Later that evening Saiyi decided to face the world again. She felt embarrassed and drained from the lesson that morning. She sat on her bed, hands in her hair with her knees tucked in tightly. She still had fits of crying. Flashes of the ground rushing up to her haunted her. She knew logically that the fall would have not killed her. And if she had just gotten to flying it would have been a non-event anyway. She really needed to clear her head. Her mental block against flying had hit a peak. She doubted if she would ever get over it. She emerged from her room to find Wep sitting beside the door. He had evidently fallen asleep. She bent down and placed a peck on his forehead. He opened his eyes, still misty from his nap.
"Sah."
"Hey handsom. Sorry about…" She waved vaguely in the balcony's direction and her door.
"Are you okay?"
"Physically I am unhurt, thank you."
"You know that isn't what I meant."
"Well mentally I feel like a dumbass. I don't think I'll ever fly."
"I think you will. I know today was scary, but-"
"Wep, no. I know you're trying to cheer me up. It makes me no less hopeless."
"So you're going to just give up?"
"At flying? Gods yes."
"Wow. You just swore to yourself. You realise that?"
"Um. I suppose so. Old habits."
"Don't you see though? You haven't been at it long, granted. But you are a Goddess Sah. One of the Chosen of Cyla. Flying is but a trifle to ones such as yourself."
"Perhaps I will be Saiyi, Goddess of walking about?" Wep tried to stifle a snicker.
"You can already do such incredible things. You've been Chosen for only a few months. What mere mortal could compare to the great Saiyi."
"Flattery will not get me to fly Wep." She gave him a sideways glance. But there was some humour in her tone.
"Come with me." He took her by the hand and led her back into her room.
Inside her room he closed the door and led her to the bed.
"Wep, this is hardly the time."
"What? Oh. Hadn't crossed my mind."
"Really? Never?"
"Now I didn't say never." He grinned at her and some of her soul settled. Wep pulled of his ugly boots and stood on her bed. He held a hand out to her. Reluctantly she took his hand and got onto the bed. Wep held her tightly and turned so he was standing on the edge of the bed with Saiyi inward. He put his head gently against hers closing his eyes. Saiyi took his cue and closed her eyes also.
"I want you to just relax Sah." Wep said gently.
He was holding her close. His warmth and smell surrounded her. She put her arms around him and could feel her worries ebb into his embrace.
"There. Now I need to you trust me." Saiyi stated to tense immediately.
"First relax." He implored. "But also trust me."
The young Goddess tensed her arms slightly, yet remained as relaxed as she could, burying her head into Wep's chest.
"Now before I do this remember one thing." He arched slightly away. Saiyi looked up at Wep, finding his warm green eyes staring into hers. He had a smile like never before. She was lost in this man. His beautiful face. His big heart. Then he put his nose to hers and said softly.
"I love you Saiyi."
The ember Saiyi had been nursing for the man erupted into a volcano. She drew a breath to say something, anything. He beat her to it.
"Now catch us." Wep started to fall backward off the bed, pulling the love of his life with him. Saiyi had no time to panic. Her brain was still dealing with Wep's words. She barely even heard what he said after. The movement made it difficult to look into his eyes. She wanted it to stop. Then as if the universe itself listened the movement stopped. His eyes remained focussed on hers.
"I love you too, Wep of Thay." She kissed the man. Worries, fears, burdens, all incinirated to ash by their embrace. After quite some time, breathless she ended the kiss. She felt as if she was floating. Wep cleared his throat.
"That was something."
"Yeah. I needed that."
"I think so too. I'm very glad I could provide it. There is one thing however."
"What is that my love?" Saiyi was trying it on for size. It fit well. Wep turned to look behind him.
"How do we land?"
The world rushed back catching up with the couple, now hovering near the ceiling of Saiyi's room. Saiyi did not panic. Her flight did not fail. She started laughing. Wep joined in. The young Goddess pulled her love closer and turned them the right way up. Then gentle as taking a step she landed them. She was panting from excitement. Grabbing Wep's hand she rushed out of her room, feeling like a little girl again.