(Amaia)

This place is amazing, especially these tiny glowing creatures which look like a fusion between jellyfish and iris flowers.

They rest on my exerted hand, their soft bodies squirm against my skin. The pain in my heart has eased after meeting them.

Some of them have crawled on the iris stalks, bowing in the lake water.

Saiph kneels beside me, his large hand tentatively touches my shoulder as he knowingly whispers, "Watch."

To my utter surprise, the creatures begin to merge their soft bodies with flowering petals. Becoming one with them, it appears as if irises have suddenly gotten eyes.

"What’s happening?" I question Saiph, blinking rapidly.

Am I dreaming?

"They reproduce with these flowers.

They slowly split into two, and one of the flower’s petals becomes their bodies. The velvety softness of the petals fuses with their jelly-like bodies merging into one," Saiph explains.

After reproducing they jump back and slowly swim away into the depths of the lake.

Flabbergasted and confused, I turn towards Saiph with questions in my eyes. His glove-shrouded hand bends, and he slowly rubs the leather-bound knuckles with my cheek.

"That’s one of the most insane things I have witnessed."

Saiph’s smile widens at my words, and he carries such a heart-melting smile.

"Not everything happened for the worst when that spell was cast 70 years ago. I think some extraordinary and strange occurrences took place too, we haven’t just witnessed all of them."

I slowly blink at him, extracting my hand from the cool water of the lake.

"You think this resulted from that Fae’s spell?"

Saiph only nods, spreading his long legs he settles them on both sides of me.

"I never thought like that." I lean back to rest against his monstrous chest. He is like this huge, comfy cushion. I can disappear into him.

"Nobody does because we have been fed a narrative that Fae were evil." His voice drips with disdain.

Saiph is right though.

But, is he speaking from personal experience? I know nothing about this man who is supposed to be my mate. It’s time to find some answers.

"Tell me something about yourself?" His arms come around my waist at my question, holding me to himself. His lips nestle between the soft spot between my neck and shoulder blade.

Tender and warm, his caress sends a shudder which rocks my body.

"What do you want to know?"

"Where is your family? Who is in your family?" I curiously question.

Saiph smoothly places another kiss on the soft spot before speaking.

"My mother was the Queen’s personal maid. She died a few years ago and I never knew my father. He was some drunkard who got my mother pregnant, and then either died or disappeared. My mother hated to talk about him, so I never knew he was," Saiph tells me his life story in one go, but I sense that his words seem almost robotic.

There are no flickers of emotion when speaking about his mother, nor any curiosity regarding his father.

I know he is excellent at masking his emotions but he can be himself with me.

"I am sorry to hear that. Do you miss her?"

A tremor of tension I sense going through him at my question. He doesn’t speak, just places his chin on my shoulder.

I try to turn my head so I can look at him but he holds me in such a manner that I can’t.

"Yes," he finally says but his answer doesn’t sound truthful.

Sons speak very highly of their mothers, and those who lose them remember them with fondness, as I do, as Rigel does.

But, Saiph doesn’t give that vibe. Maybe he doesn’t like to share his feelings so I don’t press into that.

"No siblings?"

"None."

"Don’t you feel lonely at times?" I couldn’t help but ask. After the tragedy that struck my family, I was never whole again. I miss Aziel like crazy.

"Not really, I got used to it." There are no emotions behind his answers, and that scares me.

Saiph is not a stolid, unemotional person. Although the years of training have rendered him such. Forged him into this rigid hulk of a man who is not supposed to show his emotions or vulnerability.

Guards are supposed to be like that but he is so much more than just a protector to the queen and the princes, and now me too.

He is mine and he is an equal to my other mates. I know he has forbidden me from speaking to them about him but I won’t deny it if they find out or question me. I am not ashamed of him.

"You can freely talk to me, you know. I will be your family, you are not alone anymore."

Saiph snatches in a deep breath. "I know, Amaia. You are my everything now."

His tone has turned serious and his lips more fervent. I need to distract him because I can feel him spiralling.

"So how many women have the mighty Saiph brought here?"

His lips halt on my skin and he lets out a throaty chuckle, loosening his hold on me so I can turn my head and watch him.

An amusement he carries. "Are you perhaps jealous?"

"Pfft! Maybe." Bringing my hand forward I flick his nose. "Answer the question."

His lips spread into a gorgeous smile. He has been blessed with such richly shaded lips, and they are ample in size, that’s why his kisses are so devouring.

"None, I never brought anyone here. This was my spot and from now onwards...it’s ours."

Ours, the single word holds such meaning. When someone adores you enough to share their special space with you.

"Thank you for letting me become a part of your personal heaven. I love it here." I nestle back into his arms and he places his chin on the top of my head.

"Anything for you. We can come here whenever you feel overwhelmed or life becomes too much. Just you and me and these creatures."

I smile, my eyes dip towards the lake where the tiny delightful beings are still swimming and dancing.

And then Saiph’s needy words, worm into my ear.

"Can we become one in this magical place?"