Page 58 of Aofie's Quest
Adomos grunted and followed.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Back at camp,the horses snorted and pawed the ground, the aura of Adomos’s presence filling them with unease. A deep scowl covered Romulus’s face and he turned his back to us when we arrived, lifting his bow to shoot into the water. It wasn’t until he waded into the pond and retrieved an arrow sunk into the belly of a fish that I realized he was fishing. By the time evening fell, we had more fish than we could eat and I had no idea what to say to dispel Romulus’s sour mood. Instead, I explained to Takari how Adomos and I met, appealing to her feminine nature to understand why I wanted him with us. She nodded, but fear still clouded her eyes. I could not blame her. Every instinct within taught me to fear creatures like Adomos, and yet after my time with him in the cave, I understood he was capable of vast self-control. I’d been bloodied and beaten. He’d seen everything—I still blushed to recall—and yet he’d saved me, healed me, and let me leave. Now he was with me again, to find Jezebel and bring her to justice.
When I finished explaining to Takari, she stood, pacing back and forth on the bank. Finally, she sighed. “Aofie, I don’t like this, and I like the thought of you chasing after a powerful goddess even less. But I would feel better if I came with you, to help.”
Was she coming to help fight because she did not trust me alone with Adomos? Warmth stirred in my belly at the thought. As much as I wanted to be alone with Adomos, I wasn’t sure if I trusted myself either. What had possessed me to take his hand, kiss it, and make a promise to him? I glanced at him to gauge his thoughts, but he sat impassive, expressionless.
“What about you, Romulus?” I called out.
“What does it matter?” he returned. “You’re going to do what you want, regardless.”
The words stung, but he was right. I nodded. “Alright then, but I want a word with Adomos alone.”
“We’ll be here,” Takari encouraged me, and I was sure she and Romulus would have words of their own to exchange.
* * *
“Your friends are frightened,”Adomos said as we retreated into the wood, close enough to see the pond and yet far enough away to have a private conversation.
Crossing my arms, I faced him. “Actually, I was thinking of running away from them,” I admitted.
Instead of responding, he waited, giving me time to organize my words.
“When we were in Elsdore, they asked me to join a secret society, the defenders, and I declined. Now, they are forcing me to meet the leaders, even though I don’t want to. They claim it is along the way, but I want nothing to do with the defenders. I want to find my father and…” This time I took the sword off my back. “I want to ask you about this.”
Adomos help up his hand, making me look up at him. “Life is hard without friends. Lonely. Perhaps you would be wise to meet these leaders and decide for yourself. You’ve had a tough time and naturally you rebel against being forced to do anything you don’t want to do, because it’s about control. From what you told me, many things happened to you that you had no control over, so when your friends suggest something that might benefit you, your immediate reaction is to walk away. You should go, with an open mind. You might be pleasantly surprised, and if not, then you can choose to walk away.”
His words sank in and I closed my eyes briefly. I was being selfish and impulsive with my actions. Takari had said something similar nights ago, but because it came from her, I’d rejected it. Hearing the words from Adomos, one who I trusted, made me see the situation in a different light. I asked too much of my friends. No wonder Romulus was furious. He’d likely fought many Nephilim and yet I’d brought one into their midst. Even Takari, although hesitant, gave me the benefit of the doubt and leaned toward trusting Adomos because I did.
And then there was Adomos, coming to me with an apology. I assumed he’d lived many lives, and yet he patiently stood before me, offering me a word of advice.
“You’re a mystery to me,” I told him, “but you are right, even though it is difficult for me to admit.”
“Someone once told me the sign of a great leader is humility. If you wish to lead, to rule—and even if you don’t—others will listen to you, will follow you if you are unafraid to show your weaknesses and work to overcome them.”
“No one wants to follow a weak leader,” I said ruefully.
“No, but if one is willing to change…and you are…”
The moment hung between us and then stretched, calm, pleasant. It reminded me of meditating in Anon Loam, of tasting the fine wines, the foods that made me feel light, happy. Similar to how I felt standing in Adomos’s presence. A wistfulness coursed through me. “I’m glad you’re here,” I whispered.
He gave me a half smile. “Even though I warned you that you’ll make many enemies with me by your side?”
“I don’t care.” My voice dropped, and I stepped closer.
“You should.” He held my gaze. “You are of royal blood, a princess, a future queen…”
“All that is true—I am a daughter of a god, a warrior—but those are titles. They aren’t who I am.”
“No, and I may be a Nephilim, but my mixed blood does not define me.”
“Nor does mine.” I moved closer, pulse pounding as I reached out.
Adomos froze, his voice only a purr of warning. “You should not want what you want. You awaken things within me that are better left dormant.”
I closed my eyes, but the flush of embarrassment did not rise. He knew. Perhaps he’d known all along. Did he know I dreamed of him? Desired him? Craved him? I recalled the day I’d left, when we’d touched, and he had told me his name. I’d seen a glimpse of him in the light: his wings, his blue skin, and the runes that shimmered on his exposed skin. He’d been naked from head to toe, but I’d seen his arousal and turned away, surprised by his lust, his ability to want and to do nothing.
