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-&-
Chapter 32

       Nightmares plagued my dreams, or maybe it was the other way around. Little snippets of images flew past my mind's eye over and over again. Images of blue eyes and the feeling of a tight embrace, of red stones and slow, loving smiles. It both made my heart soar, and ache.

       Images that refused to let me sleep.

       My eyes blinked slowly open as I let out a long, soft sigh. My head ached, and my heart beat furiously in my chest. Would this confused, endless cycle in my brain ever end?

       Eirik lay sleeping beside me, his breathing steady as his thick arm rest heavily along my waist. He hadn't moved once, not since lying down on his stomach beside me in the small tent Aeyron and Terif had constructed.

       He had fallen asleep almost immediately, and I smiled as the hard lines and ridges of his handsome face eased once he fell into a peaceful slumber. At least one of us could sleep.

       But even now, as I watched the planes and ridges of the hard muscles in his back move with each breath, I could see the tension strumming through his body. His grip around me did not ease throughout the night, and even though his face was pressed against a pillow, that someone had managed to bring, I could see the readiness of his resting brow.

       He was not letting himself rest as deeply as before.

       I blinked up at the burnt orange color of the waxed-linen tent, and let my hand run soothingly over the bare arm circled around my stomach. He made a noise in the back of his throat, his arm tightening around me, before relaxing once again.

       My heart was beating a thousand miles a minute at how close we were, at the way he was clutching me tightly to his side in his sleep. I understood why he was being so touchy, why he refused to give me any wiggle room at all. I knew he feared me running off again, no matter how many times I reassured him I would not. But being this close to him, after so long of being pushed and kept away, made my head spin.

       I still didn't know what to think, about any aspect of this situation, but he had told me not to worry over such things, and for once I felt like that would be the best option. At least, for a little while.

       I lifted my hands gently away from his strong forearm, and pulled the brilliant ruby out from beneath my tunic. I held it softly in my fingers, marveled at the precious stone and its deep color. It pulsed in my grasp, and spread warmth throughout my hands. A smile pulled at my lips.

       My beautiful stone, with a color to best even its creator's eyes of eternity. For it was my truth and my past, and proved the lies of reality. The dearest thing to my heart.

       The sudden thought made my eyes widen in surprise, but it was true. The ruby was not a simple precious stone found in the depths of a crypt, but an immortal totem that radiated power and warmth. A piece of his heart.

       'To hold with you always.'

       He had been there, in the cave. Or, some odd, shadowy apparition of him had been. I had seen his eyes, those glowing, ruby red eyes that stared holes into my own. He had been there, barely a foot away. After so many years, he had finally found me- But then he left, as he did in Eirik's story of the god and his star.

       Why?

       I was so enthralled in the ruby, in tracing its soft edges and lines, and reveling in the warmth that it radiated, in the love that it promised, that I didn't notice the pair of brilliant blue eyes watching me.

       "You did find a little treasure in the cave."

       I jumped at the gruff sound of his deep, sleep infused, voice, and nearly blushed as red as the ruby as I clutched it tightly in defense. But when my eyes flickered over to him, there was no malice or scorn in his gaze, only a soft light that made my insides churn. I eased my grip.

       I didn't answer at first, and instead held the large ruby a little higher into the air so he could see it as well. His blue eyes lingered on my flushed cheek for a moment before slowly turning on his side to gaze up at the precious stone. His arm slid away from my waist.

       "It was his, Adranus's." I murmured as my eyes once again followed its smooth edges.

       "Yes, I can see its power."

       My gaze snapped to him as his slowly gazed over every inch of the stone. "You can actually see it?" He nodded and let out a small sigh before dropping his stare to my face once again. The attention made me want to crawl under the thick blanket covering us, and hide my face in its warmth.

       "Yes, it's like a series of dark, intricating circles and designs etched into its heart. Designs that I doubt I will ever be able to understand, but they are there."

       I knew it held magic inside, held power. It surged, and pulsed, and radiated warmth. It was not a normal stone, but hearing him say he could actually see its secrets, made my love for the ruby grow. It was so odd, this feeling of being ridiculously attached to a materialistic object, but it was alive.

       It was a part of him, of Adranus. I knew that with everything I held in me.

       "It is yours, Emrie. Created for you. Your name is carved into its deepest depths." His voice had taken on a more serious tone, the deep recesses of it curling my toes as his strong hand reached up and curled my fingers around the stone.

       I watched his bright, electrifying blue eyes as he drew my hand out of the air and to my chest, his touch gentle as his thumb brushed across the back of my hand. His gaze flashed and locked with mine, and the warm glowing light shining in them surprised me.

       "Keep it close to your heart."

-&-

       Whistling reached my ear, a bright, happy tune that made my stomach flutter at its simple sound. I knew who it was before its owner ever appeared. It was so different from the voice of the others, much deeper, and much more amused. As he always was.

       I turned away from the window and leaned against its edge, both of my hands on either side of me as the man turned the corner. The blush that stained my cheeks was automatic, and I turned my head in the opposite direction when that familiar, flutter inducing, gaze locked on mine.

       "Well, well, well. If it isn't my favorite little star. What are you doing out and about during the day?" Adranus leaned against the marble corner he had just turned, that always-amused gleam in his eyes flashing in the bright light of the palace as I tried to rub the embarrassed warmth from my arms.

       "One could ask the same of you."

       He raised a dark eyebrow at that, and his large, rather appeasing arms reached up and crossed over his thick chest, that dark voice came out as chuckle. "I think that is the closest you have ever come to sarcastic response. I'm rubbing off on you."

       I flushed at the satisfied, almost proud, smile that crossed his unearthly beautiful face, and dropped my own towards the marble ground. I could never glance at him for too long, his presence seemed to fry all rational thought in my entire being.

       Then again, all the gods were like that. They all held that unearthly, eternal beauty that none could match. Not even the shining souls of the stars could compete with their beauty. It was unnatural, and eternal.

       His gaze lingered a moment more before flickering over to the large set of wooden doors beside us. "Is he in a meeting?" He asked curiously as those bright eyes flickered back to mine. I nodded and let my hands rub along my arms soothingly, unease settling once again in the pit of my stomach. And it had nothing to do with him.

       "Yes, he and Lord Arie have been discussing for a while now." I thought I had hid the nervousness from my voice well enough, but the sharp, narrowed look he shot me suggested otherwise.

       "Are you in trouble?"

       My eyes widened at the sudden concern in his voice, and at the way that always-amused light in his eyes disappeared. I gave him a soft, reassuring smile, but couldn't look him in the eyes as I glanced over at the large doors.

       "I-I'm not sure." I admitted softly as he leaned off the wall and began to walk slowly towards me. Everything inside me seemed to flutter as he approached, at the look in his beautiful eyes. My soul always did funny things whenever he grew close.

       "What happened?"

       I shook my head slightly and tried to keep up my smile as he stopped just barely a foot away, his eyes hard as they studied every inch of my face. "It's nothing, really. Just a little hiccup." I tried to reassure him, if only to make that concerned look in his bright gaze fade away.

       "That is not what I asked."

       I let out a small sigh and reached up to run a shaky hand through my dark hair before gripping my arms tightly once again. He was a persistent one, and I was finally starting to learn that. I knew he would not drop that intimidating stare until I told him.

       "Lord Arie, he had the storm that raged over the Western hemisphere on the mortal plane the other night planned for quite some time now. He even had it approved by Axion."

       That concerned expression plaguing his beautiful features completely vanished, and his eyes grew amused once again as they shined as brightly as the moon he controlled.

       "And let me guess," He started on a soft snicker, his lips pulling into a humorous smile. "A certain little star saw a few mortals caught in the middle of it, and helped them to safety."

       My smile grew sheepish, and I tried to hide the heat rushing to my cheeks as I gave him a small nod. His large body leaned a little away from mine as he let out a deep chuckle, his thick chest rumbling with the laugh.

       "Yes, but Lord Arie was furious. He's been discussing with Axion over the matter for hours. He's demanding I be punished for interrupting a preordained event."

       Adranus shook his head, that laugh still tugging on his lips, as if the whole matter seemed ridiculously funny to him. "Do not worry over such things. They cannot do anything to you."

       "But-"

       "No, there are no 'buts'. You are a being of the night, a soul that shines as bright as the moon. That makes you mine, and everything that entails."

       I had grown used to his little flirtations over time, even though they never ceased to bring heat to my cheeks. But hearing him refer to me as 'his' was a whole new experience. One I wasn't sure how I felt about. I stared up at him with wide, and rather frightened eyes, but he only smiled and reached his hand up to rest against the top of my head. Like one comforting a pouting child.

       "In all reality, you, and any other star in the heavens, are my responsibility. They cannot do anything to you, or against you, without my say so. So," He murmured on a soft smile, the amusement in his bright eyes fading as a serious tone took over his words. "Do not worry over such things."

       The relief that swept over my shoulders was unexpected, but I knew, with that look in his eyes, that he meant every word. A part of me knew, that he meant every word he ever spoke. Even the most ridiculous of notions and innuendos.

       "Adranus, this is a surprise."

       Lord Axion was standing just inside the large wooden doors, his massive body twice the size of any other god I had yet to see. His eyes were a multitude of swirling seas that glowed against all light in the heaven, and his hair was as dark as the blackest sky.

       Just being in his presence made me want to bow my head and confess all my wrong doings I had ever committed. For he was the god of the heavens, and all its inhabitants. He ruled all.

       Arie was standing beside him, a pleased, sadistic smile pulling on his lips. His hair was a stark white that shown against the pale green of his eyes, and made the beauty of his appearance even that more pronounced.

       For a being so in tune with nature, he was a disastrous monster. Responsible for every horrid storm and natural calamity that tormented and killed civilizations. He held no remorse, nor guilt, and enjoyed the destruction in his wake.

       You did not want to be enemies with him.

       Adranus turned to face the two gods, that lazy, amused expression resting on his handsome face once again as his large back nearly blocked mine from view.

       I was oddly comforted by the protective act, and found myself trying to press against the hard plane of his body. Then I jumped at the realization and pulled quickly away. Adranus might have been a flirt, a huge flirt, but he wasn't one for contact.

       "Yes, I came to see you about a matter, but found you were busy discussing about my little Emerense here."

       I watched from my hidden position behind his large back as the great god Axion's gaze flickered between us. Lord Arie's sadistic smile pulled into a satisfied smirk as his bright eyes flashed to mine. "Indeed, I believed we had just decided on a punishment for-"

       I could feel my soul clench in my chest, could feel the panic start to build deep inside as the god's words left his mouth in a malicious grin. Adranus did not move.

       "There will be no punishment."

       I watched as that victorious smirk plastered on Arie's face vanished, and his green eyes began to glow in rage that was all too familiar for him. "It is already decided. You do not have a say in the matter." He snarled at the God of the Moon before me, his pale fists clenching at his sides.

       Axion stayed silently to the side, his all-knowing eyes watching the scene in placid amusement. I resisted the urge to press myself into Adranus's back and bury my face against him.

       "Emerense is a being of the night, I have every say in the matter. She belongs to me."

       The deep-seated fury that flashed across Arie's face was enough to make me cower where I stood, but Adranus did not waver. "You arrogant, pompous, self-righteous-"

       "In my eyes, she did a kind service to the helpless beings in need. I see no harm done. The situation is closed."

       "She interfered with a cosmic matter! She, as well as the others, know their place." He growled beside Axion, his green eyes alight in anger as Adranus leaned casually against the stone wall beside us.

       "Yes, in my domain. You hold no power over her or the others."

       "No." He sneered and took a threatening step forward as my gaze flickered nervously between all three of them. "But Axion does, and he decided a punishment was deemed necessary-"

       "Actually, I quite like Adranus's take on the matter. From here on out, all situations regarding the stars fall on him." Axion's multitude colored gaze flashed in amusement, as delight filled my stomach. Everything would be alright now.

       Arie was furious. I had never seen such a look of pure hatred before, and it honestly tore at my heart. But he didn't stay long enough to act on the fury in his eyes. With a bright flash of light, he disappeared, even though tension still lingered in the air.

       Axion sighed and shook his head before turning back to the double doors. "Now that that is settled, would you like to discuss what you originally came for, Adranus?"

       "Yes, give me a moment."

       The God of All nodded briefly, his marvelous, ethereal eyes flickering over to mine before a soft smile pulled at his lips. I watched as he slipped once again into the great hall and closed the large door behind him.

       I let out the deep breath I hadn't realized I was holding on a long sigh. Well, that could have gone worse. Adranus chuckled and turned to me with a bright, victorious smile. "There now." He teased softly as I nearly crumbled against the wall in relief. "I told you not to worry."

       "Thank you, you did not have to do that." I murmured up at him with a small smile, one that he returned.

       "Of course, I did. I would not let that fool ever cause you pain."

       My chest fluttered at his words, and my gaze dropped bashfully to the ground as he turned towards the large wooden doors. "And do not forget what I said, little star." My head lifted just enough for my eyes to blink over at him curiously as he shot me a wide smile over his shoulder.

       "You are mine. You will always be mine."

-&-

       "You look troubled." Aeyron murmured softly the next day as we walked side by side along the Mountain's path. "Is everything okay?" His voice surprised me, and I jumped slightly as he leaned close to my ear.

       "Y-yes, sorry. Everything is fine." Which wasn't exactly true, but he did not need to worry about the turmoil raging inside my mind.

       The dream that had plagued me once I was finally able to fall asleep, had left my heart aching and head spinning. This world, this life, just kept getting more and more complicated.

       "Such a little liar." But his voice wasn't hard or scornful, if anything it was rather playful and teasing. It brought a smile to my lips.

       Eirik had left the camp before everyone else that morning, without an actual reason why, but a promise to return to the group before long. It just added on to the weight on my shoulders. Just more secrets and hidden thoughts.

       Terif was trudging a few feet ahead of us, his head pointed forward and his golden eyes alert for any mishap that might be waiting around the corner. I rolled my own eyes, the General never knew when to relax.

       Mae was walking at my side, her head bowed to the ground and her cheeks red every time a General asked her a question. It was rather amusing. Finn and Eildor were following closely behind, their laughter and mischief forced a smile to my face. They were both very entertaining.

       "Terif seems to be in a mood." I grumbled as the path grew steeper and steeper the further up the Mountain we traveled.

       "When is he not?" Aeyron laughed back, his strong hand reaching up to tousle the dark recess of his hair.

       "I heard that." The Kind's third in command snapped over his shoulder, but made no move to say anything else. I sighed and shook my head as his shoulders only seemed to tense.

       "You need to learn to lighten up, General."

       "And you need to learn to do what your told, my lady." He snapped back, but kept his bright eyes plastered ahead of us.

       "There's no need for that tone, Terif." Aeyron scolded beside me as Mae watched the encounter with wide eyes.

       "Perhaps I wouldn't use it, if she didn't get into trouble so often."

       "I wouldn't say often..."

       He only growled in response and let out a dark huff before ignoring us once again. "Perhaps if he had a mate, he would not be so grumpy." I grumbled under my breath so only Aeyron would hear as we continued the long journey up the Mountain. I was surprised at the soft, and rather sad smile he shot me.

       "He did have a mate."

       My head snapped around, and my eyes nearly popped out of my head as I stood boggling up at the large wolf-borne. He only gave me a small nod. "Yes, he did, a very long time ago. And he had been happy."

       A happy Terif... That was something I would do nearly anything to see.

       "What happened?" I murmured softly as a light trail of snow began to fall from the sky. Aeyron let out a small sigh and ran his fingers through his hair once again.

       "What always happens with time, she died. But this is not really my place to say anything, my lady."

       "Of course, I'm sorry." I dropped the subject almost immediately, but it plagued my thoughts for the rest of the day.

       Terif had a mate once, had been in love and happy. I couldn't possibly imagine how it would feel to have that, and then lose it. The stone pulsed against my chest, and I reached up to press my palm against it through my tunic.

       I did not know what Eirik and I truly were, if we were mates or not, but I knew I would not be able to handle it if he died. If I lost him. I've nearly given my life for him before, and I knew I would do it again if I had to.

       My heart ached more for the gruff General than it ever had before. 

-&-