Blood of the Abyss

Blood of the Abyss Part 15

Chapter 15

The Celestial Path

Caspian

"Are we there yet?" I hollered.

"NO! And if you ask again, I am going to punch you in the face." Alwine yelled back from the front.

"Like you could reach!" I chuckled.

"Then I'll hit ya where it hurts, Cas." He chuckled darkly. I heard Lysandra try to stifle a laugh.

"Oh, you think his joke is funny?" I feigned offense.

"Well..." She trailed off.

"I mean I could easily make you walk."

"Please no! I'm sorry!" She laughed.

For the most part, the mood of the group had lightened a bit. The hike wasn't terrible yet, as we looped around trees and climbed along the cliffs. I was carrying Lysandra on my back now, as it was slightly easier than carrying her in front of me as we hiked. For the first time since the bay incident, we were relaxed. As we climbed further, I noticed the air getting increasingly colder.

"You okay, Lys?" I felt her shiver against my back.

"Just a little cold." I stopped and lowered her off of my back and took my gloves off and placed them on her small hands.

"Better?" She nodded softly. I bent and she clambered onto my back again. We continued hiking in momentary silence. I looked at the sky, scattered in wisp-like clouds, and took a deep breath.

"You okay, Cas?" Lysandra bent her head so her lips grazed my ear and her hair tickled my neck.

"Fine." I choked out, suddenly distracted by the closeness of her. "Just worried about what we might face next." I stared at the path ahead, suddenly more anxious.

"Well, we've handled everything else pretty well. I am sure whatever comes, we can deal with it too. We have no other choice." She grinned against my ear and planted a light kiss on the slight tip. I feel my cheeks start to burn, her heartbeat, the way her hair tickles my arm, how her light breaths distract me. How could such a girl care so much about me? I am nothing compared to her, I don't belong in her world or mine. I am not human nor am
I elvish, I never felt that I belonged with my father and my heart simply could not believe how I came to be here. I frowned and cast my glance to my feet. It just didn't make sense anymore. I couldn't fathom how someone as wonderful as Lysandra could become so important to me, just as I couldn't fathom the past three years with my father. Thinking back on it, there was just a big blank space before. My head started to throb as I tried to push past the invisible blockade in my mind. I closed my eyes for a second trying to ward off the ache. I continued walking and felt my foot catch on something. I landed on the ground, face first, in a pile of dead leaves and damp dirt.

"Oof." I groaned.

"Cas?" Lysandra asked. I turned my neck to see her sitting upright on my back, peering down at me curiously. "You okay?"

"What the heck did I trip on?"

"That overgrown root." She pointed at the ground. Sure enough there was a root poking out of the ground.

"Are you ok? How's the leg?" I say while trying to shift into a more comfortable position while not moving Lys.

"Are you going to lay down all day?" Thelran asked. He looked very uneasy and eyed the surrounding forest suspiciously.

"What's with you? You look like you've seen a ghost." I glanced at him and he was pale and slightly trembling. Thelran pulled Lysandra up and held her while I stood and dusted myself off. I then offered my back for Lysandra again.