Chapter 14

Eolen followed Tea through the house, they been walking through the house for what seem hours. He was now pretty sure that Tea knew nothing of the whereabouts of the kitchen. Thought he still followed, the longer he was still in the house. The longer he was away from that monstrous beast, Ryian.

After another run around he saw the portraits he’d seen before and could no longer stay silent, “Tea, how many times you been to the kitchen?”

Tea turned round smiling sheepishly, Um… erm… well… you know… erm…none…!

Eolen slapped his foreheads and rolled his eyes, “So, be honest are you just trying to keep me here?”

She looked down and fiddled with the cord of dressing gown, “erm... well I erm... no! no i don't want you here! To be honest, i want you to get what you need and get out! at least before Mast...” She turned bright shade of pink and quickly continued “... Jared comes back!”

Eolen eyed Tea wearily, “Am I going insane or did I just hear you say master?”

Tea began to really admire the floor, “Erm… um… erm… well – wait is that new shoes?”

Eolen frowned at Tea but decided to leave it, “Well better get to kitchens then!”

Tea looked up and nodded quickly, “Yeah… Kitchen, not much longer to go!”

Tea really had no idea where the kitchen was, she just kept denying her feelings for Eolen, but she stilled loved him so much, after everything.

She sighed so confused then spoke quietly, “Eolen, why did you take so long… please answer me?”

Eolen stopped and almost stumbled. He spun round smiling nervously, “Tea, I love you, but…!”

She stomped her bare foot angrily, “But what!?”

Eolen stuttered a quick reply and walked briskly deeper into the house.

Tea sighed. What was his problem, why wouldn’t he tell me? She thought.

She stood aware she’d need to find him, but would he always avoid the answers like this?

It was crazy but after all this, she still just wanted to set her lips on his and kiss long and passionately.

Tea sighed, ever since her parents were killed, her life was moving at a hundred miles per hour. Everyone she knew expected her to do something, Jared for sex, Eolen to come without asking questions. The butler to just stay out his way. The more she thought about it, the more she realized just how much, she’d lost control of her life. Where once she was a free spirit; now she was a caged bird, forced to only sing when people wanted it. Where once her whole body had echoed freedom, it had no mutated into a captive soul.

Eolen had to explain a lot, but for now, she’d be content with being free, finally.

She hoped she’d find her once-lover in here, the house was a maze

This part of the house was new to her; she’d only been to the dining room, Jared’s study and his bedroom. Pictures surrounded her both sides, some of landscapes others of what seem like relations. She admired the pictures while walking. Such landscapes couldn’t exist now she thought.

She rounded the next corner to hear someone in distress, there stood Eolen looking at a picture of some home.

It was a quaint building with one chimney, a pale red tone for the roof. A stone foundation coloured grayish. Smoke was burling out the chimney. Outside the house was a magnificent garden, growing all sorts of flowers and plants. Lastly, the view was remarkable for as far as the painting could show only hills and flora was surrounding the house.

Eolen was still looking when Tea tapped him lightly on the shoulder.

He spun round startled; when he saw it was Tea, he wiped his eyes, “Sorry for doing that…”

Tea let out a loud impatient sigh, “Eolen, we both need to be honest here, do you truly love me, for a start?”

Eolen fidgeted nervously with his jacket then answered softly, “Yes…”

She smiled content then frowned, “Eolen here’s something you may be thinking, but I’ve no idea where the kitchen is.”

Eolen breathed out calmly, “I know, but I’ve just remembered something about the layout of the house, the building in itself is a sort of prison the way it’s built. You see from the outside it looks strange; inside, normal. The thing that changes this idea is when you move deeper in. Some believe his architect was a man of magic, but I just believe it’s only built to serve one purpose. Imprison souls.”

Tea nodded, “So do you know where the kitchen is?”

Eolen smiled eyes now dry; “I’ve an idea where we are. The plans of this building were shown to me, I’ve a feeling we’re in the Right Wing, so the kitchen is located in the Left Wing, in the same place as the dining room.

Tea sighed disappointed, “If you knew this house better than me, then why didn’t you tell me?”

Eolen sighed grabbed her arms and led her in the right direction. Tea tensed at his touch, “So what was the picture about?”

Eolen stared ahead a fixed expression on his face, “It’s nothing, don’t ask again!”

She pulled away from his grip and stood where she was her eyebrows slanted slightly, “Don’t tell me not to ask something again, I’m sick of men who hide stuff… Until you tell me something other than false truths, I’m not moving!”

Eolen frowned, “I never asked to fall in love with you, if you want me to be honest, you’ve just complicated things so much. Fine I’m being honest. You wanted truth there’s the truth!”

Eolen wiped some tears from his eyes. It had hurt so much to say that, he saw Tea staring at him cold fury in her eyes. "Complicated!? Is that all I am a complication? A thing that only causes problem..." Tears appeared in her eyes.

"Eolen, you've no right to play with my heart like this, no right! End these emotional games and just be honest for once!"

Eolen let out a loud sad sigh tears in his eyes, “The complication is… I love you!”

Tea yelled frustrated, “Here you go again, playing with my heart like it’s a toy you can discard when you feel like it!”#

Eolen eyes fell towards the carpet, he murmered, “I love you!”

Tea frowned annoyed, “Eolen words, aren’t enough, prove it, I’m sick of hearing you say it since you’ve come back, you’ve not tried anyway to prove your love…!”

Eolen sighed and looked up his red hair shielding his eyes, “Tea… I promise after we’re safe I will, but right now…”

Tea smiled rather warmly, “Eolen, I just want a kiss is all…!

Eolen smiled weakly, “I can’t, I honestly want too, but I can’t!”

Tea frowned but tried again, “If you want too then please, I just need a soft tender kiss, nothing more.”

She walked over to him and pushed his fringe away, “Just one kiss.”

Eolen smiled shakily, “One kiss, you promise, you’ll trust me after this?”

Tea smiled and nodded, leaning in she touched his lips when she heard a grunt of disproval. Eolen pulled away and she sighed sadly.

The grunt was the butler, “Mistress should respect you’re husband’s wishes, I’ll report this vagabond to my master once he returns.” The butler sneered patronizingly.

Tea stood shocked then rage appeared in her eyes, she immediately ran at the frail old man and knocked him over.

He was so startled by this. He began to try stand up again, but Tea’s look was terrifying,

“Now get this straight, you listen to me, if you say anything about Eolen, I’ll make your life a living hell… I’ll always be looking for a time to kill you. I will never stop this. You’ll never sleep, I won’t allow it… When I die, I’ll haunt you… You can avoid all this, by saying nothing!”

The old man stood up shakily blushing, and made a quick formal bow, muttering, “No one bests me!”

Tea frowned, “Did you say anything?”

The old man stood and shook his head sweat pouring from him, he walked away rapidly muttering oaths.

Eolen blinked confused, “You do realize he’ll tell Jared!”

Tea grinned wrapping one arm around his waist, “It won’t matter I’ll be gone!”

Eolen still stared, she fluttered her eyes and he blushed, “You threatened him!?”

Tea giggled as he gawked at her, “He threatened us, I only made sure I’d never lose you again!”

Eolen wrapped his arm round her waist and walked, she beamed, “I put the fear of god in him there!”

Eolen smiled, “-hey do I smell something cooking?”

Tea sniffed and nodded, “Yeah, that’s food!”

Eolen let go of Tea and ran round the next corner following the aroma.

Tea caught up with him and smiled, “Well, not long till I’m free of Jared!”