Chapter 33
Alex had spent the whole day reading, currently going through poems, to familiarize himself with the Elven culture. Orik had passed a few hours earlier, asking for some news. The human was happy to speak with him, it was a fresh breath of air from the books. As much as it pained him, he voluntary omitted his relationship, wanting to keep quiet about the situation. Not that he didn't trust his friend but the less people know, the better it was. However, he told him how he got his newfound power and what he had to do to make it grow. Needless to say, the dwarf was perplexed as to why it was happening to him.
The swordsman couldn't help but sweat a lot when Orik asked him if he really was coming from another planet, he dismissed the suggestion with a laugh, answering that if that was the case, he would be able to use magic next. Fortunately, his friend chuckled at this. He felt like he dodged a big bullet here. He wasn't ready to talk about his roots, heck, he was barely able to wrap his head around it, even if it had already been almost a week since the revelation.
Currently, he was so lost in the parchment that he didn't felt another mind brush against his. «Hello you. »
It took him every ounce of strength to not be surprised and drop the piece of paper he had in his hands. Sensing this, Saphira let out a laugh, proud of herself to have been able to catch him off guard.
«Evening my little gem. »
«Oh, already out with the nicknames? »
Alex put the poem down and relaxed on his chair, raising up his head to look at the ceiling. «That was the case a few months ago, Saphy. »
«Indeed, but it was a friendly banter at the time. » She sent him a wave of love and affection. «Not that I didn't appreciate the closeness we already had at the time. »
«Yeah, me too. So, tell me, what's the occasion for contacting? You want me to sleep at your side? »
Saphira mentally shook her head. «That will come later. When was the last time you ate meat? »
In answer, his stomach made itself known, growling loudly. Through their link, she felt his hunger and embarrassment.
«Too long. »
«In that case, I'm taking with you on a hunt. I proposed Eragon to come with me but he don't feel like he can eat an animal anymore because of his meditations. I do hope you will not end like him when you'll be able to use your mind like us. »
«Heh, his loss. Don't you worry about that. Contrary to him and the elves, I have scientific claims proving we need meat in our diet. Once or twice a week at most. This world doesn't have what it takes to compensate the deficiencies created by a lack of animals in what we eat. And we're omnivorous, it would be waste to not make use of those canines. »
She approved mentally. «Well said. Now come, I'm waiting for you outside of Tialdari Halls. »
«On my way! »
Standing up, the swordsman walked to his bag, retrieving his sword, handgun, a silencer and his combat knife. With everything in hand, he left his chambers, trotting in direction of the entrance of the building. The dragoness was patiently siting on the ground, her eyes observing the details of the place. She moved her head toward him when she heard her lover approaching, her sapphire orbs locking on his. As usual, she was breathtaking. Alex wondered if he could one day get bored of the sight in front of him. Theirs souls embraced one another as he approached and put a hand on her right cheek, caressing it fondly. She nuzzled him in answer to his gesture.
Without a word spoken, he jumped on her bare back, ready for the take-off. One moment after, she was in the skies, flying away from the capital. The flight was short, barely five minutes, but spent in total silence, the duo just content to spend time the other's presence. Finally, Saphira landed in a small clearing, her passenger dismounted her, lighting up his flashlight to get better acquainted with his environment before beginning to search for small wood.
When he estimated he had enough, he put it in the middle of the place and made a fire. The moment it seemed big enough for the swordsman, he installed the silencer on his Glock, checked his current clip, grunting in satisfaction. He then extended his mind around him, applying the lesson his master taught him.
«You're going on your side? » she asked, a little tint of disappointment in her voice as she wanted to spend this moment with him.
«Yeah, I thought it would be a good exercise for me, to train my power. Why? »
Saphira scratched the ground with a single claw, not looking at him. «Well, I wanted to share this moment together but if you prefer it that way, I'm fine too. »
Understanding her reason, he gladly accepted the proposal. «Okay, let's go. That way, you can show me how you spot and catch your preys. »
«With pleasure, love! »
The moment after, they were in the sky again, the blue lizard already teaching him how she proceeded. Not long after, they found a doe wandering alone, drinking from a stream. Merging their minds together, he felt her concentration, her instincts dictating on how to get her food. She dived to the ground fast, taking it in her front claws and snapping the neck properly. Jumping back on the ground when they reached their camp, Alex pondered the size of the doe and grimaced slightly. «I don't think it'll be big enough for the two of us… and I need to cook my part. »
The dragoness stopped herself before she could take the first bite, her maw wide open as her eyes darted back between her human and the dead animal.
«I can share it. »
He shook his head in refusal. «I know how much you eat, we need more if we want to fill both of our bellies. »
«Or we go hunt another one. » At this, Alex smiled, thankful for the thought but kept his position unchanged. «And leave this one alone, at the mercy of the first predator who will be glad to have free food? Nope. » He then began to leave the clearing, following the biggest dots his mind had detected.
«Don't you worry, I'll be back with a rabbit or something. » Unhappy, Saphira finally relented. She wanted to spend as much time as possible with him and it frustrated her a little to not totally share this experience. However, he had a point. It would also be easier for him to find something on his own. She consoled herself by thinking they could live many other things together until the final moment would arrive.
This time, Alex kept his flashlight off, only relying on the moonlight, his senses and his mind to guide him through the forest. At one moment, he found a hare but this one was hidden in its hole, a little too deep for him to catch it. Not long after, he felt the presence of another big creature. After probing its head, he deduced it was a roe deer. The animal was happily munching on some fresh herbs. The swordsman took his pistol in his hands and slowly approached his target. When he was close enough to see it clearly and stay hidden, he aimed at the head before pulling the trigger. There still was a detonation but the sound was deformed and more moderate than without, echoing less far but enough to disperse any wild and sentient life around him.
His prey fell to the ground, inanimate. Alex went to it and checked for a pulse, finding none. Tucking away his weapon, he took the roe deer in his arms and walked back to the camp, quite proud of himself. The blue lizard was surprised to see him back so quickly and with quite the catch. Getting down to the job, he gutted it with his combat knife, buried the guts and began to skin it. Soon enough, he skewered a part on his sword and cooked it.
Finally, when the deer's leg was stewed to perfection, he chunked a bite, growling in happiness as the juicy meat entered his mouth. He took his sweet time appreciating the smell, taste and texture on his tongue. That's exactly what he needed and contrary to the Rider, he didn't felt any remorse of appreciating what he was eating. However, while he was getting lost in own little nirvana, Saphira had finished her own meal and was looking at him, salivating. Alex didn't noticed it at first but when he raised his eyes, he only met hunger in hers, a smirk made its way on his lips. «Want some? » he asked, feigning ignorance as he knew perfectly her game.
«No, it's yours. I'm perfectly fine with what I ate. »
Without a word, he launched what remained of the leg to her. «Don't play coy, I know you. You can have it while I cook the rest. »
«Thank you, my mate. » Instinctively, he winked at her before stopping himself in the middle of walking to the rest of the corpse to heat it up. She also didn't made a single movement, her head leisurely looking up at him.
«It-it was a slip of tongue. I know we can't go to the step where we show it physically and say it officially but it felt so… »
«… natural? »
«Yes. »
He nodded. «I understand, it's a big deal. For both of us. Especially after being together for only a day. » Blushing, he took his courage in both hands and spoke his mind, carefully choosing his words. «I know the meaning behind this word. Yet, I need time to eventually accept this fact. From what I found on dragons' behavior in the library, it's not something said lightly so, I hope you understand my position. »
«I do. »
«Good. » He resumed what he was doing and this time, he cooked the ribs and the meat around it. «It's refreshing to have someone who understand me and accept my beliefs as easily as you do. Thanks for being who you are Saphira, I mean it. »
This time, it was her turn to blush. «You're welcome. » They both resumed what they were doing in an awkward silence. When he was done, Alex approached her with the rest of the food, gave it to her and sat against her side, admiring the campfire. After a long silence only broken by the dragoness destroying the bones and eating them, the young man with almond hair spoke verbally.
"Hey, I don't have a guitar, and I don't know how to play it unfortunately, but would you like to hear a song? You can join me if you want. However, I can't guaranty you that I sing correctly."
This little anecdote was enough to diffuse the atmosphere and make her laugh. «Sure! »
"Alright, here goes nothing." He cleared his throat a few times and readied himself. He hummed a few times, imitating the notes played before beginning and merging his consciousness with her. Strangely, Saphira could hear the notes. He must have listened to it many times to be able to memorize how it sounded. To accompany him, she imitated the instruments by whistling.
Come to me, the night is dark
Come to me, the night is long
Sing for me, I'll sing along
Sing for me, oh sing for me
Sway with me, we'll make them scream
Dance with me, we'll make them bleed
Sing for me, I'll sing along
Sing for me, oh sing for me
Listen, do you hear it
Listen, do you feel it
Listen, I'm calling you
Listen, you do know me
Listen, swing and roll me
Listen, I'm calling you
Knowing what was the rest of the song, the dragoness joined her voice to his, creating a beautiful, perfect echo. It felt as if they poured their souls, their feelings into it, as if for just one song, they were one and only.
You hardly know (hardly know)
You hardly know (hardly know)
You hardly know (hardly know)
You hardly know (hardly know)
(Let's make them scream)
Listen, do you hear it
Listen, do you feel it
Listen, I'm calling you
Listen, you do know me
Listen, swing and roll me
Listen, I'm calling you
Listen, do you hear it
Listen, do you feel it
Listen, I'm calling you
Listen, you do know me
Listen, swing and roll me
Listen, I'm calling you (I'm calling you)
Coming back to reality, Alex blinked a few times, amazed by their performance and the closeness this moment brought between them, even stronger than before. He felt really lucky to be that much in synch with someone, it hadn't happened since a long time ago. Plunging his eyes into hers, he only saw pure devotion and love for who he was. It made him happy to have again such feelings for someone and being appreciated that way. Instinctively, he reached her head and kissed her fondly on the lips, unrestrained affection flowing from him.