12. Bronwyn

12

brONWYN

I stay next to Zyx at all times now. His hand is always reaching toward me, his wing curling around me, and I couldn't pull myself away from him, if I wanted to.

And I really, really don't want to.

But that hasn't stopped this particular section of our journey from being fraught with dangers. It's probably why he hovers next to me, seeing as I'm defenseless unlike Kairos and Naia.

If only it was for another reason.

"We only travel by ship," Zyx is saying as I stare out at the water in the distance. "Mostly out of courtesy to the gods and their realms. We want them to see us coming."

I nod. "But it's rare you go to other realms."

"Right. There are some instances in which?—"

He freezes, and Naia and Kairos just ahead of us turn. We've all grown accustomed to how Zyx reacts when he senses danger. But before he can say anything, the earth seems to shudder beneath my feet.

My heart pounds as pale, elongated forms burst from the ground, twisting in the dim light. I freeze, terror gripping me as memories of Earth's horrors flash through my mind. But then Zyx moves next to me.

"Deepdwellers," he mutters, pulling my attention.

In an instant, he transforms. Gone is the gentle, patient guide I've come to know. In his place stands a fierce warrior, his midnight-blue wings spread wide, silver eyes blazing with determination.

"Stay behind me," Zyx growls.

I can't look away as he launches into action. His movements are fluid, almost dance-like, as he weaves between the attacking deepdwellers. His claws flash, retractable sharp tips I've noticed he rarely leaves out, leaving glowing trails in the air. Each strike is precise, calculated, yet executed with raw power that takes my breath away.

A deepdweller lunges at me, its grotesque face contorted in a snarl. Before I can react, Zyx is there. He catches the creature mid-air, his muscles rippling under his skin as he hurls it away. The sheer strength of the action leaves me stunned.

"You okay?" he asks, his intense gaze locking with mine for a split second before he's off again, a blur of midnight blue and flashing silver.

I nod, unable to form words. My heart races, and I realize it's not just from fear. Watching Zyx fight, seeing his power and grace, sends a thrill through me I've never experienced before. It's exhilarating and terrifying all at once.

As the last deepdweller falls, Zyx turns to me. His chest heaves, his eyes still burning with that fierce intensity. Sweat glistens on his skin, catching the dim light. He looks wild, dangerous, yet I've never felt safer.

"Are you hurt?" he asks, his voice rough with concern as he steps closer.

I shake my head, still too overwhelmed to speak. The adrenaline coursing through my veins makes me hyper-aware of his proximity, of the heat radiating from his body.

I can't tear my eyes away from Zyx as he checks on the others, his movements still charged with that raw energy from the fight. My heart races, and I'm not sure if it's from the lingering adrenaline or something else entirely.

As he turns back to me, I study him more closely. The fierce warrior from moments ago has melted away, replaced by the gentle guide I've come to know. His silver eyes, so intense during the battle, now shine with warmth and concern. It's a stark contrast that leaves me breathless.

"You sure you're alright?" Zyx asks, his voice soft as he approaches.

I nod, finding my voice at last. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks to you."

He smiles, and I feel a flutter in my chest. It's the same smile he's given me a hundred times before, but now it affects me differently. I notice the way his eyes crinkle at the corners, the slight tilt of his head as he looks at me.

As we start moving again, I can't help but watch Zyx more closely. The way he effortlessly switches between alert protector and patient teacher fascinates me. One moment he's scanning our surroundings with keen eyes, wings slightly spread as if ready to shield us from danger. The next, he's explaining some aspect of Nythorran geography to Kairos and Naia, his face lighting up with enthusiasm.

I find myself equally drawn to both sides of him. The warrior's strength and grace stir something primal within me, a feeling of safety I haven't experienced since before the orc invasion. But it's his gentleness, the way he patiently answers my endless questions about this new world, that truly captivates me.

These growing feelings both excite and terrify me. On Earth, I never allowed myself to get close to anyone, knowing attachment could be a death sentence. But here, in this strange new world, I find myself wanting to lower my guard. To let Zyx in.

But old habits die hard, and a part of me screams that it's dangerous, that I'm setting myself up for heartbreak or worse. I'm not sure if I can overcome that innate need to keep myself safe.

Though it seems the fates are going to try to tempt me.

As we walk, Zyx's hand accidentally brushes against mine. The contact sends a jolt through me, and I have to resist the urge to grab his hand and hold on tight. Instead, I steal another glance at him, admiring the way the dim light plays across his midnight-blue skin.

Zyx's eyes meet mine, catching me mid-stare. My cheeks burn, but before I can look away, his lips curve into that reassuring smile that's become so familiar. It's gentle, warm, and makes my heart skip a beat.

He moves towards me, his movements fluid and graceful. "Are you enjoying the trip?" he asks, a devastating smirk playing on his lips. "You are the master camper, after all."

I open my mouth to respond, but the words catch in my throat as his hand lands on my arm. His touch is gentle, almost feather-light, but it sends a jolt through my entire body. His fingers are warm against my skin, and I'm acutely aware of every point of contact.

"I'm... Yeah, it's good," I manage to stammer out, my voice sounding breathless even to my own ears.

Zyx's hand lingers, his thumb tracing small circles on my skin. The simple gesture sends waves of warmth cascading through me, starting from where he touches and spreading outward. It's like nothing I've ever felt before - a comforting heat that chases away the lingering chill of fear from the deepdweller attack.

And begs me to act on it.

I find myself leaning into his touch, craving more of this unexpected comfort. His silver eyes hold mine, filled with a mixture of concern and something else I can't quite name. It's intense, almost magnetic, and I find it impossible to look away.

I'm hyper-aware of Zyx's presence - the subtle scent of rain and night air that clings to him, the soft rustle of his wings as they shift slightly, the steady rise and fall of his chest as he breathes.

My own breathing quickens, matching the rapid beating of my heart. I'm surprised by the intensity of my reaction to his simple touch. On Earth, I'd built walls around my heart, never allowing anyone close enough to affect me like this. But here, with Zyx, those walls are crumbling faster than I can rebuild them.

His hand stays on my arm, the touch no longer necessary for reassurance but neither of us seems willing to break the contact. The warmth of his skin against mine is intoxicating, making me crave more. I find myself wondering what it would feel like to be wrapped in his arms, to feel those powerful wings envelop me.

The thought startles me, breaking the spell of the moment. I blink, realizing just how lost I'd become in Zyx's gaze.

How quickly I'm becoming lost in him.

"You'll have to tell me what it was like," he says, and I realize he's still talking about camping. "Did you travel for weeks like this, just taking in the terrain?"

I catch myself studying his face as he speaks, mesmerized by the way his silver eyes flicker with different emotions. Mostly, I try to fight the attraction that won't stop bubbling up in me.

"I was mostly in the same area, trying to get people to safety or lure orcs in the direction I needed them to go." The pain that usually comes with the memories is noticeably absent right now. "I didn't take much time to look at the nature around me."

"Earth sounds like such a harsh place," Zyx says, his voice soft with empathy. "I can't imagine what you've been through."

I shrug, trying to downplay the weight of my past. "You do what you have to survive."

His hand brushes against mine, sending a jolt of electricity up my arm. "You're incredibly strong, Bronwyn."

I look up, meeting his gaze. The intensity in his eyes takes my breath away. There's admiration there, but also something deeper, something that makes my heart race.

We walk in comfortable silence for a while, our hands occasionally brushing. Each touch feels like a spark, igniting something within me that I thought had long since died.

Zyx points out a beautiful flowering vine, its petals shimmering with an otherworldly glow. As he explains its properties, I find myself lost in the cadence of his voice, the way his lips form each word.

He catches me staring and gives me a shy smile that makes my stomach flip. I return it, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks.

The air between us feels charged, thick with unspoken words and growing attraction. I catch Kairos and Naia exchanging knowing glances, but I can't bring myself to care.

The tension between us is palpable, a living thing that seems to pulse with each shared glance, each lingering touch. It's exhilarating and terrifying all at once, this growing attraction that threatens to consume me.

I'm tempted to let it.