Chapter 13 The Stone Whisperer

Melody slept, like really long. The moment she woke up half of the day and one night passed. It was probably due to stress she felt and all the exertion she had the night before. She had a talk with Illia and now she felt that she knew him better. He was very insecure about himself and he was jealous. Well at least she knew he liked her, like a lot. Melody covered herself in the duvet and was giggling underneath it reminiscing all what happened. What she did with Ilia, his touch and how he was holding her when they were coming back from the mountain. She wished she had a friend here to talk about it, but she had only future mother in law or sister in law. She wasn't willing to tell them anything. Melody took extra care to get dressed and style her hair to look nice. She felt a bit awkward after all that fuss. They are probably angry with her, she acted like a little child. Running away instead of solving problems. It's not like it was all her fault but still she made a contract with Torib. Facing Illia's parents won't be a comfortable thing. Can't be avoided anymore. Melody stepped out of her room. The whole family was sitting at the table and was immersed in discussion. The stopped however as soon as she came.

"Good morning." Melody greeted them feeling even more off than a minute before.

"Melody, I'm glad you are up." Lorien smiled. "I'll make you something to eat, you must be hungry." Lorien stood up and fetched her some soup and bread as well as a cup of tea.

"Thank you." Melody was hungry. The food smelled and tasted delicious. They all were quiet and kept looking at Melody. She felt the pressure and stopped eating.

"Hmm, regarding what happened …. I would like to apologize for my behavior." Melody's face was red. She wanted to say something more but was interrupted by Torib.

"That's not an issue here. Whatever happened between you two is Illia's fault too and he learned his lesson." The look he gave his son said it all. Illia was gloomy. "There is something different we need to talk about." Torib sounded so serious and Melody felt tense.

"Yes father, what have I done?" Melody couldn't hide how nervous she became.

"Torib, stop it, you make her scared." Lorien patted her shoulder. "Eat Melody, your food is getting colder. We will talk when you finish." She smiled, but Melody couldn't eat anything more. She nimble a bit with the bread and that's it. She was done. Lorien shook her head looking at Torib and collected all the breakfast leftovers.

Torib placed the two stones on the table and looked at Melody.

"You said you heard them. What did you mean by that?"

Melody looked around at Torib's whole family and felt a lump in her throat.

"Well, they were ….. buzzing. I heard them and as soon as I touched them they stopped." Melody was trying to explain it as clearly as she could.

"Has this ever happened before?" Torib asked further.

"It happened twice, once with this stone that changes its color and second time the other night." She hushed a bit not willing to recall the whole story back.

"So it started all here?" Torib wanted a precise answer.

"Yes, father. It all started here." Melody admitted not sure whether it was fine or not.

There was silence, Torib looked at his wife and son. They seemed to have some sort of understanding between them.

"Did I do something wrong?" Melody was worried, the silence and their serious expressions made her uneasy.

"No Melody, if what you are saying is right, you are a Stone Whisperer. This is a rare gift and the last Stone Whisperer we had here was like over a hundred years ago." Torib explained.

"What is a Stone Whisperer?" Melody bit her lower lip, she didn't want to cause any more problems.

"That's a rare gift Melody, Stone Whisperer is a person who is called by magical stones and crystals. A person who can track them without searching as they call for them. If, I mean IF you are a stone Whisperer then our community has been blessed. You are a real gift. However Melody, if someone hears about it we are in trouble as you will become even more valuable." Torib scratched his beard. "I know that at present only one tribe has a living Stone Whisperer and she is over ninety years old. If someone learns about you, then they will try anything to gain you or simply steal you."

Illia looked gloom, more than ever. Melody looked at him but he avoided her sight.

"First I will go to our headman and inform him that your wedding is going to be sped up and will happen next month."

Melody said nothing, she was shocked and looked at Illia who smiled a bit. He looked as if he didn't mind the change of plans.

"No need to look so surprised Melody, we all know that Illia and you are fond of each other and can't keep your hands off." Torib said it so casually but Melody was flushed red. Really, he said such words so easily, straight in her face.

"One more thing, no one can know about your ability Melody. We need to check it first. When I come back we will get ready for a trip to the border." having said that Torib stood up and left.

Melody felt confused, everything was happening so quickly. She was sent back to her room to get ready. She took a woolen dress, the warmest she had and comfortable shoes, she was given by Lorien. She still couldn't figure out how she felt. Everything was decided within a few minutes like she had nothing to say in that matter. Right, she actually had nothing to say. She knew she would marry Illia so what's the problem? Still she felt uncomfortable, it was too fast. She thought she had time. She was sitting on her bed and looking at the shoes Lorien gave her, unable to process everything. They called her a stone whisperer. Was it good? Somebody knocked on the door.

"Come in." She said automatically.

It was Illia. There was some awkwardness in him still he came closer.

"Are you getting ready for the trip?"

"Ymm, yes I do." Melody put the shoes aside.

"Look Melody – Illia sat down next to her – I know you are uneasy now, but it will be fine." He wanted to comfort her. That felt nice so Melody smiled a little. Her smile encouraged Illia more. He placed his arm around her.

"I was thinking since we are going to be married soon we should start … you know, be together."

"What?" That was all Melody was able to say in that very moment.

"I mean you like me right?" Melody nodded, making Illia's face bright with joy. "Good and you enjoyed what we did together, I know you did. I could feel it Melody." His voice became deeper and he leaned closer. Melody felt cornered for a moment then she pushed him a little.

"Well yes, I'm not denying it Illia but you want everything so fast." Melody was trying to explain herself.

"What is the problem Melody? We both liked it. Why can't we go on?" His reasoning made sense, kind of. She didn't know how to respond to that so she just sat down quietly and Illia decided not to waste his time. He gently placed a peck next to her lips and since she didn't move away he slowly slid his hand right behind her head and kissed her lips. First gently, making her open her mouth and then more aggressively. His tongue was like all over her mouth pressing and sucking her lips, Melody couldn't resist, her mind was hazy. Illia pushed her a little and was now laying on top of her. They were kissing all the time, almost forgetting to breathe. He placed himself between her legs and despite wearing clothes, she could feel his excitement.

"Melody, I want you so bad." He whispered into her ear. "Be mine Melody." There was something in his way of speaking and the whole situation that she almost said 'Yes'. The loud knock on the door brought her back to reality.

"Get ready, we are leaving before noon." It was Torib and Melody felt awkward again because she was caught by her father in law doing some dirty stuff with her (almost) husband. She sighted.

"Illia, when will our house be ready?" She asked bluntly.

For a moment Illia was looking at her processing what she just said and then a grin appeared on his face.

"I will build it within one month, for you Melody so we can have our privacy. Just as you want." He placed a light kiss on her lips and stood up.

"We need to get ready for the trip." The grin on his face remained even when he was leaving her room.