Chapter 258: In Belchatta
The entire way there, Arabella never stopped fiddling with the brooch between her fingers with the joy and focus of a child. Silas merely watched in silence, a smile on him.
When she’d finally wrenched her eyes off the jewelry, the horse had already halted in front of what seemed like an entrance or the beginning of a town. Well, what was left of it after all those years.
Silas sneaked a hand and took hers while the young woman was busy gaping at the sad ruins ahead with glistening eyes.
There was no tugging, no resistance on her part as the vampire took the first steps inside.
"I would really like to know what you’ve read about this place if that is alright,"
It was by no means an order and for once Arabella did not try to read or interpret his intentions.
For once, she took it as it was, a kindly formulated request.
However, that did not stop her demeanor from shifting, adopting that distant yet merry air about her, that faint yet rich smile.
It happened gradually and Silas relished every second of it.
"By far, nothing saddened me to read about more than the story of the once so wealthy and prosperous Belchatta," her voice was on the lower side, steady but brittle, "It is a shame I was not born soon enough to witness its grandeur with my own eyes," she said as her gemstones happened to stop on the crescent and circle carvings adorning the remains of the dwellings and constructions, "According to the books, Belchatta was one of the first populated cites to succumb around the beginning of the war. Some tomes claim it was to target and eliminate people that stood against the fight. Others say it was to reap the riches and resources it harbored,"
"Which do you believe is correct?" he barely blinked while following each of her motions.
"Perhaps a bit of both and perhaps neither of them," her right shoulder rose as if slowly shrugging, "They say it was the biggest trade centre in the area. Much bigger than KasselMoon ever was because humans... My people, well, we find ways to survive and live without magic and strength such as yours so, many other species loved to trade with us because there was always something new humans would come up with that others would still find a great use for," her smile grew warmer.
Arabella neared a wall that held on to dear life. Riddled with cracks, half of it had crumbled and lay in rubble.
White its color used to be, it stopped at what seemed to once have been a large gate.
The young woman allowed her fingers to graze the rough surface as she marched along.
"I adore seeing that look on you,"
Silas’ words rooted her in her spot, but he did not stop without elaborating, "I long to see that tame fire that renders nothing into cinders but on the contrary, grows and brightens your features,"
"What sort of fire?"
Her voice was meek, inviting silence to creep in between them while their eyes locked together, analyzing one another for a good moment.
"The fire that’s sparked whenever you speak of something you are passionate about,"
She turned away, cheeks burning red and grin shy.
"Lucky for me, history is your favorite subject," he added, walking closer to her, "The fact that the Mirari didn’t affect you at first was never the reason I took interest in you," his head shook very slowly, "If you must know, it was the two first true encounters I’ve ever had with you that cemented my desire to learn as much as I could about you,"
She didn’t move and waited for him to stand right by her, for his breath to come tickle her face.
"The first time you ever stood in my room, you were so captivated by the canvas I had to reel you back and then came the way you interpreted the carvings exactly as I meant them. It wasn’t just that you knew historical facts but the idea that you looked at the small pieces I’d volunteered and painted the bigger picture in your mind without any input from me," his finger traced the outline of her ear, earning light shudders out of her, "The second time was in the library... The way you explained to me how you used the knowledge about the tunnels you’d acquired in your favor truly amazed me,"
There was a short pause during which her own hand rose to meet his for their fingers to intertwine.
Nothing was said for as long as they admired their united limbs and digits.
When his sharp diamonds returned to her face, he finally spoke again, "What about you? What do you see in me? What attracts you my way?"
The look on her turned a tad more serious before mellowing, "What I will say may not satisfy you but while I was scared of you during our first meetings you still always managed to make me feel comfortable," her head tilted slightly to the side, "Well, most of the time," a little chuckle escaped her control, "I suppose I never confronted the fact but I... Do feel safe with you," she nodded, her features drawing a kind and warm smile.
Silas kept on holding her hand as he turned away and started walking, effectively towing her along.
Arabella’s feet followed without any complaints.
"I am not so sure you feel safe with me," he spoke without looking back at her, "I sense as though you still keep your guard up around me,"
"I won’t deny what is obvious, but I assure you," her gemstones flickered from Silas to the rundown buildings that lined their path, "My distrust in you isn’t nearly as high as you might believe it to be. The fact is, I am speaking my mind right this second and I am no longer scared to. That is thanks to you,"
Those words earned a quick glance from him, but she continued, "You’ve always been patient with me even when I didn’t or couldn’t notice it,"