27. Zyx

27

ZYX

I t took some time for the gods to get back on track. And even then, this year's ceremony felt…distracted.

As soon as it is over, I guide Bronwyn away from the pulsing crowd, my wings twitching with the need to shield her from prying eyes. The air crackles with residual magic, making my skin prickle. Bronwyn's face is pale, her eyes wide with shock. I need to get her somewhere safe, somewhere we can breathe.

"This way," I murmur, my hand on the small of her back as I steer her through the throng of celebrating noctari. Their voices are a cacophony of excitement and awe, but I tune them out, focused solely on Bronwyn. And I don't want to stick around the gods longer than necessary right now.

We round a corner, leaving the main square behind. The narrow alley I've chosen is mercifully empty, lit only by the soft glow of bioluminescent fungi clinging to the stone walls. I draw Bronwyn into a small alcove, my wings unfurling to cocoon us both.

"You're safe," I whisper, cupping her face in my hands. Her skin is cool to the touch, and I can feel her trembling. "I've got you, Bronwyn. I'm right here."

She blinks up at me, her forest-green eyes swimming with fear. "Zyx," she breathes, her voice barely audible. "What... what just happened?"

I pull her closer, wrapping my arms around her. She buries her face in my chest, and I can feel her heart racing against mine. My wings tighten around us, creating a barrier between us and the outside world.

"The gods," I say softly, running my fingers through her hair. "We are lucky they did not see you as something they did not create and strike you down right there. It seems that Oltyx has claimed you as his own."

She pulls back slightly, her brow furrowed. "But what does that mean? I don't understand any of this."

I sigh, wishing I had all the answers for her. "Honestly, I'm not entirely sure. This is... unprecedented. But I think he is offering you a place in his realm — to be earthborn like me."

Bronwyn nods, then leans back into me. I hold her tightly, my chin resting on top of her head. The sounds of the celebration seem distant now, muffled by the cocoon of my wings.

"I won't let anything happen to you," I vow, my voice low and fierce. "No matter what Oltyx or any of the other gods have planned, I'll be by your side. Always."

She looks up at me, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the fear in her eyes. "I know," she whispers. "I trust you, Zyx."

Those words send a surge of warmth through me, along with a fierce protectiveness. I lean down, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. It's a promise, a declaration, a lifeline in the chaos that surrounds us.

I feel Bronwyn's breathing slow as she calms in my arms. Her fingers trace patterns on my chest, a soothing gesture that grounds us both. When she looks up at me, her eyes are clearer, the initial shock replaced by a determined curiosity.

"I might be safe with Oltyx…but the other gods," Bronwyn asks, still tense but calmer than before. "They wanted humans too. Why?"

I sigh, my concern evident in the set of my jaw. "Because we have no humans. Not before you.The gods... they're curious, and powerful. They see opportunities we can't comprehend."

Bronwyn shivers, and I pull her closer instinctively. "What does this mean for us?" she whispers, vulnerability clear in her voice.

I cup her face in my hands, meeting her gaze with unwavering intensity. "It doesn't mean anything. You are welcome in Terramyst. Oltyx himself said so." I swallow hard, hoping that I'm right. "Which means no god is going to come after you there."

"You really think that?" I can already see the fear starting back up. She's been chased before. On the run. Hunted.

"I will make sure of it," I tell her without even thinking. I can't have her feeling like that again.

When Bronwyn dives into my arms, I wrap them around her. There is no safer place than in them, and I want her to stay right there.

But soon, we have to break apart. I sense their approach before I see them. My wings instinctively tighten around Bronwyn, but I force myself to relax as Kairos and Naia round the corner. Their footsteps echo in the narrow alley, a sharp contrast to the muffled revelry still audible from the main square.

"There you are," Naia breathes, her voice trembling slightly. Her eyes are wide, shock etched across her features. She looks how Bronwyn felt moments ago – lost, overwhelmed, struggling to process what just happened.

Kairos, on the other hand, exudes a different kind of energy. His silver eyes are stormy, brows furrowed in confusion and frustration. The runes on his obsidian skin pulse erratically, betraying his inner turmoil.

"What the fuck was that?" he growls, running a hand through his white hair. "They didn't even... it was like I wasn't even there."

I gently guide Bronwyn out of our alcove, keeping her close to my side. "The gods," I begin, trying to keep my voice steady, "they operate on a different level. Their priorities, their perceptions – they're beyond our understanding."

Kairos scoffs, his frustration palpable. "I've dealt with gods before, but this... this was something else entirely."

Naia reaches for his hand, intertwining their fingers. The gesture seems to ground him somewhat, but the tension in his shoulders remains.

"They claimed us," Bronwyn says softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Oltyx... he said we belonged to him now."

Naia's eyes widen further, if that's even possible. "What does that mean?" she asks, her gaze darting between Bronwyn and me.

"Zyx thinks it just means that Oltyx is welcoming us into his realm," Bronwyn says.

Naia looks to me, and my wings rustle with unease. "I'm not entirely sure. This isn't... it's not something that happens. Ever."

"I don't think I feel much like celebrating now," Naia says.

"Maybe we should all head back," I offer.

I don't think we are in danger. But it is clear we have drawn the gods' attention, and that alone is dangerous. Kairos is still angry at the way he was ignored and the girls are shaken.

Perhaps six days was enough celebration. Especially if it's cost us something more.

I lead our group back to the inn, my mind still reeling from the events at the ceremony. The narrow streets of Caelus are quieter now, the initial frenzy of the celebration giving way to a more subdued atmosphere. As we enter our shared room, I can feel the weight of uncertainty hanging over us all.

"So," I begin, breaking the tense silence. "What's next for everyone?"

Kairos runs a hand through his white hair, his silver eyes clouded with thought. Naia leans against him, her expression equally uncertain. Bronwyn stands close to me, her warmth a comforting presence at my side.

"I... I'm not sure," Bronwyn admits, her voice soft. "Everything's changed so quickly."

I nod, understanding her hesitation. "Well, I need to head back to Terramyst soon," I say, my wings rustling slightly. "You're all welcome to come with me, if you'd like. Maybe we can figure things out together there."

The offer hangs in the air for a moment before Kairos nods. "That sounds like a good idea. We could use some time to process... all of this."

Agreement ripples through the group, and we decide to leave in the morning. As night falls, we settle into our respective spaces. Bronwyn and I retreat to our room, seeking solace in each other's presence.

I draw her close, my wings forming a cocoon around us. Bronwyn leans into my touch. Our lips meet in a tender kiss, filled with unspoken emotions. As we part, I can't shake the nagging fear that this might be the beginning of goodbye. The thought of losing her, of watching her walk away, sends a sharp pain through my chest.

"I can't let you go," I murmur, pulling her closer. "Bronwyn, I..."

She silences me with another kiss, this one deeper, more urgent. Her hands tangle in my hair as my wings tighten around us, creating a world of our own. We lose ourselves in gentle caresses and whispered affirmations, each touch a promise, each kiss a declaration.

As we lie together, limbs entwined, I trace the curve of her cheek with my fingertips. The moonlight filtering through the window casts a soft glow on her skin, and I'm struck once again by how beautiful she is.

We hold each other close as the night deepens, finding comfort in our shared warmth and the steady rhythm of our heartbeats. Tomorrow will bring new challenges, but for now, we have this moment, this connection that feels stronger than any divine claim.