Beyond Midnight

|23|

Soleil

My eyes sting, and my eyebrows scrunch up in confusion. There's a fog in my brain that I haven't been able to get through for a while. I've been able to pick up on some murmuring, voices that couldn't quite pierce through the veil of darkness.

It's only just now starting to get through. I start by wriggling my toes, meeting some resistance. My nose furrows. My feet move back and forth, as I realize I'm wearing a warm pair of socks. And there's something on my head too. A hat?

Moaning, I move my legs, and then my arms. Something is touching my hand, and I squirm, trying to open my eyes as light floods my world.

Memories come and go, but the last thing I remember is an avenging angel carrying me to safety.

I blink away the grogginess as best I can, trying to see my man through the fog.

"Fray." I breathe, my heart racing quicker at the thought of him. Where is he?

He's asleep, his sweet head laying so incredibly close to my hand, which he has clasped in his own hand. He slumbers quietly, his silver hair glinting in the dim lights.

I stay very still for a few moments, simply drinking in the moment before I have to think about where I am or what happened to me.

His tan skin is dotted in tiny scars and scrapes from battles, a map of soft patterns across pointed bone and swollen muscles. His orange eyes are hidden from me behind flickering lids.

I reach out carefully, as if the motion will scare him away. I open my hand, gently spreading my fingers into his soft locks. The strands tickle my palm.

I only get to enjoy the soft feeling for a few seconds before he reacts. Always a warrior, he's quick to jump away as if he's been burned.

His wickedly handsome face stares at me, his stubble-lined jaw dropping.

"Soleil. My Soleil." He says, as if he can't believe it.

I sit up a little bit straighter when he says those words. His Soleil? I like the sound of that. Never in my life have I wanted to belong to someone. I wanted to be strong and own myself.

But now? Meeting Fray has changed everything.

I think, no, I know that I love him. I want to say as much, but it might not be the best time to do so. I have so many questions that my brain throbs in my skull.

"What... what happened Fray?" I look around, acknowledging the fact that I'm on his space ship. The thing hums all around us.

"Are we.. is this thing...?" I drift off, not knowing what to say or where to even begin.

"We are going back to Rytaria. That is okay, yes?" He's so polite, the worry in his tone translates on his face.

I smile, reaching out to cup his neck, my thumb brushing his ear.

"Of course. There is nowhere I'd rather be than with you."

Fray sneak attacks me with the most dangerous weapon in his arsenal. He flashes those pearly whites that look oddly sharp, and my breath catches in my lungs.

His expression of joy vanishes before my eyes, and he springs forward like the massive predator that he is.

"What is it? What is wrong, my sweet mate. Are you still in pain?" Large hands begin manhandling me, searching for any sign of disfigurement that he can mourn.