143 Paradise Explored (2/2)

Arei jumped down and held his arms out for Jos. ”We're here, it's only a short walk.”

Jos looked around skeptically. The cave was lined with more markings she didn't recognize save for one. A large trident stood out over one of the openings tunneling through the cave. It was the exact same trident that rested proudly on the bare chest beside her. She gripped his arm as loud howls sounded from one of the other caves. Her eyes shot toward another cave that had an odd symbol above it. It looked like a crescent moon setting atop a sharp stake with a small dark circle in the center of the crescent. Dust and rock fell around them as the rumbling of the howls shook the stalactites overhead.

Arei chuckled and pushed Jos farther behind him. He made a clicking sound with his tongue, and a monstrous three headed dog bound from the cave. It wagged a long serpent like tail in excitement as it recognized Arei. He laughed with boyish joy as he scratched the heads on the right and left eagerly, all the while being licked in the face by the head in the center of the mammoth creature. ”Alright, alright! That's enough boy!” He called out as he petted the beast's chest. He turned slightly to Jos. ”This is my uncle's 'guard dog'. he nodded toward the cave the beast had come from. ”That, for all intents and purposes, is the eastern entrance to the underworld.” The dog was now flopping onto its back so that Arei could scratch its expansive belly. ”And this big goof ball is Cerberus.” He motioned for her to come over with his head. ”He's all bark and drool, there's no reason to be afraid of him.”

She neared him and the beast with her hands clenched at her chest. ”But... But wont he... I mean... I don't belong here...”

Arei chuckled, ”You're with me so it's fine.” Arei took one of her trembling hands and brought it over to the three heads waiting excitedly to meet her. ”Don't worry they won't bite.” His eyes sparkled into her as he added, ”Not all things big and scary are bad.”

She smiled as the dogs licked her hand and the long serpent's tail wagged slapping the walls of the cave. ”I suppose you think it's foolish of me to be afraid of a dog... after what you saw last night?” She remarked not taking her gaze off the dogs.

His smile widened, ”Not foolish... I just find it amusing is all. Your fully shifted form was quite impressive. I'd never be able to go up against you alone.” He laughed, ”In fact, you tossed me around like a ragdoll last night.”

Her cheeks reddened and her smile faded, ”So you were there last night?”

He nodded. ”I was. I saw the whole thing.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. ”I wouldn't have believed it, had I not seen it with my own eyes.” He held her gaze. ”But you must know, that doesn't define who you are. There will always be things out of our control, things we can't change about ourselves no matter how much we want to...” He brushed a stray strand of hair from her face. ”We have to accept those parts of ourselves and move on.” he took her hand and nodded toward the cave with the trident. ”Come on, I have someone I think you should meet. My sister has a similar curse on her as does her 'companion'.” He began leading her toward the cave as Cerberus trotted along behind them. ”You see even my brothers and I don't venture near their dwellings by vessel. Hell, I wouldn't even swim it! They each have very little control of their shifted forms even after all these years.” He ran his hand along the wall and an elaborate, swirling design began to illuminate the passage. When a drop of drool dropped down from overhead onto Arei's shoulder. He stopped his story and eyed the massive dog. ”Shouldn't you return to your duties? Your own cave?” The dog whined, all six ears drooping in sadness. Arei shook his head. ”Alright boy, but if Uncle gets pissed, don't say I didn't warn you.”

The three heads looked back and forth between one another as if to debate the choice. Jos couldn't help but giggle. She turned back to the large dog and spread her arms widely out across its chest unable to reach either side. Three tongues tickled her as he licked happily. Jos pushed away from the dog. ”It was great to meet you, and I'd love to see you again... but I would hate to know I caused you to get in trouble with your master.” She stroked each of the large overhead jowls. ”Run along now, and we'll visit again before we leave.” This had the dog excited. She giggled again. ”Run along now.” She said gently as she gave the dog one last goodbye pet.

Arei watched as the dog pranced happily down the narrow path. ”You have a way with creatures.” he said. ”Or maybe it's just male creatures.” He winked down at her. ”Next time my brother and I are sent out after a beast, remind me to bring you along.” He ruffled her hair. ”My own personal beast whisperer.” He teased.

She tilted her head. ”You said you have several brothers, but you seem to only ever refer to one... why is that?”

”There's one I'm closer to...” Her brows furrowed wanting more. Arei's smile faded, and he searched her face. letting out a heavy sigh, he answered. ”I'll explain it all when we get back to your island.”

She puckered out her lower lip. ”Why not explain it to me now?”

He sighed as he adjusted the saddlebag across his shoulder. ”Because things between you and I have gone too far now, and I think it best that we be there face to face with you for you to... understand.” His words trailed off.

”Understand what?” She asked, her brows tenting in frustration.

He stopped and turned fully toward her. He cupped her face in his hands. ”Understand that I Love you, and I would never do anything intentionally to hurt you. I would never be with anyone but you whether I thought you'd find out about it or not. He ran his fingers through her damp hair. ”That you mean the world to me... that I would trade the moon and stars to see you smile even if that smile wasn't meant for me.” He bent and kissed her lips softly. ”I will do all that I can to see that smile stay bright and that childish wonder never leave your eyes.” He kissed the tip of her nose. ”This is who you are, not the creature from last night, and hopefully after meeting my sister, you will understand that.”

Jos frowned. ”But why would my smiles not be meant for you? I don't understand. What is it you're not telling me?” She begged, clinging to his forearms tightly. Her eyes pleaded with his.

Arei closed his eyes tightly for a long moment. When they opened again his gaze moved quickly to the lit designs on the cave wall. ”We should get going. We'll talk more about this later.”

Jos released his arms letting her hands drop by her sides as she stepped away from him. ”You always do that...” She muttered as she waited for him to begin walking.

Arei let out an exasperated groan. ”I wish I could simply tell you everything you want to know and that would be the end of it... but trust me, it's not that simple. Not any longer anyways...” He frowned as he leaned down to level their gazes. ”I should have never touched you or kissed you... but I don't regret it... I only regret I didn't tell you how I felt sooner... before my secrets began to cause you so much pain.” He brushed a tear from her cheek. ”We really do need to get going. The cave will only stay lit for so long, and trust me, you don't want to make this trip in the dark even with supernatural abilities.”