-36
CALEB’S POV
I watched in awe as Aurora fended off the lion with the torch. It was evident from her face that she was terrified of the lion but she tried to protect us all the same.
Today I understood the real meaning of ‘bravery’. It doesn’t mean not being scared, it means fighting for the ones you care about even if you are shaking with fear.
Tyson and I were just trying to save our huge egos from getting hurt. It was Aurora who embodied bravery today.
The moment the lion left, Aurora fainted. I rushed to hold her but Tyson made it there faster.
My eyes widened with horror as I saw her skin turn slightly blue. Tyson sat on a rock and made her lie across his lap, all the while trying to wake her up.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw two teeth marks on her ankle. “Holy crap!” I exclaimed as I kneeled to the ground and examined her wound,
“What happened, Caleb?”
I licked my chapped lips and stuttered, “Aurora… she has been bitten by a snake. Looking at her condition, I think it is a poisonous snake.”
“No… No… I won’t let anything happen to her… A little distance away, I had seen a herb that can cure snake bites… I will go and get it… You take care of her and… yes keep the fire burning… so that I can find you easily…” Tyson ranted and left before I could even reply.
I laid Aurora on a patch of grass and lit a small bonfire. Aurora’s skin was turning bluer by the minute. I was afraid that it would be too late by the time Tyson arrives.
I took off my shirt and tied it as tight as possible over her ankle. Pressing the region near the bite, I started sucking blood. At first, it was difficult to draw out any blood but eventually, it became easier.
My mouth was sore with all the sucking. In a moment of absent-mindedness, I swallowed her blood accidentally. My head started getting heavy and it became difficult to keep open my eyes. The dimming flames of the bonfire were the last thing I saw before darkness engulfed me.
AURORA’S POV
My body felt so stiff, it was as if someone had beaten me up with an iron rod from the inside. Groaning, I forced myself to open my eyes.
I found myself leaning against Tyson’s bare chest. My face flushed and I got up with a jolt only to scream in pain and fall back on his lap. My right leg felt like it had been ripped off.
My scream woke Tyson and he asked in an anxious voice, “How are you feeling now?”
“I feel like I have run a five hundred mile race and my right leg was broken in the process.”
My heart fluttered as he leaned in. My lips parted in anticipation but all he did was check my eyes. A sigh escaped my mouth when he moved away.
I was surprised by my feelings. Had I wanted him to kiss me? Where was the hatred I felt for pighead? I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts. It must be the exhaustion.
“I am so glad that you recovered. I was so scared that you won’t make it.” Tyson said with a relieved smile.
“What had happened to me? I can’t remember anything.” I said massaging my head.
“Snakebite,” Tyson said pointing at my ankle.
Damn! It was still swollen. I untied the shirt over the ankle and gave it to Tyson. The blood gushed into the region and I felt much better. The pain I felt in my leg subsided to a certain extent.
Tyson cleared his throat and said, “Umm… this is Caleb’s shirt.”
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I asked, “Then why are you shirtless?”
“Ummm… when I had gone to get herbs to cure snakebite, Caleb tried to suck out the poison. When I returned, I found two unconscious people instead of one. With no other option, I divided the herbs in half and fed both of you.”
“Then why has he still not woken?”
“I might have shown partiality in dividing the herbs…” He said in a flustered voice.
“How could you Tyson?” I said scrambling on the ground to reach Caleb. “I will never forgive you if something happens to him.”
Patting his face gently I said, “Caleb! Caleb! Please, wake up.”
He groaned and turned over saying in a sleepy voice, “Meredith, let me sleep. I don’t care if the world is on fire.” Then he became silent again.
I heaved a sigh of relief. He was just sleeping.
Tyson kneeled beside me and examined my leg. He looked so adorable when he was so focused. Ewww! ‘’Tyson’ and ‘Adorable’ in the same line… what was wrong with me.
I cleared my throat and started speaking lest my mind started running wild. “I am sorry for lashing out earlier. Thank you for trying to save us.”
He cleared his throat and kept his eyes lowered as he said, “I should be the one thanking you. If not for you, both of us would have become the lion’s meal.”
It must have been so difficult for the great dragon king to admit that he was wrong. Even though he didn’t say it words.
“I saved both of you from the lion; you both saved me from the snakebite. I think we are even.” I replied with a smile. I didn’t want to make him feel uncomfortable any more than necessary.
***
I trudged along the path, flanked by Tyson and Caleb. They seemed to have learned their lesson and didn’t question the path I was taking even once.
They offered to carry me as my leg was injured but the problem was they BOTH offered. I couldn’t make a choice. This made me realize that I was practically screwed. How the hell was I going to choose once the stone was found?
“Hey! Look there.” Caleb’s voice drew my attention to the direction he was pointing.
Nestled between spiky bushes was a small cottage. It seemed ancient; peeling paint, overgrown path. I wondered if it was deserted too…
“We should go inside and see. Maybe there is someone…” Tyson said moving closer to the cottage. His foot accidentally touched one of the bushes. He hopped on one leg, wincing in pain. “F***! Are these bushes or storehouses of needles?”
“It is a well-known fact that no one lives in the mystical land. We should move ahead rather than wasting time here.” Caleb said with a thoughtful expression.
“How can you be sure, Caleb? I mean how many people have come to this land?”
“Tyson is right. It would be foolish to not check out this cottage after coming so far.”
“If you say so, Aurora. Let us find a way in…”
The moment we all had agreed, the brambles shifted making a path for us. We stood there stunned for a moment but then hurried towards the cottage.
“Umm… should we knock at the door or just go inside…” I asked, my eyes flitting between them.
“You sure about this…” Tyson asked grasping my hand.
“Yes…”
“Then, let us do this…” Caleb said, holding my other hand.
I was about to knock when the door swung open revealing a lanky, old lady. Her face was wrinkled, hair white. She flashed us a toothless smile and said, “Didn’t expect you will arrive so soon. Come in, children… Come on in…”
Despite her appearance, her steps were sturdy as she led us to the study. “Why don’t we have some tea?” She said beckoning us to sit around the table.
.