A World of Love (now published so sample only)

Chapter 8 - Between truth and oblivion

© Sandra Corton 2015

Chapter 8 - Between truth and oblivion

The saying 'coming back down to earth' had never been so literal for me as when we landed back in Ty's yard. Everything felt quite surreal and dreamy to me. It was as though our trip to the stars had been all in my imagination. I did actually pinch myself at least once when we were speeding past Jupiter. Ty had laughed and assured me that it was all real.

"How did you do that without anyone noticing?" I asked as Ty opened the door for me to step out. I only asked because people walking along our street had not even blinked at our out of this world arrival.

"Cloaking device." Ty smirked at me in this all knowing way.

"Oh yes that should have been so obvious to me." I replied sarcastically.

I looked around me and realised that the sun was beginning its descent. I couldn't believe that we had been away all day. I then considered that we had been touring our solar system, so of course that took time.

"Is it the same day as we left?" I asked Ty who nodded. "Wow I still can't believe we did all that in a few hours."

"Was it a good date Jillybean?" Ty faced me and pulled me into his arms.

"Yes." I whispered, enjoying being close to him.

"Should we go and do something more earthly now?" He sounded amused as he nuzzled his chin on top of my head.

"Zytar! Look at what you are doing in the public eye." Terri called out aghast as she rushed out to us.

"We are not on Xyllenion." Ty said on a sigh.

"Look I'm fine with you touching inside the house but this is too much. You should still respect our customs." Terri sounded frustrated but I could detect a hint of jealousy in her voice.

"Terrilian that is enough." Ty switched to his Xicnon language as he tucked me closer to him.

"That is not allowed!" Terri stared at our embrace.

"We are on earth where this is completely normal." Ty snapped back.

"I know." Terri's shoulders slumped. "I fear for you Zytar, you are forgetting our ways." She said softly before heading back into their home.

"What if she's right?" I said into the silence that overtook us then. "What if I'm corrupting you with my life?" I finished thoughtfully and Ty snorted.

"I'm simply adapting to my new life, that's all." Ty assured me.

"But soon you're going home." My voice was stark as I tried to pull away from him.

He looked at me firmly and clasped my hand before I could back any further away. His other hand came to tip my chin up so I had to look in his eyes. He appeared both resigned but still hopeful, his grey eyes warming my soul.

"I am leaving soon, I can't stop that. I haven't forgotten the Xyllenion way, like Terrilian thinks. I know what is allowed and what is not. You haven't corrupted me Jillybean, you couldn't even if you tried. I am perhaps being a little earthly in the way I'm acting but right now, I don't care." He told me before leaning in to gently kiss my lips.

"Okay." I said rather dubiously.

"You have to understand that Terrilian is jealous of what we have. I'm sure if her Mamishxan was human then she would be doing exactly what I'm doing." He told me with a soft smile.