Zedd sat silently under the tree, his back resting against the rough bark, the sounds of the bustling town fading away as he stared out into the distance. Both Elara and Reina, exhausted from the events of the day, had fallen asleep in his lap. Their breathing was slow and steady, but the weight of what had transpired still lingered heavily in the air. He absentmindedly stroked their hair, his fingers brushing through the strands as his mind wandered.
Elara's long red hair felt smooth beneath his touch, the fiery hue a sharp contrast against the dark shadows cast by the tree. Reina's black hair was soft and silky, but it had a heavier weight to it, a sign of the fear she had carried with her since their arrival. Zedd couldn't help but notice the difference between them—the way they each held their pain, though Elara's defiance and Reina's vulnerability were equally clear.
As he gently ran his fingers through their hair, guilt gnawed at him. These two—who had trusted him, followed him without question, believing in his abilities—had been betrayed by him. They had been curious about him, wanting to know who he was and why he did what he did, but in the end, he had left them behind when they needed him the most. He hadn't cared enough. He had been selfish.
But now, with them resting peacefully in his lap, Zedd's resolve hardened. He promised himself, right there and then, that he would never abandon them again. He would keep them close and protect them. He swore it, the weight of his decision settling like an anchor in his chest. He had found companions in them, something he hadn't expected, something he hadn't even realized he wanted.
In the stillness of the moment, his voice came out soft, almost like a whisper, as he leaned forward slightly, not wanting to disturb their slumber. "I will always protect you both," he murmured, his words full of sincerity. "No more trying to ditch you two or trying to run away. I have found companions."
What Zedd didn't know was that Elara, despite appearing to be deep in sleep, had heard every single word he said. Her eyes, though closed, flickered slightly as she processed his words. The intensity in his voice made her pulse quicken, but she didn't move, didn't make a sound. Instead, she simply lay there, her mind racing as she replayed his words in her head.
I have found companions.
Elara wasn't sure what to think. Part of her wanted to believe him. She had seen the change in him, the hesitation when he'd paid the bill at the restaurant, the guilt that had plagued him when he saw what the owner had been about to do to them. But the other part of her, the part that had learned long ago to rely only on herself, was still cautious. She couldn't let her guard down that easily.
He could change his mind tomorrow, Elara thought, her heart beating with a mix of confusion and hope. But for now… maybe we can try this. Try trusting him.
Her body remained still, pretending to be asleep, but her mind was wide awake, trying to decipher the meaning behind his words. Reina, on the other hand, was completely oblivious, her soft breathing barely disturbed by the gentle movements of Zedd's hand in her hair.
Zedd continued to stroke their hair, lost in his thoughts. His resolve had taken root, and it felt like a promise, one he intended to keep. He would protect them, no matter the cost.
Time passed in silence, the only sound being the occasional rustle of leaves above them, and the distant chatter of the town. Zedd felt a strange sense of peace in the moment. For the first time in a long while, he wasn't alone.
But he knew the journey ahead would be complicated. He couldn't just erase the past. The damage had been done, and the trust he had broken wouldn't be easily rebuilt. Still, he would try. He owed them that much.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting golden light through the leaves, Zedd's thoughts turned to the road ahead. There would be dangers, of course, but he would face them with Elara and Reina by his side. He had made up his mind.
And though Elara hadn't revealed that she had heard him, Zedd felt as though something had shifted between them. A silent understanding, perhaps.
"I'm sorry," Zedd whispered to no one in particular, his voice barely audible as the wind gently carried his words. "I won't leave you again. I promise."
He didn't expect an answer, nor did he need one. The promise, like the stillness of the moment, was enough.
For now, he was content to let the world move around them. As long as Elara and Reina stayed by his side, as long as they could begin to rebuild their trust in him, he felt that maybe, just maybe, this broken journey might find its way toward something better.
And deep inside, Zedd hoped that Elara had heard him, that Reina's trust would return. Because he would do whatever it took to make things right.