Page 233 of A Soul to Guide

There was also an Elysian he was chasing, and she’d pouted when he refused to tell her anything about who he was interested in. He said he didn’t want to tell people, in case his hopes were dashed now that he had time to pursue them.

She was thankful it was easy.

After shuffling the last of her paperwork, she turned to stare down at Merikh, who was completely in the way. He’d curled up in his monstrous form and fallen asleep next to the stool she’d been sitting on earlier.

He’s happy here.That brought an even bigger smile to her face.

She crouched down near his head resting upon his bent arm. Wrapping one of her arms around her closed knees, balancing herself on her toes, she stared at her soul flame.

Funnily enough, it was positioned similarly to how she was now, except it had both its arms wrapped around its knees. Its head was also resting in the nook of its knees.

The centre of it was a light blue, with dark blue flames encasing and wisping through it.

“Hello,” she whispered, wondering if she could get it to stir from its apparent sleep.

It turned its head up and opened its eyes. They were brown, with white bursts in the middle. It was amazing to think it was exactly like her; her weight, her pointed ears, her coily hair floating upwards, even her eyes.

Raewyn went to touch it, to pat its head, and her hand moved through it. She pouted. Merikh could touch it, so why couldn’t she?

Maybe because it no longer belongs to me?

It eventually lowered its head to rest against its knees.

Her gaze then roamed over the flower crown she’d placed around his horns. It was woven together with golden leaves and wire, the main flowers pink and purple with smaller blue ones.

He’d been happy to allow her to make it for him. She thought it would soften the death aspect of his face and make it easier for her people to warm up to him. She hoped it was helping, but she was also fond of the moment she’d made it.

They’d been sitting on the floor, her on his lap and wrapped up in his arms. With his head plonked on top of her own, he’d shared his sight so she could see what she’d been making, since she hadn’t wanted to make a mess of it.

She’d never been good at arts and crafts.

It was a memory she cherished already. His willingness to conform to her people and their need for security regarding him just showed what a wonderful person he was. How could someone not fall for that?

She touched a flower petal.Everyone will love you just like I do, but I know you’re willing to be patient until then.

Her eyes caught the blue sun currently shining the brightest out of all three, haloing him in its light. She stood, placing her hands on her hips as she stared down at Merikh.

It’s getting late. It’s time you woke up.

There was also one last thing she wanted to move, and he was blocking her path to it.I did warn you...She also just wanted to annoy him; it’d become her favourite pastime.

He usually wore either black or red clothing, but he was lucky the guards he was wearing were too thick and dense for his body to absorb during the shift. It meant she could touch him anyway she liked without his quills harming her, no matter his form.

They were made of the same material the soldiers wore. Although it appeared like white metal, it was actually made of one of the strongest and most flexible materials they could get their hands on. The starfir’s flowers, the tree they were currently inside of, produced a silk that was precious to them.

This tree provided them with materials, a home, shade, and protection. It’s why it was a beacon for her people.

Knowing the big, scary Duskwalker would never hurt her, a humorous grin marred her face. She stood on his head, then his shoulder, then his back, before making her way down to his butt.

Merikh’s surprised grunt and jolt informed her she’d woken him. Just as she bounced off him after grabbing what she wanted from the shelf above him, his growl was the only warning she got.

The back of her long white dress was yanked on.

He was fond of this dress, since it both hid and revealed much. It was designed like a continuous, thin white scarf, wrapped over one breast then around her neck to cover the other, before crossing over her back to wrap around her hips and hide her arse and pubic mound. It flowed between her legs to skim the ground.

Her thighs were completely showing, as were her midsection and arms.

It was light, perfect for the current summer weather, and she liked how it showed off her body markings and replacement bangles. She’d been given new silver, bronze, and golden bands to replace the ones she’d needed to sell on Earth, each one with the achievements that came with them inscribed on the inside.

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