“Yes.”
“I want to be your shield.”
Monqilcolnen pressed against me.
My eyes were barely glancing at the options before I decided. The story was moving so quickly and my soul was pounding. It seemed to be mirroring our actual relationship, though no one, besides that loathsome Vorjyn, was attempting to keep Monqilcolnen and I apart.
I blinked when the next options appeared. I had two. The first was to enact an ancient tradition I’d only read of, and the second was to keep comforting Monqilcolnen. If I chose the first, it would trigger a different scene path. This was a huge choice.
Normally, I wouldn’t hesitate, but… well, this particular ritual involved more blood than I was comfortable with. I didn’t want to faint in front of Monqilcolnen, and yet I knew my character would complete the ritual without hesitation.
I rested a hand over my throbbing soul and said again, “I wish to be your shield.”
Monqilcolnen cocked his head.
“But more than that, I trust you to guard me,” I said.
“Wyn?”
I undid my wrap, and the white fabric fell, gathering around my waist. I hooked my claw under one of the thickest scales, which rested over my pounding soul. They were called soul scales. They were thickest to protect our lifeforce, but if damaged or removed, it was unlikely they would grow back, leaving us vulnerable. It was one of the most sacred rituals for us, though it hadn’t been performed in so long.
He rested his hand over mine, stalling me. “You do not have to. I know your soul and who I am to you.”
My soul throbbed. Perhaps performing this experience had been a bad idea. I wished Monqilcolnen was saying these things to me as himself. But he wasn’t, and I had to keep going. I gently pushed his hand down. “I wish to show you, to show everyone. You are mine, but more than that. I trust you with my life.”
My claw dug under one of my soul scales, and I pulled. Thank the Crystal, I couldn’t feel it because it was simulated, not real, but green blood gushed out of the wound and down my chest. My vision swayed, but I continued on, yanking all of my soul scales in the experience out. Buzzing filled my ears, and my sight wavered. I swallowed convulsively to keep my surging bile where it belonged.
Monqilcolnen said something, but I couldn’t hear him over the noise in my ears. His lips moved, then he pulled off his own tunic and reached for his soul scales. With each pull, I winced, struggling to not to vomit. I swayed, sweat gathering on my forehead and dampening my palms.
He spoke again, but I still couldn’t hear him and the black spots floating in front of my eyes were growing. I tried to say something, but my mouth didn’t work. I made it one step towardhim, then my knees gave out and I crumbled, darkness washing over me.
I whipped forward and caught Wyn, drawing him toward me and holding him close. “Peace,” I called, shaking him. “Peace. Wyn.”
His eyes fluttered open. “What happened?”
My soul unclenched. I sat down, taking Wyn with me and placed him on my lap. “NAID, freeze program.” The experience paused. I told Wyn, “You fainted.”
He shoved his face against my chest. “Ugh, no.”
Unable to help it, I chuckled and dragged his face up, cupping his jaw. “Do not be embarrassed.”
“I am,” he whined, trying to hide again, but I wouldn’t allow him to.
Pressing a kiss to his forehead, I said, “Please don’t hide from me.”
“Why do I do the most embarrassing things in front of you?”
“I like to think it’s because you’re comfortable with me.”
Wyn frowned.
Laughing, I said, “Perhaps it’s just luck.”
He snorted. “Bad luck.”
“No,” I commented, placing another kiss on his forehead. “It’s the best sort of luck.”
“So you enjoy me vomiting on you and fainting in front of you?”
