Changeling

Chapter 12

"We've got to get her to Havilah, Ariton. You can't keep her in this cave forever."

"I know. But taking her to the city is dangerous. Once everyone knows she's here...," Cason abruptly cut Ariton off.

"Azariah is waiting for her daughter. You can't keep her daughter from her much longer."

What would happen once everyone knew I was here? Ariton said I would be safe here.

"I'm not keeping her daughter from her. I'm trying to keep Calliope safe! That is my job! We've come this far, she's finally in Eden where she belongs and I'm not going to let the Opposition take her now."

"You're letting your emotions cloud your judgement Ariton."

They were not aware I had awakened from my tea induced sleep and I didn't plan on making them aware. I wasn't about to give up an opportunity to gain some information. Information they seemed to be unenthusiastic about sharing while I was awake. And... I was struggling to deal with my own shame. I wasn't ready to face Ariton yet.

I recalled with more clarity than I wanted, my attempt to kiss Ariton in the haze following my consumption of what was supposed to be a healing tea. I had to admit, it did seem to heal me. I wasn't in any pain, so maybe the psychedelic effects and resulting tarnish upon my dignity were worthwhile in the end.

The desire to kiss Ariton hadn't been false, however it wasn't something I wanted on full display either. It made me vulnerable and gave him an advantage over me I didn't want him to have. I needed to rein in the irrational attraction I had to him. I knew though, reining in a wild stallion would have been easier. I was out of control.

As I lie there secretly listening to their conversation, I realized I was quite comfortable on a padded mat with a soft pillow under my head. Where the items came from, I didn't know. Likely something Cason brought. I pressed my nose into the fabric of the pillow and breathed in the ubiquitous scent of earth and herbs. But there was something else I detected. The settle notes of sandalwood and cedar, that I now recognized were distinctly Ariton, tickled my senses. As I took a blind inventory of my person, I found that I was no longer in my hospital gown but in the trousers, shirt and vest that Cason brought. I could also feel a wrap around my chest. Ariton must have placed the bandage and finished dressing me in my sleep. What a jerk. He totally gave me that tea knowing what it would do.

Cason and Ariton spoke of Azariah whom they both believed was my mother. I was still on the fence about the claims, yet at the same time, hopeful I had family out there somewhere who cared about me. But doubt shadowed my hope. Everyone I'd seen from this place looked as if they just stepped off the pages of a Tolkien novel. The only similarity between myself and those from Eden I could identify, were my eyes. The light violet color of my eyes often caught people off guard when they met me.

I kept my violet eyes closed and did my best to keep my breathing slow and shallow as if I were still sleeping-- a skill I'd honed as a child. Pretending to be asleep was sometimes easier than forcing myself to a dinner table with strangers in a new home or participating in any number of other uncomfortable situations. It worked well. Today I had more difficulty maintaining my fake sleep. My heart raced every time Ariton spoke which made keeping my breaths shallow almost impossible. And exactly just what emotions were clouding Ariton's judgement anyways?

"My emotions may be clouding my judgement, but they're also helping me keep her safe." Ariton spoke in a tender tone. I could feel his eyes cast a glance over me, despite not being able to see him.

"You love her, and that is dangerous," said Cason. He couldn't have just suggested that Ariton loved me?

"It doesn't make any of this more or less dangerous," said Ariton in reply. Though he didn't admit to loving me, he didn't deny it either... He couldn't actually love me, could he? They probably weren't even talking about me. It had to be someone else Cason was referring to. I mean, I liked Ariton, but it could never work between us. I knew that- and I'm sure he did too so, why did I hope it was me he was talking about?