Page 103 of Light in Your Eyes
I gaze at the birds. He's correct. There are three of them, and I don't know how he does that. Maybe he can even feel their movement.
"Wait." Kellan suddenly sits up.
My curiosity kicks in. I sit up too.
"I think one of them is flirting with the other," he says.
I can't help but laugh. "You're impossible." I push his chest playfully.
"No, listen." He puts his finger over his mouth, and my laughter stops short. "Can't you hear that?" he asks as I watch the birds again. "One of them keeps fluttering its wings to attract its mate."
My eyes widen as I find out that he's right.
"See?" he says, still with the same amusement glinting in his eyes. "I think it's a male, fluffing out his feathers. Usually, the male ones will dance to begin the courtship. He's going to do it."
I watch as the third bird suddenly flies away. "That one doesn't want to be a third wheel." A burst of laughter leaves my mouth again.
I gaze up at them while one of them is indeed doing fantastic dancing to attract the other. I can't help but giggle because it's such a fun and interesting thing to watch.
When the dance is over, I ask, "Now what?"
Kellan looks like he's in deep thought. "I don't know. Judging from the sound of his legs starting to get restless against the branch, I think that he can't wait to fly away."
To my surprise, the bird does just as Kellan expects. He flies away but is then followed by the female one.
"Where are they going?" I ask curiously.
Kellan shrugs. "Some birds build their nests for their mates. Maybe he's showing her the nests to let her choose."
My mouth hangs open in amazement. "I hope they get their happily ever after," I say giddily.
It's just a simple story about what happens to the wild lives around us, but witnessing it brings me so much joy. To enjoy the simple things in life is a blessing.
Kellan tilts his chin up at the trees above us. He stares up at the sky, crossing his legs and resting his elbows on each of his knees. The corner of his mouth curves into a small smile while the wind blows his hair softly. There's only contentment in his expression, and this beautiful sight makes my breath catch in my throat.
I take out my phone and secretly snap a picture of him. I think that he can feel it because he then diverts his eyes to me.
"Did you just secretly take a picture of me?"
I chuckle. "What if I did?"
Had this happened when I met him for the first time, I would have thought that I was tottering on dangerous ground by secretly taking pictures of the heir of Black Wings.
But now, the man who used to give me a menacing look only shakes his head in disbelief.
Kellan lies back in the hammock. I take my book from my backpack and lie next to him, snuggling up to him.
"Should we read the book again?" I ask.
"Yeah," he whispers. "I like it when you read to me."
I begin to read the poetry book. My voice echoes, mixed with the sound of the rustling leaves blown by the wind and the birds chirping again above us.
I keep reading, unaware that the atmosphere slowly lulls me to sleep. My voice is getting softer and softer the longer time passes.
"Some nights, the stars whispered…" I falter. My eyes feel so heavy. "And the wind curled…" I can't even continue the sentence because I start to doze off.
The last thing I feel is Kellan's kiss on my forehead.
