Skye's Arrival

Slowly the world starts to come back to me. I can hear, but I cannot open my eyes. I feel a blanket over me and hear the crackling of a fire. It’s nice to hear the crickets and some silence. I’m almost back to sleep when I hear footsteps.

“Is she awake yet?” That’s Rafi’s voice.

“Not yet,” Dawn answers, worry evident in her tone. “What about Gerrickson?”

“Nah, but it’ll take him a few more hours to heal. That was a pretty hard blow she landed to him.”

She chuckles. “I’ll say. We had to break the tree to get him out of it.”

“So what’s the plan?” Rafi asks, following his question with a huff.

“Continue with Skye’s plan. I think she’s right, but I hate that I can’t feel her anymore.”

“Isn’t that a good thing?”

“It is, but it’s disorienting. I’ve never lived in the Mortal Space in my own body. This is the first time I’ve been able to touch my own hand. I didn’t even know I had a physical body until that spell.”

“Which proves the whole Celestial Demon thing is crap,” Rafi grumbles. “Why were they created anyway?”

“To destroy the Celestial Soldiers that tried to exterminate the demon race and destroy the Mortal Space. I was one of the first made, and they were truly horrible beings. Almost as disgusting as the ones that made us.” She shudders. “We’re trapped in a vacant state until we’re placed into someone to kill.

“When it was noticed I started developing empathy, and guilt over my kills, I was used less and less. That is until I was no longer used. In a direct form of mercy, I was placed into Skye so I could give her time. She’s been through so much, but she never darkens her view of the world. I’ve learned so much by being with her. I’m able to control my bloodlust most of the time. When I emerge from her in anger, or because she’s in pain, it’s near impossible to control.”

Rafi chuckles. “That’s the demon in you.” He gives a heavy sigh. “When we originated, we were all bloodthirsty and thrived on chaos. However, we’ve evolved and grew a conscience. After that we developed physical forms. We completely restructured our lives and society. It’s near impossible to tell us apart from Celestials, except for our abilities. Some of us though, like my brother, truly struggle with their darker halves. We all still have them, but we’re no longer controlled by them. It’ll take you a few years to learn to control that side of you Dawn.”

“Thanks,” she says as she sighs. “I wish she’d just wake up.”

“Agreed.” Rafi says. “Gerrickson is as tough as a Celestial Demon, and I know he’ll be okay. It doesn’t make me worry less. And at least I can see his injuries to treat them. Skye is so still she looks like she’s dead.”

“You’re not wrong about that. The only reason I’m convinced she’s alive is because I am.”

“That is reassuring.” His voice tightens with his next words. “I hate that she had to save me.”

“It’s not like you knew Esmeralda was following you. I forgot about her power since it’s so vague. She’s drawn to those types of spells. She probably was following Koan when he was searching for Skye and just hung around.”

“Maybe. Do you think she told him?”

“No. If she had, he’d have Skye back by now; and we’d all be dead.”

It falls silent before his next words. “May I ask you something that’s likely personal to Skye?”

“If it’s not too personal.” Dawn allows.

“I noticed Skye’s bledded marks are gone. Koan’s are gone too and he’s still as possessive as he was then, actually he’s more now. Is she as in love with Koan as he is with her?”

Dawn starts laughing. “No. Her heart still feels their past love, but it doesn’t feel for him now. Quite frankly, she’s a little scared of him now.”

“I can see that. She mutters his name in her sleep a lot, only it sounds like more of a protest. She also says, “Koan no,” a lot. Did he do anything more than bite her in that palace?”

“No. She tried to fight him every morning before he could bite her. After a couple of near successful escape attempts, he started biting her while she was asleep. There was almost never a moment she wasn’t sedated by his venom.”

“Is that why she’s scared of him?”

“Partially. The other parts are from when they were bledded. She’s blocked most of them out, but I can see them when she’s dreaming. He never was physical with her, but he loved to toy with her.”

“Toy with her?”

“Now that is too personal. She was truly happy with him, but it was also due in part to the bledded haze. It always makes you see something wrong with your partner as little quirks. Truthfully, their break should have driven them both crazy, but it only effected Koan negatively. Skye was able to see her partner for his actions in the end. It’s why she was able to kill Koan, instead of defending him that day.”

It’s silent for a few moments after that. “I never thought of it that way. I didn’t know he was that bad to her.”

Dawn scoff’s. “Neither did she. It’s strange, but she can’t even remember most of the time they were dating. She doesn’t even remember the bleddening ceremony. She remembers the next day and most of everything after that though.”

Rafi gives a short chuckle. “I remember the day Koan got back after dumping Esmeralda. He said he met the love of his existence and is going to do whatever he could to make her his.”

“To think, that sweet thing used to love that twat with every fiber of her being.” Dawn tsks. “Now I’m glad she vanquished Esmeralda. If she had made it back to Koan, Skye would be his by now.”

Rafi shudders. “To think that almost happened because of a blanket. We almost died because of a blanket.” He starts laughing at that point, Dawn jumping in.

“She did look like an overstuffed doll when I showed up.”

“I resent that,” I rasp, finally starting to open my eyes. The sky is open, which is surprising. We’re not in the forest anymore? How long was I out?

“Skye!” I hear them yell at the same time. Dawn’s face is the first I see before she buries her face in my chest, obscuring my view.

“How long was I out?” I ask, my head is very fuzzy.

“Two days,” Dawn says as she pulls away and looks at me. Her eyes are checking for any sign of distress in mine. “How are you feeling?”

“Just above dead,” I croak then start coughing, my throat incredibly dry. “Did we win?”

They both start laughing. “Yes, yes we did,” Dawn says as she hugs me again.

“What do you need?” Dawn demands while she takes a canteen from Rafi. I still can’t see him, but I’m assuming she didn’t pull it from thin air. She helps me up and gently pours in the cold liquid.

After I drink, I turn my head to tell her I’m done. “Something like coffee.” I groan. “I think I over did it.”

“That’s an understatement,” she says as she strokes some hair from my face. “Next time, let the stubborn ones fight.”

“I’m stubborn.” I grumble as I try to sit up.

“Okay, the less stubborn.” Rafi chuckles, putting his strong hand behind my back.

Dawn looks me over as a war is going through her face. “I’m going to go back into my stone so you can have some energy. Rafi will keep you safe. Don’t fight sleep and eat something please.” She kisses my cheek before vanishing.

I slump into Rafi, so he catches me fully. He carefully picks me up and takes me over by the fire. Still holding me, he dishes me a bowl of soup. I have my back to his chest, unable to see his face.

“Don’t fight me on this one.” Rafi says, his voice exhausted.

“Are you okay?” I ask him while he guides the spoon to my face. I take a careful bite and chew the small bits of carrot, potatoes and meat. I grimace while it makes its way down. My body feels hollow.

“I’m just worried, but I’ll be okay.” He gives me another spoonful of food before speaking. “How depleted are you?”

I laugh, “Odd way of phrasing, but I’m almost on empty.” I yawn as I attempt to lift my hand. It’s shaky but doable.

After another spoonful he speaks. “What do we need from the Willow Mountains?”

“Raw pearl and gabbin bones.” I take another bite, finishing the bowl.

“Pearls aren’t found there.” He says, sounding either confused or concerned.

“That you know of.” I say as I rest my head on his chest. “Why are you being so sweet to me Rafi?” I ask, lifting my hand and placing the back of it on his chest.

He stiffens. “After what my brother has done to you, Skye, taking care of you is the least I can do. Besides, we’re family.”

I yawn. “True, but you still suck with your cross blade now, as you did when we were training partners.”

“Hey now,” he chuckles.

We lapse into silence for twenty or so minutes after that. I watch the fire sparking, trying to stay awake as long as I can. I’m tired of being tired.

“Can I ask you something Skye?” Rafi asks hesitantly.

“Sure,” I say, yawning again.

“How did you fall in love with my brother?”

It falls silent as I think about it. “I-I’m not exactly sure. I was taken by him when we first met, but I don’t even remember telling him I loved him before our ceremony.” I yawn. “Maybe I’ll remember when I’m more awake. Why?”

He stiffens and his voice goes almost a note higher. “It’s nothing, just a thought.”

“Oh, okay.” I say as my eyes grow heavier.

“Go to sleep, I’ll take care of you.” He says, putting his lips on my head.

I shake my head. “I’ll see him again.” I mutter.

“See who?”

“Koan.”

I feel his body tense, but I don’t really pay it any attention. “What is Koan doing in your dream?”

“Locking me away.” I say as I yawn.

“Tell you what, I’ll make sure he doesn’t. I’ll watch you until you wake up.”

“But you need sleep,” I mumble.

“I’ll be fine.”

“No, you look almost as tired as I do.” I yawn.

He chuckles. “Tell you what. I’ll go to sleep after you do.”

“But bad people.” I mumble nearly asleep.

“I have Gerrickson’s charms around us. We can’t be followed now that Esmeralda is dead.”

“Yay,” I say while he chuckles. He puts his chin on top of my head as we both watch the fire. After a few minutes he starts humming, lulling me to sleep for the night.