CHAPTER SIX

Maddie slowly laughed after hearing what Theo said. She laughed so hard that her eyes got watery. Theo just watched her and although he doesn't want to, he felt offended seeing Maddie laugh at him. She wiped her eyes before shaking her head. Theo remained looking at her. 

“In love? Theo, you’re really crazy.” Maddie scoffed and turned her back to Theo but suddenly, he’s in front of her. 

Maddie gasped and took a step back as she was stunned. She still hasn’t gotten a grip at what’s happening so witnessing Theo’s powers are too much for her. Theo stopped her by grabbing her upper arm. His grip is not too tight or loose but Maddie cannot still pull her arm away so she glared at Theo instead. 

“Do not mock me, Madeline.” He clenched his jaw as well as Maddie. 

She kicked his foot but Theo didn’t feel any pain which only annoyed Maddie more. She groaned in frustration and without thinking, she headbutted Theo’s chest. He let go of her, not because he was hurt but because he was surprised. Maddie fell to the floor when Theo suddenly let go of her. She didn’t mind the pain in her bottom because her head hurts so much as if a block of stone was dropped on it. 

Maddie touched her head and groaned in pain. She even kicked her feet against the floor as if it could take away the excruciating pain. Theo slowly walked towards Maddie and worry was evident in his face. He kneeled beside her and didn’t know where to touch her as he’s afraid he’s going to cause more pain to her. 

“You should have not done that, Maddie. I am a god and you’re a mortal so you will definitely get hurt if you try to harm me.” Theo said calmly before caressing Maddie’s back but she shrugged away his hand. 

Despite her aching head and blurry eyesight, she still glared at Theo. He just sighed and let Maddie release her anger. He wanted to touch and hug her but he knows it will only annoy her more so he endured the desire to comfort her. 

“Don’t call me Madeline.  If you call me that again, I swear on my mother’s grave, I will kill you even if it takes my own life.” Maddie said through gritted teeth and Theo was surprised hearing her words. He was bothered by it but he tried to shrug it off. 

“If that’s what you want, Maddie. You and your mother must have a very special bond--”

“We had.” Maddie looked away and Theo noticed the bitterness in her voice so he sighed and stopped himself in comforting Maddie. He doesn’t want to rub salt in the wound. 

“I am sorry.” Theo sat facing her. Maddie turned to him and she noticed the guilt in his eyes. 

“I apologize for disrespecting you. I hope you forgive me.” Although Theo smiled at her, Maddie still felt his sincerity. 

She took a deep breath before sighing then she looked at her other side for a second. Theo watched her, admiring her beauty especially now that he can see her up close and awake. He never thought that this moment would come and now that it is happening, his heart is pounding in joy. 

“Just don’t do it again.” Maddie combed her hair using her fingers before standing. Theo quickly stood after her. 

“I will not.” He smiled at her but she just nodded in response. “What are you feeling now? Does your head still hurt? I will Flora look--” 

“I am okay now. Don’t worry.” Maddie smiled a little before looking behind her.

“Can I atleast go there?” She pointed to the lake using her thumb. Theo quickly nodded and smiled widely. 

“You may.  You can have your meal there.” Maddie just nodded before following Theo.

Maddie couldn't help but to look around. She's amazed at how beautiful the place is. Just like Theo's room, the whole place is grand and classy as if they are in a palace. Maddie silently followed Theo until they reached the lake. She gaped her mouth when she realized that the lake is more majestic up close. Theo smiled upon seeing Maddie's reaction. 

She was about to take a step forward when fairies flew in front of her. Maddie gasped and quickly went back beside Theo. He chuckled and Maddie glared at him. 

"I didn't mean to laugh at you." Maddie rolled her eyes at her before she distanced herself from Theo. 

Maddie looked at the tiny fairies flying in front of her. They are the protectors of bodies of water and Maddie is a stranger to them that is why they are prohibiting her from coming near the lake. 

"Are they flies?" Maddie squinted her eyes and tried to see the tiny creatures flying. Theo chuckled once again which caused Maddie to glare at him. 

"They are the water fairies." Maddie's eyes widened and looked again at the fairies flying horizontally. She gasped and took a step forward to get a closer look on them as she cannot believe that fairies actually exist. 

"She's harmless." Theo said authoritatively. Maddie glanced at him and he smiled at her. 

"Can I look at them closer? Will they harm me?" She asked with pure curiosity in her eyes. 

Theo walked closer to Maddie then he laid his hand in front of her. Maddie looked at his hand and before she could ask, a fairy landed on his palm. She gasped and covered her mouth before she looked at Theo in disbelief. He just smiled at her, seeing her happy makes Theo happy as well. 

"Hi." Maddie said breathlessly before she slightly leaned to get a closer look at the fairy. 

She can't help but smile seeing the tiny creature. It is much more beautiful than what she imagined a fairy would look like. Theo threw the fairy up and Maddie's eyes widened again in astonishment before she took a step back when the small fairy suddenly got bigger. It looks like a human now, but more magical. 

The water fairy is pale but her skin is smooth, almost as clear as the water. She's beautiful as well with her blue eyes, dark hair, and pointy ears but the main highlight of her beauty is her wings. They are like that of the wings of a swallowtail butterfly but instead of different colors, its body is like waves of the ocean. 

"She's Wera, the head fairy of the water fairies." Maddie kept staring at Wera and she couldn't hide her amusement. Wera slightly bowed before them. 

"Hi, Wera. I'm Maddie. I can't believe I saw an actual fairy. You look so beautiful. I swear." Maddie chuckled before she squealed in excitement that caused Theo to chuckle as well. Wera just smiled at her which erased Maddie's smile. 

"She cannot speak our language but she understood what you said and she said that you are more beautiful." Maddie faced Theo and smiled widely. Theo smiled seeing Maddie's blushing face. 

Wera returned to her small figure before Maddie could even say goodbye. She sighed before sitting at the bench near them. Theo just followed her and stood beside her in fear that Maddie might get annoyed if he sat next to her. 

"I'm still happy though." Maddie looked up to Theo and she caught him staring at her.

"I'll introduce you to every creature here as long as I get to see your smile." Theo smiled a little before looking ahead. Maddie remained looking at him. Although she cannot believe what's happening, she's still flattered that a man, or a god rather, is in love with her. 

"I'm starting to like it here." Theo looked at Maddie and she smiled at him. It surprised Theo but he quickly responded with a grin. His heart pounded seeing that small smile Maddie gave directly to him. 

"Because of the fairies, of course." Theo nodded before looking ahead. His face heated remembering Maddie's beautiful smile. 

'I'll gather the fairies as soon as possible.' He thought. 'I will make you smile at me more often, my Maddie.' 

Maddie glanced at Theo and he caught him smiling in the nothingness. She shook her head and stood. As soon as she took a step, a woman appeared in front of her. Maddie gasped and due to surprise, she went out of balance and fell but Theo was quick to catch her. She's just a few inches away from the hard ground and the only thing that stopped her from making contact with it is Theo's hold in her waist. 

Maddie felt her heart pounded against her chest. She felt embarrassed in fear that Theo could hear it. She doesn't know if it is because of her almost falling down or Theo's gentle hold and their close distance. Theo looked at her worriedly before he slowly stood her up. He prevented himself from smiling as he doesn't want to offend Maddie but deep inside, he was happy that they became close, literally. 

She quickly distanced herself away from Theo before clearing her throat. Maddie's blushing and Theo keeps staring at her which is making her blush more. She tries to avert her eyes but she ends up glancing at Theo's smiling face. 

"You have the audacity to flirt with Theo in front of me." 

Maddie's eyes turned to the woman in front of her but she suddenly disappeared in her sight when Theo blocked her. Now, she only sees Theo's broad back and his almost see-through white shirt doesn't help in hiding his muscled back which is making Maddie blush more. 

"Show me the mortal, Theo." 

Maddie tries to peek from Theo's back but he keeps blocking her. She was irritated for a second but hearing the woman's annoyed tone made her stand still, knowing she's the person she's referring to. 

"Leave. You went here uninvited and disrespected not only me but also Maddie. Leave while I can still control myself."  Theo gritted his teeth and Maddie saw how he clenched his fist. It scared her for a moment. 

'He won't punch a woman, right?' She thought as she looked at his fists. But Maddie was touched hearing what Theo said. She can't help but to blush again. 

"This mortal!" Maddie didn't even blink but the woman was already pulling her hair. She yelped in pain and quickly fell to the ground when the woman started dragging her. She squealed when she felt the piercing pain in her skin that was kissing the ground. 

"Will die for disrespecting me. I am the goddess of beauty and love. I am Ingrid and you will pay for your sins with your life, mortal." Ingrid said through gritted teeth before she threw Maddie in the lake.