Page 60 of A Soul to Embrace

She’s avoided me since learning about my past.He couldn’t blame her for that, given her soft-hearted nature.I had a feeling this would happen.He’d been prepared for it, and his trip to the village was him further doing so.

He patted his satchel to make sure it had remained dry and protected within his cloak. It held many items, some for himself – mainly food – and some for her.

He had acquired... parting gifts.

She chose me, but that’s because I didn’t think to give her another option.He realised his mistake only once she refused to be in his presence. Then again, it was an option he could only present to her now.

I told her she could go with her mother, or remain with me, but there was always a third possibility.She could have chosen herself.

Zylah no longer needed him. He’d taught her how to hunt, about the world, how to read, write, and count. She had enough building blocks to gain knowledge on her own.

If she no longer wished to be by his side, then he had no qualms about handing over his gifts and parting ways. They were useful books, and he was sure she’d understand them after a bit of study.

A book on complicated math, so she could do more than add and subtract. Understanding percentages, multiplication, division, and even algebra were useful tools to have in one’s arsenal.

A book on human etiquette would also prove beneficial, especially as it explained complex social cues that she obviously lacked.

And, finally, a book on human biology. This wasn’t a book he’d give her in his presence, as it detailed certain aspects about male and female anatomy that he didn’t wish to explain. But understanding her own gender, sex, and pregnancy were all important and would save her in the future – should she find a partner.

From there, Zylah could make her own choices, and he could leave with a clear conscience that he’d done all he could. He’d rid himself of this pointless task and move on to...

Fuck knows what I’ll do.

Now that he’d been away from his false throne, the desire to return to it had dwindled into nothingness. Shirking those responsibilities had been undoubtedly freeing. Having no one watching his every move was relieving.

I guess I’ll return to Spiral Haven.Also known as the Demon Village to those who never bothered to learn its real name – then again, it wasn’t like Demons were truly fond of speaking with Mavka to tell them.There is magic there I can take.Hopefully it would rejuvenate his natural mana flow and allow him to heal it.

If not, then Jabez knew one thing with certainty: he was fucked. Without his magic, he was as powerless as a human. He may be strong and fast, but in comparison to many Demons, he’d be considered prey.

Where else can I go?No human town would accept him, as they’d see nothing but his inhuman qualities. He couldn’t return to Nyl’theria unless he wanted to be eaten.

His only option would be Lezekos, the Elven city, and he’d rather throw himself into the ocean than ever go there as some kind of beggar.They’d likely just toss me in their fucking prison again.

There were a few who might take him in, acquaintances with whom he had amicable relations with. He’d be subjected to living like a pauper, or a farm hand, or something equally mundane and boring.

Not really the future of leisure he’d envisioned for himself. A waste of his life, considering what his past entailed.

Everything he’d done would be for naught.

I’m over this.This, life, and his meaning and purpose. He’d been reduced to a mundane existence, and the worthlessness that pervaded his thoughts was beginning to take its toll.

At least being Zylah’s teacher had offered himsomething.

Then again, her company had been easy. He didn’t need to feign interest, as his mind was rather content near her. Instead, he’d just acted as his true self as much as possible, and he couldn’t remember when he’d let down the majority of his façade and false arrogance like this.

In the face of others, he’d acted and behaved in certain ways. Conceited, egotistical, immodest. With Zylah, he was nothing but a man – no one of importance – whose every action could be ridiculed.

Doesn’t help I think she’s rather cute.He would have chuckled warmly at that, if the likely departure of their companionship didn’t loom.

But he couldn’t help finding her bashfulness and awkwardness rather endearing. He always felt awful for chuckling at her for it, since it obviously made her uncomfortable, but it was just too charming. For a creature who lacked skin upon their face, her orbs were revealing of her true thoughts.

And unfortunately for her, Jabez had a rather intimate understanding of what those colours represented. He could almost read her thoughts by which emotion shone alongside her physical tells, like the way her fur would puff or her hands would twist.

She’d even begun to fidget subtly with the hem of her dress when she was nervous, like a feminine, shy woman, and a side lost to Jabez itched beneath the surface.I thought I was too serious to be playful with another.Yet the urge to needle and tease her further grew in those moments.

However, he didn’t. He refrained from teasing Zylah, as the droplets of his own sensuality could easily leak into the banter. He didn’t wish to give her mixed signals, considering the idea of being intimate with her pooled a darkness in the back of his mind.

Mavka feel too hard.The line between love and lust to a being who barely understood their own emotions was just too close.

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