HE IS AN INGRATE

Moyan didn't know how to react. He fought so hard to take control when he saw the snâkes launch an attack.

The determination in Lothana's eyes made him feel helpless. He had never cared about whether he lived or dies, but because of her, he was willing to fight even death.

Moyan got up steadily, and walked to the fire. He groåned in pain when he was in the fire but he continued walking till he was out of it.

Lothana on the other hand was busy trying to fend off the attack of the snãkes.

"Stop it! Stop! I command you to stop"! James yelled in fright. He ran in front of Lothana, to help her fight against the snãkes.

Since he was in front of Lothana, the snãkes stoped their attack as they couldn't harm their master. They stood motionless like puppets.

"Get away from her"! Moyan pushed him away. Despite his pain, he cradled Lothana in his arms, and hugged her tightly.

Lothana blinked rapidly. At first she couldn't register the situation, but after that, she questioned Moyan. "Are you okay"?

"Silly woman! You should be worried about yourself than asking if I'm okay". Moyan mocked.

" Why did you do it"? He tore out the already ripped cloth and tied to Lothana's bleeding palm.

The feeling of being indepted to someone is not something that he wants.

"Ahhhh....."!!! Miriam yelled in fright. She stared at Moyan's bare body in disbelief. Seeing the moving drawings on his body, she was scared that she passed out.

James watched the interaction between Lothana and tiger, in daze. He didn't even react to the dissolving snãkes.

"I don't know why. I just couldn't watch you be in dãnger. It's strange isn't it"? Lothana turned to ask him. She is a person with few emotions so she couldn't understand what she felt.

"Yes it's very strange". Moyan frowned.

" Lothana we should go". James fixed his expression, and gestured to Lothana harmlessly.

"You should leave first with Miriam". Lothana pointed with her lips to Miriam who was still on the ground. "I'll be back later".

"I don't know him so I can't be assured leaving you with him". James said sternly, and tried to pull her up.

"What wrong with you dude"? Lothana moved back, and looked at James with disgust. She hated being bossed by someone who shouldn't do it!

Moyan stared expressionlessly at them. He had no intentions of interrupting them. It's none of his business after all.

"We need to go now. We can talk about my behavior later"! James insisted. He isn't about to leave the woman he loves in the hands of his enemy.

Although he might have don't I before, it was because of his mission but now he won't take the risk.

"James....." Lothana drawed warningly.

"Fine! But you have to... Forget about it". James picked up Mariam and walked away.

He didn't want to admit that he knew nothing will happen to Lothana. The air between her and tiger is harmonious.

..... ..... .....

Lothana kept staring at James' back as he walked away. She couldn't shake of the feeling that he is acting weirdly strange.

"Why did you decide to stay back? There is nothing left here to do"! Moyan stood up, and dusted his pants.

"You're still in pain". Lothana pouted out. She could see his hand vibrating, in attempt to control the pain. "You don't do well with heat"? She asked.

" It's nothing for you to be concerned about". Moyan dismissed.

Lothana ignored his protest, and held his hand, transferring coldness to him. Although she could do it without touching him, there would be no fun there.

Her mind wandered to the time he didn't even flinch in the freezing water she made as a punishment for him.

"You shouldn't do too much for me. I can't give you anything in return". Moyan's thick voice rang from above her head.

"You don't need to give me anything. A 'thank you' would do the trick". Lothana rolled her eyes at him.

"What is truly your motive of approaching me"? Moyan's asked. He couldn't believe that she was ready to pass through the soul awakening flame, just because she find him interesting.

"Are we still on that? I thought we've already passed that level"! Lothana said in disbelief.

"You can't blame me for being suspicious. I've lived for many years and have seen tricks of women like you". Moyan said with clouded eyes. Martha was just like Lothana... Willing to do anything for him, but it was all a lie.

If there is one thing he found out from his journey to Thaera, it I'd that the shape shifting woman is somehow related to Martha, his first love.

Women are all like that... ' ingrates'!

"Jeez you're a saddist. Can't you take a favor as it is? Really I pity those good Samaritans out there. If they meet someone like you, they may be forced turn into people who need help"! Lothana spat in ânger. Yes ânger! He has brought out this emotions in her. 'what level of ingratitude is this'?

"Well I'm rational! Compared to you"! Moyan said in ânger. He was not angry at her, but at himself. For having complected emotions for her.

"Did you just call me måd"? Lothana exploaded in ânger. This guy is asking for beating!

"Give it any meaning you want. It's your brain anyway". Moyan rolled his eyes, and supported Eril who was half conscious, and walked away.

"Did-did he walk out on me"? Lothana asked in shock. She was fuming that one could literally see red smokes coming out of her nose and ears.

"I'll get back at you"!! Lothana stumped her foot and walked away.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*

"How dare you watch and do nothing"!!! Duke Arson yelled at the people kneeling.

"We're sorry my Lord. Punish us"? They said in unison.

" Punish you? Of course I have plans of doing that"! Duke Arson said, and pulled out the dagger from one them, stabbing it into their thighs.

They all groåned in pain but didn't complain. The Duke looked at a particular man who knelt there without groaning like others. A frown settled on his face.

"Leave. Continue your punishment in the right place"! He seethed in ânger.

"I'm sorry Dad". The man he looked at before apologized after others left.

"Where were you"? Duke Arson turned his back, and glanced at the sky through the window.

"I went out on irrelevant stuffs. I have no excuse". The young man bowed.

" Is she good to you.. Troy"? Duke Arson suddenly asked.

" What"? Troy looked at him in confusion. "Er.... Yes she is"? He coughed uncomfortably, his ears turned red.

"The main reason I punished you is because you exposed yourself to danger without telling me. You may be part of my team, but you are my son. Your identity is special! Don't forget that"! Duke Arson said.

Troy smiled. Unlike other who feel sad about being scolded by their parents, he is always delighted as it reminds him of his father's love.

"Don't be such a masochist. Go and get yourself treated". Duke Arson ordered with a hidden smile.

*.*.*.*.*.*

Moyan placed Eril on his bed, and fed him a transparent liquid.

The reason why he chose Eril as his right hand man I'd not only because of loyalty but because he had the ability to neutralize the heat in his body.

"Do you think I was too harsh on her"? Moyan asked the half awake Eril.

"No master you weren't". Eril said the obvious. He knew Moyan and knew the reply that he is expecting.

"Yes. I knew I did nothing wrong. It's best she forgets about me because I won't leave my aim because of her". Moyan said in determination.

Eril had the urge to tell his master that he was stūpïd but he couldn't muster the courage to say so.

*.*.*.*.*.*

Lothana sat on the dining table alone, eating her food.

"He called me mâd"! She stabbed her meat fiercely, envisioning Moyan.

"You're the mád person! Fóòlish! Sénsèléss! Idíòt"! Lothana grounded her teeth to the point of breaking it.

"Wonder who the guy that you're kïllïng is ". Hyden snickered.

"Who did you take after? Your annoyance is simply extraordinary "! Lothana sneered.

" Oh.. isn't mom the best"? Hyden forced back his laugh and skipped away.

"I have weird people in my family"! Lothana muttered under her breath.

" Moyan.. whatever your other name may be, you will regret treating me the way you did"!