Chapter 59

"My dear, never be afraid. The prophecy medallion will reveal itself when it's ready. Just keep it with you all the time alright?"

"Really?" Anna asked.

"Yes, trust me. I know" If only she listened to her friend, if only she warned Lady Magda enough not to marry Lord Androe. Lady Maria's regret was the reason for her being so close to the Icy Cavern. Somehow, deep in her heart, she knew that it would trap her friend.

"Ah! Okay then, by the way, do you have something for his burn?" She asked her while holding Harry's hand.

"Oh, blimey! Yes, dear. Of course. But let me remind you, the scar will never fade."

"Why?"

"See this?" She shows them her palm. Opening it, was a scar as clear as the day. It was round and the size of a medallion. Similar to Harry's burnt.

"Oh, you've touched one before?" Harry asked, he could feel the dismay in his chest waiting to take over. Perhaps it only wanted to safeguard him, but there wasn't any danger.  However, it settled there like a furious ball poking him towards his uncertainty.

"Yes, and that I regret for the rest of my life."

"Why? Well, for that, I lost my only best friend because of it. Whoever touches the coin aside from the Moon Goddess descendant and the keeper will be a curse for eternity."

"Really? Does it mean I had been cursed too?" He was curious, It was the first doubt he had made after burning his hand.

"Yes." Lady Marie shot up, trying not to

nudge him, and right away. She pasted some herbs from her rosemary concocted bottle. Then she notices his palm. The burn was no longer red; instead, it had settled into a black coin size scar of a tattoo. Hope soared in Lady Maria's mind. Thanks to the gods. She thought! 

"Oh! What sort of curse? Harry uttered as he tried to raise himself with his hands, a grunt releasing from his chest at the struggle. Anna hugged him back down and ordered, "Oh no, you don't! You are not getting out of that bed just yet."

"But, I'm great!" he teased. He slumped back to the bed and growled exhausted, "I'm fine, Anna, and see? Already you are annoying and man-handling me." A laugh held Anna's lips. He was feeling better.

She whispered, "I'll tell you what. I'll compromise with you and assist you to roll over. But that is as far as you are going right now."

He 'humphed' in the back of his throat but didn't disagree. He lifted his body, and she assisted him as he rolled to his side and then onto his rear. When he was settled, he looked up at her and muttered, "What happened Anna? Seems like after I had touched the medallion, I felt so weak suddenly."

"I don't knowHarry," she trailed off then stare at Lady Maria, "Do you know why?"

"Don't bother yourself, dear, Harry will be alright after some food on his stomach."

"How about the curse? Do you perceive what it is all about?" 

"I don't see, and only the coin knows!" Lady Maria stared at him, lost at the moment, overcome by the feelings too heavy for her to even distinguish, and couldn't help the tears that flooded her eyes.

"I'm not going to lose someone, right?" Harry murmurs then whirls his head towards Anna who then sheds a tear. She then wrapped her little frame around him, clasping one of his legs over her hips, and cuddled as close as she could. Anna didn't care that they were not alone in the room. Nothing else mattered. Harry waited until her tears slowed and her breathing evened out, no longer riddled with irregular gasps. There was no hurry; he just hugged her, giving her what she desired, him. When she was finally calm, Harry's voice was soft and encouraging as he whimpered in her ear, "Don't be upset, sweetheart, nothing's going to happen, okay?"

She sniffled and bobbed her head. Bringing much-needed lightness back into the silence of the room, Harry teased, "Okay, I am feeling stronger by the second, thanks to your loving concern, and am prepared to get up. Are you going to wrestle me back down if I try?"

A quick laugh evaded the room while Lady Maria went to the kitchen to bake some more potatoes and heat her porridge. Anna shook her head and leaned back to give him room. He sat up and stretched his muscles, evaluating his strength, still unaware of the impressive change in his burnt palm. He looked around the place and discovered that Anna was eyeing him. 

Once again, fear found her. It acknowledged her in its cackling voice. It told her legs to go weak, her stomach to lurch and her heart to ache. She was only starting up to know him and already she was devastated by all she knew. In that split second before the worry and anxiety touch, it stimulated every nerve in her body and her brain. It's the apprehension of being together more palpably. 

Anna's eyes shifted with the alertness that comes from enormous stress, and her hands remained clenched by subconscious desire. Harry was annoying, but that's okay because it's as much a reflection of her as anything else. Because when she saw him she soon found that he was perfect, perfect for her, and they are perfect for each other.

She then raised an eyebrow, confused, then kissed him without a second guess. Her gaze slid to the side. Then Harry grabbed her against his chest. His nose tickled her ear. She let out a slight gasp and twitched. Anna didn't enjoy being so intimately handled. Yet, she felt his lips softly graze her slender neck. Her face heated. Finally, she summoned enough courage to meet his gaze. His blue-gray eyes twinkled. She knows he's trying to make her feel better. At that moment of the kiss, they are in each other's protective cocoon.

An hour later, they were all settled in the dining area. Lady Maria was an artist of food. Harry looked at her great mind, so attentive in every thought, using that comprehensive decision she called wisdom on her cooking skills. He knew the love she has for this way of giving to others, this intense path for self-expression that showed in her baked goodies. Here in the kitchen, she was at one with all this, the food, the spices, the flames, and a sense of music even when none was playing. Harry and Anna could sit here all day just to watch her cook. And in time they are relishing their meal.

"Where is David and Leon?" Anna asked while enjoying the fruit salad Lady Maria made.

"Let him be my dear... he will come in no time when he's done clearing his mind and healing his broken heart."

Harry's eyes widened and his mouth was already open. So, he's right after all. That man was indeed in love with her woman. But he forgot all when the meal was the only thing on his mind at that moment.

When the first spoon goes to his mouth he has this and pauses ideas, as his hunger was intense, then starts his celebratory smile again as the spoon goes back and forth to his plate. She made a sumptuous meal, and Harry sent back only compliments and admiration towards Lady Maria and upon the table was a basket of the fruits that grew in the neighborhood — blackberry, plums, and apples. It was a humble celebration of the garden's abundant harvest.