Chapter Nine

Arandir took a last sniff of Wynne's hair, running his fingers gently through the soft locks. Wynne looked up at him, gaze soft but startled. Her eyes had begun to form their own rings, a soft gold rimming her pupil in a thin ring, the inner remaining moss green swirling with a pale silver, and a delicate rose gold came after to encase her irises. The result made her eyes almost catlike, and the inner glow her skin had been developing made the pale smattering of freckles on her cheeks stand out.

"Mates...? Like, soulmates, mates? " Wynne asked, the shock muddling her brain. She was having trouble process the information. One one hand, she was elated that she was possibly forever tied to the absolutely gorgeous hunk of man that had his nose presses against her hair. But on the other, her entire world was crumbling and changing, and she was scared. What if she wasn't ready for something like this?

"Yes, Wynne, soulmates. One usually knows when they're drawn to someone inexplicably. Or when skin contact is established and the mate bond initially shocks the system. I think that's the tingles that have been happening when I touch you. But I don't want to rush you Wynne, I want you to make your own choice. "

Wynne sat there against him, thinking through the information that he had been forthcoming with. The fact that he wouldn't take her free will from her made little flutters tumble her loins. Wynne knew that some fae creatures played nasty tricks. She didn't wish to become a victim of such treachery, and was grateful that Arandir seemed to be a shining version of the princes in the fae tales her pa used to tell. Of course, all tales are just that, and nothing is what it would seem.

She knew that there would be flaws to him, he couldn't only be the prince to her. After all, Wynne herself had her own flaws. She'd admit to that if ever asked. With a soft sigh, Wynne leaned into Arandir, giving him a light, almost experimental, nuzzle. Brushing her cheek against the calloused skin of his hand. It immediately warmed her. That electric shock barely noticed as she became used to the sensation. She didn't have an answer for the fae male beside her. Not yet, anyway. But she was more than willing to see where this would go, mate bond or not.

"Give me time, Arandir. Can we get to know each other on our travels, and I give you my decision when I'm ready? " She asked, blinking her jewel like optics up at him.

"Of course, Mathan Beag. Anything, for at least a chance." Arandir's let name for her made her giggle and blush lightly. He sounded desperate, but he seemed sincere in his willingness to give her whatever she needed. Daringly, she gave lights pecks to each of the fingers he'd had rested upon her cheek.

"We should head out soon. Dehliah said she would be parting ways with us once we begin hiking the actual mountain. She's waiting for us at the start of the trail, whenever we're ready. " He told her, affectionately carressing her cheek and tracing the curve of her lips with a fingertip. Wynne nodded and stood, dashing to retrieve her discarded pack as Arandir doused the fire and removed the remainder of the camp.

Dehliah was as he had said, flitting among a small bush marking the start of a weary and worn down path. The pixie flew directly to Wynne when she caught sight of the other woman, coming to a perch atop Wynne's shoulder. Wynne surveyed the path as she dug out a spare piece of dried fruit for the little fae. It was jagged with rocks, and weeds we're nearly overgrown. Luckily, there was enough of the original trail left to denote where it led.

"I'll be departing from here, there are wild fae in the mountains that I hold ties to and wish to visit. " Dehliah's twinkling voice chimes out after she consumes the piece of fruit offered to her. With a soft kiss to Wynne's cheek, 'for luck' the little fae stated, before the diminutive winged woman seemed to dissipate. The kids left a warming sensation against her cheek, and if she looked in a mirror later, there would be what appeared to be a new beauty mark. As Wynne watched on, she saw that in Dehliah's place was a slightly larger than average bluejay, tips of its glossy feathers shimmering. It trilled at Wynne as it flew off, disappearing further along the path.

Arandir had joined Wynne subtly as Dehliah left them. The new small mark on his mate's cheek was unnoticed to him. His presence brought comfort to the woman, and she unknowingly moved closer to him. As if she was itching to be next to him within her subconscious. The two had no words to exchange. It was time to begin their trek along this possibly dangerous path.

Hours went by, and the pair had only stopped to train and relieve themselves. Arandir was working through self defence with Wynne and she was picking it up well. Night was beginning to fall, and it was nearing time to set up some sort of camp. Arandir had suggested underneath a wayward pine tree growing amongst the rocks. This part of the trail had gotten thick with trees. It was beginning to chill, and the elevation was making it slightly harder to breathe with the air thinning.

The low hanging branches of the pine provided shelter and small protection from the cold. Needles along the mountain floor helped insulate the area, and it didn't take long for Arandir to arrange some sort of bed. The makeshift shelter was cozy, even if it couldn't compete with the comforts of a real building. After scouting the area briefly, he had decided to also set up an area near the tree with a cooking fire for the duo.

They shared pleasantries while they ate, neither of them wishing to interrupt their budding friendship by pressing the fact of their mate bond. Arandir took great care in ensuring that Wynne ate her fill. And, when it grew darker, he scooted beside her. Covering her with a blanket he had unpacked. Comfort filled the two as they enjoyed the fire.