A pale blue Uranus glowed amid a sea of stars. The world carried the name of the deity that perished there. It required a great deal of strength to create a world and even more to kill a god. Fallen gods littered the void and it fell upon nymphs, as the lowest caste of gods, to nurture the world and preserve the memory.

Kiri rested her hands behind her head, already feeling her mind drift back to Johann and their time in the Grove together. She needed to stay focused on becoming a Warden. Years spent working to gain the attention of the Elders and Mother Tree in order to prove herself valuable outside her lot. Human distractions wouldn’t last long once the waterway to Gaia reopened. So it wouldn’t do her any good thinking of unlikely events.

Heavy breathing and groaning snapped her attention to the trunk where Johann hoisted himself up, albeit with some difficulty.

Her heart fluttered at the sight of him. His angular face and bright eyes drew attention like moths to a flame. Kiri didn’t want to get burnt but longed to look at him, for a while longer at least. She shook her head and quickly rolled onto her side to conceal her face while pretending to be asleep.

Agh. I should have closed the bud, she reprimanded herself for being so foolish around a man. With her breath held, she listened to his steps drawing closer and eventually stop just outside her flower.

“Can we talk for a few moments?” he whispered. There was no practical need for him to lower his voice when they were the only ones awake that shared the same branch.

Kiri tightened her hands into fists and fought back against her natural urge to turn around and see him again. It would only make it harder for her to see him go the next day.

“I was hoping to talk with you during the festival.” He cleared his throat. “You left early and missed the blossoming.”

That’s right. She left to clear her mind and focus on what was really important in her life. Most of the other dryads already retired for the night leaving them alone. Even Ajalla already drifted to sleep nearby.

“Thank you for saving me. Not only today but the other day from Zafira as well.”

Silence passed in which she hoped he would think she was asleep and move on. Her heart echoed in her ears, counting the moments.

“Wait. I mean, wait.” Kiri perked up and studied him. She made herself small and tucked her hands under her lap, a little embarrassed at just how loud she’d called out to him. “You’re welcome, but it’s my duty to protect all life. I would have done the same for anyone.”

“I see, but I still wanted you to have this as a reminder.” Johann paused and fumbled in his trousers. He pulled out a thin tendril with the ends bound and a stone caught in the center dangling.

Kiri took the item and studied the jade stone. It contained a decent amount of energy for its size and radiated courage. She stroked the smooth surface, feeling it resonate on her skin, daring her to be more brave towards the human. For a brief moment she thought whether Johann knew about the properties of stones. Considering how surprised he was during their visit to the Grove, she concluded that it was a mere coincidence.

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Johann smiled and continued on towards the sleeping bud beside hers.

“Stay here,” Kiri said before he could reach the flower. “Keep me company for the night. It’s my last chance learn more of Gaia before you leave.”

Thoughts raced through her mind as he turned around and stepped into her bud. She pulled in her legs and let him sit down across from her. What was she doing, keeping him this close? Her eyes fell to the gift in her hand. Emotions were getting the best of her when she should remain impartial to all life.

“Why is it you’re all so interested in Earth?”

“Earth… so that’s what you call it. Who else was interested, Ajalla?”

Johann frowned, thinking back to darker times. “Zafira wanted to know everything about Earth… I folded so easily all she had to do was ask and I gave it away. Once she got in my head, all I could think about was her.”

Kiri leaned in closer, resting her hand on his leg. “Don’t worry about her, we’re safe here. The Elders will seek her out and discover her true intentions.”

Johann nodded, placing his hand on top of hers. She felt her heart flutter against her chest at his touch. It wasn’t the first time but not when they were so close she could smell him. She let the moment drag on, enjoying him for while it lasted.

“What is it you did on Gai— Earth?” Kiri tried to shift his attention from her.

Johann frowned and looked down at their hands, fingers laced between each other. Kiri didn’t even realize she did that. “I was a student, but I don’t think I can go back there.”

“How come? I think you should do what you enjoy and work on achieving it. At least, that’s how I’ve been getting along so far.” Kiri tilted her head to the side, studying his face and sullen eyes.

“Let’s just say I’ve seen enough these past few years, or even just days to know that almost I learned from an observatory won’t help me in the real world.” He smiled and met her gaze. Her heart picked up speed again and even when she broke eye contact, she couldn’t help but look at his lips. “I used to help Meister Zeisser take photographs of the universe. Distant planets and moons and I thought they were the most beautiful thing I ever saw.”

Kiri smiled and brushed a strand of hair back behind her ear.

He pulled her in closer. A hairsbreadth separated their bodies and she felt his warmth carry over onto her. Felt his breath tingle her skin. Johann moved in and kissed her. A brief caress that ended far too quickly.

Kiri’s eyes fluttered wide at the sudden movement. The barriers she built up melted away and she gave in to his touch. She frequently kissed Ajalla but it never stirred the same emotions in her. The energy flared up inside her bio-ethereal basin. She wrapped her arms around his head and sat down on his lap. Wild hair fell over her face, concealing her intensifying the kiss and slipping her tongue into his mouth.

Johann prickled her skin as he slid his hands up along her body. She straightened, nearly shoving her breast into his face as she broke off the kiss to snatch up fresh air.

Kiri caressed the stem at the center of the bud, causing the petals to fold up around the bud and encase them. She began to remove her skirt but held in as Johann pulled the shirt over his head.

Numerous scars and bruises marked Johann’s body, some of which resulted from their earlier encounter with the hawk. He didn’t seem all too bothered by it and rolled up his shirt, setting it down and resting his head on it.

It made little sense to her why he kept his injuries a secret from her. Treating wounds wasn’t her speciality but she knew plenty of leaves, herbs and stones to mend the most common injuries.

“Relax,” he whispered. The light inside the bud dimmed as the energy inside the petals faded. She closed her eyes and quickly absorbed the energy washing over her bare body. Kiri gasped, enjoying his nearness a little too much. She slid her hand gently down the length of his body, taking in the lean muscle and how his body reacted to her touch.

Kiri felt his heat embrace her and grow the closer they were together. She wanted to feel every inch of him pressed against her. To draw upon his heat and taste those lips over and over again.