Page 43 of LeX

“SAGE,Ido believe you have missed your calling.Itis spectacular, but my approval is not needed, you should ask forRylie’s.”

“MistressRylie, is there anything you would like to add or change?Wecannot leave these types of decisions to the males, or we would never have an ounce of color in our lives.”

“Ilove itSAGE,Iswear it was like you were in my head.Ahobby of mine back home was helping others decorate.”

“Well, now that you have shared your thoughts, andIknow you also enjoy the refreshing of old spaces, would you permit me to request your help on some future projects?Afresh eye is always appreciated.”

“Iwould love toSAGE!Pleasecall on me in the future anytime you’d like to toss around some ideas.”

SAGEliterally jumps up and down while clapping her hands. “Ohh,Iam so excited.Destinyhas two lower floors that need a complete overhaul and whileIknow you have just returned, mayIcall on you … let’s say, in three rotations for a walk through?”

“AbsolutelySAGE, and thanks for including me.”

Smiling,Iwatch them talk like they are old friends.Whenthe last maintenance bot leaves the room, everything is clean, and the room smells fresh, like a new start.

“Well,Iwill leave you two to enjoy the rest of this evening.”SAGEthrows a kiss atRylieand then pops out.Bothof usjust stand there looking around at the place untilRyliestarts laughing.

“Damn, now that is service with a smile!Lookat this whole areaLeX, you would never know we’re even in the same rooms.”

“SAGEis very thorough no matter what project she is working on, andIthink that new lounger has our names all over it.”Shakingthe holo pad back and forth,Ikick off my shoes asRyliegrabs one of the light coverings off the back, then motions me forward.

“Comeon, let’s snuggle.Ican’t wait to hear what’s next.”

Myheart practically leaps in my chest whenIsit down, and she throws the blanket over us both before curling up on my side.Drapingmy arm over her shoulder,Ipull her close, kissing the top of her head before turning the holo reader on picking up right whereIhad left off.

“DidItell you thatRagoncame in and took a look at my wing this morning?Hethinks it will be a couple more days before it comes loose.Hetold me to just rest and to enjoy my time with the humans.”

“Ishe some sort of doctor for you guys?”

“No, he is the oldest of his kind and he is theDragonflyKing.Ragonis the most powerful of them all against our enemies.Mostof the dragonflies you see in the wildflower fields are his children, but he is the wisest of them all.Itwill be a very sad spring the year his spirit isn’t reborn.Tagonis the next oldest in his line.Helistens closely to his father’s wisdom because he’s his heir and knows he will have to lead us whenRagonis gone.”

“Howdo you know they’re his children?”

“Well, they all have the same mark on their bodies.It’sno different from the oneIhave on my arm.”Shereaches her hand out to me and turns her wrist over whereIsee a birthmark on the underside.

“Isit ok ifItouch your arm?Iwill be gentle,Ipromise.”

Shenods her head yes.Iput a single finger under her arm, andIpull myself closer.Onthe inside of her wrist is a birthmark. “Mysister has worn pendants like this for years now.Isthis a life tree?”

“It’sthe mark of mySpiritMother.”

Igently lay her arm back down and scoot back. “It’sbeautiful, and the dragonflies all have the same markings?”

“Onlythe protectors have the mark.”

“Wow, your world is absolutely amazing.Wecould probably talk for days, andIwould still be fascinated.”

“AndIhave always felt that way about your world with all your freedoms.Likeyou can go wherever you choose, travel to faraway lands, have a family, a job you choose, and a purpose.Humanshave the free will to make their own decisions.Youmake your destinies and futures.Whetherit’s good or bad, you have choices.Fairiesare born with a purpose and nothing more.”Petallooks away from me quickly, but not beforeIsee the tears in her eyes.

“Doyou want more,Petal?”

Iwas just flipping the page on the holo pad whenRylie’sbreathing evens out andIrealize she has fallen asleep.Turningthe reader off,Icontemplate moving both of us to the bed, but technically we have never truly slept together yet.Soinstead,Ipull the covers over both of us more securely and close my eyes, simply enjoying holding her next to me.Eventhough my thoughts are troubled becauseIhave no idea how to move forward, sleep still finds me quickly.

Chapter Twenty-Six

LEX

Asmall gigglehas me opening my eyes only to realize my arm is asleep whereIwas holdingRylieagainst me all darkness. “Whatare you so happy about this rising?”

---