16. Zylpha

16

ZYLPHA

I step through the shimmering portal, my heart racing as the familiar scents of Aurelius wash over me. Volezimir's strong arm steadies me, his presence a comforting anchor after years adrift. Kaelox clings to my leg, his eyes wide with wonder at the lush jungle surrounding us.

"Mama, look at the trees!" he whispers, tugging at my skirt.

Before I can respond, a joyous cry pierces the air. June rushes towards us, Lamain close behind. Their faces are a mix of relief and disbelief.

"Zylpha! Oh, thank the gods!" June throws her arms around me, nearly knocking me off balance. I return her embrace, tears stinging my eyes. It feels surreal to be back, to be safe.

Lamain's deep voice rumbles as he clasps Volezimir's shoulder. "Well done, old friend. We never lost hope."

As June releases me, her gaze falls on Kaelox. Her eyes widen, darting between the child and Volezimir. "Is this...?"

I nod, gently urging Kaelox forward. "This is our son, Kaelox."

Lamain kneels, bringing himself to eye level with the boy. "Hello, young one. Welcome to Aurelius."

Kaelox, usually shy around strangers, surprises me by stepping forward. "Are you the Prince from Mama's stories?"

A chuckle escapes Lamain's lips. "I suppose I am. Your mother told you about us?"

I swallow hard, memories of countless nights whispering tales of Aurelius flooding back. "Every day. It kept us going."

June's hand finds mine, squeezing gently. "Zylpha, what happened? We searched for so long..."

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "It's a long story. We were captured by a minotaur Captain, forced to work on his ship. I... I found out I was pregnant shortly after."

Volezimir's arm tightens around me, a low growl rumbling in his chest. I lean into him, drawing strength from his presence.

"We're just so relieved you're safe," June says, her eyes brimming with tears. "Both of you. And to think, we have a new little one in our midst!"

Lamain nods solemnly. "You've been through so much, Zylpha. Know that you're home now. You and Kaelox are safe here."

I feel a weight lifting from my shoulders, years of tension finally beginning to uncoil. "Thank you," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "It's good to be home."

"You need rest," June says.

Lamain turns around, starting down the path. "I'll show you the way. We have some open houses."

I take in the changes of the island as we walk. It's expanded, the island thriving like a small city. I'm in awe, especially as we stop below a gorgeous two story home.

"You can stay here. We'll send some food your way."

Volezimir claps Lamain on the shoulder. "Thank you, friend."

He nods. "I'm glad that you all are back. And safe."

And with that, he leaves, Kaelox already falling asleep in my arms. I haven't been ready to let him go, yet. There's too much change.

I follow Volezimir into the cozy treehouse, my heart fluttering with a mix of exhaustion and excitement. After years of dreaming about this moment, it feels surreal to be alone with him again.

I settle Kaelox into a nearby room. He doesn't even stir as I tuck him in, and for the first time in his life, I leave him in the room alone and meet Volezimir in the other bedroom.

"I can't believe we're really here," I murmur, running my fingers along the smooth wooden walls.

Volezimir turns to me, his golden eyes soft in the dim lamplight. "Neither can I, Sunshine. I never stopped searching for you."

That word…it twists up my insides in the best way.

We stand there awkwardly for a minute, and then I clear my throat. It's not like when I left we were that close…but I'm glad that he cared for me as much as I did for him. Evident in the way he searched for me.

"Lamain just assumed—" he starts, already shifting back.

"Stay with me," I whisper. I can already tell what he's going to say, and I don't care. I don't care that we've never spent the night together. I don't care that we haven't seen each other in five years.

I want his arms wrapped around me while I sleep. I want him protecting me all night. And I want him right next to me when our son wakes up and wants to lay with us.

He reaches out and cups my face. "I'm not going anywhere."

But as he begins to undress for bed, my breath catches. A jagged scar runs from his rib cage to his knee, the tissue puckered and dark against his gray skin. How had I never noticed it before? I guess I'd only see him without clothes once and I was preoccupied at the time.

"Volezimir," I whisper, reaching out to touch the mark. "What happened?"

He glances down, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "Ah, that old thing. It's from an arena fight, years ago. A gilak demon caught me off guard, shattered my ribcage."

I wince, imagining the pain. "It looks like it was terrible."

Volezimir nods, covering my hand with his own. "It was. For a long time, the memory haunted me. The pain, the shame of being injured so badly." He pauses, his gaze meeting mine. "But now, after losing you for so long... it seems insignificant."

My throat tightens with emotion. "Oh, Volezimir..."

He pulls me close, his arms enveloping me in warmth. "Having you here, safe, makes everything else fade away. You and Kaelox are all that matters now."

I lean into his embrace, feeling truly at peace for the first time in years. As we settle into bed, Volezimir's steady heartbeat lulls me towards sleep. The past may have left its scars on both of us, but here, in each other's arms, we can finally begin to heal.

I wake to the gentle sound of birdsong filtering through the treehouse windows. For a moment, I'm disoriented, unused to such peaceful mornings after years at sea. Then I feel Volezimir's warm body next to mine, and relief washes over me. We're safe. We're home.

Volezimir stirs, his golden eyes blinking open. A smile spreads across his face as he sees me. "Good morning, Sunshine," he murmurs, pulling me closer.

We lay there for a while, savoring the quiet moment. Eventually, I hear Kaelox stirring in the next room. "I should check on him," I say, reluctantly pulling away.

Volezimir nods, sitting up. "Of course. I'll start on breakfast."

After getting Kaelox settled with some fruit and bread, I join Volezimir on the small balcony overlooking the jungle. He seems deep in thought, his brow furrowed slightly.

"Zylpha," he begins, turning to face me. "I've been thinking... about our future."

I tilt my head, curious. "What do you mean?"

He takes a deep breath. "I want to ask you something. Would you... would you consider coming home with me? To the royal castle in Galmoleth?" He swallows hard. "Protheka…it-" He sighs, shaking his head, but I understand perfectly.

He holds too much hurt. At least right now.

My eyes widen in surprise. "Galmoleth? But I thought..."

"Things have changed," Volezimir explains quickly. "There's a human Queen now. The King's return has been good to the city. And I still have my position helping with the royal staff — Asmodeus granted it to me for life. We'd have spacious accommodations, and I promise you'd be safe. No other demon would dare touch you or Kaelox."

I bite my lip, considering his words. The idea of living in a demon castle is intimidating, but the thought of staying with Volezimir, of building a life together... It's tempting.

"What about Kaelox?" I ask. "Would he be accepted there?"

Volezimir nods earnestly. "He's my son. Our son. He'd be protected, just like you."

I glance back at Kaelox, happily munching on his breakfast, oblivious to the weight of this moment. Then I look out at the lush beauty of Aurelius, the place I've dreamed of for so long.

But as I turn back to Volezimir, I realize that home isn't just a place. It's wherever we're together.

"Okay," I say softly, a smile tugging at my lips. "Let's do it. Let's go to Galmoleth."

After finishing our breakfast, I take a deep breath and turn to Kaelox. "Sweetheart, I have something important to tell you."

His mismatched eyes look up at me, curious. "What is it, Mama?"

I kneel beside him, taking his small hands in mine. "We're going on a new adventure. We're going to live in your father's home, in a…castle"

Kaelox's eyes widen. "A castle?"

I nod, smiling. "That's right. It's going to be very different from here, but we'll be together. Are you excited?"

He nods enthusiastically, then pauses. "Will we come back?"

"Of course," Volezimir assures him, ruffling his hair. "We'll visit often."

We gather our meager belongings - mostly just the clothes on our backs and a few small treasures I'd collected for Kaelox over the years. As we prepare to leave, June and Lamain meet us at the edge of the village.

June pulls me into a tight hug. "I can't believe you're leaving already," she whispers, her voice thick with emotion.

"We'll be back to visit," I promise, squeezing her hand. "Thank you for everything."

Lamain nods solemnly to Volezimir. "Take care of them, old friend."

"With my life," Volezimir responds, his voice filled with conviction.

With final hugs and farewells, Volezimir activates the portal. I take a deep breath, holding Kaelox close as we step through the shimmering gateway.

The world shifts around us, and suddenly we're standing in a vast, ornate hall. The ceiling towers above us, adorned with intricate carvings and glowing crystals. Kaelox gasps in wonder, his grip on my hand tightening.

"Welcome to Galmoleth," Volezimir says, his voice echoing slightly in the grand space. "This is the royal castle."

He leads us straight inside, up to a wing that he says is only his. AS soon as we are settled, Volezimir springs into action. "I'm calling for the healers," he says, his voice laced with concern. "You both need to be checked over after everything you've been through."

I nod, grateful for his thoughtfulness. Kaelox clings to my side, overwhelmed by the grandeur of our new surroundings.

Within minutes, a team of healers arrives. They are some kind of demon, though different than Volezimir, but their gentle demeanor puts me at ease. They usher us into a nearby chamber, filled with strange instruments and glowing crystals.

"Don't worry," one of the healers assures me, noticing my apprehension. "We just want to make sure you and the little one are healthy."

They examine us thoroughly, using a combination of magic and more traditional methods. Kaelox is fascinated by the colorful spells they cast, momentarily forgetting his shyness.

"You're both in remarkably good health, considering the circumstances," the lead healer announces after what feels like hours. "A bit malnourished, perhaps, but nothing some good meals won't fix."

Volezimir visibly relaxes at the news, the tension leaving his broad shoulders.

As the healers pack up their equipment, Volezimir turns to me. "I'll show you to your rooms now."

He leads us down a long corridor, ornate tapestries lining the walls. He says his room is at the end and just across from it, he shows Kaelox his own room. Our son is overjoyed, content to play with his toys as Volezimir takes me to the room next door. We stop in front of a beautifully carved door.

"These will be your chambers," Volezimir says, pushing the door open to reveal a luxurious suite. "I hope you'll be comfortable here."

I step inside, taking in the plush furnishings and expansive windows overlooking the city below. It's more opulent than anything I've ever seen. But as Volezimir turns to leave, panic grips my heart.

"Wait," I call out, my voice sharper than I intended. Volezimir pauses, looking back at me with concern.

I take a deep breath, steeling my nerves. "I... I don't want to be separated from you. Not again." My cheeks flush, but I hold his gaze. "Can I stay with you?"

He steps closer, his face softening as he cups my cheek. "I would want nothing more."