Chapter 31 Kaed #2
Illyan couldn’t resist making a comment.
“Ladybug, did you know that in Fae culture, when a woman reveals herself nude to someone, it’s considered a sign of love?
” They smiled sweetly. “Does that mean you love me?” The Fae playfully twirled their long fingers through their silver hair.
“And when you love someone, what is yours is theirs, and theirs is yours.” Kaed couldn’t help but groan.
“I didn’t realize I was Fae.” Her retort left Illyan momentarily flustered.
“Well—No, I—wait.”
“Perhaps I should undergo the Rite, then. Maybe I can become the next Elder.” Kaed turned to watch Azahara spin, her wet hair clinging to her face.
Her unwavering confidence was something he could only envy.
Here she stood, completely nude in front of three distinctly different individuals, without a care in the world.
“Then, I can harness the Fae’s Magic, do whatever I want, whenever I want.
I could even challenge a god.” She wiggled her fingers mischievously as she sauntered toward Illyan.
The Fae was flustered. “No, no, don’t play like that, you know how we are—hey! Wait—no, don’t!” Before they could finish, Azahara tackled them to the ground. “Ew!! Ew, ew, boobs!”
He and Zhal burst into laughter.
“You did say I should share what is mine,” she proclaimed while wrapping her arms around their neck.
“Save me!” Illyan reached out to Kaed. “Please!”
Kaed sat on a broken log, crossed his legs, and shrugged his shoulders. “I think I’ll just watch.”
In the end, Illyan gave up on their attempt to steal Kaed and surrendered to Azahara. He enjoyed watching her triumph, even in the most minor and amusing skirmishes. Amid fits of laughter, she ended up rolling in the dirt and had to take another dip.
After emerging, drying by the fire, and dressing, the food was nearly ready.
The tents had been put up in the interim, and horses were fed, leaving only for them to eat and get some rest.
The sky was now illuminated by the star of So’ol, casting beautiful colors ranging from pinks and greens, to blues and yellows. These hues danced across the sky as if mirroring the sea below—a spectacular sight that few would ever witness in their lifetime.
He noticed Azahara gazing up at the sky in awe, and he felt like he could kiss her right then and there. The sheer happiness radiating from her filled him and strengthened his love. It was astonishing how a simple gaze could have that effect. Yet, there he was, falling in love all over again.
After their meal, they sat together in silence, savoring the beauty around them. They let the fire burn out, leaving only the lights of the aurora above to illuminate their surroundings.
“Can we take a walk around the cove?” Azahara leaned in and asked him. “Just the two of us?”
They left without saying another word. They had set up camp in a spot that provided a clear view of the entire cove, so there was no doubt they could find them if anything were to happen.
He slipped his fingers between hers, and they walked in unison. The rocks, wrapped in moss, were easy to navigate, so they decided to forgo their shoes. The smell of sulfur was initially overpowering, but as they approached the shoreline, the scent of salt began to prevail.
They hadn’t had a moment alone since their night at the Idle Fox, and he was eager to have some one-on-one time with her.
The stunning lights of So’ol shone across the landscape, across himself, and his love. She was beautiful regardless, but seeing her light up like a rainbow touched his heart. He melted just looking at her, the smile an added bonus to her beauty.
“What are you staring at?” she asked, leaping over a rock and finding solid ground with him. They stood on the sandy shore of the sea, with nothing but water as far as the eye could see.
“You,” he replied, leading her to sit between his legs, and she graciously obliged. “I’m just admiring how beautiful you are.” He wrapped his arms around her neck, crossing them, and held her close to his chest.
Her sheepish giggle warmed him as a gentle breeze passed by.
They shared a comfortable silence for a brief moment. Her head nestled against his chest, her legs stretched out with the water just barely out of reach of her toes. He saw the two daggers strapped to her thighs, her comment about getting attacked by another large cat echoing in his mind.
The sounds of the forest behind them and the sea before them filled the air with a soothing serenade.
“It’s not a big deal or anything,” he said, breaking the quiet.
“But I haven’t told you my full name.” He watched her lift her head to show she was paying attention.
“It’s Kaedwynn Lorath Rhain Eirwyn Blackfyre. Quite a mouthful, I know.”
“No kidding.” Her eyes widened.
“It’s my true name, obviously not one everyone calls me. It’s the name written on the induction scrolls of the Order. Originally, my surname was Eirwyn, but my mother added my father’s for sentimental value before she dropped me off at his doorstep,” he explained, sensing her tension.
“Ah, I haven’t told you about that, hmm,” he mused.
“My mother, who was advancing through the ranks of the Order when I was born, made it abundantly clear that she didn’t want children.
I found out when I tried to locate her after my father inevitably passed away.
Humans and their short lifespans,” he added with a chuckle.
As he brought his fingers to her side and ran them up her ribs, she jolted from his arms and yelped, which in turn made him laugh.
Her eyes narrowed at him, and he quickly raised his hands in surrender.
“Is that why you joined the Order?” she asked, leaning away slightly, her weary eyes focused on him.
“It is. I joined, hoping to get closer to her, but it backfired. She truly wanted nothing to do with me, and I couldn’t understand if it was because of her dislike for having kids or because I was a half-breed.”
“Why was she with someone if that was a concern?” She bit her lip, and he felt his stomach do flips. He loved it when she bit her lip, but cursed it because he wanted to be the one doing it.
“It’s possible she thought she couldn’t have kids. Half-breeds aren’t common, especially between elves and humans. Although they may seem similar, it’s very unlikely the bond would stick, though not impossible, obviously.”
Azahara nodded as if she understood, but her expression revealed a different feeling.
“You can still call me Kaed, though. I figured since we’re...” He gestured between them, feeling the heat rise to his cheeks.
“Together,” she added with a big grin. Her joy was infectious, and he couldn’t help but smile just as broadly in return.
“Together,” he agreed, leaning forward to plant a kiss on her forehead. “You should know my full name.” The way she looked at him then made it seem as though she was seeing him for the first time.
“It’s nice to meet you, Kaedwynn Lorath Rhain Eirwyn Blackfyre.” She stumbled through the full name, but he didn’t laugh at her. He found it endearing that she tried, and all things considered, she did a great job.
She cleared her throat, and he watched as a blush crept up her cheeks.
“My name, well, as you know, is Azahara Rhay Starfall. Rhay was my mother’s name, but my father’s was Rothwen.
As my family name died centuries ago, I opted to change it.
I settled on Starfall as a surname about three hundred years ago, during one of my several.
..” Her thumb crossed over her neck, and she didn’t need to say more.
He understood what she meant. “One of those. I remember looking up at the night sky, which had been cloudy, but all of a sudden, it cleared, and the stars were there. Then, as if I had conjured it myself, a star fell from the sky. It seemed like it was falling toward me, radiating warmth as I faded into the darkness. When I woke, it just stuck. Like it was meant to be a part of me. That it was a part of my life.”
His hand rested on hers. “I like it. It suits you.” She leaned towards him, her eyes peering up through her eyelashes. He wondered what she was thinking, with the mischievous smile that graced her lips.
“What?” he finally asked.
“Who knows, maybe I’ll change my name again.”
He raised his eyebrows and moved closer to her. “Oh yeah?” The thought of taking her right there in such a beautiful place crossed his mind, given the way she looked at him, half-veiled eyes and the edge of her lip between her teeth.
“That can be arranged.” His fingers brushed her arm, feeling the bumps rise under his touch.
“In time.” She licked her lips. “When I know it’s safe for you.”
Like most good things in life, it was cut short. The sound of Illyan screaming caught them by surprise, and Azahara broke free from his grasp before he could tell her to wait.
He wasn’t far behind her, and since they hadn’t gone too far, when he turned to rush back to their campsite, he saw several Fae surrounding both Illyan and Zhal.
Azahara sprinted across the terrain as if it were flat ground, and while it was impressive, it was also stupid for her to rush straight into danger.
“Aza, stop!” It didn’t matter; she was already too far ahead. The same darkness he had seen before shrouded her as she charged headfirst to save Illyan, who was now on their knees with their hands restrained behind their back. “Shit.”
Kaed quickened his pace, closing the distance between himself and Azahara. From the corner of his eye, he witnessed Zhal effortlessly tossing aside the Fae attempting to hold onto her, a rather humorous sight.
“Let them go!” Azahara’s voice reverberated through the cove, an eerie tone now shrouded in unfamiliar darkness that sent shivers down his spine.
He slowed his pace, coming up behind her, his eyes fixed on her back. The malevolence emanating from her was palpable. The soft and gentle Azahara he once knew had vanished, replaced by something akin to death itself.