Chapter Sixteen.

I scouted the perfect place near the house but far enough to have some privacy.

We went there hand in hand. The villagers all looked more relaxed and had a much better attitude, considering tomorrow is the sacrifice.

It usually sends this village into a deep depression weeks before the day, and it stayed with them for weeks after.

Once again, if someone told me all this a month ago, I would laugh at the person giving all sorts of reasons why it is just a fantasy.

But now the one responsible for turning my world around and the villages is holding my hand strong enough to make me believe all fantasies are possible.

I led him along the river when he suddenly turned me around and kissed me with a passion that made me spin.

We not only didn't arrive at my location but I was aware that people could see us. It's funny how inhibitions can melt in seconds.

I couldn't care less and let him pick me up and carry me like a princess. We sat down a little further away in the tall grass and decided to melt him with my lips.

I never felt so light and yet heavy at the same time. Why was everything so much brighter when we kissed?

I felt my skin was on fire.

With perfect timing, he picked me up again and walked inside the water with me. The water was cool and clear. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he held me by my ass.

I wanted him to touch me more.. everywhere.

But why wait for him? I guided his hand on my breast and became very aware of something poking me.

I adjusted my position so I could feel it more, pushing against me. I felt like I had run a race. I wanted him to know how much I loved him.

But then a tiny little prickly fear invaded my mind, made remember how this was the first time someone touched me like that. Made me hesitate and pulled my head away by reflex, pushing him away.

He looked disappointed but maybe it was only something I saw. He let gathered himself.

" I'm sorry.. I got a little.." - he took some breaths and wiped his hair back. " Sorry, I can see it's a bit too much. Made you uncomfortable.. Let us go dry off a little."

No! That's not what I wanted.

I sensed the mood was literally killed by me, so I just nodded and followed him out of the water.

He smiled, sat next under tree, and let me sit in his lap. We stayed there watching the sun setting. He smiled, his demeanour as always,nothing changed.

I felt annoyed and angry with myself for ruining our perfect moment. I love him, and I know he loves me. So, where did that fear come from?

My inexperience, despite my age, betrayed me at the worst moment possible.

I felt depressed in his arms. Something I never thought it would happen.

I soon noticed his breathing became steady. I looked up, and his head rested on the tree behind him, sleeping soundly.

He looked at his face for a long time. Wishing to turn back time. Maybe then, I would sleep in his arm instead of watching him.

I saw his brows furrowed, and his eyeballs moved rapidly under their lids. Soon, she saw tears falling from his eyes. His expression unchanged, yet those were tear drops, trailing down his face.

" Zephyr!"

I shook him awake immediately. He looked at me, and for a flash, he didn't seem to recognize me.

" What's wrong? Did something happen?" - he looked around, scanning our surroundings.

I touched his cheek, swiping those tears away. He noticed it and touched his own face, surprised.

" Do those dreams still bother you? I remember you talked about it before.."

He rubbed his eyes and returned to his usual smiling self.

" I-I'm okay, my love.. Those days are gone. " - he gently moved me and got up, offering his hand. " Let's go get something to eat."

Walking by his side. Maybe this was the first time he ever lied to me.

---

We went inside a fully packed house.

He left me quickly and picked up the running Ilianna laughing happily. He seemed fine but I couldn't forget what happened.

Not just my first steps into adulthood end a disaster but also his tears and his smile that reminds me of those he showed before, I fell in love with him.

I sat down between Demelza and my sister, who kept giving me suggestive looks, which I returned with a fake smile.

" Soo..how was..."

" Later ..."

Those fake smiles were for nothing.

They could tell from my tone. Their expressions made me feel even worse about it. I kept looking at Zephyr playing with Anna.

In my delirious happiness, I forget just how much can still torment him.

All those questions about himself never answered. Those damn dreams still plague him, most likely every time he sleeps. No wonder he always got up early. He must've suffered deep down, and I didn't even notice.

I felt being grabbed and dragged away. It was Eli and Demelza.

" Why did you.."

" Do you want Zephyr to see you cry like that? "

I didn't even notice the tears falling from my eyes. Remembering why they did just made cry without restraints.

I let them lead me a way the house. We ended up near where we..were.

I told them everything that happened. Even things otherwise too embarrassed to tell.

It took me some time to stop my tears and calm down. I felt my eyes were on fire. He can't see me like that. I can't have him think it was because of something he did. Demelza talked first.

" I didn't know.. he had dreams like that. And I never saw him sad, I think. " - she looked at Eli to confirm, and once she nodded, it went on. " At least never in front of us. But you shouldn't blame yourself for those dreams or for your fears."

" She is right Lylly..I doubt Zephyr would be one of those who gets bothered by that."

They didn't understand. I knew all of that.

It bothered me. My old self doubts and fears returned to me in the worst moment possible. Also, if others didn't see his suffering, that is fine.

I have to see it!! If I can't..what good am I to him?

" Please stop looking like that, Lylly. You need to be there for him. He is heading up the mountain tomorrow. My sister patted my hand and pointed back towards the house.

" Worrying about the future of all of us. You need to pull yourself together."

" Eleanor, maybe we should give her time. Lylly go and wash your face ..your eyes are very red. And try not to blame yourself before you talk to him." - Demelza turned me over to her and helped me up from the ground.

" After all, you don't even know how he's feeling. Go and find out."

I walked down to the water to wash off my tears. I looked at the middle and couldn't stop to think. If only I didn't ruin our perfect moment, would he still have that nightmare?