Map of the Blazing Hearth (Gazellian Series #8)

Chapter 33

Dedicated to: Mary Grazielle Alviar

Chapter 33 Butterflies

"Me too. I love you, Tavion Lancelot Gazellian," I whispered.

He was about to give me another kiss when I gave him a gentle push. "Tama na," mas mahinang bulong ko. But his grip didn't weaken, instead, I felt his arms pulling me towards him.

"Tavion!" inilag ko na ang mukha ko sa kanya.

He chuckled, still his arms looped around me. "I never liked the sound of my full name, Iris, but when it comes from your mouth, it sounds so good."

Ilang beses kong tinapik ang pisngi niya bago ko ibinaba ang dalawa kong kamay na siya nang nagtanggal ng mga braso niya sa akin. I turned my back on him as he playfully whistled with his eyes staring at my nakedness in front of him.

Ang buhok kong nakalagay sa kanang balikat ko ay hinawi ko na kasabay nang mabagal kong paglalakad at unti-unting pagpapalit ng aking kaanyuan.

I thought my transformation would go smoothly, but my silly mate couldn't just have enough, because with his vampire speed, he crossed the small distance between us, and in a quick moment before I could have completely turned into a huge werewolf, Tavion Lancelot Gazellian was already behind my back and gave me that playful slap on my ass.

Right after I turned into a huge white werewolf, I jumped angrily at laughing Tavion Lancelot Gazellian. My huge werewolf feet were pinning his chest as I growled at him annoyingly.

Tawa lang nang tawa sa harapan ko si Tavion na parang wala kami sa gitna ng mahabang daan na maaaring gumuho anumang oras. Pero habang panay ang pagtawa sa akin ni Tavion, unti-unting nawala iyong pagkairita ko sa kanya.

I just ended up watching his smile and laughter, because my mate deserved this— this kind of happiness.

Nang mapansin niya na kalmado na ako ay tumigil na rin siya sa pagtawa. He gently held my face and he leaned his forehead on my huge werewolf head.

"Let's go," tumango na siya sa sinabi ko.

Humiwalay na ako sa kanya at naglakad na kami nang sabay.

We were expecting that we'd find another enemy, but surprisingly Tavion and I had a peaceful long walk. Iyon nga lang ay may mga pagyanig na ng lupa at pagbagsak na mga bato. Kaya mas binilisan na namin ni Tavion at higit na kaming tumakbo.

It was a long way with the continuous earthquake, but in the end, we saw the exit of the long tunnel. Hinawakan na ni Tavion ang kamay ko habang sabay kaming tumatakbo hanggang sa salubungin namin ang panibagong liwanag na siyang naghihintay sa amin.

And as we opened our eyes with that blasting light, we were welcomed by a huge arena filled with sand. Ilang beses kaming napalingon ni Tavion sa paligid para humanap ng nilalang na naroroon pero wala kaming makita o maramdaman man lang.

"What are we going to do now?"

"I need to return to my human form. Do you still have my bag with you?" agad kinapa ni Tavion ang kanyang sarili kung nakasabit pa ba sa kanya ang bag ko at nang maramdaman niya iyon sa likuran niya ay agad niya iyong hinubad at ibinaba sa harapan ko.

"Turn around. I have to get dressed."

"Huh?"

Hindi ko na hinintay pa si Tavion na pumayag sa sinabi ko dahil alam kong hindi rin naman siya susunod. Kaya wala akong pasabing nagbago ng anyo sa harapan niya, but this time in a place with light.

Kaya kasabay nang pagkislap nang itim na itim kong kulot na buhok at ang paghawi ko rito ay ang pagtama ng liwanag sa kabuharan ko. Taas noo akong nakatitig kay Tavion habang nagbibihis ako sa harapan niya.