Our trip was nearing its end. I noticed some familiar landscapes around us.
I rode on Zephyr's horse with him and kept looking back to steal kisses. Last night, he'd made me into a bumbling idiot. It was hard to remember certain parts of the night. It made me extra affectionate, not to mention his fingers kept teasing me. Since we rode ahead, no one saw my indecent expressions or heard me telling him how bad, where, and when I wanted him.
"Let's continue this tonight, my love. I soon have to get off this horse. I can't do that... like this."
I felt it pushed against my back and couldn't help myself but tease him. I reached behind me and grabbed a hold of it.
"God damn it..." Despite his blasphemy, he sounded very happy. "Stop before I do something unseemly in front of fifty people."
He attacked my neck and was dangerously close to falling off his horse. I let him go and tried to gain back my breath.
"You're right, of course... I can't have my role models see me like that." I fixed my dress and, most importantly, my expression.
"Uh... huh."
"What was that?"
"Nothing, love. I'm glad to be home."
I ignored his sad attempt to change the subject and just looked ahead. The houses were visible from this distance, and I felt a nostalgic wave coming over me. It was nice to be home. Riding into the village with the man of my dreams leading some poor souls we just rescued—it was just one of my fantasies he fulfilled.
~
By the time we rode near the main hall, Granny and Mother were already there, and behind them, almost all from the village, including Metill Emil and his daughters, were coming forward to meet some of their people.
We stopped and were helped off the horse by Metill, and Zephyr jumped right off, thanking him.
"Sweetheart! We missed you so. Come here, son." Mother hugged us both. Home missed us as much as we missed home.
Granny joined us soon in the hugging while Mother smothered Ilianna and Eli with her affections.
Zephyr was soon surrounded by his students, and I waited until Eleanor told Granny and Mother her news. This resulted in another bout of hugs and tears, this time joined by Lucian's mother, Miranda. This went on a while. Liz came to greet her husband, reunited along with the rest of the warriors who came with us. I saw a lot of those scenes around us.
Soon, my Zephyr grabbed me by the hand and addressed the crowds.
"Thanks to all who came to see us and our new friends. Once again, welcome to your new home." He smiled lightly on everyone. We were clapping along with the crowds and smiled gently on all willing to look.
"We have a lot to celebrate tonight. First thing first. TORI is dead! She is fallen in battle..."
He couldn't continue because his students quickly picked him up, and the cheers of the now combined 150 plus souls pushed away all other voices of reason.
I saw him distressed... Everyone shifting him in the air, their hands touching him in places he'd rather not be touched, which made me smile—it was clear only to me why.
I was unharmed despite the mob going insane, which was a miracle, and found myself next to my own family. By the way? Fallen in battle, honey!? What battle?
Demelza came and leaned close from behind. "Zephyr looks annoyed, Lylly... is it the crowd disregarding his speech?"
I shook my head with a smile. "No. It's most likely those idiots touching his butt."
"What?"
"What?"
I looked at their shocked expressions and smiled. Remember what I made him promise once our house is finished.
My sister and mother joined us to hear more details other than the obvious. "He has a weird thing, others touching him there..." I regretted saying anything; I took off without a landing. "S-stop looking! I'm not telling anything else. Also, don't mention this to him either..."
The rest was just for my amusement. The idiots in the meantime put him down and started the celebration in earnest.
He walked back to us with an expression that was almost pouty. I stepped up and lightly kissed him while I grabbed his ass with both hands, which made him jump a little.
"Lylly... no, no... not now, c'mon!" He turned so uncomfortable it was funny.
Demelza and the others looked at me with newfound respect.
The elders from Tori village came over with Metill in the lead.
"Zephyr, we came to thank you again. My sons told me how you not only killed Tori single-handedly but also dispatched some rogues who tried to attack our people." He was astonished and extended his hands. "Please accept this as a token of our respect."
Metill bowed with those behind him, and we saw some sort of fabric he was holding. Zephyr took it with interest and unpacked it. It was a black, slim jacket with blue accents around its shoulders and on its buttons. It was exquisite work.
He loved it, I could tell. Look at those eyes shining.
"This is... it's a beautiful gift. I promise, I'll cherish it. Can I ask who made this?"
Metill smiled and let a small girl out from behind him. She was about four feet, with red hair and a very shy disposition. She looked up to Zephyr hesitantly.
Metill rested his hand on her shoulders. "This is Penelope Mites. Our village's master seamstress. Her works are very rare. Penny, meet our benefactor, the blessed Zephyr Astoria."
She just nodded and stepped back. She reminded me of Ilianna; she was small, though probably around eleven, maybe thirteen years old. I looked at Zephyr, who just smiled at the adorable seamstress girl.
He walked and went on one knee, so Penny looked down on him.
"Thank you, Lady Penelope. You have a God-given talent. You honor me." His smile must have been beautiful, for even the older man behind the little girl to be so taken.
Seeing her smile and looking anywhere but my Zephyr... oh boy. I felt no jealousy. She didn't seem someone aimed at his heart, plus... she was a little kid.
And you!!... stop being charming, idiot, before she faints or those around her.
Manata stepped up and talked for the silent girl who was content just smiling. "Sorry, Master, she doesn't talk a lot. She means well. I'm sure she will soon..."
Calm down, kid. Can't you see how much he likes the cute, quiet girls?
"Please don't apologize. We are neighbors now. It will happen when it is supposed to happen." He made eye contact with her and winked, then stood up. "I'll see everyone tonight. I'm afraid I need some rest."
He bowed shortly to them and came back to us, still smiling at his gift. Once close, I pinched his side.
"..."
"It's just a gift. You can't possibly be jealous?"
I wasn't... seriously. A little jealous of people like her with such talent. I looked at him, holding the proof of her craft.
"Put it on."
He didn't wait much. "It's the perfect fit... it's strange, like it's made for me." He twisted and turned around, showing it from every angle. "How does it look?"
I saw it every day and took it for granted, but my future husband is incredibly handsome. With this black coat and blue detail, which matched his eyes and hair, he looked good enough to eat.
Even people around us quieted down, watching him, including little Penny, who smiled happily seeing him already wearing it.
"Take it off. You might cause some neck injuries."
He noticed those unwanted eyes and reluctantly took it off. I stepped closer to console him. "Stop looking like that... you can wear it tonight."
"True... I'm going home now. My love, wake me if something happens." He still looked exhausted, and he knelt down to Anna. "Give me a kiss, princess."
After kissing his family, he headed toward our current home. I looked at Demelza and Eli, still red in the face after seeing him. Again, with no jealousy. Instead, I looked at his back and felt proud—so many wanted him and yet he only wanted me.