Hers

"I'm worried about those two," Kaida said, her brow furrowed in concern. "They've been gone for too long. Something must have happened to them." "Maybe they're hiding," someone suggested. "Maybe they're scared of what's happening in the village." "But why wouldn't they come to us for help?" Kaida asked. "We're their friends, their family. We would do anything to protect them." The villagers nodded in agreement.

Meanwhile, in the headquarters Zhilakoa and Eryn were getting ready for bed. Zhilakoa shyly asked Eryn to spend the night in her chambers, but he declined, his eyes gleaming with a hint of longing. As Eryn settled into his room, he found Kaleeki waiting for him, her eyes piercing in the dim light.

"Eryn, my dear student," Kaleeki said, her voice low and soothing. "Why did you decline Zhilakoa's offer? You know she's fond of you, and we both know it's mutual"

Eryn bowed his head, his cheeks flushing. "I know, Kaleeki. But I can't shake off the feeling that something's off. Zhilakoa had a vision of Lyra, and we don't know what it means." Kaleeki's expression turned serious. "Tell me more about this vision. Every detail is crucial." Eryn took a deep breath. "Zhilakoa said she saw Lyra, but she was different. Her eyes were black as coal, and her skin was pale as snow. She was standing in a forest, surrounded by darkness and she was covered with blood. Kaleeki's eyes narrowed. "That sounds like a warning, Eryn. Lyra may be in danger, or worse, she may be the danger herself."

Eryn's eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

Kaleeki's voice was quiet. "We will continue this conversation Eryn dear, get some rest."

Eryn couldn't shake off the feeling of restlessness as he lay in bed, his mind racing with thoughts of Zhilakoa and her vision. He couldn't stop thinking about her in that purple sheer dress, the way the wind blew through her hair, and the Jasmine scent on her skin. He threw off his covers and got out of bed, his heart pounding in his chest. He had to see her, had to talk to her. He made his way to her chambers, his feet bare and silent on the cold stone floor.

When he arrived, he found her practicing crystal resonance, her eyes closed and her hands glowing as a small piece of purple amethyst floated around her in circles. He watched her for a moment, mesmerized by her beauty and grace.

Then, he spoke, his voice barely above a whisper. "Zhilakoa?"

She opened her eyes, startled, and smiled when she saw him. "Eryn. What are you doing here?"

He shrugged, feeling a little awkward. "I couldn't sleep. I needed to see you."

Her smile faltered for a moment. "And what do you want to see me about?"

Eryn was tongue tied as he looked at her, What did he want to see her about? He didn't know, but he knew he needed to be near her.

Eryn stretched out on Zhilakoa's bed, his long frame sinking into the softness of the mattress. Zhilakoa laughed, a musical sound that filled the room. "You didn't ask for permission first," she teased. Eryn's cheeks flushed, and he looked away, trying to hide his shyness. But Zhilakoa saw right through him. She knew that beneath his facade, he was still shy.

"I'm sorry," Eryn muttered, his voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to presume."

Zhilakoa's expression softened, and she sat down beside him on the bed. "You don't have to apologize, Eryn," she said, her voice gentle. "I'm glad you feel comfortable enough to relax around me."

Eryn looked at her, his eyes searching for reassurance. Zhilakoa smiled and took his hand, her touch sending warmth through his body. Zhilakoa felt a tingle up her spine as Eryn reached out to kiss her, his hand cupping the back of her skull to draw her closer. She didn't pull away, her heart pounding in anticipation of the touch of his lips. His fingers tangled in her hair, sending shivers down her spine as he drew her into the kiss.

As their lips touched, Zhilakoa felt a rush of excitement mixed with a sense of calm, like she had finally found a missing piece of herself. Eryn's kiss was gentle yet passionate, his hand cradling her head with a tender touch. She melted into his embrace, her worries and fears melting away with each passing moment. The world around them faded into the background, leaving only the two of them, lost in the magic of their kiss. Time stood still as they savored the moment, their hearts beating as one.

His body went rigid for one beat, two, and then he spun her impossibly fast, putting Zhilakoa's back against the door, jostling the frame. He captured her wrists in one hand and held them prisoner above her head. "Zhilakoa," Eryn groaned against her mouth. The plea in his tone flooded her veins with a whole different form of power. Knowing he was just as affected by their attraction as she was.

Suddenly, Eryn gasped as he broke the kiss. "This isn't what you want Zhilakoa."

It's exactly what I want," Zhilakoa countered as she arched her back, pressing the tips of her breasts against his chest. His breathing changed, and there was a war in his eyes that she was determined to win. He leaned down, his mouth only inches from hers. "And I'm telling you Zhilakoa that I'm the last thing you need." The barely leashed growl of Eryn's voice rumbled up through his chest, and every nerve ending in Zhilakoa's body flared to life. "I only want you, Eryn ."

Zhilakoa's words breached something within him, and finally, he yielded. Their mouths collided, the kiss hot, hard and completely out of their control.

Need streaked down Zhilakoa's spine as Eryn took her ass in his hands and hauled her against his hips, her back raking the ridges of the door behind her as she uses it as leverage to push closer to his strength. Zhilakoa wrapped her legs around his waist and locked her ankles. The caress of his mouth and the strokes of his tongue steeled every logical thought, and her world narrowed to that kiss, that minute, that man. Hers. In that moment, Eryn was hers.