Chapter 25
The soft crackle of the dwindling fire echoed in Meera's ears as she gradually regained consciousness. The scent of smoke clung heavily to the air around her, and she gingerly raised her hand to touch the temples of her head. An agonizing pain throbbed behind her eyes, threatening to engulf her senses. Fear gripped her as she hesitated to take a breath, dreading that her head might detach with the wrong inhale.
As she started to come back to herself, a comforting aroma of pine and cedarwood enveloped her, cutting through the lingering scent of smoke. Eryx's warm touch provided a grounding presence, connecting her to the solid reality of the Earth beneath her. The roughness of his fingers against her skin was a stark contrast to the chaos that had unfolded.
"Where does it hurt?" Eryx's deep voice resonated with concern.
Meera, with dried lips and weariness etched into every line of her being, managed to part them and reply, "Everywhere."
Hearing her feeble voice, Eryx gently pushed his hand farther into her hair. His thumb brushed her cheek as he moved closer, peering at her with eyes filled with worry.
"What happened?" Meera asked, parting her eyes. Her blurry vision struggled to discern Eryx's features as she reached up and touched his wrist.
"You exhausted yourself," Eryx explained, his disapproving frown reflecting the concern in his voice. "And you walked into a ball of fire... What was that about?"
Turning her head, Meera sought comfort from the warmth. Her brows furrowed as the scent of the fire triggered an unexpected pang in her heart.
"I saw the man," she said slowly, rolling closer to Eryx as he crouched beside the cot. "He wanted to say something to me."
Eryx remained silent. The frown on his face deepened, and his eyes carried the weight of distress.
"Did he tell you to walk into the fire?" he asked.
"No," Meera shook her head. Attempting to push herself up, she was immediately stopped as Eryx grabbed her shoulders.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"My back hurts," Meera explained. "And it's so hot in here."
"You were freezing," Eryx reminded her. "I started the fire to keep you dry."
"It's too hot," Meera complained, looking back at the flames and their orange light. "I can't breathe in here."
Sensing Meera's discomfort, Eryx nodded with understanding. He reached for the cloak resting on the side of the cot. Gently, he draped it over Meera's shoulders and then, with the strength born of unwavering care, scooped her up into his arms.
Meera made no sound as she found herself cradled securely against his broad chest. Eryx turned toward the entrance of the tent, his arms a reassuring embrace around her. She laid her head against his shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent that brought a sense of security. The tip of her nose brushed against the base of Eryx's neck, and a subtle smile curved the corners of his mouth. As Meera pulled herself even closer, the smile on Eryx's face grew more pronounced.
"Comfortable?" he asked, his lips gently brushing over her forehead.
Meera nodded, a soft affirmation escaping her lips, "Yes..."
Holding Meera securely against his body, Eryx stepped out of the tent into the crisp winter night. The freezing air greeted them, a welcome reprieve from the warmth inside. The howling wind embraced them, and Meera felt a gentle, cold touch on her nose. Intrigued, she turned her gaze upward to witness the enchanting sight above.
Millions of snowflakes descended from the heavens, each one a unique masterpiece of nature. Wonder and excitement filled Meera as she lifted her head, eyes wide with the sheer beauty of her first snowfall. Eryx, still holding her, observed the joy that lit up her face.
Tearing herself away from Eryx's shoulder, Meera held out her hand, marveling as the delicate flakes landed gently on her palm. Eryx watched with a fond smile as she explored the snowy gift from the sky.
"Open your mouth," he suggested playfully. "And stick out your tongue."
Meera followed his instruction, tilting her head back with childlike eagerness. The snowflakes began to fall on her face and tongue, each one melting on contact, leaving a cool, refreshing sensation. Eryx, holding her, started to spin slowly, ensuring that Meera was immersed in the magical dance of falling snowflakes. The moon above illuminated the winter night, turning it into a canvas of serene beauty, and Meera couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
"Put me down," Meera insisted, her excitement evident in her voice.
"No way," Eryx chuckled, a warmth in his tone. "You're not wearing shoes."
"I want to touch the snow."
"Not here," Eryx decided, adjusting Meera in his arms. He secured her position and strolled away from the cluster of tents, heading towards the camp's edge where soldiers patrolled. As they approached, two guards glanced at their Alpha.
"Turn," Eryx commanded, and the guards immediately averted their gaze, granting the couple the privacy Eryx sought.
Meera felt a flutter in her chest. Hiding her face in Eryx's chest, she enjoyed the warmth as he continued deeper into the woods, aiming for a small clearing by the stream. The snow beneath Eryx's boots created a soft, rhythmic melody, harmonizing with the tranquil night that seemed to hush its usual sounds. As they emerged from the dense treeline, the moon cast its silvery glow on the snowy landscape, turning it into a wonderland.
"What are you doing?" Eryx inquired when Meera began to wiggle in his arms.
"I want to get down," Meera explained.
"You absolutely may not," Eryx insisted, carrying her towards the rocks by the stream. He gently placed her on the highest boulder, ensuring her feet dangled over the edge. The moonlight accentuated the beauty of the snowy night, creating a spell that left both of their hearts beating with unfamiliarity.
"Stay here," Eryx said, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he stepped back and observed Meera on the boulder, surrounded by the silent majesty of the winter night.
Meera felt a mix of excitement and anticipation as Eryx stepped back, the moonlight casting shadows on his rugged features. He held her gaze, and a tender smile played on his lips.
"Enjoying the view?" he teased.
Meera's cheeks flushed with warmth as she nodded, her eyes reflecting the moonlit glow. Eryx took a deliberate step towards her, his eyes never leaving hers. The snowflakes continued to fall around them, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.
As Eryx retreated into the snowy landscape, Meera took a moment to absorb the enchantment around her. The moon bathed the world in silver, and the snowflakes, like delicate crystals, adorned her hair and cloak. She felt a sense of liberation and childlike joy as she stood atop the boulder.
With a playful twirl, Meera reached down and scooped up a handful of snow. The powdery flakes sparkled like a myriad of tiny diamonds in her grasp. As she tossed the snow into the air, it scattered like a miniature snowstorm around her. The cold air filled with laughter, blending harmoniously with the soft melody of the falling snow.
Eryx watched from a distance. The moonlight accentuated the rugged contours of his face, casting a captivating glow. His eyes followed Meera's every movement, captivated by her carefree spirit.
Meera continued her playful exploration of the snow-covered world. She shaped snowballs, carefully crafted a small snowman, and then transformed the landscape into her canvas. The snow became her medium as she drew invisible patterns with her fingers, leaving trails of whimsical designs in the pristine white.
Eryx couldn't help but marvel at her beauty and the way she embraced the magic of the night. At that moment, surrounded by the ethereal glow of moonlight and the silent serenade of snowfall, Meera seemed like a living embodiment of winter's enchantment.
He approached her, his footsteps softened by the snow and stood beside the boulder. Meera looked up, her eyes sparkling with delight, and kneeled on the bolder towards Eryx.
Eryx reached out, brushing away a snowflake from her cheek, and whispered, "You're more beautiful than this snow-kissed night."
Meera's heart lodged into her throat. Her cold fingers gripped the fabric of her dress as Eryx dug his hand deeper into her hair and pulled her closer. Her lips parted and her eyes fluttered close.
In the silence of the night, Eryx moved forward and stole a soft cold kiss. His mouth melted the snowflake on Meera's lip and he drank from her as he allowed himself to kiss her tenderly.
The first time he had kissed her, he had been desperate to get a taste of her lips. He acted without thinking, pulling at her, crushing her to himself, needing her more than he should have allowed himself to.
As Meera kneeled on the bolder and Eryx kissed her softly, the center of his chest warmed and he felt the heat spread all over his body like wildfire. Her lips were just as soft as he had remembered them to be. He wanted every inch of her.
Time seemed to stand still, and in that suspended moment, Eryx's realization crystallized....
The wildfire of longing swept through him, leaving no room for doubt. The softness of her lips, the taste of the snow-kissed air, and the sensation of holding her close engulfed him like a consuming flame. In that frozen moment, Eryx craved Meera with an intensity that mirrored a sinner seeking redemption.
Sensing the changes within himself, Eryx reluctantly pulled back, creating a small but perceptible distance between them. His gaze locked onto Meera's eyes. Eryx's brows furrowed as if he were upset at himself for giving in to the overwhelming longing that had been brewing within him. The moonlight painted shadows across his features, making it hard to see what he was thinking.
Meera, her cheeks flushed and her eyes reflecting the moonlit glow, remained on the boulder, her fingers clinging onto Eryx's shirt. The unspoken tension hung in the air, a delicate dance between the warmth of their shared moment and the icy expression that had settled upon Eryx. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Meera stared into Eryx's gaze with an innocence that cut him like an icy dagger. He could read every question in her eyes.
Eryx, his features now veiled in an impenetrable stoicism, gently disentangled Meera's fingers from his shirt. The warmth that had enveloped them seemed to dissipate, leaving behind a chill that mirrored the snowy landscape surrounding them. The intimacy they had shared moments ago now transformed into a silent distance, and Eryx's gaze, once filled with desire, turned cool and detached.
"I think it's time we head back to camp," Eryx said, his voice devoid of the earlier tenderness. He shifted his attention away from Meera, avoiding the depth of her searching gaze.
With a deliberate but gentle touch, Eryx lifted Meera from the boulder. The once inviting snow now felt colder against her skin. As they walked back toward the camp, the quiet murmurs of the snowfall were drowned out by the unspoken words echoing in the frigid air.
Meera clutched her hands against her chest, her eyes filled with confusion and questions. Meera's heart sank as she stole glances at Eryx, hoping for a hint of the tenderness that had softened his features during their stolen kiss. However, he avoided her gaze, leaving her with a growing sense of unease. As they approached her tent, she observed a subtle tension in Eryx's demeanor—a twitch in the muscle of his jaw, a sign that all was not well.
Will, stepping out of the tent and pausing to stare at them.
"Where were you?" he asked his brother, his eyes flickering towards Meera.
Eryx's response was curt, void of any emotion. "She was feeling too hot inside."
Will, glancing at Meera, seemed to accept the explanation. "We're switching the guards. The next shift is about to start."
"Very well," Eryx responded. "Keep me informed."
Once Will was out of earshot, Meera couldn't hold back her questions any longer.
"She was feeling too hot inside?" she repeated incredulously.
"Were you not?" Eryx retorted, stepping into the tent and setting Meera down on her feet.
Meera's arms folded protectively over her chest as she pressed further. "Was that the only reason you took me out there?"
"Yes," Eryx replied without hesitation.
"Really?" Meera's eyes narrowed. "No other reason? Not to kiss me or anything?"
Eryx's answer was blunt. "No. I had no intention of kissing you tonight."
"Why?" Meera's frustration bubbled up. "Is kissing me a problem?"
A heavy sigh escaped Eryx as he turned toward her. "Why are you upset now?"
"Because you're hiding things from me," Meera accused. "Who was that wolf? Who was that man tonight? Why were we attacked? Why do you act so different when we're alone and then the complete opposite when we're by your family or friends?"
Eryx's stoic facade remained unyielding as Meera poured out her questions and pleaded for understanding. The distress in his eyes hinted at a struggle within, and weariness weighed down his features. Meera, sensing his silent turmoil, took a step closer, her touch seeking connection and comfort. With tenderness, she took his hand and held it against her chest.
"You can tell me anything," she implored, sincerity swimming in her eyes. "Please help me understand. Why do you hold yourself back from me?"
For a moment, Eryx's gaze softened as he looked into Meera's eyes, but the turmoil beneath the surface seemed to intensify. Without a word, he gently withdrew his hand from hers, a subtle rejection that spoke louder than words. He turned away, walking out of the tent without offering an explanation or addressing the questions that lingered in the air.
Left standing alone, Meera felt a surge of frustration and hurt. The silence was deafening, echoing the unanswered questions that reverberated in her mind. The tenderness she had sought met an impenetrable barrier, leaving her feeling broken and angry. The tent, once a haven, now felt like a cocoon of unanswered mysteries and unspoken pain.
Meera's anger flared as she defiantly followed Eryx out of the tent, unwilling to back down. Picking up a handful of snow, she balled it together with a glare in her eyes. With a swift motion, she hurled the snowball directly at Eryx's head. The frozen projectile sailed through the crisp night air, leaving a trail of frost in its wake.
As the snowball connected with Eryx's head, a satisfying burst of white powder exploded. Meera's voice, stern and challenging, cut through the chilly air.
"So that's it?" she questioned, the weight of her words hanging in the frozen night. "That's how Voreions handle conflict? You run and hide?"
Eryx paused, casting a surprised glance back at Meera. His eyes involuntarily dropped to her bare feet on the snow, a disapproving frown forming on his face.
"You run and hide?" Meera scoffed, her tone daring him to refute her words.
Around them, soldiers lingering by their tents observed the unfolding drama. Will stepped forward, shaking his head, while someone called Andrick and brought him out of his tent to join the audience.
"Go back inside," Eryx commanded, his gaze still fixed on Meera's feet, his frown deepening.
Undeterred, Meera confronted Eryx with unyielding rebellion. Stepping forward, hands on her hips, she raised her head defiantly, glaring at Eryx as if ready to challenge him.
"Do you know what we say to men who run and hide in Azmeera?" she continued the challenge ringing in her voice.
"I want to know," Andrick chuckled.
"We call them cowards..." Meera stopped before Eryx, locking her eyes with him and refusing to let him look away. "Dogs who run around with their tails between their le-"
Before she could finish her sentence, Eryx swiftly lifted Meera over his shoulder, silencing her words. The unexpected move left the soldiers, Will, and Andrick amused and intrigued, their eyes following the duo as Eryx carried Meera back inside the tent.
Setting her down on her feet, Eryx towered over Meera as his eyes reflected the flames in the firepit.
"Do not speak to me like that in front of my men," he growled.
"Do not walk away from me when I am speaking to you," Meera shot back.
"Or what?" Eryx stepped forward.
"I am not some damsel you're stringing along," Meera's brows furrowed, and her eyes filled with rage. "I am your wife. Do not put me in a corner. Give me the respect you want from me."
"Listen to me when I tell you to give me time!"
"Time for what?" Meera shouted back. "What do you need time for? Why won't you tell me what the hell is going on? I am your wife, I de-"
"No, you're not my wife!"
Eryx's words thundered through the frozen night, each syllable striking Meera like a relentless storm. Stunned and speechless, she could only gape at him, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Wh-what?" Meera shook her head, trying to dispel the confusion. "What did you say?"
Eryx seemed to be holding his breath, the tension in his posture palpable. His hands opened and closed, restless and unsure.
"What did you just say, Eryx?" Meera demanded. "What does that mean?"
With a heavy sigh, Eryx ran a hand through his raven curls. When he looked up, his face was etched with distress and pain.
"You're not my wife," he said. "Mates cannot marry one another."
"Why not?" Meera's ears began to ring. "We're two sides of the same moon. What do you mean we can't marry?"
"It's forbidden for mates to have any romantic feelings for one another," Eryx explained, his words crushing Meera. "The two sides of the moon never meet, Meera. One is touched by light, you. And the other is touched by darkness, me. The gods separated the wolf from the elemantal for a reason. We were always meant to have each other's back, but never be beside one another at the altar."
"No..." Meera shook her head. "That can't be...."
"The black wolf you saw earlier was Jasper," Eryx continued. "And the man with him was his elemental, Arthur. They're mates."
The air in Meera's lungs began to burn as if she had stepped back into the flames. Her eyes watered and she stared at Eryx in disbelief.
"The only other time where mates were of the opposite sex was hundreds of years ago," Eryx said. "And that only solidified the decision why mates could never be together."
"But..." Meera's voice caught inside her chest. The pain in her eyes pierced Eryx's heart as he stared at her, grappling to understand him. "We were married.....in front of Poseidon."
Eryx remained silent. His jaw tensed as he stood like a soldier before Meera, watching her struggle to make sense of everything.
"Why didn't you tell me any of this before?" Meera demanded. "Why did you marry me?"
Meera didn't wait around to hear what Eryx had to say. She began to pace the floor as her tears fell from her eyes and she shivered.
"You made a fool out of me," Meera said. "That's why you wouldn't touch me and I.....I kept throwing myself at you!"
"Meera-" Eryx stepped forward.
"Why did you hide this from me?" Meera yelled. "Why?"
"I couldn't think of any other way to get you out of Azmeera," Eryx explained. "I couldn't have kidnapped you without starting another war, you wouldn't have left with me because that would have stained your reputation. What other choice did I have?"
"Being honest with me!" Meera threw her arms up. "Telling me all this from the beginning so I didn't make such a fool of myself in front of you and everyone else."
"You didn't make a fool of yourself in front of anyone," Eryx assured her. "Especially not me. We're soulmates, we're supposed to have each either's back."
"That word holds two very different meanings for the both of us, Eryx," Meera shook her head. "You have no idea what that word means to me."
"I didn't want you to find out this way," Eryx confessed. "I wanted to wait until we were in Voreios. I wanted you to meet the council and have them explain the significance of our roles in this world."
"So you were going to let me walk into your homeland thinking I was your wife when everyone would know I could never be your wife?" Meera asked in disbelief. "How can you be so cruel?"
"It'll all make sense when you see how important you are for saving this world that we both live on," Eryx said. "You saw what Jasper and Arthur did tonight. That's only the tip of the ice berg. None of this will matter when you come face to face with your enemies."
"It matters to me!" Meera disagreed. "Because I married you with my whole heart, Eryx. To me, this marriage means something. We don't break marriages in Azmeera. It's a sin!"
Eryx stood silently once more, his eyes guarded. He watched Meera's eyes flicker around the room as if she wished to find something that would ground her. Seconds turned into minutes, dragging on as the logs in the fire turned to ash. Meera watched the flames dancing, but she felt no warmth. Her thoughts tangled in her head like weeds as she struggled to keep herself together. The weight of the revelation hung heavy in the air, and the room seemed to close in around them, suffocating and silent.
As Eryx observed Meera grappling with the shattering reality, a profound ache settled within his chest. He stood like a sentinel, unable to ease her suffering, his gaze fixed on her as she navigated the wreckage of their marriage.
"Does this marriage mean anything to you?" Meera asked after a long pause.
"No," Eryx said. "It's not real to me. And it won't be real to you either if you just see past all the rules and customs and traditions."
His words made the fading colors on Meera's face vanish. Her eyes lowered and she sank down to the edge of the cot. The weight of Meera's disappointment bore down on Eryx, a heavy burden that he couldn't shake off. The torment etched across her face carved deep into Eryx's own soul, and he felt the sharp pang of remorse reverberate through him.
"If it's not real..." she spoke softly. "Then why did you kiss me?"
Her innocent question baused Eryx's shoulders to tense. She lifted her deer-like eyes and stared at him, watching the muscles in his jaw tense.
"Why did you kiss me?" Meera demanded. "If you don't consider yourself to be my husband then why did you steal something that did not belong to you?"
Eryx's jaw clenched once more and he looked away.
"Was that part of the act too?" Meera's eyes narrowed. "How dishonest can you be?"
Meera rose to her feet once more and walked up to Eryx.
"Why did you do this to me?" She asked, her voice small and hurt. "What have I done to deserve this?"
"Nothing," Eryx said. "You did nothing wrong."
"Then why did you do this to me?" Meera asked, her voice almost a whisper.
"I didn't have another way," Eryx explained.
"That's a lie," Meera said with disgust. "And you know it."
"Meera, please try to und-"
"I want to go home," Meera spoke, her voice firm and her shoulders straight as if her words were a command.
"What?" Eryx raised his brow.
"I want to go home," Meera said once more. "I cannot stay here without when this marriage means nothing in Voreios. I want to return to Azmeera."
"I understand you are upset-"
"You do? Great," Meera said. "That makes my heart swell. You're understanding means so much to me, your grace."
"You can't go back to Azmeera," Eryx said with patience.
"And why not?" Meera asked. "Because I will be shamed? People will question me? They will spread rumors about me?"
Eryx's frown deepened.
"I'll be okay," Meera continued with a shrug. "I'll have my family beside me. And if they too abandon me, at least I'll have the option of walking into the sea like all the other girls in Azmeera who had their lives destroyed by some man who fed them lies."
Her words pierced through Eryx, filling his mind with unwanted images of Meera floating in the water face down. He flinched and the muscles in his jaw clenched twice as hard.
"Because Arthur and Jasper saw your face," Eryx said, pushing down the pressure inside his chest. "They will come looking for you. If you go back to Azmeera, you will put everyone in danger."
"I can protect them."
"How?" Eryx asked. "You couldn't even put out the campfire."
Meera's lashes lifted and she glared.
"Your strength is spontaneous," Eryx explained. "You have not mastered all your skills. Azmeera will stand no chance against Arthur and Jasper."
"What else am I to do then?" Meera's voice rose once again.
"Come home with me."
"I'd rather die."
Eryx flinched once more. He hadn't realized when he reached out and took her hand until she pulled away from his touch.
"How could you?" Meera asked once more with tears in her eyes.
With trembling hands, she reached out towards Eryx's face. But as their eyes locked, Meera's face twisted in pain and she pulled away.
"This means something to me," she whispered.
"It can't," Eryx shook his head.
Unable to bear the pain in her eyes for a second longer, Eryx stepped back and walked out of the tent.
This isn't your typical mate story :P