28. Bronwyn

28

brONWYN

I lean against the ship's railing, watching the lavender waves crash against the hull. The salty breeze whips through my hair, carrying the scent of an alien sea. As Caelus fades into the distance behind us, I can't shake the weight of what transpired during Nati. Oltyx's claim on me, the other gods' envy - it's all too much to process.

Zyx approaches, his midnight blue wings folded neatly behind him. He wraps an arm around my waist, and I lean into his solid warmth. "How are you holding up?" he asks, his deep voice rumbling through his chest.

I turn to face him, taking in his sharp features and those mesmerizing silver eyes. "I've been thinking," I start, my heart racing. "About my future."

Zyx's brow furrows slightly, concern etching across his face. "What's on your mind?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I want to stay in Nythorra." The words tumble out in a rush. "I know it's crazy, and there's still so much I don't understand, but... this feels right." I suck in a deep breath. "I don't think I could go back to Earth."

For a moment, Zyx is silent, and I fear I've said too much. Then his face breaks into the most radiant smile I've ever seen. He pulls me into a tight embrace, his wings unfurling to wrap around us both.

"Bronwyn," he breathes, his voice thick with emotion. "You have no idea how happy that makes me." He pulls back just enough to cup my face in his hands. "I was so afraid you'd want to leave after everything that happened."

I reach up, tracing the line of his jaw. "How could I leave? You've shown me a world I never knew existed. You've given me hope, Zyx. Something I thought I'd lost forever back on Earth."

His lips crash into mine, the kiss filled with passion and promise. When we finally break apart, both breathless, he rests his forehead against mine. "I'm glad you feel that way."

We stand there for a while long before Kairos comes up. Zyx moves to talk with him about something I can't quite hear. But I find my gaze drawn to him - the way his midnight blue wings shift in the wind, how his silver eyes catch the light. My heart skips a beat when he glances my way and flashes that crooked smile I've grown to love.

Love. The word echoes in my mind, and I remember Zyx telling me that he loves me. That I said it back and we didn't speak of it again. I don't just want to stay on Nythorra - I want to stay with Zyx. The thought both thrills and terrifies me.

But what if he doesn't feel the same? Now that Nati is over, will he return to his old life? Does that life have room for me in it? I chew my lip, anxiety gnawing at my insides.

"You okay?" Zyx's deep voice breaks through my spiraling thoughts. He's moved closer, concern etched across his sharp features.

I force a smile. "Yeah, just... thinking."

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Want to talk about it?"

I open my mouth, then close it again. How do I even begin to express what I'm feeling? The words tangle on my tongue, refusing to come out right.

Zyx's hand finds mine, his touch sending sparks through my skin. "Whatever it is, Bronwyn, you can tell me."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. But I don't know what to say. And even if I did, my heart doesn’t want to let my guard down.

So I just press my lips in a thin line and shake my head. Thankfully, he lets me do just that.

The journey back is faster. Zyx got us on a merchant ship heading closer to Terraluna than the one we took to Caelus. It's much easier to work our way across the short distance, running into no incident.

As we approach Zyx's home in Terramyst, I can't help but notice a change in his demeanor. His wings twitch nervously, and he keeps glancing at me with an unreadable expression. The lush, bioluminescent forest around us seems to pulse with an energy that matches my growing concern.

"Zyx?" I finally ask, reaching out to touch his arm. "What's wrong? You seem... off."

He stops walking, turning to face me fully. The silver of his eyes seems to glow in the twilight, and I find myself holding my breath.

"Bronwyn," he starts, his deep voice unusually hesitant. "I... there's something I need to ask you."

My heart races, a mix of anticipation and fear coursing through me. "Okay," I say softly, encouraging him to continue.

Zyx takes a deep breath, his wings unfurling slightly as if to steady himself. "These past weeks with you have been... incredible. More than I ever thought possible." He reaches out, taking both of my hands in his. "I know we come from different worlds, but I can't imagine my life without you in it."

I feel tears prickling at the corners of my eyes, overwhelmed by the intensity of his gaze and the weight of his words.

"Bronwyn," he continues, his voice filled with a mixture of love and hope that makes my heart soar, "I want to ask you to be my mate. In noctari culture, this is... it's everything. It's a lifelong bond, deeper than any other connection we can form."

He pauses, his thumbs tracing gentle circles on the backs of my hands. "When noctari mate, it's for life. Our essences intertwine, our magic becomes shared. We become two halves of a whole, stronger together than we ever could be apart."

I listen, transfixed, as Zyx explains the depth of what he's offering. It's beautiful and terrifying all at once, a commitment beyond anything I've ever known.

"I know it's a lot to ask," Zyx says softly, his wings curling forward as if to embrace me. "And I understand if you need time to think about it. But I love you, Bronwyn. I want to share my life, my world, everything I am with you."

I stare at Zyx, my heart pounding so hard I'm sure he can hear it. His words wash over me, each one sinking deep into my soul. A mate. A lifelong bond. It's more than I ever dared to dream of, especially after everything I've been through.

For a moment, I'm speechless, overwhelmed by the depth of emotion coursing through me. Tears well up in my eyes, blurring my vision of Zyx's anxious face. I blink rapidly, letting the tears fall freely down my cheeks.

"Zyx," I manage to choke out, my voice thick with emotion. "Yes. A thousand times, yes."

His face breaks into the most radiant smile I've ever seen, his silver eyes shining with pure joy. Without warning, he scoops me up into his arms, spinning me around as his wings unfurl fully, creating a cocoon of midnight blue around us.

I can't help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from deep within me. It's a laugh of pure, unadulterated happiness - something I haven't experienced in years. Zyx's own deep chuckle joins mine, our joy mingling in the air around us.

As he sets me down, I grab his face in my hands and pull him into a passionate kiss. His lips meet mine with equal fervor, and I pour everything I'm feeling into that kiss - all my love, my hopes, my dreams for our future together.

When we finally break apart, both breathless, Zyx rests his forehead against mine. "I love you, Bronwyn," he murmurs, his voice filled with reverence.

"I love you too, Zyx," I reply, my heart soaring at the words. "More than I ever thought possible."

Our laughter echoes through the bioluminescent forest, causing nearby plants to pulse with light in response. It's as if all of Nythorra is celebrating with us, welcoming this new chapter in our lives.