Woman of the Woods

Ch.21 Let me be the Fyre

Current Day Walking through the Northern Woodlands Next to Silas's Hideaway.

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"So, you watched me run for months before saying anything"

Cellie's voice echoes through the woods, creating a symphony for Silas's ears.

"Yes, after that first night I tried everything to get you off my mind, but you were like breathing. I couldn't function, eat, sleep, speak, lead, fight, without seeing your face, you were everywhere and nowhere all at once. I even tried drawing you, hoping it would alleviate some of my constant pull to you."

Cellie thought back on the pictures she found in the cabin back in the village. He was trying his best to leave her out of the chaos he knew came with being with him. He had shown more care for her while not even knowing her, than anyone since the fire burned her life to the ground.

She paused for a moment just taking in everything, understanding how much she truly meant to him. How much he had lived through and never bothered her with any of it until she asked. How often he freely offered up the affection and comfort she craved even when he was searching for it as well.

"Little one? Is everything alright, do you need to rest for a moment?"

His dark obsidian eyes affixed to her. In that moment she felt like she truly understood what love was, what it meant to be his mate. She let go of his hand and quietly wrapped her arms around him tightly fully letting herself be with him in the moment. Allowing her body to meld with his, their heartbeats to match rhythm and breathing to fall in line.

She felt home in his arms as his stunned appendages relaxed from their startled state around her body. He was her safety, her lifeline, her family. He is what makes her life worth living, what makes her story worth telling.

"Everything for once, is exactly what I've ever wanted it to be."

For the first time in Celendria's life, she no longer felt the need to run, unless it was to Silas.

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After what felt like an eternity walking, Silas lead Cellie to a small plot of tomb stones.

He let go of her hand, his heat slowly following behind him as he kneeled down in front of one of the markers. He splashed his hand into a nearby puddle of water and proceeded to clean off the grave.

After a still moment he motioned for Cellie to come over. She kneeled down next to him, the cold ground sending a wave of pleasant coolness over her. His hand fell onto the dip of her lower back as he peered into her fathomless burgundy pools.

"This is mother."

His free hand swept with his fingers gently over the name etched into the marbles surface.

"Luna Lillian Fyre

A beloved Mother, Friend, and Leader"

"She would have loved you Cellie."

His words rang through the forest, warm and drenched with meaning.

"I'm not sure she would have, Si. I am not a selfless person. Sure I'm kind, but I've never truly let go of something to benefit a greater good. I've always kept myself comfortable, I play solely in the safe zones. I could never be her Silas."

He paused for a moment perplexed, then turned to face her directly. Her eyes were downcast and lines of discomfort riddled her features. It was the first time he had ever witnessed Cellie in a heartbreakingly true moment.

He lifted her chin so her eyes would meet his. Silas's heart bruised at the sight of tears threatening to paint over her perfect complexion.

"Little on...Celendria, I'm not asking you to be her. I loved my mother dearly and still do. But, now you are the women who means the most to me. I couldn't protect her then, she was the only one capable of safe guarding us, so she did. You aren't alone in this. I will be with you till we breathe our last. I am here to safe guard you, so you won't ever have to endure what you already have again. All I ask is that you voice your concerns and come to me whenever things feel out of control. Let me be the fire that illuminates your path when the darkness pushes too close for comfort. You are the only thing in this world that makes everything, the blood, the pain, the terror worth it all. When I look into your eyes I see the reason for my entire existence. You are and always will be the the person that makes me the man I always hungered to be"

Cellie felt the water pushing it's way up through the back of her throat as it spilled down her cheeks. She fell entirely into Silas's grasp. Nothing stood between them now, and she wouldn't let anything do so again.

She settled herself in his hold. His aroma of burning cedar leveling her to a peaceful landing. She picked up her head and rested her lips against his. She shivered as tingles rippled through her.

Silas rested one hand behind her neck and the other around her waist. As her small lips landed on his he breathed her in. Nothing was blocking him from her mind anymore. He could finally see and feel everything she had lived through up until this point, including what he truly meant to her.

Silas frustratedly pulled away resting his hand on her arms.

"We should probably head back now Cellie, maybe catch some dinner at the pond."

She smiled up at him and nodded.

He stood and offered his hand which she gladly took. They sauntered through the dense forest flora till they reached the rocky perimeter of the shallow pond from the night prior.

"Ummm,...Si? How are we meant to catch the fish."

He chuckles deeply and turns to her holding his hand up in front of him as his long claws extend from his finger beds.

"Like this."

He then stares into the water till his gaze locks onto the position of a decently sized perch.

In the breath of a moment he thrusts his hand into the pond and slowly pulls out the the writhing creature.

He offers her the wet fish with a smirk and she crunches her nose in response.

"Nope...That's all you."

Her voice is strained as she leans away.

Silas laughs boisterously stirring the birds from their nests.

"Alright, I'll cook it up for us."

They make there way back to the cave, where Silas restarts the fire and places a large stone bowl over the flame, placing the fish in the center. he pulls some various spices off the shelves and throws them into the bowl as well.

After a few brief moments Silas cuts and plates up the freshly cooked filets and they joyously devour the warm dinner.