26. Zyrith

26

ZYRITH

T he crisp forest air bites at my skin, a reminder of the world I’ve avoided for so long. I stand a few paces away, watching the scene unfold before me. Lara's friends, Aiden and Maya, surround her like a protective shield. The air is heavy, each of them grappling with their own emotions. She clings to them, tears streaming down her face, whispering words that I cannot hear but can feel in the depths of my ancient heart.

“Don’t be scared. Don’t worry about me,” I hear her say. But then, the rest is lost to whispers.

Aiden’s eyes are pools of sorrow, reflecting the pain of parting with someone dear. Maya’s face is a mask of mixed emotions—fear, sadness, and a touch of worry. In their embrace, Lara's hair gleams like spun gold. She pulls back from Aiden and Maya, wiping her tears with trembling hands.

Aiden’s hand moves from Lara’s shoulder to her cheek, wiping away a stray tear. His lips move, forming words I cannot hear but can guess at—words of comfort, promises that they will always be there for her. It’s almost endearing, if it didn’t make my stone heart clench with possessiveness.

The scent of pine needles and snow swirls around us, mingling with the saltiness of her tears. The golden light filtering through the canopy creates an ethereal glow around her. Each flicker of sunlight that touches her delicate skin makes my need to claim her even stronger.

Yet, I stand resolute, the weight of centuries behind me. My heart tightens with each passing second. They had no right to take her from me in the first place. She belongs with me. There’s no doubt about that.

“Thank you for being such good friends,” Lara says to them. “I’ll never forget you two.”

Lara’s face is a canvas of conflicting emotions—sorrow for leaving her friends and something deeper for staying with me. Her hands continue to tremble, and her breath forms small clouds that dissipate into the winter air. She’s torn between two worlds, but I know where she truly belongs.

She stands between Aiden and Maya, their forms huddled close as they speak in hushed tones. The way they exchange glances and squeeze her shoulders tells me everything I need to know. They have accepted our bond, though they will never fully grasp its depth.

Our connection is something ancient and profound, forged in the dark recesses of my underground world. It transcends the limitations of their understanding, a blend of shared pain and unexpected tenderness. When I first found her, she was a beacon in my endless solitude, her presence illuminating corners of my existence I had long forgotten.

Her fingers now brush against Aiden's arm as she speaks, her voice soft but firm. I can only imagine the words she's saying—words meant to reassure them while reaffirming her place by my side. My resolve hardens as I stand there watching. She is mine; no one else can offer her what I can.

The sun soon dips lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the snow-covered ground. Their conversation continues, each word seemingly heavier than the last. I watch every expression that crosses Lara’s face—determination, sadness, love—all intertwined into one beautiful complexity that draws me closer.

Maya leans in closer to Lara, their foreheads almost touching as they share what looks like a heartfelt exchange. My chest tightens with an unfamiliar sensation—jealousy? Perhaps. But more than that, it’s an acknowledgment that they too care for her deeply.

Lara’s eyes meet mine across the clearing, and in that gaze, I see our shared history—the nights spent talking near the underground lake, the moments of vulnerability where we found solace in each other’s presence. It is a bond forged not by mere happenstance but by fate itself.

As we continue gazing at each other, I notice that her eyes seem to be searching mine for reassurance. So, I give a slight nod, hoping she sees the determination in my gaze—the promise that she will be safe with me.

My gaze remains fixed on Lara, my thoughts swirling with the future I envision for us. A future where we exist together, far from the judgmental eyes of others who cannot fathom our bond. In the shadows of my underground sanctuary, we have carved out a life that transcends mere existence.

The golden light filtering through the canopy above seems to mock the dimness of my cavern, but it does not deter me. I see beyond the sunlight to a life where Lara and I thrive in our darkness. Her presence has become as essential to me as the air I breathe. Every moment without her feels like an eternity lost.

The weight of my love for Lara anchors me, a constant force pulling me back to her, blinding me to the complexities of her friends’ emotions. I care little for their pain or confusion. As she stands there, surrounded by her friends, I cannot help but feel she is out of place in their world. My world, the underground sanctuary we shared, is where she truly belongs.

Aiden’s touch on her shoulder grates against my senses, yet I restrain myself. They cannot see what I see. They do not understand that she is my light in an otherwise endless night. Our connection is not something that can be broken by mere distance or time; it is forged in the very essence of who we are.

As Lara wipes her tears, my resolve hardens further. The future I imagine is one where she never has to cry again, where her laughter fills the cavernous spaces that have long echoed with silence. In our sanctuary, there will be no need for fear or sorrow—only us and the life we build together.

Memories of bioluminescent moss and the soft glow it casts on her face in our underground refuge flood back to me. Those memories are etched into my being, a constant reminder of why she belongs with me. In the underground world we will share, every touch, every word will bind us closer together.

Lara’s eyes meet mine once more, and in that gaze, I see our destiny unfold. It is a destiny filled with moments that defy explanation—a love that transcends the boundaries set by those who cannot comprehend it.

The forest air remains heavy with the weight of goodbyes. I stand, silent and vigilant, as Lara exchanges her final farewells with Aiden and Maya.

I watch Aiden embrace Lara one last time, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. He whispers something into her ear, words meant to offer comfort or perhaps a final plea for her to reconsider. He steps back reluctantly, his eyes lingering on her as if trying to memorize every detail. My fingers curl into fists at my sides, the stone of my skin grinding softly. It takes every ounce of my willpower to remain still, to let them have this moment.

I promised Lara I wouldn’t hurt them. And I intend to keep that promise.

Maya steps forward next.. She holds Lara’s hands, her grip firm yet tender. Lara nods solemnly, her eyes flitting between them and me. The sight of their closeness stirs something primal within me—a fierce possessiveness that has only grown stronger since the moment I found Lara in my cavern.

The minutes seem to pass by slowly as I impatiently watch their final exchange. Finally, her friends step away from her towards the direction of Kantor. Their eyes meet mine briefly before they turn and depart.

As they leave, I feel a lingering tension. They walk away slowly, their footsteps crunching on the snowy forest floor. Each step they take is a step away from the life Lara once knew, a life that now feels like a distant memory. The forest swallows their retreating forms, leaving behind an echo of their presence.

My gaze remains fixed on her, my heart swelling with affection and possessiveness. She stands there, watching them disappear into the forest. Her shoulders slump slightly as if bearing the load of the entire world. I can see the conflict in her eyes—part longing for the familiarity of her past, part acceptance of the bond we share.

I approach her slowly, my movements deliberate and measured. Each step brings me closer to the one who holds my heart.

She turns to face me, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. I see determination there but also something deeper—a recognition of our connection and what it means for both of us. Without words, I extend my hand toward her.

“Thank you, Zyrith,” she whispers, staring at my hand. “Thank you for sparing them.”

“It’s what you asked me to do.”

“Yes, but… I know they caused you a lot of rage. And sorrow. Aiden attacked you. You could have killed them, but you didn’t. So thank you.”

She hesitates for only a moment before placing her hand in mine. Her touch is warm against my skin, a reminder of everything she has come to mean to me. Together we stand in silence, letting the world around us fade into insignificance.

The sun begins to set through the trees above us, casting intricate patterns on the forest floor—patterns that seem to mirror the complexities of our relationship. But here in this clearing, amidst the shadows and light, we find our own form of clarity.

In this moment of quiet understanding between us, I vow silently never to let anything come between us again. Our bond is stronger than any force that may try to tear us apart. We will forge our future together in the depths of our sanctuary—a place where love transcends time and space.

I reach out slowly, my fingers brushing against her soft cheek in a gesture meant to comfort and claim. She leans into my touch, her eyes closing briefly as if drawing strength from our tender connection. This is where she belongs—here right next to me.

The forest stands witness to our silent exchange, its ancient trees bearing testimony to the love that binds us together. I turn and look off into the direction of our underground refuge. I know without a doubt that our future lies in the darkness there—a future filled with love, understanding, and an unbreakable bond forged in the shadows of time itself.