LOOMING
1098 Words
“I guess the rumors I heard were true then. She really is Raya’s daughter,” Yeelva said.
Ara stopped the face her. This time, he grabbed both her shoulders firmly. “Listen. First, we were not exposed to the Nether. Second, I advised you refrain from causing trouble if you want to remain here until the ball,” Ara said.
Yeelva scoffed as she shoved his hands off her shoulder. Her grin turned into a look of contempt. “Please, don’t get carried away. I’m the last person you want to issue threats to.”
“And I’m the only person you never should,” Ara riposted.
“Please, please, please. My ears are going to burst just listening to you two. Ara, go to Aroha. I’ll escort Yeelva,” Zenon said. He made sure to come in between the two before a fight broke out. A fight between the two most powerful entities on Maori was the last thing he needed.
Both Yeelva and Ara paused to stare at Zenon. Their faces were ridden with disbelief.
“Wait, you don’t think I’ll be fine?” Zenon said in disbelief. He looked at Ara and Yeelva repeatedly for some sort of answer. “Come on man. I can understand Yeelva, but not you too.”
“I’ll be going to Aroha now. Take care,” Ara said as he walked away briskly. There was no way he was going to be dragged into that conversation.
Zenon watched as Ara slowly disappeared from their sight. At least he was calm before he left. There was little to worry about. Aroha would be safe. She had both Jerome and Vela looking after her. She couldn’t get better help anywhere else. Well, except for Gero and Miya Renoff of course, but Vela would do just fine.
“You’ve been talking quite a lot lately. That’s unlike you,” Zenon said.
Yeelva frowned. Zenon had always been the preemptive one. That was what made her cautious of him. She didn’t know whether it was a coincidence or not, but he seemed to make sure that Ara was not left alone with her, even when there was no reason for him to be there.
“Then you must have forgotten who I am. I’m a talker. I love to rile people up. It’s fun to watch,” Yeelva said. Her forced smile looked s natural that it would have fooled anyone. But certainly not Zenon.
“You never spoke about your secrets. Mentioning what happened to us years back… that’s not something you would do. You used to hate that topic as much as Ara did.”
“And you never cared. Even San worried about it a few times. But you, you think you’re unaffected? Do you think a human could get to the level you achieved by just simply working hard? Stop kidding yourself. You’re as much a monster as the rest of us.”
“Be smart Yeelva. Stay out of trouble. If this is the Galan kingdom’s work---”
“You think I care about them?”
“No. But having a kingdom backing you the way they do is certainly useful. You won’t disregard them so easily.”
Yeelva grinned. Zenon never ceased to impress her every time. “He’d be perfect if he could see things the way you did. But I guess when you don’t have to worry about survival, you tend to let many things pass over your head.”
Zenon and Yeelva spent the rest of their walk in silence. Zenon was glad that he was able to pass a message at least. For Yeelva, she knew to be wary of Zenon. She couldn’t have him catching on to her plans too early.
***
Zhiyi watched helplessly as Aroha laid unconscious. They had taken her back to healer’s nest and the grand healer – Delilah had confirmed that there was nothing wrong with Aroha. Her mana flow was normal and so were her vitals. Vela had said the same before that as well. Jerome also confirmed that there were no looming effects of what Yeelva did to Aroha. But yet, none of this made Zhiyi relax. It did provide some succor that she was alive, but she knew things about Aroha that no one else did. Things Aroha told her alone. So, she worried if like many other things around Aroha, this was something that no one could notice.
Ara rushed into the room. His heart sunk into his belly as he saw Aroha lying unconscious. Had he not been briefed before his entry about her condition, Zhiyi’s countenance would have made him believe she was dead.
“Are you okay?” he asked Zhiyi. That wasn’t a question many would remember to ask.
“I don’t know,” she answered.
“She’ll be fine,” Ara said.
“I know she’ll be fine. She always pulls through. But every time I’m in trouble, she always bails me out. Not once have I been able to do the same for her. It’s like she’s out of my reach sometimes. I feel useless,” she said.
“If it helps, no one has been able to do anything for her either. But if there’s anyone that has the biggest chance of being able to stick by her at all times, it’s you. So, don’t worry too much. We’ll always be there for her however we can. Just as you are now.”
Kiro walked in with Jerome a few moments later. The news of Yeelva’s stunt had gone round the kingdom like wildfire. Of course, no one knew precisely what happened. But they knew that Yeelva was the culprit.
“Want to go get some air? Let Master watch her for a while,” Kiro said.
“He called me master.” Ara was moved to tears most dramatically ever. It was so like him. At the very least, it put a smile on Zhiyi’s face. It felt like forever since she wore a smile.
“Okay,” she said. She nodded to Jerome as she passed him. She was grateful for all he did for her sister and she was sure he knew it. She had thanked him many times before that time. He certainly looked like he had his fill of her gratitude. Even as she passed, he worried she might thank him again, but she opted not to. She would again, however, once Aroha was awake.
“So, what did you come to talk to me about, Jerome?” Ara asked.
- Writer
