Chapter Eight

Arandir POV Continued

He woke tangled in the woolen blankets, his arms wrapped around Wynne, a leg flung over her own loosely. He had never been this clingy with the women he had casual relations with throughout his long life. But Wynne... He couldnt help but hold her, and want her close to him. Slowly, he withdrew from her, careful not to wake Wynne. She looked peaceful, her eyes closed, her hair a strawberry halo around her head. Arandir could tell that being in Loslosach was beginning to have an effect on her. Her skin was taking on the faint sheen of magic that all Fae creatures had. This was merely the first manifestation of power for a Sidhe. He wondered, what powers might she come into? How strong will she be when she finally gains them?

From the few questions he had already asked her, he knew that her power had already tried to surface, and in doing so, had injured her greatly. Arandir hoped that those injuries could be healed once they reached Winterbridge. The Cailleach didnt have healing powers, but he was sure that the woman had a full staff. Healers included. With luck, they might be able to reverse the damage done to Wynne''s hands. Unfortunately, he didnt think there would be much they could do about the scars.

With a last longing look to Wynne, he left her in the tent. He'd start on breakfast, and when she awoke and was fed, he'd speak to her.

Wynne's POV

Wynne woke with a large yawn, scrubbing her arm over her face. In a daze, it took her a few moments for the knowledge of the last few days to come back to her. She'd been kidnapped. And she was no longer in the human world. The people she'd met so far thought she was a fae. What other discoveries would be made?

Wynne ruffled her hair, straightening the wrinkles in her clothes and folding up the blankets she had been wrapped in. She blushed softly, as she remembered that she'd drifted to sleep wrapped in Arandir's arms. She'd been with both men and women before, but none had the strange effect on her that Arandir did. She was attracted to him, sure, but she wondered if the pull she had to him was some sort of magic. With hope, he would tell her what was going on before she had to ask herself. Ensuring everything was neat and ready to pack back up before they begun traveling again, Wynne exited the tent.

Arandir was sitting by a fresh lit fire, Dehliah hovering near him as they chatted about the morning's weather. There was a gentle breeze, bringing with it the smell of fresh dirt. No clouds in the sky, the sun peeking through the sight of the mountaintops. The air was chill, but not uncomfortable. A seemingly pleasant day to finish a hike through the mountains. But there was no telling what could happen between now and the time they arrived at Winterbridge.

Wynne smiled to herself, finding joy in the atmosphere. Everything seemed bright. Maybe too bright? When she tried to think about if there was a difference in her sight, her thoughts got cloudy, and she seemed to be redirected. It worked, too. She gave up on trying to question and approached Arandir, taking a seat on the ground next to him.

The dirt and stone was a bit damp; but barely noticeable. It felt like her pull to the man was getting stronger, and like her will to resist was sapping. But why did she want to resist in the first place? He was gorgeous. Sighing softly, Wynne contemplated the man, finding herself entranced by the fire. There was mundane conversation around her. It didn't seem like anyone was eager to begin the last legs of their journey.

Buried under the feeling of joy, it seemed like Wynne could sense a touch of foreboding. But she couldn't place where it was coming from. It was so small, that it was pushed to the back of her mind, and she brought herself back to her surroundings.

There were soft touches weaving through her hair, a petting feeling that tingled and soothed. Instinctually, Wynne leaned into the touch. An involuntary purr coming from her, before she looked up at the hand caressing her. Arandir's startling lavender hues were looking back at her. They were beginning to appear brighter to Wynne as well. They stood out now, they were no longer singularly lavender. His eyes had triple rings, the outermost a glimmering gold, pale enough it could almost be mistaken as a white. Inside, lavender flecked with turquoise. The third ring was a band of darker purple, almost a pure violet. His lips were tilted up in a soft grin, his entire face warm as he gazed at her.

It made Wynne feel soft inside. Slowly, she broke her gaze from his. Maybe all these changes were effects of her coming into the fae power she'd logically have, if what everyone had been telling her was true. Maybe it was, and Wynne is some fae creature. If she is, what is she? And where did she come from; how did she wind up with her parents? Not that she didn't love Ma and Da, she adored them. But it was her nature to want to know where she comes from. It helped that she had also had a fascination in myths and fables since she was little. Da encouraged that.

She needed to know if Arandir knew something to ease the burden of her questions. She chewed at her lip, glancing back at him.

"Arandir, if I am Fae as everyone seems to think; then what are the first signs of power manifesting as it's being realized? " Wynne asked him, moss green hues barely able to mask her array of emotions. "I understand if you can't answer, but I need to know. I feel pulled towards you. I wanted to fight it at first but the more time with you, the less I want to resist. And this morning...i woke up and everything was bright. Almost overwhelmingly so. So vivid that it nearly hurt. And your eyes a little bit ago..."

Wynne dropped off, blushing. She felt as if she'd just prattled on for ages with so much information at once. Arandir's previously small grin had turned into a massive smile. He eagerly motioned for her to continue, the motions of his fingers in her hair paused not once. It was comforting Wynne greatly and she began to speak again.

"They have three rings now. All I could see yesterday was lavender. " She stuttered softly, gazing up at him. She wasn't sure if she should tell him about the fact she could pick up on emotions just yet. It still didn't seem too pressing to her.

With enthusiasm, Arandir flung his arms around Wynne. "This is amazing news Wynne! I can answer some of this for you, but I'm afraid I may leave you with more questions. Please forgive me if my actions seem strange to you, I'm merely overjoyed. " He said, slowly releasing his hold from her, an arm remaining rested upon Wynne's shoulder.

"You should adjust to the brightness soon, it's one of the very first signs of the awakening of a fae's powers. The sight is always the first to change. Most cannot see the Fae, unless they have a minor amount of it in their ancestry or have been touched by some sort of magic. When one of the Fae is restrained from their powers, it's possible for them to lose the touch of the sight, and become like a human. "

He paused, watching his little one, observing to ensure that she was following his words.
When he was pleased that she was following, he continued. "Most people with even a small bit of magic begin with sight, but along with that comes the ability to sense things. It's different for everyone. For some, they see things, others can feel emotions, or hear thoughts. I won't be surprised if you manifest one of these psychic abilities, as they're very common. Most sidhe fae, like me and I suspect you, show power through their skin and eyes. Our eyes, as you saw, have triple irises. Our skin will glow as our power comes and goes. Though, that glow doesn't ever truly go away. "

Arandir took the moment he paused to move his hand, brushing his fingers against Wynne's cheek. It was electrifying. Warming everything from his fingertips all the way to the nerves in his shoulders. He bent down, nuzzling his nose against her hair and breathing in her scent. She smelled amazing, like pineapples, coconut, and almonds. It was time for him to tell her. He just knew.

"There's something else that you need to know. Our goddess, Vykial, she weaves strands of fate. Pairing together the people she believes will complete your life and support you eternally. I believe... Well, I believe that the Goddess has mated you and I, Wynne. "