Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Kavan stared at the white flowers on top of the mortal's head.

He knew damn well what the forest was implying, and he would rather face death instead of doing whatever it is they wanted him to do. It was already annoying that the mortal had to stay at his abode, but to have the forest take care of him? Gritting his teeth once more, he grabbed the crown of flowers from the mortal's head and threw it roughly on the ground.

Then he grabbed the vine that wrapped itself around the mortal's waist. Shaking his head, he wrapped his hand tightly around the vine, narrowing his eyes, "Stop. I do not need this."

I do not need him.

He felt something sting by his chest. Confused, he blinked and looked down. Surprise flashed in his face once he noticed that his chest stung because the mortal was currently slapping him on the chest. The mortal's face was a deep shade of red, and Kavan tilted his head at that. He had heard that mortal's face changed colors whenever they were ill. Was the mortal ill?

Frowning, Kavan brushed his knuckles along the mortal's face. He meant nothing by it; he was simply curious. Except he found himself more confused when the mortal sucked in a breath and seemed to droop in his hold.

Kavan stopped himself. He was holding the mortal close. The flowers distracted him so much that he hadn't realized he was already pulling the mortal flush against his chest to remove the crown of flowers. Frowning, he looked down once more. The mortal's face was still red, but this time, he was not glaring in his direction. Instead, his lower lip was jutted out, his eyes downcast.

The mortal was saying something, but Kavan was too distracted with their sudden closeness to care.

"...Ease up a bit," He heard the mortal say. "You're squeezing too much."

Tilting his head, he eased up. Not letting the mortal go just yet. He was still curious with the way the mortal's face seemed to turn red quickly. It seemed like some sort of camouflage technique. Except the mortal was doing a pretty terrible job. Nothing near them was a shade of red. Was the mortal trying to stand out? It was doing just fine with how red it has become. Narrowing his eyes, Kavan dropped his head and moved his head closer to the mortal.

"Mortal," His voice made the human shudder. Kavan felt goosebumps run along the mortal's arm that was currently pushed against his bare chest. "Why is your face a different shade?"

Something that reminded him of a rat's squeak came from the mortal's throat.

"Let me go!" The mortal squeaked again. This time, he not only slapped his chest, but he also started pushing away from him. Kavan felt his lips start to smirk at the mortal's futile attempt at trying to hurt him. It started with a rock, then with a push, and now, with some slaps. He can't help but wonder if he should at least pretend that the mortal hurt him. Again, the mortal repeated, "Stop smirking, let me go!"

Before he could stop himself, Kavan found himself chuckling darkly at the futile attempts.

The mortal stopped squirming. All it did was look up at him, surprise in his eyes like Kavan's chuckle froze him.

When Kavan heard Havu's voice inside his head, he was wondering whether that truly was what he did.

"The mortal seems uncomfortable with how you are handling him," Havu said. "I do believe it is time to let go."

Kavan knew Havu was right. He needed to let go. Except, he found himself not wanting to. The mortal wasn't really that heavy. Plus, his face was pure entertainment. The other mortals that stepped foot inside the forest didn't last long enough to serve as his entertainment. The fact that someone like him survived was something that Kavan couldn't quite understand.

What was so different about him?

The forest seemed to like him. The fact that they even wrapped him in leaves and flowers was surprising enough. None of the other mortals that the village had offered to Kavan had gotten that special treatment. Counted no one survived a few hours because they were dumb enough to fall through the cliff. The mortal was smart, there was that. He also seemed to know his way around the forest and was fearless.

Kavan then decided that he would keep the mortal.

The forest had been right, perhaps he had been alone, though never lonely. Havu was a solid companion, but the old serpent had been awfully boring as of late. Having a mortal who was terrible at camouflage might just be the entertainment he needed.

As Kavan tightened his arm around the mortal's waist again, he felt something flutter inside of his chest. Frowning, he tried to remember if he had consumed something that made his insides feel strange. Which was odd, because he knew damn well that he had not eaten in ages. Probably decades. It was a good thing that he didn't live on human prayer alone, because even though Gashea had long forgotten him, the animals within the forest still look up to him.

Back then, he remembered when the forest of Gashea wasn't looked at with fear. He could almost remember the villagers who would camp out within the forest, making small fires and praying to him. To think everything would change in a snap of a finger. It must have been centuries, but for him, it was somewhat like a week. Time always seemed to slow down for immortals.

He knew that the mortal's life would extinguish faster than he could even blink.

He was just about to open his mouth when a cry echoed from the distance.

"What was that?" The mortal asked, not pushing against him anymore. There were curiosity and something like fear flashing in the mortal's eyes. Unconsciously, Kavan tightened his hold around the mortal's waist once more. The mortal looked up at him, "Did you hear that?"

Kavan nodded, then looked in the direction of the sound, "Someone needs my help."

"Your help?" The mortal snorted like he couldn't quite believe what Kavan was saying, "Why would they need your help, demon?"

Havu slithered off Kavan's antlers and landed safely on the mortal's neck. There was anger in Havu's eyes. Ever since the village of Gashea had deemed him a demon, Havu had been trying his best to remove the misconception away from the mortal's head. Not like Kavan even cared. What was the use of mortals who don't even pay respect anymore? All they know is killing and other cruel things.

"I have told you countless times," Kavan could hear Havu reprimanding the mortal, "The master is not a demon."

The mortal probably replied, but he cannot read inside his mind.

Instead, Kavan grabbed Havu and made sure the serpent was wrapped neatly around the mortal's neck. They had been together for as long as he could remember. He would not risk the serpent's life just because of one mortal's mistake. After making sure all were in order, he unfurled his wings and was just about to take flight when he felt two strong arms wrap around his neck.

"No way in hell!" The mortal screeched, making Kavan's ears hurt. "Put me down this instance!"

Narrowing his eyes in annoyance, Kavan clicked his tongue. Does the mortal think he's an amateur when it came to flying? The sky was his second home, next to the forest. With one glare at the mortal's request, Kavan did what Kavan does best, he ignored the mortal. With one last look around his surroundings, Kavan placed his arms around the mortal and flew towards the sky.