Without Words, Without Sight

33: A Peaceful Night

Why does the last time we were alone like this feel so far away?

"Hm, indeed", agreed Iris and sipped on her wine some more. She had quickly changed into her more comfortable night gown and was now sitting on the carpet by the fire, back tucked to the chest of her beloved. She could feel his heart and the softly rippling waves of warmth slowly engulfing her in this impenetrable sense of stillness he radiated. His breath in her neck, so much warmer still than the fire's blazes.

"I wonder if other people do something like this every day."

Less busy people, you mean?

"Mhm." A smile drenched in wine.

If we could do this everyday, it wouldn't be as precious, don't you think?, breathed Nyx and pressed Iris' hand against his lips. She answered with a giggle and put her glass aside.

"Those are wise words", she remarked and turned to him more. "If only my heart would ever listen."

Mine is stone deaf as well, came his chuckle.

Iris let hear another snicker and met Nyx' eyes with her newly found precision that almost made forget she could not actually see the fiery red that now glowed inside them. How well her face fit inside the palm of his hand. As if they had been made to.

Your smile has not changed, he remarked. In spite of everything that has.

"Some things are taken from us so that new things may arrive. The Master brought this to my attention."

Softly, Nyx closed his fingers around her head.

Can you see me now?

A determined nod.

"As clearly as I can hear you", she grinned proudly.

So?

"Hm?"

What do you think?

"Oh!", laughed Iris and pressed his palm against her temple. "You are everything I had imagined. All the praise I have heard, it was not said too much", she whispered with a dreamy expression and took his face in her hands. "Beautiful. Like a river."

A river.

"Strong although silent, as beautiful and soothing as you are awe-inspiring, nourishing and threatening at the same time."

Instead of coming up with words to return, Nyx tilted his head a little and let the blue of her eyes draw him in deeper.

"But no, that comparison is lacking. This warm light on the shadows in my heart...", she sighed. "My mother... She used to compare me to the moon. But the moon is an idle thing, and its light only borrowed", she continued and let her hands sink. "I cannot remain like this. I must become a sun like you, shining for my own reason, casting light onto my own darkness."

Hm.

"What?"

There I was, thinking I'd try and fish for a little compliment, Nyx laughed and pulled her down on the carpet with him.

"A--oh."

You are certainly not wrong, he explained as his fingers followed her curves from the waist down to her knee and back again. And I admire your determination, but these things need time. You do not need to rush. See the tournament as another step on the way.

"I will", Iris nodded, and after a moment found her smile again. "In order to stay by my handsome husband's side, I want to give it my best."

Thank you, a wide grin at the words finally received. They do not know what kind of treasure they threw away.

She looked into his eyes as he leaned in closer.

"I will console myself thinking that at the end of this dark forest path, I have found kindness. And love", she smiled. "And a heart so much bigger than expected." Under her hand now placed onto the middle of his chest, Nyx' muscles relaxed to let her feel his heart underneath.

It is yours entirely.

Nyx closed his eyes. He felt velveteen warmth streaming from her lips, then an accelerating pounding from under the much hotter skin of her throat. Her breathing followed in its pace as his fingers set out to shove up her skirt and expose her legs.

"W-wait", she exhaled and stopped his hand on her belly. "Won't you explain a bit?"

About what?, his voice resounded in her head while his breath trickled onto her collarbone and sank into her chest.

"The tournament", Iris specified.

I don't need my lips for that, Nyx insisted and placed his next kiss on the spot right above her jumping heart.

She broke into laughter. "Nyx, please!", she giggled and wrapped her arms around his stubborn head. A reluctant growl shook up her body.

Hmph. Fine.

"Thank you!", she cackled.

What do you want to know, he asked not without a hint of sulk and made himself comfortable by curling up around her body, adding his heat to the fire's.

"I hear there is no set number of rounds", Iris remarked. She had found a strand of Nyx' hair on her shoulder and compared it to her own by rubbing them between her fingertips.

They depend on the number of contestants, that's right.

"How many are there?"

Sometimes five.

"Oh...."

Sometimes more than a hundred.

"Huh?"

They come from all parts of the country, even beyond.

"Beyond? Does that include humans?"

It's rare, but yes.

Her first time seeing a real human! Iris could feel her heart take up a little speed.

"All of them will compete for a chance at a fight with you", she continued in a conclusive tone.

I remember one tournament where I had to wait for seven days to finally get in the ring, Nyx sighed, sounding annoyed. He put on a rather good fight, but it was hardly worth all the waiting.

Iris knew all too well, but she still found it hard to believe that the same man who was keeping her warm at this very moment should have such a violent side to him.

"And women are participating as well, correct?"

Our only measure is physical ability. As long as you have it, you're in.

"I see", grinned Iris."But", she continued in a more serious manner and sat up, reaching for her wine. Her fingers followed the smooth, perfectly round form of the cool glass while Nyx' eyes remained glued to her lips.

"What about fights to the death?" Her own words sent chills down her spine.

Nyx reached out to grab her hand on the carpet and squeezed it gently.

The choice of weapons, as well as that of a fight over life and death, is up to the contestant who challenges the king. It is their right to thus compete for kingship. Should the king prove to be weaker, the tournament culminates in a coronation. It's the reason why it lures so many spectators, and the reason why many contestants find it worth risking their very lives.

Iris nodded and gulped down a mouthful.

"How many times...?"

I never counted them, Nyx anticipated her question and sat up as well. I had no reason to – no one has ever posed a real threat to me.

He observed her hair follow the movement of her shaking head.

"I did not mean to doubt your strength. It is just... A complicated emotion. I cannot help but fear for you."

Nyx gave no answer and instead hugged her close from behind.

"Promise me that you will return to my side safely."

As I always have. You have my word.