Page 55 of Monster's Maiden
I watch her, feeling a sense of contentment. "You seem happier now."
She turns to me, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Maybe it's because I'm not stuck in a dark cavern all day."
I insist, "You love that cavern."
"True," she admits with a grin. "But a little sunlight now and then doesn’t hurt."
We walk side by side through the forest, the snow crunching underfoot and birdsong filling the air.
"Lara," I begin, my voice serious.
She looks up at me expectantly.
"Do you ever regret staying with me?" I ask.
Her expression softens, and she reaches up to touch my cheek. "Never," she says firmly. "I chose this life with you because it's where I belong."
Her words warm my heart and dispel any lingering doubts. We continue our walk in comfortable silence until we reach a clearing bathed in sunlight.
Lara sits down on a smooth rock and pats the spot beside her. "Join me?"
I lower myself carefully beside her, feeling the warmth of the sun seep into my skin. It's a welcoming sensation for someone who has spent centuries underground.
She leans against me, her head resting on my shoulder. "This is nice," she murmurs.
"It is," I agree, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
As we sit in the clearing, basking in the sunlight, I can’t help but feel a gnawing unease. The world above, so different from my underground sanctuary, holds a thousand unknowns. What if others see me as only a monster? What if they attack us on sight? My skin prickles with apprehension.
“Zyrith, you’re quiet,” Lara says, nudging me gently.
I turn to her, my eyes meeting her steady gaze. “I’m just… thinking.”
“About what?” she asks.
“The world up here,” I admit. “How everyone else might react to me. To us.”
She takes my hand in hers, her warmth grounding me. “We’ll handle it together.”
“Of course,” I repeat with conviction.
Lara smiles reassuringly. “You’re not alone anymore. Remember that.”
I nod, feeling a surge of confidence within me. Her belief in us gives me strength. “Thank you.”
She laughs lightly, the sound like a balm to my ancient soul. “Come on, let’s keep moving. We’ve got more sun to enjoy.”
We stand and continue our walk through the forest, the sunlight filtering through the trees casting dappled shadows on the ground. The air is crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of trees.
Lara walks beside me, her golden hair catching the light and creating a halo around her face. It's moments like these that remind me of the joy her presence brings.
“Zyrith,” she begins, her voice soft but firm, “we don’t have to stay hidden forever.”
I feel another pang of unease. The world above has not been kind to beings like me. But I remain silent, letting her continue.
She shifts slightly to face me, her eyes filled with determination. “We could go to Kantor one day. You would love it there—beautiful houses, bustling markets. You’d see why I love it so much.”
I stay silent, focusing instead on the feel of her small hand in mine, the way our fingers intertwine so naturally despite our differences.