12-31-2017, 05:35 PM
She never gives up. She never gives in. She never backs down. No matter the odds. No matter how often. The fires of the underground crucible have purified her, strengthened her.
Even now, even prone, she cannot help but be who she is.
Her green eyes challenge him, teeth bared, seeing past any distraction, straight to the root of the matter.
"So are you Regus or are you Armande?"
She hadn't been in his head. Yet she knew. Somehow, she knew.
He stared into her eyes in wonder. The room was silent save for their slight elevated breathing from their exertions.
And then his lips locked on hers. It was for only a moment but that moment felt like an eternity.
Peace and determination seemed to flow into him as he let go and rolled back onto his knees, palms out on his thighs.
"The Eye sees." He'd heard the Khylsty use it many times. A ritual. Now, finally, he understood. He said it with reverance.
He looked into her eyes, let her see the truth. "Regus is an idol. An empty lifeless idol. I name my sin. Idolatry. Pride. Arrogance. I worshipped what I thought I was. It was my god. I have sinned more than you can imagine. I was dead in my sins. That was why I failed. But now I am Awake."
But then he smiled at her, kindly. No. So much more. With appreciation. With respect. With affection.
"You fear nothing and no one. I want you as my partner. My confidant. My counselor. My advocate." He laughed at their tussle. His cheek burned from her scratches. "As my Adversary, to always challenge me."
He paused, drinking her in. His voice grew tender. "As my lover. As my mate. Not of a legend. Not of a title. Of just a man. Me. Armande Nicodemus. I have a job to do. We have a job. The war is not over. I want you by my side, always."
He thought he knew what she'd say. Hoped. And yet...the best thing about her was her unpredictability. She did what she did because she was who she was. Wild and free. And she had set him free from the chains of expectation and destiny.
Edited by Regus, Dec 31 2017, 09:28 PM.
Even now, even prone, she cannot help but be who she is.
Her green eyes challenge him, teeth bared, seeing past any distraction, straight to the root of the matter.
"So are you Regus or are you Armande?"
She hadn't been in his head. Yet she knew. Somehow, she knew.
He stared into her eyes in wonder. The room was silent save for their slight elevated breathing from their exertions.
And then his lips locked on hers. It was for only a moment but that moment felt like an eternity.
Peace and determination seemed to flow into him as he let go and rolled back onto his knees, palms out on his thighs.
"The Eye sees." He'd heard the Khylsty use it many times. A ritual. Now, finally, he understood. He said it with reverance.
He looked into her eyes, let her see the truth. "Regus is an idol. An empty lifeless idol. I name my sin. Idolatry. Pride. Arrogance. I worshipped what I thought I was. It was my god. I have sinned more than you can imagine. I was dead in my sins. That was why I failed. But now I am Awake."
But then he smiled at her, kindly. No. So much more. With appreciation. With respect. With affection.
"You fear nothing and no one. I want you as my partner. My confidant. My counselor. My advocate." He laughed at their tussle. His cheek burned from her scratches. "As my Adversary, to always challenge me."
He paused, drinking her in. His voice grew tender. "As my lover. As my mate. Not of a legend. Not of a title. Of just a man. Me. Armande Nicodemus. I have a job to do. We have a job. The war is not over. I want you by my side, always."
He thought he knew what she'd say. Hoped. And yet...the best thing about her was her unpredictability. She did what she did because she was who she was. Wild and free. And she had set him free from the chains of expectation and destiny.
Edited by Regus, Dec 31 2017, 09:28 PM.