Chapter 18 The Blight of His Heart
Yeseus suddenly lost power, making gravity do its duty.
Klishei screamed at their drop of altitude. Yeseus covered her with his body as they crashed into the branches of the trees while falling. As they hit the ground, they rolled into a slope before stopping.
Klishei opened her eyes. She felt no pain so she was horrified to see blood on her skin, only to realize that it was Yeseus’. His temples had erupted and he struggled to get up like he had broken his back.
“Yeseus,” Klishei cried, cradling his battered body in her arms. Yeseus had closed his eyes and was panting hard. Klishei looked around. They looked like they were deep in a wild forest. There was no chance that someone would see them. Worse, what if the other werewolves come after them.
‘You have the power of the Phoenix inside you.’
Klishei gulped. Yeseus was continuosly grunting in pain. It looked like he was so tired. His skin was also turning yellowish, like he was undernourshed.
She hovered her face over him, knowing only one thing to do. She closed the distance between their faces and gave him a kiss. She was unsure at first so she only touched his lips lightly.
When Yeseus did not respond, Klishei deepened their kiss, fully consuming his mouth. Her tongue touched his teeth and he freely welcomed her. She mirrored what she remembered whenever he kissed her.
Her tongue penetrated even the roof of his mouth. When Yeseus' tongue trailed after her, that was when she knew the magic worked. She pulled away as her breath was almost out and she wanted to cut off the heat that was starting to form in her belly.
Their eyes met. The trail of blood was still there but at the very least, it had closed immediately and he was no longer bleeding. “Are-are you okay?” She asked awkwardly.
Instead of answering her question, Yeseus continued their kiss. “I don’t want to stop,” he said.
But they were in a forest, in enemy territory, she wanted to say. The words stuck in her throat. Yeseus’ kisses always made her forget her awareness of the surroundings.
“Y-yeseus.” His hands were starting to explore under her shirt. She lightly pushed his hands away but he switched positions with her. She was on the ground and Yeseus was licking her neck.
‘And in those times that you made ‘love’, did he ever express his feelings toward you?’
Daevar’s questions snapped her out of her heat.
He’s using you.
She did not know where the third voice came from but it helped in giving her strength to push Yeseus away hard. Yeseus had a surprised look on his face.
“Sorry, but please, not here,” she said. “I guess you’re okay now?”
Yeseus did not respond to her. Klishei had a mild panic. Did she just offend him?
“Please don’t get angry,” she pleaded as she touched his hands.
‘He’s using you. Look at that blank expression.’ Klishei ignored her thoughts.
“It’s fine,” Yeseus finally replied. “I can sense your hesitation. It would be futile for me to continue, then.”
Her heart thumped hard at that. Did he sense her doubts? This was all Daevar’s fault.
“Sorry, I collapsed mid-air.” Yeseus seemed to be back to himself. “It’s the result of me using all my energy in my wolf form. I ran at top speed just to catch up to you.”
So the black wolf earlier was his other appearance. Her eyes studied him, wondering how many more of his sides were there.
Yeseus stood and stretched his hand towards her. Klishei took it and she also stood. Yeseus’ fingers brushed over her bruised wrists.
He looked at them for a very long time. “Did he hurt you?”
Klishei shook her head. “I’m okay. This will heal in no time.”
The melancholy in Yeseus’ eyes surprised her. Then, his arms slowly wrapped around her shoulders. They hugged for a long time with Yeseus brushing his hand over the back of her head.
“I thought I would be too late. I thought Daevar had already done what he wanted to do with you.” His voice was a little shaky. She felt the sincerity and worry in his words. This is what she had been dying to hear, that he truly cared about her.
Klishei returned the hug, tightly pulling him towards her. His warmth seemed to heal every part of her.
“Thank you for rescuing me again, Yeseus.” Her voice broke. “I-I was really scared back there.”
For a moment, the two stayed still on that spot, clutching each other like they were separated for years.
“Klishei, did Daevar say something about me?”
She was not prepared for his question. A myriad of thoughts entered her mind, demanding her to be honest and just ask him directly with regard to Daevar’s accusations. But the third voice inside her mind prevailed.
‘Seek the answer for yourself.’
“He repeated the story that you killed your kin.” A half-lie. “But you showed me your side, Yeseus. I know that you did what you had to do. I still believe in you.” This part was true.
“I see. Thank you, Klishei.” They broke away from their hug and Yeseus took hold of her hand. “Let’s go back to the sanctuary.”
Klishei let herself be led by him, feeling a little guilty. Maybe it was not too late. She could still tell him now.
But then she remembered, he was also hiding the fact about the blight of his heart.