In the stillness of the night, a nightmare pulled him from slumber, and as he perched on the edge of the bed, his back turned to me and his head cradled in his hands, I caught sight of the deep scars etched across his skin. "Could these be remnants of wings?" I mused softly, my fingers tracing the jagged lines. He had shared with me during our evening at the tavern that his memories were like wisps of smoke, elusive and faint, perhaps leaving him unaware of the wings he once possessed. A rush of memories from my own dark days surged through me, and suddenly, I recognized him—Ykril. "My savior" I breathed in astonishment.
With a gentle kiss, I pressed my lips against the scars, my arms wrapping around him as I tenderly caressed his belly, my touch a little unsteady.
"Come, darling—let's lie back down. I’ll help you forget," I whispered, hoping to soothe the shadows that haunted him.
"What a night" I reflected as I slowly stirred from slumber a few hours later, curled up next to a strikingly handsome young man. Admittedly, he wasn't entirely of this world—he was an Aasimar, a celestial being of light and grace. He had gallantly rescued me from the depths of my dark confinement. But did I clip his wings and wipe his memories clean? The thought gnawed at me like a relentless shadow, a burden I never wanted to carry. I was unaware of the truth, yet the last thing I desired was to be the architect of his anguish. Just the notion of him suffering because of me sent icy tendrils of fear creeping down my spine. I tenderly brushed my fingers across his face, my heart weighed down by the stark realization that my very existence could spell danger for him.
With a sigh, I slipped into some clothes I found scattered on the floor. Just before I slipped out the door, I glanced back at him, my heart aching, and whispered softly, "I'm truly, truly sorry."
"Time to pack up, Sanise. We need to make a swift exit," I announced as I burst into our room.
"How was your night?" she mumbled, still caught in the clutches of sleep. "Nimri came back all hyped up but kept his lips sealed."
"Probably because he still can't speak," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"Wait a minute, what are you wearing? Wasn't that a dress when you left yesterday?"
It dawned on me that I had slipped into Ykril's clothes, and apparently, I had forgotten a few other things too. I quickly changed back into my own outfit, tucking Ykril's garments neatly into my backpack, taking a moment to inhale their scent one last time.
We hurriedly gathered our belongings and set off. Just before we plunged into the forest, I cast one last glance at the city.
"Why do we have to leave? Was the night really that terrible?"
"No, not at all." I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Oh my God." Sanise exclaimed, her eyes wide with realization. "You like that boy!" She stared at me, anticipation written all over her face, while Nimri emitted a sound of disgusting I had never heard before.
"Everything alright, little guy?" I asked, offering him a cave cricket, which he eagerly devoured.
"Yes, I do" I sighed, answering Sanise, my gaze drifting back to the city. "And that's exactly why we need to go." I declared, stepping into the embrace of the forest.
Just a few steps in, and out of the shadows lunged a ghoul, dragging me down to the ground. Nimri took a wild tumble into a hedge, while Sanise, in a flurry of panic, managed to kick the ghoul away from me. I scrambled to my feet, staff in hand, ready to face the creature. It glared at me with its glowing green eyes, a menacing growl rumbling from its throat. As it charged off again, I unleashed a bolt of lightning, but it barely flinched, and I narrowly dodged its wrath. "Fantastic. Time for some close-quarters combat," I muttered, recalling the lessons my mother had imparted in the Kyone Veldrin. I assumed the fighting stance she had taught me, just as the ghoul barreled toward me with a deafening roar. With a swift sidestep and a calculated strike from my staff, I managed to land a hit, at least.
"Go Nali, finish her off!" Sanise shouted from the sidelines, having managed to wrangle Nimri.
"Just hel—" I began to yell, but my words were cut short as the ghoul slammed me to the ground, ripping a chunk of flesh from my shoulder. I bit down hard on my tongue to stifle a scream, catching a flicker of lightning darting through the ghoul's form out of the corner of my eye. In a flash, Sanise leaped onto its back, attempting to choke the creature. Meanwhile, Nimri was valiantly trying to claw at its eyes, the ghoul swaying unsteadily as it fought to shake them off.
With a surge of pain, I pushed myself back to my feet, sprinting toward the fray. I thrust the blade of my staff into what I hoped was the ghoul's heart. It retaliated, raking its claws across my face, flinging Nimri against a tree, and tossing Sanise aside like a ragdoll.
"Naldela?" A voice called out from behind me, a familiar tone that sent a shiver down my spine. "Ykril?" I turned, surprise washing over me, momentarily dropping my guard.
"What are you doing here? Stay back!" I shouted, panic rising in my chest. But before I could react, the ghoul's icy fangs sank into my throat, its claws digging mercilessly into my flesh. I opened my mouth to scream, but no sound escaped. My vision began to fade, darkening around the edges, and the only sensation I had was the cool forest grass brushing against my face as I crumpled to the ground.
In a brutal twist, the ghoul was wrenched away from me, tearing flesh from my throat in its wake. I gasped for air, the world around me reduced to muffled sounds, and just as darkness threatened to swallow me whole, I felt strong arms lift me, cradling me in a desperate embrace.
As I blinked awake in Ykril's embrace, a gasp escaped my lips, filling my lungs with the sweet air of life. The agony that had once gripped me had vanished, replaced by the gentle, radiant warmth emanating from him, just as it had the night before. When he sensed my stirrings, his eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and he hurriedly checked my shoulder and throat. "You’re alive," he stammered, the words tumbling out awkwardly, but joy danced in his voice as he repeated it, "You’re alive!" With a fervent kiss, he nearly enveloped me in his embrace, and soon Sanise and Nimri joined the celebration.
Once they finally released me, I was eager to unravel the mystery. "What happened?" I asked, bewildered.
"I’m not sure," Sanise exclaimed, her arms flailing with excitement. "He held you close, tears streaming down his face, whispering something. Then, when we tried to reach you, he suddenly began to glow! His wings—oh, they were radiant!" Her words tumbled out in a rush, nearly overwhelming me, while Ykril remained silent, his own confusion evident in his eyes. Yet, in that moment, it didn’t seem to matter to him; his gaze spoke volumes, conveying a depth of emotion that words could never capture. I cradled his face in my hands, gently wiping away his tears with my thumbs, and sealed our connection with a tender kiss.
