22. Bronwyn

22

brONWYN

I wake up to the gentle hum of music, the city coming to life, Zyx's warm body pressed against mine. As I blink away the remnants of sleep, I'm struck once again by the surreal beauty of Caelus. The air here feels different, charged with an energy I can't quite explain.

"Morning, beautiful," Zyx murmurs, his silver eyes meeting mine. My heart skips a beat at the tenderness in his gaze.

We lucked out and got a small suite with two rooms. As it turns out, Zyx knew the owner, and he put us in the best room they had. Not even a few hours later, every room was sold out.

Apparently no one lives on Caelus. There are inns and businesses, but all the noctari that own them belong to other realms. It's truly a neutral area for everyone.

After a quick breakfast, we split from Kairos and Naia, who decide to go take in some of the more magically featured activities. I think Zyx knows it wouldn't interest me because he tells them we'll all meet up later.

As soon as we step out of the inn, he slips his hand in mine. I love the way it feels, the comfortable, casual way he touches me.

And I shove away the fear that after this week, I'll lose that.

We start our exploration in the heart of the city. The architecture here is unlike anything I've ever seen. Buildings seem to grow organically from the ground, their forms fluid and ever-changing. Some structures shimmer with an otherworldly light, while others seem to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape.

"Look at that," I gasp, pointing to a towering spire that appears to be made of living crystal. It pulses with a soft, multicolored glow.

Zyx grins, clearly delighted by my wonder. "That's the Harmonic Spire. It's said to resonate with the energy of all seven realms."

As we walk, I'm struck by the diversity of Caelus's inhabitants. Beings of all shapes and sizes mill about, not just the noctari. I see creatures with iridescent wings, others with multiple arms, and some that seem to be made of pure energy.

"Who are they?" I whisper to Zyx, nodding towards a group of ethereal beings that seem to float rather than walk.

"Aether sprites," he explains. "They're native to Somniara. Peaceful creatures, but don't try to touch one. You'll get a nasty shock."

We continue our tour, hand in hand. Zyx points out landmarks and shares snippets of history. I drink it all in, my mind reeling with the sheer wonder of it all.

The streets are alive with activity, vendors hawking strange fruits and glowing trinkets. The air is filled with the buzz of a hundred different languages, some of which sound more like music than speech.

As we round a corner, I gasp. Before us stands the most beautiful garden I've ever seen. Plants of every color imaginable sway in a non-existent breeze, their leaves shimmering with an inner light.

"The Harmonic Gardens," Zyx says softly. "They say the gardens reflect the current balance of power among the gods."

I step forward, mesmerized by the swirling colors and ethereal beauty. Zyx's hand in mine anchors me, a reminder that this isn't a dream. This is my new reality, and as I turn to meet his silver gaze, I know I wouldn't have it any other way.

Next, he leads me to the heart of a bustling marketplace, my senses assaulted by a cacophony of unfamiliar stimuli. The air is thick with exotic aromas - spices I can't name, strange fruits, and something that smells like ozone and magic.

My eyes dart from stall to stall, trying to take in the riot of colors and shapes. Glowing crystals pulse with inner light, while what looks like living metal twists and writhes in intricate patterns. Vendors call out, their voices blending into an overwhelming hum that makes my head spin.

I feel my breath quickening, my heart racing. It's too much, too fast. Suddenly, I feel overwhelmed, closed in, and panic sets in. I need an easy escape. I need room to breathe. The world starts to tilt, and I stumble slightly.

Suddenly, Zyx's strong arm is around my waist, steadying me. Without a word, he guides me through the crowd, his body a shield between me and the sensory onslaught. We duck into a quiet alcove, partially hidden by a curtain of shimmering, ethereal fabric.

"I've got you," Zyx murmurs, his deep voice cutting through the chaos in my mind. He pulls me close, enveloping me in his arms and the protective cocoon of his wings. The familiar scent of him helps to ground me along with his touch.

Maybe I don't need air. I just need him.

I press my face against his chest, focusing on the steady beat of his heart. His hand rubs soothing circles on my back as he continues to whisper reassurances.

"Breathe with me, Bronwyn," he says softly. "That's it. Nice and slow."

I match my breathing to his, feeling the tension slowly start to ebb from my body. Zyx's presence is like an anchor, keeping me tethered as the world around us fades into the background.

"Thank you," I whisper, my voice muffled against his shirt. "It was just..."

"Overwhelming," he finishes for me, understanding in his tone. "I know. It's a lot to take in, even for those of us who grew up here."

Once I finally calm down, I look up at him. "I'm okay."

He nods, his hands still running along my body. "What do you want to do now?" His eyes track over my face. "Do you want to go down to the coast? Back to the inn? We don't have to go back to where it's so busy."

I shake my head. I spent so much of my life running and hiding that I don't want to do that now.

"I want to go back to the festival."

Zyx's eyes widen. "Are you sure?"

I lean into him, letting his scent and warmth ground me. "I'm sure."

All I need is him.

Still seemingly skeptical, he leads me back into the market. I lean into Zyx's side as we wander through the bustling streets of Caelus. The air is electric with anticipation for the upcoming Nati celebration, and I can't help but feel caught up in the excitement.

Zyx's arm around my waist is a constant, comforting presence as we navigate the crowd. He helps keep my panic at bay, and any time it feels too overwhelming, then I lean into him. It's all it takes.

We stop at a fruit vendor's stall, marveling at the array of exotic produce. My hand brushes against Zyx's as we both reach for a strange, spiral-shaped fruit with iridescent skin.

"What's this one called?" I ask, tracing the fruit's curves with my fingertip.

Zyx's hand covers mine, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. "That's a celestial spiral," he explains, his breath warm against my ear. "It's said to taste like starlight."

The second it touches my mouth, I moan, and Zyx's eyes dart to my mouth. They darken, and I know he is thinking of our night together.

So I am.

I turn to face him, our bodies close in the crowded market. His silver eyes meet mine, filled with warmth and something deeper that makes my heart race. Without a word, he leans in and presses a soft kiss to my lips.

The world around us fades away for a moment, and I lose myself in the sweetness of his touch. Zyx pulls me close, his wings creating a cocoon around us.

"How are you holding up?" he asks, his voice low and tender.

I smile up at him, feeling safe and cherished in his embrace. "I'm much better now," I admit. "Especially with you by my side."

His response is another kiss, deeper this time, filled with passion and promise. When we finally break apart, both breathless, I can't help but laugh softly at the intensity of my feelings for this incredible being.

We emerge from the alley to find a group of artisans at work, crafting intricate decorations for the Nati celebration. Zyx and I stand hand in hand, watching in awe as they weave light and shadow into beautiful patterns.

"It's amazing," I whisper, leaning back against Zyx's chest.

His arms wrap around me from behind, and I feel the gentle brush of his wings against my sides. "Not as amazing as you," he murmurs, nuzzling my neck.

As the day's light begins to fade, Zyx takes my hand and leads me away from the bustling streets. We climb a small hill on the outskirts of the city, finding a secluded spot overlooking Caelus. The view takes my breath away.

"It's beautiful," I whisper, gazing out at the island that is still dancing on. It's different from where we went before, giving me a different view, but I don't love it any less.

Zyx sits down, gently pulling me onto his lap. His wings wrap around us, cocooning us in warmth and privacy. I lean back against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart.

"Not as beautiful as you," he murmurs, his breath tickling my ear.

I turn to face him, struck once again by the intensity of his silver eyes. They seem to glow in the fading light, filled with an emotion that makes my heart race.

"Zyx," I start, my voice barely above a whisper. "I never imagined I'd find something like this. Someone like you."

His hand comes up to cup my cheek, his thumb tracing my lower lip. "Bronwyn, from the moment I saw you, I knew you were special. You've brought light into my world in a way I never thought possible."

The sincerity in his voice makes my eyes prickle with unshed tears. I think about our journey so far - from that first chaotic meeting to this moment of perfect tranquility. It feels like a lifetime and a heartbeat all at once.

"I'm falling for you," I admit, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. "Hard and fast, and it scares me a little. But it also feels right, like I've finally found where I belong."

Zyx's eyes darken with emotion. Without a word, he leans in, capturing my lips in a kiss that steals my breath away. It's soft at first, a gentle exploration, but quickly deepens into something more passionate. His hand tangles in my hair, pulling me closer as I melt against him.

The kiss feels like a promise, a reaffirmation of the connection growing between us. When we finally part, both breathless, I see my own feelings reflected in Zyx's eyes.

"I'm falling for you too," he whispers against my lips. "And I never want to stop."