Heirot

Laya reached up and brushed a wet strands of her hair away from her face. "No... I don't think so... I think I look more like my father. My mother had long blond hair and blue eyes. Its been so long though, I barely remember exactly how she looked. Who knows... maybe I do look like her?"

Laya smiled and fell lazily over the bed, stretching out in front of the fire again. "You don't have a mother, do you? How are you and Adonis brothers?"

Telanis smiled. "All of my kind are brothers," he said, stretching out next to her. We are born of the earth. Adonis and I are both children of the same forest, so our bond is especially strong. Even if it is not what it was before-" he stopped and studied the ceiling for a moment. Something worried his features, making him seem almost wary. He turned his attention back to Laya, and his eyes were clear again. "You must be hungry." He paused, considering. "I could cook something for you."

Laya watched him as he thought, feeling like she should do something to distract him. Suddenly, he had done it for himself, offering to cook her something.

She blinked, and smiled sweetly, scooting a little closer to him. "Though, I am a little hungry... I don't think its safe to let you cook just yet. You haven't had a proper lesson in the kitchen." She tapped his nose with her finger lightly. "Thank you anyway."

Laya stretched out on her stomach, laying her head on her folded arms. "I want to lay here and enjoy the warmth of this fire, and it is nice to enjoy it with you. Are you hungry? I can get up and make food if you are..."

Her words pulled an amused grin to his face. "I suppose Adonis would be the stronger cook of the two of us," he acknowledged. It was probably the understatement of the year. "And I'm alright without any food."

He rolled onto his side and watched her. It felt very right to have her safely next to him, where he could watch over her. He indulged the comfortable protectiveness and took in the warmth of the room and the light filtering in from outside. "It seems humans don't fare as well without their boxes to keep them warm," he said thoughtfully, taking in the ceiling and walls around them. It seemed a little bit unfortunate, being unable to enjoy the crisp darkness of a winter forest at night or run barefoot along its trails. But it didn't seem to make her unhappy...and this sheltered space appeared to be precious to her. He returned his eyes to her. "May I stay with you in this box?"

Laya turned on her side to face him, and she smiled sweetly at him. "You may stay here as long as you want... I want you here," she told him very quietly. She reached out a slender hand and cupped his cheek. "But, you should be in the forest too. You should be what you are as much as you can. This forest needs you, Adonis said this before. I know you have to have some responsibilities that we've been keeping you from. I want you, but I also want you to be you. A box is no place for a unicorn..." Laya looked out the window at the leafless trees. "But, a box can be a good place for a unicorn to sleep at night... if he would like too." Laya leaned forward and kissed his forehead gently.

Telanis smiled at her. "I would like that," he said. The forest is important. It is what I am. But I belong with you also. I don't know how to describe it. If I leave you for too long, I feel the same longing instinct leading me back. I think you are also my forest now."

Laya smile broadened and she felt her heart swell with his words. She moved slowly, not really knowing what to say to him. She kissed his lips softly. She moved closer to him until her warm body pressed into his. "I am glad," she told him softly. "I feel the same. I feel very lucky."

He put his arms around her as she nestled close to him. He pressed his forehead to hers affectionately. She felt so comfortable. He watched her with quiet patience as she took the time she needed to recover from the crazy events of the night before and the loss of blood she'd suffered. The sun crossed over the midday sky, and daytime added warmth to the house along with the fire. When the flames finally reduced themselves to roasting embers, Telanis gently nudged free of her, meaning to go add more wood.

Laya blinked her eyes open when she felt Telanis pull away. She drew the covers over her and snuggled into the pillows as she watched him. "Should we go search for Adonis this evening if he isn't back from town?" she mumbled in her half-asleep state.

Telanis looked at her gratefully. It was like she could read his mind. "If you feel well enough," he said. "If he's really lost his empathy, he may be in for a rough day. Particularly in the town. I can only imagine it's like...going deaf," he said, unable to think of any other way to describe it.

Laya smiled softly. "I believe I feel up to it," she told Telanis.

Laya was dressed in a few minutes in one of her mothers winter gowns. It was long and thick and the color of forest green. She brushed her hair out and wrapped it up into a bun, clasping it with one of her mothers leather hair barrettes. She pulled on thick socks to keep her feet warm and her leather boots.

She stood waiting in the living room, looking out the window at the light snow falling outside.

"I hope it doesn't blizzard," she called to Telanis. "We should hurry."

Telanis looked her over pensively. "Are you sure you're well enough? You lost a great deal of blood last night."

Laya leaned against the window frame and kept her eyes on the snow. "I think I'll be okay... I haven't done much moving today to know otherwise," she sighed, turning to sit in the wooden chair next to the window. She still felt tired, no matter how much she wanted to ignore it.

"I'm worried about Adonis... But, I don't want to be trouble for the both of you. If you want to go after him I'll wait here. Adonis's seals should still keep me safe, so don't worry. I won't go outside." Laya smiled at him softly. "I promise."

She hoped, even believed, that there was no reason to worry.

"You're no trouble," Telanis said earnestly, touching his forehead to hers. "Frankly...I'm not very good at city things without you or Adonis with me. I will carry you. And you can carry my clothes," he grinned, placing a bundle of fabric into her arms.

Laya smiled, holding the bundle to her chest. "Okay, that sounds like a good idea. But, I will put them in this..." Laya stepped over to the fireplace and grabbed one of their bags they emptied the day before. She pushed Telanis's clothes inside them and pulled the bag over her shoulder. "It makes it easier to carry."

She stood slowly, exhaling in a sigh once she was on her feet. "Okay... lets go." Laya opened the door and waited for Telanis to exit the house.