A big thank you to Courtaney and Luvin-Evian, for all of their wonderful help!--EF
"What are you doing to me?" Eve whispered, too afraid to move. Julian had her cradled in his hands, protecting her from falling.
"I will not harm you my lady. I ...I merely wanted to see to your injuries." Eve was afraid to move a muscle, all too aware that she was at his mercy. "Will you let me help you?"
"I..I will be fine. If you could let me go home, I have herbs that I could use to apply to the scratches," she said hesitantly, hoping to appeal to him in that way. She was not successful, as he shook his head firmly at her.
"I told you before, I will not release you. You will remain with me." Julian's gaze went over her, slowly. "You are hurt, and I must see to you." Eve shivered at the look in the giant's eyes. It was a look of possesiveness, one that sent chills up her spine.
"No, no, I am fine, really," she squeaked.
"Your face betrays you, my lady--your physical discomfort is obvious." Julian carried her over to the table, where he took a wet cloth, and as gently as he could, tried to wipe her face and scratched legs. Unfortunately, he only managed to wet her face and hair, leaving Eve shivering not only from fear but from the dampness of her wet hair.
"Oh, my precious little darling...I am so sorry you are all damp. Here let me help you." He gently picked her up and moved her toward his mouth. Eve saw herself being guided toward the gigantic mouth, and she screamed in terror.
"No! Please don't eat me!" she sobbed, tears of fright streaking her face. Julian stopped his hand, startled at her reaction. "What on earth?" he exclaimed. His tone then softened. "My dear, I'd never do anything to harm you. I was attempting to dry you, so you won't catch cold."
"Dry me?" Eve was incredulous at the idea. "How can you dry me?"Julian smiled, his teeth, enormous pillars of white, glowing in the dim light.
"My dear, I can simply use what God, or in this case, a malevolent force, has given me. I will use the air from my chest, like a warm summer breeze upon your person."
Eve's skin tingled in spite of herself at his talk. "Um, I don't think..."
"No, no, darling, it's all right. I will be gentle." And with that, he pulled her close to his mouth, and proceeded to exhale tiny puffs of air on her, careful not to blow too hard, for fear of harming his delicate treasure. Eve closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his breath. Here she was, in the hands of a being who could crush her with no effort, and yet, strangely...she felt as if she could trust him.
Suddenly, she opened her eyes, alarmed at her thoughts. She could not trust him--he had threatened to keep her captive! Somehow she had to escape from him...somehow. Eve knew that she could not let herself be taken in by this giant's seeming gentleness. She had to get away...had to get out of there, anyway she could. Her life depended on it..didn't it?
"You seem to be dry now, my dear. Or do you want me to continue?" Julian asked, admiring in spite of himself Eve's windblown tresses.
"No, no...I am fine," Eve replied quietly, gathering her thoughts. "No, I...I feel much better now, really. In fact...I am beginning to get a little sleepy after that bath. " She yawned. "Ohhhh...you know, it is way past my bedtime. Maybe you have a nice little bed I can sleep in for the night? Something that would suit a lady of my size?"
"The cage? You will have plenty of room in there, and I will find something that you can use for a blanket," Julian suggested, ignoring his preferences of where she could sleep.
"It's a bit drafty--I am afraid of catching a chill," Eve replied, hoping that she could appeal to him in that way.
Julian considered her words. They made sense. The last thing he wanted to do was have his precious houseguest come down with a cold - - or worse.
"All right, my little one...I will see what I can do about rounding you up another place to sleep...just for this night." Julian then walked with Eve over to what looked to be a large pile of furs. At her quizzical look, he gave her a somewhat sad smile. "Hunting wild animals seems to be easier now where my size is concerned."
The way he said it gave Eve pause for thought. "Sir..."
"Julian, my lady. I have been remiss in not introducing myself." He inclined his head toward her. "And you are...?"
"Eve."
"Lovely--it suits you." Julian picked up some of the furs, and walked over to the bed, placing Eve upon it. He arranged them as comfortably as he could, then pointed to them. "You may sleep there."
Eve looked at the furs, then up at Julian, her expression one of confusion. "Sir...Julian...I cannot sleep in the same bed with you, no matter what the circumstances!"
"You are not in my bed, Eve, you are on top of it, to be precise. What concerns you?" Julian looked at her earnestly.
"We cannot...I cannot..."Eve could not bring herself to complete her thought. Julian on the other hand, guessed what was bothering her.
"Eve, you need not worry...you have my word that I will not hurt you."
"A lady would not allow herself to be in bed with a man...no matter what size he is," she whispered to herself. Eve then thought how best to get him to trust her, so she could make her escape from him. And agreeing to sleeping on his bed, seemed to be the only way--or he would lock her up in that dreadful cage again. And when he fell asleep, she would find her way out Julian's abode.
Looking up at him, Eve smiled and nodded. "Perhaps that is best after all--I would feel nervous without you nearby...I don't even know where I am."
Julian was surprised by her change of heart, yet welcomed it. "Mount Harmony...the only place massive enough to conceal me." Eve's eyes widened at his words, and her mouth dropped open in surprise.
"You...you are the mountain creature that people speak of?" Eve began to tremble again, remembering the fear that Grace had shown while speaking of him.
Julian looked away, crestfallen. "Yes...and I would not wish this existence on my worst enemy." He turned back to face her, shame in every line of his face. "I long not to have to live the life of a thief, a pariah...I long to live as a normal man would."
In spite of her vow to escape, Eve found herself feeling sympathetic towards this lonely giant. He had to be terribly lonely--What was she thinking, Julian planned to keep her here forever! She could not afford to feel sorry for someone who wanted to take her freedom. No, she must keep to her intentions to slip away while he was sleeping.
"I'm...I'm sorry," she managed, steeling herself to reach out and timidly touch his arm. Julian looked down at her hand, delighted that, in his mind, Eve was beginning to accept being with him.
"To hear another person say that matters more than you will ever know, Eve," Julian said huskily. He sat on the bed next to her, still unbelieving that she was there, and she was real. "Perhaps we should retire for the night, the day has been very eventful." With a start, he noticed that Eve had lost her balance at the force of his weight on the straw bed, and had rolled next to his leg.
"Umph!"she yelped, as she tried to crawl back to the furs that served as her bed. Using his thumb and index finger, Julian raised her up and gently placed her on the bedding of fur.
"Are you all right, my dear? Forgive me for not being mindful of you," he apologized. Eve again steeled herself to touch his hand.
"I'm fine--thank you for looking after me," she said softly. Pretending to yawn, she curled up in the furs. "You don't mind if I retire now, do you?" Eve prayed that he would as well, so she could put her plan into motion.
"Yes, my sweet, get your rest." He flashed a smile as he backed away. A few hours of Eve in dreamland were but a small price he would have to pay on a daily basis. Now that she would be spending forever with him.
Eve closed her eyes--in a short while, she would be well on her way home...God willing.
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