Celphi’s Secret

Celphi stood beside me, overlooking the vast forest as if he owned it. His eyes darted around, reacting to every sound and flicker of movement, as if he could see hundreds of meters away.

Maybe he could.

He looked different under the sunshine. Or, daystarshine. If I had to sum him up in one word, it would’ve been “ethereal”. But that only applied when the moonlight touched him. Right now, he was a hunter. A predator ready to strike.

So cute. Is this what cat owners feel?

Looking at their little hunters and calling them “cute” despite knowing they’re lethal machines. His trained eyes scanned the distance, his nose twitching slightly as if tasting the air.

Cute. But actually, shouldn’t this be terrifying? Shouldn’t I be concerned?

But no. He was so lovable. And somehow, I felt this slowly budding, strange urge to protect him. Like I wanted to tuck him into my front pocket, the one closest to my heart, and keep him there forever.

I half-expected a forked tongue to flicker out between his lips, like a snake testing the air, but it never came. Instead, I just… stared. Taking in every detail of this stranger who felt less and less like a stranger.

Did he just side-eye me? What in the… Oh! He realized I was staring.

His awareness of it only made me more self-conscious. Any longer and I’d be inviting misunderstandings.

Back to the fruit. Focus on the fruit.

I sampled the last of the berries, bracing myself to interrogate him further… when suddenly he leapt straight out the window. Or door.

‘Aaah! No! Celphi!’ I shrieked. I ran to the opening, heart hammering, searching below.

‘Celphi?

I leaned out as far as I dared. Only greenery greeted me, dotted with pits that might’ve been traps around the base of the tree.

Uh, reminder to self: don’t fall again. That’s literally why we’re here.

A hundred meters away, branches shook and something white flashed. A sharp squawk split the air. Followed by silence.

‘I hope that’s you, Celphi. I can only handle one transforming creature per day,’ I mumbled.

I kept my eyes locked on that patch of forest. No more changes. Suddenly, the trunk beneath me trembled.

I blinked. ‘It’s me,’ said a familiar face, suddenly far too close to mine.

I shrieked like I was on a roller coaster. I nearly fainted from the shock. Ten years shaved off my life, just like that.

Celphi swung himself inside with terrifying ease, his tail gripping the tree as he slithered back through the opening. Within moments, he shifted fully human. Hair perfectly tied, features chiseled, pronounced “V” on his collarbone, arms toned, fingers elegant. The kind of glorious presence that gave me back all ten years I’d just lost. Maybe a bonus five. My eyes continued lower until…

‘Hey!’ I grabbed the empty fruit basket and hurled it at his lower half.

Thankfully, my reaction was quicker than my eyes could see. He changed into full human form without clothes. I’d have seen more of him than my sanity could handle.

Not that I should mind. I was a student nurse, a carer. Anatomy wasn’t foreign to me. But somehow, with him, it mattered. I did mind. And I didn’t know why.

He caught the basket with casual ease, like I’d just passed it to him. ‘I got you your favorite noisy bird,’ he said, holding up his catch.

‘That looks like a pheasant.’ I said, taking the bird gingerly, before turning my back. ‘Only bigger. And fatter.’

‘You had these in the other world as well?’ Celphi said with his usual adorable head tilt. ‘You can compare to see if the taste is similar.’

‘It’s called Earth.’ I said as I passed the fowl back to Celphi.

‘I actually never had the luxury.’ My voice softened. ‘I’m an orphan, you see. Most of my childhood was spent in an orphanage, with the people there. Now I’m just working hard to finish nursing school while caring for others.’

Celphi’s expression was sorrowful. By then, he had slipped on clothes. A light blue robe like garment, something between a monk’s attire and a yukata. The fabric shimmered faintly. It looked like reptile skin, but it was soft when I brushed against it. The whole look just elevated his innocence factor.

Convenient, really. Could he just… turn scales into clothes? Were they removable? Did he shed them?

‘Oh. Right. Terminologies you do not have on here. Got it. An orphanage is a place where youth without parents, or those with parents who gave them up for adoption, are taken in and helped through life. Nursing, I think, could be understood as a healer of sorts. But not magical of course.’

He nodded slowly. ‘You only remember from age thirteen onward?’

‘Yes. Nothing before that.’

He looked solemn. He stepped closer, raising his palm. Maybe to take my hand, but he hesitated and straightened up.

‘I should have been strong enough to protect you. I apologize, Ina.’

What was I supposed to say? I am tired of repeating myself. So I stayed silent.

‘When you were here,’ he began again, correcting himself, ‘when Raiona was here, it was a time of recovery. Of healing. Just before her arrival, calamities shook the world. Safety vanished. Resources grew scarce. Creatures scattered across the planet, waging wars for territory.’

He gestured for my hand again, and this time I met his halfway. He guided me to sit on a soft pile of fur near what looked like a sink.

‘Sit. I’ll clean this.’

He set to work, skilfully plucking and gutting the bird with a neatness that surprised me. ‘I remember you didn’t like this part,’ he added lightly.

He worked as he spoke. ‘King Arye is a just ruler. A loving man, devoted to Queen Tiaret and Princess Raiona.’

I commend you for not referring to me as Raiona this time. Good boy, Celphi.

‘He once served the scorpion kingdom as a combat specialist. He freed slaves, and because of his reputation, few dared to oppose him. At least, not overtly.’

That’s a relief! Maybe going “home” to a father like that wouldn’t be so bad. Then again, he is still a king. Kings give orders. Hmmm…

Celphi’s tone remained flat, as if reciting a history book. ‘Some of those he rescued rose to high positions in society. No one could deny his goodwill, his strength, his influence.’ His expression darkened. ‘Then came an incident. You were transported away. Around your early adolescence.’

So Raiona ended up on Earth? Did the summoning for her pull me instead? Or am I actually Raiona? What proof is there either way? I couldn’t keep up. I was just Ina, really.

Celphi caught my expression. ‘We can continue later. I understand it’s overwhelming. I will answer your questions, support your choices.’

Why did that sound insincere?

‘Thank you…’

‘Give me time. Once you grant me a chance, I’ll explain everything.’

‘Time for what? A chance to what?’

Silence.

I know I am getting annoyed but I also need information. I can’t let the distaste of my current predicament get in the way of my finding a way to get back.

The rhythm of his hands working through the bird meat was oddly soothing. Until a thought hit me. ‘Wait… is that also potentially another human?’

He chuckled. ‘No, some creatures don’t have enough magical energy in them and they are built to be just plain animals.’

‘So what separates you from them? Were you human first?’

He paused, looking up. ‘Hard to say. I am human in that I can procreate, for example. But in reptile form, I can devour humans. In that way, I am also a beast.’

My face betrayed me. ‘I hope you won’t eat me.’ I raised both arms, part joking, part serious.

His gaze softened into something that made my stomach flip. ‘My heart wouldn’t survive it.’

He stopped himself before saying more. I was glad. Any confession wouldn’t be meant for me, but for Raiona. No point in hearing it. The sound of feathers plucking filled the silence.

That was on me for putting us in that awkward situation. Kudos to Celphi for not talking about his romantic feelings without prompting, as he promised.

‘This world,’ Celphi said gently, ‘is made of animals and humans who transform into creatures. You alone could not transform. Unless that has changed?’

He saved the mood by being a gentleman and changing the topic smoothly. Very thoughtful.

‘Still a regular human,’ I said quickly. ‘Also, how are we cooking that?’

“I’ll cook however you wish. You just choose the spices. But we’ll do it further away. I don’t want to burn the tree or draw attention.”

‘Do you not use fire to prepare food here?’

‘Depends on the creature.’ He moved to a panel of bark I hadn’t noticed before. A hidden door. Behind it, a walk-in closet. From inside, he pulled out a long-sleeved fur top and trousers, complete with a fake tail.

‘And what animal am I supposed to be?’ I raised a brow.

‘That depends on the horns or ears you choose.’ He smiled, opening a box full of them.

‘This is like Comic Con.’ I plucked a pair of droopy black bunny ears to match my hair.

Celphi handed me the clothes, then pretended to be busy in the corner as I changed.

‘When did you change my clothes anyway? I thought you liked me wearing your shed skin.’

‘You looked cold. You fell asleep under the sky. I didn’t look or touch more than needed.’

‘Celphi, you don’t seem like the lying type. Don’t start now.’

‘I didn’t.’ His cheeks colored faintly. ‘I studied where I had to untie the fabric, looked away, and… removed it carefully. I did try to rouse you. But I probably did not try enough if you couldn’t recall.’ His voice carried the tiniest pout. ‘Forgive me.’

‘Fine. Just don’t do it again.’ I tugged the bunny ears into place. ‘Or just wrap me in blanket.’

He looked genuinely remorseful.

I have never felt that my safety was compromised with him so far. I understand, being a caretaker myself. I couldn’t leave someone unattended in such circumstance. He does seem to cater to me like a dedicated husband would. Hmm…

‘I do not sleep well in Earth. I usually experience a recurring nightmare. I find it unbelievable that I slept so well to be so out of it. Thank you for taking care of me.’

‘Nightmare?’ He tilted his head. ‘You looked so peaceful every time you sleep.’

‘Mmm… Which is a mystery. Let’s discuss it in-depth after eating.’ I said as my stomach grumbled some more.

Celphi stood there motionless, thinking deeply.

‘Do you have a hair tie?’ I searched the box but found nothing elastic.

‘Will cloth work?’ He cut strips from a stash, handing them over. As he reached back, I noticed notebooks before he shut the closet.

‘This works. Give me another?’ He passed two, and I braided my hair.

‘Are those your notes?’ I asked.

‘No. Yours.’

‘Oh!’ My pulse quickened. ‘Clues about Raiona? Can I read them?’

‘You can. Only you can.’

‘Must be Earth writing,’ I mumbled.

‘Ina.’

‘Yes?’

‘…Never mind.’

He stared at me then. Long, deep, searching. As if he were waiting for something inside me to wake up.