Chapter 56 CARVING
Edeline
There was someone out there, nearby.
Percival heard it too. Our kiss softened, and he gave my lips one last gentle peck before pulling away.
“I don’t want to go,” he murmured. “But I’ll do the right thing and respect your decision. First...” His body withdrew from mine, and I felt a chill, my skin craving the warmth of his touch.
Now I understood why friends always seem to touch or hold each other. It felt... amazing.
I watched with a mix of amusement and interest as Percival made his way to the opposite side of the treehouse. He had to be careful not to hit his head on the ceiling, which was quite a sight given his height of 6'3". He casually removed a piece of wood from the wall and pulled out a small wooden box. It didn’t have any dust on it, indicating it had been put there recently.
He looked up at me, a hint of shyness in his eyes, and extended a small, exquisitely crafted wooden box. It was beautiful, the kind of craftsmanship that catches your breath.
"I made this for you," he said quietly, his cheeks flushing slightly.
I was caught off guard as I reached out and took the box from his hand. Our fingers brushed briefly, sending a pleasant shiver up my arm. The box had a fresh coat of stain and lacquer, and though it was only the size of a ring box, the level of detail was extraordinary. There was a Praimfaya Moon intricately carved into the lid, and tiny hinges allowed it to open smoothly. I couldn’t tear my eyes away as I flipped the box over, marveling at the craftsmanship.
"Wow, it’s really beautiful," I whispered, my voice barely above a breath. "I’m loving it. Did you really make it just for me?" My smile widened as I looked up into his eyes. His smile was dazzling, and for a moment, it completely stole my breath away.
"I made this carving for you two years ago," he said, a hint of nervousness in his voice. "I didn’t want to seem odd, so I didn’t give it to you back then. I just finished staining and finishing it up the day we came back to the lake." His tone was casual, but I could sense his unease. This wasn’t the confident Percival I was used to; he seemed unsure.
I was touched, looking from the box to his earnest face. "Wow, Percival, I really love it! This is something I’ll treasure forever. Thank you so much!" My voice was heartfelt, and I truly meant every word. The box was clearly made with love and care.
He gave a quick, relieved smile before his expression turned serious again. "Hey, open it when I leave. There’s something inside for you. And if we want to slip out of here without being seen, we need to hurry," he said, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
A pang of sadness struck me as I remembered the danger lurking outside our door. I held the wooden box tightly, my curiosity piqued. He grabbed the spray and I tried to stifle the tears that threatened to spill. My emotions were all over the place, and he had a way of stirring them up.
"Hey, Edeline, why don’t you close your eyes?" His once warm smile was replaced by a somber expression. I complied, letting him spray a mist that smelled like the earth, grounding me amidst the chaos.
When I opened my eyes, I saw him walking towards me with a resolute look. Our lips met for one last, fervent kiss. My pulse quickened, a rush of excitement coursing through me. I kissed him back with equal passion, but the moment was fleeting. Our eyes locked as he gently cradled my face in his hands.
"I'm going to head down, shift, and scout the area. When you hear a bark, that’s me giving you the all-clear. If you hear a howl, just stay put until you hear the bark, alright?" His instructions were clear, and his gaze was steady, wanting me to fully understand what he was telling me.
"Alright," I murmured softly, a wave of solitude and confusion washing over me. He gave me a quick, tender kiss goodbye, then disappeared down the hatch. As he was about to vanish completely, he glanced back up at me.
"Hey, Edeline," he called out, his voice carrying a hint of concern. "Just wanted to let you know that if you ever feel like talking or if you need anything, there’s a hiding spot where I found the box. You can leave a note there, and we can communicate that way until things get sorted out. Just wanted you to know that I care about you." With those parting words, he climbed down the ladder of the treehouse, leaving me no chance to reply.
I watched him go, peering out the window while hiding in the shadows. A sense of melancholy settled over me, and my heart felt like it was deflating. The vibrant warmth I once felt seemed to drain away, leaving me with an overwhelming sense of farewell.
I felt hollow, like my entire world was slipping through my fingers. Despite my mixed feelings about our situation, the reality was sinking in. He was everything to me. My confidant, my friend.
The thought of not being with him, especially with everything happening, was almost too much to bear. It was comforting to imagine the fleeting happiness we shared, but now it felt like a cruel illusion. The idea of a future with him seemed impossible, especially with the possibility of a child and everything that came with it. The pain of it all was almost unbearable. The moon had once given me hope, but now that hope seemed shattered.
He had reserved a part of himself for his partner, and Tatiana had taken that from me. She would always hold a special place in his heart, along with the guilt and regret that came with it. I wanted him so desperately. I couldn’t bear the thought of watching Tatiana’s belly grow while feeling powerless. I needed to move on, for now at least.