Chapter 146
Thalia awoke with a gasp, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings.
“Arabella,” she called out, trying to get her bearings. She remembered being in the cave, tossed around.
Recollection of holding Arabella came to her, but she couldn’t find her now. She tried to stand, but her stomach churned, and she let out a groan, steadying herself with a nearby chair.
“Arabella,” she called again, but there was no response.
Thalia wondered where she could be. Standing upright, she finally found her balance and surveyed her surroundings. She was back home in her living room. She couldn’t be certain of what had transpired, but she believed the force that had taken them to Ascotan had brought them back to Cooan.
Yet, she had doubts about whether it had done the same for Arabella. There was no sign of her anywhere.
Thalia made her way to the room Blaze often used when he visited her. She opened the door and peered inside.
“Arabella!” she yelled, rushing towards her.
Arabella was sprawled on the floor at an awkward angle. Thalia couldn’t tell if she was breathing, but the position she was in looked dangerous. It seemed a mere grace could have prevented a bone from breaking.
Gripping Arabella by the shoulder, she shook her awake.
Still, there was no response. Thalia checked for her pulse, placing a finger on the side of her neck. It was faint, but she was alive.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.
Thalia rubbed Arabella’s cold palms in her warm ones, calling her name. “Wake up, bitch!”
Arabella remained unresponsive. “If you leave me now, what will I tell Blaze, who’s so hung up on you? I need someone who can explain what happened!”
Thalia gripped at her hair, frustration welling up. No matter what she said or did, Arabella didn’t respond.
“For goodness’ sake! How can you still make this about you?” Thalia glared.
“You should find someone else to bother,” Arabella groaned, her eyelashes fluttering against her cheeks.
Startled by the sudden intrusion of the voice in her thoughts, Thalia turned to see Arabella.
“fuck, you startled me!” Thalia scowled as she helped Arabella to her feet.
“Where are we?” Arabella asked, scanning their surroundings.
“Are you alright?” Thalia inquired, brushing off Arabella’s question. “Do you have any broken bones? Given the position I found you in, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”
“Are you actually worried about me?” Arabella asked, taken aback. It was a first for her. Thalia had never shown concern for her well-being before. She had never cared if she was on the brink of death and had even put her in dangerous situations, like when she had forced Sandro to take her back after she fled. But now, Thalia seemed genuinely concerned.
Arabella studied Thalia’s expression, trying to discern if this concern was real.
“What?” Thalia snapped, scowling. “I asked you a question.”
“It’s surprising to see you care,” Arabella remarked.
“I don’t care about you, Arabella. Don’t be delusional,” Thalia retorted. “And just so we’re clear, I’m only doing this for Blaze. I don’t want him storming in here, ready to tear my head off because something happened to you. Plus, I need to know what’s going on.”
Despite herself, Arabella couldn’t help but smile. She didn’t want to admit it, but she felt a glimmer of genuine concern from Thalia.
It was also the first time they were in each other’s presence without Thalia hurling insults or curses at her.
“Are you going to answer my question, or are you going to keep giving me those strange looks?” Thalia pressed.
“We were transported back here,” Arabella replied. She stood up and walked over to the window, peering outside.
“And I don’t think we’re the only ones.” Arabella’s voice was low, her eyes narrowed as they locked onto Orga and a few Phoenixes.
“Why do you say that? I can’t see Blaze or Sandro,” Thalia noted.
“It’s because Orga is here,” Arabella explained.
Thalia joined her at the window, looking out. “The big winged guy,” she remarked with a roll of her eyes before turning back to Arabella.
“Do you think this has something to do with Blaze and Sandro’s fight?” she asked. “I mean, as soon as Blaze left the cave, everything went downhill.”
“It’s hardly about them,” Orga stated as he entered the room. He bowed towards Arabella, who smiled at him before turning to Thalia, who wore a scowl.
“We could have been naked!” Thalia glared at him. “Don’t you winged people have any decency?”
“I apologize for that,” Orga replied. “I made sure you weren’t exposed before I entered, and the door was open,” he added.
“You ensured we weren’t exposed by peeking?” Thalia’s voice dripped with incredulity. She turned to Arabella. “How can you have such a pervert on your team?!”
“I ensured you weren’t exposed, and I informed him,” Daphne interjected as she stepped into the room. She was a Phoenix with the power of invisibility and was rarely seen in the company of others.
“Are you taking his side?” Thalia snapped. “He should apologize for being a pervert!”
“She’s not defending him,” Arabella asserted before Daphne could respond. “Daphne must have observed us while she was in her invisible state. Besides, arguing with Orga is the last thing we should be doing.”
“I know you’ll undoubtedly support him,” Thalia grumbled. “Why am I even being civil to you?”
“What’s going on, Orga?” Arabella asked, approaching him.
“It concerns you, my lady,” he replied. “You’ve been brought back by someone malevolent, and they desire to claim you for themselves.”
“How do you know this?” Arabella inquired. “And does this involve Sandro?”
“It’s not Sandro, and he’s not your main enemy. It’s someone else. Someone incredibly powerful,” Orga explained, his voice growing distant. “You need to be cautious, my lady. There are many dark energies swirling around here.”
Arabella nodded, still trying to grasp the situation and identify who was currently after her since it wasn’t Sandro.
“Are you all comfortable being here? I mean, it’s not your natural habitat, and it might draw attention if people see you with wings…” Arabella said.
Orga chuckled and then folded his wings. “We can adapt to any environment, you know. We can even blend in with other creatures. You needn’t worry about us, my lady. We’re at ease when you are,” he assured her.
“I’ll need everyone to be on guard. I have to reach Blaze,” Arabella declared and began to walk away, but Orga stopped her.
“You should let him go,” he advised. “He chose to leave on his own. Calling him back might put him in grave danger this time.”
Arabella sighed, “I thought you had reconciled with him already. Why are you speaking ill of him again?”
“I hold no grudge against him,” Orga clarified. “I’m merely offering a warning, something I believe you should be aware of.”
Arabella nodded, though she doubted she would heed the warning. She still needed to find Blaze and ensure he was alright.