see it was swollen. It looked red and puffy, but I feel like I might have broken it. I lightly touched it and grimaced in response. 

I was hurt because I was reckless. I let my mind decide to take full control back in the sunflower field and now I was bed ridden again. I hate this. I'm more restless and unwilling to let go. What's happening to me, I have never acted like this before and my heart was hammering in my chest still. 

His eyes, his hair, his smile, his whole body was taunting me with his mystique. He was my Adonis and nothing would replace it. He was like a perfectly divine being in human skin and I crave for his touch. I want him to touch me. 

Oriana came in and May behind her. Oriana took a look at my ankle and I cringed when she touched it. "Looks like you only twisted it, Eleza. Just get some rest and I'll get a bath ready for you," 

I felt so flustered with thoughts of the boy and I didn't respond to Oriana or May. I curled up on the bed and drifted off into a memory.

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 He sat on the shore beside me and my eyes never leaving his. "Why do you come out here?" He asked with a soft tone. It didn't sound as cute when he tried to be the nice boy.

I pulled my gaze for a moment smiling at the ocean. "I was bored." I was flat out honest. "Nothing exciting happens around here in Acrin. I just don't want to be here, but I have my obligations to my family. I know I was meant for something more." I glanced over at him to see his reaction, but it was blank. I almost laughed nervously under his eyes watching me. "I guess it seems silly to someone like you," 

He touched my hand and I felt his warmth seeping into every part of me. He grinned at me with those small dimples and I was blushing. I felt red in the face. "It's not silly to want more than what people expect. I'm no different from you. Maybe, we're just fools who want more than a normal life," I was hardly paying attention to anything except his eyes and lips. I wanted so much to fall into them and show him how I felt. He blushed again. "Your dress," He started and I had noticed that he could almost see my undergarments. 

I quickly hid my legs and his eyes looked out over the ocean. He started laughing. When he stopped, he looked sullen and uneasy. 

"Elezana, I have to go soon," He said it and I pulled away. I got to my feet and walked toward the waves. I could tell he was watching me. I heard him get up and walk up next to me. "I wish I could stay with you like this, but I need to head home." 

I didn't look at him for a moment and then I smiled lightly. "Promise me you'll come back before I am married to another man, ok?" He looked at me worriedly. "It's a family tradition when a daughter turns 16 she is considered an adult and then married to a husband her father approves of. I don't want to marry anyone in Acrin." My eyes went to his instantly. "Can you do that for me?" I asked and my heart was racing. 

"I promise, I'll see you again before then," He smiled at me.

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I awoke to Oriana touching my shoulder and when I sat up, I didn't feel any pain in my ankle. I rubbed my eyes and still felt my mind stuck in memory lane. 

"I drew a bath for you. It will help take the swelling down," 

I got off the bed and headed to the bath. It still stung a little, but I could manage. I unlaced my dress and it fell to the floor. I put my hair up in messy bun and walked into the warm water. It smelled like honey and chamomile. I let my body release the tension build up and I felt it relax my body's muscles and everything was calm except my heart. 

There's no way to forget him, I had tried so hard and he still keeps coming to mind. I may be a newlywed here in a short while, but this was never leaving. These feelings for him will remain no matter my attempts to throw them aside.

I quickly washed off my skin and got out drying off with the towels Oriana left near the door for me. I paused noticing my scar, it was small in length a inch or smaller on my left near my rib cage. I covered it up and went back to my room to find my wedding dress laid out for me. Oriana was amazing, not even I had the eye she did for fabric. 

I couldn't believe I was really going to get to wear this tonight. She had made it completely sleeveless and it was like looking at something a goddess could pull off with ease. I slid into the dress and it fit neatly in place. A sash was around my waist though it was small and golden. My back was completely exposed except it covered my lower back and down. The skirt of the dress was slit on both sides that you could see my slender legs. 

A knock sounded on my door. "Come in," 

I quickly realized it was Rickard. He was a great deal taller than me. His brown eyes were excited and bursting joy. His short blonde hair was all easily seen. "Eleza, you don't have to marry him," It was the first thing he said and I felt unease. "He's ruthless and I'm afraid he'll hurt you," 

He had good reason to worry, but this wasn't his decision. It was mine. "How do you know anything about him? Everyone has their version of the truth, but no ones seen or met him." Rickard was about to protest. "I chose this, Rickard, not the other way around. Go home and don't bother trying to stop me," 

He looked defeated and left me.

I knew he cared a great deal for me if he hadn't I wouldn't still be a virgin. I understood he and I were not meant to be and he became like an older brother. Rickard could never beat me at my own game. This was my final decision. I will marry Ares, God of War and I will still have my feelings for the boy who saved me. That was all I want and need, I will never forget that.

I added in the scene of their promise, the one between Eleza and the mysterious boy who she fell for when he saved her. I can't reveal his identity yet, but his identity will be revealed in a chapter still to come. I hope you enjoyed it. Please comment on anything, I am eager to perfect this one. Thank you for reading it. Next chapter will be coming soon.