Episode 33

"Easy. Easy, Scarlet." Helfeirch's voice reminded her of calm, steady waters. "I've got you. Just lean on me." Her hands gripped onto him as tightly as her weakened state would allow. One of his arms around her back, she felt the other move under her knees. She found herself floating as he steadily carried her. She fought to keep her eyes open, but they slid shut anyways.

Soon, a familiar dinging sound rang overhead, and she knew they were back at the hotel. She hoped Pops wouldn't see her like this as she didn't want to worry him. Helfeirch seemed to have no problems carrying her up the stairs, for which she was thankful.

'He really is very strong.'

He lowered her feet to the floor long enough to open the door of their room before continuing to carry her on into the room, laying her gently on the bed.

"Sorry you had to carry me all that way," she finally managed to say. Scarlet was met with the warm touch of his hand petting her hair.

"I will always be here to carry you whenever you need me to." His voice was so quiet she almost didn't hear it.

---

Taking in a deep breath, Scarlet rolled over, opening her eyes.

'How long have I been sleeping?'

She could hear water running in the bathroom where the door had been left open.

'Helfeirch must be taking a shower.'

She pushed herself into a sitting position to find that her scales had returned to their pearl color. Looking toward the curtains, she guessed it was likely mid-day. Her eyes then settled on the drive that lay on the table next to the bed.

All the answers she'd longed for could be on that one small drive. On one hand, she had this burning desire to know everything. But on the other, she didn't want to know any more than she already did. She knew that the knowledge that lay before her would bring her no happiness. It might give her peace. But it would almost certainly greatly disturb her, which seemed terribly unfair.

"Having second thoughts?" Came Helfeirch's voice, breaking her train of thought.

"Not a chance," she answered as her head swiveled to look in his direction.

Scarlet could feel her breath catch in her throat, and her eyes swell at Helfeirch standing before her with nothing but pants on. She was not used to seeing men bare-chested as she had avoided any and all romantic entanglements after leaving Llygredd's Belly when she was younger.

Clearing her throat, she averted her eyes. "You seem to have become quite comfortable around me," she said lightly.

"Why wouldn't I be?" came the flat response from Helfeirch.

Scarlet forcefully kept her eyes directed down at her hands in her lap, the bare skin of her legs suddenly feeling cold. It was then that she realized that she herself only wore a large shirt and undergarments.

"Well, lately, most people seem to be either freaked out by me or scared of me… not that I blame them. I mean, like last night, I sort of went super crazy there for a minute," Scarlet rambled.

Suddenly, she saw Helfeirch kneel down before her to be in her field of vision, a small smile on his lips.

"I'm not scared, but I think you are."

"Well, of course, look at me," she quickly stated.

"That's not what I'm talking about." Helfeirch's voice was low as one of his warm hands grazed her leg. The sensation caused Scarlet's leg to jump slightly.

Her eyes widened as she watched his hand wrap around her leg, pulling it toward his mouth. The warmth of his lips and mouth on her skin left her gripping the bed as a current flowed from where he touched up to her core. Scarlet's eyes followed him as he rose from the floor to stand over her.

"So, are you scared?" he whispered, his eyes never moving from hers.

"Yes," she admitted in a quiet voice.

"Do you want me to stop?" he asked as he continued to study her face intently.

"No." She almost couldn't believe her own answer. But she knew it was an honest answer. She met those pale blue eyes that still studied her as a warm hand cradled her face. Her eyes slid shut as his lips met hers.