Page 39 of Heatbound Hearts

And it is. Like later, when I stand on the deck with Zyx, my eyes wide as I take in the breathtaking canopy of stars above us once the cloud cover finally moves. It reveals a sky unlike anything I've ever seen on Earth. Countless pinpricks of light twinkle against the inky backdrop, some pulsing with colors I didn't even know stars could possess.

"It's incredible," I breathe, my voice barely above a whisper. "I've never seen so many stars."

Zyx's hand tightens around mine, his thumb tracing soothing circles on my skin. "The view from Terramyst is spectacular, but out here on the open sea? It's something else entirely."

I lean into him, savoring his warmth against the cool night air. "On Earth, we lost most of our stars. Light pollution, then the chaos after the orc invasion... Seeing a sky full of stars became a luxury, then a distant memory."

Zyx wraps an arm around me, pulling me closer. "I can't imagine a world without stars," he murmurs. "They're such an integral part of Nythorran life - for navigation, for magic, for our stories and myths."

"Tell me about them," I urge, tilting my head to look at him. In the starlight, his silver eyes seem to glow, reflecting the celestial beauty above us.

Zyx smiles, lifting our joined hands to point at a cluster of stars. "See that formation there? We call it the Twilight Crown. Legend says it was formed when Oltyx cast his crown into the sky to guide the first noctari."

As Zyx continues to share the stories written in the stars, I feel a profound sense of gratitude wash over me. Here I am, worlds away from the harsh reality I once knew, learning about constellations I never dreamed could exist. And beside me stands this incredible being who's opened up not just his world, but his heart to me.

"What are you thinking?" Zyx asks softly, noticing my silence.

I turn to face him fully, our hands still intertwined. "I'm thinking about how incredible it is that we…that I ended up here," I admit, my voice thick with emotion. "I thought I was destined to die at the hands of an orc."

Zyx's free hand comes up to cup my cheek, his touch infinitely gentle. "I'm very glad that is not what happened."

And as he leans in for a kiss, I have to bite back the question that's starting to plaguing me.

But what will happen to me next?

21

ZYX

Istand at the bow of the ship, our favorite spot away from the crowds, my arm wrapped around Bronwyn's waist as we approach Caelus. The island's unique features come into view, and I can't help but feel a surge of pride as I point them out to her, Kairos, and Naia.

"Look there," I say, gesturing to the massive structure at the center of the island. "That's the Concordium. It's where the gods meet during Nati."

Bronwyn's eyes widen. "It's incredible. How big is it?"

"Fucking enormous," I chuckle. "Each side represents one of the seven realms. You'll see when we get closer."

As we near the shore, the Harmonic Gardens come into view. The vibrant colors shift and change before our eyes, a living reflection of the balance between the gods.

"Holy shit," Bronwyn breathes. "Are those... moving?"

I nod. "The gardens change based on the current power dynamics between the gods. It's a delicate balance, always in flux."

Kairos leans forward, his silver eyes narrowed in concentration. "Fascinating. And those pools near the cliffs?"

"The Nexus Pools," I explain. "Seven of them, one for each god. They're used for divination and communion."

Naia points to the jagged cliffs along the coastline. "What about those?"

"The Whispering Cliffs," I say, lowering my voice. "They say you can hear messages from all over Nythorra if you listen closely enough."

As we dock, Bronwyn turns to me, her green eyes alight with curiosity. "Why is Caelus so important? Why here?"

I take a deep breath, considering how to explain. "Caelus is neutral ground. It's sacred to all seven gods, which makes it the perfect place for diplomacy, magical research, and of course, Nati."

"But why is it neutral?" she presses.

I shrug. "No one knows for sure. Some say it's because it was the first land to emerge when Nythorra was created. Others believe it's where the gods first met and agreed to create our world. Either way, it's the heart of Nythorra in more ways than one."

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