Zhilakoa's frame rippled with shock as Eryn ended the kiss and gently backed away from her. "Eryn?" She called out as she tried to reach for him.
"I'm sorry Zhilakoa" Eryn said as Zhilakoa's eyes widened in hurt and confusion. "Sorry? What do you mean? Eryn, what's going on?"
Eryn's face was etched with a mix of emotions - guilt, sadness. "I can't do this, Zhilakoa. He shoved his hands in his trousers to resist the urge of touching her.
"Can't do what?" Zhilakoa asked as she tried to mask all the hurt from his rejection. "You know what Eryn?" "You should leave, leave right now." She said as she turned away from Eryn. As the soft click of the door echoed through the room, Zhilakoa's gaze dropped to the floor. She felt a lump form in her throat, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. Her facade crumbled. She felt a wave of emotions wash over her hurt, anger, sadness. She slumped onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow.
Eryn stormed into his room, slamming the door behind him. He paced back and forth, his anger boiling over. He was furious with himself for hurting Zhilakoa, for not being able to give her what she wanted. But most of all, he was angry for not being able to give himself what he wanted.
He stopped pacing and stood in front of his mirror, staring at his reflection. "What's wrong with you?" he growled, his fists clenched. "Why can't you just be normal?"
Eryn's eyes flashed with anger as he thought about his feelings for Zhilakoa. He wanted her, but he couldn't have her. Not only because he didn't deserve her, but because he was afraid of what he might become if he gave in to his desires.
He turned away from the mirror and walked over to his window, staring out into the night. He felt trapped.
"She bothers you" Kaelos whispered softly in Eryn's mind as the winds changed directions outside his window. Eryn's eyes narrowed, his mind still reeling from the encounter with Zhilakoa. "More than you know, Kaelos," he thought back, his mental voice laced with frustration as he heard his Flarion before he saw her. Kaelos's soft, rumbling growl vibrated through Eryn's mind. "She's different Threnody, Her essence is... intriguing."
Eryn snorted, his gaze scanning the dark landscape which seemed to be taking shape. "Intriguing? You think? She's a walking enigma, Kaelos. And I'm stuck trying to figure her out."
Kaelos's mental presence was silent for a moment before responding, "Perhaps that's what draws you to her, Eryn. The mystery, the challenge..."
Eryn's thoughts cut off as Kaelos' huge wings appear before him.
"You can't come in through the window, Kael,"
Kaelos let out a low, rumbling growl, a gentle rebuke. "I wasn't planning on it, Threnody," she thought back, her mental voice tinged with amusement. "Besides, I think we have more pressing matters to discuss."
Eryn nodded, his gaze scanning the surrounding area before focusing on Kaelos. "You mean Zhilakoa?" he asked, his voice low.
Kaelos inclined her head. "Yes, her. What's going on, Eryn?
He sighed as he turned away from the window and strode over to his wardrobe. He changed into his worn leather armor, the familiar weight of it a comforting sensation. He sheathed his daggers, the soft whisper of steel on leather a soothing sound.
He strode out of the Order of Oar HQ and met Kaelos, who landed gracefully beside him. Her huge wings settled on either side. Eryn sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Kael. I just...I don't want to hurt her. And I'm afraid of what I might become if I give in to my feelings."
"Ah, Eryn, I know the real reason you're being distant," Kaelos said, her voice low and gentle. "You're not really afraid of losing control" "You're afraid of getting hurt again. You're afraid of letting someone in and having them leave or betray you."
Eryn's gaze dropped, his shoulders tensing as he tried to deny it, but Kaelos continued.
"Don't try to hide it, Threnody. I know you. I know your fears, your doubts. You're terrified of opening yourself up to Zhilakoa, of giving her the power to destroy you."
Eryn's jaw clenched, his fists tightening as he struggled to confront the truth in Kaelos's words.
Eryn's gaze dropped, his shoulders tensing as he tried to deny it, but Kaelos's words struck too close to home. He attempted to mask his feelings, to hide behind his usual facade of indifference.
"It's not that, Kaelos," he thought back, trying to sound nonchalant. "I just don't want to complicate things."
Kaelos's mental presence was silent for a moment, then she responded, her voice laced with skepticism. "Don't lie to me, Threnody. I know you. You're not fooling anyone, least of all yourself."
"Let's just drop it, Kaelos," he thought back, trying to maintain his defences. "We have more important things to focus on."
Kaelos's mental presence lingered, as if she wanted to press the issue, but then she relented. "Very well, Threnody.
"Training grounds, then?" Eryn asked, trying to shake off the lingering emotions.
Kaelos snorted, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, joy. Because throwing daggers is your favorite coping mechanism, Threnody."
Eryn shot her a wry glance as he prepared to get on her "Hey, it's a valid stress-reliever."
"Valid?" Kaelos chuckled, a low rumble that vibrated through the air. "You're just trying to avoid dealing with your feelings, as usual."
Eryn shrugged "Maybe. But it's effective. And who knows, maybe I'll hit a few targets today."
"I'll believe that when I see it, Threnody. You're almost as bad at throwing daggers as you are at dealing with your emotions."
Eryn rolled his eyes, grinning. "Hey, watch it. I'm a master of dagger-throwing."
"Sure you are," Kaelos teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "That's why you've got a collection of mangled targets and bruised walls to show for it."
Eryn approached Kaelos, her massive wings folded against her back. He ran his hand over her scales, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity. "Time to take to the skies, Kael," he thought back, his mental voice laced with excitement. He climbed onto her back, settling into the familiar groove between her shoulders. He wrapped his legs around her neck, feeling the warmth of her scales beneath him.
As he settled in, Kaelos's wings unfolded, stretching wide before flexing into a powerful beat. The wind rushed past Eryn's face, whipping his hair back and forth. He grinned, feeling alive, feeling free. He slipped on his flight goggles, the rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. For a moment, he forgot about Zhilakoa, forgot about his fears and doubts. All that mattered was the thrill of flight, the freedom of soaring through the air.
Kaelos sensed his tension easing, her mental presence a gentle hum in the back of his mind. She was happy to be outside again, happy to be flying. Eryn felt her joy, felt her exhilaration, and it only added to his own.
As they flew over the training grounds, Eryn spotted the targets. He grinned, feeling a sense of challenge. "Time to show you my skills, Kaelos,"
Kaelos chuckled, her wings tilting as she banked and turned. "I'm shaking with fear, Threnody," she teased, her voice dripping with sarcasm.