Shackled (The Lord Series) by Carlos

**Erelah**

We looked for her for a long time, but found no trace of her. While I don't know what happened to her, I hope she left to search for her fisherman, and they are happy together.

I quickly discard the idea of sneaking Grumpy into the monastery. Not only would I get shunned, but he would also be sent far away from here. And...I don't think I'm ready to let him go. Not until he knows my language and his wings are healed.

Yes.

Once he knows enough words to make himself understood and his wings no longer bother him, then he is free to go wherever he pleases.

My steps falter a bit.

But what if he doesn't want to leave?

I don't think that's the case. I have seen how he looks at the chain. He's tried more than once to free himself but gave up each time. The chain is unbreakable. I made sure of it. He will be stuck in that cave until I release him.

It is dark when I make it to the monastery. Most of the Warrior Nuns are inside, probably having dinner. Guilt surges through me. While I have always done my duties diligently, since I've found Grumpy, I have sought reasons to be away from the monastery, neglecting my sisters. What if the demons attacked while I was away?

I rub my temples. I must finish healing Grumpy's wings so everything can return to normal.

Sister Lailah is in the courtyard, her nose buried in one of her many books. She only stops reading when I sit next to her.

"Sister Erelah, I was waiting for you."

"Is something the matter?"

I wait for her to say what's on her mind, but she falls silent. I can tell something is troubling her, but I don't dare to ask her what because I feel she knows about Grumpy.

She closes her book and puts it on her knees. "Guard your heart well because the heartless one will steal it. When that happens, everything will burn."

Sister Lailah sees things others don't, but she often talks in riddles so it takes a while to understand what she means.

"I will keep that in mind," I say.

****

I spent the next few days going to the hut, cleaning and stocking the firewood. I haven't lit any fires in the cave, not wanting to risk any of my sisters seeing the smoke and inspecting where it was coming from. I'm not the only one who likes roaming the forest.

When everything is ready, I go to Grumpy.

The moment I set foot in the cave, he glares at me. While busy with the hut, I barely came to see him.

I put the pouch with food beside him and take out the dry meat.

"I know I was busy, but there's no need to be grumpy all the time," I say when I hand him a piece of dried meat. The word grumpy makes him look funny at me. "You are starting to recognize that word. I wouldn't call you that if you would let me know your real name. So, hurry up and do that," I huff before taking a bit of my dried meat.

I sigh. 

Probably noticing something troubling me, Grumpy sets aside the food and has me look at him. "Erelah?"

"I know my name-no need to repeat it so many times. It's not like I'm going to suddenly forget it," I mutter. I give him another piece of meat, "Eat. We will be leaving soon." A faint smile appears on my face. "You're going to like the hut." "Eat," Grumpy says before taking a huge bite of the dried meat.

Ever since I decided to teach him my language no matter what, he has been learning more and more words. It will take a while until we can have a conversation, but until then, it will be fun teaching him.

While we eat, I keep pestering him about the words I taught him the previous day before we move on to new ones.

After our quick lunch, I get to my feet and look around the cave. "We will travel light. I have already taken what you need to the hut, so we won't need to carry anything from here." I have already taken his armor and sword to another location, not wanting him to put his hands on them and have any funny ideas.

"Erelah?"

"Hmm?" I murmur as I check the food satchel. When Grumpy makes no more sounds-what a shock! I turn my attention to him. He looks puzzled, so I say, "You will see."

Once I have everything I need, I look at the chain. Grumpy does the same.

"If you try to run away, I'll throw my chakram at you. Don't complain later that I didn't warn you."

While I am skilled with a vast array of weapons, the chakram is by far my favorite, as I can disarm demons without having to be near them. I can even slit throats or cut off hands. The possibilities are endless. I always have my weapon of choice under my clothes, close to my skin.

Grumpy watches as I unlock the chain. He is tense.

"You are going to run, aren't you?" I mutter. "Maybe I should leave you in this cave and forget all about you, but what right do I have to keep you locked?"

The moment he is free, he pushes me to the ground and rushes out of the cave.

I slowly get up and watch Grumpy disappear in the distance. An ache starts in my chest. My heart throbs. He is a fast runner. So am I. But is it worth going after him? Maybe he will find his way off the island and I won't see him again. It's for the best this way.

I tidy up the cave and prepare to return to the monastery when Grumpy returns.

"You returned for your armor and sword?" I ask, not looking at him. "Erelah." 

Something snaps inside me.novelbin

I turn on my heels. "Would you stop saying my name all the damn time?" I snarl. A moment later, I fall silent. Grumpy is holding a snowflake in his palm. A smile appears on my lips. "It's beautiful. But don't think I'll return your things just because you brought me a pretty snowflake."

"Pretty?" he wonders.

The snowflake is yet to melt, so I show him its pattern. "It's very pretty."

Grumpy offers me the snowflake. "Erelah pretty."

My heart throbs even more. "You are going to make me sin. To break my chastity vows." I brush the tip of my fingers along his jaw. "Who are you? Why did you come here? To temp me?"

He removes my hand from his jaw and places it on his chest before touching the corners of my eyes. "Pretty."

I should make him leave, but I don't think I'm strong enough to do so.