What Little Worlds

Thirty-Four

THIS IS A BIG CHAPTER!! I'm so excited to finally publish it :)

After a pleasantly nostalgic work day on Monday, Amelie walked out of the warmth of her building into the wall of chilly air outside. She immedaitely buried her head in her scarf and wrapped her arms around herself. When she turned and started walking in the direction of the t stop when she heard a throat clear behind her.

Fear gripped her heart and she tensed her muscles as she turned around, thinking of ways she could flee from The Grey Man.

It was not the Grey Man.

It was Adrien. And despite everything that had been going on, despite her revelation this weekend, her heart leapt in her chest and tingles broke out on her skin. "Adrien," she squealed and ran towards him. His arms wrapped around her waist as he lifted her into a bone-crushing hug.

His face came up to her neck and she felt him inhale. It tickled her skin and goosebumps appeared. "I missed your smell," he said, and kissed her neck. Her face warmed. She leaned back and found his lips with her own.

"I missed you," she said, and the words surprised her. How could her feelings towards this man be so complicated? There was no lie in her words when she said she missed him. But the feelings of frustration and of fear she had felt anticipating their meeting today were genuine as well.

She had planned on talking to him tonight about slowing things down, but holding him in her arms just felt so good, maybe it was not the right moment. Maybe being away from him had made her too critical of their relationship.

They walked home arm in arm and spent the night in their blissful bubble of love. The same safe little world that they had kept as children.

That night, as they lay in bed after making love, Adrien traced small circles up and down her arms, drawing goosebumps up once again.

"How was home?" she asked gently. She had been itching to ask about Moore all night, but was too weary that he would shut her down when he saw her excitement.

"Oh it was so wonderful to go back. My mom is doing well. Right now all the Night Blossom Trees are in bloom in Moore, so the Realms rolling hills are stunning," he said. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"You never told me that Moore had hills, or special flowers. Are there any pictures?" Amelie whispered. A ball was rising in her throat just thinking about what Night Blossom Tree may look like.

"No no. Elves value experiencing the moment, so photographs and recordings are not something that we collect. I'll just have to show you one day," he said.

Amelie was silent, then "When will that be Adrien?" He stiffened. "You left me behind this time—"

"It wasn't safe for you to go with me," he cut her off.

"Wasn't safe...right," she laughed and sat up. "Why do you get to decide what isn't safe for me? I understand that you know the Realms better than I do, but I deserve to see my people and learn about where I come from."

"I know I know and you will, just not yet. It's too dangerous right now."

"How is it too dangerous? From what you've told me, the Realms sound safer than the human world. There is less prejudice and less hunger, less wars, less violence. Why?" she pleaded.

"It's just not. It won't be safe until we know where you come from. There are political issues you just can't understand right now—."

"That I can't understand or that you don't want me to understand? Is that it? Do you think I can't take it?" she demanded.