Of Thorns and Glamour

You're Mine

I disappear in a flash and escape until I'm flying in the sky, and soon to the edge of town. Caleb glides quietly next to me, "You found it. Didn't you?" I nod, but he smiles widely.

"Aster helped me," I tell him but then remember the little red head, "is Lyra alright?"

He looks at me with wide eyes, "You can speak again?"

"Yes, I gained it back after my soul shard connected to me," I smile at him.

He smiles widely but remembers my question, "Lyra is safe back with Oberon." I was glad to hear that as I had left her to fend for herself with Inchiki. He makes a loop in the air excitedly, his wings buzzing loudly, "I have so many questions, and so much to tell you." I see him look at me with longing, "I've missed you my goddess. There wasn't a moment I didn't think about you." I could tell he still loved me.

I smile but it doesn't reach my eyes, "Can you find Aster. I think I might had hurt her by accident," I request from him.

He agrees to my requests and tells me to wait in the forest. I do, but I make myself put away my horns and wings. At least being naked won't cause someone to attack me immediately. I wait for some time, but then I feel a knife against my throat.

"Found you."

It was Kiev's voice, and he chuckles, pulling the knife away. "What are you doing out here naked?" he asks me with his hands on his hips. He smirks at me and I smile at seeing him and remembering this little crow.

I calm my fast beating heart and blush red as he eyes my body. I realize I'm still covered in blood from eating flesh earlier and my stomach rolls with nausea. I cover myself with my hair that goes past my hips. I really needed a hair cut.

"Waiting," I tell him finally as he stares me down.

He shakes his head before pulling his tunic off carefully. It has a tie around the back and openings for wings. It is much bigger than me and covers me to my hips. "So you can sing again, little pigeon," he teases, and sits down across from me on the ground. "You gave us a run for our money. Must had been Inchiki's fault as he kept the trail off you. I don't know why he tends to always go rogue. Malphas is furious." I didn't really care what Malphas thought though, I was still mad.

"You won't take me back to Malphas," I tell him, and he raises his eyebrows.

"Wasn't planning on it, I can take you home though." I didn't trust him, and I shake my head. He shrugs, "So who are you waiting for then? Inchiki?" I nod my head. "Is there a reason you don't want to wait for him at home." I look away and hold my knee but I don't say anything.

Kiev is quiet for some time as he sits on the ground in front of me and looks at the sky. Finally he breaks the silence, "You were so beautiful that night." I look over at him as he reminisces on a memory, "It was worth the beating I was gifted from Malphas when you gave birth to that fledgling." He leans over and raises an eyebrow at me with a smirk, "Too bad he turned out a spoiled brat." I must had made a face as he laughs holding up his hands. "He just has his own issues, but he's a lot like you. I've been helping with raising him right. I see him like he's my own son."

"Malphas beat you?" He smiles and winces, "Why?"

"He thought that I forced you to have sex with me because of the situation." I didn't know how to feel about it, but I remember having sex with Kiev before that. "He doesn't care if you and I have sex he just doesn't want someone to hurt you. I don't blame him for it, and I would honestly do the same if I was in his position."

Malphas did care for me, in some way, and maybe I would forgive him. I wouldn't want Nuir taking over me either, "Malphas tried ripping out my heart."

Kiev stands up, "Why -" he stops, "when?"