Of course, we all headed outside. It was always a spectacle. So why not see it?
The night was young, and some villagers were out enjoying the cool air. Zephyr walked ahead with Ilianna in his arms, and we went to the training area.
It was nicely lit up by a few torches and the moonlight. Demelza and the girls brought some of the wine outside, and I felt very comfortable just having fun. It was one of the last true summer nights.
Alexander ran ahead and started a little introduction. "Alright, everyone... we're here to witness th—"
"Sit down, fool... no, look at me." Zephyr stopped and examined his smiling, red face. "Tch tch... you've had one too many, brother. We'll take you to the river and throw you in later. Princess, let's help your uncle."
"Hahaha..." Alex leaned on the only sober man in our party.
Zephyr guided Alexander back to us, with Anna pushing him from behind and smiling. Hmm... he looked responsible and absolutely delicious in the night light. Much like this wine, he only got better with time.
He walked to me with slow steps. I knew what was coming. I stood up to receive his kiss, but he only took the glass from me.
"You've had one too many also... Lady Astoria." He leaned closer with a questioning look. "You wanna end up in the river too?"
"Hmm, hmm..." I just kept giggling.
He rolled his eyes and kissed me, biting my lower lip. It was my new favorite move of his. He then handed me back my glass.
I sat back down, my head spinning, and enjoyed some looks of respect from the women around me. I giggled into my glass, feeling very warm inside.
I looked at my Zephyr, shining in the light, drawing all eyes on him. He only looked at me, winked, then disappeared. At the same time, I felt the wind at my back, and he blew air into my ear, startling me and, at the same time, making me burst out in laughter.
I dropped my cup and turned around, got picked up and pushed up into the air, looking down at the man I gave my everything to.
"Surprised?"
"Not even close..." I pulled him into me.
Our passionate kiss earned applause from the crowd. We got surrounded in seconds.
"That was incredible, Master. I can't wait for our training to begin." The young Emil was ready to build him a church, from the looks of it.
He does understand he didn't show what his training is, right? He looks feminine, with long legs like mine. Physical training is going to be a torture for him. Get ready to run... whatever your name is.
"Well... yes, totally... alright then." Zephyr looked almost disturbed by those looks. "It's late, and we have to get up early. Head on home."
The Emils came up and thanked us once again for tonight and for tomorrow. They left with Granny and Mother.
He walked and helped up Alex. "Alright, you... let's go, we'll take a dip... all of us, Lucian, come on..."
The two slowly went on ahead, neither seemed excited about their little night swim. He grabbed me from behind and pushed himself up close.
"I'll hurry..." He kissed my neck softly, teasing me.
"If not, I'll start without you..."
I felt him through my dress and rustled around a little. I let my hand reach behind into his hair and grabbed it a little.
"Go... wash your idiot brothers and come right back."
"Yes, ma'am."
We kissed, and he looked drunk, even without a drop of alcohol.
Huuuh... alright.
I walked back to Demelza and my sister, a little shaky.
"Tch... you're going to need Demelza's house tonight, I assume, Sisi?" Eleanor looked at Zephyr and the boys and back to me. "You two don't even try to hide it."
"We don't need to hide it... and yes. Sorry, Demelza."
She looked pouty.
"Fine..." She got up and walked ahead. "Me and Alex will go to your half-built house and sleep there."
Ugh... I wanted to protest but... considering. I just gave a superior nod. I rose above her petty taunts.
"Hmm, you two enjoy the night air. Sleep well!"
Ironically, we didn't sleep at all that night.
~
It was dawning, and we walked hand in hand to our old home. It was so strange... soon I'll have my own house. I can actually decorate it. My Zephyr has more coin than we can spend. Considering there's mostly trading in this village for favors or bartering for something, there was nothing to spend it on.
"Three days is going to be awful long..." I leaned on his arm and enjoyed his warmth. "I wish I could go with you."
I didn't want to spend so much time apart. I already felt lonely, even with his arms wrapped around me. If only...
"Then, why don't you?"
I stopped and looked into his eyes. This better not be some teasing from him. I searched, but he only looked at me seriously.
"You serious!??" I pulled him close by his shirt.
He reached up and carefully caressed my cheek, trailing his hand to my chin. "I promised not to fight unless I had to... Metill said Tori's sacrifice is in three days. This means we should be more than halfway home even with a slow pace. So come..."
His eyes were full of determination and hope.
He rested his forehead on mine and closed his eyes. "I'll feel better. Leaving my family for days is... too risky. My love, I don't want to have any regrets... so come."
I smiled and kissed his lips with all my love. Thank you, Ehlite. I felt infinitely better now.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" I pulled away and shook him a little.
"Lylly... it happened like... less than a day ago. Also..." He rolled his eyes and then looked behind Alex and Demelza's house we left. "...we were busy with other things most of the night. Something much more pleasurable..."
I listened and nodded along. "Fair enough..." Then remembered. "Wait, you plan to bring Ilianna too?"
He looked hesitant... but just for a second.
"Yes... hell, I wish we could take everyone, but I won't leave my daughter. Do you disagree?" He scratched his head and waited for my answer.
"Yes, idiot... she is our daughter." I pushed him a little. "But, I feel the same. It's our first family trip. Let's go wake her."
We went inside the house and told the news.
"Ohh, come on. I want to go... I can't remember the last time I saw another village." Demelza was pouting all adorable and crossed her arms.
Alex looked for silent confirmation from Zephyr.
"Don't look at me, brother..." He smiled and pointed at his wife. "I will say this, she deserves something for putting up with you all these years."
"I'll say," I murmured just loud enough to be heard.
He looked happy and grabbed his wife's hands.
"Very well... but Arnold has to stay with Vistellia and Seline." He kissed his very, very happy wife and looked towards the babysitters. "If that's okay?"
Mother and Granny just smiled, amused. "Of course it is." She looked at me. "Go pack for the two and wake up Anna, get her dressed. Go, go, go."
She was right. We were leaving soon.
I jumped quickly and went to mothers' room where Ilianna slept when... we were away. I gently nudged her awake, caressing her little cheek.
She twisted under a large blanket and opened her eyes slightly. "Morning, sweetheart... it's time to get up."
She looked outside first and to me with an expression of an annoyed five-year-old. She pulled the blanket over her head, and I heard her sleepy voice. "It's so early..."
I stood up and took a few steps towards the door before I let her know. "Fine then... I'll tell your father his little princess didn't want to come with us for a trip..."
She jumped up like a squirrel and ran out of the room right past me. She was almost as excited as I was.
I went and packed some of our clothes. Zephyr was already neatly packed by Mother yesterday. By the time I came back out in a change of clothes and brought some for my girl too, Demelza returned with a similar bag as mine and hugging little Arnold. He was just two years old. Shouldn't travel for this long or at all.
We sat and ate, chatting and taking last-second checks. Soon, Norman knocked and came in.
"Zephyr... we are all ready."
He looked up and nodded shortly. "I see... goodbye, everyone. We will be back in a few days with our new members." He let the newly dressed Anna down from his lap and got up. "Say goodbye, princess, to Granny and Big Granny."
Eleanor was already outside with Lucian. Mother packed her up when she threw a fit. She'll ride with me, Anna, and Demelza in the wagon we are bringing. Much more comfortable than a horse.
We gave a few quick hugs and kisses and went outside. There was a full house, just like Liz's husband said.
Only the sons of Metill came back with us. Their sisters and father will scout land where they can all start a new life.
Zephyr and some of the men packed our things in the wagon. Ilianna walked closer and tugged on his shirt.
"Dad? I'm going to ride with you."
I walked closer to pick her up. "Sweetheart, no... no... your fath—"
"That's fine, my love. Let her." He hushed me up and looked at his brother by the side.
Ugh, he spoils her rotten, and she's going to be physically stronger than most men. How is she going to find someone?
I sighed and walked towards the wagons.
"Fine... don't change your mind after 20 minutes, Anna." I looked and couldn't see her. She was long gone and was seated on a horse by her uncle and Lucian.
"You sure have them well trained..." I tipped my imaginary hat towards her father.
Zephyr walked up to me and pulled me close. I loved it when he was dominating like that. He moved his hand from my waist and smacked my ass a little. "Behave, and we can... have some alone time tonight."
Hmm... where? In the forest or... well, who cares.
"Yes, my Lord Astoria..."
It's funny how he didn't like it from others but made him very excited when I called him that. I kissed him and teased his little brother with my hand in secret... or so I thought.
"By Ehlite, stop... there is like... Lylly, I can't believe who you've become!" I heard a loud screeching and the unpleasant face accompanied it.
"Lucky you two will be separated for a few hours..." Her partner in crime added her unwanted opinion. "Unbelievable."
I let my sister and Demelza's barbs bounce off me and kissed my future husband one more time. I bit his lip so hard, and I felt a metallic taste of his blood. I teased him too much. He looked genuinely annoyed that he had to walk away from me.
"Alright, idiots!! Stop staring and get on your horses." He gave some man orders who were absolutely innocent and also didn't even come with us.
"We ride until Lime Lake, where we make camp for the umm..." He caught me biting my lips and almost lost his train of thought. "...for the tonight... Go!"
Those around us jumped like they had been kicked.
I walked up and inside the wagon with a happy little smile and, with my expectation, sky high.
Our first trip ever finally begins.