The unpleasant encounter with a gatekeeper of a town led me to a new revelation that war wasn't the only thing to concern. Still in a warring period, and fear is difficult to get rid of. Under the position of refugees for me and my people, we were expected to follow the regulations in the town. However, the fear townsfolk had on us was making things difficult in terms of coexistence.
Avoiding that heterochromic scoundrel and his gunfire, I was resting by the tree to wait until the wounds on my abdomen would heal as I would contemplate on how to make an excuse to Nicodemus and the council for my absence and a strife with the gatekeeper. Having some eyes shut to wait for the wounds to heal themselves, I wouldn't have expected myself to drown in unconsciousness.
And the next discovery of myself in a different place. Before my eyes could open, my ears responded from a voice I have never heard before. For that brief moment, I was on the brink of belief that I found myself in what people have called heaven. However, the feeling of my body on a soft surface with the descending light of sunset touching my face was the second call to wake me up. So, with a slow pace, my eyelids raised up.
To see the most vulnerable yet beautiful pair of sapphire eyes.
Belonged to a young woman.
A woman with long, light brown hair warmly glistening under the amber sky of unset. Coral red blouse, black bodice firmly yet properly wrapped around her waist, long rose red skirt with its slightly torn. Holding the wet towel in her hand, I learned she had been the one who dragged me from under the tree to take me in her abode, tending my wounds.
"Oh…! You're awake…," her soft voice trembled at the end but continued, "...I saw you unconscious close by… I couldn't just leave you alone."
Another discovery that this was the same voice that had sung in my unconsciousness that mistook me in a world of a god and his angels. My eyes were inspecting her up to the bottom. Almost took me back that this maiden was actually a human.
'Of all human beings I have met both in my human and inhuman time, never have I seen a woman so fragile yet fair…' I mused in my thoughts.
Sensing her anxiety from my silence, no words of reassurance could come up in my mind, but she spoke again.
"Oh, forgive me… I'm Elizabeth Bates… I live here with my aunt…" she introduced herself with a bashful smile.
Elizabeth.
I never gave my oath to God, but to her I would.
Anytime.
"Jonathan," I found my voice to speak, as calm as I could, "Jonathan Brisby."
As she told me, she had no parents. They died from war, but her aunt, the formidable shieldmaiden as I view her, had taken her under her wings. Vestalians, as they pray to God's mother, like my long gone family. Her aunt Sue Bates, which she was usually known as Auntie Shrew, was initially against the idea of her unmarried niece letting me in. Of course, it was understandable. As I was a man, and she was a woman. The middle aged woman was concerned about Elizabeth's welfare. She asked me where I came from, what my profession was, and why I was here. Satisfied with my reply, she eventually allowed me to stay under the condition that I would help them.
Elizabeth never missed to check on my injuries. On some days, she behaved like a mother telling me not to get up until my wounds were healed. Other days, she behaves as a young girl with her eyes twinkle in curiosity on the knowledge I knew that she doesn't. Although my answers were short, she listened intently. Didn't wish to make her feel rejected, it took me some days to ask her questions.
"What do you do for a living?" I asked.
"I help my aunt on the farm, but I have a separate job as a seamstress." She replied with a welcoming smile.
"Where do you work…?" I asked again.
"Farmer Fitzgibbons'..., and a local dress store not far from here." she answered.
"When do you return home?" This time, my question sounded borderline, a manner of a child impatiently asking their mother when coming back.
However, she let out a soft giggle that made my still heart leap a bit.
"I always return before dinnertime, don't worry…"
I have never felt like an exposed criminal in the center of attention in my entire life. Even when I turned my back to her and covered myself with a blanket, she spent minutes asking what I needed.
Over the weeks, as I felt the wounds healing faster thanks to Elizabeth's extra care I wanted to return the favor. At first, she insisted not to but reluctantly accepted my offer in accompanying her with domestic chores or grocery shopping when her aunt couldn't be around. Soon, I discovered she was illiterate as she didn't have proper education due to the poverty her family went through. Though, that didn't stop her mild curiosity. It is why I enjoyed teaching her how to read and write. Elizabeth said she is a slow learner, but I beg to differ. Perhaps, it was because whenever she learned new words she focused on them with wonder in her blue eyes.
Though, I did not expect her different side when she defended me from Drago Welker.
"Well-! If I didn't know better, I'd say you care for him!" Drago huffed, arms crossed.
"BECAUSE I WILL BE HIS WIFE!" She yelled at him.
My eyes widened at her declaration. Silence filled the area with most men having their jaws dropped as the majority of women watched with amusement. Her words echoed inside, my heartbeat rising at an accelerated speed. It took me some time to process that we returned to her home. Hoping what I heard wasn't a hallucination, I called her name as she stuttered out apologies.
"Eliza."
Her cheeks turned coral pink when I called her by her nickname. Her big, shy blue eyes nervously gazing up at me. The height difference, her body tremble bashfully. 'Oh no…, she's adorable like this…' I felt my mouth growing dry, my face heating up. No, I have to reaffirm her words.
"About what you said…, that you'll be my…," I paused, unable to properly face her until I gathered enough courage to gaze back at her eyes, "...did you mean that…?"
Her sapphire blue eyes glistened. Once I mistook it as ocean, I realized they were sky adorned with stars. When she silently nodded, a thread of conscience grew weak.
Should I bite her?
Mark her as mine?
Making her just like me?
She let out a small yelp as I pulled her in tight embrace. Leaning forward, gently pushed the back of her head closer, an innocent kiss I gave to her. No, I can't bite her. I don't want to take away the vibrant pieces of her just because I wanted her to live as young as me. But, if I am allowed to be a bit more selfish…
"Are you really… willing to be the wife of a man who is not your kind…?" I asked, my voice only for her to hear.
She knew that I was far from human. Yet, she kindly let me stay here. Allowed me in her life. A small fear began to take the spot in my mind. She will grow old, as normal humans are. While I would remain young. Nicodemus once told me that when humans grow old to the point they struggle to walk, they would likely forget memories of their younger days. To picture her, Elizabeth, growing old forgetting me…
"Will you promise… not to erase me from your life?" I asked again, not aware of my voice trembling a bit.
When she promised she wouldn't as she initiated another kiss, I had been extremely eager to reciprocate. Caging her with my arms and legs as she laid on her bed, inhaling and exhaling out of breath but I responded to the kiss far from innocent. More and more, my self-centered assumptions were forming. Kiss was not enough to confirm what we are. Oh, yes, she said she would be my wife. Meaning…she wouldn't mind that I could be the father of our child.
Yes?
I was a bit disappointed that the scar was long gone from my abdomen. I wouldn't mind keeping it as a reminder of the day I met Elizabeth. Although, I was pretty sure she wouldn't forget this day the moment my already grown erection rubbed against her. She gasped when I removed the remaining clothes off of her before exploring fair, soft flesh. Pulling her legs close before spreading them apart, she let out a sharp gasp the moment I began to enter her. It was a bit struggling to fill through, but soothing the pain she went through I wanted to assure our mating…our lovemaking was memorable. I continued to move, gazing at her beautiful face.
Her long hair sprawled around her pillow, tears pooled before dripping from her eyes, cheeks flushing from heat. Even in a state of carnal want, it made me love her even more. WANTING every part of her. My hand was wiping tears from her eyes, yet my lower part of body was aggressively and amorously defiling her. Oh, Nicodemus, Mr. Ages…do not forgive this fallen man. I am here in a house of the woman of my life, breeding the soul out of her. And we aren't even wearing white in marital vows.
"Jon…~!" My Elizabeth called me over and over, wrapping her soft legs around me as she covered her own face.
We hear our skin slapping one another growing loud, perhaps that could have been heard by possible strangers, if one is even out. Half of my ego didn't give a damn. She will be mine, anyway. No man is allowed to look, nor touch her. Possessiveness clouded my judgment, I finally released my fertile fluid of seeds inside her. 'Yes, yes, yes… YES.' I let out a satisfied chuckle, panting heavily. Jerking when the rest continued to fill my bride.
Elizabeth.
Eliza…, the angel I had deflowered… who made me feel human. Who had made my cold, unfeeling heart heated up with blood moving through my body again, with love and lust.
"Eliza…, darling…," I held her close in my arms, "will you marry me…?"
Her small giggle was as pure and cheery as a little mouse.
Yet, through the days, we both were very starved for warmth. Her aunt and her friends were the first group of people to notice she was glowing. Much livelier than before. Occasionally back in the Bund, I found myself anticipating to return home to my mate, my behaviors arouse suspicion or confusion among the fellow IM-Humans. Though, in privacy, Nicodemus called for me and I was greeted by Mr. Ages' angry outbursts as the wise prime minister himself told me the news. A prediction.
"Jonathan, my boy…," Nicodemus said with a small smile, "I congratulate you…for your future as a father."
Back to Elizabeth, I was reconfirmed that she was indeed expecting a child. Our child. Although I was afraid she would have a second thought, she happily hugged me crying tears of joy.
"IT WAS YOU." Her aunt pointed the rifle at my head, growling death.
I have actually expected that reaction from Elizabeth's protective mother, but persuading her to give us her blessing was life-draining. When Sue asked who would be invited to a wedding, another fear took place in my very core. The Bund doesn't know about her. Nicodemus would keep himself low-profile, the council won't be happy that I would be wedded to "lower being". Jenner is out on the battlefield with his troops. The only guest I could think of was Mr. Ages, who was more familiar with this town than me. Part of me wanted to let all know she is my wife. On the other hand, I fear for her life once her existence is exposed to the danger involving my kind.
"I didn't need a big wedding, Jon," Elizabeth smiled, "I'm just happy to give you a family."
She cheerfully grabbed my hand and placed it on her stomach. Humming softly. Her waist was still slim, but I could feel a tiny life growing inside her. A small life we have made from our union.
"Hello, baby…," she said, to our growing unborn, "this is your daddy…~."
She blinked in mild confusion, but giggled when I held my wife close. Glancing around the room we were in. I have made another goal other than for the future of my kind.
A new house.
Big enough for our family.
Floors clean and warm for her pair of small, scratched feet.
Walls and roofs strong enough to protect them.
Gemstones of her birth, mine, and our children's to lighten up the house.
Finest dresses deserving best for my fair wife.
Softest beds for us, our children to sleep good nights.
Fireplace that never goes off for all winters.
All magic of wildest dreams, our family could even travel with the house.
I will grant these to my Eliza and our family.
.
.
.
If it is the last thing I do.