121. Alive but, not Really. *

I woke to something strange and familiar..but heavy.

I opened my eyes and saw Anna sleeping across me..she must've climbed out..or put here by Zephyr.

I hugged and rolled her, wiping off the drool and tucked her in placing uncle Lucian doll next to her.

I got dressed quickly in something nice and airy-comfortable..his clothes.

They were big, super cozy and smelled like him.

I went downstairs to a beehive of our family. Some ate, some cooked, Setil and the ladies were deep in planning and Stuart became a regular in house.

" Morning people.."

"""" Morning Lylly """"

" Morning dear sister..

" Morning sweetheart ...

I walked over and received my morning kiss even if from a somewhat pouty Zephyr and got my plate of eggs and cheese toast from our usual cooks.

" Zephyr we made a list of things could you..? "

Nifa, still sporting her blue hair extended a hand with a piece of paper pinched between her fingers.

He took it and put it with some others..once heard people told him their own needs.

" Whoa..why so much strawberry? " - he went through some of it while still eating.

Nifa smiled and Cintia blushed and turned away from him huffing. " It's personal.."

" It's personal...fine, a butt load of strawberries and.. what is that word? " - he showed her list and pointed at the bottom.

She looked up waiving it off. " Jardon..it's a shop selling clothes. Just tell the ladies it's for Borea and they will show you around.."

It would've been the ultimate betrayal..

" Stop..My love its exclusively selling women's underwear. "

He tore off the bottom part of it and put the rest away.

He didn't even look at the shameless faces of those two and got up.

" We're going Stu..say your goodbyes. "

He gave me a grateful kiss, and a small peck for Anna.

Setil went through their own needs and explained the dress in detail to Stuart again.

" ...the size might be tricky since we haven't..well I'll trust you pick the right one. Good luck and don't forget to ask for Sapphire if, they have any.." - she give a loving kiss and the poor boy kept repeating what she said about the ring, the gemstone and colour, patter and prayed to for at least getting the size right.

" Stuart..come with me for a second. " - I walked up and grabbed the mumbling boy.

They all looked surprised at my actions except for Zephyr.

I took him outside and handed him a pouch with 10 silver coins, figured it should be enough for everything and a nice gemstone.

He was shocked when felt out it's contents and heard the sound the coins made.

" I-I can't..L-lyyly..it's to much. "

I closed his hand around it . " Considere it a wedding present..or I'll can just tell Zephyr, how you told me last summer, that.. "

" Okay, I get it!!..by Ehlite..thanks.."

He quickly put it away and headed back inside.

I didn't even needed to beat up the kid.

He understood what would happen, if told he wanted to propose last year but chickend out the last second.

I walked back escaping the chilly air and saw them dressed in layers and Stuart shaking like a leaf.

Zephyr pushed him past me and a few seconds later, I heard Stuart scream and the wind picking up.

" He was terrified huh? " - I set down to finish my plate.

" Not all made for the sky.." - Demelza talked some truth and we joined in with the others finalising Setil's wedding.

After tomorrow we had no weddings to talk until the happy summer one..or ones.

——

In the late afternoon long after dark, Stuart was still hugging his knees and his future wife admired her stone while wearing her dress ignoring some superstitions along the way.

It was nice a size and perfect circle which she loved even better, it was Sapphire like she wanted.

Rachel was there cheking the gem, see if she can get it done by the wedding. Her husband enjoyed some sweets delivered earlier with their son Bjorn.

" I can try it, might be after the wedding, I'm afraid.."

Setil didn't seem to mind. " That's fine..as long as it end up here! "

He pointed at her finger jumping around all excited.

Zephyr was hopefully making his last round trip, those were long but once word got around other meek neighbour's came and being who he is, couldn't refuse any of them.

This meant he is been coming and going at high cold altitudes for five hours now.

Granny and Metill enjoyed some tea and watched Setil finally having her big day on the horizon.

Nifa were feeding expensive and imported since the season, strawberries to a happy Cintia.

Mother and Carlos were in her house and kids were enjoying story hour with Ciren who took it upon herself to educate the children of Emet.

Zephyr walked in empty handed delivered his last request.

He looked cold but with a shy smile after what must've been some intense thanks received for his services.

" You look tired ..what can I do? "

He rested his ice cold cheek on mine and let my body warm him up. " You already doing it love. "

Granny walked over and tapped his shoulder while giving me pointed looks.

" Son..the meeting will be held before you leave with Carlos for Dharma. Sometime after the wedding ? "

He nodded along a little confused.

"..Absolutely..just let me know. "

She left and he turned to me. " What's this about? "

Yeah..I'm not that stupid.

" I don't know...probably some boring stuff..anyway. Where were we? "

We forced about a dozen to watch us tasting each other lips for a long while before I sat on his lap while Demelza made some tea and the boys asked their questions.

" Did the Lord tried to talk again? "

" No..last time he congratulated on my upcoming wedding and handed me the gold. "

""" Ohhh.."""

That's how the gold arrived to us. Thank you Mai.

" It's strange..he is very generous to lure you in huh? " - Cintia saw through this gesture as the thing it really was..a show of wealth and power that ordinary man could never possess..a bait really.

" It's all for naught..his days are numbered. If only he knew that Karta good sense bought him time. "

He sipped his tea casually mentioning that the Lord of the lands living on borrowed time. Breathing and alive but..

" Hmm..I hope one day you tell us why you plan that.."

He smiled gently. " One day, hopefully soon..."

He turned back to me rubbing his cold nose my chin. While Nifa and company talked among themselves guessing the reason behind his anonymity.

Since Carlos didn't mention Juan, he won't either. They knew about his intentions but not the reason behind them.

I suppose that will change soon but it wasn't his decision to make.

Once he rescued Juan and Carlos is in the clear..then the real revolution begins..after all one day maybe far off into the future the king must go too..if for nothing else than vengeance.