102 Forced apar (1/2)
Zakynthos, Greece 1563
The low flicker of the nearly spent embers offered little warmth through the damp, dark cave. Arei thanked his brother's good sense for packing such warm lush furs. He pulled one over his shoulder and nestled deeper into their warmth.
”Ummm...” A satisfied squeak sounded from within the nest of furs.
Arei peaked out from one heavily lidded eye. A tiny glimpse of sliver hair caught his squinted gaze and he remembered instantly where he was and the events from the night before. The seemingly frail girl lay wrapped up in a thick fur nearly matching her hair now tucked snuggly against his chest. He stroked a large hand over what should be her arm to wake the girl. When sleepy aqua eyes met his, he smiled down at her. ”How is your hand this morning, Kitten?” She smiled back at him and wiggled under his heavy arm still resting across her tiny body. He let out a chuckle and lifted his arm then gently pulled back the fur enough for her to show him the newly grown limb. Arei's eyes brightened. ”Oh wow! That was quick.” Reply not as surprised by the regeneration as he pretended. It was common for creatures to heal fast after a shift, especially powerful ones.
Her cheeks colored and she gave him a wide excited grin. ”Better!”
He smiled as he pushed himself into a sitting position. His mind thought back to last night and watching this tiny girl shift into a very sexually appealing, half goddess beast. He brushed a stray hair from her face as she sat up beside him. ”Can you shift into other things?” He asked primal curiously giving new light to his eyes. ”Perhaps take on an older appearance?” He scrunched his brows as he cupped her cherub-like face in his hands and studied it closely. ”If you are in fact the creature we... my horse and I... have been searching for, you must be at least a few hundred years old.” He said the words as more of a fact than a question.
She nodded her head but her excited smile began to fade as she tried to read the hidden meaning of his words. She rubbed her cheek against his palm enjoying the gentle touch.
His eyes burned hotter into hers as he ran his thumb over her soft skin. ”Then you can appear older... more like me?” He asked. He could feel the excitement build in his body as she nodded her tiny head again against his palm.
Her body began to shift, bones cracked, and the pale soft skin began to grow and stretch across a growing body. She opened her eyes once the shift was complete and looked to the attractive man sitting in front of her for praise.
Arei's eyes bugged then he let out a light chuckle and ran a large hand through his hair. The large, hulking silver-haired man now standing before him in little more than a torn shirt and fur pelt mimicked the action. ”I guess I did say 'like me' didn't I...” He shook his head chuckling to himself at the misunderstanding. He didn't stop laughing until a tiny hand clutching his arm and her tiny head tilted in curiosity toward him. He sent her a wide grin as he reached out to cup her soft child-like cheek again. He shook his head still smiling. ”That is very impressive, but I was referring more to an adult, not a man.” He laughed harder as confusion slowly shifted to realization across her adorable face. He bopped her nose playfully, ”It doesn't matter. I have to head into town now anyhow.” When sad, lonely eyes glistened up at him, he let out a sigh as he stroked his large thumb across her sharp jaw. ”Why don't you go wash up and catch us some fish? You must still be hungry after last night, yes?” When her eyes brightened, he added. ”Maybe I can bring you a new dress and possibly some fresh fruit?”
Her face lit back up at his promise to return. She nodded her head and quickly stood and held a hand out to him in assistance.
He took her slim, tiny hand and pretended to use her help up off the furs. He stroked a large hand over her head, running his fingers through the soft silky strands. ”Take care until I get back, Kitten.”
*** Arei knocked back another tall pint then slammed the cup down on the table. ”I can't leave now! This is ridiculous!” His irritated gaze shot to his brother for support. ”The girl, she needs us more than some pompous king.” Arei had come into town to find his brother in a heated conversation at the back of a tavern with Hermes, the messenger of the gods. He turned back to the frowning god his eyes silently pleading for reconsideration.
Hermes raised his hands over his head, ”It is not I who makes the orders, I simply deliver them. Zeus orders that you carry a French lord into battle and help him conquer the enemy in Zeus's name.”
Arei cursed under his breath knowing there was no way to get out of an order from Zeus. He stared down at the empty mug on the table as he slowly nodded his head. ”Fine go back to the gods, and tell them I will do as they demand... as if I have a choice... But after this, I am freed.” He glared up at Hermes.
Hermes frowned back at Arei. ”Areion, You know as well as I, you have no control over where they send you or what task they assign. It is your reason for creation... We are all at his mercy so why fight it.”