9 The Heart Tree

Winona's POV

"Hey, don't look so sad Ana, we can come here some other time," Kai said, and I can feel my skin covered with goosebumps as I can feel his proximity. I can feel his nearness as we try to take cover from the big jars. I can feel the uneasiness of my familiar as I try to use my dragon power to sense Lizardo, but I keep it low. I don't want anyone to detect that I am using some of my ability, and I don't want to risk it.

"Do you want to leave now, Ana?" He asked, and I nodded.

"I am sorry, Kai, this is why I don't want to visit here, but it made me wonder what the Capital looks like, and thank you so much for bringing me here," I said.

"It is okay, and you don't need to say sorry besides, it is not your fault being born without magic. You didn't choose to be that way." He said, and I know he was trying to comfort me, and my guilt is eating me again; if only Kai knew the reason I was hiding in Dasos is because of my hidden powers.

"Thank you, and you have done a lot for me already," I said.

"Don't worry, Ana, I bought a lot of spells here in Thesirea, and I want to say sorry I lied, actually my grandmother's potions don't work." He said.

"Really? How did you acquire the potions?" I asked, confused.

"Don't worry, I have a witch friend, and she is powerful, so I am sure her potions will work out just fine.

"It is okay, Kai, and for now, I will spend most of my time in Dasos forest because I don't want to experience this kind of fear again. Besides, you made my dream come true today, and I visited the capital, and this is the most beautiful gift I received on my birthday." I said, and I can see how his eyes widened.

"It is your birthday, Ana?" He asked.

"Yesterday," I replied.

"Really? Happy birthday and I am sorry if I didn't greet you yesterday. You could have told me." He said, and I smile.

"It is okay, and you were in a hurry yesterday," I said.

"Don't worry, Ana, and I will make it up to you." He declared.

"You don't need to do that, Kai," I said.

"Are you ready to go back to Dasos, or will you go home?" He asked.

"I will go to Dasos since they will not be looking for me anyway," I said, and he nodded.

"Okay, I will take you to, Dasos; close your eyes now, Ana." He said, and every time he calls me Ana, I feel guilty for hiding my true identity from him. I followed his instructions with a broad smile on my face, and as I can smell the option again after seconds, I can feel we are no longer in the Thesirea capital, and I can feel the fresh air that tickles my skin, and when I look up I caught him staring on my face.

"Can we go somewhere safe? I mean, I heard stories about this place. That is why I always stay away from the center of the forest. I always stay on the east side because my witch instinct is telling me it is the safest place inside this forest." I declared.

"Okay, let us go to the east side then." He replied.

"Isn't your grandmother looking for you at this hour?" I asked, and he shook his head.

"No, as long as I will bring her fresh meat, don't worry, I can hunt fast even in the dark." He replied, and I raise my eyebrow.

"Tell me honestly, Kai, you didn't use a potion when we teleport? Did your witch friend taught you a potent spell about teleportation, or maybe she was the well-known witch all over Thesirea because I can't believe a powerful potion can take us both back and forth?" I said.

"Well, believe me, it is a potion." He replied, and I want to ask him if his friend witch is Cordelia, my mom's number one enemy, because she was envious of my mom's power. But she is the only strong Witch aside from my mother who can use a potion or spell to teleport. I am still enhancing my power, and I believe with my Dragon and Witch magic, I can teleport quickly, and I need more training to achieve my goal.

I don't want to ask more questions, Kai, but if he met Cordelia's daughter, he could have asked for help from her because I am sure Nissa will like Kai, and she can ask for help from her mother. And I am so afraid if Kai will like Nissa because I know she is a beautiful Witch. Many mages in Thesirea fancy her because they believe she will follow he mother's footsteps.

"Hey, it seems you are in deep thought. Can you share it with me? What is in your mind right now, Ana?" Kai asked, and I smiled at him.

"Nothing, I just thought what happened a while ago back there in Magusari, and I want to say I am sorry," I said.

"It doesn't matter, Ana. What is important is I showed you the capital, and maybe when you are ready again, we can go back some other time." He declared.

"Don't waste your Thesirean coins on me, Kai. I know you work hard for it." I said.

"I don't care, Ana. If I have to work there again, I will do it to earn more coins so we can have some fun." He said.

"I have a business proposal for you. I can make hair bows, and maybe you can sell them at the capital. First, I have some savings you can buy me materials like satin, lace, and tulles. We can be partners, you know." I said, and he smiled broadly at me.

"Sure! That would be lovely, Ana. I will help you, and I love to have business with you, and I will tell you a secret. Do you know Thesirean coins can turn into pieces of jewelry in our world? And it would make me rich in the human world." He said, and I can't help myself but smile at him.

"Wow, that would be wonderful, it is nice that I can help you, Kai, and maybe when you become rich in your realm, I can stay in your house," I said, and he looked at me seriously.

"Do you want to run away from Thesirea, Ana?" He asked.

"Yes, Kai, but not for now. I still have something that I need to accomplish, and I think it is enough time to make our business grow, and then you can buy a house of your own, then you will welcome me in your home, and you will teach me everything I need to learn about the human world." I said, and I want to tell him who I am, but I don't want him to be afraid of me. Maybe fate allows us to meet because he can be my salvation. Once I can rescue my mom, I can bring her to the human world, and we can live with the humans and have a simple life away from the fears and the wickedness of King Alexandrix.

I will only tell Kai about my mom after I rescue her, and I am sure he will understand why I lie to him.

"Sure, if that is what you want, I can buy a house once we can earn from our business, Ana, at least now I have a purpose, and I can help my grandma." He replied, and I smiled.

"It would be alright with you if I stay with you in the human world?" I asked, and he nodded.

"Yes, Ana, it would be fantastic." He said, and now that I met Kai, it made me realize I need to practice more so I can be ready to rescue my mom, and I think it is about time to think strategically about how to get inside the Dracousia Kingdom without being detected. I need to plan, and if ever we don't have enough savings yet, maybe Kai can find a place for us to stay in the human world, and I can work, and perhaps life in the human realm will be lighter. I have my magic. Just thinking about it made me feel so excited.

We settle ourselves under the big tree, and this is my favorite place in Dasos. The tree has red heart-shaped leaves. And I call it the heart tree. And the giant leaves of the heart tree that touched the ground hide us from anyone, and we are inside the big leaves. We are talking, and the more I talk with Kai, the more I realize I like him.

"I think I should get going now, Ana," Kai said.

"Okay, Kai," I replied.

"Can I see you again tomorrow?" He asked, and I nodded quickly. I want to tell him that I like the idea that he will be spending more of his time with me.

"I will go to Magusari tomorrow, and I will buy you the materials that you need." He declared.

"I don't have my coins with me, Kai," I answered.

"Never mind, Ana, pay me when you start earning from your ribbons." He said.

"I want to spend more time with you, Ana, but I know my grandma is looking for me now." Kai declared.

"Bye, Ana, I will be looking forward to seeing you tomorrow." He said, and he smiled widely at me. Then he gets out of our hiding place.

I return to the cave with a heavy heart as I remember Lizardo and my escapades with Kai at Magusari. I know I feel guilty, but I didn't do anything. I only got out of the cave and visited the Capital, and I know I deserve some punishments for my offenses, but I can't tell Lizardo about it because I don't want him to be disappointed with me. As I wait for Lizardo to come, I wondered again about what I should do to infiltrate the Dracousia Kingdom.