Islinda tightened her grip around Eli's small hand, as if afraid that it would slip and she would abandon him like his mother did. Yes, she has bought the idea of him being abandoned by his mother and trusted the boy now.
Children don't lie.
There was no way a Fae trickster would follow her to the village without fear of being found out and overpowered by the humans. Moreover, no Fae could be as adorable as this kid, especially with his chubby cheeks that she was almost tempted to pinch - well, maybe Valerie.
Islinda's cheeks heated up, why would she think about the Fae that kissed her at this point? Clearing her throat, Islinda focused on her journey and cleared her improper thoughts. She was a lady for crying out loud.
Islinda walked on for a while when she turned back and realized that Eli was struggling to match her pace. Ahh, she must walk quickly and his small legs couldn't keep up with her. So she suddenly stopped and the boy stopped too, glancing up at her with questioning eyes.
"What is it, big sister?"
"Forgive me for being ignorant," Islinda said, "It must have been hard for you to walk with me all this while. But don't worry..." She stretched out her hand with a big smile, "Come on, let me carry you and hasten our journey."
"What?" His lips twitched and there was a stormy look in his eyes, not that Islinda noticed. How dare this mortal...?!
"Come now, don't be shy," She cajoled him and before Eli could protest or even think of escaping, she had already hunched down in front of him and tugged him forward by wrapping his small arms around her neck. Hence, he was left with no other choice but to let her piggyback him.
Damn, Islinda broke out in a sweat. For a young child, he was quite heavy. Islinda thought her hip was going to break in two. However, she couldn't give up, that would be embarrassing and the boy would be disappointed with her. Hence, she gritted her teeth and stood up, slightly jerking him forward and balancing him on her back.
"Big sister...." The boy said timidly as if afraid to speak up, "I am quite heavy, aren't I?"
"What?" Her cheeks were flushed and her heart began to race, "Of course not! You are perfect." She lied through her teeth. Damn it, he was quite heavy but she couldn't say it to his face and traumatize the young child.
"You can put me down, big sister. I eat a lot and my mother says I look like a bloated steamed bun." Eli said emotionally, fiddling with his hands wrapped around her neck.
Pity and anger stirred inside of Islinda because of his words. What kind of mother says that to her child? Islinda hadn't even met his mother and she decided she hated her. She would give that woman a piece of her mind when she finds her.
Thanks to the anger now coursing through her veins, it fired her up and she continued the journey back to the village with Eli perked on her back. It was almost sundown, she had to get the child to the safety of the village. Islinda's protective instinct was roused and she was grateful to have been the one to stumble upon the child and not a trickster Fae. If only she knew.
She heard humans captured by those creatures end up as their slaves for the rest of their lives. Islinda couldn't imagine poor Eli being maltreated from a young age, it broke her heart. Perhaps, she was good to a fault, but Islinda believed fate brought him to her for a reason.
It was nearly sundown by the time she arrived and the snow had stopped which meant more people were out. As a hunter, Islinda was well known in the village and curious eyes wondered about the child she carried on her back. Thankfully, none of them bothered her and she could tell Eli didn't like their scrutinizing gazes because his grip tightened around her neck.
"Don't worry, you're safe with me. No one would lay a hand on you, I'll protect you." She gave him a reassuring smile from over her shoulder. But the boy gave her a blank look and it made her wonder if he was not used to kindness from strangers. He intrigued her.
The village chief's red brick house came into view and Islinda was filled with nostalgia when she remembered having once lived in a house as large as this. But that was all in the past and she was scared of what her future looks like with her step-family.
Some of the villagers had come to meet the village chief with one of their problems or more, which meant that Islinda had to wait her turn. Islinda put Eli down and heard a crack in her waist. The gods knew it took her everything not to crumble on the ground and rest without care.
Instead, she leaned against the wall by her side and caught her breath. Her hips hurt. Her body hurts. Everywhere ached.
A small hand clasped hers, "Big sister, are you alright?" He pouted his lips, looking at her with big, pitiful eyes.
"Of course, I'm alright!" She was dying right now. Islinda needed to go home and get a rest while someone massaged and rubbed her aching back with a warm towel. Unfortunately, none of that was impossible. The closest to that wish would be her stepmother scalding her with hot water instead.
Islinda shivered involuntarily, having realized she had been away from home for hours and knew not what awaited her there. She swallowed nervously. Yet Islinda did not regret her actions because, for the first time since her father's death, she felt alive.
Her first kiss was given to Valerie, a Fae and perhaps, it thrilled her because it was a forbidden affair, and she couldn't wait to see where it led. Probably heartbreak, they were worlds apart.
But then, what is the fun of living If she doesn't take the risk? The future is unknown and anything could happen.
She needed something to happen.