Obsidian Scales

Chapter 12

"Your mate?" Lily asked in surprise. "Yes." Silas pulled her closer into a hug. "I have wanted you as a mate ever since I have lived with you." he hissed softly, nuzzling her hair and holding her close. "Will you be my mate Lily? Will you let me cherish you, protect you, and keep you close to my heart?" he continued, speaking so softly to her it was almost like a prayer to her.

Lily fell silent as he confessed to her. His mate...her blush deepened. There was no doubt that she loved him. Though she had been quite terrified of him at first, she learned about his kindness and humor. He had helped her around the farm, and instead of stealing her away like he had mentioned he took the time to get to know her, before showing her his life and world. He protected her from the manticore, going so far as to get severely wounded from it's terrible sting. Before that he had driven Milo and his disgusting friends away, saving her from yet another horrible encounter. Lily knew her answer then.

"Yes, I will be your mate." she said happily, lifting her head to meet his gaze. Silas looked at her with awe, before pulling her into a tighter hug. His coils released from around her, just so he could move and spin her around. She laughed, holding onto him as he did so, his laugh answering hers in return. He stopped and gently set her down, his forehead gently pressed against hers. "I love you." he murmured, before leaning down and gently kissing her. Her arms wrapped around him as she kissed him back, moving closer into his embrace. He was gentle as he kissed her, careful not to prick her with his sharp fangs. He softly pulled away to give her a chance to breathe, and she laughed at the grin he had on his face.

"Well isn't that just adorable."

Lily looked past Silas to see Veraldi with a smug grin on his face, and Kess silent as always, standing behind Silas. Silas turned back and frowned at them. "You just had to ruin the moment." he grumbled. Veraldi casually slid up to him and leaned against him, resting his arm on Silas' shoulder. "Well I think we intervened at a good time. You looked like you were about to steal her away to mate." He gave Silas a wicked smile. Silas was about to speak when he was interrupted by Veraldi's loud voice. "I mean, I doubt you would anyway! With how weak you are your performance would be very-"

Silas slammed into him hard.

The two Naga's wrestled on the ground, dirt and dust flying up as tails whipped through the air. Silas' fist collided with Veraldi, Veraldi striking him back just as much. Even so, Veraldi was laughing as he was being pummeled by a furious Silas. Thankfully, Kess had grabbed Lily and moved her out of the way just in time as they began their bout. When they were a safe distance away Kess set her down on the ground. "Thanks Kess." She said with a smile, looking up at him.

He returned her smile then looked to Silas and Veraldi. He heaved a deep sigh and shook his head, lifting a hand and pinching the bridge of his nose. Lily gently pat his back. "There, there. I know exactly how you feel." she joked, looking back at them. Seeing as they were preoccupied she looked back to Kess. "Do you think you could take me home? Silas mentioned he wouldn't be able to leave the village," she explained. "If you're not busy that is." Kess looked to Silas and Veraldi, who where starting to slow in their movements.

Silas was on top of Veraldi, holding him up by his shoulders with his tail curled tightly around him. Veraldi had bruises on his face and shoulders, with Silas looking the same, though not as much as Veraldi. Kess lifted two fingers to his mouth, his thumb and index finger, and let out a shrill whistle. That definitely got Silas' attention, as his attention quickly turned to the two of them. Kess lifted his hand and waved, as if saying goodbye. Silas' gaze softened as it turned to Lily. He let go of Veraldi and slowly slithered over. Lily smiled at him, and he smiled back at her as he pulled her into a hug. "I'll see you soon. Stay safe." he murmured softly into her hair. "I will." Lily responded, placing a kiss on his cheek.

Silas pulled away and looked to Kess. "Make sure she gets home safely." he said. Kess gave a slight nod with a smile. Kess gently placed a hand on her back and then began to slither off. Throwing one more smile to Silas, Lily turned and walked at his side. Right as Sivena came in screeching about his wounds and lecturing the both of them. Lily laughed as they walked away from them, through the gates, and out of the village.

~/~

Lily quite enjoyed Kess' company. Despite him being mute, she found he was very expressive, and quite the character. She found him adorable. At the moment he slithered by her side, glancing around them from time to time to check for any danger. Unlike Veraldi, Kess seems to have a bronze color on the top of his scales. His hair had that same sheen too, with bright orange eyes to match. She imagined many girls would faint from the sheer sight of him, and not from fear.

She decided to make some conversation while they traveled back to her home. "You, Veraldi, and Silas get along pretty well huh?" she asked. Kess looked at her and nodded enthusiastically. He then put one of his hands palm down towards the ground. He bent over a bit and placed his hand just below his waist, as if taking a measurement. Lily smiled. "You've been friends since you were small?" she asked. He nodded some more, obviously pleased that she understood him. "How did you meet?"

He rubbed the back of his head with his hand, looking embarrassed. He made the "small" gesture again, then gestured to the forest around them. Placing a hand over his chest, he lifted it over his eyes and scanned the forest, as if searching. It took Lily a moment, but she spoke soon after. "You were small, and exploring the forest..." she stated, looking at him. He nodded again, then put his right arm straight out, making a fist, while using his left hand to pull back and rest by his cheek, mimicking him pulling back a bow. "...Hunting." Lily finished, and smiled as he nodded again. "Wait, do you actually allow your children to hunt that young?" she asked, surprised. He looked away sheepishly, gently scratching his cheek. Obviously he wasn't but she didn't press on that subject. "What happened next?" she asked. He stopped and turned to her. He looked down to the dirt in front of her. Using the tip of his tail he began to draw.

With each curved stroke, the drawing began to take the shape of a large beast with fierce claws, long fangs, and a barbed tail. Just looking at it made her blood run cold. "A manticore." she said softly. Kess stopped drawing and looked at her. Sitting up some more, he moved the collar of his armor to reveal a terrible scar on his neck. It was like a chunk of it had been ripped out in one long sliver. The scar was deep enough that it left skin missing, creating a valley in his skin. Around that was smaller scars, a paler color than the rest of his skin. Lily lifted her hand to her mouth, a soft gasp escaping her lips as she examined the scar. "The manticore did that to you?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

Kess nodded and leaned back, covering up his neck again. Then he smiled and gestured back to the direction of the village. She looked back, her hand lowering as she looked to him. "Silas and Veraldi saved you." he nodded back to her. He turned his attention to the sky, and then gestured for her to follow him as he began to slither off in the direction of her home. Lily could only imagine how horrifying it was for him to go through such a terrible experience. It was terrifying to see a manticore as an adult, but as a child...she shook her head and followed him.

After about ten more minutes of walking, Lily saw her farm in the distance, just past the treeline. Lily ran ahead, stopping just a few paces in front of Kess. She turned to look at him. "Thank you for taking me home Kess." She said to him softly and with a sweet smile. Kess smiled back and nodded. "Be careful getting back to the village!" she called as she ran towards her home. Kess watched from the shadows of the trees, as the sun finally disappeared along the horizon, revealing the stars and allowing night to truly begin. He watched as she herded her cows, horses, and chickens in for the night, and only until she was safely in her house was when he turned began to head back to the village.