“Oh?” I’m not sure what else to say.
“She also was able to conjure and create when her emotions were the highest. That’s how my magic works as well, at first I would have to summon it with anger. Eventually, it became second nature, an extension of myself. If you reach deep within, you’ll find your own magic is much like home.”
What he’s saying makes sense, but all I can focus on is,she.
His face drops and he stills, like a predator ready to pounce—almost like he can feel the churning within me.
Jealousy.
That’s what I’m feeling and I hate myself for it.
I hate, while simultaneously adoring, that he calls these emotions out of me I had once buried deep.
It fractures the permafrost of my reservoir. In the depths of it contain the guilt, the anger, sadness, feelings of unworthiness, all wrapped in shreds of my past.
It’s suddenly too much.
So I run.
I turn from him, forcing the distance between us.
Pumping my legs until they burn. Until they threaten to give out.
I lean against a tree, eager to catch my breath as my lungs flame.
The torrent of emotions makes my head swim.
Lowering my forehead to the rough bark of the tree, I focus my breathing.
Shakily I exhale and slap the tree.
“Why?” I say to no one in particular.
But what I really mean is, why do I do this when I have a chance to grab hold of the happiness in front of me, even if it’s only for a moment?
I deserve a chance to be happy, don’t I?
Tears threaten to well up in my eyes and I rub the offending things with the balls of my fists.
A crack comes from behind me and I spin, ready to fight whatever attacker may be here.
He’s standing there, looking severe, “Do you really think you could flee from me? I would scour the corners of the world for you.”
In another moment, his body presses mine against the tree. He shifts his face closer, until the hot whisper fills my ears and my breath hitches. “Little warrior, you should know by now that I’ll always chase after you.”
His voice lowers, threaded with sincerity that makes my core flame, “I have searched for you from my first breath taken in this realm and will until my last, while my eyes cloud over from seeing the veil. You could run from me even in death, and I would still find you within that sacred place.”
The tears swell, spilling down my cheeks as I choke back a sob. He traces a finger across my jaw causing the skin to pebble in my most sensitive areas.
He then kisses my rogue tears before finally admitting what I’ve known to be true myself, “My soul knew yours from when the first stars formed and will know yours until the last of those stars fall.”
He hungrily brings his lips to mine and they’re all consuming. Demanding.
I return the deep kiss, our teeth nearly clashing as we eagerly battle.
His hand snakes to my breasts beneath my shirt and pinches my erect nipple. Enough to make me squirm with the edging pain mixing with a heady pleasure.
The other free hand begins to search the flat of my stomach before settling underneath the stretchy trousers. His fingers brush against my curls as he presses the tip of his forefinger between my folds.
