Chapter Seven
Dark kept his head low as he walked through the crowd. Zelda was not far behind him and he stiffened when she bumped into him. She mumbled something but he didn't reply. Town Square was unusually crowded and his keen eyes focused on the men that stood along the far wall.
He muttered a curse and reaching down grasped Zelda's wrist. She yelped in surprise but he yanked her after him, effectively using the crowd to conceal them as he pulled her into the back alleys. As they entered he glanced over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes when he saw the men trailing them.
He swore and tugged Zelda farther after him...
"Dark!" Zelda hissed as she tried to pry her wrist from his grip but he ignored her and stepping behind an alcove brought her in close against him. She gasped but before she could protest he shoved her face against his shoulder, ignoring how her sweet lavender scent wafted up his nose.
He watched as the men entered the alley. There were four of them and they were dressed all in black with cloaks over their heads. He held his breath, watching as they looked about the alley.
"Dar—" Zelda muffled and his eyes narrowed in anger. He tightened his hold on her, brining her up so that he could look into her eyes and the level glare he gave her was all he needed to say.
He turned and craned his head, watching from the reflection of a window the four men look about before shaking their heads and heading down the alley back towards Town Square. He gave a soft sigh of relief and released his hold on Zelda. As he did so she gasped, drawing in air and worked her jaw while pushing a few strands of hair out of her face.
"What was that for?" She demanded quietly and he simply looked at her.
"You're not the only one that has enemies, Princess," he murmured and stepped out onto the street. Zelda blinked and followed after him. He looked around and then glanced up at the sky. It was late afternoon and the tavern would be open till late.
"Enemies?" She asked while reaching up and she went to push the hood back but his hand shot out and clasped down on her wrist. She yelped and looked up at his deadly glare.
"Don't, one look at your golden locks and they'll know who you are," he whispered and was surprised when she cocked a brow at him.
"Golden locks?" She asked and he stiffened, narrowing his eyes further and using the grip he had on her wrist he pulled her after him as he turned to head farther down the alley. She yelped and struggled but he tugged her farther along.
"Dark, where—"
"Has anyone ever told you that you ask too many questions?" Dark smoothly interrupted as he led her to a small building. He raised his fist and knocked once, then again and Zelda narrowed her eyes in confusion.
"No but—" she halted when the door opened and the sight made Zelda jump.
An old woman, aged and withered by time stood there cloaked with a dark blue robe and her hair, whiter than even snow, hung around her face in wild, thin curls. Her eyes, a sharp green looked at them and Zelda instinctively stepped closer to Dark.
"Ah, I had a feelin' ye might be showin' up soon," she whispered her voice sounding like sandpaper. Dark merely grunted and shrugged one shoulder.
"You cheat Mildred," he whispered and she huffed while stepped farther back to reveal a dark room filled with candles, herbs and other ornaments.
"I do no such thing," she raised her chin and her sharp eyes shifted to Zelda. "So ye got the Princess with ye then?" She asked and Zelda jumped when Dark nodded and pulled her forward.
"Yes, and she needs a place to stay until nightfall," he kept her beside him and felt her shiver but knew that she wouldn't hurt her.
"Wait, what do you mean?" Zelda turned her head to look up at Dark but he was looking at Mildred. The old woman ran her eyes over Zelda and then at Dark.
"Can ye work, lass?" She asked and Zelda nodded.
"Yes but—"
"She can stay, now run along for I know where ye are going," Mildred said while opening the door wider and Dark dipped his head in a nod.
"Stay here until I get back, understand?" His voice was firm and Zelda frowned, confused but before she could protest he pushed her into the dark house. Mildred nodded to Dark and he dipped his head once more before pulling his hood tighter around his face. Turning he walked back down the alley, but halted at the edge, his eyes scanning Town Square.
Sure enough the four men before were there...
He grinned and dipped his head mockingly towards them. As one they began to move through the crowd and his grin spread wider. Turning he sprinted back down the alley, the others not far behind him.
And the chase began...
VVVV
The room spelled of odd spices and earth. Zelda immediately thought of the forest and looked over her shoulder at the close door. The old woman shuffled beside her, heading for the tables that lined the far wall near the fireplace.
"So ye are poisoned, hmm?" She asked while popping open a bottle and sniffing its contents. Zelda blinked at her, taken off guard and could only manage to nod.
"But, how did you know? Who are you?" She asked and the old woman huffed once more.
"My craft isn't widely liked in your kingdom, missy, but as for a name I am known by many and the one you shall call me is Mildred, same as he." She opened another bottle and sniffed its contents and nodded approvingly.
"He? You mean Dark?" Zelda asked while looking over her shoulder at the closed door once more. "How do you know each other?" At her question the old woman snorted and turning started pouring contents into a large cauldron.
"You ask too many questions, missy, now get over here and ground these mushrooms," she pointed to a stool and Zelda blinked, remembering Dark's words but she bit her tongue and did as she was told. The stool was hard and uncomfortable but it was actually a welcome feeling compared to the saddle. They'd left the horses just outside of Town Square so as to not draw attention.
Zelda wondered as she began to ground the mushrooms why Dark had left her here and why he was being so careful. Was it because of her? Or did he have his own problems chasing after him? She decided on the later but as she pushed the hood off of her face the sunlight caught her hair and she halted, watching as the light played over it.
Golden locks...
Was that what he really thought of her hair?
She flushed and shook her head, and caught the old woman looking at her. Her face looked so aged and tired and then her eyes were a so sharp and keen, as if they could peer right through her and even time itself.
"How did you know it was me right away?" Zelda asked and the old woman huffed.
"Dark travels alone, so I figured that whoever he brought was of someone of high importance." She shuffled over to a shelf and reached up to grab a green jar. Zelda watched her with interest.
"Alone? He has no other companions besides you?" She asked and the old woman huffed once more.
"He and I are not companions," she turned back around, "we are mere acquaintances with an agreement." She dipped a finger into the jar and tested its contents. She nodded with satisfaction, mumbling something underneath her breath before returning to the cauldron.
"Acquaintances?" Zelda asked and the woman snorted.
"Can't ye hear missy? That's what I said," she replied tersely and added the contents of the jar into the cauldron.
"Well, when did you first meet him?" Zelda asked Mildred eyed her.
"It be not my place to tell ye about the Dark Hero," she replied and Zelda furrowed her brows.
"Dark Hero?" She asked and Mildred gave an irritated sigh.
"I swear by the Goddesses ye are just too much, missy," she growled and Zelda bit her lip but as she ducked her head to keep grinding the mushrooms she saw the older woman's eyes shine with something that she couldn't place. After a few moments of silence she gave a resigned sigh.
"I found him when he was but a wee little lad, starving and alone with only a horse, shield and a sword he could barely lift. He'd been abandoned long before I had found him." She raised her eyes to the far window and they grew distant as she looked through the planes of glass, "He was more animal than boy," she whispered underneath her breath, "He never spoke of where he came from, and I didn't ask him. For perhaps nearly a year he followed me around, but I saw the darkness inside him. I merely tried to have him control it. When he grew strong enough he left and I didn't see him again until he was a young man, a few years ago actually. He was leading a raiding party along the borders when he came across my caravan. I expected him to kill me, as he should of but he surprised me. He stayed his blade and left me, and from then on we had an agreement. If I need something, he gets it and if he needs something I help him." The old woman shrugged one shoulder at Zelda's blank stare. "He and I are both outcasts missy, and outcasts despite their reputations are human all the same." She narrowed her eyes and wagged a long, bony finger at her. "Now hurry up and get to crushing those mushrooms!" She huffed and Zelda blinked and started grinding them once more.
"But what about you?" Zelda asked after a few moments as she looked at Mildred. The woman eyed her but Zelda wasn't intimated by her glare. "Why are you an outsider? Aren't you a healer?" Zelda asked while looking about the room and Mildred snorted, tossing a loose strand of stark white hair out of her face.
"No missy, I'm a witch, not a healer." She corrected and Zelda frowned.
"Aren't they the same thing?" Her words made Mildred's face pinch harshly in anger.
"The same! I think not!" She hissed and raised her thin chin defiantly. "My craft is much more intricate than some ordinary healer!" Her thin shoulders shook and Zelda stared at her.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend, I was just—"
"Oh ye surely offended, missy!" She wagged a wooden spoon at her, "If ye weren't a guest of the Dark Hero I'd surely paddle ye with this!" She set her jaw and went to stirring the cauldron. "But I suppose it isn't ye fault considering ye weren't brought up to know the difference." She sighed and shook her head, "That's the true tragedy of this land, is that the young no longer know the old, hidden secrets like we do." She started to ramble and bobbed her head up and down, as if she were agreeing with herself before she looked at Zelda once more.
"I'll teach ye some brews that will be useful on ye quest," she eyed the only slightly grounded mushrooms, "But I swear by the Goddesses if ye don't get to grinding those mushrooms I'll toss ye rump to the streets!" She wagged the spoon at Zelda once more before she went back to her work and Zelda could only look at the thin figure before she smiled slightly.
Despite her mood swings she found that she quite liked the old woman...
A lot...
Oddly feeling as if she were revived she went back to grinding the mushrooms as Mildred's sandy voice filled the room. As Zelda listened to her she smiled once more, forgetting for a moment about the Dark Hero as Mildred had called him.
VVVV
"Having troubles?" An angelic voice laughed as Link tried to saddle Ripper. The horse snorted and tossed his head, sidestepping and Link narrowed his eyes as the saddle missed its mark.
"No," he replied stubbornly and hated the fact that despite his anger he wanted to grin when she laughed once more. She sat perched atop Arwin, her hood thrown back to reveal her fiery orange hair and breathtaking bright eyes that shined with mirth.
"Oh, are you just playing then?" Midna offered as she guided Arwin out of Ripper's way. The giant horse snorted and eyed Link, swishing his tail and Link eyed the shadow horse in turn.
"One of us certainly is," Link muttered and sighed as he dropped the saddle. Flinging his hands up, he turned and sat back down near the fire from last night's campsite. Midna watched him a moment before her eyes looked at the prancing shadow horse. She saw the mischief in the beast's eyes but before she could say anything the horse reached down and plucked Link's hat off of his head. Link jumped and turned sharply but before he could snatch the hat from Ripper's jaws the horse streaked away.
"Hey!" Link shouted and Midna laughed once more. She offered him her arm and grinned at him, exposing the tips of her fangs.
"Climb on Hero!" Her words rang in his ears and after a moment he returned the grin and leapt up behind her. She spurred Arwin and the shadow horse tossed his head, leaping forward and after the other shadow horse. They streaked over the darkened plains and Link's arms settled around Midna's waist.
It was so slim...
So fragile...
"Look out!" Midna cried and Link blinked and yelped as he ducked, barely missing a tree limb. Midna's laugh filled his ears and he looked at her but she only continued to grin as they raced over the ground.
"I did tell you that he wasn't so easily tamed!" Midna shouted over Arwin's pounding hooves and Link rolled his eyes.
"Let's just get my hat back!" he replied and Midna spurred Arwin farther on. They climbed over the rolling hills, dodging trees until Ripper suddenly came to a stop in the middle of a grassy meadow. His tail swished and his ears were erect as they came to a halt beside him. Link reached over and pulled his hat from the shadow horse's jaws and scrunched his nose up at how wet it was. Midna only chuckled but he glared at her before placing it on his head. As he did so he looked around his surroundings.
The Twilight Realm resembled Hyrule, only instead of colors they seemed washed out, with eerie colors of blues, purples and grays with tinges of their real colors at their base. It was eerie but beautiful at the same time. Large, scraggly trees surrounded them and suddenly Link stiffened.
Something was wrong...
Terribly wrong...
Midna seemed to sense this as well and she glanced sharply at Link. He nodded and an instant later he was on Ripper's back. The shadow horse reared, lashing out at the monster that leapt from the nearby brush. It shrieked in agony as Ripper's sharp hooves connected and it fell back. As he lowered down another one leapt from the brush and Link's eyes widened. They had two legs, two arms and what appeared to be a black mask that covered their faces. What appeared to be hair sprouted from atop their heads and they shrieked.
Link grinded his teeth as pain flooded through his ears into his brain and clung tightly to Ripper who dodged their slashing hands. Midna shouted to Arwin who bolted away and Link turned Ripper and they quickly followed after them. They streaked out across the clearing, the beasts following quickly after them.
"What are they?!" Link shouted as his legs gripped Ripper's midsection tightly. Midna looked over her shoulder at him and he saw her fierce eyes widen.
Before he could ask something grasped him around his chest...
And pulled him off...
He hit the ground hard and the air left his lungs. He gasped, trying to draw in air as his vision swam. He groaned, pain lancing up his back and he tried to sit up, still desperately trying to breathe when one of the monsters halted in front of him. His eyes widened and he rolled, missing the hand that came down where he'd just been.
The ground shuddered and his hand went to the sword that adorned his back. He drew it and managed to deflect the hand that tried to backhand him. The other one let out a blood curdling scream and Link cried out in pain. His legs grew weak and he crumbled to the ground.
A shadow fell over him and he blinked...
He looked up and watched as the monster raised its hand...
Then bring it down...
VVVV
Dark kept his footsteps light as he ran along the rooftops. The assassins had chased him down the winding alleys but they were tiring. He on the other hand was not. He grinned underneath his mask and keeping his hood up, leapt across the gap between two buildings and landed easily on his feet on the other side. He halted and his chest heaving looked back to see the annoyed faces of his would be assailants.
"Can you not jump a simple gap? Or have you left your spine behind along with your courage?" He taunted and bowed mockingly at them. "Thank you, gentlemen for the invigorating chase." He gave them a final one finger salute and turned. As he did so he felt the air change and his instincts went on high alert as he heard the crossbow notch. He felt it fire and ducking he brought his shield up and blocked the fired arrow. He grinned behind it, his blood red eyes shimmering with mirth and something else...
Bloodlust...
He felt the fire seeping into his veins and he stood as the men leapt across the gap and drew their swords. They caught the light savagely and his grin darkened as he grasped his Dark Mastersword. He drew it and a soft rang sounded atop the roof.
"Now this," he murmured as they took a step forward, "is more like it." With that he raised his sword and leapt at them as they leapt at him.
Metal clashed against metal and he grinned as he ducked and parried their blows. He sidestepped and bringing his shield up backhanded one across his face. He grunted and collapsed onto the roof and Dark whirled to block a barbed blade from slicing into his side. He raised a taunting brow at them and shoving that one back used the momentum to leap at the other two.
"So he sent you to kill me, did he?" Dark laughed as he kicked one in the chest and pinned the other's blade with his own. "I'm afraid your master has sent you to your deaths," he growled and flicking his wrist he disarmed the man. He stumbled back and drew his dagger, raising it he threw it but Dark deflected it with his shield. As he did so he leapt forward and sliced the man along the shoulder. He cried out and collapsed onto the roof. The other three by this time had recovered and screaming in rage leapt at him. He danced away, avoiding the blood that pooled on the roof and sliding past one's defense imbedded his blade in the man's side. He screamed and collapsed and Dark leapt over his bleeding body. As he did so he heard the other two behind him and barely had time to turn to deflect their blades. They pushed him back and he could see the rage in their soulless eyes. Using their momentum he side stepped and tripped one, sending him into the other. They crumpled onto the roof, cursing and swearing and one drew his crossbow. Dark's eyes widened but before he could react the shot was fire. He pulled back but it slid along his forearm beneath his chainmail and he gnashed his teeth against the sharp pain that lanced up it. He growled and leapt at the men, slicing one's thigh and he screamed but the one that had fired the arrow rolled clear of his blade. Dark gave a feral growl and kicking the other in the face chased after him. They raced along the roof and Dark ignored the sharp pain in his shoulder as he chased the assassin. They came to another gap and the man leapt across, Dark following after him. He landed unsteadily on his feet but he pushed himself up and continued to chase the man.
A large building, a clock tower, rose up into front of them and the assassin tossed aside his dagger and leapt across, scrambling for a hold on the building and Dark halted, drawing air into his aching lungs. He glared at the man and the assassin grinned but Dark glanced down at the discarded dagger. Kneeling he grasped it between his fingers but as he did so he heard the assassin curse and Dark grinned. Raising the dagger he threw it with deadly accuracy and it embedded itself into the assassin's heart. The man gasped, his eyes going wide before his fingers grew slack and he fell down to the street below.
Dark heard the people's terrified screams, the shouts of guards but he ignored it and hefting his shield turned and headed back along the roof, taking his time as he went back to the previous battle scene. As he came upon three men he glanced at the one that he'd sliced on the thigh. He was bleeding terribly and by how pale his skin was Dark knew he was close to death, for he'd made sure to slice the major artery. He knelt in front of the assassin but his eyes narrowed when he saw the symbol on the man's chest. Reaching down he yanked him up by his ruined tunic and ignored the smell of blood that filled his nostrils.
"Was it Zant who sent you? Or was it Ganondorf?" Dark demanded and the man stared at him a moment, his jaw going slack. Dark narrowed his crimson eyes and reaching down grasped the man's injured leg. He shrieked in pain and whimpered but Dark didn't feel like being merciful. "Tell me, and I'll make your death quick." He growled and the man stared at him.
"Z-Zant," he whispered and Dark nodded.
"Second question," he leaned closer, "does he know of the Princesses whereabouts?" He asked and the man nodded. Dark bit back a feral curse and gave out a low growl.
"Third and final question," Dark whispered and brought the man's face even closer to his own. "Does he plan to use the Gate?" He asked and the man blinked, his eyes rolling to the back of his head and Dark shook him once more. "Tell me!" He snapped and the man blinked, his jaw working as he tried to speak. Dark turned his head and listened and faintly, just barely above a whisper he heard his answer. He nodded and dropped the man back to the roof. As he stood he looked over the man but as he went to draw his sword he saw the man's life leave his eyes.
Dark stared at him a moment long before he heard the soft tink of his blood on the tile roof. He glanced down at his arm and sighed. Lifting it he tested it and decided that it could wait, for the sun was rapidly setting and he needed to return. Turning he scaled down the roof into the now bustling street but no one noticed him for they were all focused on the body of the assassin farther down. Keeping to the shadows he stole along the houses and headed for Mildred's shack.
Unaware of the eyes that followed him...
VVVV
A blade pierced his vision...
It sliced across the monster's hand and a figure dashed past on a horse. Midna looked over her shoulder at Link and Link forced himself to stand and as he did so, Ripper dashed past. Grabbing his mane he pulled himself up and onto Ripper's back. Turning the shadow horse he followed after Midna and they streaked towards a large mountain in the distance.
As they ran Link could hear the thunder of the monsters' footsteps as they followed after them. He urged Ripper onward so that the two shadow horses ran side by side. Midna looked at him and he glanced down at the slender, but deadly looking blade she held in her hand.
"Princess—" he started but was cut off when their shadow horses turned sharply to avoid a suddenly steep ravine. Link cursed underneath his breath, tightening his hold on Ripper's midsection and glancing ahead of them. A large wall of stone rose up in front of them but he saw Midna gesture with her head and he followed after her.
They climbed higher into the hills and Midna veered sharply to the right and Link followed. When they finally stopped Midna leapt from Arwin's back and Link followed, landing unsteadily on his feet. She turned and slapped Arwin on his rump. The shadow horse shrieked and streaked off, Ripper following but before Link could question her Midna grasped his wrist and dragged him towards the ravine.
"Princess—" he started once more but before he could ask where they were going she ducked behind a large rock that blended into the mountain and behind the rock was a small cave. She ducked inside, still pulling Link but as he went to duck his foot struck a stone and he toppled inside into the sudden blackness. Midna yelped when he crashed into her and they fell to the ground. He did his best to protect her body from hitting the stone and wrapped his arms around her head.
She grunted underneath him and he grew still...
His fingers were entangled in her hair...
She smelled like the forest...
And her hair...
It felt like silk...
He pushed himself to his elbows and looked down into her fiery orange eyes. He didn't hear the scrambling of rocks as the monsters climbed up after them, or the distant sound of their fading footsteps as they left.
All he could hear was her breathing...
The steady thrum of her heartbeat...
His body tightened and he reached up, wanting to touch her smooth, pale blue skin. Her eyes never left his as he looked down at her.
She was so beautiful...
He lowered his head and he heard her gasp, felt her body stiffen underneath his and suddenly sky blue eyes and golden hair flashed before his eyes and he straightened. A moment later he pulled himself off of her and desperately tried to ignore how his blood pounded through his veins.
Midna stared at him and he cleared his throat before trying to work his jaw. Then in the distance there came a distant shriek and Link turned his face towards the direction it had come from.
"What were those?" He asked and Midna tucked a loose strand of her fiery hair back behind her pointed ear.
"Shadow Beasts, though I've never seen one in the meadows before. They usually stay near the Forbidden Lands." She frowned and tilted her head, hesitantly rubbing at a spot on her head. Link frowned and leaned towards her.
"Did I hurt you?" Link asked and Midna blinked at him and he saw her cheeks flush slightly.
"N-No," she stuttered and stood, "but you weight a ton." She quipped and he stared at her before he stood as well.
"I am a guy after all," Link retorted and Midna quirked a brow at him, mischief coming into her eyes though he saw her cheeks heat once more.
"I noticed," she murmured before stepping out of the cave and Link blinked, watching her as she turned and craned her head. When her eyes came back to his he jolted and she tilted her head at him. "It's clear, let's go," she stepped farther out and he followed her. Raising her fingers to her lips she gave out a shrill whistle while sheathing her sword and he looked at her a moment. He gazed at her as their shadow horses returned and she grasped Arwin's reins, whispering words of thanks and approval but as she went to mount up he halted her.
"Princess," he murmured and she glanced at him, "thank you." He whispered and he saw her cheeks flush before she nodded and turning her head she mounted up. She didn't reply further and Link grasped Ripper's reins. He patted the shadow horse's nose before pulling himself up on his back.
Silently they worked their way back down the mountain...
And Link tried to ignore the conflicting emotions inside his heart...
VVVV
Dark actually felt relief when he finally made his way back to the little old house, more of a shack really before knocking once, then again. It was a moment before it opened and when it did it revealed Zelda. She wasn't wearing her cloak and her hair was pulled up to reveal her flushed and smiling face but it faded when she saw his blood splattered clothes.
"Oh Goddesses, what happened?" She asked while reaching out to him but he brushed her off and stepped inside. He saw Mildred by the fire, busy tending to her stew and he was slightly surprised to see her usually pensive face smiling. That too faded when she saw him.
"Good Goddeses, boy, ye think that ye would learn." She whispered and Dark narrowed his blood red eyes at her.
"I am no boy, old woman." He growled and she straightened, her eyes shooting flames at him but he ignored that too and suddenly feeling extremely tired he sat down on one of the stools.
"Dark," Zelda said behind him as she came to stand before him, "what happened? Did those men from before find you?" She asked while her eyes fastened on the wound that graced his arm. He merely glared at her, hating how her blue eyes softened when she looked at him.
If she'd only known what he'd just done...
How he'd enjoyed it...
She wouldn't be looking at him like that...
"Yes," he answered and she nodded, stepping forward to pull the cloak from his shoulders. He stiffened but she ignored it and taking off his shield and sword laid it upon the table.
"Mildred, do you happen to have King's Weed?" She asked and the older woman nodded.
"It be in the garden out back," she moved away from her stew to shuffle over to a shelf. "Here," she reached up and plucked up a light blue jar and handed it to Zelda. "Smear his wound with that while I go get it," she ordered and Zelda nodded as the woman eyed Dark before stepping out. The sun had set, casting the little room in half light, half shadow and Dark listened to Zelda's quiet breathing as she removed his chain mail but as her fingers reached for his tunic he pulled away. Instead he reached up and shoved his shirt up, revealing his bloody arm and Zelda gasped at it.
At her surprise he looked down and raised a brow at the severed flesh. The cut was deeper than he'd expected but he only shrugged his shoulder when she glared at him.
"I swear I can't leave you alone for five minutes," she growled while dipping a wash cloth in hot water. He snorted but didn't reply, his mind playing over the battle and the information the assassin had given him before he'd died. He felt Zelda's gentle, but firm fingers on him and again he wondered if she'd be this caring if she knew what he'd just done. A low growl escaped from his throat and he pulled away from her touch and she frowned.
"What are you doing? I need to treat this before it gets infected," Zelda reached for him again but he batted her hand away. She narrowed her eyes further and clamped her jaw. "What is the matter?" She asked sharply and he glared at her.
Not really knowing why he was acting the way he was he stood and moved away from her, towards the window and looked through it. Silence filled the small house and Zelda gave an irritated sigh.
"Alright, I've had about as much of this as I can take," she stepped towards him and he glanced down at her, "I've spent all day with a witch, wondering where you were and when you were coming back and just when I think you've left me you show up and are covered with blood and are hurt. Now when I try and treat it you push me away? What is wrong?" She demanded and he blinked at her.
She was worried about him?
"Why?" He asked and she stared at him, confused.
"What do you mean 'why'?" She asked and he turned to face her.
"Why do you want to help me?" He demanded quietly and she continued to look at him.
"Well, you're hurt." She stated and he narrowed his eyes at her answer.
"That isn't an answer," he replied and she gave an irritated snort.
"So? Just let me—" she stepped forward, reaching for his arm but he pulled away, causing her to lose her balance and she yelped, falling against his chest and he caught her. He felt her stiffen, felt her heart accelerate and he inwardly groaned.
"You're so clumsy," he murmured and she glanced sharply up at him.
"And you're so stubborn," she retorted and stepped away. She turned and headed for the door. "And for all I care you can bleed out," she turned around and chucked the damp washcloth at him and it connected with his face, "I'm getting some air." She slammed the door behind her and Dark watched her halt inside the little garden. A moment later Mildred appeared and glanced at Dark and then Zelda through the window.
A moment was all she needed to understand...
"She's right, ye know," Mildred said as she crossed the room to him. Her bony fingers clasped his arm and pulled him sharply to the stool and he winced as pain shot up from the wound.
"What?" Dark asked as the old woman slathered the wound with the paste from the jar.
"Ye are stubborn," she replied and Dark glared at her.
"I don't need advice from you," he growled and winced when she covered the wound with King's Weed. She looked at him and her eyes were so sharp and keen that he couldn't help but want to shift with unease underneath her gaze.
"This isn't advice," she whispered and with a sharp tug wrapped the wound and moved back over to the pot. Dark watched her for a moment before his eyes returned to Zelda.
Something tugged at his heart...
Guilt...
VVVV
Zelda heard the door but she didn't turn for she knew who it was. His steps were quiet when he halted beside her but she didn't turn to look at him.
Then finally he sighed...
"Alright, Princess," he murmured sarcastically and she glanced at him, "I give up." He growled and she cocked a brow at him, her lips thinning.
"Is that your way of apologizing?" She asked and rolled her eyes. Turning she went to leave but his hand shot out and grasped her arm, pulling her back and against him. She gasped, looking up at him and felt her heart floor to life inside her chest. His crimson eyes smoldered, the depths darkening and she felt her legs grow weak.
"How would you like me to apologize," he whispered and she swallowed. The moonlight filtered over his face and she felt her stomach tighten, her fingers tingle and she simply just couldn't breathe with him so close.
"Just...say it," she whispered and he reached up, his fingers touching her hair until they rested on her cheek.
"Alright," his voice fluttered across her lips, "I'm sorry." As the words left his mouth he drew her in closer and she felt her eyes closing as she melted into him.
"Stew's ready ye two chicks," sounded a raspy voice from the doorway and Zelda jumped as Dark gave out a low growl. He raised his head and glared at Mildred but the old woman only gave a sharp cackle before turning and disappearing back into the small house. Zelda stepped away, clearing her throat and brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She could feel how hot her cheeks were but what made her want to die in a hole was when Dark looked at her.
His eyes...
They simply unnerved her...
Feeling suddenly jittery she cleared her throat once more and quickly walked past him.
"Well," she called over her shoulder, ignoring how fast her heart was beating, "let's eat." With that she disappeared inside.
VVVV
Dark watched her go...
And felt the beating of his heart...
It was so fast...
He closed his eyes and raised his face to the midnight sky...
Good Goddesses...
Was it supposed to be like this?
VVVV
AUTHOR NOTE: Chapter Seven! Hope you all like it! Thanks for all the reviews and followers! Please tell me what you guys think!