REDEMPTION

33. WILL YOU BELIEVE ME.

Bendra had immediately left after dropping the bomb on his best friend. He did not give him a chance to react nor did he want to see the resection on his face. He had no idea whether he would be happy for him or angry. Whether Shawn would disregard his decisions harshly from now on or not. Many things surged in his mind. This was a first for him and even he had not decided what he really thought of it. He had once considered accepting it but now…

He walked straight to Achlysa’s room. His pace was fast and hurried but the closer he got, the more he slowed. As he was about to reach it, he stopped. For once in his life, Bendra did not know what to do anymore. The feelings that had been bottling up the past few days erupted. Tears fell from his eyes. He did not stop them from falling. His heart ached. His mind raced. His heart stopped. And his body screamed. For a moment he was light head but he held his ground.

He could not keep the tough act longer. Bendra really wanted someone to guide him. He reached out and pulled a necklace. It looked like a cubic box. It floated in his hand. Bendra swiped his thumb over it and it opened revealing a picture of a beautiful lady smiling. He happiness could be seen in her eyes as well. In her arms was a young boy who resembled her. He had her eyes, her hair and her smile.

“What do I do now, mother?”

Not too long after, the image retracted back into a cubic box. He put the necklace back within his clothes. He then proceeded. Bendra made it to her door in no time. For a while he stood there, frozen in time. Years seemed to have gone by yet, only a few mere seconds had passed. Bendra knocked twice and waited. He heard something fall inside the room but held back rushing in to help her.

Bendra had not made a decision about her. He conflicted himself every time he acted before her. One minute he showed love, the next he showed hatred beyond anything comprehensive. He felt he was not worthy of her love, let alone her trust. She on the other hand, had only found out who she was to him after waking up, and she gave him his time. She had so far supported him without being noticed. She did not rebuke or show unprecedented feelings.

Now that he thought about it, he reminded him of his late mother. Fear gripped his heart at the thought of losing her, yet, he could still not bring himself to admit what he felt was true. To his mind, this had been all an illusion. His mind was clouded. His heart burdened. It felt like that time he had his mother and then lost her.

The door opened, revealing a dressed Achlysa. She had found the clothes Holmen had set out for her just in case she woke up. It was a blue dress with silver butterflies covering the bottom left corner to her waist. It did not cover her hands nor did it reveal too much. All one could see were her hands and ankles. The dress was free to move in and when she turned to head back into the room. It followed suite.

“Please come in, my Lord.” She said as she moved aside. She later apologized for how her room looked and thanked him for taking care of her. Bendra who was lost I thought after looking at her still stood at the door. He watched her talk but did not hear a single word she said. When Achlysa heard no one speak, she stretched her hand and headed back to the door.

“My Lord?” She voiced concerned. Her feet moved too quick and her fingers almost hit the door post. Bendra intercepted the impact and held her hand. It was soft and delicate. Not too frail yet not too strong either. It was just right.

“I’m here,” his voice cracked. He felt no need to hide it. At least she was the one person in the world who could not reject him. At least, that’s what he thought. Achlysa, brought her other hand over and held his firmly. She then pulled him into her room and led him to her bed. She had not adapted to her new powers yet, so she was not going to rely on them for now. After they had both sat, she waved her hand and the door shut itself.

Achlysa sat there, and waited. She could feel he was uneasy. His thoughts were all over the place and if she started a conversation on something, that would only make him think further which was not good. She had to let him calm himself down.

While Bendra took his time, she silently enchanted the room. The enchantment would not allow their conversation to be heard on spied on by someone. If anyone walked into the room, all they would hear was a normal conversation between two lovers. Achlysa did this as a precaution against the malicious intent she had felt earlier.

It was better to be safe that sorry. She was still holding his hand. She wanted to let go but thought against it. This would help him feel that she was real and not an illusion. As if in cue, Bendra’s eyes fell on their hands. He looked up at her, meeting here eyes. The eyes that could not see but they looked like they could. He was not sure why but, he had a strange feeling like she was looking right into his very soul.

Bendra did not pull away, yet he moved closer to her and stared into her white eyes. She blinked and looked back at him.

“What do you see?”

“Pain.”

“What about it?”

“It hurts… and smiles.”

They were silent for a while. She was right, all he had known was pain. So, how was he supposed to love? That was something only he could figure out. He mentioned Shawn to her and she interrupted him saying she would already knew. Now that it had gotten here, he thought of asking about it.

“Who are you?”

She was silent. Her eyes pulled away from his but her hands remained. She was hesitating. And she was also scared. Achlysa did not know if she should actually tell him or not. But the truth had a way of finding its way out into the world. And most of the time it came out at a very bad time. Anyone would want to avoid that path of possible.

“Would you believe me if I tell you?”

He was not sure, how he should answer. But, if she knew how lost he was a’d didn’t laugh or mock, then, he was willing to at least here her own. He nodded but he eyes were looking at her hands. Bendra squeezed her hand slightly, assuring her that it was ok. Achlysa looked up and opened her mouth. Nothing came out. She closed it and pondered. What was the right way to say this?

“My name is Achlysa. The man you mentioned… Claus seemed to know who and what I was. And so did his wife. Am not sure why or how but I think they are dead because of me.” She stopped. Achlysa was not sure what emotion was on Bendra’s face since she could not see no matter how hard she peered at the pale blue figure before her. He was calm. That was all she could pick out.

“And I, am a… trigger.”

Those words sparked something that disturbed his calm. It looked red. Deep in his chest area. Where his heart was supposed to be. She lifted her hands and wanted to move to the edge of the bed when he held her hand, taking it into his own. He was silent.

“Who else knows.”

She looked at him and he got the message.

“Keep it that way. Do not let anyone find out anything. I will stay here and help wherever I can. I’ll also try digging up on who you are. Those with Lord Claus also trembled at your name. Why don…”

She shook her head saying, “I can’t, it is the only thing that I have that is actually mine.” Bendra knew the weight of those words all too well. He told her to be careful.

“Thank you.”

“No need.”

“I know where to start but, will you believe me?”

Her time was different from before. She was serious. Her tone was also cold. Her face was void of emotion and what she had said was more of a statement than a question.

“I will.”

“Trigger kings.”