Chapter 3 He's not human
DANIKA’S POV
And, dear heavens, what a man.
He was tall. No, tall was an inadequate word for whatever the gods had created here. He was enormous, with broad shoulders, thick arms, and a chest so ridiculously muscular. One of his pecs looked approximately the size of both my palms pressed together.
I blinked.
Then there was his hair.
Long, silver strands cascaded down his back, interrupted by a striking red streak that began at his forehead.
He was beautiful no doubt. My gaze dropped down his chest to…
My eyes shot back up so quickly, it's long and thick in that department. I can see it's pink cap staring at me.
My face caught fire, and I spun around so fast that water splashed into my mouth.
What happened to being a virtuous woman Danika. I desperately tried not to look at it again.
“Are you done staring?” His deep smoky voice cut through my thoughts.
I smiled, foolishly.
My eyes flew to his face. He met my gaze before his expression shifted into a frown.
“Why are you naked?” was the first thing that came out of my mouth.
One of his eyebrows rose.
“Why are you here?”
“I was looking for a way to escape.”I blurted, my cheeks burning.
“By looking at my body?”
“I…no…that's not…”
I spun around, covering my eyes with both hands.
“Please put on some clothes.”
“I was bathing and you interrupted my bath.”
“I apologize, but just put something on. Anything! A leaf! A towel! A flower!”
He said nothing. Then I heard water splashing behind me.
“Please tell me you're putting something on,” I muttered.
“Yes,” he growled.
I lowered my hands cautiously and turned.
Omgoodness! Him on clothes is way worse than I expected.
He was wearing tight black pants that hung carelessly on the waist. The pants are wet. His silver hair remained damp, falling over one side of his face.
I swallowed.
Forget dancing, forget my aunt bakery. I want to be stuck with this greek god forever.
“How tall are you please?” My tiny voice broke out.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
“You ask too many questions for a stranger.”
“Sorry” I lowered my gaze.
“7ft” He exhaled.
“Holy Molly!” I gasped, covering my mouth.
“And I suppose you are 5?” He tilted his head.
“I'm 4’9.”
He said nothing. Just stared deep into my eyes which I was getting uncomfortable with it.
I looked around the purple pool, hoping to find the spot where I'd fallen in.
“This place is beautiful. It's not even on the map.” I spoke, breaking the silence.
“Wait!”
I had misplaced my aunt's map. How will I locate her town? I don't even know where I am.
“You don't need to worry, you are safe here. What's the name of your aunt's town? I can direct you if you want.” He spoke.
My eyes widened at what he just said.
“Did you just read my mind?”
“I wouldn't be Cupid if I can't read minds.”
“So you’ve heard everything I’ve been thinking about your body?” I shylishly dropped my gaze below his pelvis.
His lips curved into a faint smile.
“I heard everything.”
Oh, heavens.
I wanted the purple water to swallow me whole. Please tell me he didn't hear the part about his pink cap.
“Especially that part,” he replied.
Ahhhhhh!!!! I screamed within. Slowly biting my lower lip in embarrassment.
“Stop reading my mind.”
“So.” He crossed his arms. “Let me ask a more specific question. How did you find here and what are you doing here?”
“I don't know. I fell and here I am.” I said but he said nothing, looked unimpressed.
Rude.
I turned away, searching for my backpack. It lay near a cluster of rocks, soaked through and looking considerably worse than it had when I'd packed it.
I hurried over and picked it up.
First, I'd lost my way. Then I'd fallen down a hole. Now I'd ruined nearly everything I owned.
At this rate, I would arrive at my aunt's bakery with nothing but a wet dress.
I sighed.
Getting out of the pool turned out to be more difficult than getting into it.
The rocks were slippery, my dress clung to my body. I grabbed a protruding rock and attempted to pull myself up.
My foot slipped.
His large hand caught me by my wrist.
The stranger stood beside me, looking down with an expression that suggested he was unimpressed.
Is this his normal facial expressions or is he always genuinely unimpressed?
My balance faltered again, my ankle twisting and instinct had me grabbing his hair which took him unknowingly.
He staggered with me, his arm curving behind my head just as we both hit the water.
Then something strange happened.
In the water, he's on me, we were still holding each other. I saw a warmth spread through his chest, glowing brightly. It travelled from his chest, up to his shoulder, neck then up to his mouth.
Before I could scream, a gloomy purple ball-shaped substance poured from his lips into mine. My throat burned and my body trembled violently as the substance sank deep inside me.
Bubbles left my mouth, my eyes widened. Then I felt a sharp painful ache in my chest and I blacked out in the water.
By the time I opened my eyes, I wasn't at the pool but in a strange courtyard.
I sat up, slowly taking in my surroundings.
It stood beyond flowers, hidden among enormous trees with silver bark. The building was made of pale stone, with curved roofs and huge windows that shimmered faintly.
It was beautiful. Birds chirping, butterflies flying, squirrels running through trees.
“Didn't know you would survive after what happened.”
I turn my gaze to that voice. The stranger sat by a stack of books, his dark eyes meeting mine.
“What do you mean?” I asked with concern in my voice.
“You're human.”
I took a deep breath and told myself not to freak out.
“Aren't you human as well? And what do you mean by I shouldn't have survive?”
