"Good Morning big sister,"
A grinning face was all she could see and Islinda nearly stumbled off the cot in the process. He startled her and how did she wake up this late? The sun was already peeking out through the window, her stepfamily was going to kill her.
"What's wrong big Sister? You look worried?" Adric inquired, noticing how quickly she made her bed.
"Eli, this is not the time for this. I need…." What does she need? She needed a breather, "I need to go about my morning chores and make sure the family is satisfied else they would take it out on you…." Islinda trailed off when she realized that was not the right thing to tell a child.
She cleared her throat, coming to take Eli's hands in hers and bent to his height," When people are hungry, they get angry and do crazy things. But don't worry, no one will touch you." She smiled at him brightly, hoping that was enough to assure him.
Now that she thought about it, the boy was more mature than she thought. He didn't throw tantrums like other children and give her a hard time. Not to mention he was quite handsome. Islinda couldn't help but push a strand away from his face. The young boy would break ladies' hearts with his beauty when he grows.
If only she knew.
"Big Sister, there's food already."
"Huh?" Islinda arched her brow, "What are you talking about?"
Without waiting for a second, Islinda was out of her small room, her heart pounding in her chest as she anticipated punishment from Madam Alice while a small part of her hoped that what the young boy said was true. Islinda got into the living room and stopped short at the sight.
"Why are you late for breakfast?" Remy glared up at her as she served the food. They didn't have a separate dining room in their cramped cottage and usually set up a table whenever they needed to eat.
Hence it was shocking to Islinda that Remy had done everything. No, the brash sister never cooks and refuses to perform any chore in the house. What was going on? What brought about this sudden change? Was this the same Remy or has an evil demon possessed her?
Or perhaps, this was a new torture tactic. They perform kind acts for her, lowering her defenses in return and striking when she least expects it. Islinda was more fearful than before.
As if that was not enough, Remy inquired, "What about the boy?"
"T-the boy?" Islinda croaked, shivers climbing down her spine. Does she intend to harm him too? "You mean E-Eli?"
"Yes, Eli. Children need food to grow. Get him to the table."
Islinda swallowed a lump in her throat, what does she have in store for the boy? But then, she would be stoned by the villagers if she harmed Eli and Remy was too proud to end up that way. Perhaps, she indeed had a change of mind. Before Islinda could question her sincerity, a small hand took hers.
She looked down to big innocent eyes, "Big Sister, aren't you going to eat?"
Islinda looked between Eli and Remy, wondering how to explain to the young boy that they shouldn't trust her only for Remy to rush over to her side and pull him to the table.
"You should sit and eat, Eli," Remy said with reverence and a hint of fear on her face which Islinda saw and frowned. Remy didn't look like she would poison the boy, if anything, she looked scared instead.
Something was up.
It couldn't be that Remy finally thought about her behavior last night and repented. Perhaps, their ancestors visited her in a dream? Islinda thought of all possible scenarios that could explain her odd behavior, but none of them came close to the truth.
She was not the only one perturbed by her behavior because Madam Alice arrived and was wild-eyed at the scene.
"What is going on here?!" She thundered, staring at the boy with nothing but contempt. Just as Remy had felt last night, the boy was nothing but a beggar Islinda brought from god knows where.
"You shouldn't shout early in the morning, Mother. Sit, breakfast has been made. You taught me not to talk at the table."
"Remy…" Lillian, the younger one stared at her sister in confusion, "Are you alright?"
She shrugged, "Of course, why wouldn't I be?"
It was a relief to Islinda that she was not the only one put off by Remy's behavior. She wasn't seeing things.
"Would you all sit down for breakfast or you can leave the table if you're not hungry?"
It was not an order but no one could reject food, not even Islinda. If this was a new ploy to harm her, then she had to eat enough to be able to survive whatever evil plans awaiting her.
However, the instant Islinda lowered the spoon into her mouth and chewed the food, she halted. By the gods, she should have known not to trust Remy's food and others must feel the same because Madam Alice was glaring at her, blaming her for this … disaster. She was supposed to prepare breakfast, not her good-for-nothing daughter.
However, unlike them, Eli was busy eating his food. He could feel the food was horrible compared to the ones Islinda prepared for him but it bore no sustenance for him and was almost like dumping sand into his stomach. He had to keep up his ruse of being human - and did not know he was overdoing it.
"I'll die from food poisoning if I continue eating this," Lillian was the one who spoke up, dropping her spoon in annoyance.
She stared at Islinda with scorn, "This must be your form of vengeance, isn't it? Letting Remy ruin the food that was hard to get by." As if she was the one that made the dangerous trip to the woods.
Islinda wanted to retort, but she sealed her mouth shut. It's not like she had forced Remy to cook. Nor is it her fault her sister is a terrible cook either.
"And did you forget to mention this beggar?" Madam Alice sneered.
That was when Islinda finally noticed Eli wolfing down the food and stopped him. That might be bad for his stomach. Remy indeed prepared poison for consumption.
"He will be gone today, I think so…" She swallowed, "The village chief would help me find his -"
"What village chief?" Remy cut her off rudely, "The living or the dead?"
"What do you mean by that?" None of her words made sense.
"News came an hour ago that the village chief died in his sleep last night. So I ask again, what village chief are you referring to?"
The blood drained from Islinda's face and she shot up to her feet. Before anyone could tell what she was up to or even stop her, she had run out of the cottage barefooted.
No, this can't be happening, Islinda thought as she ran to the chief's place. It can't be true. If the chief was dead, who was going to find Eli's mother or parents? She promised the boy that he would be reunited soon with his family. But with the chief's death, it would take weeks to coronate another?
What was she going to do now?
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Islinda didn't know she got to the chief's place, her mind had been racing the entire time. How could the man die at a critical time like this? If he were going to die, he should have at least found Eli's parents first before leaving. Now, she was left all alone to deal with the burden.
The chief's place was filled to the brim with sympathizers who had come to offer their condolences to his family. It wasn't until that moment that the cold began to get to her and Islinda looked down to discover that she was barefooted and her toes were beginning to freeze. The shock had been so great, it had stripped her of all sense of reasoning.
"Aiyo, how could you come out like that? Even if the chief's death is shocking, we cannot afford to lose a young soul too!"
It took Islinda a minute to realize that the elderly woman was speaking to her. Islinda knew one from the marketplace, having sold one of her small animals to her.
"Ahh, this…." She shifted on her toes uncomfortably, now embarrassed. Islinda tried to explain, "I didn't mean to…. It didn't cross my mind…"
The woman placed her hand on her shoulder with a smile of understanding. "Wait here," She told her and left before Islinda could protest.
Not long after, she reappeared with a boot in hand and Islinda went red in embarrassment.
"You should try this," The woman placed the boot beside her bare feet.
"You shouldn't have …." Islinda gasped, conscious of being very near to tears. She didn't know why she was being emotional. But this was the kindest act anyone has ever done for her. Not even her family.
The woman explained, "My daughter got married weeks ago, the boot belongs to her. It's been idle at home and I have no idea what to do with it. You should have it."
Islinda bit down on her lips, she shouldn't accept this. But the woman was doing this out of sincerity and couldn't refuse it. She slid her feet into the boots and it was a perfect fit.
The woman looked satisfied, "I was worried that it wouldn't fit but it seems my fear was for nothing." She smiled at Islinda.
"Thank you." She said,
She patted her on the shoulder, "I don't know what you're going through, my child, but first comes the rain, then sunshine. Never neglect your health no matter what, you have a whole future ahead of you."
Those were the woman's last words before moving on to associate with her peers. Islinda stared at her new ankle-length black booths. It was sturdy and very comfortable and she wouldn't need to buy a new one anymore. The money would go to her savings now.
Finally, remembering the reason she was here, Islinda moved around the crowd and was able to pick up a bit of information. Just as Remy had said, the village chief died in his sleep last night. He had not been sick, hence everyone took it as the will of the gods even though the loss was great.
Of course, If only they knew.
The village chief was a respected elder, and a vigil was going to be held for him tonight. However, Islinda was stunned when she recognized her family among the crowd and her eyes widened with fear as she saw Remy with Eli. If she didn't know her evil step-sister too well, she would have thought the both of them had become friends.
Remy saw her first, "What's with you? You suddenly -"
Islinda ripped her grasp on the boy, glaring at her icily, "If this is a new game, you better stop it. Do not harm the boy."
Remy gave her a blank look, "Harm what boy? Do you think me so cruel that I would torture children too?" She looked disgusted.
Islinda narrowed her gaze at her. For some reason, her words seemed convincing and that was what bothered her. Remy was never kind, what changed? Did Eli charm her with his innocence?
"Big sister," Eli told her, "You don't have to worry about me, Sister Remy and I have been having a lot of fun?"
"Sister Remy?" Islinda arched a brow, jealousy twisting her guts. Eli had only trusted and called her "sister", now he was extending the title to others that didn't deserve it.
As if that was not enough, he wrung out of her hold and went back to holding Remy, saying, "We are going to have a bit of fun before going home."
"Fun?"
"Mother and Lillian are here too. They have come to pay their respect to the chief. Judging from the crowd here, I think it would be a while so I suggest that you go home and finish the chores, don't you think?"
Islinda would have left but her eyes flickered down to Eli in worry.
Noticing her gaze, Remy pulled the boy behind her," Don't worry about Eli, I'll take care of him and he will return safely."
"As if I trust you," Islinda snorted," Yesterday -"
"Was a mistake that would not repeat itself. I lost my mind a bit. Moreover, it's not like the villagers would let me go scot-free once it's reported that I harmed a child. I'm not a monster, Islinda."
There was indecision in Islinda's eyes, but there was nothing she could do. So she took a threatening step toward her, saying," If I find as much as a scratch on his body, you would wish you were dead. "
Islinda did not know where the courage came from. Come on, this was Remy she was standing up to! But she would protect what is hers, even at the expense of being kicked out of the house.
"Whatever," Remy rolled her eyes. She obviously didn't take her threat seriously.
Before Islinda left, she crouched down and whispered to Eli, "Do not trust her," Making sure to look him deep in the eyes to ensure he got her point. The boy was smart.
Eli nodded and she ruffled his hair quickly before taking her leave. There was another reason Islinda decided to go home and that was to see Valerie. This was the perfect opportunity to leave for the woods without anyone suspecting her move. Her stepsisters were smart and they would figure something was up if they caught her sneaking out more than usual.
Moreover, she couldn't go to the woods at night. This was the only opportunity she had to see him today. Hence, Islinda raced back home knowing her time was running out. Her step-family loved gossip and would definitely spend a lot of time there gathering information - that couldn't put food on the table. She was conscious of her time.
Once at home, Islinda grabbed a few things; her coat against the cold; medicine in case Valerie hadn't healed fully; her water skin for when she was parched, and her weapons to defend herself in case of an attack. The woods were still a wild place even though it was winter and most animals had migrated. Still, it was better safe than sorry. Not to mention, those animals were not the only things that hunted humans.
In a twinkle of an eye, Islinda was running through the woods to go find Valerie, knowing her time was limited. She was practically panting when she arrived at the dreary cottage and staggered inside only to fall into warm arms.
"Valerie…." Islinda suddenly found herself speechless as she stared at his handsome face. Fae creatures were breathtaking.
"Islinda…." He murmured her name with his accent which made her stomach do a backflip. She could stare into his golden eyes forever. How did she get herself into this mess?
She gasped, "How did you…?"
"Your scent," He smiled, "I can pick it up even with my eyes closed."
Was he trying to say he liked her smell? The fluttering in her stomach increased
"Come to the vigil tonight." The words left her mouth without thought and she instantly regretted it.
"What?"
"It's nothing," Islinda said, stepping away from him. His presence was making her heady and she needed to breathe.
"Islinda…." He pressed, knowing she was withholding information from him.
Islinda swallowed, this was dangerous and the risk was not worth it.
He covered the space between them once more, cupping her face with her palm and she melted inside.
He begged her, "Please, tell me."
She hesitated but when he caressed a trail down her throat, her tongue loosened up.
"There's a…." She licked her lips nervously and her heart wouldn't stop pounding at his touch, "Vigil tonight in honor of our late chief. Everyone would be in black clothing and would come to mourn, nor would they expect a Fae to attend. You could steal a cloak or something, hide your appearance and attend. We will meet there." She quickly added, "That is if you want to."
"I will come." He said with determination, his eyes almost a live flame.
Thankfully he stepped back before it could burn the both of them alive.
Islinda nodded, her heart pounding with anticipation and happiness.
"You should be careful." She warned him.
"You don't need to tell me. I would."
Then she remembered her purpose of coming there and handed the medicine to him, "I can't stay for long. So have this and may the gods be with you, tonight, Valerie." She pecked him on the cheek, turned away, and left quickly without looking him in the eyes.
Please add "Defy The Alphas," to your library and give reviews!
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