Later on, Stephen Mhi handed Arion the wine he requested, and Arion seated himself opposite Master Chen at the round table within the house compound.
Catching the old man stealing glances of him, Arion grew curious about the reason behind it.
Suspicion evident on his face, he questioned Master Chen about the lingering stares, although Master Chen denied them.
Concerned that Arion might abandon his quest for revenge, Master Chen had been worried.
With his mind already burdened, Arion remained silent.
Eventually, he declared, "I will pour your wine," as he picked up the small wine kettle between them and filled Master Chen's cup with wine.
Just as Master Chen was about to drink, Arion interjected,
"Wait for me to pour my own cup first, then we can toast to my powerlessness."
Arion's smile faded briefly, revealing his discomfort, before he averted his gaze to conceal his true feelings. Despite his attempt to appear composed, the tension in his jaw betrayed his inner unhappiness.
"You little asshole," Master Chen remarked in a gentle tone, his expression empathetic. "You should have activated your magic instead of freeing Sarah and me. Anyways, don't worry... everything in your life will return to normal once I take the necessary action."
Forcing a smile as he downed a cup of wine, Arion's eyes glistened with the hint of tears. "Don't risk your life either; a stone is a stone, regardless of its value."
"Suggesting that implies you consider Creststone Coins mere stones too?" Master Chen inquired, attempting to lighten the tense atmosphere.
"Money is desirable because of the value attached to it too, old man," Arion responded, releasing a deep sigh. "Value is what holds power; well, I am currently valueless."
Arion found solace in his conversation with Master Chen, yet another part of him yearned for solitude.
..…...
"How did you fall off the cliff, Arion? What happened at the palace after we escaped? Who were those that pressured you on the cliff? Can you recall their facial appeara--?"
"No!" Arion cut in, his anger evident as he struck the table between them. He was reminded of the loneliest moment in his life. If only he had his magic or his dragon, or someone to protect him. But there was no one.
Attempting to regain his composure, he snapped, "Don't ask me questions. I don't want to talk or listen to your assumptions! Just leave me be, okay?!"
Master Chen understood. Arion dealt with his own demons. He believed Arion would bounce back soon.
"I won't press further. Just know you'll be safe at my student's house. It's well-hidden and hard to find," Master Chen reassured him, preparing to leave. "Stay strong; you're still the mountain king, even without your palace," he added, casting a glance towards the distant cave.
Arion couldn't help but smirk at the irony of being called a king with no power left to defend himself. What a joke!
Arion wondered what he would do all alone at Stephen's house and feared that it wouldn't be long before he disappeared. Some hours after Master Chen left, Stephen announced the arrival of Liora. "Mister, she's here to see you!"
Arion turned his back as he was about to hop indoors. He then saw Liora running towards him with her arms open wide and wearing a big grin. She giggled upon seeing him, her heart filled with joy. Liora had left that day to avoid arousing suspicion from her father.
"Arion!" Liora exclaimed joyfully, wrapping her arms around Arion's neck. She leaned her cheek against his shoulder, smiling non-stop. "I'm so glad you're alive!"
"You're so glad that you're hugging me awkwardly," Arion complained, and Liora released him.
She smiled. "I'm just relieved that you're alive. I couldn't bear losing a close friend. How are you feeling now?"
"A close friend, huh? When did I ever consider you one?" Arion mumbled under his breath. Then he realized it was time to thank her, as Stephen had suggested recently. Though it felt awkward, he mustered the courage.
"You... you..."
"What is it? I can hear you clearly," Liora urged, still smiling.
"Just listen," he said. "Although I've never said this to anyone in my life, you'll be an exception today. I want to say... thank you."
He glanced into her eyes, and Liora looked at him curiously, clearly interested.
"Master Chen told me everything you did to keep me safe. Thank you."
Arion could swear her smile was the most beautiful thing he'd seen.
"What am I thinking?" he wondered, shifting his attention away from her. However, Liora mentioned that it was nothing, just her way of atoning for her sins.
"I won't tell you unless you promise right now that you'll always be by my side, just as close friends," she insisted, smiling.
Arion scoffed. "I have a high standard for friends, and I don't befriend people who smile or laugh too much."
"About that? I had quickly become stoic!"
"Secondly, you...."
Just at the moment, Arion sensed something unusual.
His eyes fell on set of black clothings , which he could have sworn he had inkling of.
His heart skipped a beat, and he blurted out, "God damn it!"
He quickly grabbed Liora and rushed her into the house.
The black-clothed men surrounded the house before Stephen could realize what was happening.
Just seven seconds ago, he had wondered why Arion had hurried into the house with the Heka leader's daughter, but now he understood.
Judging from Arion's condition when he was brought to his house the previous day, he assumed these people were the ones who had caused Arion's injuries and were now pursuing him.
"I'll handle this," Stephen Mhi mumbled, drawing his sword and questioning the men about their invasion, but received no response.
"Search the house!" ordered Seraphis, the others rushing inside to search.
Seraphis was Thorian's right-hand man so Thorian told him to assist Merrick in completing the failed mission.
Stephen panicked as they began to search, wondering where Arion could be hiding.
Inside, Liora realized the situation and stayed silent, hiding beneath a table.
Arion's distance under the table was not too far from her, maintaining a discreet distance.
A veil covered the table, shielding them from view.
"Why are you hiding? We can fight them!" Liora whispered aloud, looking puzzled as someone seemed to be getting closer to their hiding spot.
The sound from the person's footstep was a soft, muffled crunch.
She couldn't understand why Arion was so desperate to avoid being seen.
Arion knew he couldn't be discovered. The person, undoubtedly one of the men, was getting dangerously close to their hiding spot.
He thought, "I must not be found out!"
The black clothed man, gripping his sword tightly, reached the table finally, and Arion's heart raced with fear.
Liora's mouth hung open in shock as the man's hand reached for the veil.
"Is that a mouse?" the man wondered aloud, bending to remove the veil.
Arion's spine tingled with dread. He was not hiding to avoid capture; he was hiding to keep his lost power a secret!
He didn't want even Liora to find out too.
With a sudden move, the man removed the veil and Arion reacted quickly, pushing Liora back under the table and positioning himself over her.
Their eyes locked in a mesmerizing manner, and Arion hoped desperately that they wouldn't be discovered.
On the other hand, Liora's heart raced. She felt uneasy concerning Arion's position and his grip on her shoulder.
Arion whispered to Liora, "You'll have to endure this for a little moment. I'll apologize later."
Then, with no time to breathe, he locked lips with her. Liora tried to resist, but Arion held her still, signalling that any movement might alert the men.
In the dimly lit ambiance beneath the table, Arion's tentative kiss ignited a delicate dance of emotions, like two intertwined threads weaving a tapestry of intimacy.
As their lips met, a soft symphony of sensations unfolded, with Liora's startled gasp echoing in the hidden sanctuary. Slowly, Arion's touch transformed, evolving into a tender embrace that seemed to envelop them in a world of their own creation.
"God damn it! There's nothing here!" the man exclaimed, clearly frustrated that he hadn't found what he was looking for. To vent his anger, he used his sword handle to smash the table, breaking it.
The broken table pinned Arion down, and in a flash, their lips touched more. Shivers ran down his body; he could feel the electric sensation of their kiss, even though it was just to be a brief touch.
Liora's heart skipped a beat as their lips brushed against each other. She expected Arion to pull away, but he didn't.
Instead, he whispered, "You'll have to endure this too; I need to keep your mouth closed for long." And then, without hesitation, he kissed her straight, this time intentionally.
Beneath the table's sheltering veil, time ebbed and flowed, each heartbeat synchronized with the other, while the subtle rustle of fabric and the whisper of their breaths formed the backdrop to their clandestine encounter.
And in that fleeting moment, amidst the confines of their secret sanctuary, they surrendered to the sweet spell of connection, their souls entwined in the silent language of love.
"Wait..is this really happening? Should i pull away? But...i don't want to!"
"Maybe...just maybe, there's something more between us."
Those were what Liora was thinking at the moment, uncertain about what to do. Most importantly, she didn't want to admit her feelings.
"What am I doing? She's the daughter of... them."
"Is this wrong? Or is it just... complicated?"
"I can't deny the attraction I feel... but is it real, or just a moment of weakness?"
"For so long, revenge has consumed me... but now, all I can think about is her."
"Could it be that beneath the anger and pain, there's something more?"
"Does she feel the same pull, or am I alone in this?"
Countless thoughts flew in Arion's mind and he was unable to grasp one.