Eden
I awake with a jolt, sitting straight up in bed I take in my surroundings, everything is as it should be, in it's exact place, nothing amis.
It's still dark out, but I know I won't be able to go back to sleep, though I seemed to have slept soundly even if I did wake up feeling anxious.
I pull the covers off of myself and get out of bed, I make my way to the bathroom to freshen up for the day ahead, combing out my long hair and rubbing oils on my skin, the smell of vanilla, musk and gardenia's fill my senses. I love smelling good, even if I don't go anywhere or do anything. After cleaning my mouth with mint paste I make my way back into the bedroom.
I find myself standing naked in the soft glow of the lantern I left lit last night, in front of my wardrobe, wondering what to wear, as if I have many options.
Settling on a deep purple wrap top and an ankle length light brown flowing skirt, I dress and decide to actually put on some slip on shoes if I'm really going back into the caves. Last time wasn't pleasant, it hurt my feet, unlike the moss covered ground of the forest that feels cushioned against my bare soles.
My heart is pounding so loud it's the only thing I can hear as I leave my small cottage and make my way to the caves in the quiet, dark, early hours of the morning. Why I've decided to go alone instead of waiting for Aries is beyond me. Something is driving me to go see this Reaper now, what I don't know, but it feels right to follow this instinct.
The walk all the way from my cottage to the mouth of the cave feels forever long as I walk by myself in the dark. I can finally make out the entrance, just as I hear birds begin to sing, singling the rising of the sun this morning. Which means I don't have much time before everyone will be up, they'll be wondering where I am. The nosey witches popping into my cabin unexpectedly if I take too long to get up and out for the day.
I stop in front of the entrance, unsure if I'm really brave enough to go in here alone after yesterday. After looking a fool.
After finding out what he is.
The thought of him has one foot in front of the other before I even realize I've begun walking again. I need answers. I need to feel safe again. I need to know why.
Why me?
Why'd I have to go and have some fucked up dream about some handsome stranger who just so happened to end up in our forest, a willing prisoner at that when he posses power beyond belief.
Or so I thought.
A willing prisoner my ass.
As I make my way to the holding cell door I can already tell the chains have been broken away and the door is slightly open.
My heart officially drops into my ass as I look into the room and confirm it's empty. No Reaper in sight. Panic starts to settle in, he's obviously escaped, which I shouldn't be surprised, someone should have been on watch duty at all hours! I'm a complete moron and Aries is too, at that! He could be doing anything his dark heart desired. At least if he was being guarded we would have known when he got out.
Is this what jolted me awake? The knowing of something being amis.
I'm almost running as I finally reach the center, the sun has finally risen and is making it's way through the canopy to the forest floor, which is bustling with all the women going about the morning as if nothing is wrong. That's good, right?
I look around for any signs of danger and thankfully everything is as it should be.. "Eden!" Relief rushes through me at the sound of Aries voice cutting through the chatter of the other women, I turn in search of her and rush towards her once I spot her.
"I came to your cottage this morning but you had already left before sunrise." she says as I stop in front of her. "Yes, I couldn't sleep this morning and went to make sure our prisoner was still secure, and Aries, he's gone!" I search her eyes as I say this, she smiles softly. "He didn't escape, at least he didn't leave the cave anyways." I'm sure I look like a nincompoop. "What?"
At that moment the smell of amber and rum fill my senses, taking a step back without thinking about it I'm met with a broad, hard chest, definitely not feminine in the slightest.
I shriek and jump forward to escape the man that's haunted my every thought since yesterday morning, keeping me on edge. Making me look like a fool repeatedly.
Like right now, as I hear his loud laugh boom out, accompanying giggles from the women nearby.
I spin around and am met with the beautiful man from yesterday, except instead of kneeling on the ground in nothing but pants, his height towers over me as he looks down at me with a smile on his face, wearing clean pants tucked loosely into his boots and a plain grey shirt. With his messy brown hair and golden eyes.
I stare daggers at him.
"Good morning, Eden." He flashes an even bigger smile as he greets me. I say nothing in response, feeling only anger towards this good looking, smiling, jerk.
"I went to check on him in the middle of the night, only to find that his door had been unlocked and left open, although when I looked inside he was just laying on the floor, unchained and unbothered." I turn towards Aries as she says this.
"So, what? You're just letting him roam our village now?" It takes everything in me not to scream the words at Aries to express how displeased I am with this, especially when she didn't even discuss this with me, I'm supposed to be her second in command, but most of the time she's off making decisions herself.
She straightens her spine before replying. "Yes, if he was going to hurt any of us he would have easily done so by now, there's actually many things him and I need to discuss, I will fill you in later, Eden, for now, it's time to eat breakfast, come." She holds out her hand to me, instead I link arms with her, she knows I hate hand holding, finding it too intimate, and sweaty. I hate sweaty palms.
I turn my back to the Reaper as we begin making our way to the table to eat with the others this morning. Though he is close behind following us, the amber and rum smell almost making my mouth water it's so delicious..
What's wrong with me?
Do I hate this man or wanna lick him?
If it wasn't him in my dream, then what reason do I have to hate him, anyways? I just can't seem to get passed this feeling that something is off with him.
We take our seats at the table, Aries at the head and me to her right hand side, she gestures for the Reaper to claim the seat beside me, the one I always have Kiana sit in, and she knows this, I stare at her in anger as the Reaper sits beside me.
Too close.
Aries pretends to not notice my anger and unease, and instead decides to address the table since it seems everyone has arrived and is ready to begin getting their plates. She smiles before she begins.
"I'm sure everyone is wondering who our new guest is! The forest spirits deemed him worthy of passing, and until we sort out why he's here, he will be treated as our guest. I expect everyone to treat him with kindness and respect." She looks around at everyone as she speaks before her eyes land on the man sitting beside me. "Would you like to introduce yourself?"
Now it's his turn to look uncomfortable, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy it. He slowly looks around before offering a small smile. "I'm very grateful for being welcomed so openly into your forest for my short and unexpected stay, you may call me Jericho." I hear a few giggles erupt from some of the women at the table and I can't help but actually roll my eyes at them, like they haven't seen a man before.
He's no ordinary man though, he's a Reaper, designed by the god of death, and Aries purposefully left that bit of information out.
Aries clears her throat loudly to quiet them. "Alright, now that that's been established, everyone feel free to eat!"
At that they pick up the plates of food and begin passing them around, each of us taking a small portion before passing it to the person next to us. After a few minutes everyone's plates are full of fresh fruit, sugared oatmeal and slices of fresh cranberry bread. Everyone is quietly stuffing their faces full, enjoying the food.
All the sudden Lilly, the newest member of our coven, is behind Jericho's chair, her light blonde hair swaying in the breeze and her icy blue eyes focused solely on him. "Would you like some spiced tea, Jericho?" She holds out a tall tea cup that lets off a beautiful aroma, he turns slightly and smiles, carefully taking the cup from her before taking a long drink. "It's delicious, thank you- I'm sorry what is your name miss?" Her face blushes as she answers him. "You can call me Lilly."
"Lilly, like the beautiful flower." He says to her, she giggles and brings her hands to her chest, bringing attention to her large breasts without being obvious about it.
Anger swells up inside of me even though I know it's irrational. What do I care if Lilly flirts with the Reaper, anyways? She can have him. Though it's known Reapers don't take mates. They've never chosen someone to spend their eternities with from what I've heard, if anything you might consider yourself lucky to even bed one of them when they decide to mingle with other beings, a rare occasion that is.
They're doomed to an eternity of loneliness because of who and what they are.
"If you'd like I could make some tea and biscuits and we could enjoy them by the moon pools later tonight, the sky should be clear." Lilly lowers her lids as she speaks to Jericho, her tone turning even more flirtatious.
Aries looks like she's about to speak up about Lilly's ridiculous offer, our moon pools being sacred, something only we light witches have the pleasure of experiencing. Something we often do in undress, knowing we're safe here from the eyes of prying men.
Or we were. Not any more. At least, not for now. Not while he is here.
Before Aries can tell Lilly she's being much too bold in her offer, Jericho speaks up. "I do apologize, Lilly, but I'm here strictly on business. No time for.. extra activities, unfortunately." He gives her a soft smile, but Lilly looks absolutely embarrassed, flushing red and dipping her chin. "Of course, my apologies, I was just trying to offer our hospitality and kindness."
She turns to walk away, grabbing her empty plate as she leaves, probably to go sulk about not getting to bed the attractive man who suddenly appeared in our forest.
"Thank you for the tea though, Lilly." He calls after her, she turns slightly and smiles. "Of course! Let me know if you'd like some more!" He dips his chin in slight acknowledgement of her offer, before she turns and continues her leave.
Despite my earlier annoynce I do feel bad for Lilly, being turned down in front of everyone here like that, but she shouldn't have been so forward with him. Some of these women are much too eager to get laid after being around only women for so long.
I don't blame them. It's been a long time since I've been with a man, as well.
Though we are allowed to leave the forest if we so desire, most don't come back, finding love and starting families, choosing to never return in exchange for a loving family and mortality.
Once we birth our first child, the light goddess takes our immortality, knowing that no mother should outlive their child. Not if it can be helped.
The thought sends a painful yet fleeting memory through my mind.
I turn towards Aries to see her studying me with a look of concern on her face, I give her a smile that doesn't reach my eyes, trying to reassure her everything is fine. She nods slightly, before turning her attention back to the Reaper. "Sorry about that." Jericho puts up a hand to stop her. "No need to apologize, I'm grateful to be shown hospitality instead of hostility for once." He chuckles at his own words. "Ah, yes.. Well I do have a few things to attend to before we begin our.. Discussion. If you wouldn't mind-" Aries takes a moment to look around the table and see that everyone has already left before continuing. "-to not speak about these matters with any of the women here, I would appreciate that."
Jericho looks at Aries and simply nods. "Not a word, Ma'am" he grins and looks at me from the corner of his eye. "To anyone." He finishes. I know what he's implying. What they're both implying.
I am not to know the reasoning as to why the Reaper is here. I'm being left out on what seems to be important information. And Aries wants it this way.
I can feel my irritation grow, and it only increases when Aries opens her mouth again. "Eden will be your guide around the village, I'd rather you not be off alone here, I hope you understand. I'd like to meet with you before dinner to discuss things. Eden," she turns to me. "these are my orders." With that she gets up and grabs her plate and is gone before I have a chance to deny her demand of being this Reapers personal guide! I'm sure Lilly would love to show him around.
And how dare Aries speak to me in such a way! I can't believe how she's acting.
Jericho clears his throat. "So, Eden, I would love for you to show me around your forest, if you wouldn't mind to walk with me for a bit?" I turn to answer him, meeting his gaze, full of golden fire, something that wasn't present moments ago in Aries presence. The look in his eyes screams of..
Desire.
2,547 words.
You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net