Rom picked Edýia in his arms and laid her on a blanket, and covered her, and he snuggled next to her, wrapping his arms around her. He didn't care about gods, goddesses, or other magical beings. Edýia was a bright light that shined in his meager existence. Edýia earlier words rang in his head repeatedly. She would die soon
The clouds quickly returned, and the darkness reigned once more, covering everything around under its veil.
Athan took a deep breath " I didn't see that coming !" he exclaimed with a sullen look, breaking the heavy silence, and everyone snapped out of their trance.
" Ruma! No one did! No need to worry about it!" Iris tried to ease his worries " A lot has changed, Athan. What we once held to be the absolute truth is nothing more than waste parchments and ink! I've come to realize that we knew nothing and still don't. The path ahead is long, and we still have a lot to learn." she placed her hand on his shoulder and gave him a gentle squeeze. He looked utterly broken. Athan was a good man. He had faithfully waited for her return, only to be dragged into this mess.
" Now, at least we have someone at our side that can help!" she looked him in the eyes, and Athan nodded.
Tyla and Rhya hugged him, each on either side of him " We will find a place that we can call home!" Rhya tried to comfort him, patting his back.
Azra, who had kept quiet and observed thus far, approached them " Maybe she can help, mother !" he raised his gloved hands, his eye shined with hope. Ruma was a powerful goddess, after all. Surely she could help him. Azra thought to himself.
Iris nodded " When she returns. I will ask Azra!" she took his hand. She would have hugged him. He looked like he needed one. Cursed, unable to touch anyone without taking their life. He was condemned to a life of solitude. He was sweet, gentle, and kind. He didn't want to hurt anyone. Choice was taken away from him. She wished for nothing more than that for he could have a boring normal life.
Ian placed his hand on top of theirs " We will find a way," Ian took a deep breath," to help you, Azra!" his brows wrinkled, and he gave him a pitying look.
He knew he was pitiful, but he yearned to hug and be close to people. He cursed Seth several times in his mind and nodded in agreement. He hated that bastard and swore if given a chance, he would suck his soul and use it to burn the stupid thing he held so dear to his heart, Arkathira.
Ian inhaled deeply " We should pack the camp. Our journey just lengthened!" he released his breath and let go of their hands, and began packing their things. The other followed while Rom sat next to Edýia, hugging her tight and mumbling with his head buried in her hair.
Dakran, Azra, and Athan tied the bags to the saddles while the women finished packing.
" Rom!" Dakran called, patting his shoulder. "It's time to move!" he told him, and Rom pushed himself off the ground and picked up Edýia in his arms while Dakran packed their things. Rom placed her next to a boulder. She looked exhausted and worn out. He gave her one last look to ensure she was alright and tied Edýia's horse to his.
Dakran tied their back to the saddles " Mount! " he curtly said and picked her up his arms and passed Edýia to Rom.
The others mounted their horses. Dakran picked Maya up and placed her on the saddle. He followed and mounted the horse behind her.
" You stood up for Edýia, even when you knew you would lose! You're a good brother!" Maya murmured with her head down. The more she got to know him, she found Dakran to be a respectable man with solid values, and she couldn't help but feel taken by him. He stood up for his sister despite knowing that the Shaddow Lord could finish him off in the blink of an eye. He was selfless or reckless; she couldn't decide. Both, she concluded after much deliberation.
Dakran hummed and bunched up the reigns of the horse in one hand and curled up the other one around her waist, and pulled her against his chest. Her bottom brushed against his manhood. He leaned in " And even a better lover!" he whispered in her ear, and her hairs stood on end at the sound of his rumbling voice, his breath brushing her skin. She furiously blushed.
Dakran lips pulled up in a satisfied smile, and he bit his lips. He was pleased. Whatever he was doing worked on Maya. She was finally letting him in. Perseverance, he thought. That's what worked on her. He loved to see that red tinge on her cheek, which made his heart run wild, and his cock agreed with his heart. Maya was a delight to be around, and in his eyes, she grew more beautiful each day. He felt a knot lodge in his throat when the thought of spending a lifetime with her crossed his mind. He couldn't wait, but now they had more significant problems.
" Let's go!"He heard Ian's voice in the distance. He had failed to realise that they didn't move. He nudged the horse and slowly began trotting, following the others.
" Dakran!" Maya called in a small voice, with her hands covering her cheeks.
Dakran hummed and lowered his head closer to her " I would like to try!" she said in the same small voice, and she turned to look at him. Her green eyes held a different shine this time. He couldn't tell what it was. He was too distracted by her rosy lips.
Dakran clicked his tongue " Try what ?" he asked with his eyebrows raised, and she felt her cheeks burn again.
Maya cleared her throat and lowered her hands, and placed them on his " To be with you!" she clarified, and his adam's apple bobbed up and down.
He stared at her for a few moments. He only took his eye off her to look ahead. " I want to kiss you right now!" he said, looking into the distance. He took her hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze.
Maya looked at him. She hadn't stopped staring at him " You can if you want to!" she flustered. Her gaze went downcast, and the tip of her ears burned so hot that she could feel the sting.
Dakran hummed. He let go of her hand and pinched her chin and, gently pecked her lips, slid his tongue into her mouth. His beard brushed on her skin and tickled. She giggled, and he pulled away. Maya rubbed her face " It tickles!" she pointed at his beard with a beaming smile. Her eyes sparkled, and he couldn't help but feel entranced. The last time he had seen a smile like that was when he met her. She hadn't smiled like that since then.
Dakran leaned in and captured her lips again. This time, his tongue was greedy and tasted every corner of her mouth. His cock poked at her bottom and took her breath away when he moaned in the kiss and bit her lip, and licked them.
He pulled away from the kiss, looking into her eyes " I will always be by your side Maya. You'll always have me to lean on. Remember that! " his voice lowered, and he sounded serious. He meant the words that came out of his mouth.
Maya hummed and smiled " Thank you for everything, Dakran.!" he said in a small voice. Her eyes stayed on him, and he couldn't help but smile and feel content.
" I can't wait for our wedding!" he said with a wide grin, and Maya blinked owlishly at him.
She fell silent, and he guessed that she wasn't expecting that. His mind had been set since the moment he had seen her on the bank of the river. Even if Sylus had been alive, he would have found a way to take her from him.