➽Chapter Nine

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Onyx didn't remember when she woke up

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Onyx didn't remember when she woke up. Memories of her eyes fluttering open or the strained groan that left her lips disappeared from her mind as she stirred awake.

She didn't even remember how or when she got back into the quiet comfort of her hut. All she remembered were the worried eyes Lucien and Rheynoak staring down at her, sparkling underneath the darling sun.

"Onyx." Rheynoak seemed to breathe her name once as the Siphon fully opened her eyes, frowning at a headache that pounded in her skull and the pain that rattled her bones. Her throat was dry from screaming, her voice barely a whisper when she uttered back, "I'm alive."

"You're alive" the tribe leader repeated the words, reaching forward to tuck a strand of misplaced hair behind her ears. She shuddered at his touch, her gaze moving over to Lucien who simply bowed his head, blue eyes glaring at her from underneath his thick lashes.

Smiling at her love, the Mind Siphon sighed, finally breathing in the fine, crisp air that blew through the window. It filled her lungs with an intoxicating feeling as if she'd finally realized what a treasure life truly was. Tears glistened in her eyes, her fingers shaking as she ran her fingers through her hair.

"I-I'm alive" she repeated again, the only words that seemed to fall out of her lips. Her lips struggled to smile, the beating pulse of her heart smashing against the bones of her ribcage. Her mind was turning and tossing, scattered everywhere that she did not realize the warm comfort of the tribe leader's arms around her waist.

She did not even process when he slid his hands up her waist and cupped her face, pulling her into his chest. The brief waft of his scent hit her nose, burning wood and fresh pine forest before she was engulfed in the feverish, long kiss he placed on her lips.

Not knowing what else to do, she cupped his face in her hands tracing the outline of his jaw as she kissed him deeply. Her blood started to sizzle, her cheeks burning bright and her heart aching despite the mess her head was in. Sparks lit her up, the feeling of his arms around her calming.

"I've missed you with each passing second" Rheynoak expressed against her lips as they parted, their forehead meeting. His voice cracked within his own words, his fingers stroking her shoulder gently. Softly, he placed a kiss on her forehead, holding her tightly.

Onyx could only sob, cupping his face again. "I'm happy to be back" she uttered, licking her chapped lips. "I'm happy to be here with you." A smile twitched at the tribe leader's lips, a happy sigh escaping his mouth.

The two stayed entangled within each other for a bit longer, the Mind Siphon gathering her breaths in shallow sighs. Shaky hands clutched onto the collar of his shirt, her watery eyes lingering over to his right-hand man who sat silently on her bed, a charismatic smile on her face.

"How long was I out?" Onyx asked as they pulled away, his thumb stroking her cheek. Rheynoak hesitated to answer, shaking his head as she questioned him with a glare.

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