PADORA : Behind the masks (Book #1)

CHAPTER 1/ THE PROLOGUE /THE MERMAID'S KISS

The early sun warmed Nadia's cheeks as she lay in the grass, her head resting comfortably on her right arm. Her other arm was stretched wide to the side, like she was signaling him where to sit. Her open palm was pointing to the sky. He observed her carefully as he hovered above her. The girl's long, almost white hair, now painted with golden streaks was splattered in the grass like a lion's mane. She reminded him of those mythical creatures he read about in the books his mother kept hidden under the wooden floor: A Sphinx, that's what the book said. A creature half woman, half lion... He was glad the girl's eyes were closed: this way he could observe her in peace. The sudden gush of wind tangled her wild hair and made waves in the grass see. The scene changed. Hm...Maybe not a lion, the boy thought to himself, maybe she was more like a mermaid. Well, half mermaid... she didn't have any fish parts. She chuckled as the grass tickled her flushed cheeks and peeked up at him under her long eyelashes.

-What are you doing, creeping above me like that? – the girl asked teasingly.

The boy smiled.

-You look very weird from this angle.

The answer made the girl frown.

-You are weird! Standing there, hovering above me like same... statue.

Her blue eyes followed him, as he sat down, leaning back, with his weight on his elbows. The boy's face was hidden behind his messy, dark, curly hair, and Nadia couldn't tell what captivated the attention of his small, round, pitch black eyes.

-I meant nothing bad. – the boy confessed after a while –You just...reminded me of mermaids.

The girl frowned again.

-Mer...what?

-A mermaid. - he repeated.

-And what's that?

Kosta knew so much more than she did. Nadia loved listening about mythical, strange creatures and gods and legends that Kosta knew so much about. She had no idea if the stories he told her were real or false, but somewhere along the way she decided to trust him. She kept on pleading with him to show her these books, but Kosta always refused. She didn't push it. She was a child, but she knew very well that these things were forbidden. So, this remained their little secret.

-It's a mythical creature that lives in the water. She is half fish half human. Mermaids sing to sailors and lure them into drowning. – Kosta explained.

This made Nadia laugh.

-So, I remind you of an evil singing fish. Thanks, Kosta.

-No! Mermaids are beautiful. I read that they lure sailors to kiss them, and then pull them into the water where they drown.

He wasn't looking at her as he spoke and his words lingered between them unanswered. She turned her gaze to the sky. She reminded him of something beautiful... That made her happy. She liked Kosta, and she was pretty certain he liked her back too. But, they never said things like that to each other. That was another little secret of theirs. This was maybe the first time Kosta called her beautiful... in so many words. Looking at the boy now, an idea crept into her mind.

-I bet you've never done it. – she said, with the always teasing tone in her voice.

-Drowned? Of course not, I know how to swim.

-No, not that stupid.

-Than what? – the boy now turned his full attention to her, turning to look at her, his right elbow supporting his full weight.

-Kissing. – the word was almost like a whisper. Nadia turned her head to the left, looking him straight in the eyes now. Her eyes were bluer than the sky, the boy thought.