Page 30 of Ngozii's Plight

I turn my head to look at her, noting the blush on her cheeks as she smiles. Laughing, I roll over and pull her into my arms, kissing her thoroughly. “Anything you want, Kitten.”

She curls into my chest, snuggling close as she breathes me in, her arms wrapping around me. I hold her close as I relax into the blankets, my eyes closing as I hope like hell that we have the future I know she’s dreaming about.

Chapter 19

Kari

Standing in the living room of our home, I stare out the large back window and into the forest, watching the little animals and the leaves blow in the breeze. Vahru moves around in the kitchen, the sounds of plates and cups being moved around as he fixes our dinner. I’m lost in thought, or a lack thereof, as I stare unfocused.

It’s hard to be the hero, and I don’t think many people know that. I can remember watching Marvel movies before leaving Earth, the heroes always seeming to just do what’s right no matter what the cost to them or otherwise, as if it was an easy choice. The truth is, it weighs on you more than they show. At least, more than most of them show.

For me, it’s the weight of the universe, and it’s fucking heavy. One person can’t truly be expected to handle the issues of every species, every planet in need, can they? I mean, even with the portal capability, there’s bound to come times when I’m needed in more than one place at a time, and I can’t do that! I’m only one person!

Yes, I technically have a team at my side, but it’s not their destiny to do all this. The Guardians even said themselves that Jeff was meant to be my right hand, running the village in my absence. He’s not meant to be galavanting across the stars like me. No matter how I look at it, this is all on me.

Arms slide around me, pulling me from my thoughts before I can truly panic. His body heat warms me as he hugs me close, his lips settling near my ear. “It’s time to eat, Princess. Come sit down.” He steps back and pulls on my arm, gently coaxing me to the couch. I sit as he instructs and take the plate he gives me.

He sets my tea on the table in front of us as he sits down beside me, his tail brushing lovingly against my leg. We eat in silence for a moment, my eyes unfocused on the fire in front of me as I slowly eat on autopilot.

“Kari, talk to me.” Vahru’s voice is soft as he speaks, as if he doesn’t want to spook me.

I sigh, looking down at my plate. There’s a part of me that hates this whole feeling sharing business. I’ve always been alone and strong, not needing to go confiding in others and getting advice, I just did what I needed to. The other part of me desperately needs to get out some of the tension somehow and hear that what I feel is normal, that things will be okay, and I’m not alone.

“I’m just feeling overwhelmed, that’s all. I know The Guardians believe I’m meant for this, that I’ll do the right thing, but despite their advice and reassurances, I still feel as if this is all impossible for just one person. Even for my small team of people. It just feels like the weight of the universe is resting on my shoulders, there’s so much pressure to be this amazing hero. How can I sit here and relax when there’s danger lurking around the corner, and I’m supposed to have some magical solution to fix it. I don’t know how!”

Tears prick my eyes, and I blink them back, refusing to be weak in this moment. Strength and determination are all I’ve ever had, I can’t give up, even if I want to. Vahru gently takes my empty plate and hands me the warm cup of tea. He kisses my cheek and whispers that things will be okay, they’ll work out somehow, before he rises and disappears.

The tears push past my barriers and silently slip down my cheeks, but I refuse to acknowledge them as I stare into the fire and sip my tea. I hear the distant sounds of Vahru cleaning up our plates before things go quiet for a long moment. Sighing, I enjoy the silence as I listen to the fire crackle and let my favorite orange tea soothe me from the inside.

“Kari.” My eyes lift as I turn to find Vahru standing in the door of the bedroom in nothing but a pair of pants, a blanket draped over one arm. A tiny hidden part of me jumps to attention as I take in his muscles, that bare chest lickable and begging for it. The rest of me is just exhausted and numb and not in any mood for that sort of distraction. “Let’s take a walk, love.”

Stepping over, he takes the cup and sets it down on the table before pulling me from the couch. I follow him like a zombie as he pulls me out the front door, stopping only long enough to tell Kosiiba to stay here, we’ll be close by.

He leads me into the woods, stopping on the edge of the river where he left the fairy light candles hanging in the trees from our Valentine’s dinner. He lights them quickly and lays out the blanket before telling me to lie down on my stomach.

As I lay down, my head resting on a rolled portion of the blanket, he begins to massage my body gently. “Relax and listen to the river. Don’t think, don’t worry, just listen to the sound of your troubles floating away,” he murmurs as his hands knead my legs, back, and arms, forcing my muscles to relax as I turn to jelly under his touch.

We stay like that for a long time, his hands rubbing over my body in the most soothing of touches as my breathing evens out. My eyes close as I listen to the water trickle over the rocks and branches, the tiny waterfalls lulling me to sleep. I don’t know how long we stayed there, but it’s dark when I’m lifted into his arms and wrapped in the blanket.

“Let’s get you to bed, my little Warrior Princess.” He kisses my forehead as he smiles, and I snuggle into his chest, an overwhelming feeling of pride and love sweeping through me. I don’t know what I would do without this man by my side.

As we make it home, he gently lays me in the bed, spreading out the blanket as he crawls in beside me. I curl into his chest and squeeze him tight. “Thank you, baby, for taking care of me.”

“Always.” He kisses my head and squeezes me close to his chest as I drift off to sleep, the sound of his heartbeat soothing me.

Something odd happens as I drift to sleep, though. As I finally fall into the darkness, the sensation of floating takes me away. I don’t feel entirely asleep, so it doesn’t quite feel like a dream, but it does at the same time. It’s hard to explain, it’s not quite that dream where you’re falling to your death and jerk awake just before landing, it’s more a gentle ride on an ocean current. I’ve never had such a dream or sensation before, so I’m not sure what to make of it, but I keep my eyes closed and try to enjoy the odd dream. Light penetrates my lids and I squeeze them shut before blinking them open in confusion and irritation, and I gasp as I find myself in the most beautiful cave I’ve ever seen.

The walls of the cave are a dark stone, almost a deep blue. Crystals litter the walls and floor around the edges, mostly purple and a few other colors, as they light the cave. Flowers and vines wind through the crystals and rocks as a small brook babbles in the far corner, the water crystalline clear so you can see the small fish swimming about.

Footsteps come from behind me, and I whirl around as Tavionna enters the cave from a doorway. Her steps halt as she sees me, her eyes widening before her lips pull back in a snarl. “What the hell are you doing here, human?”

I suck in a breath as I shrug. “I don’t even know where here is or how I got here.” My eyes are wide as I stare back at her, unsure if I should run for my life or attempt to reason with her.

She’s even more beautiful in person. Her skin is a bright pink color, even in the dark light of the cave. The swirling pattern on her skin is a bright silver, unlike any other that I’ve seen before. Most of the Nyan people have a color that’s just a shade off from their skin, but not her. I don’t remember it being like that when we saw her in the tea, though. Her black hair is in stark contrast to her bright skin, but matches the black mating mark on her left shoulder. Her dark green outfit is skimpy and exotic, jewels hanging all around her, on her clothes, and in her hair, making her look like some belly dancing goddess. Her vivid purple eyes assess me carefully as two of her hands settle on her hips, the others crossing her chest as she begins to circle me. I follow her with my gaze but refuse to move or cower to her.

“It seems you’re dream walking, my dear. How you did it, I don’t know, but you don’t belong here.” Her voice is smooth, melodic, but her tone is menacing as she sneers at me, anger pouring from her in waves. I can practically feel it pulse against my skin.

“You said you’re coming after our village and Criido’s life. I can understand being angry at your father, but why go after the village at all? Why leave this place? It’s beautiful.” My gaze wanders around us again as I ponder aloud, hoping that I can get her talking enough to convince her that what she’s doing is wrong. This may just be my opportunity to stop her.

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