It was obnoxious, how he thinks he is important to my cause or someone I couldn't do without; I feel that he does it on purpose. After my rest, I bagged Jake's cloth properly, Cassuis had brought back Jake's shirt that he borrowed, and I had a new luggage to hurl over back to the mansion. Saying goodbye one more time was pretty heavy for me, I didn't want to have to move to that life again. Up the cliff waited our car for transport, Cassuis got in the drivers' seat and I in the passenger, the journey was rather quiet and in the mansion Orpheus was waiting in the hall to welcome me.
"Now, we can get to the matters at hand. I still haven't announced the matrimony as canceled the faster we get to the Paradlag the sooner I change my mind about it"
"You mean you have a fail safe?" I asked clearly offended by his words,I was unpacking my clothes and he couldn't just wait to talk to me after such a tiring trip. He moved closer towards me as I straighten up
"Well of course, having a descendant of yours and my blood is something magnificent" His eyes were checking me out and I felt goose bumps form from the foot of my legs up to my face.
"I am afraid I might disappoint; you can't be so sure I am that fertile with my tainted blood" strangely he scooped me by the waist and I landed against his hard body pinned against him with a shirt of Jake's in my hand, I stared in his golden icy eyes.
"Then I might need assertion beforehand" right by the side of his face I kept track of Cassuis tensing form; jealously spread all over his face. Prince Orpheus's hand was on my lower back, his eyes were enticed towards mine hungry spread wildly in his breath, and I could feel him react happily from his lower half. I fanned my lashes as he started to work his hand up my back; I cleared my throat and pushed out of him
"You wouldn't want assertion with someone watching besides──" he pulled me back into him and locked his arms around me
"It's not the first time he'd watch me getting entertained" how disgusting. Orpheus was determined tonight to get some of me, that determination had always been there with him since I arrived, he inched his face closer to mine and I could see just how far he would go tonight, I reached my hands and tugged lightly at his arms his locks would come loose but didn't.
"Besides you can only have me on your sheets when I fail to find the Paradlag" I stated just as his lips was just half an inch away from mine, the sensation inside of me tickled my skin; any advances made towards me seem to have effect and I don't like it. I pushed away finally and burning red from embarrassment of my own reaction I folded the shirt in my hand and set it aside and pull another one quickly out of the bag.
"Right," I had never seen Orpheus this out of control and so open of his emotions
'What is wrong with everyone on this place?'
"We will make the journey to the city of gods two nights from now,"
'So soon?'
"But I have──"
"That is to be done unless you changed your mind about administering the Paradlag to me"
"Fine, I will get ready"
"Splendid, Cassuis's here when you need anything" He exited in a rush, I sighed inwardly and plopped in the bed closing my eyes; I heard Cassuis close to me. I opened my eyes to see he was towering, hands folded back. Quickly I sat up remembering all the unfortunate times he was close to me uncomfortably,
"Relax, I'm not standing here to warm the sheets with you," he looked away from me and I could not only see but feel his anger towards; me. I simply stared at him still confused by his new way of approaching me.
Still standing tall in front of me, he didn't look towards me, gaze fixed up ahead I didn't know what to say to this man that I neither hate nor like. What is Cassuis to me? Hunter and Leo came in right in the middle of my thought which startled me, I rushed to find the ground and that gave a bad impression on the situation in the room.
"I have good news" I said walking pass Cassuis whom was unmoving by the foot of my bed
"We will be leaving here two nights from now"
"Finally" Leo exhaled heavily
"Wait what about Jake?" he asked sharply
"The spell needs some working" I answered
"Are you so sure about your decision" Hunter stepped forward and placed a hand on my shoulder,
"I don't know but all I know is I cannot be a ragdoll to Orpheus"
"Do you think you can find it when you don't even know what it looks like?" Hunter asked
"I know it sounds baseless but I am sure I can, I just need your support as always" I touched my hand to his elbow, he drew me into him and hugged me tightly
"You will always have my support little Gia" I laughed inwardly and held him tight
"I am not that little anymore," He pulled me out of the hug and examined me like any father will with caution
"Apparently I am old enough to bear a child" I added with a childish snicker
"Your mom and I will always see you as our little baby" he pulled me back into him and hugged me like someone was just about to snatch me away
"Fine" I said
"Am I really just like her?" I asked feeling nothing more than I should feel towards a stranger. I don't know why constantly with him I get reminded of her, that she gave birth to me. He seem to keep her alive in him somehow
"I wish you could have known her; it will be like staring into your reflection" his voice was very soft, he pulled me to the edge of the bed and sat with me while Leo stood by us
"You know she named you since before you were born, she'd spend her time talking and singing to you──wondering if you'd look like him or her, be as creative as simple as she was or be strong and fearless like your father" he talked like he was in his memories, an honest beautiful smile played on his face like a melody syncing with the voice of an angel.
I watched how he talked about her with love and passion; how he adored every bit of her but alas didn't get to be with her for long.
"She says the sound of the water gives you peace, I would accompany her to the mighty fall just outside the Terent mill,"
"Mighty fall?"
"That place is dangerous" Leo cut in
"Not back then, it's the most beautiful place." I watched his eyes glitter and his mind seem to drift away again. I touched his hand bringing his gaze to mine
"Will you take me there after this, just me and you?" he nodded
"Now where was I before you distracted me?" he asked
"Yes, she hand knitted a lot of clothing for you; I still have some with me. She'd often tell me about a dream she had about you, she'd seen you all grown up; beautiful and fair at heart. You called her mother"
"The first time she took you in her arms, she couldn't stop crying; she said you were more than Luther showed her and she fell in love all over gain" I felt a cringe in my chest but not enough to cause shift in the pleasant mood around
"Xena wanted you to be the best for your clan and the world, I know you will because you are exactly as she described you to be; beautiful and fair at heart" Hunter caressed my cheek and a tear slipped down my face, I sniveled and cupped his hand
"Will you stay here tonight and put me to sleep…..Dad?" I lay in the bed and he sat beside my head, his fingers messaged my tense skull carefully, he intertwined my fingers into his and held it against my chest.
It was all I ever wanted; family to call my own. To have by my side and to keep me on my feet, a person I can deeply rely on.
Someone to love me unconditionally, "I am lucky to have you here," I said
"Hush now and sleep, little Gia"