31. Zyx

31

ZYX

I wake up to Bronwyn's warm body nestled against mine. Her steady breathing tickles my chest, and I can't help but smile. It's been months since we bonded, but the thrill of waking up next to her hasn't faded one bit.

I gently run my fingers through her hair, marveling at how it catches the light. She stirs, her green eyes fluttering open to meet mine. "Morning, handsome," she mumbles, voice still thick with sleep.

"Morning, beautiful," I reply, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

We rise together, moving around our shared space with practiced ease. Our home is a perfect blend of our two worlds. Nythorran crystals hang from the ceiling, casting rainbows across the walls, while Earth-inspired tapestries Bronwyn wove herself add warmth and color.

In the kitchen, I reach for the top shelf to grab Bronwyn's favorite mug – a piece of Earth I was able to recreate. She slides past me, her hand brushing my wing as she goes for the kettle. The touch sends a shiver down my spine, our bond humming with contentment.

As I prepare breakfast, Bronwyn tends to the plants on our balcony. Some are native to Terramyst, others are from seeds she's managed to cultivate from her memories of Earth. Watching her nurture life from both our worlds fills me with pride and love.

We eat together, discussing our plans for the day. Bronwyn's been working on integrating Earth healing practices with Nythorran magic, and her excitement is contagious. I listen intently, offering suggestions when I can, but mostly just basking in her passion.

After breakfast, we step outside. The familiar hum of Terramyst greets us, and I spread my wings, feeling the energy of my homeland course through me. Bronwyn's hand finds mine, our fingers intertwining naturally. Through our bond, I feel her awe at the view – even after months, the floating islands and crystal formations still take her breath away.

We have to part for a few hours, which I hate. But Oltyx’s favor has seemed to hold. He has not come after her, nor have the other gods. Even the people in Terraluna haven’t treated her as an outsider since.

So while I don’t have to worry about her safety, I do miss her while we are apart. But I need to hunt and she has to work. But as soon as I have killed and carved up the animals we need, I'm off to find Bronwyn, which takes me no time at all.

I lean against the doorframe of our healing room, watching Bronwyn work her magic. While she can use some of mine, she still has to rely mostly on her skills. Her hands move with practiced ease as she grinds herbs in a mortar, the scent of Earth and Nythorran plants mingling in the air. A young noctari sits before her, wings drooping with fatigue.

"This blend should help with the inflammation," Bronwyn says, her voice soft and reassuring. She mixes the herbs with a shimmering Nythorran crystal essence, a technique she developed herself. "Take it with warm water before bed, and you'll feel the difference by morning."

The noctari's mother looks on, worry etched on her face. Bronwyn notices and turns to her with a gentle smile. "Don't fret. Growing pains are common in young noctari. Your son's wings are just adjusting to his rapid growth."

I feel a swell of pride in my chest. Bronwyn's ability to combine her Earth knowledge with Nythorran healing practices has made her invaluable to our community. She's not just treating symptoms; she's addressing the root causes with a holistic approach that's uniquely her own.

As the young noctari and his mother leave, Bronwyn begins tidying up. I step in to help, our movements synchronized after months of working side by side. "You're amazing, you know that?" I say, unable to keep the admiration from my voice.

She blushes, the pink in her cheeks making her even more beautiful. "I'm just doing what needs to be done," she replies modestly.

"No, you're doing so much more," I insist. "You're bridging two worlds, bringing hope and healing to everyone you touch."

Bronwyn pauses, her hand resting on a jar of glowing Terramyst moss. "I never thought I'd find a place where I truly belonged," she says softly. "But here, with you, helping these people... it feels right."

I wrap my wings around her, pulling her close. Through our bond, I feel her contentment, her sense of purpose. It mirrors my own feelings, amplified by the love we share.

A knock at the door interrupts our moment. An elderly lumini stands there, her light flickering weakly. "Healer Bronwyn," she says, her voice trembling, "I heard you might be able to help me."

Bronwyn straightens, her professional demeanor sliding back into place. "Of course," she says warmly, guiding the lumini to a chair. "Tell me what's troubling you."

As Bronwyn begins her consultation, I step back, marveling at the woman I'm privileged to call my mate. Her compassion knows no bounds, her skills constantly evolving. In this moment, watching her work, I fall in love with her all over again.

Once she is finished with her work as a healer, I lead Bronwyn through the winding corridors of the ancient library, our footsteps echoing off the stone walls. The air is thick with the scent of old parchment and magical energy.

As we round the corner, we spot Kairos and Naia hunched over a massive tome, their heads nearly touching as they whisper excitedly. After the gods rejected Kairos, he dove into researching them. With them walking their realms, he was able to learn more about them and their magic here than ever before. I don’t think it’s entirely soothed his hurt, but it’s helped him understand how his appearance did not rattle them – nor are they much more giving to the noctari.

"Found anything interesting?" I ask, announcing our presence.

Kairos looks up, his silver eyes gleaming with excitement. "Zyx, Bronwyn, perfect timing. We were just studying how to draw from different gods' magic in one movement."

Naia nods enthusiastically, her curly hair bouncing. "It's a text that talks about how to harness the powers of all Seven."

Bronwyn leans in, her curiosity piqued. I feel a surge of pride through our bond – her thirst for knowledge never ceases to amaze me.

"Would that not make one noctari too powerful?" she asks, already reaching for the book.

I spread my wings slightly, creating a canopy of shadows over the ancient text. The dim light makes the glowing runes easier to read.

Kairos points to a passage, his finger tracing the intricate script. "It shouldn't result in more power, just more variety in what a single noctari can produce."

Naia chimes in, her voice hushed with awe. "And look here – it mentions something called 'the Nexus'. It's described as a place where the gods' powers converge."

I smile at them. They've both been hard at work as researchers, Bronwyn and I regularly joining in to learn more or help.

"Have you found any clues about where this Nexus might be?" I ask.

Kairos shakes his head, frustration evident in the set of his jaw. "Not yet. But we're close, I can feel it."

Bronwyn pulls up a chair, her eyes already scanning the text. "Let me take a look. Maybe I can spot something with fresh eyes."

I settle in beside her, our shoulders touching. Across the table, I notice Kairos and Naia doing the same, their bond humming with shared purpose. The four of us fall into a comfortable silence, broken only by the occasional rustle of turning pages or murmured observation.

As the hours pass, I can't help but marvel at how far we've come. From strangers thrust together by fate to this – a tight-knit group united in our quest for knowledge and understanding. The bonds between us, both magical and emotional, have grown stronger than I ever could have imagined.

I'm jolted from my concentration by a commotion outside the library. Footsteps thunder down the corridor, and the door bursts open. A young noctari stands there, panting heavily, his wings quivering with excitement or fear – I can't tell which.

"Have you heard?" he gasps. "More humans... they're appearing all over Nythorra!"

The words hit me like a physical blow. I exchange a stunned glance with Bronwyn, feeling her shock ripple through our bond. Kairos and Naia look equally startled, their earlier excitement replaced by confusion and concern.

"What do you mean, 'appearing'?" I ask, my voice sharp with urgency. "Where? How many?"

The young noctari shakes his head, clearly overwhelmed. "Reports are coming in from all realms. It seems the gods weren't going to let Oltyx be the only one with humans."