Chapter 29 | Obsidian

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Small Authors Note: The location of Balagar I imagine to be a little bit like Japan in the Winter, (even though I know the name doesn't sound remotely Japanese), and the Inn where they are staying 'The Lotus' is like a traditional Japanese Inn and Hot Pools or 'Onsen.' In Japan you don't wear togs in the Public Baths which is why they are separated into men and women's baths 😊 at most you have a little towel which you can take into the baths with you. Just a little bit of background information for you before you get into the Chapter!

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Chapter 29 | Obsidian

*

'You are my sun, my moon, and all of my stars.'
- E. E. Cummings

*

CIRCE


The return trip was a quiet one.

Slowly night fell around them as though it was ink that dripped from the sky above, spreading downwards until it met the ocean and connected, turning the surrounding world a husky grey that darkened with each beat of Anthemin's wings.

They had come further out from the coastline than Circe had imagined, and she was required to send energy to Anthemin two times during the trip in order to sustain his flight, the task of carrying three people taking a heavy toll on his body.

Just as she was beginning to feel him tire for a third time, he acknowledged the coastline of Balagar had come into view and she could not help but breath a small sigh of relief. Pressing her palm firmly against his scaly shoulder, she sent a large portion of her remaining energy into his limbs. He would need to hunt after they landed in order to replenish his deleted energy stores and it would be best if he was not running on empty when he left to do this.

She could feel through their mind link that he found the offer unnecessary, but she brushed him aside, reprimanding him firmly, a sentiment he echoed back to her.

You are still injured Vanima, he reminded her, you should be saving some of that energy for yourself.

His prompt was an unnecessary one as she had scarcely been able to focus on anything else other than the increasingly painful throbbing in her shoulder and her thigh during their flight. Despite her efforts to remain as still as possible, she had felt her tail wound open up again some time ago and had thanked the stars it was dark enough to hide the steady trickle of blood from Nathaniel as he sat behind her.

She could feel Anthemin's unhappiness at her lack of reply but if she was honest, now that she knew they had almost reached home, it was becoming harder and harder to stay lucid. Although she was no longer as cold as she had been, what with Nathaniel behind her and Anthemin's warm body providing both shield from the wind as well as heat, a chill had still settled deep in her bones and throbbed with each pulse of her heart as though working to push the ache further throughout her body.

"Circe," Nathaniel's voice was whispering in her ear and she uttered a random sound in reply. "We are almost there," he continued, "are you still awake?" She could hear the worry that saturated his tone and she made a solid effort to rid him of his concern by raising a hand and reaching backwards to pat his cheek. She attempted to rouse herself enough to reply but the words felt sluggish as they slipped lazily from her mouth.

"It's fine. I'm fine. Where ... where are we landing?"

"Anthemin is heading back for the cave."

Of course, that should have been obvious, it wasn't like he could land anywhere else. He was a dragon after all. An image of Anthemin landing casually in the middle of town suddenly popped into her head and she let out a small snort of laughter. Nathaniel eyed her in concern, his eyes straining in the dark as he desperately sought the shore.

The crash of the ocean was growing louder, a sure sign that they were reaching the cliffs of Balagar and beneath her, Circe suddenly felt Anthemin tense. She felt her senses come back slightly and she attempted to straighten in response to his feeling, her mood sobering.

What is it?

She felt Anthemin's huge ribcage expand and deflate as he hefted out a sigh, his internal thoughts annoyed. However, he refused to reply and instead conveyed a warning.

We are landing, hold on tightly Vanima.

"Hold on," she managed to say to Nathaniel, although it still felt as though her words were slurring somewhat, "he is about to land."

"Can he land while holding Jhaer?" Nathaniel questioned and Circe shrugged her shoulders clumsily in reply.

Suddenly the wind had disappeared, and the darkness grew more absolute as they flew into the shelter of the cliffs. The sound of Anthemin's wings beating suddenly became louder as the previously muffled sound echoed off the stone walls that surrounded them and unexpectedly, a noise resonated from below, like the sound of a sack of potatoes being dropped onto a hard surface. The noise rebounded as the object bounced and rolled and by the time they had landed, everything was quiet once again.

"Well I guess that was one way to go about it," Nathaniel observed mildly, his words in tune with the sudden feeling of satisfaction that emitted from Anthemin as they both twisted their heads to glare back at the prone form that had been roughly discarded at the entrance to the cave.

Circe couldn't particularly bring herself to care at this point. Jhaer could survive a rough landing and a few broken bones, it was probably a kinder fate than what Obsidian had in mind for her, she was sure.

Suddenly she was aware of Nathaniel tensing behind her, his head still twisted as he looked at something over his shoulder. Below her Anthemin let out a rumbling sigh, his body swaying and shifting as he manoeuvred around in the small space before coming to a rest on the ground.

So, it was you who was waiting.

Drowsy, Circe was unable to tell if it was Nathaniel or Anthemin who had spoken. She attempted to answer anyway. "Who are you talking about?" The words mustn't have come out right though because no one replied and instead she felt Nathaniel's chest vibrate as he spoke over top of her head, his hands supporting her as she blinked rapidly in an attempt to clear the fog from her eyes. Her head suddenly felt very heavy upon her shoulders and she struggled a little as she attempted to keep it upright.

"Do you have something to wrap her in?" Nathaniel was saying, "She can't change back; she lost her pants when she shifted."

Circe couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of that sentence. That was right! She had lost her pants. How hilarious. No-one else seemed to find it funny though, much to her chagrin and she rolled her head in the direction Nathaniel was facing, looking down at the figure that stood on the ground below them. The person looked familiar. She squinted and endeavoured to focus, but suddenly her body began to throb again so instead she rolled her head back to lean heavily on Nathaniel's shoulder.

"It hurts," she whined softly. Before, with her energy levels stable and her mind prepared for a fight, it had been easy to shoulder the pain and bite down any complaints. But now her control had slipped and most of her energy had been expended sustaining Anthemin. This, coupled with the blood loss from the knife wounds, was proving to be a little too much and the small grievance slipped from her tongue before she could pull it back.

"Pass her to me."

She felt herself react unconsciously to the voice that resonated from below, his tone deep and magnetic. He spoke quietly, yet his words seemed to fill the entire cave, resonating off the walls and shivering through her exhausted body.

It was Obsidian. She would recognise him anywhere. Her heart ached with a sudden yearning and her remaining stamina crumbled as she unconsciously let out a sigh of relief. If he had come, then there was no need to worry any longer.

Anthemin was shifting beneath her again as he lowered himself further to the ground and Nathaniel's arms were wrapped securely around her waist as he prepared to lift her, his words soothing. "Circe, Circe, are you awake? I need to lift you down; can you help me?"

With great effort she roused herself, the voice below her providing the incentive she needed.

"I'm here Sweetheart. I'll catch you, it's alright."

Two sets of hands helped her and she managed to half-slip, and half fall, down from Anthemin's shoulders, straight into a solid pair of arms that captured her securely, wrapping a thick coat around her lower half even as she clung to his neck, burying her cold face into his warm skin.

"You can change back now," he coaxed, gentle fingers tangling in her hair as he pressed even gentler assurances into her curls, "I've got you, it's okay."

She shuddered involuntarily as she felt herself change back into her human form, almost as though her body had been compelled by his words. She couldn't help but let out a small whimper as the skin around her thigh wound warped and stretched painfully, the feeling excruciatingly vivid in her mind.

"She is injured on her thigh and her shoulder," Circe heard Nathaniel convey, "I wrapped the shoulder, but we couldn't attend to the thigh while she was still in her Siren form."

"Why didn't she heal them herself?" Obsidian's tone was terse, agitated. Circe tightened her hold on his neck, unconsciously and he gripped her more firmly in reply, his free hand tracing pacifying circles on her back. He was incredibly warm.

"Circe said something about the knives being abnormal. She meant to discuss it with Hobbson once we returned and wouldn't elaborate."

"I understand. Are you injured?"

"No, thankfully. But if Circe hadn't followed me – "

Circe felt her heart ache at the remorse colouring Nathaniel's tone, but she was too tired to say any further words of reassurance. She pressed her face deeper against the smooth skin in front of her, feeling the vibrations of his voice beneath her cheek as the two continued to speak.

"You are not to blame. Jhaer is a more formidable foe than any of us initially realised. It is good that you returned safely. For now, I will return with Circe to the Inn. Go to my ship, Cobalt and Hobbson are there with some others, let them know what has happened. Tell Cobalt to bring Samson and Jacob to collect Jhaer and instruct them to confine her in the brig," there was a pause here and Circe could practically hear his eyes flashing, "no-one is to say anything to her until I get there, but she must remain under supervision at all times. Under no circumstance are they to approach her in the cell or leave anything in the cell with her."

"Understood," came Nathaniel's swift response.

"Also, tell Lacy to come to the Inn urgently to treat Circe."

"Why not bring her straight to the ship?"

"I won't have her on the same ship as that woman," Obsidian uttered darkly.

Behind them, Anthemin rumbled in agreement. I will watch over the woman until she is collected. Rest assured, I will not let her escape, should she be unlucky enough to wake before then.

It seemed that Circe had not been the only one to receive Anthemin's words and she listened as Obsidian relayed them for Nathaniel's benefit.

Her brother laughed ruefully at the statement, "Alright then. I will take my leave."

"I will meet with you on the ship."

"Yes."

Fleetingly, Circe felt her brother press a kiss to the side of her head, a whispered word lingering in her ear even after he had gone.

Thank-you.

Now that Nathaniel had taken his leave, it seemed that Obsidian's calm façade had dissipated also, and she felt his rage emerge in the way his hand trembled as he stroked the hair back from her face and wrapped his coat a little more tightly around her.

"You have my thanks for acting when I was unable to." He seemed to speak randomly, but Circe could tell Anthemin was listening, even when the Dragon deemed the statement unworthy of an answer.

This did not seem to faze Obsidian however and he spoke again. "I'll be taking her back now. Do whatever you want with the woman. Just make sure she is still alive when my brother comes to collect her."

This statement seemed to elicit some reaction from Anthemin, and Circe felt that same satisfied feeling again through their link.

Anthemin swung his great head around to press his muzzle against Circe's back, sending her a spark of energy that brightened her consciousness gently. Return safely, he thought by way of farewell, his mental voice tired, we will see each other again soon.

Yes. She replied, feeling Anthemin's gift of energy radiating outwards from her heart with golden tendrils, warming her veins and softening her aching limbs, thank-you.

Obsidian's grasp on her was solid as he carried her from the cave, and she wilted further in his embrace. She could feel the wind whip at her hair as they reached the entrance and he hefted her up a little higher, tucking her more securely into his shoulder.

"Don't let go," he whispered, and she was helpless to do anything but clutch him a little more tightly in reply.

With her face hidden she was unable to see the grim expression that darkened his face as he stepped over the body of the assassin that lay unmoving on the ground. His eyes assessed the bloodstained bandages that bound Jhaer's chest, the obvious five fingered wounds sending a jolt of satisfaction through his body. His lips curled in a sinister smile and he pressed a rough kiss into Circe's golden tresses.

"Oh, little Kitten," he chuckled possessively, "she should have known better than to underestimate you. What a miscalculation on her part."

Held securely in his arms, Circe did not give any sign she had heard him, but her fingers curled gently against the skin of his neck. He hummed in satisfaction and left the cave behind them as he leapt down assuredly to the black rocks below, any noise from his landing concealed by the crash of the ocean.

*

When Circe opened her eyes, it was to stare directly into a pair of golden orbs that were suspended, motionless and entrancing, over top of her own face. The orbs blinked lazily, their pupils shrinking and expanding like a cat and the rest of his face materialized gradually as her eyes adjusted to the dim light illuminating the room.

Her body was heavy and drowsy, and she breathed out a sigh as he leant forward to tenderly nuzzle the side of her face, his stubble scratching a little roughly against the skin of her cheek. She was warm, she realised, and although her body ached profusely, she found it was bearable. Was she back at the Inn?

"You've been getting into trouble again," he murmured huskily, his face momentarily hidden as his lips played games against her skin and she raised a hand to sink her fingers into his black hair. He let out a rumble deep in his chest as she dragged her hand down to play with the hair at the base of his neck, petting the skin there lightly.

"Where are we?" Her voice was a little rough from sleep and she made an attempt to clear her throat. Obsidian pulled away from her for a moment only to return a second later and press a glass of water to her lips. She took the glass from him and drank gratefully as he sat back on the floor and observed her with unreadable eyes.

"We are back at the Inn." He replied after a moments silence and she glanced about her again, recognizing the distinguishable features of the room she had been staying in at The Lotus, the low bed on the floor, the simple but refined furnishings. Obsidian was still speaking, and she brought her attention back to him, focusing on the way his lips shaped the words as he spoke them. "Lacy came and took care of you. How much do you remember?"

At his question, the throbbing in her shoulder and thigh flared suddenly and now that she had noticed it was there, the pain was impossible to ignore. She winced.

His expression changed imperceivably at her reaction and she was quick to console him, the white lie meant to pacify him slipping easily from between her teeth.

"I don't remember anything." Her statement was mostly true. She vaguely remembered being carried home, the energy Anthemin had given her sustaining her consciousness until Lacy had arrived upon which Circe had promptly passed out, only to reawaken when Lacy was halfway through stitching up her leg. The wound had been deep, and she had needed deep stitches within the muscle before sewing the skin closed. The dragging and pulling sensation of the thread had been too much for Circe to handle and she had fainted again, but not before hearing Obsidian cursing unintelligibly from somewhere to the side, his hand hot around hers.

The Obsidian in front of her now was staring at her stoically, his golden eyes perceptive as he watched her finish the glass of water, extending his hand out to take it as he asked if she wanted more. She did.

She examined his retreating back as he disappeared into the adjoining bathroom. His was mood was currently a little unreadable and she wasn't sure how to handle it. She had been expecting him to be fuming, inconsolable even. She had even though that he wouldn't be present when she woke, sure that he would instead be where Jhaer was, furiously seeking answers. Angry Obsidian was easy for her to pacify, but instead he was ... her eyes followed him as he returned to the room and sat back down beside her offering her the glass. She couldn't decide.

"Where is Jhaer?"

For a moment, the rage she had expected to see flashed across his face before it was swiftly swallowed by the cool exterior he was currently projecting. He reclined idly across her bed half on, half off, being careful to avoid her wounded leg. Propping himself up on one elbow he stared at her until she felt the faintest stirrings of unease beginning to curl in her stomach. Surely Obsidian hadn't already ...

"She is ..." he paused, mulling over his words as he continued to stare broodingly at her, "detained," he finished delicately, his eyes sliding away from hers as he extended a hand to brush her hair back from her face, his long fingers deftly separating her curls and calming the wild tangle they had become while she slept. "And Nathaniel is safe," he added on as an afterthought, "you don't need to worry."

Circe caught his hand as it began to move from her hair to her face, her fingers curling around his wrist and clenching tight. His eyes flickered back to hers, pausing in his ministrations. She had to ask him.

Gathering her courage, she spoke, her tone wary. "Are you angry with me." It was more of a statement than a question

His lips twitched up involuntarily at the corners and he blinked lazily at her, "Oh I am absolutely livid," he stated mildly.
His fingers began their advancement again, stroking their way down to the shell of her ear where his thumb and forefinger pinched the edge of it, gently tracing and retracing the shape. The faint brush of his skin against hers was magnified by his closeness to her ear and it made her shiver, unable to pull away from it. His eyes had locked back onto hers and simultaneously she found herself pinned under his considering gaze.
"You left, without a telling anyone where you were going, or taking anyone with you, to pursue an unknown enemy for an unknown cause. Anything could have happened to you." She

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