Caution To The WInd

II.

HER POV

"My clan isn't far away, so we can start by heading there. I think you'll like my family," 

That was the first thing Curtis said when we woke up in the morningtide. I wasn't sure what a clan of snake hybrids would look like, let alone have them react to a human being that appeared seemingly out of thin air with one of their own. It was a bizarre idea to me, but I didn't turn down Curtis's plan. I was indeed interested in what a clan looked like, but then I would like to see a tribe of various classes cooperate. Would they fight? Or, will they be familiar with each other? 

I've observed individuals associate with each other in many distinctive methods. Being the daughter of a king gave me more aspects than I can count when it came to the observation of actions and performance. I could see one's temperament, imperfections, and perfections by merely picketing their actions while talking with my father and mother. No matter how great the walls to their true self, I could see through it like it was never there. 

"Hey, Aria. Are you doing okay? You've been quiet for a while now," Curtis asked, looking over his shoulder to make sure I was still there. I nodded, our eyes clashing in colors when they met. He grinned and stretched a hand for me to take.

Taking his ever-so-cold hands in mine, we continued to roam the forest almost aimlessly in taciturnity. 

From my view, Curtis had a unique set of genes. His eyes were the colors of a burning fire. The same light that sat between us when we first met last night. However, in contrast to his hues, his hair and tail were a cerulean blue, just like my eyes. Due to that, his skin seemed like a glowing white against his waist-long tresses. 

Maybe cutting hair isn't a usual occurrence that happens out here? It is nice to know that even men can grow out their hair just like females can.

"Curtis, how many years did it take for your hair to grow out that long? It seems to have taken a long time," I asked, fingering my raven tresses as we took a turn that led us to a cave. 

"It took me ten years. But, anyway, that's the cavern my clan lives inside. I promise that they won't hurt you," Curtis answered, pointing to the seemingly grand cave. I stared at the black abyss before pulling on his hand in the direction of the cavern. 

"If they're not going to hurt me, there's no reason to hesitate. Besides, you'll protect me if anything goes wrong, right?" I asked, looking over my shoulder to see what the hybrid would say. 

He smiled and slithered after me as we stepped into what felt like a different universe. 

It was nothing like what I had imagined. Lush green valleys, a waterfall, lights that seemed to resemble the sun in so many ways, and flowers of different kinds decorated the sight in front of me. There were holes carved into the stone walls to make it look like windows and doorways. There so many hybrids that looked like Curtis in the fields; smaller ones were chasing each other in their full snake form. It was breathtaking. 

I can't believe this is the same world I was born and lived. How could Mother and Father hide this away from me? Why would they? All of this is so grand and fascinating. I feel like I should've come here earlier.

"I'm guessing you like the view?" Curtis asked, leaning down to my ear. I nodded. 

"This is probably the best thing I've seen. Thank you, Curtis," I gave him a small smile, but since I wasn't used to smiling at all, it was barely there. 

The blue-themed snake hybrid ruffled my hair and looked down at the bottom of the valley. 

"Mom, Dad! There's someone I want you to meet!" 

Two hybrids turned their attention to us from the field below. One of them had navy hair and scales, and judging from their body shape, she seemed to be Curtis's mother. The latter had white scales and hair, eyes that were a burning red just like Curtis's. I could tell that he was the father. 

"Curtis! My child, I was worried where you went so late last night! It would be best if you had told me you went to find a female of your own!" his mother gushed. Curtis's parents seemed to have a secure connection to their son, unlike my own family back at the castle I had left behind for my own sake. 

I silently watched as Curtis spoke to his parents, most likely explaining what had happened while he was away from them. I saw them look over to me with curious gazes. I bowed my head in sign of respect when I realized they were waiting for something. 

His mother smiled. 

"You must be Aria, correct? Curtis told us about you just now, and you do sound like a great person. Thank you for making sure our son took care of himself. He tends to be rather forgetful when it comes to his self-care," the woman spoke up, holding both of my hands in hers. They were slightly chilled, but not as much as Curtis's. I shook my head. 

"No, I'm glad that your son found me before I got eaten by a different hybrid. Who knows what would've happened?" I replied, not aware of the fact that Curtis was watching me with fond eyes.

CURTIS'S POV

"You seem to have taken quite the liking to her, Curtis. I don't understand why you wouldn't want her to be your mate," Dad asked after he ruffled my hair as a greeting. I frowned. 

"We met only last night. It's not fair for her if she doesn't feel the same for me just yet. I want to give her more time before asking her to stay with me," I answered, pouting. Dad only laughed, his chest emitting the same rumbling sound that he always made when he found something even remotely amusing. 

My dad is someone who looks somewhat intimidating because of that scar that stretches from his left eye to his chin, but he's a big dork as my mom likes to call him. I hope that one day Aria and I could be the same. 

"You are as noble as you were when you were a kid, Curtis. No wonder the females in our clan fawns over you whenever they get the chance," Dad teased, meaning to tick me off by mentioning those annoying fangirls of mine. 

"Dad, please. We all know that they would throw themselves at any handsome man they lay their eyes on," I groaned, rolling my eyes at the jokes my dad was pulling. 

While Aria was a great woman to have as a mate, I didn't want to force her into something she didn't want. I was afraid that she would fear me and stay away from me as much as possible. That wasn't what I wanted, so I kept myself in check from doing anything she didn't want. 

"But, I guess if you want to wait and give her time, I should respect your decision. Just be aware of the risks that come with waiting," Dad warned, placing a hand on my shoulder. What risks? There can't be any risks in waiting for someone to be ready for a relationship, right? I should ask what he's talking about later.

"Curtis, you found a great woman to be your mate. You finally have someone you can love," Mom said, her blue eyes shimmering like the ocean waves not far from here. Aria hesitated to say anything against my mother, probably worried that she was disrespecting my parents. 

"Um... I haven't decided to settle down anywhere, and it might take me a while to choose someone I want to live with for the rest of my life with," she stated. I smiled. 

"Yeah, I'm not ready for a full-on relationship just yet. Besides, I want to give Aria some time to collect herself since she's only been in this forest for a day," I admitted, trying to persuade my mom not to be so excited yet. 

Besides, I want her to admit that she wants to stay with me willingly.

HER POV

I watched Curtis play around with the children that were in his clan. There was one of them who got injured, so the little girl was sitting next to me while watching her older brother wrestle against Curtis. 

"Ma'am? Are you Curtis's mate?" she asked when she first saw me with Curtis. He wanted me to meet the kids to get my mind off the whole mating situation. 

"Oh, no. I'm a friend of his, sweetie. What's your name?" I asked, weaving flower stems together to make a flower crown for the girl. She smiled brightly and pointed at her chest.

"My name Artemis!" she answered. I gave her a small smile. 

"That's a beautiful name, Artemis. My name's Aria," I commented, holding out a hand for her to shake. The little girl did so without hesitation, and I felt that if I were to stay here with Curtis's clan, then I could see these people every day, not to mention that all of them were friendly. 

"Did you know that Curtis is the future serpent king? His father plans to give the title to him once Curtis finds his female," Artemis said. I didn't know that Curtis was a prince of the serpent clan. I'm sure he had enough trouble dealing with his people treating him differently. I can't blame him for not telling me after what I went through as a princess. 

"I didn't know that but thank you for telling me. Do you like to play with Curtis often?" I asked, placing the flower crown on top of her light brown locks. Artemis giggled and nodded, fiddling with the accessory. 

"Curtis used to be a babysitter for my brother and me!" she answered. I looked back at the brown-haired boy, who showed similarities physically to the young girl sitting next to me.

"I see. The three of you must be very close then," I guessed, continuing to gather flowers and weave them together. 

"You're good at making these, Aria. Can you teach me?" Artemis was leaning closer to my side to see what I was doing to make them weave together well. 

"You want me to teach you? Well, okay. First, you have to get a few flowers with the stems attached like this. And then, you braid them together, you see?" I showed her what I was doing with the new batch of white flowers that I picked up from the field. 

The two of us took turns making each other flower crowns, bracelets, and rings while Curtis played with the other children. He has a lot of stamina for someone that doesn't look too athletic. I guess this is his way of staying fit. 

I turned my attention to the pile of flower accessories at the ground around Artemis and me. But what are we going to do with all of these? 

"We can give them to the other females in our clan! They would love it!" Artemis suggested, her face brightening again as she pointed a woman who seemed to be her mother.

"My mother loves anything related to flowers, I bet she would keep of these if Papa let her!" the little girl insisted, taking an armful of flowers before hurriedly running towards the bronze tailed maiden. I followed after the honey-eyed girl with my armful of floral decorations and stopped behind her while she was giving the woman her armful. 

"Thank you, dear. These are beautiful. Who taught you this?" the woman asked, a gentle smile appearing on her face once she received the accessories. Artemis pointed at me, and I bowed my head in respect. 

"Raise your head, child. Thank you for teaching Artemis something beautiful. I was worried that she would continue to grow up getting hurt with her brother," her mother thanked, taking my hands in her own. Her hands were also cold despite her warm appearance. Snakes are cold-blooded animals, aren't they? I guess I shouldn't be so surprised if everyone else has cold hands. 

"It's not a problem, ma'am. She liked the flowers in the field, so I thought I would teach her how to put them to good use, I assured. Glancing at the field below, Curtis was carrying Artemis's brother on his shoulders, laughing as happy as can be. 

"I also heard that Curtis had taken a liking to you as well. From what I see, he chose the right woman to be his mate," Artemis's mother commented, a playful on her face. 

"Mama, she's said she isn't ready for that type of commitment yet! Curtis and Aria only spent a day with each other so far," Artemis pouted as if she wanted to be in the conversation too. I pat her head, gently soothing out stray hair and tangled strands. 

During my whole time here, I could feel a pair of eyes on me. I wanted to know who was staring at me, but I didn't want to in case they were hostile. The thought of someone I am not familiar with watching me for this long made me tense up.