Infinite

Chapter 6 - Dreams, Nightmares and Daylight

Floating down into the darkness, Elixa landed on soft ground. Feeling around it felt fuzzy, almost grass like, although she could not see it through the darkness around her. In the distance a soft glow appeared and weaved its way towards her. As it came into view she could make out a brick doorway. No, not a doorway.

The glowing light came from a fireplace made from the darkest brickface. It's warmth spread through her quickly as its light pushed back the darkness. The soft grassy ground was not grass at all, but came from a soft fur-like carpet. Then shock spread through her.

Naked. She was completely naked. She suddenly felt the carpet against all of her body. Her shock subsided as she sank into the fur, the delicate touch of it against her skin. Glad that she was alone in this place, she lavished in the feelings of warmth and cloud like floor. Alone is good. Her day had been too rough and long. A sigh escaped her lips and she lay on her back and lost herself in her thoughts, only to have them broken by a soft voice.

"Relaxed, my lady?"

A short scream erupted inside her head as she sat straight up, scanning the space around her quickly. Who is that? Where were they a moment ago?! Naked...NAKED!

A hushing sound came from behind her as she felt strong arms fold around her. Angered that her space was invaded she kicked out, knocking over her assailant and escaping his embrace. Rolling further backwards she pulled up the edge of the carpet around herself, which appeared to be more of a blanket.

Tears of anger and shame welled up in her eyes. Her eyes locked onto the man correcting his position in front of her. Dusty blonde hair gave way to stormy grey eyes, filled with confusion.

"Ze-Zephyr?" What was he doing here? Wherever here was.

"I did not mean to startle you" came his soft reply as the confusion left his eyes and a new emotion filled them, though Elixa was unsure of the exact feeling.

"You-I mean. I did not expect anyone else to be here." This had to be a dream. It just had to. Why would you be so horrid to me, mind?

"No it is my fault. Better announce myself next time."

"No, don't." What? Did those words just escape her lips? Damned dream.

The covers she had pulled up around herself slowly dropped to her curled up legs. Zephyr's eyes never broke from hers though, as much as she suddenly wished they would. She wanted him to want her, like she wanted him. Explore me dammit.

Her eyes widened at her own thoughts. This had better be a dream. Though, if it were real, how much would she change?

"Fine by me" Zephyr replied calmly. He held out his hand for her. Reaching for it, she suddenly got whipped into his arms in a tight embrace. His chest was bare and she cold feel every detail of it against her own. The strength he carried was evident yet his hold was gentle, gentler than she had wished it to be.

He loosened the grip just enough to look at her. Her heart raced suddenly, pounding hard enough in her chest that she was sure he felt it as well. A smile from him sent her drifting, like her soul was leaving her body, then she did it, what she had wanted to the entire evening she spent speaking to him, watching him move items around Alex's place.

Her hand squeezed up between them and she gently ran a finger across his lips, spreading his smile even further. Biting her lip, she moved up towards them, closing the gap between their chests again. Tenderly she kissed him. The warmth that spread through her trumped the heat from the fire as her blood boiled. She felt his hand move to the small of her back and his other to the back of her neck. Shivers.

Her fingers ran through his hair, which oddly felt like the blanket beneath them. She had never realised how long his hair was till now. How terribly long it was. Opening her eyes she jumped back quickly. Where Zephyr was before was now a wolf. Still seated as he was, its yellow eyes opened slowly as it stared at her.

A gruff sound surrounded her. It was a growl, of pain and irritation. The wolf looked down at itself and started backing away on all fours while shaking its head. The growls grew more intense, more agitated.

"Zephyr?" The question came from her. The wolf looked up for an instant, showing a haunting pain deep in its eyes, then it was gone. There was nothing but Elixa, the darkness around her, and the flame in the fireplace which was slowly dying. Growing cold, she crawled towards the dying warmth, a million questions following her in the darkness. The fire quickly turned to ash, a grey similar to the eyes she saw before the yellow.

She felt herself being lifted, towards the grey. The warmth slowly returned to her. The fireplace blinked. Confused she shook her head, and it no longer felt weightless. Shaking it again, she opened her eyes, and Zephyr was looking back at her.

"Are you okay? You were mumbling in your sleep, and I think you bit your lip open."

She sat upright. The warmth was the sun baking down on her from an open curtain. What was the time? Licking her lip, where she was biting it in her dream moments before, she tasted iron.

"I-was just having a vivid dream" A very vivid one.

Zephyr smiled, and she was glad it was not filled with sharp teeth. "Come, I have made breakfast," he said before quickly standing and moving towards the kitchen.

Elixa sighed, glad to be awake. Sinking into the makeshift  bed for a moment, she felt the soft blanket against her and remembered the good part of her dream. Her smile, however, did not last. She felt too much of the blanket. Wide-eyed, she looked under the covers only to see her clothes seemingly kicked to the bottom of the blanket. What and how had to wait for now.

"I will be there now!" Urgh, stupid dreams. Hurriedly and attempting stealth, she crawled into what decent clothes from her feet and leapt to her feet, ready to start embarrassing day number two.