Sky Full of Stars

Chapter 13: "You're an Idiot"

    In a rush, we were back on the bed, my whole body shaking as Miznia was suddenly on the bed beside me, pulling my head against her chest. I didn't try to stop the tears anymore, and as they fell I registered her hand running through my hair, trying to soothe me. I moved to push back, but she tightened her hold.

    "Don't... I heard what she said too, Nimue. You're stopping yourself from being happy because you lost her... Why...?" Her voice sounded so strange... Strained, and sad... And longing.

    "I have to help my family... They have to come first..." I whispered weakly, grief strangling my voice. 

    Miznia lifted my head gently, forcing me to look at her. "She wants you to be happy, and you're stopping yourself. You're blaming yourself for her death, and it's killing you! You have to stop, Nimue, please..." I studied her face carefully, searching her eyes, wet with her own tears.

    And then it hit me. Mother's last wish had been to take care of me... 'Take care of them... Take care of you...' Her voice rang through my head again and my eyes widened with that realization.

    Miznia stared back at me, her eyes searching my face. Here was the woman that the gods had given me, had deemed me worthy to spend the rest of my life with. A strange pair, yes, an odd matchup no doubt. And so rare was it that people actually found their perfect match. So rare was it that the only people I'd ever heard of actually finding their match were my own parents.

    I realized this in the same instant that Miznia's tears registered in my mind. I reached up and gently wiped her cheeks dry, relishing in how she leaned into my touch.

    "Shouldn't I be the one drying your tears...?" She whispered softly.

    I shook my head, resting my forehead against hers again. "Do you realize how much I hate making you cry?" I murmured.

    Her eyes widened in surprise. "You didn't... What? You're not the-"

    I raised a brow at her, and I could see her mulling over her words and mine, finally realizing what I'd meant.

    "Yeah, you're an i***t" she laughed breathlessly, reaching up to grip my chin gently. "But you're my i***t" she murmured, eyes closed softly as she took in a deep breath.

    I chose that moment to close the distance between us, pressing my lips to hers as gently as I could manage. I heard her sharp intake of breath, but the surprise didn't last long. She wrapped her arms around the back of my neck, using that as leverage to pull herself closer to me. I splayed my hands across her back, one on top of the other, only too happy to bring her closer to me.

    Her lips parted slightly, and despite my incredible lack of experience, even I knew this was an invitation. One I wasn't sure I was ready to accept yet, but I didn't want to stop. I slid one hand up her back and into her hair, keeping one hand on her lower back to support her.

    She moved her body closer to mine, straddling my lap as she moved up, forcing me to tilt my head up to meet her. Her hands shifted, one hand on the back of my head, the other cupping the base of my chin. Her breath was sweet against my face when we both finally came up for air.

    I knew my face was flushed, and though I knew it was impossible to tell with her, I believed hers was too.

    She stared down at me, eyes wide, and I knew that wild look in her eyes was matched in mine.

    "I see you changed your mind..." She whispered, a smile breaking the surprise on her face.

    I smiled up at her, reaching up to brush a few stray strands of hair back. "Am I really stupid enough to pass up on a gift the gods themselves gave me?" I laughed breathlessly.

    She grinned down at me and placed another soft kiss to my lips. "I was hoping you'd say that."

    I watched her with wide eyes, the smile on my face no doubt making me look like a fool, but I didn't care. It was only when she raised a brow at me that I snapped back to reality.

    "What brought this on?" She asked quietly.

    I pushed up onto my knees so I was taller than her again, cupping her cheek in my hand. She leaned into the touch, and that all too familiar spark of electricity made itself more evident now that the adrenaline had died down slightly.

    "I realized something important... That so few people find the person they're meant to be with, and that I'd only ever heard of it happening to my parents. Mother was the one to realize she'd marry Father one day, the moment their eyes locked. And there are people out there like my uncle..." I laughed at the thought. "Who have gotten married and divorced so many times and still haven't found 'The One'. And here I am, twenty-seven and sitting in bed with the one person I was made to spend my life with..."

    She leaned up and kissed my lips lightly once more, smiling all the while. "That's a good revelation to have then" she murmured softly.

    "I agree" I laughed softly, leaning down and burying my face in her shoulder. I took a deep breath, enjoying how every part of her managed to calm me down. Her voice, her touch, even her scent. I vaguely wondered if this was how it was for werecreatures who found their mates.

    I felt her hands in my hair, stroking through it softly, detangling it after our long day of travelling.

    "We should probably get some sleep..." She whispered.

    I chuckled softly. "Indeed, we should. You have a resting place to destroy, and I have a master vampire to battle early in the morning."

    She pulled me back by the shoulders, frowning. "You'd better be careful, Nimue. I'm serious. I know you swore to be careful, but I'm not joking." I could see the fear in her eyes, despite her trying to hide it behind anger.

    I pulled her into my arms and laid us down, her back to my front as I held her close. "Miznia, I have such an important reason to live. A few of them, but now none more important than making sure you're safe and happy. I'm not going anywhere any time soon."

    "Good" she murmured, turning in my arms to face me. "I can't lose you too..."

    "And you won't. You'll be there to protect me, and I'll be there to protect you. We're both getting out of this alive, I promise you."

    She smiled warmly at that and kissed the tip of my nose lightly. "Thank you... Goodnight, Nimue."

    "Goodnight, Miznia."