Fifty-Two
CHAPTER
“Get back here!” Mateo yelled, chasing Zathrian into the water.
“Gods, no! Get away from me you damn puffer fish!” Water splashed around them.
Mateo imitated a puffer fish, diving into the water and tackling Zathrian, both briefly submerging beneath the crystal-clear waters.
The waves around them grew the more they splashed and frolicked about within the hot spring’s refreshing waters.
I loved days like today. Days that were so carefree, where everyone seemed so happy simply because they were.
Sliding my hand over my mouth, I giggled watching the two of them roughhouse before Viotto decided to join in on their fun. Rolling my eyes, I sank within the waters, comfortably wedged between the rocks.
No stress. No anxiety. No worries.
Despite fall being in full swing, it felt nice enjoying the hot springs.
The water was so warm, in stark contrast to the cool breeze.
I admired the auburn leaves as they fell from the trees.
I lifted a hand, ignoring the boys’ obnoxious splashing, and guided a falling leaf against my fingertips.
It slid down onto the ground at the edge of the springs.
I smiled, lost in my own thoughts. Lately, I felt so at peace.
“Bringer of Peace…” I recognized that whisper in the wind. My thoughts came to an abrupt halt. I hadn’t heard that voice in quite some time. Climbing out of the hot springs, I reached for my towel. Tightly wrapping it around me, and as water dripped to my bare feet, I followed its voice.
“Aerilyn,” it whispered my name.
“Where are you?” I whispered back, confused. Wandering away from the hot springs, I followed the direction of its voice. Deeper into the mountainous path I went until I could no longer hear the boys splashing about. I stood in a clearing that was empty besides the—
Is that a Pegasus?
My posture stiffened at first. I found them to be quite beautiful, but I also remembered what Zathrian told me back at the Realm of Clouds that day.
Pegasi would rip you to shreds if you let them.
They were beautiful creatures that were able to do such cruel things.
I hesitated, not daring to move. I stood there, admiring the speckled salt and pepper color of its coat.
It was beautiful.
I couldn’t help but stare in awe as all worries of being in danger washed away. I looked at its wings. The whispers in the wind became literal sounds, and the Pegasus changed shape, taking the form not of a Divine being, but a God.
“Bringer of Peace,” Deus said. Tall, slender, antlers of a deer, and big bright pink doe-like eyes. I recognized those eyes. I could recognize those eyes anywhere. “I have been watching you for some time.”
My lips curled into a smile. “So, you’re a shapeshifter?” I asked.
“I am a protector. Your protector, as the Gods have decided,” Deus replied.
I raised a curious brow. “Protector of what?”
“Protector of you,” he answered in yet another ominous riddle.
He tilted his head, staring at me. “You have nothing to fear.” He shrunk, disappearing and reappearing behind me.
He dipped around me, sliding his hands onto my shoulders.
“I am here to guide you, to ensure that you stay on the path you are meant to follow.”
My brow furrowed. “And why must—”
“AERILYN?!” A sudden surge of panic was sent through the Mate Bond. The force alone nearly knocked me off my feet. The emotional turmoil that tugged at the Bond was so overwhelming that if it wasn’t for Deus, I certainly would have been knocked off my feet.
“Do not worry, for he is coming for you,” Deus whispered into my ear. His shape changed from that of a deer-like being, to a mouse.
“AERILYN!” Zathrian’s voice called out.
I turned around to see Zathrian running up the path. Cold, soaking wet, and shivering, he barely had his own towel wrapped around him. His feet were bare as he ran between the rocks.
I blinked, confused by the urgency of his distress. With haste, he closed the distance between us by engulfing me into a tight hug. His face buried into my hair, holding me.
“I thought I lost you again,” he whispered.
I shook my head. “You won’t lose me. Y-You won’t lose me.” I lifted my arms, tightly wrapping them around Zathrian’s middle.
“Why did you come up here? What are you doing here?” His tone emphasized his distress. He kissed up my neck and across my jawline, both of his hands cupped either side of my face. My hands slid over his to comfort him.
“Please, don’t ever do that. Don’t wander off like that. I-I can’t protect you if I don’t even know where you are, Aerilyn, please,” he pleaded.
“Zath, baby, I-I won’t. I won’t. I didn’t mean to scare you.” I pushed myself closer to him.
He tenderly slid his hands down my sides and cupped my bottom. He lifted me into a warm embrace. My legs rested on either side of him, my arms wrapped around his neck.
“Shouldn’t be up here, anyway. It’s dangerous.” He walked down the path we originally came from. “It’s cold. You could catch a chill like this.” He leaned into my touch.
I nodded. “I’m sorry.” Kissing the side of his head, I watched the little mouse skitter at our feet, disappearing into the bushes. Deus was watching, but I still didn’t know what for.
Zathrian carried me all the way back to the hot springs. Mateo and Viotto were still wrestling when we made it back.
“Hey, where did you guys go?” Mateo asked as Viotto attempted to jump on his back, falling back into the water instead.
“Exploring apparently,” Zathrian replied.
I let out a soft giggle. “Actually, I was talking to Deus.”
Viotto, Mateo, and Zathrian all stopped to stare at me momentarily.
“Again?” Mateo asked.
I nodded.
Zathrian didn’t say anything, but I could feel the tension in his muscles. He eased me back into the hot springs, flashing a knowing look at Mateo and Viotto. Mateo splashed me. I splashed back, thus creating yet another playful fight between us all.
I loved this new little life of mine, and the people I shared it with.