--SABLE--

  As I stood on the riverbank staring at the owl mask representing the life I had recently left behind, the racing of my heart began to drum louder than the river pounding the eroding rocks as it bent along the natural curvature. Just moments before, my heart was racing with tantalizing feelings of Lillie’s body upon my bare chest and the anticipation of a future we would create together. I had spent weeks sleeping on the floor in her bedroom in Cedrus City, managing to evade her parent’s disapproval and disdain for my existence, merely on the cause of my own heroism of saving Lillie’s life when she was buried deep within the underground.

  For almost a year, I had been exploring my desire to be with Lillie, and I had faced several challenges that only evoked stronger inclinations that my whole existence was to be devoted to her. The life of a Teragane upon Mt. Hira offered nothing I wanted, and would only subject me to further isolation and control under the Sage’s guidance. Although my initial intentions were to convince Lillie to leave her life, upon entering her world deep within the cedar forest, I discovered a whole new environment, the Tamarine people’s innovative lifestyle, and had past the point of no return, for how could I after having my mind open up to a new method of living? How could I ever go back to Hira and live under the reign of the Sage who had kept me ignorant of the world around me?

  The Sage staring at me drifted over the rushing river with a smooth glide of extended wings and landed upon the grass, causing their robes to flow, and a waft of burning herbs filled the air. Their bone-carved owl mask reflected the warm, spring sunlight, but the black slits where their eyes would be pierced like falling winter ice as they stepped closer, causing a cold shiver to run down my spine.

  “Sable von Hira,” the Sage spoke clearly as they folded their wings. “I came to your home to provide further instructions, yet you were not there. I waited, but you never returned. I have been seeking you, for you have been missing from the Mt. Hira. Yet, after all this time, I find you here? Where are your clothes? Have your wings been compromised, keeping you from flying?”

  “No,” I said, and shook my head, regretting removing all my clothes except my trousers.

  “Then, why have you not returned?” they asked, their voice rather concerned. “Where have you been?” I lowered my eyes, unsure how to explain myself, yet, I would have never anticipated the Sage to come looking for me. Then again, they obviously were in control of the colony—how extensive? I would learn soon enough.

  “A friend of mine was in trouble—in danger—and I needed to help,” I said quietly, then raised my head and firmly stood, believing I had every right to choose a life for myself.

  “What friend?” the Sage asked. “I do not recall anyone from the colony in need. If anyone was in danger, a Sage should have been informed.”

  “A close friend from the forest,” I replied, expecting the Sage to flinch, but their heavy layers and masked face made it impossible to detect any reactions. “I had no choice. They were in danger and I have been helping them recover.”

  “Sable, it is honorable of you to help those in need, but you should not be making friends with others outside of your colony.”

  “It just happened.”

  “You need to return to the mountain. You are expected for further training.”

  “What—what if I do not desire for further training?”

  The Sage’s wings twitched—finally a reaction. Then, they quietly mumbled, “Not you, too.”

  A stick snapped behind us, causing me to twist around, and fear struck my already racing heart as sweat beaded down my face.

  “Lillie!” I hissed as she peered behind a tree. The Sage began to move towards me, and my fear of the unexpected forced me to beckon Lillie to come to me. She ran up to my side, her loose white hair bouncing with her strides, and I blocked her body with my whole left arm, extending my wing behind her, creating a barrier. I didn’t think the Sage would hurt her, but I also did not expect the Sage to come looking for me either. I didn’t know what to expect, only that Lillie was safer next to me while the consequences of my actions had officially caught up with me.

  “As I said,” the Sage reiterated, “you are expected. You must return to the mountain.” The Sage slightly turned their head as they examined Lillie, and I moved further in front of her. Her hand was on my back, and she lowered it down my waist. Earlier, I would have enjoyed the feeling of her hand tracing the grooves in my back. However, as the Sage stared at us through the black slits hiding their eyes, her touch felt petrifying.

  I no longer could evade the Sage—the truth of my new life was now revealed to my original mentors.

  “Okay, I will,” I said, holding my voice steady.

  “Well done,” they said, then twisted around to finally leave. They glided away, slowly disappearing into the distance. Suddenly, my fear turned into anger, and I spun around and grabbed Lillie by her arms.

  “I told you to stay by the fire!” I yelled in her face, and her eyes widened as she bit her lower lip.

  “I’m sorry!” she cried. “I—I didn’t know! I got scared being alone!” Tears began welling in her eyes as she pleaded, and I pulled her head against my chest as I gripped the back of her head. My breathing felt erratic and heavy, my heart full of fear now that the looming reality of my past life came looking for me.

  “I’m sorry Sable, I was worried,” Lillie muttered as her breath warmed my bare chest, and I drifted my fingers down her long, loose hair. Fear began to fade as I looked up at the ascending figure of the Sage disappearing into the clouds above. I didn’t want to leave Lillie, nor return to the mountain, but the realization that the Sage were much more attentive to my actions brought me to the realization that it was time for me to officially sever ties with my people.

  I could not just slip away, like I expected, nor could I bear the unpleasant feeling of them looking for me in attempt to force me back into the rigid obligations they had planned for me, which apparently others in the colony were seemingly retorting. Who? I hadn’t the faintest idea, only the spark of motivation that I wasn’t the only one to reject the way of the Teragane. Perhaps the Sage was preparing a lecture to convince me to stay for further training—for the Mating-Ritual—but I knew that I would need to stand firm with my life choice now that I knew I would stay by Lillie’s side in the forest. What would happen next, I could not predict, nor could any of my training and personal expectations prepare me for what my future awaited.

  “W—will you go back?” Lillie asked, and I moved her head back, allowing me to gaze into her eyes filled with fear.

  “Lillie,” I said. “I need to take care of some things.” I released her, but grabbed her hand and led her back to the fire. It had turned lopsided, and the fish had charred to a crisp, but my hanger had vanished while apprehension swirled with my racing thoughts. I hated the idea of leaving Lillie alone to return to the mountain in which I had not a single sense of remorse for abandoning it all. Nor did I desire to see the Sage again to be reprimanded, and, ultimately, verbally instructed to continue my training. Yet, I had no other option if I were to make my intentions clear.

  “Hey,” Lillie said quietly. “I need to know.”

  “What?” I snapped, anger still lingering in my voice after I had secured my loose tunic and shoved my feet into my leather boots.

  “Is it possible—“ her voice broke while she nervously scratched her arm. The sack of fish sat next to her boots while she was obviously finished readying herself for our return to the city. I felt guilty for yelling, but fear of her presence near the Sage prevented me from apologizing, for I needed her to know the severity of the situation.

  “Go on,” I said, trying to sound calmer as fear still lingered within her demeanor.

  “Is it possible for us to be together?”

  “Of course,” I said, suddenly remorseful of causing her discomfort. “I just need to take care of a few things. This doesn’t change anything. Okay?”

  “Okay, if you say so.” I went over to the fire and stomped on the logs with dying flames. Lillie gathered water and doused the fire completely, and I threw the charred fish into the river. Then, I flew us to the meadow and we walked to her home together in silence.

  I did not feel like expressing my vulnerability to Lillie at that moment. I was supposed to be her strong, solid rock; I felt like a scared little rabbit that got caught in a hunter’s trap. I did not necessarily fear the Sage, but I was caught off guard by their appearance, and a terrible feeling overshadowed me. It was the same intuitive instinct warning me that something bad happened or would happen after Lillie did not show up to the meadow on the full moon. The further I went looking for Lillie, the more entangled in a web of suffering I experienced. I felt the same way I did when I was deep in the underground and I knew that something was haunting the workers. The eerie sensation of the tunnels, the darkness, and eventually the lava-creature that emerged in total destruction. Everything suddenly became heightened in my senses as I feared the unexpected outcome upon my return to the mountain.

  Yet, I knew that I needed to sever my ties with my people regardless of my apprehensive feeling towards the disdain from the Sage I would most inevitably face. How would they attempt to convince me to abandon Lillie and participate in the Mating-Ritual I was expected to fulfill? What would they do when I refuse?

  Lost in my mind, I blindly followed Lillie back to her home. After entering the wooden house nestled in the cedar trees on the second level, I carried the sack of fish into the kitchen, and plopped it onto the dining table.

  “Oh my goodness!” Lillie’s mother Marie said, her voice sounding excited, yet disgusted at the same time.

  “You asked for a lot of fish,” Lillie said with a sarcastic tone, and I left the kitchen as they began to argue, focused only on the main task at hand of securing my future with Lillie and severing my ties with the colony of Hira. I entered Lillie’s room and rummaged through the top drawer of a dresser. During her recovery, I had taken on the task of organizing her clothes, and she allowed me to also place mine in one of the drawers, and I took out my tunic, sleeves, and cloak.

  I was enjoying intertwining myself into her life, partaking in an advanced society, and feeling a sense of belonging with a family, even if they didn’t all get along. As I began dressing myself with appropriate attire, ones given to me by the Sage, I thought about my place in Cedrus City. Lillie’s friends were accepting of me, and as I began helping Lillie with household chores, now tasked with bringing home fish for the family, I could sense Marie and Bene tolerating my presence. I didn’t know what else I needed to do to advance our life, but I liked the idea of living in our own house together where we could cook and clean everyday, or perhaps I could find one of those jobs and take on the task of financially securing myself—maybe.

  I heard Lillie’s voice as she knocked on the closed door, then we entered and watched me secure my clothes.

  “Mother is happy with the fish, but not the smell,” she said shyly as I spun my cloak around my shoulders, and the split layers fell in place, and I began tucking in the loose ends into my belt. I then attached my old satchel, and attempted to smooth out my hair with my hands, while Lillie stood motionless, her eyes shifting as she helplessly watched me.

  “I’ll try to be back before nightfall,” I said while straightening out the folds of my cloak. “How do I look?”

  “Like your old self,” she replied with a weak smile, and took a step closer to me. “Like the boy I so often met at the meadow. The Teragane from the mountain.” She moved her hand to my head and began brushing her fingers through my hair while her fearful eyes looked around. As her hand drifted down my neck, she lifted her eyes, meeting mine. I wanted to tell her all the great plans and desires I had for us, but my words failed as the lingering expectations still swirled within my mind.

  “But, now,” she continued, and I placed my hand on hers. “Now, you’re not just a boy from the mountain. You’re the man who bravely rescued me and others. The man who has changed my world. The man who saved my life.”

  “Yes, always remember that,” I said, then removed her hand abruptly. With determination to take care of my responsibilities, I moved past her, and left the room, and trudged down the hallway while she hurried after me. After leaving the house, I stood on the balcony, and looked up at the clearing I had made for myself during the previous weeks, calculating how fast I could fly to the mountain and return so that I could see Lillie again.

  “You’re not gonna try to fly out from here, are you?” Lillie asked after grabbing my hand.

  “I’ve been working on clearing some branches up ahead,” I said. “I made a direct path for myself.”

  “What? Really? Since when?”

  “Every time I would leave the house to stretch my wings, I would fly up and break some branches, clearing an exit for myself so I don’t have to walk through the city anymore.”

  “Oh, wow. That’s incredibly clever.” I looked down at her, then quickly kissed her cheek, and her hand tightened upon my arm.

  “I’ll be back. Please, this time, stay here,” I said while quickly moving my face away from hers, wishing to kiss her lips, but, alas, I wanted to savor the splendid sensation of having our first kiss, for I was tired of being interrupted during heightened, negative emotions.

  “But!” Lillie cried. “What if you don’t? What if they keep you there? How will I ever find you again? How can we—“

  “Shh,” I said while placing a finger to her lips. “I will return. You will see me again.”

  “You don’t know that! You looked utterly shocked and in fear that—that guy standing at the river—was there! I know you’re scared, but I don’t know why! Please, you’re frightening me! I can’t bear this alone—please, don’t leave me.”

  “As you said before, we have a lot to discuss. Believe in me once more. Trust that I will return.”

  “But, what if you don’t?” Her eyes welled with tears as she helplessly stared into mine, and I looked down at her blouse stained from our adventure in the valley, and her white hair loosely swayed in the low breeze of the city.

  “Then you can come looking for me at the top of the mountain. But, for now, believe that I will return. Wait here for me. I will be back.”

  “Wait!”

  “Please, I must go.”

  “I love you!” Her words echoed, suddenly causing my heart to flutter at such a strong declaration, and I smiled as I leaned my head against her forehead.

  “I love you, too.” I gave a final kiss upon her forehead, desiring ever so much to never leave her side again, devoting all my attention to savoring the flavors of her skin, but I could not risk the Sage coming so far into my newfound life—I needed to proclaim my severance once and for all.

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  After Lillie finally let go of my arm, I stepped away from her. As I looked over her beautiful face, immersing myself into the very concept that Lillie was my absolute reason for life, I turned and jumped away, using the railing to launch myself into the narrow area. I bolted up, moving past the bridges from above, and eventually guided through the opening I had created. Out from under the dense city buildings and intertwining branching system, I was in the open sky once again. As the sun was fading past the mountain ridges, I flew swiftly towards Hira. My natural instincts of a habitual flight pattern instantly took place, and the air began to grow cold with each new level of elevation.

  After I deal with the Sage, then I can focus on being in love with Lillie. I cannot risk my future with her by the mere fact they still expect me to return for their expected roles.

  After reaching the summit of Hira, I entered the narrow entrance that curved into the main area. My home was exactly how I had left it only a month ago. The eternal blue flame still bounced in its fireplace, the smell of salted fish permeated from the ground storage, and my stone bed still had several animal pelts. I decided to bring back my pelts, thinking I could make a nice bed for myself on the floor in Lillie’s room.

  Too bad her bed wasn’t big enough to share—maybe we can get a bigger one. Maybe even a house…

  However, that would require money—a job to secure money—the very thing apparently forcing Lillie to live a miserable life. But, now that I’m with her, we will find a better way, even if Cedrus City is rather complicated—way more than just living in a cave.

  “You have returned,” a voice came from behind me. I spun around and the Sage from earlier stepped out from the shadows. “We have much to discuss. Have you forgotten the ways of the Teragane? You were inappropriately dressed and with a forest-dweller. A forbidden friendship. Sable—you have been quite rebellious. For how long do you plan to throw your life into chaos?”

  They began circling me, their footsteps loudly stomping on the stone floor. They placed their hands behind their back, and their wings were slightly extended, seemingly trying to intimidate me by creating a large presence.

  “I have not forgotten,” I admitted as I bravely tilted my head up. “Only decided that it is no longer a life I want to pursue. I have found happiness with the Tamarines and their way of life is much more interesting than the way of the Teragane.”

  “Happiness?” Their voice was snake-like as they slurred the end of their word. “What makes you think happiness cannot be found within your own culture? Why do you seek out the primitive folk of the low lands? To what ends would you go for the savages of the forest?”

  “Savages? Hardly, and, to be honest, nothing about the isolated life of a Teragane emits happiness. Only rules and loneliness. And they’re not primitive. The Tamarines are much more advanced than we are. They produce wonders, have families and friends—their life is—“

  “The loneliness can be fixed by the mating-ritual, in which you will be paired with a female,” they interrupted, and their pacing became slower. “You cannot abandon your own people for the sake of seeking out a childish whim of wonder and the delusion of happiness with those of the low-lands. Be reasonable, the primitive folk of the forest may seem advanced, but it is all an illusion—a distraction from the reality in which the Teraganes have long practiced to protect our people.”

  “Protect? From what?”

  “From the cruel world beneath the safety of the mountains. From the swords of greedy rulers. From the destruction of the imbalances of life the people of this world live by.” They stopped circling, and turned to face me. Although I could not see anything behind the owl mask, their voice sounded authentic and compassionate. I thought about all the things I had faced in Cedrus City. The horrors I went through trying to save Lillie. All of that was caused by greed and cruelty by people who only cared about themselves. The Sage’s word sounded reasonable, yet, there were others worthy of pursing beyond the isolated world I was born into.

  “I cannot return to my old life here in the mountains,” I said while looking down at the ground. I balled my fists at my side, feeling conflicted from the truths the Sage spoke and the reality of the life outside the mountain. “But I know what cruelty you speak of, for I have faced it.”

  “It is why we abide by our laws and rituals of our ancestors,” they continued. “It keeps our people safe and our way of life can be preserved for future generations. Our people stay separated on account of providing a balanced, peaceful life for the Teragane. While the savages of the low-lands relish in chaos and cruelty, we can live in harmony and freedom.”

  “I understand. However, I cannot just ignore or be apathetic to the world that exists around me. There may be more cruel and greedy people, but there are good Tamarines—and ones who need help. I can help them. I saved people who would be dead if it weren’t for me.” I looked up and stared deeply into the black slits of the mask. For a moment, I wished the Sage was someone who I knew, perhaps someone who felt connected to me. Maybe if they cared about me, then they could understand why I felt the way I did. The desire to feel a sense of belonging suddenly grew strong.

  “There are always people in need of help,” they said. “Your help may have given you a sense of intrepidity, but it will fade as those around you will take advantage of your nobility and incomparable strength. It is why the Teragane stay out of these problems, for it is never-ending, and our history proves that anyone would take advantage of the gifts of the Teraganes.”

  “Our history?” The Sage’s wings flinched, and they slowly moved their gloved hands to their front, and grabbed one wrist rather tightly. “What is the history of the Teragane then? For, no one has told me of these things—I know nothing of my kind, only to abide by whatever you say, yet what you say is ambiguous and vague, keeping me ignorant and apathetic to a world so much bigger than just myself.”

  “Perhaps I can be allowed to tell you more about our history, but you must know that the world has not been kind to the Teragane, which is why it is better to stay away and preserve your life with your own people. You belong here on Mt. Hira with your colony. With my guidance, I can help you connect with a mate, and you can find happiness overtime with—“

  “I already love someone who I will devote my life to.”

  “Love?” They scoffed, causing me to narrow my eyes. “Sable, you are only a child.”

  “No! I am no longer a child, and I know what love is!” My raised voice echoed throughout the room, and the light of the blue fire bounced as it flickered against the stone walls. My teeth clenched at their quiet scoffing, and they shook their masked head.

  “Yes, you are no longer a young child, but still not quite a man. You are still in need of strong guidance.” Suddenly they sighed as their wings rustled, and they adjusted the bone necklace as they quietly mumbled. “I should have come sooner. When did you meet this—Tamarine?”

  I lowered my head, unwilling to tell them the truth, knowing their disapproval would only extend with anything else I were to say. Yet, the thought about knowing more about the history of the ancestors lingered, and I looked up again.

  “Tell me about the history of the Teragane.”

  “Return to the mountain, accept your role, and I will guide you to know more about who you are. For, this rebellious act can still be redeemed. Mistakes happen, but, stay here, and find your way back to—“

  “No! You are mistaken, for I can never come back and pretend that my love isn’t real! I finally have found a better way.”

  “This path you are choosing will only lead to destruction.”

  “No, this path will lead me to happiness and a life better than the Teragane way!”

  “My dear child, I beg of you. Do not act so foolishly. Do not continue this way!”

  “Dear child?” Their words lingered through my mind as they spoke intimately towards me. “Do I know you?”

  “It is only a mere expression. The Sage are mentors to children. You are a child of the Sage—a child of the Teragane.”

  “Are you someone who knows me? Are you my father? Mother? Is it you, Cami?”

  “Do not think intimate thoughts about the Sage. The Teragane are one family, but we do not use this language with each other. See, you still act so childishly, holding onto these familial bonds you should have grown out of by now.”

  “Do you know me?” I stepped closer to the Sage. An impulsive desire to remove their mask filled my mind, but the Sage quickly moved away from me. “Answer the question!”

  “I am only a Sage. Think nothing more other than your mentor. I am here to guide you.”

  “I don’t need you to guide me. I can take care of myself.”

  “You foolish, rebellious child!” Their anger reverberated off the lifeless stone walls, and their wings flinched as their voice returned to the hissing of a snake. “What has possessed you to become such a tyrant?”

  “The horrors of the world.” I proudly lifted my head as I smirked, only infuriating them more as they hissed. “I have made my choice. I no longer need your guidance. I’m done with the way of the Sage—of the Teragane.”

  “If you choose this path, only destruction will follow you.”

  “And I will heroically overcome it.”

  “Sable, please—please return to the mountain, to the way of your people by birth. Save yourself from destruction.” Their softened voice sounded sincere, but not enough to convince me that I could ever find happiness, nor be in control of my life they wanted to completely determine in aspects I did not care to know about. The historical account of my people piqued some interest, but a life without Lillie would never be one for me to choose.

  “Don’t do this,” they quietly pleaded.

  “I have already made my choice,” I said firmly, and crossed my arms, and I felt my skin rise with goosebumps. The Sage turned their head towards the exit of the cave, and the blue light illuminated the edges of the bone mask securing halfway across the face, the rest was a black material that completely covered the person’s hair and face, making it impossible to ever identify whoever was under the mask. Yet, at this point, I hardly cared.

  “Then, dear rebellious child,” the Sage said loudly while walking towards the tunnel exit. “You can never return here.”

  “Wasn’t planning on it,” I replied.

  “You leave me no choice but to officially banish you from this colony.”

  “Banish?”

  “Unless you’d like me to chain you to this cave?” My wings and limbs flinched, but the Sage only chuckled, suddenly filling me with fear if they really would follow through with trapping me upon the summit. “Do not fret, foolish Sable. I am by no means so sadistic. But, I am also only one—your mistakes may be redeemable if you return to me, but, if you are set upon your path, then you shall not speak or bring further shame to our people. Do not return to Hira unless you desire redemption. Stay away from the Teragane, for, one of us, you are no more.”

  “I understand.”

  “You are a shame, a fool, and nothing but a rogue, caught up in a delusion created by a temptress you’ve mistaken lust for love. May the cruelty of this world teach your rebellious heart a lesson. Goodbye Sable. May your suffering bring you to the truth of why our people stay out of the affairs of those from the life of savagery. When you have learned your lesson, may the spirits of air guide you back to the Sage. Redemption may be achievable—if you’re still alive.”

  With a final nod and swirl of their cloak, the Sage disappeared through the exit tunnel, and I sighed heavily, finally feeling relieved of the burden of the Sage’s pressure, despite their threats. Their direct insults only further angered me, revealing to me what truly happens when their law of rites are questioned. I was sick of their way of life, and I quickly left the cave, desiring to leave it all behind, including the animal pelts.

  A life of suffering? A path only leading to destruction? What empty threats and meaningless curses. I could face the cruelty of the world beyond the mountain and still find happiness, for my love for Lillie is not mere lust, nor is my desire to live a life beyond the apathy and ignorance of the Teragane.

  I am strong enough to overcome anything. I can be who I want to be without turning my back on others. I can be exactly who I always wanted to be: the master of my own life.

  The night twinkled with starlight, but slowly vanished behind the darkening clouds as I flew swiftly down the mountain. The rush of cold wind passed over my body, but a sensation of relief caused me to feel lighter. Knowing that the Sage no longer would come looking for me, I felt as if I could finally move on with my life. Banishment seemed cruel, but it officially severed my connection, and I could move onto the life in which I desperately wanted.

  My wings flapped rapidly as I raced back to the city hidden within the forest, and sweat began building up as I thought about how I had left Lillie. I had asked her to wait for me regardless of her emotional state, and I sensed I had a lot to explain to her. But, I was finally ready—we were ready to begin our life together.

  Now, I just need to find her again.

  I saw the small clearing I had created in the forest below. From the sky, the forest canopy was solid and impossible to see the dense city settled beneath its branches, creating the illusion that the Tamarines living just under the darkness were simply savages from the forest, when, in reality, they were a highly advanced society. It was no wonder the Teraganes assumed these ideas—or, did they know all along? For, what historical accounts did the Sage keep hidden from the rest of us?

  I dove down into the clearing, and carefully maneuvered my way to the balcony in front of Lillie’s house. To my utmost shock, she was sitting on the balcony, covered in her blanket, and startled as I landed on the railing.

  “Sable!” she yelled while jolting to her feet, and I plopped down onto the wooden floor. She flung herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck. She pulled at my hair as I grabbed her waist and savored the alarming sensation of her sudden lips upon mine.

  Lost to all my previous thoughts, I allowed myself to melt into her embrace, but she then moved her head away while staring widely at me. I licked my lips, savoring her lingering presence, and a shallow breath escaped my mouth, hers as well.

  Now, I can think about being in love.

  “You came back,” she whispered as she smoothed the hair plastered against my forehead, and tucked some strands behind my ear.

  “You waited for me,” I said, nearly out of breath, and I felt our racing hearts join as I held her against my body. She smiled, rounding her cheeks, and I leaned back into her lips, closing my eyes upon contact. I opened my mouth as I dreamily immersed into the emotional instincts of being overcome by physical desires. My teeth suddenly clashed with Lillie’s and she jerked away, perhaps feeling stunned by my sharp teeth.

  “Oops,” I said while grinning, causing her to giggle and she leaned her head against mine. I gave her lips a small peck, then nuzzled my face against her neck. I heavily breathed in her lavender aroma and kissed the curvature of her neck while tasting her skin, a delicacy I had heavily fantasized about for some time.

  I felt so passionate in my physical embrace, following her neckline with my mouth, savoring the warmth, the fluttering in my heart, and the moans that escaped my mouth, tantalized by the quiet gasps she made at each moment of delicious pleasure. All those days dreaming of her lips exploded in my mind. I could barely believe I was caressing her neck with my mouth; I could scarcely accept such fantasies were finally becoming a reality—a reality in which I had fought tirelessly to create.

  “Wait, Sable,” Lillie muttered as her hand trailed down my neck and onto my chest, and I moved my lips to her long, pointed ear.

  “Yes?” I purred, then kissed behind her ear, causing her to shiver, but, regrettably, she pushed against my chest, loosening herself from my embrace, and I set her feet back onto the ground.

  “What happened?” she asked. Her expression of determination overtook her softened eyes that had first greeted me, and I began to fear losing the moment I ever so desired to further explore.

  “Oh, yes, of course,” I quickly said. “I’ve been banished.” I then leaned into her lips, but she jolted her head away.

  “What?” she yelled. “Banished?”

  “Yes,” I said, then, once again, attempted to reunite our kissing affair.

  “Wait, stop! What are you talking about?” She pushed herself further away with hands against my chest, and I sighed, knowing that her demands of an explanation would trump our tantalizing efforts of embracing one another. I released my grip from her waist, and pushed my fingers through my tangled hair, feeling the sweat drip from my forehead. As Lillie impatiently tapped her foot, I leaned against the railing of the balcony, causing it to slightly creak.

  “Because I have abandoned my culture,” I started, “and chosen a path for myself, the Sage have banished me.”

  “What does that mean? How is that done?”

  “Lillie, I’m really tired and want to keep kissing you instead. Can we talk about this tomorrow?”

  “No! I’ve been sitting here all night waiting for you. You can’t just keep avoiding telling me what’s going on in your life. This is a big deal, you know?”

  “Hey, it’s okay. And I really appreciate you waiting like I asked. Can we at least go inside?”

  “You promise to tell me everything?”

  “Yes, I promise.” Finally assured, Lillie and I walked into her house. I asked for a cleansing cloth and she drew me a bowl of water to clean myself after my extensive flying and heightened emotions. I removed the heavy layers of the cloak, belt and satchel, and took off my tunic, and folded each item, and tucked it inside the dresser, eying the pile of clothes Lillie had thrown next to it. Despite my efforts of tidying her dresser, her items seemed to end up on the floor anyway, making it difficult to determine what was clean enough to put away, or what was ready for washing.

  “Are you hungry?” Lillie asked while she waited patiently on her bed. “Do you need something to eat?”

  “Just your lips,” I said with a smile as I patted my bare shoulder with the cleansing cloth, wearing only my trousers. She tilted her head while smiling, her cheeks and tips of her ears turning crimson.

  “Saying our first I love you, and having our first kiss in one day,” she said dreamily while beginning to braid her hair. “And seeing a Sage for the first time and you getting banished from your colony. Jeesh—we were quite busy today.”

  “Yeah, no wonder I’m exhausted,” I said as I bent over the bowl of water and began rinsing my hair. Water trickled down my neck and back, cooling me significantly. The room was stifling in comparison to my cave on the mountain, and, after being away for so long, I hadn’t realized the stark contrast of humidity within the city.

  No wonder I’m always sweating.

  “Lara, Jamie, and Thabias came over tonight. I gave Lara the sack back, with fish, of course. She was quite happy, although mother didn’t like giving up some.”

  “Good.” I shook my head, casting drops of water onto the wooden floor, and then dried my clean hair with another cloth Lillie had given me.

  “I think the fish will keep my mother happy for a few days. But, we should probably go back out tomorrow to gather more food. Probably should resupply the storage room as much as we can. And—oh!—Jamie says he wants to be your friend.”

  “Okay.”

  “Yeah, I told him slaves can’t be friends with their masters.”

  “What?” I stressed my brows, but then I suddenly remembered we had visited Jamie at his home earlier that morning and had made jokes about him becoming my slave since he owed me his life after saving him from the mine.

  “Oh, yeah, right,” I mumbled with a chuckle as I finished drying the last bits of water from my skin, and then wiped the floor with the towel. Lillie changed her mind, and began undoing her braid, and loosely shook her hair, then wrapped a blanket around her shoulders, and yawned as she stretched her legs out.

  “What a day,” she said, but her eyes shifted towards me as I lingered in the middle of the room. I looked at her lips, then at the curve of her exposed neck, desiring to return my attention to the passion in my heart. We had been sleeping separate, and I wondered if there would be enough room on the bed to sleep by her side so that I could be near her all night as a yawn escaped my mouth.

  But, as her ears narrowed while she eyed me with obvious anticipation, I knew that I had a lot to discuss before I could ask for another kiss, or even to sleep next to her tonight.

  “So,” I said. “Where should I start?”