Chapter 8:Confessions

The morning light, which filtered in through the open window, was actually what woke Celeste. She had no idea of actually passing out; all she could actually recall was the wolves attacking her as she crawled towards the fork in the road, and then such a rush of fury that her ears were ringing and the world was spinning...and suddenly she was covered in blood (her blood?) and left kneeling on the rocks beside the road staring at the dead bodies of the wolves. Since she was weak and still unarmed, she had crawled on and suddenly she was in Connor's arms...

Celeste propped herself up and examined herself. She was in a soft linen dress, which was solid white and unmarred. Under the dress, she could feel bandages covering her stomach, arms and legs. Her hands were paler than they had been, though, and Celeste was well-aware of one other detail: she was starving.

A motherly looking woman walked in, smiling at Celeste. "Good morning, ma'am! You had us all worried." She said, and her voice sounded almost exactly like Elyon's. "That young man who brought you here has barely left your side!" She put down a tray and pulled off the cover, revealing hot soup and dry bread.

Celeste stared at it. "Can I eat now? I'm starved!" She blurted, eagerly, reaching instinctively for the bread.

The woman laughed. "Gently, gently, little one. First, you need to bathe and let me change those bandages. Then you can eat. And if you're still awake, I'll let that young man in to see you." She said, carefully helping Celeste out of the soft dress. Celeste had wasted considerably. Her ribs, normally well hidden under muscles and fat, were now disturbingly defined under skin. Her arms were unnaturally skinny.

But when she took her spoon and began to eat and Connor walked in, he looked as though he had just seen a vision. "Celeste! You look...alive." He stammered, for once at a lose for words.

Celeste smiled at him. "They told me that you were the one who saved me. Thank you. But how did you know that the wolves attacked me? How did you kill them all?" She asked.

Connor looked at her sadly. "Celeste, I didn't kill the wolves. You did." He said softly. "There's something I need to tell you--"

"Just a second, Connor." Celeste replied. "When...when we started out on this journey, I hated you. Mother always said that when I fell in love with someone, I would know it and be frantic to never leave them. She was right, Connor. I never want to leave you again." Celeste said all in one breath.

Connor smiled. "I love you too, Celeste." He whispered. He drew the slight girl into his arms and looked hard into her eyes. "But I know who your father is, and now I promise to tell you." He vowed.

Celeste grinned up at him. "Who is he?" She breathed.

"A...snake. Snake-person, we called them. Celeste, when you killed those wolves, you must have harnessed that power somehow." Connor explained, and then he gave a sad smile. "Celeste, to get to the village your father came from, we had to take a left."

Celeste smiled up at him. "Connor, when I meet him, let's tell him the good news." She urged.

"Good news?" Connor asked.

"Yes! When we get back home...I fully expect to marry you." Celeste said with a smiled.

Connor laughed. "Sounds good to me." He pulled her closer again.

Neither saw the huge snake gazing at them from the window, nor did they see the way his eyes narrowed when he saw them embrace.