[she doesn't know that the world is turning just for her]

Skill: [none]

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If she had known what Adonis was thinking, about guidelines and expectations, and how he had thrown them all aside for the love of her – well, she might have melted into a veritable puddle, never again to have a physical form as long as she may live. It was one thing to find love and submit oneself to it. It was another thing to have to deny family and culture to do so.

Neither did Euphemia think of how this turn of heart would affect her own family, her own history. It was no secret that the Shakti-Vaes women were unlucky in love (except Dalmatia, of course), and the fumes of the fire clouded her mind enough that she did not, for a moment, think about how this would affect her sisters, her standing in Dawnbreak, or any other that may or may not come around again.

If she were in any other mindset, Euphemia might have wondered if the others would laugh – if they would pity Adonis, for having chosen the silver maiden, of all available options in the world! Why would he choose her if he could have someone far more composed and serious?

Almost everyone in the world was taken more seriously than she.

Thankfully for Euphemia’s sake, and the sake of whatever future lineage might result from such a union, she was not of this mindset. Her anxieties failed to divert her path, as they often did when she set her sight on a certain goal. Nothing ever went according to plan – she might lose an election, and she might never see Ric again – but here with Adonis, it seemed there was no goal.

The goal was every step they had taken, and would take; just to be with him, to experience the journey of life (the beautiful, soaring highs and the abysmal lows) by his side. To understand the purpose of life by borrowing his perspective, and wearing it as profoundly as she wore her own.

It all unfurled so perfectly, exactly as it should. There was seemingly nothing Euphemia could do to stop it, stymie it, or ruin it.

She was still laughing, but it was quieter now. A titter under her breath, a fluttering of a nervous diaphragm. He hadn’t crushed her into oblivion, a true sadness indeed, so she settled on burrowing into him once more, luxuriating in his giant frame and plush coat. If he would not slay her, then she would slay herself through suffocation!

Her nose was so deep into his coat that he was all she could smell. The warmth that came from him, the warmth that came from the pink fire, and the fire that came from within her own body converged here and heated the scene thoroughly.

Still, he refused to consume her! Euphemia gave an ironic scoff, extricating her face to furrow her brow, clearly, he was not understanding her. I give myself up for consumption freely! I do so wish to be one with you. The maiden was almost begging – but for what, she could not clearly identify for herself. It was as libidinous an idea as it was not, for consumption was meant for predators and prey just as much as it was meant for lovers.

Her eyes swam, imploring Adonis to understand her even if it made no sense when put into words.

She knew he would.

When the storyweaver suggested they return to the Vale, Euphemia had no better idea. She deeply desired to stay here by the fire, but the payoff of making Adonis happy was greater than anything she could ever glean from a flame alone. She did have one improvement to such a plan, and in order to communicate it, she nearly popped out from his embrace into a standing position, ready to go.

I cannot wait for the Vale! I need the Gods to know now. It is you, Adonis. You are everything that has ever been a dream of mine, she smiled brightly, and her tail waved fiercely, but that was not enough to convey it. The woman looked around for something like a mountain closer than her (now his) Vale, but could find none. She dashed away a pace, then called back over her shoulder.

Oh, please come! Follow me, and never stop –

The sylph was back by his side in an instant, bumping her forehead against his cheek. We could run forever, until we reach the ocean, and then we could double back and do it again. They would be gone for a fortnight or more, but when they eventually made it back to Dawnbreak, everything would be revealed. Her family might be worried, but when they saw what bloomed between her and the newcomer, they would understand.

I must tell the stars, she whispered, once again pleading. Euphemia had never spoken to the stars before, but Adonis had said they should, and now it was her single, solitary focus. Mother and Father were in the stars.

and they deserved to know.

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