I just had time to feel the edge of the panic that rose before it all vanished in thin air. Compliant and with a smile, I found myself falling back into the warm and welcoming darkness that embraced me. Deep down and tucked away, I knew I should be worried. I knew I did not appreciate this magic chest growling of his. But then again, it felt so nice and cozy. Such a feeling of freedom I don't think I've ever had before.
Nothing could bother me, hurt me, or even get to me here. It was like I knew it; my body and soul knew it. So I fell deeper into the soft comfort, embraced the darkness back, and leaned in. Something stirred down here with me, another presence awakening and slowly searching for me. My skin still erupted with goosebumps over my arms and down my back, and the continuous rumbling sound that followed me-vibrated through my chest, making my heart flutter with anticipation, waiting for something.
Then I heard her soft voice fill my head. She was calling for me, pulling at everything inside me. I didn't even have to open my eyes before an overwhelming sense of happiness washed over me. So strong emotions flared up in my chest, and my voice almost choked when I called back into the black clouded nothing I rested in,
"Drifta! Your back!"
Her light laughter filled my head for a second, and I smiled. Then she suddenly stopped, and I could feel how her amusement turned severe. Strange, really, I didn't have her that long, but I still connected with her feelings, and reactions like this felt incredibly good. So, despite her change in mood, I kept smiling with my eyes closed.
"I am sorry, child! I am so sorry! I was too far away; I didn't even feel you were hurt."
"Don't think about it; you are here now! And you have no idea how much I've missed you!"
"I've missed you too! I didn't plan to go this far; I just needed to heal. But then she forced me back; I didn't even know someone could do that!"
To this, I frowned,
"Who did?"
"Nida!"
She answered with a growl.
"Nida? Why?"
My mind wandered back to that day in the middle passage with Loki and Nida. Let the memories take me back, and Drifta watched with interest. I don't think I'll ever get used to this, but I had to laugh too. Not only did we share emotions, body, and mind, but she could also watch my memories, and I almost expected her to pull out a cone filled with popcorn.
"I think she helped us."
Drifta sounded thoughtful, and I almost winched when she turned around, invading my mind. Rummaging through my head. It felt invasive and creepy, and I could feel how my shoulders tensed.
" Calm down; she left something: that whisper or message you heard. And calm down, girl, it's just me!"
"I know that! But yeah. I'm going to need some time to get used to all this! Oh, can I do the same to you?"
"Yeah, sure. But only when we switch forms. Then you can access my memories while in human form I need to show them to you. I am unsure why, but I'm 99% sure Nida helped us or you. She didn't leave anything else, just that message carved in your memory with magic poison. Don't worry; it is not dangerous; it just shows it does not belong here. A simple message and a tiny heart,"
I chuckled, picturing Drifta studying the message, scratching her cheek in confusion. She did something, and then I saw what she saw. Right enough, the words I heard that day lit up on a dark surface that was impossible to identify. Drifta's voice echoed through my mind,
" It is your memory; it's not a solid thing, but it doesn't mean it's not there"
A pale blue color glowed against the dark memory,
`Pretend she's dead, your wolf. `
In swirling, beautiful letters and a tiny heart carved in beneath. So maybe she did help me or us. Why, I guess only time will show. The heart is a sweet touch, but it can also be the opposite, a reminder of my debt for her help, maybe?
"Don't speculate; it is not your strong suit!"
Drifta huffed, annoyed, and continued,
"Who in their right mind thinks of debt and hidden threats seeing a heart?"
"Well, just a feeling. Who would not? Taking everything that has happened so far, I think every sensible human would!"
"No.. No, they would not, Eir. They would see hope. Hope in light of a possible ally or friend. Feel blessed and relieved that someone actually did what they could to help and protect you. "
"Nope, that doesn't sound right! Nobody is that naïve!"
Everything inside me opposed this; even if that was what I wanted to believe, I could not allow myself that luxury. People never do anything without getting something in return; why would this twisted world of monsters and magic be any different?
Drifta's ears perked up, and she leaned forward, sniffing loudly with her nose high up. I tried to keep my posture, but she looked so funny that my stubborn and cold front faltered. Watching her closely with a crooked grin, I waited to hear her out with an arched brow. She grinned back, a wide monstrous grin filled with sharp canines, but it was definitely filled with amusement.
"How is your wrist?"
I took a second and wiggled my hand. It felt great, no pain, no swelling. But still, too skeptical about her sudden change of topics, I didn't jump with joy. I only squinted my eyes at her,
"It feels fine; why ask? Didn't you heal it?"
"Of course I did, but someone else did too!"
She laughed and pulled back while giving me a suggestive wink. It felt like I woke up from a dream, slowly turning back to my body and awakening state. Instead of Drifta's voice, I heard my own heartbeats. Slow and studying; I was calm and relaxed. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe. No pain or aching muscles, no confusion about how I suddenly fell asleep and where I was.
It felt so lovely waking up on a soft mattress, I've gotten somehow used to those branch and fur-made beds, but this felt like heaven right now. Lifting the fluffy covers up, I snuggled it before I let out a sigh of relief. Warm air, like a soft breath, brushed past my cheeks, and my smile only grew wider. I felt so content, wrapped up like a soft, fluffy little burrito! All I wanted right now was to ignore the world and roll around in this soft bed like the big stuffed wrap I was. And that's just what I'm going to do!
I rolled around, giggling like a toddler, and the great feeling it gave me to be this carefree and light. The hot air suddenly felt almost moist against my face, and my eyes flew open. I stared right into intense green eyes, so close that when I gasped in shock, the tip of my nose brushed against his.
"What is a burrito?"
My cheek set fire in an instant, and I franticly started trying to untangle myself from the blanket I'd managed to wrap around my way too tight. Panic quickly rose in my chest as everything came back to me, and I was still freaking stuck in this goddamned blanket! How on earth could I have been so relaxed and content, lying right next to him!?
I know he did a nice thing for me, but that doesn't mean he is good. Does it? No, no, it doesn't change the fact that I'm stuck here in this sky castle thing: his laboratories, dungeon, and his evident pride and amusement when he talked about it all.
"Fuck!"
I heard myself shout, and even worse, those traitorous tears brimmed in my eyes. Not again; I hate crying! What is up with all this crying? It only made it worse, and my body deflated. All energy left me, and a sob saw its opportunity to accompany my tears in deceiving me.
"Shush, shush, earth pupp! "
Two and three awkward, a little too hard, he patted the top of my head. Filled with confusion, I forgot I tried to avoid looking at him and stared at him with wide eyes. He is trying to smile. A stiff, crocked smile-like shape on his lips and his eyes glued to my head, and he patted it again with a heavy palm.
" I will not ask about the burrito anymore. I know you females don't like being hungry and that it affects your emotions and female mood controller! So I will feed you in a couple of minutes. So breathe and try not to female so much."
My entire face crunched up in a questioning grimace, was this guy for real?
Like he heard my thoughts, he sat up and tucked the blank even tighter around me before he lifted me up so I could sit up and lean against the headboard.