Chapter 58

~Kamari~

Strangely, this atmosphere feels so comforting. There is a calmness here that I would have never expected in a Shades Garden, and Mael seemed eager to tell me things. 

"There are plants here you may have never heard of in your life," he says, picking up a black bud flower. Hold out your finger." 

When I do the flower wraps it's Vine around it, and it blooms, an eerie blue glow envelopes it. I smile and caress its soft petals. "Do they pop up, or do you create them?"

"We can create many things, Kamari; our spaces are so sacred. The rare life that grows here is valuable. Rare. Some of them are known to cure illness, and others can kill with one touch. Of course, we're immune to all venom." Mael takes the flower with a gentle touch. 

"I've only created one flower, and that was by accident." Now, I was feeling like a bit of an imposter. "That's because you've never tried. You haven't had anyone to teach you how. Before our young can make their own Havens, they learn from us. You weren't given that chance."

Mael steps closer to me, his voice as smooth as honey, "I'm more than willing to teach you." I look into Mael's eyes, it saddened me that he never came to me sooner. If my soul called out to him, he was meant to be with me, but that was the horrid part. My pride wouldn't accept him. There was no way in Kadea's hell.

I sigh as I place a hand on one of the trees; its heart beats proud and robust. A twitch of a smile pulls at my lips. "I can't give you what you truly want, Mael. My pride–"

"Did you know Dragon prides have a maximum of seven Adults?" Mael interrupts me. "You, Calea, Aneth, Nye, and Koa. Ryuu does not technically count. Whelps are an extension."

I double-blink. Nye, Aneth, and Koa never told me that, probably because they didn't want anyone else in the pride. I chuckle, "That doesn't mean they won't tear you apart, Mael. Especially Aneth…"

"Aneth…"Mael says in a distant tone, "Oh, now I know why he seemed so familiar. He's tasted my venom before." Mael says as he places a hand on the ground.

"Y-You were the one who stabbed him?"

Mael spins around and snaps, "He deserved it. Tearing apart everything I cared for, he was lucky I didn't finish him off." I wasn't used to the blaze in Mael's eyes, although it reminded me of myself. They dim out, "I'm not sorry for it." 

"Mm, well, on behalf of my husband," I slap Mael upside the head, then sigh. That only adds to the reason he won't accept you."

Mael's eyes haze over, and he smirks rubbing the back of his head, "He doesn't need to, by our culture which they adhere to relentlessly, if I beat their leader, I'm deemed a spot in your pride." He smirks. 

"Good luck with that. Their assholes when they fight." I admit. "I should know; they've done it enough around me." Mael closes the distance between us. "Would you like me to be in your pride, Kamari? Honestly, I loathe them. I'm more of lone Shade to a point, but for you," Mael brushes his fingers against my arm, creating a shiver of goosebumps; he leans in and whispers, "I will withstand anything, even time itself to be with you, even if it's just a moment."

How could I not want to learn more about myself from him, about the things I could possibly do? I feel the burn in my eyes; my heart is being yanked from all quarters. And the words Mael says are genuine; I can feel them. "Mael, once they find out about you, there is no telling what they might do."

"And who might tell them, Kamari? You?"

I shake my head. "No…" I knew it was a stupid idea not to tell them about Mael, but I knew they wouldn't let me see him again. "As long as you keep your hands to yourself, I don't see a problem with you being in my Kingdom."

I can't cross that line—no way in Kadea's hell. 

Mael rolls his eyes, "Ugh, you're giving me rules?"

"Yes. And you're lucky I'm even considering it." Mael crosses his arms, "How do you expect me to teach you if I still have to keep my distance?"

"I can still come to your fruit stand. You can teach me things and tell me how to do them. I could practice them while I'm away." I try to compromise. Mael threads a hand through his long blonde hair, clearly annoyed at the idea; he is silent for a moment before he speaks up. Mael leans against a tree. "I've been resisting snatching you away from your Kingdom and your mates. I could easily trap you here." A playful sparkle in Mael's makes me smile. 

"They would torch your forest to a cinder," I say, then sigh, "I don't want to see you hurt, Mael. So please, don't do anything stupid. Not for me, I'm not–" Mael puts his hand around my mouth, I gasps slightly as he backs me into a tree. "Don't tell me you're not worth it." His eyes glow, and his jaw clenches. I stare back at him, and as he continues, my heart throbs, "Don't tell me that every second I've spent upon your lands is in vain. I'm very determined, and I'm persistent. And I always get what I want." Mael shakes his head, "Mark my words, Kamari," he leans into me, his face dangerously close to mine, the heat of his breath sensing my lips, "I will be a part of your pride." My eyes glow in response, and he smirks, "So flee, go back to your pride. I'll be in the shadows."

I slowly back away from Mael, knowing that if I didn't, I would make my own life miserable. So I flee, I run back to my Kingdom, and I don't dare look back. My gut clenches because of guilt, the shame of wanting Mael for even a moment. 

I wish I never knew.

I walk up the path to the Kingdom, my arms around myself, deep in thought.

"Mother!" Ryuu's voice makes my head look up as he jogs toward me; he stops short of me. But then I realized they could most likely smell Mael on me. I freeze, and look at Ryuu, he smiles and hugs me. "You told no one where you were going." I double-blink, and clear my throat, "I just needed some air, I'm okay." Did Mael cover his scent? I ask myself. "Come, Father, and the others look for you." He pulls me with him, and I wrap my arm in his. 

I accepted I would never have an everyday life, but good goddess, why did it have to be more complicated?