Page 192 of A Soul to Embrace

“There’s no bath, but they have a shower. I’ll show you what that is if need be,” he stated, looking at her before glancing over his shoulder. “I know they cleaned you at the hospital, but did you want to wash?”

“No,” Zylah answered while shaking her head. “I’m okay.”

As curious as she was, she didn’t want to be alone any longer when she was in an unfamiliar environment and so concerned about his wellbeing. He did look a little brighter after washing, but she thought that may just be because he was clean and no longer caked in grime.

Accepting her answer, he came and sat beside her on the bed. His weight made her bounce momentarily before everything settled, but he didn’t seem to notice as he clasped his hands between his open knees. It took him a while to settle his gaze somewhere. When he did, he looked out the glass in front of them.

She did as well.

They were unable to see Otholla, so she guessed it was behind them. She couldn’t see the forest either. Instead, a vast amount of dark, inky water reflected the sparkly stars.

“Is that an ocean?” Zylah asked, having never seen one before.

“Ocean, or a very large lake, depending on your opinion, since it’s completely surrounded by land. It’s also fresh water, and not salty.”

Silence fell over them, and Zylah picked at the silky bedding as she reached for something else they could speak of. There were so many questions she didn’t know where to start, and she didn’t know what was safe to talk about right now. She could tell something was wrong with him, as he seemed to have lost his usual spark, but she didn’t know how to broach the subject so she could help.

She felt a little... lost, and out of depth with the situation.

They were also sitting on a big comfy bed together. Since she’d slept recently, she wasn’t all that tired yet, but she did know of other things they could do on it. They were also alone, and despite everything and the uncertainty of their future, she wanted to appreciate him for giving her his soul.

She wanted to cuddle, she wanted to touch, she just wanted to feel... close to him. Would now be an inappropriate time for that?

What do I call him?she wondered, scratching at the side of her snout.Do I call him my bride or a mate like his kind?Bride sounded funny; any time she’d read about a wedding in her books, it was usually a female’s title.Groom? Husband? I’m so confused.

Zylah peeked at him from the edge of her sight, but it was impossible to gauge his emotions with his expression so empty. It didn’t help that his hair wasn’t neatly brushed back to sit between his horns like usual and was shielding his face from all sides in a throw of messy strands.

“Jabez?” Zylah called, reaching out to brush his long fringe back and tuck it behind his pointed ear – that didn’t even flick when she accidentally caressed it.

Without taking his gaze from the world outside, he answered, “Yes, Zylah?”

“What is wrong?”

His face dipped down to his clasped hands, and she noticed the way they clenched together tightly. For a little while, he said nothing, and she worried he wouldn’t answer.

His voice was quiet, soft, and lacking in emotion as he said, “I don’t know how to answer that question right now.” Then he lifted his gaze forward once more. “I’m just... thinking.”

“Aren’t you tired? You haven’t slept since we came here.”

“I can sleep later – when I’ve figured out a solution that I find fitting.”

Her heart sunk a little at that, and her sight shifted to blue as she lowered her head. It sprung back up when an idea sparked in her mind. “Can I hold you then?”

He lifted his arm to create space for her. “Of course. You don’t need to ask.”

Zylah considered tucking herself into the nook he created, but chose to slip to the ground and place herself between his knees. He looked down at her just as she wrapped her arms around his waist and rested the underside of her snout against one of his thighs. His arms softly came down around her shoulders, his fingers diving into the fur across her back, and she wanted to purr at how quickly he accepted her embrace.

Their cuddle was loose, but Zylah’s orbs turned dark as she took in the feel of him and the fact that he was holding her in return. He even began scratching her soothingly, and she wiggled forward just to get that little bit closer.

He smells so nice,she thought with a contented hum, resisting the urge to nuzzle her snout against his side. Since his scent was now clean, she soaked in the aromas of earth, of flowers and wood, and her mind eased.

Zylah really didn’t care where they were, whether they were in this city, back on Earth, or fighting against Demons in Nyl’theria. She just wanted to be near him. So long as he let her hold him like this, she knew she’d be content anywhere.

Next time they faced a situation like the nasty village of Demons, she’d be more prepared. She wouldn’t leave his side, and she wouldn’t hesitate again to defend herself. She’d listen to her instincts when they were nagging at her that something was amiss.

She’d do better to ensure she didn’t worry him again. Admittedly, she was a little concerned that she hadn’t been able to regenerate, but she was sure they would find a solution. The Elvish people had healed her, so maybe they could learn together how to aid each other in the future. She didn’t mind being hurt, so long as they both survived in the end.

She wondered if those thoughts were currently what weighed on his mind. She knew voicing that she wasn’t concerned about possible future injuries would do little good and would likely result in a disagreement.

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