A Love Like No Other

Part 15

They stopped for the night. Axa was ignoring his mother and Adrastea whenever she asked if he was alright. At one point she gave up altogether.

Adrastea sits on a rock near the river. Cesaria was somewhere hidden in the trees. Axa was supposed to be finding wood for a fire and Cesaria didn't want to move another foot.

Adrastea wanted nothing to do with Cesaria. She didn't like the way she treated her or Axa. Usually parents are loving towards their children. But not her. Using her power on her son, frightening him? Moments like that made Adrastea miss her parents.

She was starting to forget them. The way they walked and spoke. The sparkle in her mothers eyes when she brought home wildflowers. The laugh of her father.

Adrastea felt tears prick at her eyes. She hasn't cried for her parents in months. Always told herself that there isn't anything to cry about. Yes, they are gone. They won't ever come back. But that's something she needs to get used to without crying everytime she thinks about them.

"Adrastea?" Axa says. She turns to see him walking towards her, his arms full of firewood. "What are you doing over here?"

He drops the wood down by the rock, sliding in next to Adrastea. She moves over a little so he has more room and is more comfortable.

"Are you alright?" he asks. Adrastea looks at him confused. Tear blurring her vision. She quickly blinks them away.

"I'm alright," she says. "Are you alright?" It was worth a shot.

He didn't say anything. He just stared out at the water, watching it rush by. The sound fills the awkward night air.

"What are you scared of?" he asked. "What is your biggest fear?"

Adrastea knew. She knew the day her parents died. Maybe at one point it will change, but she will never end up like them. Rather die alone then fall apart with the person you love.

"Being alone," she lied. Though it wasn't a complete lie. The idea of being alone did scare her, but it wasn't her biggest fear.

"I hate darkness," Axa whispers into the cold air.

Adrastea thought that was a strange fear. He Summoned shadows and darkness. Why is he afraid of it? Though, she couldn't judge. Her fear was more stupid.

"What did you see in the darkness?" Adrastea asks. "When the light was in there?"

"It was bright," he says. "It was cold, but bright. Like the light and darkness were moving together but neither one wanted to take control."

"So, it got you out of the dark?"

"For the most part. It was better than the black void."

Adrastea nodded. It stumped her when the light didn't do anything with the darkness. The sun comes up and the night disappears. The moon even lights up the darkness. So, why didn't it work with the shadows?

"We should get back to my mama," he said, sliding off the rock. Adrastea follows after. Helping him with the firewood.

"Hey, Axa?" she said a couple feet away from the river. He looked over at her, glad when she saw a faint smile on his face. "I won't let you live in darkness. Not while I'm around."

"And I won't let you be alone."