Chapter 10

                                    

                                          
     In a haze, making my way down the hall, I literally crash into a wall. 
     "Arg!"  I press my temples. That blast of magic made me black out.  I can't see anything, where is my room?  "Fenris?!"  I hear footsteps come towards me and I fall against the wall again. 
     "Oriella!?"  I feel his hands catch my shoulders. 
     "I was testing something. And I dizzied myself. Help..." I fall backwards, luckily against him. 
     "Whoa whoa. I've got you."  He lifts me up as if I was a leaf. His arms are strong, firm.  He pulled me into the bridal style carry, and walked me down the hall.   "What were you doing?! You smell like fire!"
     "I was testing my magic."  
     "W-wha-why!? You've got to let yourself heal."  He looked at my back again. 
     "Sorry."
                          
     He sat me down in the bed. 
     "Could you keep me company? It gets quite lonely."  I let my head on the pillow. 
     "Why not."  He sits on the floor, beside me.  
     "Well what's on your mind?"  I try to make small talk. 
     "Has Nothing much. I was sitting in the parlor doing nothing when you called."  He shrugged. "I want to know what you did while testing your magic?"
     "I was checking to see if it hurt..... it does."
     "That's a shame. Are you okay?"
     "I'm.... better."  I move hair out of my face. 
     "Good. So.... uh. Why did you hug me after I said I'd give you a chance?"  Odd question. 
     "Because you have the love in your heart to even consider it.  You decided to go away from your judgements and give me a chance."  I reach over the edge of the bed and touch his shoulder. 
     "I admit, I wouldn't have given a chance to just anyone....."
     "What do you mean?"  I furrow my brow. 
     "You're special, Oriella."  Fenris looked away nervously. 
     "Special?"  I'm..., confused. 
     "I like you, Oriella. Like more than.... we already are."  He waved his hands as he spoke. He likes me. HE LIKES ME!?
     "Wait! You like me!?" I prop myself up over the bed, smiling down at him. 
     "Y-yeah."  He looked away. 
     "You're not lying? You ACTUALLY like me, more than a friend?"  My eyes lit up. 
     "Yes! Oriella! I do!"  He finally looked up at me. "Do.... you like me?" Oh no. Now it's my turn to be... awkward. 
    "Y-yes..." I pull the covers over my head. My cheeks are burning and I can already tell I'm blushing redder than a tomato. 
     "You're shitting me. We've liked each other all this time?"  He sounds dumbfounded. 
     "I suppose s-so."  Could I have not chosen a few more eloquent words?  He slowly pulled the covers off of my head. "Oriella?"
     "Hm?"  
     "Look at me."  He pulled my hands off my face gently. 
     "B-bu-" 
     "Just do it, Oriella. Please?"  He brushes my cheek with his thumb. I slowly raise my head, looking him in his silver eyes. "Y-You're very beautiful, in my eyes."
    "W-what?!"  My cheeks burn hotter than they already are. Stupid face! Betraying me!
     "You're beautiful!"  He finds confidence in him suddenly. 
    "T-thank you...." his flattering words flutter my stomach.  Fenris stood up, pulling me to my knees on the bed. Gently wrapping his arms around me he buried his face in my neck, his warm breath like a kiss.   I hug him back, enjoying his embrace.   
                          
     The morning light cut through the sheer curtains. Dust gingerly floated through the room, catching the golden rays of sun. The cool breeze caught the transparent curtains, blowing cool morning air into the bedroom. The light hit my eyes, waking me up gently. A warmness gravitates my attention beside me.  Hot breaths continuously thrum against my neck, and tiny hairs start to tickle my nose.  A hand wanders to the small of my waist, pulling me closer. Shockingly gentle arms wrap around me, enveloping me in this embrace.  My eyes flutter open and a mass of silver hair clouds my vision. Fenris.  A silent chuckle escapes my lips. How did this happen?  How did I manage to fall asleep in someone's arms?  The last thing I remember we were standing.  I can feel his eyelashes fluttering against my chest, I know he's awake. But I want to savor this moment.  He notices I'm awake too. 
     "Oriella?"  His sleepy voice calls. 
     "Hm?"  My sleepy voice sounds strange. 
     "Oh you're awake. Good morning."
     "Good morning. How did we end up like this?"  I notice I've been stroking his hair.... oops. 
     "You literally fell asleep. I tried to lay you down and let you, but you wouldn't let me go." He chuckled.  Damn him! Sly dog. 
     "I wouldn't let you go!?"  I stop petting his hair, and look at him with a quizzical look. 
     "Nope. You latched onto me like a leech!  I swear you even used your magic."  He laughed. 
     "I-oh I'm s-sorry I've never...." my cheeks flush redder than a rose in full bloom.   
     "It's okay you're very comfortable anyway."  He snuggled closer, making me even more red. 
     "T-thanks."  He takes my arms and wraps them around him. Forward much? 
     "I know you like it too don't even pull that."  He stops my words before I even say them. He's not wrong. I do enjoy it. Very much.  His legs tangle with mine and we are locked together. Tight and safe. Then we hear the door click.