Thalassa

Chapter 12

The meal was delicious, as expected. Adara gave them sweet red wine to accompany it.

"So, where do you come from?" She asked.

"The city of Athens." Thea said.

"Ah, beautiful Athens! Why should you come to the island then?"

"We are travelling to see family" Mikalis told her.

"That's nice. So I suppose tomorrow you will want to go out and fix your boat?" Adara asked him.

"Our boat? Oh yes of course, it needs to be fixed! Yes I shall go out tomorrow morning" he said.

"It won't take us long, we should be gone by tomorrow evening," Thea declared. Mikalis looked her. Where was this sudden announcement coming from? He was expecting to stay with Adara for at least a week. Where was Thea planning on going anyway?

"So soon? Oh, what a shame."

"Well, yes it is soon. But we won't want to bother you. Our family across the sea shall be expecting us. We are ever so grateful that you have let us stay with you, though"

"You're very welcome. It's been a pleasure having you" Adara said sweetly.

"It's getting late, I think I'll go to bed" Thea said.

"Yes, we had a late night in the storm last night, I'm still quite tired" Mikalis added.

"Of course. Good night, both" Adara said.

*******************

Mikalis did not hear from Thea until the morning, when he was violently shook awake.

"Mikalis, I now know what will become of our future! We'll sail away, explore wonderful places, meet incredible people on our journey. Is it possible to live a more perfect reality?" She beamed. He studied her eager face, her blue eyes alive with enthusiasm. The answer was no, he couldn't think of anything greater then spending time with the curious, compelling girl of whom he would never tire. He knew that in his lifetime, he could never meet a girl so individually charming. But he felt that justice was due.

"I would be more than happy to accompany you on these adventures, Thea. But I have only one condition" Mikalis said.

"Of course. I'll do whatever" Thea replied.

"We must cut the ties. We will go back to Athens, say goodbye to your family. It's only fair" Mikalis told her.

"Mikalis, you know-" Thea began in a low, thick voice.

"I understand Thea. But think of your parents. Deemed mad by the people of Athens, only because they desire to be reunited with their missing daughter one day. Please, Thea." But before Mikalis had a chance to finish saying "please", Thea had raced down stairs. Mikalis charged after he, determined not to let her go once more. Her speed was still impressive, although now he was possibly faster, after his training. They ran bare foot through the dust and trees. Finally, the space between them had lessened considerably and he starched out his arm and his fingers gripped tightly on to Thea's wrist. She suddenly tripped, bringing Mikalis down to the dry ground with her. He stood quickly and hoisted her up. Fat tears began stream down her face. Mikalis had never seen her look so vulnerable, so delicate. He would do anything to try to dispel the hurt from her eyes. So he stole a kiss. He expected Thea to look shocked, to push him away and start running again. But to his surprise, he gazed up at him fondly and wrapped her arms around him, her head pressed to his chest.

"What are you so afraid of, Thea?" He asked her. She moved a hand to his chest beside her face and felt his beating heart.

"I was afraid that I would forget how I hated it and stay, and then soon enough I would hate it again" Thea explained.

"But now, I know that if I went back and said my goodbyes, nothing could stop me leaving with you".