Onjondad the Lich: Part Two (special preview)

Lastly Cove never existed, or at least, it didn’t until a while ago. It was new and old all at once, lived in, overgrown, but wholly and impossibly new. You had grown up here all your life, you new every nook and corner of the world, but Lasty Cove was a final frontier.

“What are you thinking about?”

You looked up with surprise from the herb garden to see Onjondad watching over you. You smiled, sitting erect and shrugged. “A few things.” You then looked back down to the freshly upturned earth. “Just wondering what else I’ll need to finish this little project off.”

Onjon knelt down beside you. He looked out of place next to the fresh dirt all dressed nicely in his deep purple suit. He smoothed his long fingers over the ground, and the seeds you had just planted sprouted up new green through the earth.

You were amazed watching him work. He did it in such an effortless way, it was hard to believe such a thing could be impossible. “That feels like cheating.”

Onjon's soft smile was warm upon you. “Considering how long you worried over the tomato plants, I wanted to give you a break.” He leaned over, kissing you on the cheek.

“Wait! I’m all sweaty,” you giggled.

“I don’t mind. But since you are so sweaty, you should come inside and cool down.” He rose back up, graceful as could be. “You’ve been out here all day working on your day off.”

You sighed and stood, groaning from having been on your knees all that time. You grunted, pushing the heels of your palms into your lower back.

“When did you last move?” Onjon said with a disapproving frown.

You chuckled. “Oh gosh, when I went to get the wonder-grow I think.”

He looked you up and down with those cool, calculating eyes. He shook his head and led you inside his house.

“Honestly, you work too hard, even when you insist you’re doing things for fun.” He fussed at you. He pulled a chair out for you at the breakfast nook.

“I need to stand for a moment.” You took off your sunhat and fanned yourself for a second.

He sighed, going over to the fridge and pulling out a chilled pitcher. “You promised me you’d take it easy with this heat.”

“I know, I am.” You walked over to stand beside him. You watched him pour the iced tea into a cup then smiled up at him. “I wasn’t just thinking about the garden. I was thinking about you.”

A slight flush appeared on his sharp cheeks, and he glanced at you. “What an honor. What were you thinking about?”

You stepped closer to him, smelling the scent of dust and moss that always clung to him. Ever since you first met him he had been an enigma, but bit by bit you had unraveled several mysteries about Onjon. “It’s been a while since we first met. Since we first-” You trailed off with a giddy smile. “in all that time, I still don’t really know how you came to make Lastly Cove. of all the places int he world, why this place of nothing but farms?”

Onjon turned towards you, bracing one hand on the counter and the other clutched your waist. “I thought I told you, I wanted somewhere safe. Somewhere simple.”

“I know,” you murmured. “But why exactly?” You brushed your knuckle along his cheek then gently tucked his long hair behind his ear. “All powerful, magic skeleton man, surely you could have your pick of anywhere.”

Onjon sighed, looking a bit sad. He took your hand and kissed the center of yur palm. “I don’t want to depress you.”

“Onjon,” you said sternly. You cupped your hand around his face and made him look at you. “I want to know you. Not just the good things. I want you to feel like you can tell me everything. I want to be your safe and simple too.”

Onjon sighed and nodded gently. “I know. But it’s hard sometimes.” He place both his hands upon you and bowed his head, pressing his forehead against yours. “I came to Lastly Cove, hoping to find exactly what I did.” He looked back into your eyes. “Being what I am…having done things I am not proud of, all I wanted was a sign that I was here, that I was still around with this life, for a reason.” His hands moved up your waist to your arms. “And you are safe, but you’re not simple,” he smiled.