Guy
She hadn't made it back yet. That was unlike her. I know I should give her space but my instinct says to check on her, just enough to ease my mind.
“Silla, Corre, I’ll be right back.” I smile at the happy couple, they haven’t touched their beer yet—still insisting on waiting for Sapph to get here first. They hardly pay me any mind, too lost in each other's eyes.
I want that…I fucking need it like air when I’m next to her.
I rushed back to the headquarters, surprised to see her on her knees. She looked like the wind had been taken from her sails and the doors were wide open. I’m already at her side, on one knee.
“Sapph? Sapphyra, what the hell happened?” Her eyes wouldn’t meet mine. Cradled in one hand was Wyatt's charging case while her other palm lay flat against the floor.
Something had rattled her.
“Talk to me, goddess. What’s wrong?”
A scent hit me. A mixture of sweat and burnt rubber, like tires skidding away on asphalt. They say a dragon's nose is even keener than a wolf if the emotion tied to it is strong enough.
Fear. That’s the only thing that hit me. Sapphyra was afraid, but of what?
“He was here.” she finally whispered. “Rupert. He just fucking walked right in like he owned the place. Guy—” she raised her head, fat tears rolling down her cheeks, “he wants me to keep playing his stupid game. Wants me to beat all the members of his council or whatever that he sends my way.”
My heart breaks and the storm in my soul demands retribution. Why had I left her alone? God, I’m such a fucking idiot. We were never in control of the situation, everything up until now has happened because he wanted it to. I should have known that, I grew up watching him manipulate everyone like it was nothing.
But I’d grown careless. My love for Sapphyra should have made me sharper, not softer.
She doesn’t stop me as I pull her into a deep hug. Warmth fills me as she cries into my shoulder. Vulnerable. In all the pictures on the wall at Wyatt’s hiding spot, Sapph never looked vulnerable or tired or scared. She was the perfect picture of strength and solitude.
And yet she’s never been more beautiful than right now…at least not to me. Is it wrong for me to think that?
“It’s all a trap. We can’t give in—”
“He knows where Wyatt’s body is.” Sapph shakes her head, pulling away. “I don’t have a choice.” I grit my teeth, urging my muscles to relax. Of course she didn’t have a choice, he’s her husband. More than that, they’ve been around each other forever it seems like. Even with the evils he’s committed, it will never be easy to pull them apart.
Which means I have my work cut out for me.
What kind of man would I be if I didn’t give my rival a fighting chance? Besides, I said I would help him find his body, and I meant it.
“Okay. So tell me how you want to play this then? It's up to you.”
“I don’t know.” She sniffs, putting her face in her hands. She’s struggling, a month out here and still no real rest for her body. Between the class system in her body and her dragon powers being suffocated beneath it…I hate to say it but I think she’s going to crash and burn if things don’t change soon.
“Hey. That's okay, we don’t always have the answers, you know? Sometimes it’s just a matter of a waiting game.” She nodded. Her nose turned a shade darker and it took everything in my power not to lean in and kiss it.
Time and place, Guy, there's always a time and place.
“Well,” I stood up, holding out a hand towards her, “sitting around here isn’t going to solve anything. In fact it’ll probably make you feel shittier. Let’s go.”
She takes my hand, and my inner child does a tiny happy dance. I felt like a knight escorting his princess.
“Where are we going?” She asks, sniffling.
“Well, we did have Silla and Corre waiting on us. We should probably go talk to them. Plus, there’s booze.”
Her nose wrinkles, she opens her mouth like there's a protest on its way but all that follows is a delayed sigh.
“Hah! Glad you see it my way, goddess. Now then,” in a truly heroic fashion I scoop her up off her feet bridal style,”let’s get going.”
“Don’t get too used to that.” She murmured, nuzzling her face into my shoulder.
Oh, I absolutely am and there’s nothing you can do about it.
“No promises. Hold on tight.” I almost added. Even during the day, the giant neon mushrooms gave everything a beautiful backdrop—like something out of a fairytale.
Moments later we landed at Ernies, Corre and Silla welcomed us in, blissfully unaware of the situation. Their faces fell when we told them, quickly morphing into anger and then sadness at Sapph’s choice.
“I’m sorry everyone” She started. “I know this was supposed to be a celebration but—”
“But nothing. He’s your husband. The lengths you went to for me when Corre was missing, I…” Silla shakes her head. “I only wish I could do more for you right now.”
“Perhaps we can.” Corre added.
“What do you mean?” Sapph perked up.
“What if we could show her the terrain of the marshlands and give her an advantage over her foes. Also, I was thinking, there are many things here that need to be fixed so your power would come in handy…”
“Go on. Sounds like you have an idea cookin’.” Sapph raised a brow, fully invested.
Corre steepled his 4 fingered hands and leaned forward, like a child whispering a secret.
“What about breaking things on purpose?” He sounded positively giddy…and he should have.
“Holy shit.” Sapphyra mumbled. “That opens up a lot of battlefield tactics that I hadn’t even thought of.”
“So even if his council members have knowledge of terrain—” I turned to her, smiling.
“It won’t help them if it's broken and rearranged before they get here. Guys! This is…” Sapph sits down and closes her eyes, she lets out a shaky breath. “Thank you. I was stuck in a loop trying to find something to hold on to. And thanks to you all…” she raises her lids and turns towards me, interlocking my fingers with hers. My heart did a backflip, and I never wanted this moment to end.
“I’ve got my mojo back.”
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