27. SOPHIE
“You ready?” Ash smiled brightly.
“Yep.” She wasn’t ready.
After attempting – and failing – to hide her unease, Ash grabbed her hand like they always did when they were young and walked her to the stable of arions. She wondered how his partner would feel if she knew they were holding hands like this. It didn’t feel quite right. At the stable, he sought his pure white arion named Lumen, and together they flew to the top of the waterfall where the water that ran in reverse, spilled over the edge . . . in the sky.
The Isle of Deos was a floating island and from her vantage point on top of the waterfall, Sophie could spot other floating islands – three to be exact – much larger than the Isle itself. On the closest floating island, she could spot green rolling hills and shiny tall buildings. The island in the middle was thickly covered in something like golden grass. The farthest, highest island was solely black with a dark volcanic mountain in its centre.
She was on a floating, motherfucking island. It was like a scene out of Laputa or even Avatar. All that surrounded them was pure blue sky and clouds. Various birds and creatures squawked and flew in formation. The sounds of the waterfall they stood atop roared in unison with the adrenalin that ran through her veins. She thought she’d seen it all . . . but this? This was something she’d never read about or could even imagine. She let out an appreciative scoff and her eyes widened with wonder.
Sophie sat snug on the pure white arion, Ash’s front pressed firmly against her back. His muscled thighs held her firmly as she braced her hands against the back of the stallion’s neck. There was no saddle to hold onto, only Ash’s arms that held firmly on the reins in front.
“Hold on to your horses.” Ash smiled, no doubt revelling in the pun.
Big idiot, Sophie thought to herself.
His mouth was so close to Sophie that his breath tickled the shell of her ear, sending chills down her spine and a rush of excitement through her core.
Stop it, Sophie. He’s got a partner. She repeated to herself. As much as her mind was screaming and waving red flags for her to keep her distance, her body clearly wanted for someone else – though she wasn’t ready to admit who.
With two sharp clicks of his tongue, Lumen, the white arion, leapt into the air with one giant thrust of its enormous wings – almost doubling the size of Ash’s. The sun peaked through the clouds, warming their skin as they catapulted through the sky.
The arion floated through the skies for a few seconds before nosediving along the waterfall. The wind whipped passed Sophie at alarming speed. They were travelling so fast that Sophie scrunched her eyes and tensed. Still, Ash held her firmly in place.
“Open your eyes Sofreya!”
“No fucking way!”
“You need to see this! I promise you won’t regret it!” Ash whooped above the wind that cracked against her ears. Strong hands grabbed hers and eased them out of the arion’s mane. Her stomach turned and gravity felt like it no longer existed. Ash intertwined his fingers with hers and opened their arms wide as if they were wings, catching the air. “I’ve got you. I promise. I’ve always got you. Open your eyes!” His deep voice ran through her, illuminating all the dark corners of her heart.
She burst her eyes open at the words that did all sorts of things to her tummy. The sun shined happily across her face as she took it all in. They whisked through clouds as they plummeted . . . no, flew through the never-ending skies. This was the Godlands. This was Heaven, in all its meanings and iterations.
Sophie leaned back, her head resting against Ash’s bare chest, their hands still intertwined. She looked up at him with absolute awe and wonder, as if to ask, are you seeing what I’m seeing? A laugh worked up and out of Sophie’s throat. Her heart filled with pure happiness. In this moment, gone was her heartache and gone was her worry. She was herself. She was whole again. And this – rushing through the air on the back of an ancient arion, with her best friend – was where she wanted to be. Where she was supposed to be. She deserved it.
Sophie let go of all her inhibitions and let out a conquering roar. Ash’s deep laugh rumbled through her and he followed suit, letting out his own celebratory caw.
Lumen spiralled up into the clouds again, nickering in pure excitement.
As the arion steadied out, Ash leaned in, an arm now wrapped around Sophie’s middle and the other holding the reins tightly. “That never gets old.”
“That was . . . amazing!” Sophie leaned her head back onto Ash’s chest and looked up at him through her thick lashes. Her cheeks ached from overuse but it didn’t stop her from basking in his warmth and calm.
Ash watched her, his eyes searching for something. Sophie could have sworn heat washed over them.
“What?” Sophie was breathless. For multiple reasons. Their lips were mere inches away. If she leaned up just a fraction . . .
“Nothing.” Ash shook his head slightly.
He’s got a partner, Sophie! She thought to herself. She cleared her throat and snapped out of the trance she found herself in. Perhaps it was the endorphins or the altitude that made her head spin and her inhibitions loose. Sophie righted herself and put a bit of distance between them – as much as she could, riding bareback on an arion.
Ash cleared his throat too and scooted his hips back slightly.
They rose above a thick layer of clouds and before them floated the closest island. Like the Isle of Deos, the island was laden with thick jungle but in the centre, there were tall, white buildings. All around was low-lying yet dense Grecian architecture. It was a city. Four rivers intersected the island and like the Isle of Deos, the water ran freely off the edge of it.
“Welcome to Soul City.” Pride lined the ends of his words.
Sophie smiled.
For real this time.
Soul City. The place where souls who passed – of humans, Fae, magical and otherwise – came to live for the rest of eternity. The city was a bustling metropolis compared to the Isle of Deos, with tall white buildings that lined white marble streets. Vendors and stalls echoed with excitement, selling their goods to the fancily dressed souls that strolled the markets.
Ash guided Sophie and Lumen through the busy streets. Souls of all ages stopped to greet Ash, many raking a cautious eye over Sophie. The thin blue film that encased their skin glowed with each movement and curious glance. Ash greeted them kindly but kept his steady pace through the city.
He slowed down as they approached a sandstone building with large golden gates. Grass fields lined the front of the building. Various jungle gyms, swings, see-saws, and sand pits were placed across the field. The muffled sound of children playing rang in the distance.
This must be the day care he picks his kids up from. Sophie stood nervously behind Ash as they approached the large golden arches. Across the arch, large letters in a language she did not recognise were cast in iron. She looked up at the sign, trying to decipher it with a furrowed brow.
“The Home for Lost Children.” Ash explained.
“Lost?”
“Orphans, if you will. Children whose parents have yet to pass and enter Soul City. This is where they stay until their parents arrive.” Ash grinned as he opened the golden gates, motioning Sophie to head in first.
“You leave your kids at the orphanage? Does your partner not take care of them?” As soon as the words left her mouth, Ash smiled mischievously, his twin dimples and fangs flashing. Something clicked in her brain. Sophie finally put two and two together – her words and his roguish grin. There was nothing she wanted to do more right now, than to melt into the floor and disappear. She’d even let Lumen stomp all over her for good measure.
Ash cackled. He outright cackled, bracing his middle and bending over kind of cackle. And Sophie pretty much died, right then and there.
Goodbye life. It was nice knowing you.
“Hang on, you thought . . .” Ash managed to get out between huffs of laughter.
“Don’t even finish that sentence.” Sophie stormed ahead.
“Why? A little jealous, are we?”
“Why on earth would I be jealous of someone who’d deign to frolic with an overgrown turtle-dove?” Sophie stomped even louder along the gravel path for effect.
“I don’t know, Sofreya. That stomping is telling me a different story.”
Sophie didn’t need to turn around to see the stupid grin that was most certainly plastered across his handsome face. “Shut it, asshole.”
“Your wish is my command, my queen,” Ash snorted.
That facetious twat of an angel. Sophie grumbled various profanities underneath her breath as she halted in front of the large oak doors to the orphanage. She felt Ash pull up beside her with Lumen.
“For the record, I don’t have a partner. Second, I call them my kids because they could very well spend their entire after-lives here. Not all parents arrive in Soul City. And no matter how old you are or what kind of being you are, you’ll always want to belong to someone. So . . . while they’re waiting for their parents, they’re my kids.” Ash cleared his throat.
Sophie’s heart filled with a newfound appreciation for her best friend. Not only was he strong and scarily adept with weapons, but he was also compassionate, fair and understanding – a true, admirable leader. She finally understood why the other gods and goddesses were drawn to him and followed him even though he wasn’t a god himself. He was an enigma.
She looked at him, his strong jawline and the undercut that accentuated it.
He caught her stare and winked. “I suggest you keep your guard up.”
Sophie was about to ask why when the oak doors groaned open to a classroom littered with artwork, desks and toys. A team of children came pouring out, surrounding them both.
“Acki! Acki!” They all shouted with youthful glee.
Dressed in different knitted and crocheted vests and jumpers, the kids swarmed Ash and Lumen – screaming like kids in a candy store.
Ash knelt on the ground so he could greet them all. He pretended to fall on the ground in pain as they jumped at him, clinging onto him for dear life. Lumen bent down to lick the children that came up to pet his majestic coat.
“Help, Princess Sofreya! I’m being attacked by gremlins!” Ash shouted from the floor, his arm dramatically trying to reach for Sophie.
Sophie laughed brightly and if she was being truthful, her ovaries had exploded watching Ash this way. A renowned angel warrior capable of combusting enemies with his lightning, absolutely melted for children and animals – the Godlands Press would have a field day if they knew. She could see the headlines now.
At the word, several little girls turned to face Sophie.
“She’s a princess?!” They all oohed and aahed and ran up to hug her, sparing Ash a moment to quietly slide away without their notice.
Sophie knelt to greet them.
“She’s so pretty!” A little girl screamed as she touched Sophie’s silver-purple hair.
Another girl leaned up against her and said, “Princess Sofreya, when I grow up, I want to be as beautiful as you.”
Sophie leaned down to the girl. “You know what’s better than that?” The girl looked up at Sophie with awe in her eyes. “Growing up and being as curious and confident as you.”
The little girl blushed and gave Sophie a tight hug.
The little girls closed in and started whispering, “Lady Sofreya, are you Acki’s girlfriend?” Sophie’s eyes widened as the girls snickered and giggled.
“Girls! Stop terrorising my pretty princess!” Ash shouted from the other side of the room where he showed the kids surrounding him how to nock an arrow on a wooden bow. The children’s toys looked comical in his large warrior hands.
At his words, the girls scattered and squealed in every direction, shouting, “They’re going to get married! We’re having a royal wedding!” They ran across the classroom, gathering supplies and toys.
Sophie just laughed at their fervour and determination. Oh how lovely would it be to be young again? To run around carefree?
Sophie watched the children play but noticed a Fae female enter the room from what looked like an administration office. The female was graceful. Her features were soft and warm. Her skin was alight with the blue glow of a soul, and she was heading straight for Sophie. On her way over, the female nodded an acknowledgment Ash’s way, which prompted a raised hand from Ash. Sophie stood to greet the female.
“You’ll have to excuse the children. It’s not often they get visitors outside of Acheron’s cadre.” The female stretched out a hand for Sophie to shake. “Amina.”
“Sofreya.” Sophie smiled warmly, taking the female’s hand in hers. “It’s lovely to meet you.”
“I take care of the children here at the home. Acheron is noble and patient enough to spend a day here each week so I can go out and gather stores.” Amina surveyed the children with warmth and love.
“He’s great, isn’t he?” Sophie watched as Ash helped the children master their bows and arrows. The master of weapons, in his true element.
Amina nodded in agreement. “You’re very lucky to have him.” Her eyebrows raised slightly in question.
Sophie arced up. “Oh no, it’s not like that.”
“Have you seen the way you look at him?” Amina leaned in and teased in one ear. She circled around Sophie’s other shoulder and continued, “or better yet, the way he looks at you?” A knowing smile splayed across her warm face. “If you need anything, send word,” Amina winked.
Sophie’s cheeks warmed as Amina left the room and closed the oak doors behind her. What did Amina mean by that? Sophie wasn’t looking at Ash in a particular way nor was Ash looking at her in a particular way. Sometimes she’d catch him with a heated look in his eyes but . . . Sophie shook the thought out of her head. They were friends. That was it.
Sophie re-entered the thrall of happy and loud children, trying her best to not get too close to Ash. They spent the afternoon doing crafts. Some of the girls wanted to set up a royal wedding, lining up the toys they had at the front of the classroom and making an aisle in the middle. The girls commandeered the boys to set up chairs and decorations for their extravagant royal wedding. Ash helped the children onto his shoulders as they pinned up the colourful ribbons across the walls, while Sophie helped get all the stuffed toys in line and dressed up.
It was then Sophie noticed a young human-looking girl with blond curly hair and dark, onyx eyes. She was pouting and visibly upset.
Sophie walked up to the young girl. “Hi. My name is Sophie, what’s yours?”
“Tenerife.” Her voice was all soft and shy, the r sounding more like a w.
“What a lovely name. Tenerife, can I sit with you?”
The girl rubbed her eyes and nodded, her head bowed.
Sophie pulled out the small chair and faced Tenerife. “You seem a bit sad, is there anything I can do to help, or is there something you want to talk about?”
The girl pouted even further and fiddled with the pencil she held in her small hands. “I don’t want Acki to get married.” She crossed her arms.
“The wedding is just pretend, Tenerife. It’s not for real,” Sophie assured the young girl.
“I want to marry Acki! Even if it’s just pretend!”
“Well, have you told Acki that?” The nickname rolled of Sophie’s tongue. It made her heart squeeze.
Tenerife shook her head. Her blond curls bobbing with the motion.
“It’s important that if you want something, you go get it or you go ask for it. Not everyone is a mind-reader, so you need to make your intentions clear,” Sophie smiled.
“Can you come with me so I can tell Acki? I know you want to marry him, but I wanted to marry him first.” Tenerife looked up at Sophie with her beady onyx eyes and cherub cheeks.
“Of course. Let’s go now before all the wedding decorations are finished,” Sophie stood up from the chair and held out a hand for Tenerife to hold.
The young, shy girl hid behind Sophie’s legs as they walked across the classroom to where Ash sat. A few of the children were dressing him with ribbons and glitter. They insisted that he look the part of the groom.
Ash looked behind Sophie’s legs, his face screwed with worry. “What’s wrong Tene? Are you okay?”
The girl clung to Sophie’s legs harder. Sophie knelt before Ash and pulled Tenerife closer. “Tene here wants to tell you something.” Sophie gave the girl a reassuring nod.
The girl leaned in so that only Sophie and Ash could hear. She whispered rather loudly, “Acki, I want to get pretend-married to you instead. I asked Princess Sofreya and she said I could have you.”
Ash turned to Sophie. “Did she now?”
Tenerife nodded quickly, her lips pouting.
“Not my words, but sure.” Sophie laughed.
“There we have it, folks! A wedding with a new bride!” Ash announced to the classroom.
The kids roared with excitement. Someone had rung the wedding bells – cow bells in place of wedding bells – and the children ran to where the seats were laid out.
Ash scooped Tenerife up in his arms and ran to the end of the aisle.
Sophie joined the rest of the children, forming the congregation to the royal wedding. Ash knelt at the front with a shy Tenerife by him, clinging to one of the ribbons that had been wrapped around his muscled arm.
One of the boys stood upfront – the celebrant.
The classroom of children squealed and clapped as Tenerife and Ash were deemed pretend-husband and pretend-wife for the time limit of two minutes – the celebrant was a stickler for timings and had stated such in his speech.
The children roared with excitement as Ash and Tenerife ran down the aisle laughing.
Ash winked at Sophie as he ran by. His deep laughter filled the room and, unbeknownst to him, Sophie’s heart filled too. She didn’t think it were possible, but Sophie started to think that . . . she liked him.