The Ruler's Rift

Crack in the Root

Guilt replaced anger, like a butterfly from a caterpillar. Celeste apologized to Lucy profusely for her outbursts, and they snuggled into the morning. The couple enjoyed their final day to its fullest. As the sky fell into the throes of orange and purple, they hiked to their room and began packing after a shower.

Celeste zipped her luggage and hugged her precious lover, stroking her ears and watching her tail thump. "How are you holding up, Lucy?"

"Well, I didn't sleep at all last night, especially with my brother being a maniac," Lucy snarked.

Celeste turned her eyes to the deep gash in Lucy's wrist. It'd begun scabbing, but its sweet scent lingered. The sorceress took the malamute's hand. "I'm not going to let him hurt you again," she whispered.

"I know," Lucy hummed. She smiled that adorable, soft smile. "And I know I got upset about the magic thing, but I love how protective you are, Cel."

"The greatest treasures deserve the best protection."

"Yeah...but maybe you didn't have to yell at that kid today?"

Celeste turned her nose up and crossed her arms. "He called you 'buppy' and grabbed your tail. What was I supposed to do?" Her eyebrows twitched. "Little brat's lucky I didn't punt him into the ocean."

"Cel!" Lucy's tone screamed disgust but her smirk showed amusement.

"Yes?"

"You're too much," the insomniac chuckled.

"Not too much for you," hummed Celeste. She took Lucy's chin and kissed her gently. "Now let's go. We'll miss our flight if you stand around here admiring me for too long." She toted the luggage at her side and walked into the hallway.

She nearly heard the creak of tired eyes rolling and the bending of a smirk. "Oh, of course," Lucy giggled and followed.

On the crowded, quiet ship, Lucy nuzzled Celeste for dear life. Eventually, the metal cradle crept into Sharcandia's atmosphere, dyed deep blue and illuminated by the moon. Despite the Mystearlian's wishes, her girlfriend hadn't rested for one minute of the long space travel.

Celeste happily took the burden of their luggage and she wrapped her free arm around Lucy's waist. With a weak grip, the sharcanid held one of Celeste's horns like a safety rail. As one, they exited the metal shell and trekked familiar soil. "Let's get you into bed. It'll be okay," Celeste soothed as she helped Lucy into her own home.

"I'm trying..." Whimpered the reply. Lucy blinked out tears. "I know you think I'm a burden but I'm trying."

"You are nothing but a blessing." Celeste heaved Lucy into a piggyback where the insomniac gripped the pair of bony horns. As promised, Celeste carried the malamute to the bedroom and tucked her in.

With her claws, the demon softly scratched behind her lover's ears before turning to the bathroom. "I'll be right back," she said.

"Cel, please stay next to me..."

Brushing her teeth could wait. Celeste settled onto the bedside, still dressed. She wrapped Lucy in her cloak and held her as she cried. Her delicate form, ravaged by the claws of insomnia, heaved and wheezed against her demonic protector. Each ragged breath quickened and dampened with fear and sorrow.

"Oh, Lucy...it'll be okay. Try to calm down," Celeste hummed. Drops of rain tapped at the window. Sharcandia needed to cry as well, it seemed.

"I'm so tired; I'm so fucking tired," Lucy raged into Celeste's chest. "It doesn't matter, though. I'll just lay here tired. I can't sleep!"