The Ice Crystal (Published)

Chapter 33

I follow Myriani down the path we came up the night before. The clouds aren't clouds after all; just steam coming off the hot springs. No wonder it's so warm up here. Here I thought the mountains were above the clouds. Guess I was wrong. The steam is warm enough to take off the chill, but as I continue to follow her, the air gets warmer.

"My people have used the hot springs on this mountain to relax and settle their minds." She tells me, "They are also used to warm you up. You may not know it, but this entire mountain chain is one large volcano that is dormant. I've only seen it erupt once in my life and that was 1500 years ago I think. That's what created this hot springs and the clearing we stayed in last night. I don't think the volcano will erupt ever again, but the hot springs will hopefully stay around for some time."

"This place is great!" I say in amazement, "I will surely visit this place again in the future! I hope you'll still be at my side when I do!"

"I will always be at your side." She turns to me as I am getting undressed, but quickly turns around with her face blushing.

"You alright over there?" I laugh, "I'm just getting undressed to wash my clothes and relax."

"I know." She sighs and then mutters something under her breath, "Mother give me courage please."

"What was that?" I ask dunking my clothes into the pool and scrub the blood off.

"Nothing!" She says quickly, "I'll go over to this pool and wash off.

I don't know what's wrong with her, but she's acting odd, well odder than usual. I continue to wash my clothes and then inspect them to make sure that the blood is completely off. I set them up on an overhang to dry and then take off my underclothes and wash them. I do the same thing to them and hang them beside my shirt and pants. I walk over to where Myriani is at and settle down into the pool. It's so warm! It's taking the coldness right out of me.

"You know what Myriani?" I ask her.

"What?" She looks at me.

"I could really get used to this." I sigh and go deeper into the water and stop as it reaches my chin.

"Rias?" Myriani comes over and sits next to me, "What do you plan on doing after all this is over?"

"If we defeat my father," I look in her eyes, "I really don't know. I don't have a home anymore and my family will be all gone. I want to continue helping people around the world even if the chaos is gone. People will still need help no matter what. I don't want any children ending up like I did."

"Maybe you can help me first." She looks away blushing.

She really is acting odd. Why's she blushing all of a sudden? It's got to be from the heat. I myself am getting a red face from the heat, but is that what's wrong with her.

"What can I possibly do for the queen of the elves?" I smile, "You have everything."

"You're wrong." She turns back to me shaking her head, "I don't have one thing..."

"What's that?" I ask.

"Well...it's... I um..." She looks around before scooting closer to me. She grabs my hand from under the water and unexpectedly kiss me on the lips. I'm so surprised and don't know what to think. She keeps kissing me for a few moments and then backs away blushing.

"I'm soooo sorry!" She says closing her eyes, "I just needed to know something!"

"I-" I'm still surprised.

"I know that Thoron just died and all," She goes on, "but I needed to heal your broken heart! Please Rias stay with me!"

"I need some time to process this." I look around blindly and get out of the water and put my clothes back on. Their still wet, but I need to think about this. I climb up onto the overhang and sit down. I know that Thoron just died, but I do need to move on, but is this the right path? I would like to have children that can grow up in a world free of war and corruption, but that can't be possible if I get together with Myriani. I bite my bottom lip in frustration. Aargh! What to do? If I say no, then Myriani's spirit will be crushed. If I do get together with her, then she'll be happy and so will I, but I won't be able to have children.

If your heart wants it, then you should go after it. The Goddess's voice rings through my head, You and Thoron were never meant to be together no matter how much you loved each other. I know that you would like to pass on your legacy, but that isn't possible. You are the last of my children that will ever be born with my powers. In the last couple days, you have grown further and further from Thoron. Even if he's dead, you still grow apart. You've spent more time with Myriani and will be much happier with her. I'm not against this. I know you too have feelings for her.

It's true, but I thought that was just out of respect for the young queen. I do want to live with her and her people, but as a regular person. I have been growing closer to Myriani even when Thoron and I were together. Maybe I do have feelings for her and I've been blind all this time. Blinded by my destiny and the fate of the world.

I look down at Myrini who seems lost in thought. I don't want her to think what she did was wrong. I jump down from the overhang and head over to her. I look down into her bright green eyes and get down onto all fours. I cup her flushed face in my hands and then we kiss.

"Rias." She whispers, "You do love me."

"Always." I whisper back, "I've been blinded all this time. I'm sorry that I haven't noticed before."

"You're fine." She says getting out of the hot springs, "I believe there's a world that needs to be saved."

She starts heading back up the mountain giggling and laughing.

"Um don't you need your clothes." I chuckle, "It'll be cold heading down the mountain."

"I can't believe I forgot my clothes!" She runs back laughing, "I'm just so happy right now!"

I'm sure you are. I'm sure you are. You've replaced what was lost and I will make sure that nothing ever happens to you! Even if it takes my life!