Chapter 143: I Lied
Elián;
I swing gently from the makeshift swing I made in the woods.
I wove twines together to make it, and it’s sturdy... and quite fun.
I take a deep breath and fill my lungs with the unpolluted scent of nature as I stare up at the clear sky.
I stare at the clouds scattered like cotton candy. I watch them pass by the sun slowly, like they have all the time in the world to get to wherever they need to be.
The sun, on the other hand, is shining proudly with its warmth like an embrace to the world beneath it.
I hear chittering, and when I drop my gaze, I spot a little squirrel darting about. I instantly remember when Queen Cassia compared me to a squirrel, and I smile.
I like these woods. It’s peaceful and quiet here.
It’s far from the village, but it’s secluded enough to give privacy. I came out here with Koda, but I guess he figured I wanted to be alone, so he’s given me some space.
There’s a river behind the bushes, and he’s gone there to swim. Leaving me alone with my thoughts...
I didn’t come here for me, though. I came here for Elien.
Elien is not used to being around so many people and having so much happening around him, so I figured the village might sometimes be overstimulating for him.
I know having people who care for us is a blessing, but... sometimes, people just need... to breathe.
I hope this does some good for him. This is still his body, after all. He’s let me live through him without complaint... The least I can do is consider him.
Considering him is the least I can do for him.
"I lied." His voice suddenly breaks the silence in my mind, and I let the swing slow to a stop.
"What?" I question in confusion. Not daring to speak out cause I know Koda is just a few feet away, and those bear ears of his would definitely hear if I say a word out.
"About living in the woods alone. I lied." He replies, and my heart skips a beat.
Why would he lie about that?
"After my Father kicked me out, I survived alone in the woods for... about six months. It was horrible. Several times, I almost died. I learnt so many things the hard way. I went back to my father three times. I went back to beg him to take me back. Not even as his son... but as a slave." He begins, and my heart rips at the sorrow in his voice.
I imagine the desperation he must have been facing to ask that...
"I just wanted a roof over my head again. I didn’t mind what I had to do. Father never agreed. He swore the next time I showed my face to him, he would kill me. That was the last time I ever saw him." He adds, and I stare blankly ahead as I feel my throat run dry.
"Where then... did you go?" I question inwardly, and there’s silence for a second.
"I went back to the woods." He finally speaks, and I take a deep breath.
"I was sure I wouldn’t last long till I would die. One night... I was so weak, I could feel life leaving me. There was nothing to hunt, nothing to eat... Nothing. Hunger was going to steal life from me... till he found me." He replies, and I feel tears begin to sting the side of my eyes.
"Who?"
"Balinar." His reply causes my heart to skip a beat.
Immediately, I’m forced to remember when I saw Balinar at the castle. My skin shudders as I remember the fear I felt. That shiver... that hatred...
I was right. Elien knew him!!
"He saved me that night. He gave me food. Gave me water... said he’d take me with him to Elkhorn... I knew Balinar. I had heard stories about his cruelty to omegas... but to be honest, I didn’t care what he planned to do with me. As long as he would... put clothes on my back, put meals on my table... and keep me alive..." He begins, but stops, and I gulp.
"Did he do any of that?" I question, as fear I can not explain begins to flood my veins.
"On our way back to Elkhorn, Balinar’s men spotted one of the Ashfang carriages just beyond the borders. It belonged to Alpha Lioran. Apparently... He and King Wilhelm were just returning from one of their peace talks, and for some reason, King Wilhelm had gone ahead of Alpha Lioran..." he begins, and I bite the inside of my lower lip as I listen to him.
"Balinar saw this as an opportunity and decided to attack. He and his men went up against Lioran. However... It was a trap. King Wilhelm had used Alpha Lioran as bait to draw Balinar out of hiding, as he knew Balinar was in BeastHeaven territory without permission. Balinar’s men were ambushed, and Alpha Lioran fought like a beast. I can still hear the screams... the blades... I never forgot that night. Lioran killed everyone his blade fell upon... until he saw me." He continues, and my brows crease.
"Until he saw you?" I repeat in honest confusion, and there’s a sigh.
"For some reason... Alpha Lioran didn’t kill me. I can... remember the look in his eyes as he looked at me that night. I don’t know why he did it. He never told me. Instead of taking my life, he cut off the ropes that held my legs and arms bound, and he said all but one word to me, "run". I obeyed. I ran... but whatever happened that night, Balinar saw. And that gave him new ideas for ways to use me." I stay quiet as his words sink in, and my heart starts pounding.
New ways to use him? What is... what does that mean?
"What do you mean, new ways to use you??" I question in honest worry, and before Elien can reply, Koda’s voice crashes through the silence as I hear him walk up to me from behind.
"Elián? You’ve suddenly gone quiet. Are you okay??"