A/N: 22 days since I last updated. I didn't do any better than last time, but at least I didn't do any worse.
This chapter was a joy to write, and if it weren't for the 1-2 tests I get hit with every week, it would have been released sooner. But in any case, here it is.
Read and review, but most importantly, savor it!
Chapter 21: 1+1=3
I awoke as the fledgling sun crested the rim of the world. Flickering light from the candles on the nightstand illuminated the bedroom dimly, their coconut aroma lacing the air. Save for my breathing – and the breathing of the male I was sleeping with – it was so quiet one could have heard a feather land gracefully on the floor.
The atmosphere was cozy and sublime; it was indeed our little corner of heaven.
The presence of the one I belonged to was in itself divine, and the thought of being this close to him every morning was so marvelous I could hardly fathom it. Having expressed his desire to lay not beside me but on top of me, I consented without protesting.
His head was situated just above the ruby fused to my breast, his left ear glued against my skin and picking up the beating of my tenacious heart. His chest molded itself to the shape of my midsection, and my claws were harmlessly pinned under his midriff and helping to support his weight.
Loosening my grip on him, I stroked him in the middle of his back, between his shoulders. He twitched, but did not stir for a decent amount of time.
The thumping of my heart had been his lullaby the night before, but I had also serenaded him with my voice. Around ten minutes since I began stroking him, he shuddered.
I witnessed a second sunrise of my own as he tilted his head back and made eye contact. His eyes, his entrancing, crystalline eyes, had never sparkled so beautifully before.
I was hesitant to break the silence, conveying my true emotions to him by my expression and stare alone. He said nothing in return, content with peering endlessly into the gates to my soul.
At long last, he parted his beak halves and whispered to me: "You are my fantasy made real… and if you were to vanish… I would vanish as well. I shall protect you, cherish you, and adore you, for you are my everlasting mate…"
"On this planet, there's no one else I want and need more than you. And now that I have you… I couldn't be happier…"
I ran my wings underneath his, latching onto the sides of his belly. I dragged him forwards until our bodies were perfectly aligned and he was gazing straight down at me. My feet located his, and we meshed our claws together.
"I love you more than life itself…"
"I want you to prove it…"
And so he resorted to kissing me with a blissful blend of affection and passion, our tongues engaging in a calculated, sticky dance. My heart pumped faster as he carried on, plentiful doses of my hormones seeping into my bloodstream and dragging me under their spell.
The exchange persisted for one whole minute, and he was the one to part his beak from mine – albeit ever-so-slightly.
"I… I want to feel every inch of you once more… my love. I'm powerless to resist the urge…" he pleaded.
Though our consummation had only recently come to fruition, I too, was craving to feel him inundate me with his love a second time. It was an unwritten law that we could be intimate and seek earth's greatest pleasure whenever we chose; no one had the right to stop us or say we were committing a wrong.
I was obsessed with him and he was obsessed with me, and we required no more justification.
I pulled firmly on the blanket with my wings, tugging it over our heads.
"Then let us revel in the sensations we can offer each other… and savor the first day of our eternity… as mates…"
He inhaled and tucked his wings behind my nape, igniting my lust for him as he kissed me deeply.
Far far away, on the unreachable horizon, something magical was happening. In our lush bedroom, something inherently magical was also happening.
Losing ourselves in each other and rapturous moment – and not an ounce of regret tainting our judgment – we shamelessly made warm, gentle love under the covers.
Downstairs, we discovered a certain speckled pigeon snoozing on the couch. The arm was the pillow for her head, her right wing drooping off the cushion. I walked over to her and nudged her shoulder.
She yawned and stretched while half-conscious. Smacking her beak, she ventured out of her dreamscape and groggily opened her eyes.
"Ahhh… good morning…"
"Good morning," I answered.
"Did you sleep well?" Niko inquired.
"Yes. This may sound silly… but I dreamed… that I found my soul mate. My how grand it was… to spend time with each other… and tend to our offspring…"
She chuckled and sat up, smoothing out the frayed feathers on her breast with a few brushes of her wing.
"Perhaps it is a premonition of sorts," he stated.
"If it is, I wouldn't mind it coming true. Somewhere out there is my future spouse…"
"Search for him, and you will encounter him. I've already found the male who completes me."
I glanced at Niko endearingly, earning a smile from him.
"I envy you, my queen. But one day, my life won't be so different from yours. An existence in the absence of love is a hollow one."
An existence Niko has barred from ever manifesting… I thought, sighing internally with joy.
She hopped off the couch, curtsied, and hugged us.
"I take it you and the king would like something to eat?"
"Yes, please," I responded.
"Go for something simple and not-too-heavy," Niko put in.
"As you wish. I must step outside shortly, and then I shall craft your breakfast."
He nodded to the plump pigeon, and she waddled out of the den.
After the front door shut, he questioned, "Do you… think she is aware?"
"Aware of what?"
"That we are… you know… mates..." he answered somewhat shyly.
"Well, she was awake during our 'private time.' I'm pretty sure she heard us. She might not have given any indication, but secretly, I imagine she is proud."
For some strange reason, he blushed.
"No need to be nervous. You, too, should be gratified," I said with a potent smile.
Sauntering up to him, I pecked his cheek, hoping to infuse him with confidence.
"I suppose so," he replied, his blush fading.
He leaned in to kiss me on my beak, but the sound of Ginger entering our abode stopped him short. She let out a shocked yelp, which snagged our attention.
I hustled into the kitchen, Niko trailing close behind. Ginger was massaging her rump with her wings and sporting a grimace.
"Are you alright?" I squawked.
"Relatively. I accidentally… shut my tail in the door..."
"Ouch," Niko said, wincing.
"The jolt of pain is over. I'm fine now..."
She blinked her eyes open and tucked her wings at her sides.
"Would you wait in the den while I assemble your meal?"
"Oh, of course. You prefer to surprise us, after all."
"Correct," she answered, donning a grin despite her recent incident.
She then shuffled into the larder. Holding wings, we vacated the dining room thereafter.
We relaxed side-by-side on the couch while she toiled, cuddling. She summoned us roughly twenty minutes hence, in her amber eyes the gleam of accomplishment.
She had arranged numerous strawberry slices into the shape of a short, squat mountain and sprinkled them with chopped nuts. Our drinks were also unique, for she had prepared warm apple juice and spiced it with a touch of ground cinnamon.
After we exchanged thanks with her, she curtsied and made to leave the room. I thought it rude and unfair that we would be nourishing ourselves and she would not – the fact that that was her intention did not matter.
I encouraged her to eat, but she kindly resisted. I then told her there was more food than Niko and I could stomach in one sitting.
That succeeded in swaying her; she concocted a goblet's worth of the apple-cinnamon beverage for herself and sat down at the table. We dined merrily, conversing in-between bites of the nut-garnished fruit and sips of our invigorating beverages.
Our intermittent talks prolonged the feast, and so half an hour came and went before we devoured the mountain in its entirety. My mate and I retreated to the den, making ourselves comfortable as she set about washing the tableware.
When she completed the chore, she poked her head into the den and said she would be joining us after she relieved herself. She reappeared hastily, clambering onto the cushion at the other end of the couch.
She faced us and crouched down onto her rotund belly, her stiff tail projecting over the arm at a shallow upward angle.
Niko looked at her and said, "I am a curious individual, and one who feels it necessary to better bond with my subjects. That is why I ask most of the individuals I meet to elaborate on his or her background and upbringing. Therefore, I would like to hear your life story, Ginger, or as much of it as you are willing to reveal."
She nodded resolutely, puffing out her chest as she breathed in.
"My mother, Irene, and my father, Darien, are both schoolteachers in Larissa, where I was hatched."
"Were you an only child?"
"No. A sister and two brothers also emerged from the brood that contained me. Having named me Ginger, my parents went with a plant motif in naming my siblings as well. Forrest is my younger brother, my youngest brother is Sage, and my youngest sister is Willow."
"Those are all nice names. Did your parents hope for that many children?"
She giggled and replied, "Actually, no. They only wanted a single daughter, as in me, but the gods gave them more than they bargained for. It didn't bother them, however. The more, the merrier, they would always say."
"That is very sound logic," he responded.
"So, did you or your siblings participate in the War?"
"We were all just a year old when the most intense fighting broke out. We hadn't reached the proper age for conscription, which brought no end of relief to my parents. A select few of their friends lost sons, daughters, and mates in the conflict, and they were spared unimaginable horror of us losing our lives. We were lucky we hatched when we did."
"Though defending this country is the noblest deed one can perform, someone like you, for instance, doesn't deserve to die. No one does, truthfully, but war isn't war in the absence of death. Anyhow, I digress."
She bobbed her head in approval, and he cleared his throat with a sharp cough.
"Why did you strive to become Ambrosia's servant? Oh, and have you always been one, or has your position changed with time?"
"I was always attracted to the glamour of the palace. Also, the fact that so many creatures could synergize well enough to maintain stability throughout Cydonia was inspiring. I wondered what it would be like to be on the inside and craved to experience it for myself."
She paused as a smile bloomed on her beak, and then continued speaking.
"As I was an unskilled peasant who lacked any notable talents or expertise, the role of servant was basically the only one I qualified for. It is a humble job that demands hard work, but manual labor is all I have known. I am playing my part and serving Ambrosia, and this is the occupation that I find most rewarding."
She inhaled and concluded amusingly, "I have neither the ability nor the inclination to convert myself into a gritty blacksmith, a ruthless warrior, or a fancy mage that wields a spell book and wears a full-length robe in the middle of summer. How those wizards never overheat and start sweating is beyond me."
Niko and I laughed heartily at the quip, which stretched her grin wide. "Ha ha! You are quite the comedian," he squawked.
"I'm not trying hard to be one," she answered gleefully.
After catching our breath, he asked, "Do you have a particularly fond memory you'd want me to hear about?"
"Hm… let me think for a moment… ah ha! This one stands out above the rest by far."
"Fire away," he said in anticipation.
"Being the oldest chick in the clutch, I was the ringleader and the one my siblings looked up to. Well, when we were eight months old, all four of us schemed and orchestrated a prank on our father one cool autumn morning."
"A prank, you say? Go on."
"You see, our mother had left for the market, and our father was taking a light nap in the den. We snuck into our parents' bedroom and recovered a book that our father stored in the closet. We had caught him sifting through it diligently on several occasions."
She clicked her beak closed and preened her back, and then resumed talking.
"We were curious as to why he always hid it there and tell us not to go into the closet, or why he would always put it away the moment our mother came home from running some errand. We were observant enough to realize it held information that he didn't want anyone else to lay eyes on."
"What was the title? And how did you include it in the prank?"
She shook her head and giggled. "I'll never forget what it was called, even though I wasn't sure what some of the words meant. The name of the book was: 'The Feathered Fool's Guide to Mating: Tips, Tricks, and Techniques That Guarantee A Divine Sex Life for You and Your Partner.' "
He gasped and said, "Oh my…" failing to stifle his nervous smile.
She coughed once and pressed on.
"We carried it into the den, sat down by the crackling fireplace, and flipped through it quietly so as not to wake our father. We didn't have a clue what all the big, unfamiliar words meant, which safeguarded our innocence and our brains."
"What happened when your mother came home?" he asked expectantly.
"A fireworks show of emotions and drama for the ages occurred, my king. She piled the food on the kitchen table and then asked us what we were glancing over. We handed it to her, and she lost it the moment she read the title. She was speechless for a few seconds, and then she yelled my father's name. He squawked in alarm, and she presented the front cover of the naughty tome to him. 'Darien, this is yours?! And did you hand it to our children purposefully?!' she demanded. 'Y-Yes! And… and no!' "
She replenished her oxygen supply and added, "He was utterly stricken with embarrassment, so much so that he could not be angry with us. I swear he turned as red as lava spewing from a volcano."
Struggling to contain his laughter, Niko spluttered, "And how… did your mother… react?"
"She laughed harder than any of us had ever seen her laugh before. She squeezed us with her wings, praising us for executing the gag. She then rushed over to our father and kissed him repeatedly in consolation. She complimented him for studying the book, extremely flattered that he consulted an outside resource to maximize the intimacy of their relationship. 'You brushed up on your, ahem, skills to please me, and I love you ten times as much as I used to, my dear…' she told him."
"And what was the outcome of the fiasco?"
"He eventually recovered from the emotional whiplash, chiding us for our antics. He also thanked us for exposing his secret the way we did, for he admitted he had always been too shy to tell our mother. He scooped us up and hugged us jovially, and we lived happily ever after."
Niko stared at her, wide-eyed and beside himself with jubilation.
"What a chaotic situation! By the gods, the things a brood of hatchlings are capable of…"
"Ah yes, we four turned the household upside-down. Though it wasn't our intention, our father was much more open with our mother from then on. The ends justified the means, and all was well that ended well."
"Indeed. What was the ultimate fate of that tome?"
She tilted her head and replied, "It became my father's keepsake, for it held too much significance to be disposed of. I wager the both of them refer to it when necessary," winking cheekily.
"That would make sense," he answered.
I nudged him and inquired, "Why don't you elucidate to her the mishap you suffered in connection with a certain dessert pastry?"
"It is only fair, so I will, my dear."
He shoved his head under his right wing, nibbling the lower surfaces of his feathers. He then chronicled to her his defeat by the gooey innards of one warm cherry pie.
Her bubbling laughter was infectious, a merry disease which Niko and I caught. Reigning in her laughter, Ginger stepped down off the couch.
"I'd love to hear more of your humiliatingly-funny childhood events, my king, but I would prefer to spend some time outside."
"And I would love to tell you more, but you are free to do as you wish," he replied calmly.
"I presume you and Ambrosia would like some time to yourselves as well."
He and I nodded to her.
"See? I am wise enough to know when to stay out of your feathers."
He asked, "What will you be doing?"
"I will probably take a walk around the island, and then sunbathe on the beach. The weather is gorgeous, and there is not a cloud in the sky."
"Then may you enjoy your solitude and the tranquility it brings."
"And may you enjoy the company of the queen, and the heartwarming feelings that arise because of it."
"Not a day will go by where I shall fail to," he answered proudly, glancing at me.
She curtsied and made her great escape, closing the front door gently.
"Well, now that we're on our own, is there anything you would like to do?"
"I'm in the mood for a good book."
"That does sound attractive. If you are going to read, then I will do the same."
He leapt to the floor and marched over to the bookcase, eyeing it intently.
"Give me the name of a book, and I'll find it for you."
"I want to read a good mystery novel, so how about… Blood and Ink? I'm not sure if it is here, or at my summer home, so you may or may not find it."
He bobbed his head and scanned the top shelf from left to right. Not locating it, he scanned the next-lowest shelf from right to left.
"Ah ha!" he exclaimed, plucking a tome from the far end of the shelf with his telekinesis.
He floated it over to me and placed it next to me.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome, my dear."
"What are you keen on reading?" I queried.
He began scrutinizing the shelves all over again, replying, "A dark adventure tale called 'From Dust.' "
"Hm… that isn't ringing any bells. I don't think I've heard of it."
"I pray it's here somewhere…" he responded.
He searched and searched, but had no luck… until he directed his prying gaze at the bottom level.
"Where is it… where is it… yes!"
He separated the tan tome from its neighbors and snatched it up. I picked up my book as he sat down in its place, leaning against the rear of the couch and throwing his legs and tail out in front of him.
He professed, "As I stare at the cover, I can already feel the nostalgia seeping into me! This is one book I am incapable of forgetting. What I have forgotten, though, is what happens, as it has been such a long time since I last had access to it."
"Then I won't delay you any further. I hope you relish it."
"Likewise, my dear."
He delicately peeled the front cover back, skipping the table of contents and heading for the opening paragraph of chapter one. I then peered at the novel in my wings, the binding emitting a crackling noise as I opened it for the first time in what must have been years.
I briefly examined the map that described the geographical setting of the story, and then looked over the prologue. I cleared my head as I arrived at the beginning chapter, emulating Niko's pose.
I relaxed and wandered off into my own universe, oblivious to everything but the male just inches away and the literature I was immersed in.
The chapters were decently long, and I managed to dig my way through three of them in the first hour. I paused and shifted, which caused him to look up.
He smiled as our eyes met, and he pecked me on the beak.
He then turned his attention back to his book, and I did the same. I completed three additional chapters in the next hour and four more in the hour after that.
My back muscles were cramped and my throat was dry, so I opted to fetch a beverage and thus kill two mages with one arrow.
Closing the book and stepping down, I noticed that Niko was very relaxed, drowsy even.
"Finished already?"
"Not yet. I'm going to get something to drink. Are you thirsty?"
"No. Thank you for asking."
I replied, "You're welcome," and waddled off into the kitchen.
I added firewood to the hearth and lit it, reheating the spiced apple juice that Ginger had originally brewed. Once the liquid in the cauldron began spawning tendrils of steam, I extinguished the flames.
Using a ladle, I poured the cider into a clean chalice, drowning my distorted reflection that appeared on the inner wall. As I shuffled into the den, my beverage in hand, I beheld a darling sight.
Niko had passed out while I was away, his head hanging like a wet leaf. Through his half-open beak he snored weakly once every two seconds, each snore corresponding with the inflation of his chest as he breathed in.
Well isn't that precious? He was in the middle of his favorite book, and he simply fell asleep. My my, what a pity… I mused.
I set the goblet on the end table, and then closed the tome without making a sound. I placed it on the other end table and grasped him with my wings.
I eased him over onto his right side, his head coming to rest on the arm of the couch. I tucked his wings close to his body and kissed him daintily on the cheek.
He twitched but did not wake, his eyelids fluttering momentarily.
"May you dream sweet dreams, my king," I whispered.
I assumed my previous pose, blowing on the beverage until it went from hot to warm. Downing three measured sips, I flipped to chapter eleven and resumed reading, the main character having just assassinated one of his targets.
By the end of chapter thirteen, there was not a drop of cider left in the chalice. I could still taste the cinnamon that clung to my tongue, though its brisk flavor was faint.
As I came to the conclusion of chapter fifteen, drowsiness greeted me, pervading my mind like a fog. Taking note of my stopping point, I yawned and put Blood and Ink on the end table.
The cider sloshed about within me as I leaned over and laid my head on the arm. I wrapped my wings around my breast and curled up, my eyelids slipping down over my eyes.
An afternoon nap was a luxury I was deprived of at the palace; now that I was here, I seized the opportunity and welcomed unconsciousness.
From his temple in the sky, the god of dreams cast a charm on me. Bewitched by the intangible, invisible spell, slumber descended upon me as swiftly as the west wind blew.
X-X-X
My mission on this ordinary Saturday was to speak with Annabelle, as I hadn't held a decent conversation with her in a number of days.
The Council had shouldered the royal duties for the weekend, and since my mate was sleeping in, I had nothing better to do. I woke myself up and primed my senses by taking a long, hot shower and preening myself diligently.
I styled my head and tail feathers to the best of my ability; "suave" and "handsome" were two words Ambrosia would have used to describe me. Whispering my farewells to her and Charlotte, I kissed my partner and left the chamber of love and light that was our bedroom.
I wagered Annabelle was in her spire-top abode, and it made logical sense for me to check there first. I made a beeline for her elevated home, bowing and bidding hello to my subjects as I strode on by.
I ascended the winding stairs and dealt with an itch on my rump, then knocked on the door with a balled-up foot.
There was no response.
I didn't want to disturb her if she had not yet begun her day, but then again, she had a reputation for being an early riser.
"Annabelle, it's me, Niko. May I come in?" I inquired.
Not a hint of sound reached my ears after my echoing voice died out.
Hm… perhaps I should investigate, just to be sure… I mused.
The door creaked as I eased it open with my wing. I stepped inside and didn't bother shutting it.
In that moment, a pair of sights caught my attention.
One, her bed was messy, the blankets tossed aside and ruffled, meaning she was indeed away.
Two, on her parchment-littered work desk was a strange artifact.
An array of four separate silver blades in the shape of an X hovered in the air above a golden stand, a color-changing orb suspended in the center. The wickedly-sharp metal pieces moved in sync with each other as if bound by invisible tethers emanating from the orb.
The array slowly rotated freely in space, smoothly changing directions at random.
The first thought that popped into my mind was: Is this a new class of weapon that she has designed? What would she need it for if we are not at war? Or is it an artifact that is part of an experiment she is carrying out? It's a shame she's not around so I can find out...
My curiosity piqued, I waddled up to the desk.
A medium-pitched humming sound was audible, seemingly coming from the rainbow stone in the middle of the configuration. I could also feel a steady-yet-faint stream of magical pressure billowing away from the stone.
I was thoroughly puzzled, but unable to divine its purpose. On a whim, I carefully extended my wing and tapped the end of one of the blades.
The X as a whole reacted to the force I applied, its rotation rate speeding up briefly before decelerating to its previous pace. Simultaneously, the humming rose noticeably in volume and then faded back to its original level.
What on Earth is this for, I wonder. It's so intriguing and mysterious…
I administered another, stronger push, the X completing one full revolution and accompanied by a spike in the loudness of the humming. My interest morphed to confusion and worry when the noise failed to diminish, the blades and sphere trembling.
Oh no… have I destabilized it? What is happening?
I cautiously backed away towards the door, praying that the knives wouldn't go flying and slice into me… or worse.
The shaking grew in intensity and, upon reaching a peak, the artifact broke apart.
The orb hit the desk with a dull thunk and rolled off, the knives clinking as they struck the wood and fell unceremoniously to the floor.
I gasped at the ugly aftermath of what used to be a beautiful arrangement, anxiety squeezing my soul.
What have I done? Annabelle is going to be angry, or even furious! But… I need to tell her immediately so she can fix it!
A surge of guilt rushed into me, and I was suddenly fearful of pursuing that course of action.
No… I can't bear the thought… perhaps she'll think it malfunctioned on its own… and I will be spared from her displeasure…
My heart thumping in my chest, I turned tail and fled, tromping down the stairs. I had to get to the safety of my bedroom as quickly as possible, yet not arouse suspicion in any of my subordinates.
I gulped down my panic and composed myself as I exited the spire… but who I ran into as I jogged down the connecting hallway nearly made me faint.
"Oh hello," Annabelle greeted warmly.
"H-Hello," I answered, managing a stiff smile.
"You seem… tense. Is something wrong?"
"No. Everything's fine. I… I promise."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, very sure."
She shrugged.
"If you say so. Oh, would you mind coming with me? There is something special I would like you to see, something I've been tediously working on for a week now."
My heart jumped into my throat, and my reply was delayed.
"Perhaps I can later. I am on my way to talk with Gabriel…"
By the time the words slipped out of my beak, it was too late to retract them.
"What? Gabriel has already passed away. That makes no sense."
She narrowed her eyes and added, "With all due respect, are you hiding something from me?"
"No, I'm not. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get back to Ambrosia. Until we meet again, may the gods bless you…"
Still scrutinizing me, she answered tersely, "You sure are acting strange. Anyhow, may the gods bless you. Do come by later so I may demonstrate my invention, when you have time."
"As you wish. Goodbye!"
I bowed to her and walked off, dread pooling in me.
She's going to come upon a disaster… and label me the culprit! All the evidence points to me as being the one responsible! By the gods I am in so much trouble! Why did I not come clean when I had the chance? Oh dear… oh dear… I'm such a terrible king...
My soul was demanding that I turn back and confess, but my brain would have no part of it and forced me to keep moving. I heaved the bedroom doors inwards with my telekinesis and closed them harder than usual.
A few seconds later, my partner sauntered out of the bathroom, calmly-yet-fervently drying herself with a towel.
"Good morning, Niko. Where did you run off to? Rarely do I ever wake up and find you gone."
"I... wanted to have a chat with Annabelle... but she wasn't home."
"Ah, I see."
Nonchalantly, she waltzed up to me, her expression switching from neutral to perplexed.
"Why does your aura feel so… troubled? Is everything alright?"
Not this again! It's no use… I can't hide my unrest! Argh… but I can't tell her the mistake I've made either!
"I'm alright, my dear."
She leaned in closer, peering deeply into my eyes.
"I can read others very well, and I have my doubts about you," she professed.
Immersed in her perfect teal eyes, I knew lying to her would be the ultimate betrayal.
I was pinned between a boulder and a hard place; the degree to which she trusted me and was bonded to me left me no choice. Overwhelmed, I parted my beak halves and prepared to implicate myself in my crime.
However, fate conspired against me even now to snuff out my last stab at lackluster redemption.
Annabelle teleported in, appearing out of nowhere like a bolt of lightning. Judging by the shocked mask that Ambrosia wore, what awaited me was not going to be pretty.
I spun around to meet her face-to-face; as I had predicted, she was indeed furious.
"The nerve!" she squawked, her feathers bristling with irritation and her amber eyes blazing. "How dare you enter my home, ruin my research project, and have the audacity to lie to me! I spent several hours each day over the course of the past week fine-tuning the binding spell, and you destroyed all my hard work!"
I was stunned and speechless; my suffering had begun. Ambrosia came around to stand by Annabelle, her own eyes gleaming fiercely.
"So that explains why you were behaving so oddly. What do you have to say for yourself?"
I swallowed, too distraught to say a single word.
"I expected you, of all people, to have the decency to tell the truth. But no, you do the exact opposite in a show of utter cowardice!"
"I… didn't mean to. I was curious… and it was… an accident…"
She dragged her wings down her face and fired back, "Then why didn't you simply tell me?! I would have been vastly more forgiving!"
"I… was afraid… of letting you down…"
"Well you've certainly let me down now, so what good did that do you?"
I let my head droop and my wings sag to the floor, sighing remorsefully.
"I'm… I'm sorry. Please forgive me…"
The spell of silence that followed was painful.
"Apology not accepted. Think about what you've done, and try again tomorrow. Until then, keep your distance from me and stay out of my home," she replied coldly.
Her rejection was akin to a kick in the gut, and she vanished without a sound. I raised my head and pitifully gazed at my mate, her wings folded accusingly over her damp breast.
"Don't look to me for guidance. You can't blame her. She is not easily offended, but when she does become incensed, her temper can be as harsh as mine."
"You must hate me too. I… I deserve it…" I announced mournfully.
"Do not say foolish things. I do not hate you, but I dislike what you've done. In any case, I encourage you to heed her advice."
She snatched the towel off the ground and headed for the bathroom. Pausing at the dividing line between the carpet and the marble, she glanced over her left shoulder at me.
"I will be leaving shortly to spend a few hours of leisure time with Pandora. Be thankful you shall have Charlotte to keep you company."
I nodded weakly to her, and she ventured into the bathroom and closed the doors. I limped over to the far side of the bed and sat down, dangling my feet over the edge.
Wrapping the blanket around myself to conserve my body heat, I stared somnolently out the window, my heart a lead weight in my chest. Ten minutes hence, Ambrosia reemerged and tidied herself up in front of the mirror.
She was as entrancing as ever, and it saddened me that she would not be around.
In spite of my error, she proved her undying devotion to me with a succulent kiss on the beak.
"Don't go getting yourself into any additional trouble. It is unbecoming of someone with your prestigious title."
"It's not like I'm in the mood to go anywhere…" I answered quietly.
"Then perhaps that is best," she responded succinctly. "I love you, and I shall return later."
"I love you too. And… I'm sorry for lying to you…"
"You are forgiven, provided you don't do it again in the future. Do we have a deal?"
"Yes…"
"Good. Farewell, for now."
"Farewell, my dear…"
With that, she went on her way. I longed for her the instant she was out of sight, but I could not infringe upon her free will.
The warmth trapped in my silk cocoon helped banish my poisonous thoughts and granted me some semblance of peace, but it was far from complete. I lost track of time as I contemplated my poor chain of decisions.
Charlotte had not changed forms, but had probably been a spectator of the entire exchange. Would she approach me, or was she averse to interacting with me, a dishonorable king?
I didn't think I would ever figure out the answer… until a wing came to rest tenderly on me.
I turned my head sluggishly to the right, locking eyes with the two-tone jay sitting next to me.
Her head, neck, and upper back were dressed in charcoal-tinted feathers, the rest of her plumage a shimmering sapphire hue. Her ashen crest was not erect, the tips pointing straight back.
It was an indication that she was feeling mellow.
"We all do things we regret. It's a fact of life. But the gods made us imperfect so that we can learn from our mistakes."
I stared at my feet and replied, "Yes, you're right. But that doesn't mean it's an experience we should strive for…"
"Of course not. But when it does occur, focus on realizing what you did wrong instead of wasting valuable energy punishing yourself."
I held her gaze and said, "You're a comforting friend when I need one. Thank you for helping to heal my wounds and lifting my spirits."
"You've suffered enough, as far as I'm concerned. Too much of one thing is bad for you, so it is my job to tip the balance. And if it's all the same to you, you're welcome."
She hugged me affectionately and firmly for a few seconds, ultimately relaxing her grip. She pulled away and resorted to patting my spine in an appeasing manner.
"Everything will be alright. She won't hold an eternal grudge against you. You'll earn her forgiveness soon enough."
"I hope so."
"I know so."
I flashed a tiny smile, my first step on the road to recovery. She smiled in return, though hers was slightly wider.
"One action does not define who you are. You are a wonderful king and companion, and this won't tarnish your reputation."
"That is the quote of the year. And while we're on the subject, you're not too bad of a companion yourself. I appreciate your… shall we say… intervention."
"Think nothing of it. I tend to treat others the way I prefer to be treated."
"What would I do without you?"
"I don't think you need me to answer that for you."
"True, true. I'm going to stop talking now and enjoy the amicable morning atmosphere."
"As will I. We've said all that needed to be said."
I may have wronged two very important beings, but my forgiveness was close at hand. And as many a scholar have observed, no matter how dark the moonless night may be, the sun is always due to rise and usher in a new dawn…
X-X-X
I peeked out the circular window nestled in the front door, surveying the winter wonderland beyond my mountain home.
My mate had ventured off into the forest to fetch some firewood and berries fifteen minutes ago, and had not returned.
I swept my gaze back and forth, hoping to spy a telltale smudge of sapphire feathers amidst the white, green, and brown scenery. There was no sign of him, and I was becoming genuinely concerned at what was keeping him.
What if he's become confused and lost? What if he's suffered an injury? What if he's freezing and is unable to move?
These worrisome thoughts were stinging my brain like a cluster of bees. I could not brush them off, knowing he was out in the bitter cold all by himself.
I'm so foolish for giving in to his choice! I should have gone in his place. I must search for him. I refuse to sit idly by while he endures winter's relentless breath.
I spun on one foot and pulled the light jacket from the golden rack adjacent to the door. I hurriedly put it on and slipped my feet into my cotton-lined boots to insulate them from the chilled air.
I whirled back around and took a deep breath, steeling my will and preparing myself to confront the unforgiving weather. I reached for the knob and swung the door inwards… and there he was, trembling like a dead leaf in well, winter, and barely recognizable.
He was covered in frost from head to tail, his eyes the only visible parts of his body. His beak and his two emeralds were coated with a thin layer of ice, a testament to the dangerously-low temperatures.
Relief washed over me, but he was not out of the woods yet – if you'll pardon the pun.
"Thank the gods you've returned. I was so worried about your safety that I was just about to brave the elements and go find you."
"I f-found… firewood… a-and… s-strawberries. I… w-would like… t-to warm u-up… n-now…"
I beckoned to him with my wing, and he waddled stiffly inside. I hastily shut the door; he set the basket of fruit down and piled the logs next to it.
Removing my jacket and boots, I brushed off the snow clinging to his feathers with my flying appendages, and then deiced his beak and jewels.
I wrapped my right wing around his shivering form and said, "I'll walk with you to the fireplace."
His beak chattered incessantly as he replied, "T-t-thank y-you…"
I led him into the den and over to the fireplace, halting once we were a safe three feet away.
"Just lay down right here and bask in the heat. You'll be back to normal in a few minutes. In the meantime, I'll brew some apple cider for you to drink afterwards."
"A-alright. T-that sounds… w-wonderful…"
He turned to face the front wall of the cabin and sank onto his belly. He then spread his wings out on either side of him, maximizing his exposure to the thermal energy.
"I hope… t-this will b-be… the last t-time… we need… f-firewood…" he muttered, his voice quaking.
"I promise it will be. Now please sit still and let the fire work its magic."
He nodded weakly to me, clenching his beak to keep it from clicking. I gripped the wicker basket by its handle and set it on the dining room table, and then went back for a piece of firewood.
I lifted the topmost log off of the pile, supporting it with my wings as I made my way over to the hearth. I let the foot-long hunk of wood roll off my wings and into the stone pit below the cauldron.
To brew classic, homemade cider would take half an hour, if not longer, and it would be unfair to make him wait. Thankfully, the larder was stocked with several bottles of the beverage.
Grabbing a bottle off the shelf, I shook it gently to stir the contents and removed the carved wooden plug. I emptied the bottle into the cauldron and set it on the table.
Calling upon a simple spell Annabelle had taught me, I squawked an incantation that ignited the log. The tongues of flame grew as they fed upon the dry bark, performing a mystifying dance and licking the underside of the cauldron.
I heard a loud pop moments later, jumping back to avoid being burned by a red-hot ember that arced through the air and landed near my feet. I waited until it cooled and then kicked it, sending it sliding across the floor and back to its birthplace.
I procured a ladle and stirred the liquid while it warmed, ensuring it stayed blended to guarantee that it tasted how it was supposed to taste. In less than ten minutes it had reached the border between warm and hot, as evidenced by the rare wisps of steam that floated into the air.
I dumped three ladles worth of the drink into a clean chalice, extinguishing the fire before trotting out of the kitchen. I filed into the den and sidled up to my mate, who was curled up on the single-seat chair that faced the fire.
"Here you go," I said tenderly, moving it closer to his beak.
"Thank you so much. What would I do without you?" he answered, his ice-born suffering dispelled.
"No need to thank me. I do what I must for the one I love. Now please, have a drink."
He complied immediately, his eyes on me as he dipped his beak into the brew and sucked away at it. He drained a third of the goblet and downed it all at once, smacking his beak and sighing blissfully.
"By the gods… no drink has ever tasted so satisfying…"
"I can imagine. Care for some more?"
"Yes please…"
He suspended the chalice in the air with his telekinesis and sucked out the rest in a series of small gulps. He plunked against the almost-vertical rear of the chair and exhaled, patting his belly with his wings.
"Between my defrosting and that cider… I feel so much better…"
"I'm glad to hear it," I replied, taking the empty goblet and setting it in the sink to be washed later on.
I trekked back into the den and cuddled with him, my right wing massaging his spine and the other draped over his midsection. We were sitting with our feet sticking out ahead of us; we were angled in such a way that our tails crossed in the shape of a shallow X.
I said nothing for a handful of minutes, his scent and aura the mollifying melody he sung for my soul.
Inevitably, I thought of the mess he had gotten himself into, and why he had volunteered to gather what we needed. Critical of his brash actions – yet not aspiring to be rude to him – I confronted him.
"I don't appreciate the fact that you thought it was okay to torture yourself out there," I said benevolently-yet-sternly, making eye contact with him. "I could have retrieved the items we needed in a fraction of the time. And what possessed you to challenge the wilderness without putting on the proper gear, as I asked you to?"
"Well, one of us had to do it, and I'd rather be tortured instead of you. And to answer your second question… I didn't think it would be that difficult to find firewood and strawberries in a forest packed with trees and bushes…"
Displeased with himself for bothering me, he sighed and looked at his feet, flexing his claws.
"I regret not listening to you. It was foolish of me. I'm sorry."
Touched by his apology, I replied, "Oh, it's alright. Just promise me that you'll take my advice in the future."
"I promise, my dear. I won't let you down twice."
I pecked his cheek and hugged him comfortingly, drawing his masculine odor into my nostrils and sensing the pulsing of his arteries. My infatuation with him increased ten-fold, a pang of naughtiness registering in my brain.
I relocated, facing him head-on and sitting on his tail. I stowed my right wing away, carving lines and spirals into his breast and gut feathers with my left.
"You sure are being… provocative."
"Since you were the victim of a significant amount of torment, I'd like to make it up to you," I declared silkily.
"What are you suggesting?"
I squirmed towards him until our bellies touched.
I whispered seductively, "Why don't you and I engage in a round or two of… casual sex?"
Shocked by the bluntness of my request, he blushed madly.
"I don't know… I'm not exactly in the mood." He paused and inquired nervously, "And how exactly can… that… be casual?"
I closed the gap between our bodies, our midsections squishing together and our nether regions kissing gently. He gasped and breathed out heavily.
I muttered, "I can show you, if you'd allow me to…" his secret opening a warm, moist cushion for my own.
"The temptation is too much. I can't resist how amazing you feel… it drives me insane…"
I smirked darkly and sewed my wings to his shoulders, establishing a firm grip on him. I kissed him and shoved my tongue into his beak, teasing him with a single, light thrust that elicited a groan from the both of us.
And so it was that I stoked the flames of the sinful side of our romance, initiating a passionate mating ritual with my partner. He was the source of my most carnal ecstasy and I the source of his.
To the gods that had created us, our erotically beautiful expression of undying love was the most beautiful sight their divine eyes could behold…
X-X-X
I awoke in the early hours of eventide, sensing that the sun had already set and that the moon and stars had taken control of the night sky. Breaking free from my steamy dream, I arched my back and stretched my wings, undoing the tension that had accumulated in my muscles.
I then opened my eyes, rubbing the blurriness from them and glancing around. To my right, the bundle of sapphire feathers that was my mate was still imprisoned in his slumbers.
You may rest for a few more minutes, but then I will have to wake you.
I sighed at his comatose condition and scooted in his direction, coming close enough so that I could brush my wing over his cheek. My touch encouraged an instinctual smile to manifest on his beak.
Deciding to search for my humble servant, I stood and hopped to the floor. My insides shifted strangely, as if there was food in my gut.
I pressed on my belly with one wing, detecting a hint of firmness in my otherwise soft organs.
Hmm… I wonder what's going on in there. I feel fine. It's probably nothing.
I shrugged and waltzed over to Niko, rooting myself in front of him.
"The night is young, my handsome king. It's time you return to the waking world."
He groaned and rolled onto his stomach, burying his face in the seat. "So you find sleep more to your liking than interacting with me?" I inquired calmly, crossing my wings.
"Urgh… you win. I'm up, I'm up…" he muttered.
I uncrossed my feathered flying tools as he pushed himself into a sitting position with his wings. He scrubbed his eyes and blinked, exhaling.
"Good evening," I said.
"Good evening, my dear."
"How was your extended nap?"
"Emotional… but wonderful. What about yours?"
"The same. However, I must mention that you plunged into unconsciousness while you were reading."
"I did? Oh, what a shame. That was silly of me."
"I didn't make it to the end of Blood and Ink either, so you're not alone."
"Well, I think I'm going to finish it."
He looked around for it briefly, noticing it on the end table to his right.
"Ah, here it is."
He reached for it with his wing, but I extended my own and barred the way.
"I'd like to watch the stars and bask in the moon's glow on the beach. Will you join me?"
"Um… alright. I suppose I could come back to the book later."
I retracted my wing and smiled affectionately at him.
"I appreciate it."
"You're welcome… my beautiful queen."
His comment tickled my soul, and I blushed as I kissed him on the beak.
When I parted mine from his, I declared fondly, "I love you so much it hurts."
"As do I."
I grasped the ends of his wing bones and helped him down to my level, our beaks converging yet again. My tongue played with his, and he groaned in satisfaction.
I withdrew as he moaned a second time, my eyes tethering themselves inexorably to his. I tumbled into their luscious brown depths, relinquishing myself to his irresistible stare.
"Love… it's such a powerful and… mesmerizing thing," said the feminine voice from the nearby stairs.
We turned just our heads and saw Ginger standing there, presumably having observed our amorous moment.
"I concur, my friend," Niko replied.
He looked back at me and proclaimed, "Unless my very soul is stolen, I'll never cease to love you."
"Nor will I."
The third time is a charm, the poets always dictate, and so we briefly locked beaks.
"Now that we're all awake and alert, how about I cook dinner?"
"Thanks, but no thanks. Niko and I are going to feast instead on the splendid galactic canvas that is the night sky."
"Your wish is my command. If there's nothing else you want me to do, I'm going to soak in the hot tub. My left leg has suddenly developed a cramp, and an extended, hot bath should cure my ailment."
"You are free to do whatever you like."
She curtsied in approval, her iridescent neck feathers shimmering in all the colors of the rainbow.
"Aren't you going to eat?"
"I already did so while you two were snoozing. I'll probably be stuffed until tomorrow afternoon," she joked.
"If you need anything, we'll be on the western beach."
"Understood. Until we meet again, may the gods bless you."
"Likewise," Niko answered.
She tromped down the stairs and hobbled into the chamber where the hot tub was situated, closing the door behind her. Niko and I vacated the house via the front exit, ambling out onto the sand.
My feet sank into the warm, soft grains as we walked; I halted our advance as we approached the tidal zone. I remained standing, gluing my wing to his back and compressing his left side against my right.
The golden crescent moon was fashionably late, hanging low above the horizon.
It lay on what was practically its back, its two horns pointing directly upwards into the vast emptiness of space. Its elongated, spear-like reflection shone and rippled on the vast expanse of water.
And last but not least, the stars were out in full force, twinkling like a myriad of diamonds sprinkled on black velvet.
The sound of the waves lapping gently at the shoreline was all that could be heard, and the interposed silence was eerily magical.
"To think that we daytime creatures ignore this spectacle… how surreal it would be like to live as a creature of the night…"
Somewhat hypnotized by the flaxen light streaming from the sickle-shaped moon, I replied in a low tone, "If we can't experience it for ourselves, the next best option is to wonder about such an existence…"
"Indeed," he answered in a similar tone.
He looked at me and I beheld his enthralling gaze.
"You are my sun, and I am your moon, for we are complimentary opposites. We may be individuals, but like the sun and moon, we are bound indefinitely and destined never to be apart."
"And that, my king, is why I love you."
"I love you too, more than you shall ever realize."
I nuzzled my neck against his and held his wing, casually sitting down on the sand. My insides moved about more strongly than they did earlier, the sensation unlike anything I had ever been subjected to.
I pushed lightly on my gut with my free wing… detecting a semi-firm object the shape of a small stone. I gasped, and my breath was sucked out of my lungs.
A deep-seated biological signal that had lain in waiting like a dormant volcano my entire life was activated, sending a single pulse of recognition into my brain. The realization struck me with the force of a meteor, and my beak went slack.
"What's wrong, my dear? Has something startled you?"
Wordlessly, I moved his wing to my gut and applied weak pressure.
Staring into his eyes, I whispered shakily, "Niko… what do you feel?"
"I don't feel-"
He, too, gasped, going rigid as if he had seen the specter of someone who had passed on.
"Ambrosia… it… can't be. Is… is that…" he stuttered, his speech failing.
"Yes… " was my response, the response of a lifetime.
His beak quivered, and beads of moisture collected in his eyes.
"I… I can't believe it. This is… a miracle to end… all miracles…"
"Our child is in the making… a son or daughter… we shall come to adore… as we adore each other…"
In a daze as sturdy as a glacier, he blinked but said nothing. The dewdrops that were his tears rolled down his cheeks, and my vision became blurred as I began to weep along with him.
He imprisoned me with his wings, holding me as close as he possibly could.
He then kissed me fervently, his reverent passion for the beholder of his flesh-and-blood offspring pouring into me like an all-consuming waterfall. I inundated him with my own staggering sentiment, thanking him for helping to create the egg that was developing inside me.
In turn, the gods had bestowed the irrevocable title of mother upon me, and father upon him. We, the rulers of the land, had made the ultimate commitment to each other in the name of love.
A child and a family were our rewards for doing so, and with the gods as our witnesses, they would be rewards everlasting.
I
I
I
V