One day, I decided.One day, I'll find a way for us to escape. I will.
Rei's unhappy whine filled the evening air, and it rang in my ear, mixing with the whines from that day. She hadn't cried out, even at the end. She'd just whined, more worried for me than she was for herself. I'd never deserved her.
I came awake slowly, my eyes adjusting to the dark as I reached up to wipe my tears only to realize I'd tried to use my lefthand. Cursing under my breath, I roughly wiped my face with my right hand, letting the stump of my left one fall back to the mattress.
I hadn't dreamed about Rei in a long time. It must've been triggered by my conversation with Keoni earlier today. Or was it yesterday?
Like he'd said when we parted ways, he'd arrived to fetch me for dinner a few hours later, and I'd eaten with everyone for the first time in a long while. I hadn't realized how much I missed the gentle companionship and the chatter of the many conversations floating through the room.
I hadn't talked much myself, but I'd enjoyed listening to their chats, enjoyed knowing they were still happy to be here. Despite their assurances the day Keoni scolded me in that very room, a part of me had been worried they were planning to leave, but my fears had been unfounded.
Keoni had stood by me for the whole meal, sneaking seconds onto my plate when I glanced away like I wouldn't notice. He seemed intent on feeding me, so I'd quietly eaten as much of it as I could manage.
It was strange, having someone take care of me like that. The only person who'd ever taken care of me, other than Rei—my parents must have, but I barely remembered them—was Touya, and that was solely in a professional capacity.
Having someone make sure I was eating enough was a novelty, and I liked it.
Keoni was so much younger than me. I'd been the one to bring him here. I should be the one taking care of him. And yet it was the opposite, and I couldn't care less.
My eyes drifted shut as my thoughts circled around Keoni. He was my mate, but he seemed perfectly content to stay in the role of a friend until I had the capacity to deepen our relationship.
It wasn't like I didn't want to, but I knew I couldn't, not right now. Not until the Sanctuary was fixed.
It was time to ask Nolan for help, despite my misgivings. He'd proven himself to be a good guy, and I trusted that Fate had sent him here for a reason.
Yes, it would be strange to share the Sanctuary, but it was a small compromise to make to keep from losing it. The benefits far outweighed the drawbacks, and I needed to stop dragging my feet.
Tomorrow. I'd do it tomorrow, before I lost my nerve.
Keoni
I hummed as my eyes flicked from star to star. I was alone, my cart and my horse-half leaning against the tree beside me, on either side. It wasn't easy to lay on my back as a centaur, but this was how I liked looking at the stars best. I could see more of the sky like this, and get a fuller picture.
My star-reading skills still weren't up to snuff, but I was getting there. I'd read all the books on the topic in our library five times over, including the ones Zephyr had tracked down for me after I expressed an interest in the topic.
Hmm, Zephyr... was there anything about him in the stars?
I scanned the sky, leaping from star to star as a picture formed. Zephyr was going to make a big decision.
Sometimes, the stars were very specific, like when they told me Zephyr and I were 'joined by Fate.' Other times, they were like this. Make a decision? What kind? A good one? A bad one? Something that would affect me?
The stars held no clarifying answers, as I'd expected, and I sighed. So much for telling the future.
I couldn't be bothered to strap myself to the cart just to walk to my cabin, so I fell onto my side and folded my arm under my head like a pillow as I closed my eyes. The weather in the Forest was usually pretty mild, and I fell asleep quickly, my mind still mulling over what decision Zephyr could possibly make.
I sneezed as something tickled my nose, and opened my eyes as I rubbed at it. I caught sight of the fluffy end of a tail sliding out of my view, and grabbed it before it could get away.
"Hey!" Silas protested as he stepped out of his hiding spot behind the tree, not that it could've hid his eight-foot-tall troll form.
"You were the one trying to tickle me with it," I grumbled as I gave his tail a sharp tug before letting it go. He pulled it away quickly, then picked me up and placed my back into my cart like I weighed nothing.
"I can do it myself," I grumbled, though I wasn't really annoyed. I just wasn't a morning person. I could be cheerful all day long, but not first thing in the morning.
"I know you can, but I'm hungry and impatient. Come on, or I'll carry you." I knew better than to doubt his threat—Silas was always serious about food—and I followed him to the Dining Room without protest.
I was surprised to see Zephyr there. Maybe someone else had hauled him here? Touya maybe?
"Good morning!" I greeted as I sidled up to Zephyr's side, suddenly feeling much more cheerful than I had minutes ago.
