Our play time was cut short when I caught wind of the silence that seemed to fill the entire grove. The grove's center was utterly silent, so I transformed back, wondering if I had made a mistake.
That was when I saw several older fae on the ground… kneeling. Praying? They muttered something in a language I couldn't understand, but they seemed to be praying. Not in fear, but in worship.
"Let's go." Fern pulled me away with surprising strength, while Kaia and her mother stayed back.
The young Forest Folk girl waved goodbye, asking to play with me again, but Fern's pull only grew stronger as I tried to turn.
"How about I show you the rest of the grove?" she asked with a forced smile.
"What's going on here?" I asked, trying–and failing–to resist Fern's strength until we were far enough from the grove's center. She slowed and released me with a heavy sigh.
"Elder Taria mentioned something yesterday," Fern grimaced. "She mentioned that your Power felt like it was a Blessing of the Beast Gods rather than your gods. I didn't think much of it, but with Maer visiting you and the older faes' reactions… I don't know."
"I guess that's also part of the reason Elder Taria vouched for me. Because she thinks I was given a powerful power from your gods rather than mine. A power so strong it dyed the Orb black." I nodded slowly. That made some sense. It gave the Elder and the fae more reason to believe their gods sent me to help them rather than kill them.
But was that really what was happening? Was my power really a gift of the Beast Gods? They had no reason to give me such a power. Why did they pick me when they could have picked one of their own people?
"Don't think too much about it. You have no reason to be worried." Fern patted my arm, but she looked less certain than I felt.
"I'm not worried. Actually, that is not true." I tilted my head. What was the best way to explain this?
"I am a little worried about my situation, but I decided to take things for what they are. I had many questions and knew that it would be difficult to find the answers to all of them. However, worrying too much won't help anyone. It won't solve my problems, nor will it make me feel any better. Quite the opposite, actually." I smiled gently at Fern. "My life has turned upside down in the last few weeks, but I don't hate it. Some situations are rather unfortunate, but I can search for solutions one step at a time."
I took a deep breath. "Because that is what I am going to do. Take one step at a time."
With that said, I closed the distance to Fern. My ears burned hot as I reached out for her cheek. I cupped it tenderly with one hand and pulled her closer by the waist with my other hand.
"Claiming me means that I belong to you," I said, my lips parted in a gentle, yet anxious smile. "In that case, I think it is necessary for me to do the same."
"Fern," I called out in a low voice, my voice rumbling. "I claim you. As a friend, but also as a mate. You are mine."
Fern shuddered at my words. Her face turned red, and I could have sworn her heart was beating loud enough to ring in my ears. Or was that just my own heart trying to leap out of my chest?
"I am yours," she whispered, the smile on her lips was the most beautiful in all of the realms.
Leaning forward, I planted a soft kiss on her lips, giving in to the desire that had grown stronger over the last few days.
Fern stiffened momentarily before leaning into the kiss, reciprocating it with the same fire that burned in my chest.
***
Life was good. Sure, I'd been kidnapped, but the final result wasn't all that bad. I learned more about my Power, and I ended up in a place that fulfilled most of my wishes.
Exploration and adventure were things I could find in heaps in the Eserian forest. However, what I could never have imagined finding in such a place was a lover. A mate.
Everything was still so new for me, yet it did not feel all that bad. My emotional response to all the murder was still a little odd, but that was something I could figure out over time. The same could be said about my relationship with Fern. It all happened so fast. We had talked for hours every day for close to a week, but it wasn't like we knew each other well.
Regardless, the attraction we felt was real. We were connected in more than one way. Our bodies begged us to pounce on each other, sexual desire was burning deep in our chests, but we decided to take it slow. To take one step at a time. To go with the flow. After all, the circumstances were far from perfect.
I was human, for one, as well as from the Zetrian Empire. The Eserian Grove's Elders could throw me out of the grove whenever they wished. For all I knew, only Elder Taria was on my side. That was only if I fought with them.
Still… I couldn't forget about our kiss. Fern's soft, full lips pressed against mine. The smell of her musk as it shifted to something sweet, something alluring that made me want more. It ignited something within me. Made me think in ways I never thought were possible.
I wanted Fern, and I could feel her desires burn just as strongly. We were made for each other. Destined to stand next to each other and journey the realms side by side.
Calm down. This is not your first romance! I chided myself.
There was no way anyone would like someone clinging desperately to them, seeking constant attention. In the first place, it wasn't like I was one of those people. I did not crave attention.
But… this was nothing like my other romances. This felt like a lot more.