Zephyr did not choose to visit the others that day. Instead he took Celaeno to the temples, where Van the air nymph met them at the temple doors. She was a frail looking creature with eyes snow white and long white hair that stopped at the heels of her feet. Her skin was also a pale porecilan complexion and she was thin, with slight curves, and stood a few inches taller than Celaeno. She silently lead them into a large dinning area with a large circular table that was low to the ground and made of white and gray marble. White pillows for sitting were arranged around the table that was filled with various breads, fruits and cheeses. A small human child who caught Celaeno's eye when she darted towards Zephyr whose arms were outstretched for her regarded her with skeptisim.
For some odd reason the child who could not have been older than ten, with curly black hair and bright hazel eyes looked familiar to Celaeno. She just could not place her. The child looked at Zephyr questioningly as he lifted her up and walked with her in his arms to the table.
"Diu." He said gently, "This is Celaeno, she will be staying here with us." He winked at the child who still eye'd Celaeno warily.
If Celaeno had not been used to it she would've felt offended. However it was the fate of halflings to be mistrusted. When she was younger, her mother told her stories about how halflings were loved and welcomed by both humans and others. Others who felt that they were able to withstand the human diseases that the others died of. While the humans loved them because they were stronger and lived longer. It was not until the dark god appeared and spread more hate into the world that halflings came to be despised. They weren't accepted by either side, for how could they show loyalty to one if they were not fully either. That is what made the halflings easy to sacrifice on the word of the dark god. Her mother told her something else as well. That halflings must serve a bigger purpose because if not, why would they exist at all?
She was so deep in her memories that something soft hitting her in the forehead made her jump up suddenly. She bristled and whit feathers began to form on her arm before falling way when she noticed a grape laying on the floor.
"Who threw that?" She asked looking up as Diu and Zephyr tried to look innocently in opposite directions.
Van stepped forward, knealing in front if Celaeno to pick up the grape. She clutched it between her index finger and thumb and shot Zephyr a dirty look.
"You should not teach her to be mischevious dragon." Van rephrimended. "Especially towards a guest."
Zephyr flashed Van his pearly whites and said, "Why my sweet nymph. There is no harm in having a little fun."
Celaeno raised a brow, "What are you? A child? It is never." She sighed and realized that it was ludicriss. He definetly was not the type of male, god or not to understand logic. She gave Diu a look, "Your aim was a bit off child."
She then sat and proceeded to eat. The two pranksters stared at her in confusion while a small smile found it's way unto Van's lips. Celaeno finished her meal and stood turning to the nymph.
"I hate to bother you, but do you mind pointing me in the direction of where I am to be sleeping?" She asked Van.
The nymph held back laughter as she responded, "No bother, I will show you to your room right-"
"I will show you your room." His voice was firm. It left no room for argument or discussion. Van's smile left her face but never left her eyes.
Celaeno did not skip a beat instead she said, "However my lord, I would much rather enjoy the company of another adult."
To her surprise he cocked his head to the side. There was a long silence and he smiled slowly, as if he had figured something out that the rest of them were clueless too.
"Very well. I shall come by later after you've gotten yourself settled." Celaeno moved to protest and his smile widdened, "You forget we must discuss the others. Privately at that, I'm sure what you know is not suitable for children."
Celaeno paused. He had a very good point. She went over her options and realized that either way he would have to come to her room. Realizing that he had her cornered made her mad. She forced a smile.
"Very well then."
He stood and looked at Van, "It is time for Diu to go to bed."
"Yes my lord." Van said softly going to the child who frowned at the loss of Zephyr's attention.
He took Celaeno gently but firmly by the arm and lead her out of the dinning room. He lead her into a large bedroom and she gasped. It was beautiful. The floors were white marble and there was a four poster bed made of gold.
She raised a brow at him as she walked to the bed and sat, crossing one leg over the other.
"The others do not have a good relationship with the humans. When the dark god came to these lands he was successful in pitting the humans and others against each other. The humans were so eager to sacrfice halflings because they do not accept us. Yet if is rare that others accept is as well. We are looked down upon and called abominations. My mother was killed by her own kind because of me."
It was a hard truth, but the truth nonetheless.
"And your father?"
She paused, "You've met my father."
Zephyr thought back and then his eye's widdened in shock. Shock was soon replaced with cold rage as he balled his hands into fist, his eyes narrowing. "The town leader?"
A sad smile played on her lips, "Do not be angry at him. My father, saved me from death, it was the wish of his advisors to never claim me as his daughter, yet he has always treated me as...humans are weak minded creatures. He suffers already from guilt, you know he was in love with my mother. The others pressured him into sacrificing me, I was the last remaining halfling in the village, and they feared if he did not that you would request human children."
She looked down, "I do not think it wise to approach the others with me."
He moved silently until he was standing in front of her. He cupped her chin in his hands and lifted her face so that their eyes connected.
"I will do as I please, the others would not dare harm you in my presence." His words were soft, they soothed her.
"Why did you take me with you?" She asked him.
He smiled, "Would you believe me if I told you that you were mine?"
"Yes, what is a lowly halfling to a god?" She replied.
He bent his head so that their lips almost touched. And she felt her stomach flutter as his eyes never left hers.
"You are mine." He repeated gently, "But I belong to you as well."
He kissed her softly, just long enough for to want more. As he pulled away she felt disappointment.
"I have an unexpected matter to attend to, but I will return to you." He said softly.
She blinked and he was gone.