14. Eve

14

EVE

T he sun beats down on us as we trudge through the overgrown remnants of what was once a bustling town. Mordakus leads the way, his keen eyes scanning for danger, while I follow close behind, Vincent secure in his makeshift sling across my chest.

"Look," Mordakus says, pointing ahead. "Might be worth checking out."

I follow his gaze to a massive structure looming in the distance - an abandoned castle perhaps, its walls covered in creeping vines and weathered by time.

"Do you think it's safe?" I ask, excitement and apprehension mingling in my voice.

Mordakus nods. "Seems quiet. Could be a good place to scavenge for supplies. Stay close, though."

As we approach the castle, I'm struck by the eerie beauty of nature reclaiming the space. Wildflowers push through cracks in the stone, and birds nest high up above.

"It's amazing how life finds a way," I murmur, more to myself than to Mordakus.

He grunts in agreement, a sound I've come to recognize as his way of showing he's listening without wanting to express too much emotion.

We enter the castle cautiously, Mordakus taking point with his demon-enhanced senses on high alert. The interior is a maze of abandoned rooms, dust dancing in the shafts of sunlight streaming through broken windows.

"Let's split up," Mordakus suggests. "Cover more ground. But stay within shouting distance."

I nod, secretly thrilled at this show of trust. It wasn't long ago that he wouldn't let me out of his sight.

As Mordakus heads deeper into the castle, I find myself drawn to a side door that seems to lead outside. Pushing it open, I gasp in delight at what I find.

"Mordakus!" I call out. "Come see this!"

He appears moments later, tension visible in his stance until he sees my excited face.

"What is it?" he asks, relaxing slightly.

"Look," I say, gesturing to the overgrown garden spread out before us. "It must have been an attempt at sustainability or something. But now..."

Now it's a wild tangle of vegetables gone to seed, fruit trees heavy with ripening produce, and a riot of flowers that have long since escaped their original beds.

"This is incredible," I breathe, already moving further into the green oasis. "Think of all the food and medicine we could gather here!"

Mordakus follows, his expression softening as he watches me flit from plant to plant, identifying species and rattling off their uses.

"Slow down, Eve," he quips. "We've got time. This place isn't going anywhere."

I pause, struck by the rare sound of his laughter. "You're right," I say, smiling up at him. "It's just... it's been so long since I've seen so much life in one place."

We spend the next hour exploring the garden, gathering ripe fruits and vegetables, and harvesting medicinal herbs. As I kneel to examine a particularly lush patch of greenery, something catches my eye.

"Oh my goodness," I gasp, carefully unearthing a small metal box. "Mordakus, look!"

He crouches beside me as I open the box, revealing dozens of seed packets.

"Seeds," I explain, my voice trembling with excitement. "All kinds - vegetables, flowers, even some trees. With these, we could... We could start a new garden. Wherever we end up."

I look up at Mordakus, half expecting him to dismiss the idea as impractical. But to my surprise, his eyes are warm, his expression thoughtful.

"You should take them," he says softly. "Every paradise needs a garden, right?"

His words send a flood of warmth through me. "You really think we'll find it? Our paradise?"

Mordakus is quiet for a moment, his gaze distant. Then he looks at me, really looks at me, in a way that makes my heart skip a beat.

"I think," he says slowly. "Maybe we're already building it. Bit by bit."

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying this rare moment of peace. I find myself studying Mordakus's profile, noting the way the sunlight plays off his demonic features. Once, they terrified me. Now, they're just part of who he is - my protector, my teacher, my... friend? The word seems inadequate for what we've become to each other.

As the sun begins to dip towards the horizon, we reluctantly prepare to move on. I carefully pack the seed box in my bag, along with our foraged supplies.

"Ready?" Mordakus asks, offering me a hand up.

I take it, marveling at how his touch sends a thrill through me. "Ready," I confirm.

As we set out once more, leaving the castle and its secret garden behind, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. We're not just surviving anymore; we're working towards something. A future. A home.

"Tell me more about these seeds," Mordakus says as we walk. "What will you plant first when we reach the coast?"

His interest warms my heart, and I launch into an excited explanation of my plans. As I talk, I notice Mordakus watching me with a soft expression I've never seen before. "What?" I ask, suddenly self-conscious.

He shakes his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Nothing. Just... you're beautiful when you're passionate about something."

His words catch me off guard, and I feel a blush creeping up my cheeks. "Oh," I stammer. "I... thank you."

We continue on, the silence between us charged with something new and exhilarating. As the first stars appear in the darkening sky, I find myself dreaming of the future. A little house by the sea, a thriving garden full of life, Vincent lounging in the sun. And Mordakus... Mordakus right there beside me, his red eyes crinkled in a smile meant just for me.