Kellan
Standing on top of the mountain where Adri asked me to meet her, my heart pounds in
anticipation of her arrival. The urgency in her eyes and her remarkable beauty consume
my thoughts. What if I never see her again?
Zion rests at my feet as the minutes turn to hours, and the sun's last rays disappear like
the last glimmer of hope dying out.
"Where are you?" I whisper.
Zion springs to his feet as a gentle voice emerges from deep within the foliage behind us.
"You came," she says.
Choking in my own breath, I turn to greet her. "Of course. I needed to see you again."
My gaze transfixed on her as she warmly embraces Zion. "Your lack of fear may very well
be your greatest and worst quality."
No has visto nada todavía.
"What's there to fear?" I ask with a hint of arrogance.
She gives a slight chuckle, and once again, we begin our walk through the veins of the
forest. Our chats fill me with an endless supply of awe and adventure, and a time before
Adri begins to feel like nothing but a distant memory.
Arriving at a waterfall deep within the island, we stop to enjoy the mesmerizing show of
starlight dancing across the water. Zion playfully chases fireflies, exploring his
surroundings. The sound of the rushing water adds calmness and serenity to an already
perfect moment.
I feel my curiosity get the better of me and before I can catch my tongue; I turn to lock
eyes with her. "I have to ask, what's the deal with your dad?
Her expression turns somber and a look of hopelessness and defeat briefly reveals itself.
She pauses long, then brushes her initial instincts aside.
"My father fears for my safety. There are some truths about our kind he'd rather not have
me know. The truth of the fate of those among us who can bear children."
"Like you?" I add.
"Like me," she says, looking away. "My father's sole goal is to shield me from that fate."
Dumbfounded, I try to process her words.
"What does that mean, though? How long do you need to be 'shielded?'"
Her heavy sighs are a clear sign of the weight on her shoulders. "I don't know, but my
mother discovered that I could bear children by the time I was 12. Sure, the colony had
no breeding plans for me at that point, but, from what Pa has told me, the ceremony on
my 18th birthday would destroy my soul. My mother died trying to protect me."
Speechless, I listen on as she recalls entering a cave where the 'doctor' was meant to
remove her womb before the king showed up and interrupted the surgery. My heart aches
for her.
"Can I see the scar?"
Hesitant at first, she nods and lifts her tunic slightly.
Revealing a faint, jagged scar, her breath become slow and heavy. A surge of sadness
and anger courses through me as I gently run my fingers across it.
"It looks sort of like a C-section scar," I say. "My mom had one too."
Her eyes widen. "Humans can remove a womb?"
Nodding, I briefly explain the procedure. I can tell I've just given her a whole new avenue
to explore.
"But that's not the answer, Adri. Removing your ability to have children is something you
might regret later on."
"There may not be a later for me if I keep it," she says. "Every day that I walk around with
this thing could be my last as a free Zephyr."
Clutching her hand tightly, I lean in closer. "We'll find a way to set you free." The world
seems to disappear as our lips meet in a passionate kiss; only we exist. Out of nowhere,
Zion appears, longing to share in our embrace, and I kiss her forehead before kissing
him. "I promise," I continue.
His sudden barks into some nearby bushes breaks the intimate moment between us as
Adri trembles with fear of being discovered. We inspect the area but find nothing.
Agreeing to call it a night, we reluctantly go our separate ways with the promise of meeting
again.
The weeks pass, and our usual meetup spot has now been dubbed "The Gateway." Our
bond grows stronger with each daily encounter, and I introduce her to more of the simple
human pleasures. With each passing moment together, I feel our love deepen. The
anticipation of Carnival keeps us both excited.
∗∗∗
The day has finally arrived. Meeting at The Gateway once again, I reveal my plan to bring
her to Carnival. Her eyes sparkle with excitement and nervousness alike.
"My stomach feels as if I've swallowed a fish! I've never been around so many humans."
"Everyone will be dressed up, and I brought you the perfect disguise. People will just
assume your wings are a part of your costume," I say, offering a reassuring smile.
Appearing from where she went to change, my heart sinks into my stomach. She looks
even more majestic than I imagined. Her wings accentuate her costume, making her
resemble a creature of legend.
"Goddamn," I breathe, incapable of looking away. "You look incredible."
"Thank you," she says, blushing a bit. "I think I'm ready."
We return to my boat so I can change into my costume. Joking about my sparkly outfit,
we share another zealous kiss.
"I could hold you forever," I say, kissing her cheek.
"Then we'll starve to death. Ha ha."
Together, we set sail for Carnival. The thrill and anxiousness of the upcoming adventure
resonate in the air.