What on Earth? or Meu?!

‘Um, sorry… I got excited.’ I tried to pull my hands away from his cheeks.

INAAAA! You’ve literally just lectured him about consent and personal space! Aaah! Stop it! You probably look uncool!

His steady grip kept my hands on his face. He glanced at the snake shaped birthmark on my forearm, then returned my gaze with a suppressed smile. Like a child hiding a mischievous secret from his mother.

‘You held me like this before,’ he said calmly, sincerity and adoration written across his face. In his clear blue eyes I saw stars glittering, and me at the center.

Locked in place, we stared at each other, unbothered by the world around us. Unsure of what to say, I studied his profile with focused attention. Well-defined features, delicate and balanced. Light sky-blue eyes with dark, slit-shaped pupils. His lips thinned into a line when he smiled, but is plump when rested.

Did I really kiss that?

His long white lashes fluttered as he blinked and studied my face in return. His cute nose seemed to inch closer.

‘Stop right there.’ I squeezed his face like a plushie and moved my fingers over his lips. ‘You aren’t kissing me again.’

How red I must have looked! Close call.

He didn’t say it, but for a second, his face was a perfect depiction of an ‘awww’ sad emoticon reaction.

So cute.

He smiled. ‘You look like you’re getting enchanted by me and was interested… So I thought I’d try.’

Mind reader!

‘No matter how I look on the outside, or whatever you read or guess from my mind, you have to ask permission.’ I said exasperatedly.

He finally released my hands and I stepped back.

‘Do you mind explaining everything from the beginning?’ I asked.

‘Of course.’ His smile widened, soft enough to make my chest feel unsteady. ‘Ina.’ He said my name like it was a spell.

He extended his hand carefully, not demanding, almost shy. As if afraid I might pull away. I hesitated, then placed my hand in his. He felt steady and safe.

His fingers are so warm.

His smile didn’t waver. Maybe from calling my name. Maybe from seeing how red I looked. Maybe from holding my hand.

I’m in trouble. He’s actually very hot.

He helped me from the grassy patch at the cave mouth to the soft sand of the beach. He sat and looked at me as if to ask whether I would join him. I did, and we both looked up at the vast sky before he began.

‘You, Ina, are Princess Raiona, heir to the throne of King Arye, the Lion King. Head of all the kings,’ Celphi said, his voice threaded with restrained anger and sadness. ‘An accident sent you to another world. After years of searching, we found you. You are being brought back to claim your place on the throne and to learn your duties before your father steps down.’

I kept watching the night while he spoke.

I wasn’t Raiona. I couldn’t be. I’m a student nurse with an orphanage to take care for and a life of my own. I didn’t need a kingdom.

‘Hmm…Why does this Raiona girl have to take over the throne anyways? Maybe she doesn't even want it,’ I whispered to myself.

This is a case of mistaken identity… What if they don’t let me go and force this role on me? Make me live as Raiona.

I realized I’d been silent for too long and looked at him. He watched me patiently.

‘Sorry. I was lost in thought. I most certainly am not the person you’re looking for. I’ll leave if I can. If I end up stuck here, I’ll learn what I must. But for myself, not for Raiona. And only after I’ve exhausted all my options in trying to return.’

Celphi nodded and waited.

‘Where I came from, I was a busybody. I was always doing something. But I did not dislike it. All choices that I made are for myself,’ I said, lying back and staring at the sky. ‘I wouldn’t stand for being forced into a life meant for someone else.’

As I lay back, the fur blanket slid off. I sat up and wrapped it tighter. Celphi looked away for a moment and his ears pinked.

‘How do you have clothes after changing back to human?’ I asked. ‘You have nothing in creature form. Where does the fabric come from?’

He smiled, face about to burst with affection. ‘You told me before…’ he corrected himself, ‘Raiona told me before she didn’t want me showing myself randomly without covering. This is my reptile skin, fashioned into clothing.’

I can get along with this Raiona person.

‘Do you like this fur cloth?’ He inspected the blanket I’d been using. ‘I can sew it into something more secure, but you must give it back to me.’

I immediately hugged myself and leaned away.

‘No.’ He blushed. ‘No, I won’t leave you unclothed. I have something you can wear.’

He transformed and moved off, then returned at once with an item in his hand.

Is “slither” even the right word? He didn’t move side to side like a snake would. He flowed up and down like a wave.

I was thinking hard on what sort of creature moved like that when he held out a white dress to my face.

So cute. He’s just like one of my little siblings from the orphanage when showing off of their art.

‘I made this while you slept. You arrived with no clothes on.’

Why of course… My clothes aren’t a part of me. I can’t make my integumentary system do that.

‘Snake skin?’ I studied it. White, stretchy, cool to the touch scaled fabric. I wouldn’t pick something so extravagant in my daily life, but the situation called for it.

’No. Not a snake skin.’

‘Turn around.’

He complied swiftly. I changed, stepping into the dress and tying the loose ends into a halter. It fit with ease.

Amazing craftsmanship! It’s like he’s made clothes for me before!

‘Okay. I’m dressed now. Thank you, Celphi.’

He still faced away, trembling. I moved closer. He covered his face and whimpered.

‘Celphi?’

‘I am not ready to see you yet my princess. I mean my Ina. No, I mean just Ina.’ He continuously covered his face, his body trembling stronger.

Suspicious.

‘Well, okay.’ I shrugged and went back to where I’d been sitting behind him. Safer that way.

Who knew? Magical creatures might just burst spontaneously.

I kept one wary eye on him as he muffled the noises he’s making.

Weird. Is he laughing? Crying? Both?

I started to fold the fur blanket that I was using as a dress.

Had I been pranked? He wouldn’t dare. I was his princess... Supposed princess.

I inspected the dress for any clues.

It looks safe.

I turned around to check on his well-being, just in time to meet his gaze. He toppled forward, clutching his chest as though in terrible pain. Alarmed, I rushed to hold him upright.

‘What is it?’ My voice cracked with worry.

It took him a moment to gather himself. He blinked, then blurted, breathless, ‘Brides of scaled-men wear their husband’s shed skin.’

He looked so ridiculously pleased with himself that my first impression of him, that of an elegant man, completely shattered. Nothing refined about him now. Just a boy grinning so brightly he looked ready to detonate.

Why you!

I threw the blanket over his face, ready to smother him on the spot, but his muffled laughter only grew louder.

‘If you combust from happiness, I won’t be surprised,’ I said.

He sat up, eyes serious. ‘Ina, many things changed while you were gone, but my feelings for you did not.’

I stared, wondering what to say.

So, is this where he confesses to taking me away from Earth? You’re cute and all but what about my feelings? My choices?

‘I apologize for overstepping. That must have been uncomfortable. Do not worry about it. I will not speak about my feelings for you again. Unless you asked for it.’

There he goes reading my mind again. Very considerate though. I’ll give him that.

‘Can you return me to my world?’ I asked, the question cold and untimely. There was no such thing as ‘‘perfect timing’’ to ask.

‘Give Meu a chance,’ he said. ‘If you despise it, I will use all my power to help you go back.’

’I have duties to return to. Everyone must be looking for me.’ I pleaded. I looked into his eyes, and I couldn't figure out what he was thinking or feeling.

‘Can you at least let my family know I’m safe? Am I dead there?’ My voice thinned.

‘You have found a family there? That is just like you.‘ He said softly. ‘Daystarshine.’

Daystar? Shine? A term of endearment?

‘I don’t know what’s left for you there,’ Celphi admitted, closing his eyes. ‘Worst case, they search forever. But your body is here. That much I know.’

I hugged my knees, leaning my head on top.

What will I do now? The kids must be looking for me. Ami and Mika. I have lots of responsibilities. I have a lot of people needing me.

No tears came. I felt more annoyed and confused than devastated.

I’d been brought here without consent, with an apparent role to fill. I already had a life and a path I’ve chosen. There are plenty of people who I care for that must be worried sick and looking for me.

I looked up at the three moons. Their varying enchanted glow soothed me.

If I’d truly fallen from that balcony, was there anything left to return to anyways? What if I had died? Did Raiona take my place on Earth? Like a soul swaperoo? Is there a way back?

‘What are those things that go from left to right?’ I pointed.

’Those are the rings around the planet. They surround Meu.’

Oh, so this planet is like Saturn, having rings around it. Shall I give this Meu place a try then? It looks beautiful so far… haha.. Am I really going by the planet’s aesthetics now?

‘It’s an area where myth and magic lies. More than this planet could hold.’ Celphi said painfully.

Why is he sad? Even when frowning he looks handsome.

‘But you saved me, Ina.’ Celphi’s gaze was full of gratitude. 

But it’s not me… You got the wrong person. Stop forcing me to be someone who I am not. I wish I could just sleep this all off.

He leaned closer, not to kiss me, but to lean his forehead on mine. His proximity somehow had a numbing effect on me. I felt that I could relax and not worry about anything. The scene blurred with moisture and the hypnotic night lulled me to sleep on Celphi’s arms. I felt his hand gently wipe my tears.

‘May we celebrate your birthdays together forever, Ina’.