18. Xeros

18

XEROS

W e start our journey to Evangeline's village early in the morning, the chill of the previous night not yet broken. As we travel, I can't help but marvel at the sights. We don't encounter any cities but small houses dot the landscape.

They're so different from the dark gray buildings I grew up with. The bright, colorful roofs especially bewilder me. While I find human architecture interesting, I still feel bitterness well up inside me—there's no sign of the Astreldi's great forts or palaces left.

I think of how glorious our rule once was, only to be eradicated by the damnable dark elves as if we were nothing.

Evangeline's sigh pulls me out of my reverie. I glance over at her and see tension in her jaw. Confused, I study her face. She doesn't seem angry and her breathing's normal, but there's still a tightness about her.

Humans are complex beings, and their emotions seem to be a complicated mess I'd rather not attempt to decipher. My time and energy are better spent on a battlefield.

An unfamiliar feeling nestles itself in my chest, sinking lower. I suddenly feel sadness and anger dancing together in the pit of my stomach. Taken aback by these emotions, I realize they're not my own feelings.

My bond with Evangeline allows me to share in her emotional turmoil. How do I react to this? Should I try to comfort her? How do I do that? I've never been in a situation where another needed my sympathy.

These vulnerable and weak emotions are soon overshadowed by my own thick, red anger. I would love nothing but to rip apart the humans who are to blame for this emotional storm she's feeling.

The loud rumble of my empty stomach almost seems to echo through the valley around us. I hear Evangeline snort beside me.

"We should eat." She theatrically pats her clothes. "Too bad we're all out of food."

I ruffle my wings. "Leave it to me." She gives me a confident smile. "Wait here. I'll track down something fat and juicy to roast."

Walking into the nearby forest, I roll my shoulders back, preparing to hunt for the woman I've grown to love deeply in a very short time. I sniff the air and almost immediately pick up the scent of a hoofed animal nearby.

The forest is alive with the soft noises of nature, and I use it to conceal the sound of my talons as I swiftly pursue my prey.

It doesn't take long to track it down and I carefully watch the small animal as it munches on the leaves of a bush.

The poor thing hasn't even sensed me yet. I grin and lunge at it with lightning speed, slicing its neck open with one quick move. It was dead before realizing it was in danger.

I remove its entrails with practiced movements. It may have been long since I hunted, but muscle memory doesn't betray me today. After skinning and cleaning the carcass a little bit in a nearby stream, I return to Evangeline.

The sun is just disappearing behind the horizon and I notice a small fire inviting me closer.

My heart skips a beat. Has someone found her? Is she harmed?

As I near the fire, my shoulders relax visibly. I have nothing to fear, it seems.

The beautiful black-haired young woman sits cross-legged in front of the fire, using a stick to push around the burning branches.

I present the meat to her, my chest swelling with pride at the awe in her eyes.

"Amazing hunting! That's a lot of meat!" She jumps up, a big grin on her face.

My heart beats rapidly and I find it hard to tear my gaze away from her lovely face. She has no idea how much even the simplest words from her soft lips affect me. I can't even explain what she makes me feel.

"Well? Are you going to stand there like and stare at me all night or are we going to roast the meat?"

I nod, placing the meat on a flat rock. "It's going to be dull, we don't have anything to spice the meat with, but it's nice and fatty."

"Don't we?" Her smile is bright as she unwraps a piece of cloth, revealing at least three kinds of plants. "Herbs I found while gathering firewood."

"Not bad," I say, impressed by her resourcefulness. We prepare the meat, sticking sharpened branches through the pieces I cut off, and enjoy a pleasant evening at our little fire.

While we eat, I tell Evangeline stories of my kin and history, and she shares tales of her village and childhood. All too soon, the fire has died, the embers glowing cozily under the moonlight.

We curl up together and I hold her tight, wordlessly promising to always be by her side.

The early sun's rays wake us up slowly, and after enjoying a meaty breakfast, we continue our journey to the village.

We finally approach our destination, and I feel dread wrap itself around my heart. What awaits us behind these wooden walls? Compared to the humans, I'm a monster. One that could devour them all in an instant if I wanted to.

At the same time, I'm curious and don't really know what to expect. Evangeline was surprisingly accepting of me. Maybe her people will welcome me as well. Maybe.

I walk with my back straight, my Astreldi pride preventing me from trying to hide how imposing and intimidating my stature is. I shake my wings a little, a small part of me wants to unfurl them just to see the shock and fear in the eyes of these humans who rejected Evangeline.

Evangeline opens the gate and we walk in. I stay as close to her as I can, carefully scanning the faces around us. I'm intrigued by the way the village was built. It lacks proper defenses and the buildings aren't reinforced, making me doubt how sturdy they could be.

I hear the whispers of disbelief and fear make their way through the growing crowd eyeing us warily. More and more people rush to the village entrance to watch us.

"Evangeline! What are you doing here? You've been exiled . Surely you know what that means." A man with short brown hair speaks up first.

He glances at me and I grin when I realize he's too scared to look into my eyes.

"And you bring this… this monster into our village, where our children and elderly are!"

My lips curl menacingly. I can sense the threat behind their fear and a low growl escapes my throat before I can stop it.

Evangeline's soft hand gently touches my hand. Her smile is kind and her eyes tell me to remain calm. Against my better judgment, I feel myself relax. Evangeline has a unique way of calming me down without words. She gazes at me with a serene warmth in her blue eyes. Suddenly, the humans around us don't seem as irritating anymore.

I nod and scan the crowd once more, quiet but clearly not submissive.

The crowd allows three older men and a middle-aged woman wearing long robes in rich purple and red colors to make their way to us.

They stop a few feet away. The woman eyes me up and down before she focuses on Evangeline.

"What is the meaning of this, Evangeline?" She speaks with authority and her eyes are fierce. The men look angry and shocked, blatantly staring at me.

It takes all my self-control not to rip their limbs from their bodies. They dumped her in the forest as if she meant nothing to them.

Savage and painful deaths are all they deserve.

Evangeline clears her throat. She doesn't show it, but she's nervous. I can feel it, her trepidation and worry mirrored in my heart. It makes me feel vulnerable and uncomfortable, and I don't like it. I furrow my brows, concentrating on the older woman who seems most threatening.

Evangeline's voice is even when she speaks. "I want to come home. In exchange for my safe return, I offer protection." She gestures to me and I stand taller, not shying away from all the eyes on me. "This is Xeros and he'll stay with me. He is a seasoned warrior, he can keep us safe."

The crowd audibly gasps and the air crackles with tension. Voices speak over each other, loudly expressing disapproval at the mere thought of bringing a monster into their midst.

The council share glances, their faces stony. The woman in front speaks.

"Impossible. We would be fools to willingly open our village gates for a monster." She spits out the last word as if it bit her tongue. "And you're a fool for suggesting it."

I glance at Evangeline, who smiles serenely. I can sense that she expected outright refusal.

"Xeros and I have… a special bond. The ritual—you were right about it. I freed him when I spoke those words."

She holds up her hand to quiet the murmuring crowd and I glare at their faces, daring them to say more.

"Our bond goes beyond human perceptions of relationships. It's hard to put into words, but I can guarantee that Xeros will be our ally."

I feel the need to interrupt. "As long as Evangeline is welcomed home and treated with the respect she deserves." Despite my best efforts to control my emotions, the thought of these people chasing her away makes my voice sound harsh and threatening.

Evangeline nods, to my surprise.

"Xeros and I have been through several trials together. Our bond is true and I can ensure everyone in the village's safety, but only if I'm allowed to continue my life as one of you."

I listen intently as she continues to speak.

"I'm asking you, the council, to set aside your prejudices and consider the value of Xeros's protection. He has protected me and made sacrifices to ensure my safety." She looks from the council to the crowd. "He can do the same for you."

I take Evangeline's hand and we stand in solidarity as we wait for the council to respond to her request.