Page 42 of Heatbound Hearts

Bronwyn stands beside me, her eyes wide with wonder. The Concordium rises in the distance, its seven sides gleaming like a beacon in the eternal dusk. Below, the streets pulse with life, a tapestry of light and shadow woven by the countless noctari celebrating Nati.

I pull Bronwyn close, my wing instinctively curling around her. "This," I say, my voice low and reverent, "this is what Nati's really about."

She looks up at me, curiosity burning in her green eyes. "Tell me," she whispers.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of generations of tradition settling on my shoulders. "Nati isn't just a party," I begin. "It's... everything to us. It's a reminder of who we are, where we came from."

I gesture to the city below, to the seven distinct sections radiating out from the Concordium. "Each day, we honor a different god. But it's more than that. We're honoring the balance they created, the world they gave us."

Bronwyn leans into me, her warmth a stark contrast to the cool twilight air. I can feel her heartbeat, steady and strong against my side.

"When we celebrate Axarus," I continue, "we're not just honoring war. We're acknowledging the strength it takes to protect what we love. Xydra teaches us that destruction canlead to rebirth. Oltyx reminds us of our connection to the earth beneath our feet."

My voice grows softer, more intense. "Cither shows us the power of secrets and whispers. Nosaos guides us through our dreams. Netia... well, she reminds us that sometimes, chaos is necessary for growth."

I pause, my eyes drawn to the distant forge fires of Bizruer's temple. "And Bizruer teaches us the value of creation, of building something lasting with our own hands."

Bronwyn's hand tightens in mine. "It's beautiful," she murmurs.

I nod, feeling a swell of pride. "It's who we are. Every Nythorran, from the highest mage to the lowliest craftsman, feels the pull of Nati. It's in our blood, our very fucking souls."

I turn to face her, cupping her cheek in my hand. "Nati isn't just about the gods. It's about us. Our people, our world. It's a celebration of everything we are, everything we could be."

Bronwyn's eyes shine in the twilight, reflecting the lights of the city below. I can see the awe in her gaze, the growing connection she feels to this world that's so new to her.

I pull her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead. As we stand there, overlooking the heart of Nythorra, I feel a sense of rightness settle over me. This is where we're meant to be, in this moment, in this world.

22

BRONWYN

Iwake up to the gentle hum of music, the city coming to life, Zyx's warm body pressed against mine. As I blink away the remnants of sleep, I'm struck once again by the surreal beauty of Caelus. The air here feels different, charged with an energy I can't quite explain.

"Morning, beautiful," Zyx murmurs, his silver eyes meeting mine. My heart skips a beat at the tenderness in his gaze.

We lucked out and got a small suite with two rooms. As it turns out, Zyx knew the owner, and he put us in the best room they had. Not even a few hours later, every room was sold out.

Apparently no one lives on Caelus. There are inns and businesses, but all the noctari that own them belong to other realms. It's truly a neutral area for everyone.

After a quick breakfast, we split from Kairos and Naia, who decide to go take in some of the more magically featured activities. I think Zyx knows it wouldn't interest me because he tells them we'll all meet up later.

As soon as we step out of the inn, he slips his hand in mine. I love the way it feels, the comfortable, casual way he touches me.

And I shove away the fear that after this week, I'll lose that.

We start our exploration in the heart of the city. The architecture here is unlike anything I've ever seen. Buildings seem to grow organically from the ground, their forms fluid and ever-changing. Some structures shimmer with an otherworldly light, while others seem to blend seamlessly with the natural landscape.

"Look at that," I gasp, pointing to a towering spire that appears to be made of living crystal. It pulses with a soft, multicolored glow.

Zyx grins, clearly delighted by my wonder. "That's the Harmonic Spire. It's said to resonate with the energy of all seven realms."

As we walk, I'm struck by the diversity of Caelus's inhabitants. Beings of all shapes and sizes mill about, not just the noctari. I see creatures with iridescent wings, others with multiple arms, and some that seem to be made of pure energy.

"Who are they?" I whisper to Zyx, nodding towards a group of ethereal beings that seem to float rather than walk.

"Aether sprites," he explains. "They're native to Somniara. Peaceful creatures, but don't try to touch one. You'll get a nasty shock."

We continue our tour, hand in hand. Zyx points out landmarks and shares snippets of history. I drink it all in, my mind reeling with the sheer wonder of it all.

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