Gods and Guardians

Chapter 31: The King's Resolve

'I feel like I've known you all my life,' Nimrod was saying.

Gayna cupped his cheek in one hand. Then she withdrew the hand slowly. 'I don't feel the same,' she shook her head, uncompromising her gaze. 'I still don't believe you are real.'

She touched his cheek again. This time, she lingered longer. The starry night sky loomed enviously, twinkling through many eyes. The moon was bright, pampering the night with benign softness. Crickets chirped far away, their songs remarkably near and far all at the same time.

The inn courtyard was layered in carpet grasses squared with flowers colourless under the moon's light. The bench was made of concrete. Its edges were framed with silver strips. Lights spied the court from the four sides as yellow flames or white beams that interacted with the moon's rays.

Gayna's face was pale with the light. She could see his eyes as they reflected the golden lights peeking from a few windows. The warmth was uncharacteristic of her saucy self as Nimrod was made to believe. This new peace was immense, almost unsettling, but real and strong. She has felt it before... in her daydreams... in paltry rations. It was wise not to hope for some things. Nimrod was one of them, and she never truly knew until now. But not hoping for him didn't mean hopelessness, she caught herself. He wasn't real. Dreams don't come true.

'You'll be back in Zainox one day... soon and I'll be here. How is this different from a dream?'

Nimrod dropped his head.

'...and I'll be here all alone... you know...' her voice trailed off.

'It's too early to talk about Zainox,' Nimrod said.

'I don't know. Are you not betrothed?' she asked surprisingly.

Nimrod saw the irony. He thought she was betrothed earlier yesterday. He shook his head. 'Nope. I practically do what I want. Betrothals are not very common in Zainox.'

'What does it even matter? Soon, you'll be gone and I'll be forgotten. I've never loved anyone this suddenly. I'm afraid—'

'Don't be, Gayna. I'll never leave you.'

'You are not going back to Zainox?'

The separation of the Islands felt more galling now than ever, now that the disunity of the kingdoms was bearing directly on his happiness. 'Gayna, there's nothing I won't do for you. I will never let the division come between us.'

She was silent for a while. Nimrod pulled her closer and she leaned on his shoulder.

Her eyes glimmered. 'Ours is fated to be a difficult one.'

'It doesn't matter,' Nimrod said with a resolve.

And they both stared at the sky for an eternity.

'How about your friend?' she asked suddenly.

'Oh, Damian. He is well. He had little flesh wounds, nothing serious.'

She wore a smouldering smile now. 'I'm grateful it wasn't you.' Then she jerked her head and faced him. 'Would you have been able to beat Palimus?'

Nimrod saw the look in her eyes. 'I have never given it a thought. Myself and Damian duel very often.'

'Do you often beat him?' she asked with marked interest.

'Damian has always been a difficult one to beat. He always finds a way. Even when I think I have defeated him. That bastard...'

She snickered. 'You two are very close, right?'

'I have two elder brothers and an elder sister. Yet I feel like Damian is the only brother I have.'

She sighed. 'That is so sweet. I bet he sees you the same way.'