Page 58 of In Your Light

Every primal urge, every stupid cell in his body, had wanted to morph right then and there.

These humans hadn’t exactly threatened Fyn. But it was only a matter of time. If they’d seen Fyn in his true form, they’d want to hunt him down, capture him. Hurt him.

Hadeom couldn’t bear the thought of it. Not Fyn.

Anyone but Fyn.

As much as it pained Hadeom to push Fyn away, he had to. He needed to morph so fucking badly, and he couldn’t allow Fyn to see him.

To know who he was.

The sadness on Fyn’s face when he turned and ran was the final straw.

Pain ripped through Hadeom, through his bones, his blood, his mind. The long-forgotten feeling of being shredded on a cellular level, the dislocation of every part of him, and finally popping back into its rightful place.

It was over in a millisecond, and then it felt good.

Like muscles stretching after being constricted for far too long. He shot upwards and let out a shrill cry as he soared skyward, his wings outstretched.

It was glorious.

The feel of the cold wind through his feathers, the freedom. His body remembered this. His body had longed for this. Now his mind could focus with precision, the clarity he’d been struggling to find was now like his vision. Crystal fucking clear.

He could see for miles.

He could see Fyn running through the forest, back to Tenebrae. He could so easily follow him, but it felt wrong to spy... unless he deviated from his path and decided to take another look at where the humans had been.

Best to follow him, just in case.

So he did. Watching, following. But Fyn didn’t change course. He ran right back to Tenebrae.

Where Hadeom couldn’t go.

So he bore right, gliding on the wind, sweeping back toward the river. He followed it like a path, flying so low, he almost touched the surface. He swerved through the trees, his heart thrumming with the thrill of it, his shadows laughing, urging him, Yes, yes, yes, this is who we are⁠—

Then an updraft hit him hard, and he almost spiralled, and the wind laughed at him.

And you thought you couldn’t do it, Cern said.

Hadeom pulled up, slowly lowering himself to the ground, his shadows constricting back into him as he landed gently in human form.

He wasn’t sure how he felt. Relieved, yes. And he felt more himself than he had in a long time. But the way his shadows had yearned for more, wanted more…. It frightened him.

He wasn’t that kind of god anymore.

Where have you been, old man? he asked.

Looking for someone who doesn’t want to be found.

Hadeom cocked his eyebrow. They dare to hide from even you?

A blast of wind hit his face so cold it stung. No, fool. They were hiding from you.

Hadeom sighed. If I couldn’t find them, there’s little chance you will.

The wind bit into him again, and Hadeom smiled. Thunder rolled overhead, and Hadeom thought it best not to antagonise him.

Can I do something for you, old man?