I suspected Zachan would not return to our tent to sleep that night. I was appreciative that he didn't come to me, as I was not ready to face him yet. It also allowed me time to figure out my place, my feelings in all of this. I was so busy in my mind trying to find out what Zachan was feeling, I didn't question myself.

I surprised myself yesterday from the fact I didn't pull away as quickly as I usually would in a situation like that. For some reason I was drawn to Zachan. But I wasn't sure if it was because I was attracted to him, or because he seems to have so many secrets. I was a curious person after all and Zachan was the perfect puzzle for someone like me.

Slowly I rose from my bed, the morning turning to mid-day. Jaida had come and gone, as I pretended to still be asleep each time she walked in. I knew I had responsibilities today on the farm, but facing everyone had anxiety swelter up inside me at the thought. Even the idea of Jaida looking at me, having the slightest idea of what had happened yesterday had me blushing. I feared everyone would have the same reaction Seanne did, and just laugh at me.

When Jaida came again I heard her placing down plates of food in the room over. My stomach rumbles at the thought of eating.

Yet I waited until she left before going in.

Just as I was sitting to eat, my eyes catch something sitting on the corner of the low table. It was my small sketchbook. Picking it up I realize I had left it after I hurriedly left Zachan. And I realized he must have been back here during the night to return it. It also made me come up with the question of where he disappears to when he does not sleep here. It was another mystery associated with the man.

I ate in silence.

A week passed.

And I still was eating in silence for when I was dining in our tent. It gave me time to think. But days passed and I never saw him. Not at the farm, or at night on occasional feasts or simply around the haven. I became paranoid. I had thought he would eventually appear, come to me to explain. Yet maybe he hadn't because he was regretting it...

A day after the 'incident' I had gone back to the log we sat on for our portraits. He didn't show. And I found myself disappointed. How could I be the one to talk to him, if I could not find him? I definitely did not want to ask one of the Ukan Tribes people, have you seen my husband? It would be embarrassing, a wife not having a clue about the whereabouts of her husband.

As the evening was descending on the 7th day I had not seen him I found myself with limited options. I decided I was going to see Mr. Larkin.

I felt he would laugh at me, but he does that all the time. No, if I told him my hesitations about Zachan he would understand. I hoped...

Crossing the Tala River and walking to Mr. Larkin's tree house was uneventful. Yet when standing at the ladder to climb up I heard raised voices. I was shocked to even hear more then one, as I never have seen someone other then myself visit Mr. Larkin.

I listened from below. They were speaking in English.

"-When she wrote to them, I always asked the men if there are any letters in return. I get the same answer. No." Mr. Larkin has a frustrated tone, as if he has said the same thing many times.

" But there must be someway to know if they receive them-"

It was Zachan, my eyes widen at his voice. I knew of his immense dislike of Mr. Larkin. Why was he here?

"Zachan, I have no control over there. Nor do the sailors who come her monthly to pick up the food supplies. Whatever reason Aleenia's sisters have for not writing back probably has to do with their father or commander compared to the sisters themselves."

Silence follows for a long time. My heart was beating against my chest painfully.

"Why is it-" Mr. Larkin breaks the silence." -you care Zachan? I thought you would not like the idea of Aleenia telling things about the Ukan tribe to the people of Fellshore."

"If it makes her happy..."

Mr. Larkin scoffs in response. " I wish you luck Zachan."

I was too stunned at the time to really take to heart Mr. Larkin's vague insult.

"Thank you for not helping me Andrew."

Mr. Larkin growls in response" Zachan-"

Zachan was already out of the tree house. His tall frame had to hunch under the low branches, but he saw me right away. I stared up at him on the balcony; my heart still felt like to was going to beat out of my chest.

I could still tell from the distance between us Zachan had neutralized his face, his mouth forming a scowl. He said nothing as he turned, and began his descent down the ladder.

I stepped aside, watching as he barely cracked a sweat from the task, when I always struggled. When his feet hit the ground he remained there, his back to me. I could tell from his tight beige shirt that his back was taught, his hand were gripping the rungs of the ladder tightly.

Before I know it he had turned, not saying anything as he walked away.

That is when I was brought out of my daze. My head flinches back at the fact he is walking away and I hadn't said anything.

I nearly stumbled over my dress as I bolt after him.

"Zachan!"

He doesn't stop. I have to pick up my pace, his long legs out walking mine.

"Zachan, stop!" I call after him.

"You got to walk away last time, let me now." Was his sharp reply.

My feet slow down to a stop. He had a point that had my lips pursing in annoyance. But it was also the moment my stubbornness kicked in.

I broke into a run to catch back up with him. As we were approaching the Tala River I got close enough to grab his wrist.

"Zachan-"

He whips around and I will myself not to flinch back at the force of it. My hand retracts back, my chest heaving in deep breaths after my short sprint. My confidence flew away as I stared at him, his dark eyes held mine. He was waiting.

" I..." I stumbled, I forced my self not to look away. " Thank you, for trying to help me contact my sisters."

A nod of the head, nothing else in reply.

I bite my lip." I had come to see Mr. Larkin... I needed someone to talk to." I felt like I needed to give him an explanation for some reason." I mean, I hadn't seen him in such a long time, I felt bad because I said I would come see him for lessons but I hadn't."

My rambling was due to his lack of response and my nervousness. I realized quickly that if my avoidance of the other day was not brought up, Zachan would be walking away again.

I take in a deep breath." Why did you kiss me Zachan?"

He swallows hard, looking away. " It does not matter-"

"Yes it does!" I exclaim, my eyes were searching his face as if it would give an answer.

"You walked away, it clearly doesn't."

"I walked away because it was the last thing I was expecting you to do." I state.

"Is it such a bad thing-" Zachan's voice lowers, as if anger was brewing there- "that I did?"

"No, we are married." My frustration was letting lose to." But have you forgotten the way you treated me when I arrived? How you would not speak to me, how you would look at me as if I was a burden to your life."

Zachan squares his jaw, looking to the ground." At the time my heart was with Saria-"

"Then why marry me?!" I screamed at him

"How did I know you were to be different!" He yells back at me, his eyes tense, his body shaking in strain. I take a step back in surprise." Mr. Larkin is nothing but proud and arrogant, sitting high up in his tree. Your people who come here before, nothing but the same. Always wanting to show how they are better, show their strengths to our weakness. I married you for my people's sake, not because at the time I was looking for a wife... I did not expect that you would be..."

He hesitates.

" Be what?" I whisper, my voice lost from his words. Something inside my mind clicked into place at the statement. Part of me was upset from it; the other now understood a lot more about my first couple months at the Ukan Tribe.

He eyes me, a nervousness there." To be... how you are Aleenia. I thought at first when you arrived, your quietness, your judging eyes meant you were the same."

"I was scared." I state, folding my arms up to my chest in a self-hug.

"I realize that now..."

A pause of silence falls between us. It had occurred to me then how alike our thinking had been. Here he was thinking I was some snob, and I... from rumors of Fellshore, had thought his people a 'savage'.

My arms unfold to my sides." In Fellshore, I was told many things about your people..." I couldn't bring myself to say them, how horrible and incorrect they were." It seems that we both have proven to be completely different from what we once thought... I am sorry to have ever thought what I did."

My eyes wander back to his face. I bite my lip, nervous from what his response would be.

"Aleenia I..." He pauses, a look of uncertainty comes across his face. His eyes half close as if trying to remember something." I regret my behavior to you, I am also sorry."

My lips twitch in a half smile at the word. Regret. A word foreign to him, but a feeling he could not express before until now.

At that moment some form of weight had been lifted from me. I knew the past was quickly moved on from here, and dwelling on it was not preferred. But to me, I felt the past with me and Zachan was neglected. Right now facing it felt good, I understood better why he did what he did.

"Thank you..." I say, awkwardness returning to the situation at hand. I wanted to bring up the kiss again, but my nerves got the better of me. " Are you joining everyone for the celebration tonight?"

A sigh left Zachan, one filled with relief compared to exhaustion." Yes." He to looks like he wishes to say more but stops himself.

Instead he steps a side, gesturing with a hand to lead on. I do, bobbing my head in thanks and walk ahead. Together we cross the Tala River Bridge, the water rushing rapidly under us.

Another Update, are you surprised? I certainly am. I hope you like this chapter; tell me your thoughts below.

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