Not in my head
1493 Words
Erana outlined her plan on the brown sand while waiting patiently for Darius to return. She sat on a stone and drew some symbols with a stick, pointing out the weaknesses to focus on and the alliance to keep by her.
The Midnight Clan, according to the prophecies, had three tribes. She needed to find a way to get across those tribes and capture the book. If Darius refuses to take her in quickly, she might take matters into her own hands. She wiped off the drawing with her feet, convinced about her next plan, before walking into the house in search of an old piece of paper. Luckily, Erana was able to find one with a pen. Though the ink was faint, she managed to write her little message to her father and pulled out a whistle. In no less than a few seconds after she blew it, the royal messenger bird arrived before her. She delivered the written letter into its parcel and signalled it to leave.
“Hey!” Darius said behind her as she watched her spy fly off. She gasped in fear and turned around. When the hell did he come back?
“Hi,” she tried to act as normal as possible. “I didn’t realise you were behind me.”
“What was that?” He asked, pointing at the bird that flew. “Is that a new pet or something?”
She faked a laugh.
“What?! Pet?” She waved it off. “No, it is not my pet. That’s um… a random bird from nowhere. She loves me, I think.”
Darius placed down the bag he carried and pulled out a beautiful gown.
“Animals are signs of good luck. I am sure the bird saw the grace you carried,” he told her nicely before handing her the dress.
“Your white gown looks messy. You can try this silk gown instead,” Darius handed it to Erana. She smiled and took it from him.
“Thank you so much,” she appreciated. “I do not know what I would do without you.”
Darius chuckled.
“It is fine. I help people. That’s what I do best,” he pulled out a wrapped meal. “That’s what a future leader should do, right?” Darius asked. “He should be ready to look out for others.”
Erana gave him a weak smile. She walked into the house to change into the gown before collecting his meal. As she ate slowly, there was an awkward silence between them.
“Could you teach me how to fight?” Erana asked him, breaking the silence between them.
“What?!” Darius was shocked. “Why?”
“There is nothing wrong with a lady learning self-defence,” she defended herself. “Yesterday would have been avoidable if I could defend myself.”
He smiled, finding sense in what she said.
“You are weak right now,” he refused to push through. “You should rest for a few days. After that, I can teach you a few moves I know.”
Erana does not wait. Who the hell does Darius think she was? She dropped her meal and stood before him fiercely.
“I am ready to learn the fight now,” she insisted.
“You aren’t tired?” He was surprised by her confidence.
“They didn’t care whether I was tired when they tried to molest me. This isn’t the time for me to be weak, Darius! Now get your butt up and show me what you’ve got!” Erana urged authoritatively. Darius arched his brows in confusion. She acted bossy towards him, and that was already a bad sign.
“I didn’t know you were this confident,” he sounded wary. Erana calmed herself down and sat down.
“I just want to learn self-defence, that’s all,” she continued her act again. “If my town allowed ladies to fight, I am sure I would have taught those blockheads a lesson.”
Darius stood and stretched his hands to her.
“Alright, come. Let me show you some moves,” Darius ordered her. Erana smiled and hurriedly stood up before taking her hands. He helped her up.
“If a guy tries to grab you,” he began and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her close to him. She could feel her body touch his torso. “You can defend yourself by stumping your leg on his feet and scratching his arm.”
His lips were so close to hers that she felt they would meet and kiss. But getting intimate with him was too early. She needed to earn his trust first and ensure he wouldn’t regret having anything to do with her.
“Do it,” he said, gazing into her eyes.
“Do what?” She asked.
“Kiss me,” she thought she heard him say.
“What?!” She gasped in shock.
“Stump on my feet and scratch me!” He ordered.
“O!” She broke their gazes. Her ears were certainly beginning to hear things.
Normally, she would have gladly done it since it’s no big deal for her. Darius was one of her biggest enemies after all, and she hated the sight of his pathetic face.
“Why would I hurt my saviour?” She pretended before him instead. “I would never hurt the man that saved my life.”
Darius gazed at her lips and drew her closer to himself.
“Let us assume that you are in an inappropriate position you do not like,” he reminded her. “You need to defend yourself in every way you can. Now, forget I am your saviour and defend yourself.”
She shook her head with a look of innocence.
“Why would I put you through this much pain? I would rather practice on someone else, but not you. It is a taboo in my town to hurt a good man. I would never hurt you, Darius.”
Darius groaned and let go of her.
“You are making everything super dramatic for no reason. Weren’t you the one who asked for fighting lessons? Now you’re stressing me out,” He said in disappointment.
Erana feigned a hurtful look and fell on her knees.
“I am sorry, I am so sorry, I didn’t mean to disappoint you. I just didn’t want to hurt you. You are a very good man. Good men deserve the whole world, but their blood should never be spilled,” she said faking tears.
Darius watched her stunned. He never even said anything about spilling blood. Has leg stumping become that much of a big deal now?
He gave up on her and grabbed hold of a stick. He threw another one at her and swung it around. She purposely dodged it, pretending she couldn’t catch it.
“Don’t do that!” She cried.
He groaned.
“Really?” He asked in disappointment. “You will cry over a stick too!”
“I am scared of flying things,” she confessed. “You shouldn’t throw things at me.”
“If you are scared of everything, why are you bothering to learn how to fight Erana,” he asked. “You’re just wasting my time. I do not have the whole day to waste.”
“No! Please do not give up on me! Trust me! I will improve,” Erana promised. Darius rolled his eyes and held the stick firmly before him.
“Alright,” he began. “I am trying so hard to trust you right now.” He took a deep breath and began. She followed his movements and held the stick before her. “So, let us assume I am a robber trying to rob you.” He raced towards her, knocked her stick off and held the stick against her neck. “See this stick as a knife. And remember, I just knocked off your only source of weapon. This knife in my hands could cut you any minute if you do not release your cash or jewellery. Now, would you give your life of your money?” His left hand went up her arm while his right hand wrapped around her stomach. “How would you defend yourself?”
She hated how his touch enticed her. His voice was so close to her ears, and she could feel her body tremble at every word he said. Her heart raced faster than usual and she felt strongly aroused. O! So this was what ladies felt when a man came so close. This was a feeling she dreaded for years. A feeling she thought was for the weak. She shut her eyes tightly trying not to be controlled by her feelings. She slowly replaced the beautiful butterflies with anger instead. Anger fueled by vengeance!
- Writer
