Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Today is the seventh day. I will get to see Draco tomorrow. I wonder what he has planned. I would not mind going to my cave again and just being with him. To have him hold me in his arms and sway to our rhythm sounds like heaven right now. I feel as if I have waited forever to see him.

I look out the window and see that the sun has rose nearly to midday on the horizon. I did not work today and have just been laying here. I know this is not normal for me and I am itching to do something. I just do not know what. I have read Draco’s book many times as well as his poem. I have read everything in this hut many times. I do need something to do.

I swiftly sit up in my bed as an idea comes to mind. I can make the cave more comfortable in case we go there tomorrow. I rush to bathe and out on my clothes. I grab a basket so I can fill it with the items we may need. I add in two more blankets from the extras we have. I also grab an extra pillow. Often when I return home from our visits I am hungry, so I decide to put some fruit into the basket. I grab both the pitaya (dragon fruit) and the apples we have. I also grasp the half loaf of bread.

The basket looks good. I go to slide my geta on my feet and realize that we will also need something to drink. I grab one of our bowls so that on the way to the cave I can fill it with water. I balance the basket and start my mission. I hope he will like the new comforts of cave. He has not complained but I often feel the ache in my backside when I sit there for hours.

As I pass the paddy fields I wave to my father and the other workers. He waves back and continues working. When I first started putting stuff in the cave he worried I spent too much time there. Over the years he has come to accept that I would always visit it even though he could not. I make it to the cave and leave the basket at the entrance so I can give myself some light. The lantern shines brightly. It has been a while since I cleaned so I decide to bring the other pillows and blankets to the caves entrance to shake out the dust.

I put them back in their place and neatly lay down the others I brought. I smooth them out and lay the fruit on top of the Boulder in the corner. I covered the bolder long ago unable to look at. I can still see the tinges of red in from my mother’s death even though over the years it has faded. I shake out of my reverie and look at my progress. It looks good so I decide to leave. I blow out the lantern but before I leave the cave or ember my basket. I go to grab it from the top of the pallet and forget to watch my step.

I catch my balance on the wall and laugh at my mistake. I always trip over this smaller Boulder when it is dark. The rest of the cave floor is so smooth but in the one spot there is a Boulder just bigger than my head that protrudes like a bump. I step all the way over it and begin to make my journey back home.

The sun overhead beams down, and I grow a bit hot. It is midday and I start to feel a sheen of sweat on my skin. I hold the basket above my head to block myself a little dim the sun. It provides a bit of relief, but I start to walk faster to get out of this heat. I wave to my father again in the paddy fields. However, this time he does not see me. I guess I will see him at home later.

When the hut comes into view I see a robes figure sitting on my stoop. I know it must be Huli or Zi with another gift. I wonder what they have brought me from my love today.

“Hello” I call out when I start to approach.

The hooded figure rises and dust their hands on their robe. I cannot quite see their face though. When I get closer I cannot stop myself from squealing in joy.

“Draco!” I yell happily. I rush into his embrace and squeeze him as his arms wrap around my back.

“Hello love” he says to me, kissing my hair.

“How long do we have before you go to your father?” I ask quickly.

“He is actually why I am here. We concluded our business this morning, so I have the rest of the day free” he says beaming down at me. He removes his hood and I sigh happily at being able to see his whole face. He cups my cheek in his hand and places a peck on my lips. “I have missed you,” he says.

“I have missed you too” I tell him. I place my head on his chest and blush at how fast his heart beats. I know mine must be beating the same. It shows that we feel the same. “Oh, Draco I love you!” I exclaim loudly. Then realizing I yelled it I quickly pull back and slap a hand over my mouth. I am mortified that I just blurted it like that.

He chuckles at my reaction and removes my hand from my mouth. He kisses the back of my hand and then meets my gaze. “Say it again” he request.

“I love you” I say more quietly but with confidence. His shoulder sag and it is like his body loosens before my eyes. He rubs the hand he kissed and pulls me back into his embrace.

“I love you to my Io” he declares and then he kisses me. The kiss starts slow as he runs his lips against mine. When I feel his tongue touch my bottom lip to gain access I open for him. I hear his groan as he tightens his hood on me and plunders my mouth. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him harder to show my passion. I feel or teeth clash the tiniest bit, but it does not stop us. He takes his teeth and takes my bottom lip. I moan at the roughness and feel my breast tighten on my chest.

At the sounds he breaks the kiss quickly and leans his forehead on mine. We are both fighting for breath. His lips are wet and red from my kiss. I can feel the entire length of him against me. I feel as if I might catch fire at the moment in this embrace. I lick my lips and he smiles with a groan and pulls away.

“You make me want so many things love. You make me want to break all the rules and make you mine now” he declare running a hand through his hair.

I blush at his statement knowing what he means. “You make me want to” I confess to him shyly. His mouth drops open and he looks at me in bewilderment. When he gains controls of his expression he clears his throat and rocks on his feet.

“I …well I’m glad to hear that” he says blushing. “However, we have matters to deal with before that can happen. I have something for you” he says. He has gone a bit pale and cannot seem to look me in the eye.

“Is it my gift” I question. He nods in turn still looking pale. “Well why don’t we walk to my cave, and you can give it to me there” I offer.

“Yes. A walk would be good. A nice long walk” he says awkwardly and a bit too loud.

I wonder what has gotten into him all of a sudden. We were fine a moment ago. Perhaps I should not have made my confession and he would not be acting this way.

“Is everything all right” I ask

“Huh? Oh yes everything is fine. I’m just thinking about the gift and how I want to present it to you” he say sheepishly. I chuckle at his response.

“Your gifts have all spoken for themselves. I do not need something extravagant to make it special. I just need you. “I inform him grabbing his hand in mine.

It appears it was what he needed me to say. His shoulders relax and the color starts to finally return to his face. As we pass the fields I look for my father, but he is in a working trance. He does not even see Draco and I go by. The rest of the way to the cave is walked in silence. I release his hand to light the lantern as we enter. He pauses near the pallet looking around as I take my seat. He has begun to fidget his hands and seems to be losing his cool or composure again.

“What is it Draco? Why do you seem stressed now?” I plead to know.

I see him swallow a man’s take a deep breath. “I am not stressed. Well yes but I would not say stressed I would say more nervous” he nearly whispers.

“What need have you to be nervous. We have been here before” I state gesturing to the cave. He looks around nodding but still has not taken his seat. I watch him walk the length of the small cave again when suddenly he just stops and looks at me. Then he just stares. “What?” I ask.

“I want to tell you something. Do you mind just listening for a moment?” He request. I nod at him agreeing. He holds his hand out for me and I grab it. I am pulled to my feet, and he wraps his arms around me.

“I recently found out that my family comes from a lengthy line of arranged marriages. It has something that has been a tradition for us since as far as we remember.” I frown trying to figure out where he is going with this. “Many we’re not concerned with matters of the heart. They wanted to have heirs to continue our rich lineage. However, my grandfather was the first to break that tradition.” I nod so he know to continue. “His first wife died giving birth to my father. Shortly after he married a girl from his village who he had already wanted for his bride. She is the one who raised my father. Then my father was forced into an arranged marriage too” he reiterates.

“My father did marry his wife and in turn she provided an heir. The one who he absolutely loves is my mother. She was his second chance just like my grandfather had his. I do not want to screw up and have to have a second chance. I want to get it right the first time” he finishes.

“Do you get what I mean Io? What I’m asking?” He questions me.

“No sorry. I am confused. What does you marrying have to do with your father and grandfather?” I ask.

“Everything. I do not want a second chance at love. I want to find it the first time. I found it here with you” he says cupping my cheek. “So, I ask you Io, the woman I love, will you let me get it right the first time? Will you marry me and become my wife?” He pleads. It feels like the whole room earth stops moving as I stare at him with my mouth open.