I was angry, but after various promises made and pampering received, I agreed to stop hurting him.
"By Ehlite... you can't help yourself, can you?" I said, still leaning against him.
"You're right," he admitted, hanging his head.
He surprised me, admitting it so plainly and so outright. He looked at the ground, but I don't think he saw dirt there.
"I found it and... couldn't hold myself back. I could've escaped. It would've been nothing, really, a single step in any direction." He was honest and open; each word let us see inside him. "I just didn't want to. I received these injuries not because she was dangerous... but because I got distracted thinking, 'damn, this is too easy.'"
He turned to me with sadness in his eyes, his face not a scratch or blemish—a work of art, really.
"I'm sorry, Lylly. I broke my promise like it meant nothing... but please believe me." He rested his forehead on mine and closed his eyes as if imagining it. "I had this. I knew... I knew I had it the moment I saw her. The fight was irresistible."
I felt lighter. From now on, at least I could plan ahead accordingly. I was going to marry a battle-hungry idiot. He didn't understand I knew more of him than he thought.
"Why are you smiling, my love?" he asked cautiously.
I smiled, then bit his neck gently. "Lylly!?"
"No more making promises you can't keep! You're going to tell me everything that goes on in your head." I poked his forehead hard enough to push it back. "Especially those thoughts that would make me into some sad widow. Understand!?"
"You're not... angry then? I don't have to..."
I put my finger on his mouth before he blabbed out my fantasies. "Oh no... that's still on, once our house is finished."
He looked scared, but I wanted my curiosity satisfied.
Alexander waited patiently and thought hard. "After you killed this one, brother... I wonder if you can kill them all. Hell, maybe..."
"Please, Alex, let's just go home. You know we have work to do. And kill them all? Do you even know how many or perhaps where they are exactly?" He looked at me and shrugged his shoulders.
I bit his neck again. He really thinks I don't see through his words?
"Stop with the witty questioning, you idiot. You will not leave our home until we get married." I moved down on his now bare chest. "Don't... forget... what... you... say... huh?"
I bit his chest area with every word as a punishment but felt him stiffen under me. He liked me biting him? I looked into his lustful eyes and licked his chest...
"Khmmm... we're still here," Demelza's tiny voice was like a cold shower.
I got off him, desperately wishing to be home... in our own home. This attractive bastard turned me into some exhibitionist.
I lay back down and rested my head on his stomach and pinched his leg. "Zephyr!!"
"Fine, absolutely. All fighting is postponed until our marriage. We celebrate your birthday and find out Anna's." He nodded, agreeing with all, because he had no choice. "Then you choose me a day you'll like... and surprise me. How is that?"
"Good. I'll do that, and you have to love it, okay?"
"I will. Are you interested in choosing my age for me?" He flashed a perverted smile.
Uhh, that was interesting. I always did wonder. I looked to my right, nodding my head. This one needed some serious consideration.
~
The hunting party had yet to return. Eli and Anna did, with some random flower collection, since even I didn't know his favorite. He loved it very much and thanked them both. Ilianna took her seat, and Eli scanned our surroundings like I did about an hour back.
I rubbed some nice-smelling ointment on his back, which completely soothed him and covered the bruises, which had stopped bleeding a long time ago.
"Ahh... Vistellia is a genius." He tilted his head so he could face me upside down. "What is in this?"
"It's eucalyptus that gives its smell." I kissed his nose and was done. "Refreshed?"
"Very."
"They're taking too long, no?" Eleanor seemed to be concerned about Lucian, who led our men away.
Looking at the nightmarish fangs close to us, the worst they could run into were boars or some other normal animals. The fangs, though, Zephyr told us not to touch. Like most snakes, it might still have its venom in it. He wanted to extract it later.
He smiled at her nervous back-and-forth. "Don't worry, Eli. Lucian is very reliable for his age. At sixteen, he has more common sense than some older men around him." He looked toward the other man sipping hot tea.
"If that was a jab at me, brother, I won't respond to it." Demelza by his side looked very proud and ignored what was said.
Zephyr smiled and turned to Eli. "...Anyway, there is no need to fear for him."
Eleanor nodded absentmindedly. She looked too distracted to listen for anything logical. She soon ran off once, sighting the party's return. They were empty-handed.
"What happened? Zephyr only killed her a few minutes before you left." Alexander was in front of them, searching for the body of Tori like they could hide it.
Lucian, after he was released by Eli, explained what they saw. "There was only the shape, inked to the ground, that's left. No body, not even blood."
Same with Emet... except this time, it was an hour, not a day.
"Something that big... how could it be gone?" I asked Zephyr, but he had no answers either.
It looked like the souvenir he took were the only earthly remains left behind by the divine beast.
"It's unfortunate. But it can't be helped. We have more important things to do." He handed me a disappointed little girl. "All those who made the decision to join us go and start gathering everything and anything they want to bring to their new home."
The elder brother Moritz went with his people and checked in on those who had decided already. Zephyr turned to Manata.
"I've heard there are some who are reluctant to leave their homes. May I see them?"
"Of course, Master. I'll gather them at once."
He raced away to bring back that frumpy old man who left once Zephyr returned to discuss something and the other family who didn't want to commit.
It was late afternoon, and the little valley was bathed in gold. Soon not only the elders but what seemed like the whole village returned. The previous old man walked to the forefront.
"Lord Zephyr. My name is Isun Hue. And in the name of all those who came before me, I thank you." He looked at the sky, then bowed slightly. "By killing Tori, our snake Queen, you fulfilled the dreams of generations."
Oh, he wasn't some grumpy old man after all.
Zephyr looked at me with a guilty smile. I leaned closer to his ear.
"I know you haven't killed her for them... but everything he said is true. Go accept their love." I licked his ear just a little. "And tonight... accept mine."
I kissed his lips softly, encouraging him. So who cares if he killed her for less than noble reasons? The outcome didn't change, and these people are all completely free now.
Zephyr licked his lips, distracting me completely. Then his ever-confident smile returned.
"Thank you, Mr. Hue. Thank you all. With this, now you are free to stay, if that's what you wish. After all, some have ties that they would rather not sever." He looked at those standing in front of us with understanding. "This was always your decision. I understand all those who do decide to stay."
My love... of course, none stays. After a few hours, they understood how easily you dispatched something they feared since they knew their own minds. There was no turning back.
"Lord Zephyr, I can't talk for the rest, but the Hue family will pick up its roots and move near you."
The elder extended his hand, and Zephyr took it without hesitation. "It's an honor... and please, I'm no... Lord. Just call me Zephyr, Elder Hue."
He accepted their love just like I asked him.
It was getting darker by the second. The villagers wanted to celebrate the fall of Tori, but Zephyr was against it.
"I would love to accept your gesture... and I will. Back home! So please spend tonight not with celebration but preparations." He smiled at those who looked disappointed. "Gather everything with meaning or value to you. Tomorrow at dawn, we will be making our way back to Emet village. Once arrived... we celebrate then!!"
He put a smile on those who felt bad about tonight's promise of food and booze. Now all quickly dispersed to pack up their lives and start a new one.