He didn’t exactly relish the thought of others joining in. Yet on the other hand …
“Nay, akra. I strive to honor my father, in all things. My only hope is to one day be half the warrior he is, and to live my life as nobly as he has. In service of his people and his family. His goddess.”
In the whisper of a breath and without any warning, she materialized directly in front of him so that she could cup his cheek in her icy cold palm. It spread chills over his body. “That is the trick of all life, Urian. Perspective. In all things. For you cannot change what people say about you. Only how you feel and react to their endless gossip. Whether to be offended and hurt or to embrace it and rise. Sage is the one who chooses the latter.”
The coldness of her touch began to burn his flesh as those swirling silver eyes darkened to a vibrant red. “Never lose sight of who you really are,m’gios.Be true to your own heart. For there is a power inside you far greater than that of your father. One day, you will learn to embrace that side of yourself. That is when childhood really ends. The day we cease to walk in the shadow of our parents’ protection and we stand alone to face the full light of our lives, on our own two feet. Most fall and stumble. Some to never rise again. Others will eventually find their standing and relearn to walk. And a small handful …”
Narrowing her gaze, she smiled at him. “That tiny few will rise up with a blinding fury in their gut to the very heavens. They do not just stand on their own two feet, Urian. They soar on mighty wings. I see your father in you,pido,and it scares me.”
“Scares you, akra? Why?”
She blinked and released his face. “He was a stubborn bastard.”
Her word choice confused him. “Was?”
“Is,” she said quickly, clearing her throat. “It’s been a long night,ormourpido.You need your sleep. For with every dawn that comes, the day will find new ways to try and break you.”
Not sure if he should trust that answer, Urian bowed and left, but he didn’t return to his father. There was only one place he wanted to be right then. Apollymi was right. It’d been a long, long night.
And he wanted comfort.
There was only one place he ever found that peace.
Making sure no one was paying attention, he carefully made his way to Xyn’s bower.
“Sarraxyn?”
She tsked in the darkness.What am I to …Her voice drifted off.You’re hurt?
That worried tone never failed to bring a smile to his lips. He didn’t know why. Only that it warmed him.
“I was in battle.”
Xyn materialized behind him so fast that it was shocking. He’d never understand how a creature so large could maneuver so quickly and silently.
Something brushed against him that felt like hands.My armor didn’t protect you?
“In ways you can’t imagine.” He reached up to cup her face and nuzzle her spiny jaw. “Thank you. Sadly, it doesn’t cover all of me. And most of this isn’t from battle, but rather afterward … when my solren found out we were in the human realm without his knowledge.”
She pulled back and cocked her dragon’s head to frown at him.Pardon? Your father beat you for fighting?
He felt the same bitterness her tone betrayed. “Aye. The man makes no sense. He’s ridiculous.”
Wrapping him in the warmth of her scales, she gave him a deep, rippling caress.Bathe yourself in the falls so that you can heal.
“You sure?” If they were caught, she could be executed. No one was allowed near Apollymi’s healing waters. Normally, Xyn wouldn’t let him so much as look at them unless she knew for a fact where the goddess was.
Xyn nuzzled against his back and nodded.Aye. Go quickly before I change my mind.
Urian didn’t need more than that. He flashed himself out of his clothes and quickly dove into the water, which was unbelievably soothing. It was so warm and inviting. Like a mother’s caress.
Normally their only exposure to the waters came in small sips that a Charonte might dispense to him or another whenever they were injured and Apollymi approved the water being brought to them.
To actually bathe in it …
This was Katateros. The Atlantean version of paradise.
Xyn crept toward the edge of the falls so that she could watch Urian as he frolicked naked in the rainbow pool. If only he had any idea how much she wanted to join him there …
