Elemental: The Luna Legend

46. Meeting the Mistress

I don't know how long we stayed out there, but all I remember was her stomach growling and her repetitively apologizing. I guess where she was held before, being hungry was a sin or something because her face was pure dread. I waved off her apologies and ushered her inside. 

I started the day, swearing that I was done crying over him. I was supposed to be stronger than this and now I was crumbling. Is this how he felt when I was gone? When he thought I was dead? The more questions I asked myself, the more I was reminded that he was not there anymore. The more I thought of that, the more I cried. It was an endless cycle that I forced myself to stop in order to gather my senses, help Rue and figure out how to get him back.

"Come on." I wiped my eyes and and nose. "There's some food inside and some of my sister's clothes you can borrow." I smiled tiredly but firmly.

She nodded and followed me inside. Since I led her into the barrier, the air wall let her pass. Now she was taking a long shower (at my insistence) while I heated up the left over breakfast. Looking at where he was sitting just a few moments ago almost spurred on a few more tears, but I held them back. I had a person to care for before I can let myself feel all these emotions. 

I warmed up the eggs and bacon and threw away the half eaten toast...I was no longer hungry and I thought it would be rude to leave it on the table. I took both our plates and washed it up before I heard her coming down the stairs.

"In here Rue. Got some breakfast here for you." 

I could almost hear her stomach rumble in approval before I heard the chair scrape against the floor.

I took the food out to her as she sat down. To say that she was hungry would be an understatement. She was ravenous. She went back for seconds and thirds before I warned her to take it easy...taking in alot of food at once after being without it for a while could lead to more problems for her tummy. She turned red and nodded. At least she had table manners.

"So...you wanna tell me why you were with them, Rue?"

Her eyes flew up at me as she looked away again. Her eyes were distant as her breathing became deep.

"I never knew who my parents were, but I do know that one of them was a mage and the other was a witch or warlock. Their blood and magic made my magic twice as strong, so when the witches found me, they locked me up instantly. They said that my mother was dead and my father left us. They told me that they cared for me the only way they could because my magic would lash out at them." She spoke gently yet full of anger.

 She then lifted her neck and showed me a spot that was healed over but looked it had been rubbed raw countless times. 

"They kept a magic restraining collar, like an animal. It stung me and burnt my skin whenever I tried to use my powers. They took it off before we came here and healed it over. If I had helped in bringing you back to their mistress, I would've gained my freedom and they'd leave me alone." her voice went quite.

"Why didn't you?" I asked gently.

She looked me in the eye, her slightly watering. "I felt such warmth and kindness in you. Something that their promise never brought me...I was planning to run away the first chance I got. But now that you helped me pick a name, I can't help but feel closer to you. I know how naming works, but I'm glad it was you and not them. They were way to stuck up anyways."

I let those words sink in. It wasn't only me that felt a particular fondness towards her. I would have time later to dissect it. 

"I felt the same thing, Rue. That's why I couldn't hurt you. I know you were smart and cunning but I couldn't bring myself to do anything. And I'm glad."