377- The Demand Beneath the Waterfall
POV Seraphine Valerian:
He always left before I woke up.
That morning I jumped straight out of bed, no longer wanting to spend even a second away or to keep wrestling with doubts.
There was life purging inside me, asking to be embraced in its totality. I yearned for more, for Viktor, for discoveries. The questions and sorrows left behind.
I felt euphoria, experiencing something extraordinary. I never imagined a being like him existed, and I was enchanted, unable to concentrate on anything but him, that village, his world. It seemed, at last, like my place. And that was frightening.
I showered, took my time trying to fix my voluminous hair, and went downstairs immediately, upset that I hadn't woken up earlier to have coffee with him. But I did, talking with Daciana and then leaving for the school.
I helped the children with their lessons, told them stories of Romani people, and listened to their tales of wolves and hunters in the forest from ancient times. According to them, no one dared to venture into the farthest lupine territories, for they never returned. There was respect, each in their own corner.
It was much more complex, like different planets inhabiting continuous spaces, but I didn't delve deeper.
That day, I talked to some of the children's parents at pickup time. I got to know each one a little better, and Stoica called me over as I passed by to properly introduce me to her family and her home. Lana rolled her eyes but showed herself to be less unfriendly toward me.
Then I ran back to the castle, anxious, desperate to have lunch with Viktor. I filled with joy when I saw him in the kitchen, tall and handsome, drinking ţuică and talking to Daciana. My heart raced, and I had to hold myself back from throwing myself into his arms. But I smiled like a fool.
He looked me all over, attentive, serious. It was impossible not to feel touched, undressed. For a moment, we even forgot the world.
“Hmm... I'm still here,” the older woman pretended to growl and laughed, embarrassed.
“Are things calmer at the office?” I asked, starting to help her set the table.
“Tranquility would be an exaggeration. They're under control.”
Lunch in their company brought me even more joy. We talked, I asked questions about the mines and the village, and learned it was even bigger than I had imagined, with waterfalls, peaks, and cliffs with spectacular views.
Seeing my curiosity, Viktor offered: “If you want, I'll take you to see the surroundings. And later, the mines.”
“When?”
“This afternoon, if no unforeseen events come up.”
I accepted immediately, eager to have more contact with nature and to spend more time with him. I waited for him, ready and anxious, in sneakers and pants, so I could walk a lot through the forest.
When he appeared, I couldn't believe it. We left side by side, and he took me on a path parallel to the mines, winding through the vegetation.
I admired the giant trees, the canopies swaying against the sky, the good smell of earth, flowers, and brush. It was like entering an enchanted world, which shone even brighter when Viktor firmly held my hand. He guided me, silent, also observant.
If I were alone, I would get lost. He would lean at times, until the path leveled out again. Then we walked side by side, our fingers intertwined, me marveling. Happy.
I smiled, peeking at him. But I restrained myself when I noticed his heavy, thoughtful expression.
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you worried about the invasions? Do you want to go back?”
“No. I just remembered that this is Adelina's favorite route. Since she was little, when she discovered that this path led to the waterfall, she would disappear out of nowhere. I followed her by scent at first. Later, I didn't even need to. I already knew where she would be.”
I could imagine his agony, away from his daughter for the first time, afraid she would be mistreated by his enemy, with his hands tied by a war between them.
I moved closer, feeling part of his pain. I murmured: “I'm sorry, Viktor.”
“For what?”
“She never had the courage to run away alone. She only did it because I was here and agreed to go along.”
He was quiet for a while as we continued walking. Then he gave me a look, thoughtful.
“It wasn't your fault. Many things happened at that time, it was your right to seek your freedom.”
“I thought you would hurt me.”
“I know. And she would eventually find a way to check if Lucian was her fated mate or not. The fault was mine, for not anticipating it.”
“There's no way to know or anticipate everything.”
“That is my function as the alpha of this territory. To avoid problems and protect those who trust me.”
“Still, it's impossible to control everyone. Each person makes their own choices. But don't be like this. She will come back.” I smiled. “And everything will be alright.”
Viktor didn't seem very convinced. However, his expression relaxed, and he pulled me closer, crouching down and ordering: “Climb on my back. If we keep walking, we'll only get there by nightfall.”
“Are you going to carry me?”
“We're going to run. Come on.”
I climbed on, and he helped me, straightening his spine as I hugged his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist. It was delicious to cling that way, to smell his musky perfume near his nape. Volatile emotions came from all sides.
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
He shot off, and I let out a laugh. The other times he ran with me in his arms, that way beyond normal, I was too desperate to notice anything around me. There I looked and felt everything.
The trees passed like flashes, his body leaning slightly forward, his muscles strained. He ducked to avoid branches, skirted trunks, jumped over rocks and obstacles. I held him tight and enjoyed it as best I could, once again shocked that Viktor was so beyond imagination.
When the dense vegetation became thicker, he slowed down, always careful not to let anything scratch or touch me. Then we arrived at a clearing, and my eyes widened before paradise.