Chapter 21
The Wordsmith's Birthday

Sariel awoke before her alarm and deftly disabled it. The soft, rhythmic breathing from her left confirmed she'd beaten Elliott's internal clock as well. His hair was tousled around his face and his bare right arm was pinning the blankets to him.

Sariel gently slipped out of their shared bed and shivered as the cool air assaulted her naked body. Her mind briefly returned to last night's encounter and a fervent blush crept up her cheeks. She pulled her robe from the floor where Elliott had tossed it and slipped it on her frame.

She padded across the wooden floors of their house, stealthily making her purchase towards the kitchen. Today was September 27th, Elliott's birthday. She knew her beloved typically avoided this day, but she had a special reason to help him celebrate it. As she reached the fridge, she heard their bed creak slightly and she froze. She heard the gentle sounds of Elliott rolling over and burrowing back under the covers on this cool fall day.

Sariel took her time as slow as could be. She pulled open the cabinet that contained the ingredients she'd need for his cake; French vanilla cake with a pomegranate filling and cream cheese buttercream. She'd set everything out the night before to warm and soften making her job that much easier. As she set about the morning, knowing Elliott would soon rise, she made a pot of coffee and set about making breakfast and his cake. She would occasionally toss a few arils in her mouth as she worked.

She was entranced with her work and jumped slightly when she felt Elliott pull her into an embrace. Despite the cool air, his body was warm and she relished being held in his arms. He brushed her hair to the side of her neck and peppered her exposed skin with kisses.

"Good morning, my love. Last night was amazing." He purred into her ear.

Sariel shuddered as goosebumps formed on her chest and arms. She smiled brightly when Elliott began massaging her shoulders through the thin silk of her robe. She set the whisk down and turned in his embrace. She quickly captured his lips with hers and kissed him deeply. She speared her fingers through his hair and pulled her body as close to him as possible. Their tongues dueled, each trying to gain the upper hand. Elliott won and plunged his tongue into her mouth, devouring her pomegranate flavored kisses.

Sariel reluctantly broke their kiss and hugged her husband gently. He was now half-naked, opting to wear a pair of loose-fitting pants that hung on his hips in a tantalizing way. He'd combed his hair too, or had until Sariel messed it up. She trailed her fingers gently over his toned chest and abdomen.

"Good morning, Ellie. Happy birthday. I love you." Sariel spoke softly.

"Mm, any morning where I wake up with you as my wife is not a good morning, love, it's an excellent morning. I love you more than you'll ever know, even if I have a hard time telling you how I feel about you." Elliott replied as he nuzzled her nose with his.

"I know you don't like your birthday, but I thought we could spend the day together. Maybe have a picnic out in the forest, or go to the beach" Sariel stated.

"Spend the day with you, love? I would truly love nothing more than that. The beach would be perfect." Elliott replied.

"Thank you. I made coffee and breakfast. I'd like to take a shower before we leave though." Sariel quipped.

Elliott freed Sariel from his embrace and slid around her side to pour them both cups of coffee. His heart fluttered every time he caught her staring at him. He smiled at the marks he'd left on her skin from the night before and fondly ran his fingers over the ones she'd left on him.

He set the cups of coffee on the dining table and sat down constantly watching her and committing every detail of her to memory. The way her slender hips swayed with each step and how her eyes sparkled in the light. The way her hair bounced every time she'd turn, or move one of her arms. Her captivating scent, like sandalwood, vanilla, and pear, with a slight hint of his own aftershave. Everything about the woman before him was a gift he cherished deeply.

The timer on the oven chimed softly and Sariel delicately transferred the finished cakes to a cooling rack. Her mother was stopping by later to finish the cake for her as part of her plans for the day. She opened the fridge and pulled a block of dark chocolate out. Sariel gently transferred the delicate crepes she'd made to plates and set them on the table. She decorated the chocolate filled crepes she'd prepared with chocolate rich, dark chocolate filling permeated the air with its intoxicating scent. Her stomach growled slightly and she moved to sit next to Elliott when he pulled her onto his lap.

"This is wonderful, dear. Thank you. I must admit I'm finding it excruciatingly hard to keep my eyes off of you." Elliott purred.

"I could think of worse ways to enjoy breakfast, than that of sitting on my husband's lap." Sariel replied.

Elliott tightened his grip around her waist and began slowly savoring each bite of the chocolate crepes. He was quite fortunate Sariel was skilled as a chef. The buttery pastry melted in his mouth and the rich chocolate complimented them perfectly. Paired with the coffee it was an excellent meal.

As they both finished Sariel slid off his lap and cleared their dishes. She pulled Elliott's first gift from its hiding spot and set the long rectangular package down on the table. The white paper and lavender ribbon contrasted perfectly. She stood behind Elliott and looped her arms loosely around his neck, breathing in the scent of his shampoo.

He quickly undid the ribbon and the tape holding the paper onto the box. He gently unwrapped the present and smiled warmly when he revealed the set of quills and ink. One of the two quills was that of an eagle's feather, the other was a magnificently iridescent duck feather.

"Rinn, they're lovely. Thank you, beloved." Elliott said sweetly as he turned towards her.

"You're very welcome. I bought them when we went to Zuzu City last month. I know you'd been looking at them." Sariel said calmly.

Sariel fixed her eyes on Elliott's face and smiled when she saw the slightest bit of chocolate on the edge of his mouth. She crawled into his lap and kissed him passionately, dragging her warm tongue across his lips and savoring the taste of the chocolate. She arched her back bending her body closer to her husband.

Elliott wrapped his arms tightly around her and kissed her with urgency. There was a fire building in his soul and Sariel was the only water that could quench the raging inferno. He held her tightly as he stood up and carried her to their bed.

He laid her gently on the bed and climbed on top of her. His hands roamed her delicate frame searching out every inch of her pale flesh. He moved his mouth to her neck and nibbled on her throat. He needed to touch her everywhere all at once. The raging desire between the two was fueling his need to claim her for himself.

"Rinn, I need you. Please." Elliott whimpered helplessly.

Sariel purred and moaned against him in response and hooked her legs around his waist. She pulled him closer to her and pressed her sex into him. She could feel his need and it nearly rivaled her own. Desire and lust were consuming her like a wildfire. Her cheeks were a blazing blush of wanton need. Her body burned deep in her core.

Elliott quickly undid the tie of her robe and parted the delicate material revealing Sariel's beautiful body. He devoured her with his eyes, staring greedily at her flawless body. He lowered his head to her chest and started slowly kissing his way down her porcelain skin. Every so often he'd gently bite her tender flesh.

He reached her abdomen and slowly parted her thighs. He looked to Sariel for confirmation and growled when she nodded. He resumed his course of kissing and nibbling on her skin as he worked his way down the soft, tender flesh of her thighs. The pale skin between her thighs was completely barren. He gently parted her folds and slipped his tongue between the flesh. He lapped at her, greedily drinking her juices. He swirled his tongue around the hard bud of flesh hidden between the folds of her sex. He could feel himself getting drunk with lust. The heady, musky, sweet smell of her sex permeated his nose. It was one of the best scents he'd ever known. He mercilessly devoured her sex and brought a satisfying scream to Sariel's lips. He slipped his fingers into her warm, wet folds and played her like his own special instrument.

"Ell, please. Don't stop. Ungh." Sariel panted and mewled.

"Sariel, I have no intention of stopping." Elliott purred.

He growled deeply as she spurred him onwards and he deftly slipped his pants to the floor. He brought his lips to hers. The sweet taste of her sex on his lips drove him wild. He withdrew his fingers and immediately closed the gap between their bodies, pressing into her. He rolled his hips forward and gasped when he sunk completely into her warmth.

Sariel whimpered as he filled her completely, satiating every hunger in her core. Each one of her nerves burned as he rhythmically thrust into her. Every stroke lit her on fire more than the previous one. She tightened her hold on his hips and began matching his thrusts equally. Her wrists were pinned above her by Elliott's left hand and the two moved together as one being. He captured her mouth in a passionate kiss, plunging his tongue between her slightly parted lips. His right hand trailed along the curves and swells of her breasts gently massaging them.

Elliott thrust into her, near mercilessly. It thrilled him insanely that she could take all of him into her. He growled when Sariel sunk her fingernails into his back and clawed at him in ecstasy. He slipped his hand beneath her and flipped the two over allowing Sariel to straddle him. She rhythmically rolled her hips and bounced ever so slightly as she stared into Elliott's seafoam green eyes. Her dark mahogany hair cascaded around her shoulders framing her in rich red tones. She arched her back causing his breath to catch in his throat.

He whimpered and moaned her name, begging her to continue riding him. His warm, soft hands were digging into her hips, keeping a steady hold of her as she rose and fell on his member. His eyes fixated on the iridescent cerulean blue and purple shell on a thin silver chain that hung between her breasts. The colors of the Mermaid Pendant complemented her skin beautifully. The wondrous sight of his beloved riding him like a stallion burned itself into his memory. The sheer look of ecstasy on her face brought a sudden surge of pleasure to him. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on their bodies.

Elliott grabbed her waist and sat up, keeping her pinned on his lap as their fires burned together. He growled when Sariel dug her fingernails into his shoulders as she clung to his body. He kissed her throat and bit her tender skin drawing a pleasured gasp from Sariel. He felt her body tighten around him and her soft moans became the most exquisite sound he'd ever heard as she screamed his name as she reached the peak of her climax. He, too, was nearing the limits of his own threshold. The dam of his self-control and willpower shuddered and broke as Sariel climaxed a third time.

"Oh, god, Rinn. I love you." Elliott whispered breathlessly.

"I love you, too, Elliott." Sariel panted.

Elliott couldn't bring himself to withdraw from her just yet. He deeply enjoyed feeling so connected to his beloved. He cradled her to him and pulled the blanket over them both. They laid together for what seemed like an eternity, basking in the afterglow of their respective climaxes.

He regretfully withdrew from her and exited the bed. He pulled her into his arms lifting her easily. He carried her into the bathroom and entered the shower. The surge of warm water around them felt amazing.

He pressed her against the wall and kissed her deeply. He lowered her to the floor and set about washing every delicate curve of her body. He lathered the soap in his hands and gently massaged the soft, pillowy clouds of soap into her skin.

"From the brightest winter star, to a fragrant fairy rose...nothing can compare with your captivating beauty." Elliott purred into her ear.

Sariel returned his gesture and ran her own soap-lathered hands across Elliott's body. She slowly drew out circles on his skin and painfully took her time worshipping his body. She stretched on her tiptoes and gave him a chaste kiss.

She slowly wove her shampoo laden fingers through his long hair. Gently working her way through the tangles and snares formed moments ago. She took her time lovingly working the shampoo through his tresses.

He dutifully returned the gesture and massaged her thick wet hair with shampoo. The luxurious smell of pear and vanilla and sandalwood filled the air around them. He stared at the rivulets of water running down the cleft between her breasts and licked them up. He brought his lips to hers gently and pulled her into his loving embrace.

Sariel reluctantly broke the kiss and pulled away from him slightly. The rejection in his eyes hurt her, but she knew that if they remained in the shower they'd never accomplish any of her plans for the day. She shut the water off and pulled a towel to her.

"Darling, I would love to spend the day with you expressing our love, but we have plans." Sariel lamented.

Elliott took a deep, shuddering breath and hung his head. She made complete sense. He was an addict and she was his drug of choice. It was far too easy to opt to continue getting a fix.

He pulled his own towel into the confines of the shower and wrapped it around his waist. He stared wordlessly at Sariel as she ran the thick, fluffy towel along her body and wrung the water from her hair. He was fascinated by her. He set to work drying himself off, occasionally stealing glances at her as she dressed.

Sariel quickly braided her wet locks and pulled them into an intricate double dutch braid that she wove together using her hair. She set the style and decorated it with a set of flower-shaped hairpins. She donned a matching set of white satin undergarments and pulled on a midnight blue dress. She turned and grabbed a pair of silver sandals from the closet and smiled as Elliott stepped behind her to pull the zipper on her dress up.

Elliott had dressed in complementary colors to Sariel, opting for a white dress shirt, blue tie, and gray slacks. His hair was down, freely falling around his face and shoulders. He slipped the matching jacket on his arms, surmising Sariel would end up asking for it later.

He glanced at the clock and saw it was nearly 10:00 A.M. already. The incessant ringing of his phone was grating on his nerves. He fetched the slender device from his nightstand and rolled his eyes as he sifted through all the messages.

"Love, they're your friends. They want to remind you of how much you mean to them. It's just once a year." Sariel stated.

"I know. I am grateful to have such wonderful people in my life. I am most grateful I have you, though. You help balance me and keep me grounded. When I behold thy wondrous face, a precious jewel of form and grace, my heart...torn by the dread of night, is purified with golden light. Poetry is the only way I can begin to describe my feelings for you." Elliott spoke softly.

Sariel heard the familiar buzzing of her phone and retrieved it from its resting place. She glanced at the Caller ID and quickly answered the phone. She was slightly startled as to why her mother was calling her.

"Good morning, darling. Have you gotten Eli out of the house yet?" Her voice was smooth and polished.

"No. I'm afraid I'm just too busy to help today, I'm sorry, Haley." Sariel lied.

"I see. Hrm. We're in town. Where are you taking him?" Evynne replied.

"Avoid the beach? Caroline's doing the exercise class there today? Oh, heavens." Sariel lied again.

"The beach, ah. That's fitting. Is anyone else there?" Evynne inquired.

"Yes." Sariel replied.

"Excellent. We'll meet you there!" Evynne exclaimed.

"Haley, if it's really an emergency, I'll head on over, but it might take me a while." Sariel quipped.

"Even better! That'll give Dad and I time to set up everything. Do you have your present for him?" Evynne asked.

"Yes, I do." Sariel replied.

"Any chance you'll tell me what it is?" Evynne prodded.

"No, I'm sorry." Sariel stated firmly.

"All right, we'll see you soon. How long until you get here?" Evynne inquired.

"Since the beach is occupied I've got a few hours, right? You need twenty bolts of my best cloth? What on earth?" Sariel questioned.

"Okay. Thanks, honey. We'll have everything ready. See you soon." Evynne replied as she disconnected the call.

Sariel sighed and rolled her shoulders while pinching the bridge of her nose. She loved her family deeply. She focused her thoughts on clearing the stress, rhythmically breathing to try and calm herself down.

"Dear, is everything all right? You seem tense. Haley needs twenty bolts of cloth? What on earth for?" Elliott asked softly.

"Yeah, I'm okay. She was helping Penny and Emily make new tablecloths for the Feast of the Winter Star, and she accidentally ruined the fabric they had while Emily had stepped out. She says Caroline's hosting her exercise class on the beach right now, so it's kind of crowded but I can drop the cloth by later." Sariel stated gently.

Elliott cupped her face in his left hand and kissed her forehead. In all his knowledge he could never aptly find the words to describe Sariel. From her grace to her dignity, beauty to intelligence, there was never one set list that defined her. He offered her his arm and gently led her out of their bedroom.

The happy couple exited their home and Sariel lingered for a second while locking the door. A shiver ran down her spine as the wind whipped around her. She heard the faint shuffling of clothes and felt the sudden warmth from Elliott's jacket loosely draped over her shoulders. She sighed contentedly at the gesture and slipped her arms into the sleeves and pulled the garment around her.

Elliott stepped down the stairs and extended his hand towards Sariel, gently aiding her to the walkway. He still remarked at the effort she had put into the farmhouse as she had paved several stone walkways to make getting around easier. He wove their fingers together and idly rubbed her wedding band with his fingertips.

The pair wove their way down the cobblestone streets towards Pelican Town. Elliott was polite to everyone who stopped them to wish him a happy birthday. Emily presented him with a scarf she'd made. The gray and silver tones complimented him nicely.

They decided to stop at the Saloon for lunch. Sariel opted for a salad with fresh field greens and grilled chicken with a blackberry mint water to drink. Elliott ordered one of the only few foods she'd seen him order at the Saloon - a Stir-fry with Squid and Octopus and coffee to drink.

Gus dutifully served the two and they sat enjoying each other's company while they ate. Gus owed a lot to the pair. Sariel frequently sold him eggs, fresh wheat, vegetables and more for his kitchen and Elliott spent the time sitting with Gus and helping him create a more rounded menu of foods. Sariel had spent the time and resources to help Gus fix the Saloon up so it looked amazing.

Sariel turned towards her husband and grasped his hand in hers. It was days like this, where she got to spend time with Elliott just enjoying his company without the hustle and bustle of life that recharged her soul. The salad she had, tasted wonderful and she could tell by the steadily reducing level of food in Elliott's bowl his stir-fry was delicious as well.

"I have a surprise for you later. Well, two surprises, actually." Sariel said between bites.

"Oh? I wonder if I can get you to reveal your secrets to me." Elliott purred.

"Not today, darling. I've got enough willpower I can resist you." Sariel smiled mischievously as she spoke.

"That's unfortunate. I was thinking we could return home and have a repeat of this morning, or finish what we started in the shower." Elliott whispered seductively.

"Maybe after the surprise. Hopefully, you can last until then." Sariel softly replied.

Elliott shifted in his seat and swallowed nervously. He focused his eyes on the Mermaid Pendant that hung delicately between Sariel's breasts. The cut of the dress perfectly accentuated her chest and highlighted the pendant he'd given her. They'd married 9 months ago on her birthday. He smiled as his thoughts turned through all of the memories they'd already made together.

"I need to stop by the Library before we head to the beach if that's all right." Sariel stated.

"Of course, love. I am merely here to provide you company today. Wherever you lead, I will gladly follow." Elliott replied.

Sariel smiled when Gus brought her a fresh bottle of her favorite beverage and a straw. She happily plopped the cylindrical tube into the glass bottle and slid out of the booth. Elliott started to reach for his wallet but Gus stopped him.

"Elliott, you really think Sariel hasn't planned all of this out? She set this day up two months ago. Paid everything in full and then some." Gus laughed.

"I am finding that out. It would be ill of me to say I am not impressed by her ability to conceal this from me. She is a mystery and I love her for that." Elliott replied.

He allowed himself to once again be led on a walk through town, this time heading towards the Museum and Library. Sariel's long warrior braid bounced as she took each step. The edge of her dress fluttered every time the wind blew and Elliott caught himself staring at her.

"Ellie, I can feel you burning holes in my back. Come, walk with me. The view is much better up here." Sariel teasingly called out.

"Yes, darling." Elliott lamented slightly.

He slipped his right hand to the small of her back and started rubbing small, gentle circles with his fingers. The wind blew across them and Elliott caught a whiff of Sariel's intoxicating scent on the breeze. He closed his eyes and savored the memory of when they first met.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Sariel quipped.

"Mm, just caught the scent of your perfume in the wind and it reminded me of how we first met. I have never gotten that scent out of my nose or memory. The warm sandalwood and vanilla paired with sweet pear and citrus. It's different today though, dear. There's a hint of my aftershave on your skin as well." Elliott said warmly.

"Mm. Your aftershave is one of my favorite scents. It suits you perfectly. You're the only one in town that wears it and that makes me happy." Sariel purred.

Their slow pace had them arrive at the Museum and Library around 2:00 P.M. They let themselves into the building and Sariel immediately set to her tasks. Gunther greeted her at the counter and handed over a picnic basket and blanket. Sariel bade the man farewell and hooked her hand in the crook of Elliott's elbow.

"I thought we could recreate the memory of the first time you stopped and talked with me in depth. Do you remember? When I sat on the dock and drew the ocean?" Sariel inquired.

"How could I forget? I still have that drawing, beloved." Elliott replied softly.

Sariel tightened her grip on the basket and smiled at Elliott as he jaunted ahead of her to hold the door for her. A small yawn escaped her mouth and she blinked a few times. Elliott was at her side again, this time his arm was draped across her shoulders.

"Am I boring you, love?" Elliott quipped.

"Nonsense. Just a little more tired today. It's Harvest season. Someone kept me up late last night, too." Sariel replied, causing Elliott's cheeks to flush slightly.

They made their way to the beach and Elliott was pleased there was no one else around. Sariel slipped her sandals off and sank her toes into the warm sand. She trudged through the sand ahead of Elliott and sat down on the dock, in the same place she had sat last year while she drew the ocean.

She set the blanket on the dock and unfurled the fabric of the picnic basket. Inside were twenty pomegranates. The exact number she'd brought Elliott the third time they talked. Her sketchbook was hidden inside the basket as well. She pulled the book free and loosed her pencils from their pouch.

Elliott sat next to her and smiled brightly as he watched her hand fly over the pristine canvas on her lap. He occasionally fed her a few arils from the pomegranate he was eating. She kept her focus the entire time, drawing the ocean with the two of them sitting on the dock. Her attention to detail astounded him.

Hours passed as the two sat on the dock reminiscing about the past. As night fell, Sariel finished the drawing and tucked everything back into the picnic basket. The time had come for the final surprises of the day. Sariel stood and dusted herself off. She grabbed the blanket and took Elliott's hand in hers.

As he turned towards shore, he saw the pathway was illuminated with candles in glass jars. A small area was lined with candles and a table had been set up in the middle of the beach. A lone lantern burned on the wooden table. He followed Sariel as she laid the blanket on the sand and directed him to take a seat at the table.

"Good evening, my name is Peter, I'll be one of your servers this evening. Would either of you care for a glass of wine?" The older man asked.

Elliott blinked at his father-in-law a few times and he glanced at Sariel and saw the devilish smirk on her face. He nodded, unable to find the words to speak. He deftly took her hand in his.

"Rinn, just what have you planned?" Elliott asked.

"Dinner on the beach by candlelight. I'm surprised you forgot. Everything today has been a remembrance of something we did while dating. Breakfast was the same meal I made you for our first date. Lunch was our 2nd date…" Sariel spoke.

"And Dinner was our 3rd." Elliott smirked as he interrupted her.

"Mhm." Sariel quickly confirmed.

Peter reappeared and poured them each a glass of wine. Elliott recognized the label on the bottle and knew the wine came from his wife's private supply from the winery on the farm. The Ancient Fruit wine was smooth and full-bodied. She had aged this particular vintage in casks for several months at least, carefully developing the flavor profile she desired.

Sariel smiled as Evynne appeared from the shadows and sat down two plates of fresh crab cakes. Evynne kissed her daughter on the top of her head and hugged Elliott gently. Sariel waved to her as she retreated to the cabin.

"The phone call. It wasn't Haley, was it?" Elliott asked between bites of crab cake.

"Nope. It was Mom. She was trying to confirm the details for tonight. I am sorry I deceived you and lied to you." Sariel's eyes were sad as she spoke.

"Beloved, this was a wonderful surprise. I can see why you wished to not have this secret ruined." Elliott replied kindly.

As if on invisible cue, Evynne emerged from the cabin carrying two steaming bowls of Tom Kha Soup. She set the bowls down gently and hugged her daughter close to her. She returned with a loaf of fresh bread and sat it between the two.

As they finished their soup, Peter appeared with the cake Sariel and Evynne had made for Elliott. He sat it down in front of the two and quickly cleared their plates and bowls away. He kissed his daughter on her cheek and clapped his hand to Elliott's back as he walked back towards the cabin.

The delicate flavors of the cake swirled on their tongues. It was truly an exquisite dessert. The bold flavors of the pomegranate filling were tamed by the rich vanilla cake and the cream cheese frosting.

Sariel took Elliott's free hand in hers and cleared her throat. She was preparing herself for the torrent of emotion she was about to unleash. She idly rubbed her thumb over Elliott's wedding band.

"Ellie, I wanted this birthday to be special. I have a present for you, but it's not time for that yet. I'm not as eloquent with my words as you are, but here goes. You were the first man to show me respect and love here. You opened your heart to me. I know that we've both been through our share of darkness and trials and tribulations, but we were drawn to each other. I will always stay by your side and support you and love you. Thank you for loving me, and for marrying me." Sariel was crying as she finished speaking.

"Rinn, oh beloved. You are my sun and stars. I will love you until the end of time. You complete me. We are not simply Sariel Shade and Elliott McCoy, we are two halves of the same whole. Thank you for your love, darling. I thank Yoba every day you agreed to marry me." Elliott replied.

Sariel stood and launched herself into Elliott's embrace. His arms were strong and supportive around her. She buried her face in his chest as she cried softly. She broke from his embrace and pulled him towards the blanket.

As Elliott sat down, he smiled at Sariel. Her parents were sitting on the beach and holding hands. Sariel motioned to Peter to hand her her violin case from its hiding spot and retrieved the beautiful instrument held within.

Sariel immediately shifted her body to a graceful stance and brought her violin to her shoulder. The wind whipped around her, gently swirling the fabric of her dress. She closed her eyes and saw the notes of the song she'd written for Elliott start playing in her mind. She started the song, slowly drawing her rosined bow across the taut strings. As the song built in its tempo, she opened her eyes and stared into Elliott's loving gaze. His eyes were transfixed on her as she drew out beautiful notes in rapid succession.

He was so focused on his love and the music she played, Evynne had to hand him the box Sariel had stored here. The silver paper and seafoam green ribbon shielded the contents of the box protectively. He stole a glance at Sariel and she nodded slightly.

Elliott sat to work, delicately prying the wrappings from the box. He focused on Sariel again as she finished the song and she knelt in front of him. For some inexplicable reason, his hands were trembling.

Sariel reached out and covered his hands with hers, moving with him to open the package. Her breath caught in her throat as the last piece of tape gave way and the box opened. She affixed her gaze to his and held her breath as he realized what the package held.

"Rinn?" Elliott asked as he held the contents of the box in his hands.

"Unwrap it, Ellie." Sariel whispered.

Elliott pulled the bindings of the smaller package apart and it was then that he realized just what she had kept secret. The small package contained a curious item and a picture that Elliott couldn't make out in the darkness. He lamented mentally as it took him longer than he'd like to realize what the gift was.

"Rinn? Is this… yours?" Elliott asked shakily.

"Yes, Elliott." Sariel replied confidently.

Elliott was on his knees in a heartbeat, scooping Sariel into his arms. He kissed her deeply, sending shivers through her core to her toes. When he released her from his grasp he found his hands naturally gravitated to her abdomen.

"You're pregnant." Elliott whispered incredulously.

"Yes, I am. 8 weeks, according to Maru. Are you… happy?" Sariel questioned.

"Am I happy? Rinn, you just told me the best news in the world! My wife, my beloved, my soulmate, is carrying my child in her womb. Our child. You are amazing. I love you, Sariel." Elliott replied earnestly.

It was then he noticed her parents had left. He scooped Sariel into his arms and carried her to the cabin. He pushed the door open and quickly kicked it shut, and laid her on his old bed. He effortlessly removed her dress from her body and shed his own clothes. That night, only Yoba himself could tell which body was which.