Starbird (UNDER MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter 5

Odette pov

"You can sew me with naeri. It works." I slowly spin a thread of naeri behind my back, an herb Valenians use to sew clothing and wounds. I hand it to Jorgen, and he threads the needle. I close my eyes as I feel him sew me closed, blocking out the pain. I hear him whisper to me,

"Odette, my liebling, stay with me." Liebling... I think, I have never had anyone ever call me their liebling, or any other endearment, except my parents. Does he love me?I wonder. I feel Jorgen's arms wrap around me, lifting me into a sitting position. A wave of emotion comes over me, and I open my eyes to see Jorgen's lips, pursed together in concern. Concern for me. I have a sudden urge to make those lips smile, so I lift my left hand and touch his lips before I can stop myself. Jorgen smiles, and I do too, relaxing my neck until my head hits his chest. I feel Jorgen's lips meet the top of my head, and I hear him whisper, "My swan." I smile and whisper,

"My prince." Jorgen pulls me onto his lap, gently stroking my newly sewn-up shoulder. I curl into him, relishing the warmth of his muscular chest. My father never held me this way after I turned ten. My father. I am hit with a pang of homesickness, and double over, my hair draping around me. When did my hair come unbraided? "Jorgen, did you unbraid my hair?" He blushes, obviously thinking it improper. "It's all right, I just didn't know. What are this world's customs when it comes to situations like ours?"

"What?" Jorgen asks. Oh, right, he doesn't know that I'm a Star Maiden. Or rather, was. "World's?" I blush, upset at my slip-up.

"I-I meant culture's."

"Well, since I have no idea where you came from and you change into a swan whenever you want, I would say that the protocol would be that I would marry you when this is all over."

"Marry me?" I smile, the wave of emotions coming over me. My gaze darts to his lips, and I watch them move as he says,

"Yes."

Jorgen pov:

I watch as she smiles, and her eyes come up to meet mine. I grin at her, and my eyes travel to her lips. They part as she breathes, and I lean towards her upturned face. She stretches up to me, and our lips meet. Her lips taste of an otherworldly flower, and she melts into me, her breath coming fast and shallow. She pulls away, and her eyes meet mine. The message in them is clear. I lean towards her again, and she wraps her good arm around my neck, holding me. She kisses me, not holding anything back. Of course, she wouldn't know to, being from Mother-Annalia-knows-where. I pull away, and she smiles up at me, and relaxes into my chest. I wrap my arms around her waist, where they fit perfectly. Odette stiffens suddenly, and I feel her go limp in my arms. Probably a shot of pain from her shoulder, the poor girl. I slip her off my lap and into the bed, my bed. I didn't know where else to put her, and it seemed all right, considering that it was I who shot her.