Devotion

Chapter 41

 Aurora

The wave surged through the city, relentless and unstoppable, trailing behind us. Miraculously, it harmed no one, yet it pulled us back toward the lake, gathering the essence of the people in its watery embrace.

Erix pushed himself to run faster, but you can never outrun nature. The wave lifted us, dragging us back to its source, where it began forming figures from the water—figures that seemed hauntingly familiar.

Confusion enveloped me as I clung to Erix, feeling the heat rising in his face, the tension palpable. The water beings approached, their stern faces and high cheekbones striking a chord deep within me. I knew them from somewhere, but where?

Erix's heart raced, and he pulled me closer, his protective instincts flaring. "Who are you?" I whispered, locking eyes with the closest figure. He reached out, but Erix grasped his arm, only to find he couldn't touch him.

The man patted my head, his warmth a surprising comfort. As our eyes met, something shifted within me. My eyes shimmered with gold, glowing brightly, and in an instant, the water figures transformed into flesh and blood.

"Thank you, my little one," he rasped, turning to Erix with a knowing look. They shared a silent moment before the man laughed, patting Erix on the back.

"I didn't think you'd find amour this early in life, little one," he teased, returning to me with a gentle touch.

"Xenos! Stop doing that to our great-great-great-great granddaughter!" a beautiful woman interjected, her long black hair cascading over her slender shoulders.

My breath caught. Granddaughter? Amour? It clicked. Their portraits hung in my room, their faces etched into the fabric of my family's history.

"I— you—" I stammered as Xenos took my hand, his gaze softening. "We've been waiting to meet you, my little one." Erix remained tense, watching Xenos with wary eyes.

"H-how?" he finally managed, his voice steady despite the tumult of emotions swirling around us.

Xenos placed his hand over mine. "Katrina, look, aren't they a lovely match?"

As Katrina approached, she scrutinized Erix with curiosity. "Incredible! They found each other sooner than we anticipated. Princess Aurora and Prince Erix will fulfill their destinies soon."

Prince? My heart raced at the word.

"My little lotus flower, you have so much to learn," Katrina said, her smile radiant. "You brought us here. We've been waiting for centuries. Do you want to know everything? Then get us out of this lake." She turned and walked onto the deck, gesturing for the others to follow.

Royal subjects and workers? My mind spun. Xenos helped us up, intertwining our fingers as he led the way.

As we walked, I couldn't shake the disbelief. I thought they were long gone, part of the past taught in history books. Erix tightened his grip, and once we were out of sight from the others, he wrapped an arm around my waist, a warm smile on his face.

"Sugar," he began, his voice earnest, "I know when we first met, it was... rocky. But I can't stop thinking about you, wanting you. That day in the cave, I was drawn to you, but I didn't want to push you."

His words ignited a warmth within me. "I didn't think I could feel this way so quickly, especially now that I know you're my amour."

I gazed into his striking red eyes, feeling my cheeks flush. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear and leaned in, kissing him slowly, our connection deepening. It was rich and warm until Xenos's voice broke the moment.

"Finally gaining the courage to kiss her!" he teased, and we both pulled away, breathless and flushed.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Xenos turned, a mysterious smile on his lips. "You'll see, Lotus."