In Love With Earth's Enemy

Chapter Four: I Blushed Again

*Val's POV*

It was a quiet day's walk to the Rebellion. We passed many mountains and caves before we started to get into the heart of the mountain range. Thankfully, Darren didn't ask me anymore questions. After our awkward meeting, I couldn't stop thinking about his hand on my skin. The thought made me blush. My thoughts were instantly flushed away when I saw the entrance. A small mountain, one that would be missed if you were looking from the sky, had a train sized hole in the center of it's base. "Brilliant" I said in amazement.  

"You wouldn't find it even if you were looking for it." Darren said proudly as we walked inside. The train sized hole opened up into a huge cavern. Within that cavern was many tunnels. 

"The tunnels lead to other mountains." Darren said. 

"What's in the other mountains?" I asked.

"People. Think of each mountain like a community. They all have a great cavern and then tunnels that lead to caves, dead ends, streams, exits, and other mountains." he explained. I stood there in awe of it all. 

"It's been years in the making" an older woman said while approaching me. "I'm Kyna." She reached out her hand. I took it and smiled. 

"I'm Valentine, but you can call me Val." 

"It's nice to have you Val. I see you have met Darren here. Him and his brother are in charge of finding recruits and refugees."

"Brother?" I questioned as my eyes landed on a man coming through the doorway. He looked a lot like Darren with his black hair and dark skin, but his face was more stern and his eyes were lighter. Our eyes met and he quickly turned his head and walked away. 

"You'll have to excuse Alex, he's not very social." Darren said as he nudged my shoulder. I shivered as his body touched mine yet again. Our eyes met and I felt safe. 

"You are probably incredibly tired, Val." Kyna said "Darren, find Val a small cavern to call her own so she can rest." 

"Yes ma'am" Darren replied while making a salute with his hand. "Come on, you can room next to me." We walked through an upper tunnel for a few yards. "This tunnel is a dead in with only a few caverns. I've claimed the biggest one, but you can take the one next to me." He pointed to a small cavern that wasn't bigger than a normal household closet. 

"Thank you Darren." I turned to him and said softly "For everything." 

"No problem, short stuff." He said as he moved a hair away from my face, grazing his fingers across my cheek all the way to my ear. I blushed. His touch made my body excited. In that same moment, he turned and walked out of my cavern and further down the tunnel. I could hear his foot steps fade away, so his cavern must have been a good ways down the tunnel. I take another glance at my small cavern. It had a smooth table top like spot that was obviously carved out by hand intending to be a bed. I sat down on it and relaxed. Don't get too comfortable Val, I thought to myself. This place could get blown away any second by the Scales. 

I must have gotten lost in thought and fallen asleep because I woke up when I heard a small rock turn over at the entrance to my cavern. Alex was standing there. Watching me sleep? He stiffened and turned to walk away. 

"Alex, wait." I said. What are you doing Val? Something about him draws me and makes me want to know more about him. He stopped, as if hearing my voice was all he needed. 

"You need to stay away from us Valentine." He said without turning around. He walked away without another word. For the first time since I came here, I felt vulnerable. He made me feel alive. I blushed again.