As Eben awakens cradled against the gorgon's chest, a surge of fond emotions overtakes his mind as he recalls the new developments in his love life.

It seemed amazing, impossible, wonderful—Eben was in love, in love with someone who returned his feelings. He hugs the gorgon tightly against his chest, feeling his heart pound wildly.

In spite of the warm feelings though, a cold spike of fear interrupts the moment as he remembers the rest of last night's events. Sheppard had not only condemned Daisy and Fern to death, but had declared that Adder would be the one to put them down.

The idea was horrific. Adder already seemed to detest killing, and now Sheppard wanted to make him petrify two innocent women? It would break the man, he wouldn't be able to do it.

The sinking feelings only grow worse as Eben remembers the priest's command—

Keep Adder in line, make sure he does as he's told...

Rage boils in his heart as the full implications of that demand come to light. Did that disgusting priest want Eben to convince Adder to kill them?

He wouldn't do it. He couldn't do it...not to Adder, not ever. But that's not even the only issue to consider. He couldn't dance around the topic any longer—he had to confront Adder about his loyalty to Sheppard before it was too late.

The idea sets his stomach roiling uncomfortably. Every time the topic has been broached, the gorgon reacted poorly. What would he do if Eben forced him to choose?

The half-elf sighs, rising from the warm nest. At least he had some time before Adder would awaken again. That would give him time to prepare.

But when the gorgon next rises, Eben doesn't bring it up. Nor Does he the next time, or the time after that..

He hates himself for putting off this vital conversation, but he just can't bring himself to shatter the peace. He's only just earned Adder's heart, did he really have to risk losing the potentially last precious weeks with his lover?

So Eben postpones the conversation. Every time the gorgon awakens, the half-elf makes sure to soak in as much of his beloved monster as he can.

But soon, the first weak rays of spring begin warming the earth. Birds begin to flit about wildly building their nests as the snow starts to slow. The world is awakening once more, eager to reintroduce Nǣdre Tor to life that had lay dormant all winter.

Eben is out of time.

Today, the half-elf is in the garden, surveying the slowly melting snow when Adder emerges from the cave.

The gorgon pulls Eben into a warm embrace, affectionately kissing his crown. "Good morning."

"It's nearly midday, you lazy lizard."

Adder stretches, giving a mighty yawn. "Lizard? I'm offended, you forest gnome."

Eben chuckles. "This gnome was about to have some bread and cheese. Would you like to join me? I found a sunny spot for you to bask in."

Adder grins. "I know exactly where you're speaking of. Near the deer, right? I'll bring the food and meet you there."

"Sounds like a plan."

They meet a few minutes later as planned. The gorgon stretches out on the smooth rock, enjoying the warm rays of sunlight as Eben eats his lunch.

Adder looks so beautiful like this, content and glowing. It makes Eben's heart ache sweetly at the sight. Who wouldn't be entranced?

But he has to ruin this perfect moment. There would never be a right time to tell Adder—he just had to do it.

So after the food had been shared, he takes a deep breath and starts. "Adder...we need to talk."

The gorgon sits up, frowning in concern at Eben's anxious tone. "Of course, what is it?"

the half-elf grits his teeth. "Spring is coming soon...Sheppard is going to force me to leave you. You know I—" the half-elf's voice cracks. "You know I don't want to go, right?"

Pain splashes across Adder's face. He pulls his lover into a gentle hug, giving a strong squeeze. "I know. I don't want you to leave either...perhaps Father Sheppard will permit you to visit..."

Eben pulls away, trying to keep calm. "He won't, Adder. Sheppard is—he's using you, and he's going to try and use me too."

Adder turns his face away, clenching his fists. "This again?"

Eben continues, determined. "At Mortfall mass...He announced the nuns, Daisy and Fern, will be executed by you during Koranalia."

Eben pauses, fisting his scarf in anger.

"He had the statues of all the creatures you killed lined up around his pulpit—he wants to put on some…twisted show to intimidate the villagers, and I think now that he knows I can do magic, he has similar plans for me."

This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

Adder is silent, face pinched. Eben tries to hold the gorgon's hand, only for the man to flinch away. "...He has his reasons, I'm sure..."

The half-elf’s patience is wearing thin now. "What reasons could there be, Adder?! Two innocent women will die by your hand if you don't stand up to him!"

"Sheppard was the one to stop me from killing more innocents when I arrived here," Adder growls."He helped me learn all I know about the pantheon, and helped me see I could be more than my nature...How can I—how can I trust your word?"

Hurt stabs Eben in the heart. Adder didn't believe him… "So you think I'm lying?"

Adder adjusts his blindfold, coiling protectively around himself. "No I—I don't know. He told me that you might try anything to escape, I..."

The gorgon's voice breaks. "You could just be trying to escape. Why would you want to stay trapped here with me?"

Pent-up fury bubbles up in Eben, unwilling to be suppressed anymore.

"You want the truth?" Eben growls. "I was planning my escape. When I first came here, I made it my goal to manipulate you into freeing me."

When Adder makes a pained expression, Eben grabs the gorgon's hand, squeezing it. "But I changed, Adder. You changed me because I started to feel things for you that I've never felt before. I wanted to be someone who deserves your love."

When Adder doesn't respond, Eben caresses the man's face. "Please believe me, I'm telling the truth!"

The gorgon pulls away from the half-elf. "I don't know what to believe..."

"Adder, please!"

Emotions are swirling in Eben, ravaging his heart. How can he convey that he has nothing but love for the gorgon? What combination of words will describe how much he needs to protect, care for, and

The half-elf screams in pain as that bright, burning power returns, burning fiery paths down his veins. The magic is roiling inside of him, scratching at the corners of his mind wildly as it searches for a way out.

"Eben?!"

The gorgon steadies the man as he sways. The action only seems to cause more pain in the half-elf. Even now Adder is gentle and kind…He deserves more than being alone for the rest of his life, than killing innocents for a disgusting man!

The half-elf screams, falling to his knees as the shockwave bursts from him uncontrollably. Adder is knocked back by the force as the air shimmers and twists wildly.

A few excruciating moments later, Eben opens his eyes, gasping and shivering.

Eben runs to his lover. "Adder, I'm sorry, are you hurt?"

But Adder doesn't respond. His mouth is gaping, head turned toward the road.

The half-elf follows his line of sight, gasping at what he sees.

Wobbly-footed and frightened, are two freshly unpetrified deer.

"Did you do that?" Adder asks, voice faint.

"I don't know I—" Eben jolts, surprised as the animals bound away into the forest.

"You reversed it." The gorgon whispers. "He told me it couldn't be done, that it was permanent no matter what..."

Eben opens his mouth to reply but is interrupted by a sound that rings out high and strange in the weak sunlight.

"Adder...?" A female voice calls.

The gorgon stiffens. "Oh, Gods!"

He races off toward the sound, Eben close behind. As they approach the source, both freeze in shock a few yards from the cave.

There, at the entrance is Helia.

Not her statue. Helia, in the flesh and blood, is standing at the entrance leaning on a stone wall. When her dark eyes spot them, she smiles, attempting to step toward her son. But she staggers and falls to her knees instead.

Eben approaches her cautiously, extending a hand to the woman.

Helia accepts it without hesitation, smiling kindly as he pulls her up. "Help me get to him." She whispers.

The half-elf does just that, allowing the woman to use him as a crutch as they slowly cross the icy divide. When they finally make it to the gorgon, his blindfold is wet as Helia releases the half-elf and makes her way to Adder.

The gorgon flinches as her arms wrap around the monster’s torso. "Oh, Adder, I'm sorry..." she whispers.

The dam seems to break as Adder begins to heave and sob, picking up the small woman off her the ground. The woman laughs as she's lifted. As she embraces her son, she glances at Eben. Her eyes sparkle wisely as she meets his eyes.

Eben can only stare at the touching reunion, gobsmacked. Has he really done this?

The embrace lasts until the woman, improperly dressed for the cold, begins to shiver in Adder's arms.

The gorgon carries her inside to the kitchen, setting her down reverently at the table. The woman groans, pained at the action.

"Are you hurt?" Eben asks.

The elder shakes her head. "It's just my sickness flaring up—my joints, they ache terribly if I don't keep up with my treatments."

Eben nods. "I'll make you some willow bark tea. Do you want something to eat?"

The woman nods. "Yes please."

"Adder? Want anything?"

The gorgon shakes his head, numb. The half-elf decides to make him some chamomile anyway to soothe the man's nerves.

"Helia how—" Adder stutters "—how is this possible?"

The woman smiles. "I had faith the Goddess of love would bring us back together, and she did."

She glances at Eben. "She sent this one, as I predicted."

"As you predicted?" Eben questions.

Helia nodded. "I didn't have the ability to do what must be done, so I made my prayer to Giakora. She promised me she would send someone with the power to help."

Adder sniffs, still emotional. "Helia, what do you mean? What must be done?"

Helia frowns, taking Adder's hands in her own. "Oh, my love...it's Sheppard. He has to be stopped. He tried to make me do things—terrible things—to you and the village..."

Adder gives a heaving sigh. "Is that why you—why you made me—"

The elder squeezes the gorgon's hand, eyes downcast. "I'm so sorry for making you do that. I knew that it was the only way to stop him from using me against you, while still giving me a slim chance of survival."

Eben's thoughts are swirling rapidly. "But you knew I was coming? Giakora...she made me fall in love with Adder so I would help you?"

The woman blinks, surprised. "Yes, I received a vision of a half-elf being captured by the village but—"

She grins widely. "You're in love? I don't think she predicted that at all. She's the Goddess of platonic, familial, and romantic love...I believe she expected that you would naturally fall into that first category…"

Eben flushes. "Oh um—"

The woman tugs on Adder's arm. "Is it mutual?"

Adder has turned a lovely shade of pink by now. "Uh, ah, yes. Eben is my...partner..."

Eben's face heats more. They hadn't put a label on things yet, and now Adder was here telling his mother they were together. It makes his stomach do happy loops.

Helia hugs the gorgon tightly. "Oh, my baby, you're all grown up now. I'm so happy for you."

Adder wags his tail happily as he's embraced, causing Eben to smile at the touching scene.

"Don't just sit there, boy, get over here!" Helia chides.

Eben is shocked for a moment before he obeys. Adder swiftly pulls the half-elf into the group hug, beginning to sob again.

"Thank you," he blubbers, "Thank you Eben..."

The embrace lasts a long time before finally, the gorgon releases them both. The man's head is bobbing as he attempts to stay awake.

The half-elf places a concerned hand on his lover's bicep. "Adder, you should go back to sleep. it's not quite spring yet."

Adder shakes his head. "No, I can't sleep. I can't wake up and find her gone."

Helia hugs her son, dragging him by the arm into his room. "C'mon, someone's a sleepy, sleepy snake."

Adder gives a weak "Nooo" as he allows her to drag him to bed. Eben chuckles, permitting them to have a moment together alone as he finishes his tea.

When she returns she sits down, determined brown eyes meeting Eben's. She grins, hands steepled. "You and I, young man, have a lot to discuss."