Prey of the Lion

Chapter 11: The Magic to give Life

Chapter 11: The Magic to give Life

By the time that Leo was already back, it was already midnight. We both shared the same room and the same bed, and I waited for him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, but I spent the rest of my time watching over the twin moons, Aurum and Ostrum.

“Why are you still up?” Iyon ang bungad sa akin ni Leo, halata ang kaunting bakas ng pagod din sa kaniyang boses.

Lumingon ako upang makita siya at saka ngumiti, “I was waiting for you.” Sagot ko naman, “I heard that you went away to a war or something? Regarding this opposition organization called Luna Axis. They attacked one of your cities?”

He sighed and nodded, “yes, Meteor City.” Sagot naman nito. Hinubad na niya ang kaniyang mga kasuotan, halata ring pawisan siya at may mga bakas ng tuyong dugo sa kaniyang katawan, magulo rin ang kaniyang buhok. “Natulog ka na sana. Hindi magandang nagpupuyat ka.”

“Coming from you?” I grinned and went to his side in order to help him take off his silver armor, “you must be tired. Since I didn’t know when you’ll get home, I prepared a sandwich for dinner. I did not recommend an actual dinner since I figured you may not want to eat a cold meal, so I prepared a sandwich as it is okay to eat it cold.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Baby. Thanks.”

Namula naman ako dahil sa pagtawag sa akin ni Leo ng ‘Baby’. Hindi ko alam kung bakit, but somehow that endearment makes me feel this weird sensation in my heart, tila may mga lumilipad pang mga paru-paro sa aking tyan.

“You’re welcome.” Tipid na sagot ko. Nang nakahubad na siya ay tumungo siya sa may bandeha at kinain ang tinapay at saka uminom na rin siya ng tubig. After that, he faced me, tumumbad muli sa aking mga mata ang kaniyang masarap na katawan—wait, did I say ‘masarap’? But where is the lie? Pakiramdam ko gabi-gabing ‘I feel blessed!’ ang pakiramdam ko dahil sa kaniya.

“I’m gonna go take a bath and rinse these blood and dirt off, you can go to bed now. Thanks for waiting for me.” Ngumiti si Leo at saka niya ako hinalikan sa aking labi. Though it was brief, the warmth of his lips seems to have cascaded all of my senses, there was this spark inside me that wanted to be unleashed, I felt weird... But at the same time, it also felt good to be kissed by him. I wanted more. I savored more, I was about to pull him for another kiss, but he was already at the entrance of the bathroom, with his naked back facing me, which is why I can see his bubbly butt-cheeks—with his hard physique, that is the only soft spot that I can see.

Humiga na ako sa kama at pinikit ko na ang aking mga mata. Hindi ko na namalayan si Leo dahil dinalaw na rin agad ako ng antok. Nang imulat ko muli ang aking mga mata, umaga na at wala na si Leo sa aking tabi.

~*~

Bumaba ako at tumungo sa silid-kainan kung saan nakita ko si Filo na nakatayo sa likod ni Leo habang siya ay abala sa mga binabasang kasulatan, si Pan naman ay kasalukuyang sinusubuhan ni Akane.

“Hindi mo ako ginising,” nakasimangot na bungad ko kay Leo.

“Nagpuyat ka.” Sagot naman nito. Seryoso ang kaniyang tinig at boses ngayon.

“Ikaw din naman.” Kumunot ang aking noo.

“My magic is Anima, I can just use it in order to have enough rest.” Sagot naman niya sa akin.

I yawned, “then use it on me too.” Utos ko sa kaniya.

“Sure, come here.” Sagot naman niya. Hindi ko alam kung seryoso ba siya o hindi, ngunit naglakad ako papunta sa kaniyang tabi, when I was already close, he held my hand and I felt his warm palm against mine, I looked at him as he intently held me, and then it seemed like his golden eyes glowed, and I felt something enter mine through the part where his hand lies. I felt this weird sensation, it was relieving me of this stress and of every negative thing in my body. Hindi ko maipaliwanag kung ano iyon, but my body felt lighter than ever.

“So, this is your magic?” I asked.

“Yes—my magic is about giving life,” lumapit siya sa akin at bumulong, “the opposite of yours, which was meant to take life.”

I nodded. Pakiramdam ko ay tila may hindi maipaliwanag na puwersa rin sa aking loob ang gustong kumawala. Was it my magic? Why is it like this every single time that he touches me? It felt like a part of me was opened when Leo used his magic in order to relieve me from my lack of sleep.

“Isn’t Papa’s magic convenient?” Tumingin ako kay Pan nang magsalita ito, “Pan thinks so too!” Aniya habang ngumunguya.

I smiled, “good morning, Pan.” Binitawan na ni Leo ang aking kamay matapos niyang gamitin ang kaniyang mahika sa akin, umupo naman na rin ako sa tabing silya sa kaniya at saka ako nagsimulang magtimpla ng kape.

“Pan wants to say good morning to Mama, too.” He gave me his brightest smile. This kid is really adorable! Na-miss ko tuloy ang aking pamilya na sigurado ay nasa kaharian na namin. Bumuntong-hininga ako nang bahagya at tila napansin naman nila iyon, muli akong ngumiti pagkatapos at saka nagpalaman ng tinapay.

“Anyway, as you are now officially crowned as my Empress, there are things that are to follow. First, I have already hired a tutor who will teach you about your duties as the Empress, and there are also other matters in-hand, but you will have to focus first on about your being as the Empress.” Pahiwatig ni Leo sa akin, ngumiti lang ako habang nakikinig sa kaniyang mga sinasabi. “You will learn about the history of Liondale Empire, your responsibilities and duties as the Empress, your power and authority, diplomacy, courtesy, and more. You will meet your tutor later.”

“Alright, it seems like everything is already planned and settled.” Saad ko.

“Of course, also, regarding our wedding—since we both know in royal setups, weddings are not necessary since coronations are already considered as such too, as there are vows exchanged unto each other, but I just wanna know what you have in mind regarding this, do you still want us to get married or not?” Tanong ni Leo sa akin.

“I’m fine even without one, as it’s been a royal culture that weddings are unnecessary as the coronation is already enough.”

I caught a hint of disappointment in Leo’s eyes, or I do not know if it was just my imagination. “Okay.”

“But what do you want?”

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Do you still want us to have a wedding or not?”

“Maybe, but not now.” Sagot naman niya.

“Fine, then. Anyway, there is no rush. It is not like it is necessary.”

“Indeed.” He replied.

“Mama!” Tumingin ako kay Pan, “Pan wants Mama to feed Pan!” Lumabi naman si Pan sa akin.

I chuckled, “sure, sure, Akane, I’m taking over.”

“Noted, Prince Lark.” Sagot naman nito at saka tumabi na.