Only Human: Hide and Seek

Chapter 166: Lannister and June

Change of POV

"You're quiet." I said. My Amorita and I had been silently walking for the last twenty minutes through the tall grass just outside the outskirts of the woods. The moon, pregnant and bright, made the top of the bowed stalks gleam blue above the dark ground. The wind was still, so the grass only moved from our passing or a stray critter darting by. The balmy summer evening provided a shawl of warmth as we progressed.

June's vibrant honey eyes pulled away from the vast dark field before us and centered on me. Her chestnut hair was a dark brown in the lack of light, and her face slightly obscured in the shadows. She was wearing a dark pink sundress with maroon accents, but it mostly came across as brown. Evenings were peaceful, but I did miss taking in my destined one's beauty in the flattering sunlight.

"I'm sorry. I was thinking. I hope I'm not boring you." She said playing with her shoulder-length hair between her fingers.

"I'm not bored. I just know it isn't like you. Something wrong?" I asked gently. Normally at this point in the walk she would be excitedly sharing some story from the human continents, or eagerly listening to one of mine from Alturess.

"I don't want to ruin our night..." She stated uncertainly.

I chuckled and came to a stop waiting for June to stop and face me. "We have the rest of our lives to spend countless days and nights together in the most pleasant and memorable of ways. I think I can spare a night or two to ruin. Please ease your burden with me."

She hesitated and tried numerous times to say something, but the words never took form. I waited patiently, until she threw her head back in frustration. "I feel like all I've been doing lately is complain! I don't want you to see this side of me, Lannister! I promise I'm fun, flexible, and spontaneous. I really love life and all the wonders it gives." She desperately tried to assure me.

"But?" I prodded.

She released a pent-up breath and lowered her head in defeat. "I'm overwhelmed... again." She added frustrated.

"Well, what you are going through is overwhelming."

"Right?! And I am trying to make a new normal, yet once I think I've got everything figured out it just gets shaken up again." She sighed before turning and resuming our walk.

I stayed close beside her. "What's shaken it this time?" I asked.

June ran her hands through her hair and gripped it to the back of her head before taking a slow breath. "We managed to get the invitation to the musical showcase. Celine Lupine is invited to perform."

"Isn't that what you wanted? A chance to perform at the showcase to catch Eros's attention?"

She paused. "It was. I should be happy, thrilled even, but I never thought about what came next. What am I going to do after I connect with Eros? The werewolf royal family believes I'll start getting involved in things politically, and the vampire royal family believes I will save them from the Minister's wrath. But what can a single person do? Am I supposed to fight Geralt? Thwart his plans? Threaten him?" She clutched her arms and shrugged her shoulders up to her ears. "Kill him?" She whispered.

I came closer and lightly entwined one of her hands in mine. I pulled to unclench her and met her gaze. "Whatever it is you decide to do, you will never be alone. I will always be with you." I reminded.

I finally saw the corners of her mouth lift in a soft smile. "I know. I just wish I knew what the right thing to do was." She admitted.

I grabbed her other hand and pulled her to face me completely with her hands in mine. "Well, you said you were spontaneous. So let's do something spontaneous." I then shifted and lifted her to be straddling my back. June cried out and laughed surprised.