CHAPTER 117: SEASHELLS (1)

Waves crashed onto the shore like soft thunder while the wind tugged at the tide and carried the scent of rain, though the sky had yet to break. Overhead clouds gathered slowly, dimming the bright skies, concealing Solkara’s shine and covering her sight from Tempakar, the mighty storm watcher, rolling in with his wrath.

Still, Nova bent to the sand, fingers brushing over scattered seashells, choosing wisely for pretty shells. She paid the brewing storm no mind. She had been used to a little rain back home, and boy, did she welcome it. She had not seen it in some time.

The heat and tropics were beautiful, and Nova had adjusted to the environment, but it had been weeks since the last rainfall. The storm was exactly what they needed, even if it meant being cooped up in the treehouse or cave. What a shame... Whatever could they do... alone... together... Nova chewed her bottom lip, then shook her head as she reached out and grabbed another shell.

Behind her, Yoa sat on a rock, keeping one eye on his Serakai while crafting a little something between his hands. He didn’t want to be on these shores, not after the Akhlut had made itself known. But Nova had been persistent, wanting to learn how to fish.

His golden eyes flicked to the speared fish beside him. She was starting to thrive in this place. The sadness that had once been in those dreamy eyes had dried up, replaced with an infectious smile and laugh. She had yet to hunt properly with a bow, but he and Aiyana had focused on improving her strength and ability to run long distances first. Spearing a few fish was a start, and he could see how much it made her feel better.

When he’d been too busy patrolling, Nova had felt useless, sitting on the side, fiddling with her thumbs, and then only able to forage. Four fish now hung from the spear beside him, and every time he looked at them and at her, he was so proud. Not to mention, he loved the length of her hair now.

Oh, his Serakai is always so radiant with short or long hair, but something about her long locks spoke to the untamed, wildness that had been locked deep in her heart. It made him wonder what sort of world she came from that forced a girl to lock away such a spirit.

Her hair darkened at the crown, yet the strands below still gleamed with streaks of gold, lightened by the sun until they seemed almost faded.

Instead of the tribal traditional plait, Nova had gathered her waves into a half-up style, the back twisted into a small knot before the rest tumbled down in shimmering waves midway to her shoulder blades.

It is said that an Electa, one chosen to be a Yiska’s Serakai, would mean they were special in some way, needed, to aid the guardian besides bringing joy and love into their life. Yoa watched her, utterly content with Nova enjoying a simple life with him, as simple as it could be as the mate of Tayun’s guardian.

Nova felt his stare before her name was called. She looked over her shoulder from where she was crouched over a small rock pool, wiping off some washed-up seaweed from a pale blue and white seashell. "Ah!" Nova gasped, releasing the shell after being pinched.

She watched as a small crab fell into the rock pool, its shell in place as it waved its claws indignantly before darting into a crack between the rocks. She could hear little mousy noises, the crab’s complaints about being manhandled. She couldn’t help but chuckle, accepting the fact that she could indeed understand other animals on this island.

"I’m sorry, Mr Crab, I didn’t realise that beautiful shell was your home," Nova whispered, now aware that when she did speak to the animals, it was in a language none of the others had ever heard before.

"How could it not be!" Its squeaky voice gurgled back to her in small bubbles from where it now hid in a crevice that managed to fit its shell. "It’s the best in this pool!"

Nova chuckled, playfully swirling her finger atop the small pool of seawater. "That is true. Are you not happy I at least removed that ghastly seaweed from it?"

"No! It was extra protection! Now leave me in peace, silly human!"

Yoa chuckled as he approached, shaking his head with a grin. "It never ceases to amaze me when I watch you do that."

Nova looked up after his giant shadow fell over her. The wind whooshed across her face then, whipping her hair into her face and disrupting the fine view of her mate. She sat back and moved her hand to block the growing rage of the weather that kept her hair frenzied.

"You never cease to amaze me," Nova purred, her eyes roaming over his stacked abs and bulging biceps before resting them on his dazzling golden-red eyes.

Yoa smirked at her breathy tone. If they weren’t on the beach, and Aiyana and Atia weren’t ahead guarding, he might have taken her up on that heated gaze and taken her against a tree, or maybe in one. The rosy hue on her cheeks from the wind, and the wildness of her hair and vibrant eyes called to his instincts, but he set it aside.

The Akhlut might be on the other side of the island, but he would never risk Nova, Atia and Aiyana. With the gradual shift in the air, their time on the beach was coming to an end. Tempakar would surely roar at them soon for not heeding his early warnings.

"Have either of them ever mentioned liking each other?" Nova whispered after hopping to her feet and leaning close to him.

Atia and Aiyana were guarding, but they were close, arms brushing each other as they faced the sea for any threat, while Yoa had been keeping an eye on the land and sea. Nova noticed the matching ink on their wrists, the shimmering gold only gleaming in certain lights. After learning about the Tahraka bond, Nova wasn’t sure if she had glimpsed at true likeness close to lust or love of a soul mate, or because they were warriors bonded by this oath-like magic.

It would bring them together, make them closer, but... Even with this knowledge... Nobody can deny what was right in front of them... Right?

Yoa followed Nova’s gaze where his friends spoke. Aiyana was spinning a blade absentmindedly while allowing Atia to play with the bottom strands of her plait as they conversed closely.

"No," Yoa finally answered. "And it is not for us to act for Solkara."

Nova stroked down the side of his arm. "I did not mean to meddle with fate..." It was strange to hear herself speak in such a way, speak about fate and the gods she was still learning about. But living with this beast, her beast, and adapting to the island, it would do that. Besides, who was she to deny these gods and stories?

This island.... This world... Her and Yoa... It was all magic.

Which was why it was frustrating to see them together like this, believing their closeness was purely because of some warrior bond and nothing more.

"The pieces will fall into place when the time is right..." Yoa murmured against the top of her head before brushing his lips along her hairline and leaving a soft kiss on her skin, and butterflies fluttered in her stomach.