13. Bella

13

BELLA

I make my way through the winding cave passages. The soft echo of trickling water guides me towards the fresh spring Jytos showed me earlier. As I walk, I can't help but feel his intense gaze following me, those deep green eyes tracking my every move.

It's strange how quickly things can change. Just days ago, the mere sight of him would have sent me into a panic. Now, I find myself growing more comfortable in his presence with each passing hour.

"You okay back there?" I call over my shoulder, surprising myself with the ease in my voice.

"Just making sure you don't get lost," he rumbles, his deep voice reverberating off the cave walls as he starts to follow close behind me.

I chuckle softly. "I think I can manage to find some water without getting completely turned around." But a part of me is secretly relieved that he's close behind me.

As I reach the small pool of crystal-clear water, I kneel down and cup my hands to take a drink. The icy liquid is refreshing, and I splash some on my face, relishing the cool sensation against my skin.

My mind wanders to the gentle way he kissed my temple earlier. The memory sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. It's confusing, this mix of uncertainty and... something else. Something I'm not quite ready to name.

"You know," I say, turning to face him, "for someone so big and scary looking, you can be surprisingly gentle."

He tilts his head, a curious expression crossing his face. "Is that a compliment or an insult?"

I can't help but laugh. "Neither. Just an observation."

As I stand up, I find myself studying him more closely. The way his tentacles move with a fluid grace, how his sharp teeth glint in the low light of the cave. He's still terrifying in many ways, but there's something undeniably fascinating about him too.

"What are you thinking?" he asks, his voice softer than usual.

I hesitate, unsure how to put my jumbled thoughts into words. "I'm thinking... that maybe the village elders were wrong about you. You're not just some mindless monster to be feared."

As night falls, exhaustion seeps into my bones. The events of the past few days have left me drained both physically and emotionally. I make my way to the makeshift bed, a pile of soft furs nestled in a cozy alcove of the cave.

"Sleep well," he rumbles, his deep voice oddly soothing.

I nod, managing a small smile before curling up on the furs. The cave's chill nips at my skin, but the pelts provide a comforting warmth. As I drift off to sleep, my mind wanders to thoughts of home, of the village I once knew...

Suddenly, I'm back there. The familiar wooden houses loom around me, but something's off. The air feels thick, oppressive. Villagers I've known my whole life stare at me with cold, unfeeling eyes.

"Sacrifice," they chant, their voices rising in a terrifying crescendo. "Sacrifice!"

Elder Belinda steps forward, her wrinkled face twisted into a cruel sneer. "It's for the greater good, Bella. You understand, don't you?"

I try to run, but my feet won't move. Hands grab at me from all sides, dragging me towards a pyre that's suddenly appeared in the village square. The flames lick hungrily at the wood, reaching for me...

I jolt awake with a gasp, my heart pounding. Sweat plasters my hair to my forehead, and I can't stop shaking.

"Bella?" Jytos's voice cuts through the darkness laced with concern. "What's wrong?"

I can't find my voice, can't form words. The nightmare clings to me like a second skin leaving me trembling and disoriented.

In an instant, Jytos is by my side. His massive form should be intimidating, but instead, I find his presence comforting. One of his tentacles reaches out, gently brushing a tear from my cheek. I hadn't even realized I was crying.

"Bad dream?" he asks softly.

I nod, finally finding my voice. "The village... they were..."

"Shh," he soothes, his tentacles wrapping around me in a protective embrace. "You're safe now. I won't let anyone hurt you."

As I lean into his touch, the stark contrast between Jytos and the villagers hits me like a punch to the gut. The people I'd known my entire life, the community I'd trusted, had betrayed me without a second thought. They had dressed me up like a lamb for slaughter, all in the name of their so-called "greater good."

But Jytos, this creature I'd been taught to fear, has shown me nothing but compassion and protection. He's given me food, shelter, and now, comfort in my darkest moment.

"Why?" I whisper, more to myself than to him. "Why are you so compassionate with me?"

He's quiet for a moment, his eyes searching my face. "Because," he finally says, "everyone deserves some compassion. Even a monster like me."

His words strike a chord deep within me. I reach out, placing my hand on his arm. "You're not a monster, Jytos. Not to me."

The next morning, I wake to the soft glow of light filtering through the cave entrance. Jytos is already moving about preparing for the day ahead. I stretch, my muscles aching from yesterday's exertions.

"Morning," I mumble, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

He turns, his green eyes locking onto mine. "Do you feel better?"

I nod, pushing away the lingering unease from last night's nightmare. "What's on the agenda today?"

"Gathering herbs," he replies. "There's a patch not far from here. Could use an extra pair of hands."

I stand up quickly. "I'd be happy to help."

As we make our way through the winding tunnels, I can't help but notice how Jytos's body moves with a fluid grace that belies his size.

We emerge into a small clearing, bathed in dappled sunlight. The air is thick with the scent of herbs and wildflowers. He points to a cluster of plants with vibrant purple leaves.

"These are what we're after," he explains. "Careful, though. They've got tiny barbs."

I nod, kneeling beside him. As I reach for the first plant, my hand brushes against one of his tentacles. A jolt of electricity shoots up my arm, and I jerk back, my heart racing.

"You okay?" he asks, concern evident in his voice.

"Fine," I manage, trying to ignore the lingering tingle where our skin touched. "Just startled myself."

We work in companionable silence, our hands and tentacles moving in tandem. Every so often, our fingers brush, sending sparks dancing across my skin. I find myself hyperaware of his presence, the heat radiating from his body, the soft sound of his breathing.

As I reach for a particularly stubborn plant, I lose my balance. Jytos's tentacles shoot out, wrapping around my waist to steady me. The contact sends a rush of warmth through my body, and I find myself leaning into his touch.

"Careful," he murmurs, his face inches from mine. I can see every detail of his otherworldly features - the sharp angles of his jaw, the deep green of his eyes, the way his tentacles quiver slightly as they hold me.

For a moment, we're frozen in place, the air between us charged with unspoken tension. Then, slowly, he releases me, his tentacles lingering for just a second longer than necessary.

I clear my throat, trying to ignore the way my heart is pounding. "Thanks," I manage.

As we continue our task, I can't shake the feeling of his touch. It's confusing, this unexpected attraction. He's so different from anyone I've ever known, and yet...

I steal a glance at him, watching the way his muscles ripple as he works. There's a raw power that both terrifies and fascinates me. I find myself fantasizing being held by those strong arms, to feel those tentacles caressing my skin...

I shake my head, trying to banish the thought. It's ridiculous, isn't it? And yet, as our hands brush once more, I can't deny the spark of desire that ignites within me.

As we finish gathering the herbs in the dappled sunlight, I can't ignore the growing warmth in my body. His deep, rumbling voice and gentle touches make my heart race in a way I've never experienced before.

What's happening to me? This isn't right, is it? He's not human. He's... something else entirely.

But as I watch him move with that fluid grace, his powerful form so at odds with his gentle touch, I can't deny the attraction building within me. It's not just physical - though there's certainly that. It's the way he looks at me, like I'm the most precious thing in his world. The way he's protected me, sheltered me, when my own people cast me aside.

I think back to just yesterday when we encountered an aggressive creature near the cave entrance. Jytos didn't hesitate. He leapt into action, his tentacles lashing out with brutal efficiency. In moments, the threat was neutralized. I should have been terrified. Instead, I felt... safe. Protected.

His brutality, which once filled me with fear, now stirs something primal within me. He's powerful, yes, but that power is used to keep me safe. To keep me close to him.

"Bella?" his voice breaks through my reverie. "You've been staring at that same plant for a while now. Everything okay?"

I blink, realizing I've been lost in thought for some time. "Sorry, I just... I was thinking."

"About?" He tilts his head, those impossibly green eyes fixed on me.

I swallow hard, my heart pounding. How can I explain these confusing feelings? This mix of desire and uncertainty?

"About you," I admit softly. "About... us."

He suddenly goes very still, his tentacles quivering slightly. "What about us?"

I breathe deeply, steeling myself. "I think I'm developing feelings for you, Jytos. And it scares me because I don't know if it's right. But it feels... it feels like the most natural thing in the world."