[49.3] Zephyr POV: A Happy Place

As I watched her eat, I found myself getting a bit more comfortable with her.

I guess not all priestesses are scary.

This one seems really nice!

She got me a rabbit AND she's keeping me company!

I attempted to make conversation, "My name is Zephyr."

She nodded at me in understanding.

I asked curiously, "...So what's your name?"

"I don't have a name."

I blinked in confusion, "You don't have a name?"

"We aren't allowed to have names." She casually reached down to pick up a wet rag and blotted my face to clean it up, "Only the title of Alora."

"Alora?"

She nodded, "That's what they call me. Alora is the title for the Golden warrior."

"What does that mean?"

"It means I killed a bunch of people and came out on top."

"O-Oh…"

She hesitated, "Although now I guess I can't be called that."

"Why not?"

"I disobeyed an order."

I blinked slowly, "So? I disobey my Master all the time."

"My handler doesn't allow disobeying. He killed the last priestess who did that in front of all of us."

My mouth dropped, "WHAT!?"

She nodded, "If I go back, he will do the same to me. He doesn't care about titles. There can always be another Alora. We are very replaceable."

I grabbed her hands in such a panic, I didn't even notice the killing intent that surfaced on her face. I shouted passionately, "Come home with me!"

She blinked in confusion as the killing intent slowly dissolved, "Go home with you?"

"Yeah! My Mama- Er. I mean, my Master loves taking care of children like you!"

"...Like me?"

He nodded quickly, "Yup! Children who have no home and those that don't really fit in."

She tilted her head, "You're like that too?"

I grabbed her hand and nodded, "Yup! We don't really fit in with other demons cuz our horns are broken."

"Demons really care that much about horns?"

"Duh! Believe it or not, demons can be very loyal. If you have no horn, they think you've turned your back on all demons and betrayed your own kind…" I pursed my lips and muttered, "Even if it's not your fault, they'll still hate you."

"Are there any humans at your home?"

I shook my head vehemently, "No way! Humans are scary! They would just try to kill us or lock us up!"

She looked at our connected hands, "...Do you think I'm scary?"

I laughed and put my head on her lap. I looked up at her cutely, "Maybe at first. But now I see you're nice!"

Her eyes widened, "You think I'm nice?"

"Duh!"

Her eyes trembled slightly, "Do you like me then?"

I beamed, "I like you very much!"

She slowly reached down to touch my hair. As she stroked it, I felt a purr at the back of my throat while I enjoyed the pets.

She spoke, "What's it like with your Master?"

"Oh! It's amazing! I get to eat candy and every night we have story time! Then she tucks us in and gives us a kiss on the forehead!"

"Tuck in? What's that?"

"Your parents never did that before?"

She stared at me silently.

I realized what I said, "Ah… Sorry. Um, 'tucking in' is when you get into bed at night and she comes to put the blankets on you all tight and securely. She even checks under the bed for monsters! It's really nice."

"There are monsters under your bed?"

"Well… I only see them when I wake up in the middle of the night, but Master will come to chase them away if I cry loud enough."

"Ah… That sounds scary. Can I stay in your room with you?"

"Master says boys and girls must sleep separately until they are married. That's why she always makes Koale-"

I suddenly felt a rush of sadness at his name.

I added with a sigh, "That's why she used to make Koale sleep alone."

Alora tilted her head, "But we've already slept together. What's the difference?"

I gasped, "You're right! I have to take responsibility!"

Alora paused, "What does that mean?"

"Master said you can't sleep together unless you will take responsibility and get married. So I guess we will have to get married!"

She blinked, "We will?"

I nodded, but paused, "Ah… But we need rings and I don't have any."

"Hm… I don't have a ring, but I can give you this." She pulled out a blood-red gem and placed it in my hand, "I found it when I was getting water. It reminded me of your eyes."

I stared at the gem with complicated emotions, "You're… Giving it to me?"

"Yes."

"And I don't have to share it with anyone?"

She looked at me in confusion, "Do you usually share these things?"

My tail started to wag as I held that precious gem.

I've never had anyone give me something so beautiful before.

…I want to bite it.

Before I placed it in my mouth, I paused.

Alora was staring at me with dull eyes.

Maybe she's never been given anything either.

I looked around the cave trying to find something to give to her. However, there wasn't anything around that caught my eye.

I HAVE to give her something good.

Ah! I know!

I grabbed a sharp rock and used it to cut off a strand of my hair. I wrapped it around her finger, "Now we are married!"

She looked at the hair wrapped around her finger, "It's… Soft."

I grinned proudly, "Duh! It's fox hair! We have the softest hair around."

"Really?"

She reached out and rubbed my ears. I felt an instant shockwave travel through my body and my legs went limp.

"It is soft."

My eyes swirled from the strange feeling. It made me uncomfortable and itchy, but I also didn't want her to stop.

She didn't notice my reaction and finally pulled her hand back, "What should we do now that we are married?"

I slowly felt my mind returning, "Um… I guess we should have children?"

"Children?"

I nodded quickly, "Yup! Let's have a big BIG family!"

"How do you make children?"

"Oh… Um. My Master said adults hug at night." I held out my arms, "So let's hug!"

She looked a bit confused for a moment before following my actions and spreading her arms. She hugged me back.

I felt content in her arms, "Once I'm better, we can go tell Master and get her blessings. Then you'll be able to sleep and hug me every night!"

"...Okay."

I could feel her breath tickling my hair and I snuggled even closer to enjoy her warmth. After a while, she whispered, "Thank you. Zephyr."

My cheeks turned pink, "If we are ever alone… You can call me Zephyrus."

"Zephyrus…"

Hearing her say my true name filled me with an overwhelming sense of affection I had never felt before. I buried my face into her body to hide my happily embarrassed expression.