The next morning, I woke to the songbirds chirping.
I felt refreshed even though I spent most of the night trying my best not to be so self-conscious about his body so close to mine.
He was nowhere to be found, but Ilianna slept across me.
I laughed out loud. How could she sleep in that position? I dropped my head back on his pillows. It smelled like him.
"..me, little brother. There was no need to be violent."
" Idiot.. you scared your wife with that fanatical rant. What's wrong with you?"
I heard Alexander pouting voice and Zephyr stern one.
Who could tell that my Zephyr was at the very least 5 years younger ? By the way.. how old is he? I mean, who cares..
I carefully lifted Ilianna off me and covered her with a blanket and went to see my..future husband.
In the kitchen were Granny and Demelza along with them. Zephyr looked at me, and his annoyed expression was no more.
I greeted everyone in general and then walked over and kissed him. It was meant to be a short and sweet one. He pulled me into his lap and kissed more fiercely.
I can't get enough of this.
But I did stop him. I can't let him turn me into some bumbling idiot, so early in the morning.
Once again, I felt out of breath. No more Lylly!
" Morning, my love."
..fine one more. I pulled him to me and let the people around me disappear for a second. But just a second..
" My God.. what else did I miss?"
Alexander will always be there to ruin it.
But since Zephyr considered him as a brother, I had to at least try and get along.
With more difficulty than thought, I got up from his lap and made us some tea. I wanted to make him something to eat, but my skills just weren't there yet.
" I see.. so no fighting, Emet, huh? " - Alexander voice sounded slightly disappointed.
" I know you against it... but I have a feeling there's plenty of fighting that needs to be done in the future."
" What do you mean, Zephyr?"
My granny asked the same question I wanted to.
If not, Emet, who does he mean? Also, should I just sit back on his lap or the clearly empty seat next to him?
My indecision caused me to stand frozen in place.
" The king is a fool who keeps initiating wars. Sooner or later, he will lose one. When that happens, we need to be ready. " - he looked for and found Alexander eyes.
" I mean to train the man with your help to become a unit capable of defending this village. You see, brother.. We don't need to join some pointless cause to become soldiers."
Alexander's smile was genuine, and his eyes lost that glow that scared his wife.
" Hahaha !! Yes.. let's do that! " - he slapped the table, almost spilling several cups filled with liquid.
" With the able bodied man in the village, we can become a proper force. I gather more lads once this sacrifice is behind us. "
He looked full of energy. Demelza seemed over the moon.
Her husband might become a decent man with Zephyr intervention. Granny looked proud to have a male with some brain power in her family.
Hearing his ideas.. they sounded simple, and yet it could only come from him. All others in this village were born into subjugation, and fear accepted their fate.
Hmm.. I decided to take my rightful place in his lap. Just as Ilianna obviously woke up and took it from me.
" I'm leaving for training soon.. you should rest, Alex. " - he kissed his daughter and offered his now cooled tea to her. " Spend time with your son. Let Demelza look after you a little. There is plenty of time to train."
He patted Alexander head and gave Ilianna to me, stealing a kiss and doing so.
As usual, she wanted to go with him, but this time, he shut it down.
" Maybe later this afternoon.. by the way.."
He came closer so only I could hear.
" Do you have something ..comfortable to wear? I would like to go down to the river later."
He leaned back and looked hopeful.
" In that case... I'm sure.." - I tried to to quiet but, the kitchen was small and packed. " I'll find something appropriate."
He kissed Ilianna and left practically skipping.
Oh yes.hehehe. I believe we will ..
Ilianna poked my face then and broke my train of thought.
" Sweetheart, you were giggling again..it must've been quite the question he asked." - my mother was the first to comment on my tick.
" My little brother has an exquisite mindset .."
Thank Ehlite Alexander is dense.
But along with mother, Demelza and granny knew everything considering those expressions.
" He sure does, I'm glad you are not angry at him, Alexander." - I simply ignored them and addressed my small concern from yesterday.
He looked embarrassed for a bit.
" He woke me early..talked to me about important things. He was right...I mean how can I call myself a man if I'm so willing..ughh anyway. " - he meant those word manly to Demelza, who looked at him with interest.
" Turns out I needed someone kick my ass. Literally, hahaha.. just like the first time we met."
He seemed to remember that day very fondly...so do I.
I'm looking at Demelza hugging her husband.. I already missed Zephyr.
But I have things to do so, let's get to them. Later this afternoon, I'll go pick him up from his training. Tomorrow morning..he head up that mountain.
" Let's eat some breakfast, love, huh?"
" ..and then train."
" Sure .. I can probably learn something from you."
Ilianna has only been training a couple of weeks, but she is very young, and learning is in her nature. She tries her best to learn from Zephyr, and now she can do some pretty impressive kicks.
Hmm .. another thing he brought to this village that sounded simple, yet with his training, it turned farmers into man who can kill without weapons.
I felt great pride in my heart. He is so young and yet so well trained that his teachings seemed endless.
Granny left to take the final stock of tomorrows offering. We had a much better amount than previous years. Almost a dozen cows and pigs, the monster will fall fed.
Demelza offered to make breakfast for us. While Ilianna played with Alexander and her son.
Demelza gave me looked at, and I went closer.
" If you wanted.. I have some nice bathing suits. I can give you one as thanks for the dress." - she whispered so only I could hear.
Did she hear Zephyr whispering to me.
I mean Ilianna, maybe. She just chuckled, seeing my face. Most likely, it looks like someone who got caught.
" Men are all the same, Lylly. Even someone unique as Zephyr. Besides, you are an underrated beauty who got used to hiding her femininity. " - she pointed the wooden spoon at my body to emphasize her words.
" So of course, now that you two are official..he wants to see some of it."
I tried but failed to hide my smile. She sounded so logical.
After all, even I had some thoughts last night with him being wrapped around me.
" I take you upon your kind offer, Demelza."