Unveiled Secrets: The Promise of the Fae

Chapter 39 - Just this once, read my mind

Dinner was relatively quiet. The old man is still concentrated at the potion he’s making.

“Would it be enough for eight people?”

“Yes, it would.” He distractedly answered, picking up the paper again.

“How many uses?”

“Two or three.”

Hannah exchanged glances with Aaron.

“We would need more than that.” He voiced out.

“I can make more, but you would have to return for it later. My equipment can only make this much in one batch.”

“We understand.” Hannah replied with a sigh.

“Is it ingestible?” She suddenly remembered to ask.

“Oh, no. You apply it directly on your eyelids.” He demonstrated using a finger to scoop an invisible substance and placing it on both eyelids.

“I see. Thank you for your explanation.”

After dinner, they left him alone. He doesn’t want to get distracted.

Inside the room, they sat on either side of the bed, leaning their backs against the wall.

Staring at her side profile, flashes of her earlier image come to his mind. He couldn’t deny that he finds her attractive. Both her face and her body. He swallowed hard at the thought. Well, her personality is likeable, too. He likes her overall.

She was silently humming a tune as she plays with a pillow.

“I know what I want.” Aaron suddenly stated, inching closer to her.

“Hmm?” It took a while for her to realize what he meant. Their bet.

“What is it? Another dagger?” She managed to tease; her smile dazzles him. He just realized that now.

When he leaned closer, her smile faltered. Her heart started beating fast as she stares into his eyes. They looked determined. About what?

“I want to kiss you.” His whispered sentence resounded in her ears. Wait, what did she just hear? Is she hearing things now? Did she badly want a kiss she’s daydreaming about it?

“W-what?” She stuttered as she blushed. It looked endearing to his eyes. She has that innocence.

“Can I kiss you?” He stopped getting closer still. Their faces are now almost a few inches apart.

She almost melted at hearing it again. She could feel his breath on her face.

“Okay.” She was almost breathless, her gaze moving to his lips.

Hearing her answer, he continued inching closer. She closed her eyes as their lips were about to touch.

A few times, Aaron had caught Vince and Nate with their lips locked. He would admit that he doesn’t normally look away. It was amusing to watch. And in a way, it taught him how kissing is done. Of course, he had other avenues where he learned s****l relations between couples. Those were the times he was lost in the world, simply wandering from one community to another.

He breathed in her scent as he tasted her lips. Her lips parted as she inhaled sharply. Aaron used his tongue to lick her lips and slowly invade her mouth. Hannah felt herself heat up. She’s flustered as she tries to kiss him back. Her tongue tentatively meeting his. It was definitely a wet kiss. Her hand reached out to hold his nape. As he was leaning on one hand, he used the other to touch her waist. She has a slender, shapely waist. She’s a bit tickled as he slowly caressed her body. When he caught her wandering tongue inside his mouth, he sucked on it and she’s shocked by the action. It wasn’t unpleasant. It made her feel more and her body started craving for something. She moaned against his lips. She pulled back to take a breather.

She didn’t let go of her hold on him, though, and neither did he. He placed his forehead against hers. Their breaths mixed together.

“You… do you like me?” What does his actions mean? Why would he want to kiss her?

Instead of answering, he kissed her again and pulled her closer. Their bodies now touching and she could feel his heat. She moaned again but she wanted to hear his answer.

“I’m going to think you do.” She managed to say against his lips before his tongue invaded her insides again. Her other hand now clinging on his shoulder.

“I think so, too.” He finally replied as he slowly lay her down on the bed. She clung to his neck as he towered over her. She whimpered from the sensations assaulting her body. Who knew a kiss could cause this much feelings?

“Wait…” She needed time to catch her breath. Hannah evaded him and hid her face on his chest. She was breathing heavily against him. He took this time to even out his own breathing.

What just happened? He asked as his mind cleared. He looked down at the head pressed on his chest, feeling her warmth against his body. He inhaled deeply as his hand ran up her back. She shivered.

He lied down next to her and hugged her close. Hannah felt his arm tightening around her. She flushed at how their bodies are pressed together.

“Are you embarrassed?” He asked, looking down to see her expression.

“That wasn’t my first kiss but… it has been a while.” She admitted, burying her face again. It feels nice to be close to him.

“And it wasn’t like that at all.” Her voice was muffled as she continued. She could remember her first time and it was just a pressing of lips together for a second or two. It was an infatuation with a traveler. It wasn’t a real relationship.

His hand started caressing her hair and she looked up to see his face.

“Do you really like me?” She can’t help asking again.

“You don’t believe me?” He asked back, amused by her disbelief.

“Yesterday, you were sure you didn’t.” She raised.

“What did I say? I said I already like you but I was just unsure if it’s more than a friendship or just that.”

She was silent for a moment, “And now you’re sure?” Can she get her hopes up?

“Yes.”

Her heart thumped louder in her chest. She could actually see the sincerity in his eyes.

“How were you suddenly sure?”

“Well, there were three things.” He’s curious how she would react to the last one.

“What three things?” She frowned, having no clue what he’s talking about.

He tugged her up a bit and she flushed again. Her face closer to his now. He leaned and pecked a kiss on her nose.

“I like your personality.”

She smiled at hearing that.

He caressed her face and pressed a kiss on her lips.

“I like your face.”

It felt a little weird to her, but sure… she’s attracted by his face, too.

“Lastly…” He went and trailed kisses from her lips to her ear, “I like your body.”

She shivered and burned when he licked that side of her face near her ear. She felt a throbbing between her legs.

But his words…

“You…” She’s not sure whether to be angry or what. “Pervert.”

That’s what he is, she thought. But he only openly laughed at her reaction. When he distanced himself from her as he laughed, she felt bereft. She actually liked being close to him.

I like your body, huh? The incident from earlier floated into her mind and she blushed again. That was the only instance he could’ve seen her body. She was so embarrassed earlier, but… he liked what he saw? She secretly looked at him as he calmed down. He was staring at the ceiling. When she saw him closing his eyes, she was disappointed. Is he going to sleep now? She moved closer to him and poked his side. His hand caught hers.

“What?” His head turned towards her, a little surprised at her closeness.

“I’m going to say this because I don’t want you to misunderstand.”

“Okay. What is it?”

She stared at him before she started, telling him all the details of her curse and her experience.

“You’re the first one with magic, so I thought it would be safe with you. I don’t need to hide my abilities from you. I… this is my first time. I’m allowing myself to love someone and hoping for the best. You don’t have to feel pressured, I just wanted you to know. So, if you aren’t really sure of your feelings, I would appreciate it if you let me know.”

She’s still doubting him and he can’t blame her. Even to him, it seems sudden. He appreciates her honesty and he was enlightened by her explanation. As she has decided to keep looking down, he touched her chin and made her look at him.

“This is new to me, too. I’m used to people looking down on me and I would not subject myself to humiliation. I would not even think of pursuing a noble for fear of being questioned. People would accuse me of all sorts of things, none of them good.”

She was about to protest, but he stopped her.

“You told me you don’t care about such things… you’re a noble and I’m not.”

“I don’t. I was a commoner before I was a noble. I know what it’s like.” She implored him with her eyes.

“If you won’t give me problems on that ground, I would be happy to be with you.”

They searched each other’s eyes. It sounded weird even to him. It was conditional. He grimaced as he realized the reason. He can’t… he would let her go the moment he’s faced with problems on that end. He felt cold all over. He realized it’s wrong. He ran a hand through his head before pulling back and rolling out of the bed.

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t…” What could he say? That wasn’t right? That wasn’t what he meant? But he meant it, doesn’t he?

Hannah sat up on the bed, watching him. She can understand his concerns. He might have gone through some bad experiences as a commoner, which made him want to detach himself from anything that would undermine his worth. She can understand that. His look of frustration tugged at her heart. This is difficult for him, too.

“I promise I won’t give you any problems on that ground. Being a noble has its perks, but I’m not too attached to the status. I can live as a commoner.”

He kept his back to her as he listened. Isn’t she sweet? It made him calm down for a second.

When he still refused to look at her, Hannah stood up and followed him on a corner of the room. She clasped his hand between hers.

“Aaron…” If he won’t turn to look at her, she would present herself in front of him.

“I understand. I won’t hold it against you. I promise it won’t be an issue, but I can’t exactly control what other people would say if they learn about us.” Her eyes trembled at realizing that fact.

“Would you at least ignore them for me?” Her hold on him tightened.

“You…” He sighed. He’s not sure how to properly explain himself, “Just this once, read my mind.”

Her eyes widened. Did she hear him correctly?

“Do it.” He added his other hand on their joined hands.

“Okay.” Her heart skipped a beat again. She watched as his expression turned into anguish. Why?

She inhaled sharply as his memories and thoughts came to her. Some are recent but most are distant memories. She almost cried at seeing his capture. Twice. She saw how people treated him. Badly. Terribly. An orphan. Alone. Surviving on his own. Beaten up. Accused.

She couldn’t stop the tears from falling. She wanted to comfort him. She released his hands and wrapped her arms around him.

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry?” He almost chuckled, but his eyes are wet as well. He embraced her back and squeezed tightly. He’s not sure how much she’d seen. But it was a much easier option that telling everything to her. He’s not sure he can voice out some of them.

“I’m here for you.” It was muffled but he heard her. He’s thankful.

Hannah switched it off. Up to that point, his thoughts floated into her. She can understand him. Clearly.