Lily
After tending briefly to Elis, I rushed into my grandmother's room, my heart racing.
"Grandma," I called softly, careful not to startle her but loud enough to wake her from her light sleep. She stirred, her frail form shifting under the blankets, and slowly sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"What is it, child?" she asked, her voice groggy but filled with concern.
"I… I brought someone home," I said, hesitating for a moment, unsure how she would react.
She blinked, her weathered hands pausing mid-motion as she adjusted her scarf. "You did what?" she asked, her tone a mix of surprise and worry. "Who is it?"
"It's a man," I explained, my words spilling out in a rush. "I found him in the woods. He was injured…badly…and in pain. I couldn't just leave him there, Grandma. I had to bring him home to treat him."
Her expression shifted, her gaze growing distant as she stared into space and lost in thought. The lines on her face deepened as her brow furrowed.
"Lily," she said after a long pause, her tone cautious. "Do you know how dangerous it is to bring a stranger into our home? Especially one you found in the woods… under the full moon?"
"I know," I replied, wringing my hands nervously. "I know it's risky, but he didn't look dangerous, Grandma. He was hurt, and he needed help. I couldn't just walk away."
She sighed, her shoulders sagging as if weighed down by worry. "I trust your heart, my child but the full moon has its own secrets. Be careful. Even the gentlest soul can carry darkness."
"I will, Ma," I promised, my voice firm with reassurance.
Her eyes softened, and she reached out a hand to pat mine. "Good girl. But if anything feels off…anything at all…you must let me know immediately."
"Yes, Ma," I said, my heart aching with love for her concern.
I helped her lie back down, tucking the covers around her frail body. Her breathing slowed as she closed her eyes and drifted back into sleep. I lingered for a moment, watching her peaceful face, before quietly stepping out of the room and shutting the door behind me.
As I walked back toward Elis, a twinge of doubt crept into my mind. Grandma's words echoed in my ears: The full moon has its own secrets… Even the gentlest soul can carry darkness.
I shook the thought away, trying to focus on the present. I had made my decision, and now I had to see it through.
I sat quietly, watching Elis as he slept. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, and for the first time since I found him, his face was calm and free from the torment that had gripped him. Relief washed over me, knowing the chamomile tea had worked. It had always been a miracle remedy for my grandmother, and I had hoped it would ease whatever pain Elis was battling.
But as I watched him now, it wasn't just relief I felt, it was something more. His face, no longer contorted in agony, was breathtaking. High cheekbones framed a strong, chiseled jawline, and his features seemed almost otherworldly in their perfection. Even in sleep, there was a commanding presence about him, as if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.
I leaned forward slightly, unable to tear my gaze away. There was something magnetic about him, something that drew me in despite myself. My fingers twitched, wanting to reach out, to trace the lines of his face and confirm he was real.
A stirring within me, unfamiliar and unsettling, began to rise. I couldn't explain it…a pull, a connection…but it was there, stronger than anything I had ever felt. My heart raced, and I had to remind myself to breathe as I continued to watch him, completely mesmerized.
Then, his eyes opened.
Deep, molten -lavar eyes locked onto mine, sharp and piercing, as if they could see straight into my soul. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. We stared at each other in silence, the air between us thick with unspoken tension. It felt like an eternity, like the world had stopped spinning and it was just the two of us in this moment, connected in ways I couldn't understand.
"Are you feeling better?" I finally asked, breaking the silence, though my voice was barely above a whisper.
His gaze didn't waver as he studied me, as if searching for something in my face. Then, after what felt like another lifetime, he nodded. "I feel... different," he said, his voice low and gravelly, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Different how?" I pressed, leaning closer without even realizing it.
He hesitated, his brows furrowing slightly as if he were trying to find the right words. "The pain... it's gone. But there's something else. Something I can't explain."
I tilted my head, curious. "Something else?"
He nodded again, his expression unreadable. "Yes. And it's because of you."
His words caught me off guard, sending a warmth rushing through me. Before I could say anything else, his gaze softened, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I saw vulnerability in his eyes. But just as quickly as it appeared, it was gone, replaced by that same intense, unreadable look that left me wondering who, or what he truly was.