Page 183 of A Soul to Embrace

It sat in a cross-legged position, its arms resting loosely on its lap, and it hunched forward as if it didn’t have a care in the world. It was how he often sat when he was mulling over things. It looked exactly like him, from the bulk of his muscles all over his body, to his horns, ears, and even his current hairstyle. It even had two red slits that he figured were meant to be his eyes.

He was surprised to find it was animated and appeared aware as it looked at him and then over to Zylah’s skull.

In the shade of the grass dome he’d created, it glowed brightly between them. He realised the centre of it actually appeared to flow like lava, while blue-and-green flames flickered around its form. Its long hair waved and sent off sputtering flames before they died.

He liked that it didn’t appear fazed, like it’d been expecting this outcome. That it saw no issue being exposed and under her gaze.

All his earlier anxiety and worry faded the longer he stared at it, and he fell back to sit on his ankles when bizarre tenderness eroded any misgivings in him.This is surprisingly... surreal.A sense of awe came over him.

He brushed it with a forefinger curiously, and it raised a brow up at him, seemingly unbothered. It turned its head towards Zylah and then down to her reaching palms before it settled upon them willingly.

“Pretty,” she rasped, bringing it closer.

Oddly enough, for the very first time, her stomach gave a loud rumble. He didn’t know why that made him laugh, but he covered his mouth with the back of his forearm to hide it. Even more so when she licked across her snout before tipping her skull up to him.

“Are you sure I can have it?”

Jabezsworehe heard dirt lightly shifting, as if her little tail was wiggling.

“Yeah, Zylah,” he stated softly, his eyes crinkling in fondness as the warmth of it radiated freely in his chest. “It’s all yours.”

Her orbs flared bright pink, and she brought it closer to her chest to inspect it. She brushed the pads of her forefingers across the top of its head and horns, and it reached up to stop her as if it didn’t like being petted – like him. Although, he had a funny feeling that if she actually tried to do it, he may welcome it so long as it didn’t feel condescending or pitying.

“I have this urge to eat it,” she grumbled, cradling underneath it protectively with both hands.

Always so soft and gentle.

“That’s because you’re supposed to.” At least... that’s what Orpheus had done.

“Really?” More dirt shifted behind her and she raised it higher towards her snout.

He watched her tip it into her mouth and swallow it whole.

Although he physically felt no different, something in his heart shifted.

All my life, I didn’t think I would ever have a mate.He didn’t even think he wanted one until now, but he’d chosen her, no matter the reasons or how it came to this – or what he had to give up.

In some ways, he was relieved. He’d struggled for a long time with the thought of being alone, of having no one truly close to his heart.

I guess I just needed a bunny to skip its way to me. He was satisfied that it was her.

She was beautiful, kind, and dangerous. Someone he didn’tneedto protect, but someone he wanted to because they were benevolent. Someone he would try to take care of, and hoped she’d forgive him if he messed up because he had no idea how to be a giving person. He’d try for her, and hoped he learned how to through her.

Perhaps they could learn this together.

“My stomach feels warm,” Zylah stated with a small giggle present in her voice. “I don’t feel hunger anymore. It’s nice.”

He smiled lightly at her. “That’s good.”

It didn’t take long for his soul to crest through the top of her bony head. Black goopy strings shot out from it to tangle around her antlers. His soul willingly lifted its chin so the dark threads could wrap around his throat like a collar with leads from both sides, before more wrapped around his biceps, thighs, and waist.

I guess that settles it then.

He let the woven-grass barrier surrounding them fall and glanced over his shoulder to greet Mericato’s gaze.

“There,” he stated sternly, narrowing his eyes on the man. “She’s no longer an unbonded Duskwalker. May we now enter?”

“You understand what you have done, don’t you?” Mericato’s translator eventually stated on his behalf after he signed. Mericato’s expression was bland, but it did hint at surprise and mild concern. His hazel eyes bounced between them, unsure about what he was witnessing. “You said you had no intention of staying.”

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