Page 50 of Christa's Obsession

A pillow appeared on the log as she went to sit. She had no issue living in a tree, but saw no reason not to have some of the other creature comforts she enjoyed. Like a little padding for her ample bottom, because no one liked to sit on hard surfaces when they didn’t need to. The morning sun was high enough in the sky to make the dewdrops on the leaves and blades of grass glisten in its light. Tiny rainbows inside each drop gave beauty despite their size, as did the tiny dryad wandering through the orchard, touching, stroking and encouraging the life around her to grow. Having not witnessed it before, Christa quickly became mesmerized at witnessing how a simple touch gave life to wilted flowers or leaves curling at the edges. How every plant swayed towards Wanda in greeting as she approached, looking as though she floated above the grassy ground.

The energy in the orchard increased. A delicate balance of nature working with Wanda’s gift. The green of her eyes deepened to that of the forest. Sun haloed her curls, which swished gently around her shoulders, and laughter tinkling at a playing flower tickling her wrist when she went to move on carried on the breeze.

Joy. She radiated it. Pure and simple joy.

Christa had, on some level, understood the way Wanda liked to live, yet witnessing her now in her true element, using her gift, struck how fundamental she was to the life of the plants, trees, and shrubs. She rested her elbows on her knees, cupping her chin, and followed Wanda’s progress, thoughts of getting breakfast for them both forgotten at the delight in front of her.

This was what the demons had stolen from her.

Don’t be sad. Look at her.

She could do nothing but look at the wonder of nature. The fears she’d kept firmly locked down after finding Wanda alone with the king had no place inside her. Whatever had happened the night before with Asmodeus and Wanda, her blissful one was not letting on. No, her questions had gone unanswered with a cryptic smile. They had been outside for hours and, with the trees stopping her from leaving the nook, she could only imagine the worst. Yet Wanda had been… relaxed, playful after. Now this.

Christa, who had cursed the king last night, this morning, sent up a gift of thanks for somehow releasing Wanda fully from the chains that held her hostage within herself and her trees.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” Wanda called from the other side of the orchard, not stopping what she was doing.

Her lips tugging into a smile, Christa called back, “And how is that, my love?”

Wanda met her gaze, eyes crinkling at the edges as a wide grin spread like the sunshine appearing from behind a cloud. Bright and bold, it warmed Christa to her very core. “Like it’s the first time you’ve seen me.”

Christa rose, eyed her bare feet, and conjured a pair of sneakers. She wasn’t at the stage of thinking pebbles and twigs were comfortable to walk on. Avoiding them was harder to do when she seldom looked down at where she was walking when she had Wanda to stare at. “It feels like it.”

Wanda waited where she was, her dress skimming the ground and over her bare toes. “And why is that?” she questioned when Christa reached her.

“You look…free.”

The smile grew brighter, if at all possible, as she hooked an arm through Christa’s and walked towards the nearest peach tree. “I feel free, although that doesn’t quite capture the sense inside me.”

Christa brushed a stray curl from Wanda’s cheek when they stopped at the tree laden with peaches. “Do you need to find a word to encapsulate the feeling?”

“No. No, I don’t.” She reached up, and the branches lowered to stop her stretching. “I believe Dougal would enjoy some peaches today.” Wanda gave her a look of expectation. “A basket would be good?”

A moment later, Christa held one out to Wanda, who took it. “Thank you.”

Christa plucked several peaches from the branches and placed them in the basket Wanda held, considering how to broach what was on her mind. With how Wanda was, it made what she was about to suggest easier—she hoped—when it meant introducing Wanda to her family.

Dakata had nudged her demon, and she admitted to blocking the family because of how things were with Wanda. And yes, she’d gone beyond the nook to the house, but that was for a purpose, the bathroom. Christa shut down her train of thought when it was keen to head to the time spent there. It would derail what she wanted to talk about. She very much desired for her brothers to meet the most important person in her life. She’d never felt compelled to introduce girlfriends she had briefly dated before. This was different and regardless of how annoying her brothers could be with her as the only female, they loved her and she them.

“What is on your mind?”

Christa, about to place a peach in the nearly full basket, looked at Wanda. The only sign of concern was the wrinkle at the bridge of her nose. “My family.”

“You miss them?”

Wanda, like Christa, blocked her thoughts on the subject, so it was harder to get a read from her. “I do. I wonder if maybe itwould be nice to invite them to dinner, or lunch, at the house. I could cook.”

“You cook?”

Wanda’s wide eyes made Christa laugh. “I love to cook. It can be very relaxing, putting on a playlist and making food that feeds the soul.”

Intrigue came through their bond. “What foods feed the soul?”

“A thick vegetable soup with homemade crusty bread. A chocolate fudge cake. Creamy sauces rich with wine and fish…” Christa’s belly rumbled as she continued to recite everything she loved to cook for herself and enjoyed eating.

Wanda wiped her lips, almost as if she was drooling. “You’re making me hungry, though I’ve never tried any of the things you mention. A creamy fish sauce, what is that like?”

Christa had to stop herself from asking what planet Wanda had been on, knowing that would be utterly ridiculous. Wanda had little contact with the outside world and freely admitted a burger was an adventure.

---