The Heart & The Heir

Chapter 10

Rhycilla's screams filled Azkin's ears as Günter's profanities quickly faded away. Cýron soared ever higher into the sky. Rhycilla clung to Azkin, burying her face in the folds of his cloak. "It's alright, Cilla, you can look."

"No!" she cried, wrapping her arms even tighter about his waist. Laughing, Azkin patted Cýron's neck. "Take us down." With a small snort, Cýron folded his wings upon themselves, turned his nose toward the ground, diving for the earth, taking Rhycilla and Azkin along for the ride.

Azkin felt the air rush from his lungs as butterflies battled in his stomach. The feeling lasted only a moment or two, before Cýron flapped his wings, slowing their descent. With one last mighty flap of his massive wings, he set down on the sandy shoulder of a riverbank.

"It's alright, Cilla. You can let go now." The seconds ticked by. Rhycilla remained motionless on Cýron's back, her grip around Azkin resolute.

Eventually, even Cýron grew impatient, turning his head back, nudging Rycilla gently with his snout. Gradually, the tension seeped from her body. Her death grip around Azkin's middle loosened, and she braved a peek at their surroundings.

"Cilla?"

"Don't," she snapped, tossing her leg back over Cýron's back to slide down his smooth scales. Her feet landed with a dull thud in the sand. "Don't Cilla me. And don't ever do that to me again. I'm an elf. My feet are supposed to stay on the ground. I'm not the heir, you are. You fly, I walk," she shouted, crossing her arms in front of her.

"You know, you're cute when you're yelling at me."

"Azkin!" She stomped her foot into the soft riverbank, trying to make a point. "I mean it. That was terrifying. If I never fly again, it'll be too soon."

Azkin hopped off Cýron's back, his feet landing soundlessly in the sand. In two strides, he was by her side. Prying her hand free, he took it in his, meeting her gaze said, "I'm sorry."

It wasn't until he cupped her face with his free hand, her angry resolve cracked. "I promise, I won't ever make you do something you don't want to." Without a word, Rhycilla stepped forward, melting into Azkin's embrace.

They stood there on the shore of the riverbank, embracing each other, listening to the sounds of the forest around them; happy to be together, alive, and free. "Better?" Azkin murmured into Rhycilla's hair. Before she could answer, a massive deluge of water encompassed them, nearly washing their feet out from under them. The pair turned toward the source to find Cýron, half submerged in the water, his tail lazily flicking from side to side in the current. A wheezy sound escaping between his teeth.

"If I didn't know better, I'd swear he was laughing," Rhycilla said, shooting a glance back at Azkin.

"That's because he is," Azkin confirmed, running a hand over his face, smothering his grin.

"So, it turns out that creature of yours has a genuine sense of humour."

With a sigh, Azkin turned his complete attention to Rhycilla. He reached out, gently cupping her small face in his hand. She stiffened at the contact before relaxing and leaning into his touch. Her own small hand holding his in place. "Cilla," Azkin said, his throat bobbing. "There was a moment back there. I was scared."

"Azkin, Scilari's gone."

"No, Cilla, not of him," Azkin said, tracing his thumb over her bottom lip. "My entire life, I've been on my own, never needing or wanting anyone, until I met you." His eyes drifted over her face, coming to rest on her mouth. "Today, I was afraid of losing you."

Before Rhycilla could form an answer, Azkin's lips came crashing down on hers. Not the timid nervous affections of a boy, but that of an elf who knew what he wanted.