Page 196 of A Soul to Steal

“Before you ask,” Orpheus started, looking down at Reia’s cheerful expression. “It is a baby Mavka. Our youngling. I will explain, if need be.”

Although Aleron was rather curious about the youngling, he tipped his gaze to Orpheus’ skull instead. He tilted his own in surprise.

“You have changed.” He couldn’t help commenting on it.

“I am aware,” Orpheus grumbled, tossing his wolf head side to side lightly, like admitting that came with difficulty. “It has taken me a long time to feel at ease. Much has happened, especially in the last few months. And even more so in the past two weeks.”

Unable to contain the urge, Aleron petted Gideon’s back with the inside of one of his wings.

Much has happened for me as well.

Aleron would have been envious of the harmony of their relationship if he weren’t just overjoyed for this Mavka.

All this time, there had been a sense of brokenness within Orpheus. He’d always known something wasdeeplywrong with this Mavka.

Even though his orbs were naturally blue, there had been a swallowing darkness within them. Longing and sadness that transpired past the natural hue and had almost been so palpable that Aleron could have drunk from the well of it. Peering intothem had overwhelmed him with coldness, as if his very soul couldn’t stand the melancholy in them.

Orpheus had never been warm, nor inviting. He had never been calm, as if restlessness seeped into the very ground he walked on and poisoned it.

Aleron had seen this home many times in his long life, but it had always been foreboding due to this Mavka’s pain. Yet, no matter how much remaining here hurt Orpheus, he’d always stayed and protected it with all his might. He’d cared for it, maintained it, and grew enraged if anyone but himself stepped foot on his land.

But today... not once had his orbs been blue.

The cold melancholy in his voice, in his stance, in his very breath, was gone. Perhaps not completely, but enough that he had so willingly agreed to Aleron temporarily taking his bride away from him.

Again, he brought his sight to Reia.

It is because of her.

Forher, as well. He wished to appease her, and her utter excitement was bleeding into him, and Aleron too, like a contagion.

She was brave enough to want this, and he was brave enough to give it to her. The unity and strength of their bond shone radiantly in this moment.

Aleron would not be envious of it – he refused to.

He just hoped to one day experience something as beautiful. Their bond gave him hope... even if it pained him a little to witness it.

Before he could linger any longer on this, an elbow knocked into his side.

Once more, Gideon had covered the side of his mouth. The male stared at the couple before them, while leaning to the side to be closer.

“You know what kids and babies are... right?”

Aleron mimicked the hush of his voice as he lowered his head. “Yes. I have met another youngling, although she was a Delysian – one Merikh has taken under his protection.”

I did tell him of the Elven child I met.Aleron thought that would make it obvious he knew what they were.

Gideon nodded. “Okay, good.Good.” Then his eyes flicked up to his skull, but they held a strange beseeching emotion within them. “And you understand I can’t give you one, right?”

His head cocked at that. “Well, yes. You are male, as am I. We do not have a place within us to create life.”

Although, he must admit... he wasn’t completely certain of the details regarding the creation of life.

Aleron just wouldn’t tell him that.

“Perfect.” Gideon gave him a relieved smile, and even stuck his fist with his thumb up towards him – not that he knew what it meant. “Just wanted to make sure.”

Aleron was baffled as to why he needed to.

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