Which Side Are You On? *Part 49*

He led her into the garden, taking the center path. It seemed like a long walk, but Sovira wasn’t concerned. She was happy to be with Syth. She was eager to see what he was showing her this time. Was it something even more beautiful? How was it so special that he had her dress up?

They finally reached the end of the trail.

Sovira stood wide-eyed. It wasn’t what she expected, but it was still beautiful; still amazing. Syth always surprised her. They were standing in a small meadow. Not just any meadow. This meadow was perfect. It was like a meadow for the gods. It was gorgeous.

Various trees surrounded an open space. In the center of the meadow there stood a big oak trunk. There were two logs laid out around the trunk. It was set up like a table and chairs. What made it even more amazing was that a mote surrounded the logs like it was a special place. And all kinds of colorful flowers were on the inside and outside of the mote. And the most beautiful stone-arched bridge to lead across the mote.

It’s enchanting, Sovira thought. Almost enough to take her breath away. It really was a special place. It was a place you could go and believe in magic. It made everything in her life seem real for once. Not a fantasy or dream. But maybe that was because this was a place of fantasy. Where dreams became real. It was a place you could go to forget reality for as long as you wanted. Just forget all your worries and become lost in here.

Sovira knew she would be truly lost in the woods if Syth wasn’t here with her.

Over the tree trunk laid a silver tablecloth with a bowl of potpourri in the center. Two candles sat outside of the bowl. There was a plate full of food on each side of the table. There were also flat cushions on the logs. That would make it a little more comfortable. It would also keep Sovira’s dress from getting dirty.

“You had all this planned out didn’t you?” Sovira asked. She was very astonished.

Syth smiled and held out his hand. “Come,” he said.

She took his hand and he lead her over the mote to the table and chairs. They sat down on the logs.

“It’s so amazing.”

“I know,” he agreed as he stared into her eyes.

“You always seem to show me the most amazing things.”

“I want you to see that this world isn’t all bad. It also has good features.”

Oh, she thought. So he wasn’t just trying to be romantic?

He chuckled. “Okay, maybe I am trying to win you over just a little,” he joked.

She laughed slightly. “Just a little?”

“More than I should,” he admitted.

They laughed in harmony. She now looked at her plate of food. It looked delicious, but she was too tired to eat. There was a glass of water next to the plate. She felt sort of bad that she couldn’t eat even a nibble. Syth had done so much for this night to be perfect.

“What if I wasn’t hungry?” she questioned.

“It’s okay. I didn’t bring you out here for the food. And there is plenty more where that came from.”

“Of course.” She knew there was. “Then why did you bring me out here? Why get me all dressed up?” She was eager to get his answer, but she was having trouble keeping her eyes open.

He smirked. “You’re tired.”

“So tell me. I’m curious.” She strived to keep her eyes open. They were winning the fight.

“I had something to confess to you. I thought this would be perfect.”

“What could be so important that you have to go this far out to confess? Are you going to propose to me?” she joked.

He smiled crookedly at her. She was only inches away from sleep and he knew it. She would stay awake long enough to hear what he had to confess, then give in to her weary eyes.

“So what is it?” She was eager to know before she fell asleep. She took a drink of the water to help stay awake. She thought about pouring it on herself.

“I love you, Sovira,” he confessed.

It was as if the words were hard to say. Like he was going to choke on them. Sovira found it hard to absorb the words. It wasn’t what she had expected. She choked up the water before she had the chance to swallow. She stared at him wide-eyed even as tired as she was.

“What?” she asked. She wanted to make sure she heard him right.

“I knew this would be hard on you.”

“No, what did you say? Say it again,” she begged.

“I love you.”

She lost her breath on the L word.

“I…I love you too,” she confessed.

He didn’t look the least bit stunned. He looked more irritated. His expression was as if he didn’t want her to feel that way about him.

“I didn’t know you felt the same way. Oh, I’ve wanted to tell you for so long.”

“Sovira, this isn’t a time to rejoice.”

“I know, but it feels good to finally get it out.”

“It does,” he agreed.

Her eyes started giving in again.

“Oh,” she groaned. “How can I still be tired after this? I hate being human!” she complained.

“Demons need to sleep too,” he reminded her.

“That’s not my point,” she groaned.

Her eyes were going to shut for good in a few seconds and she didn’t like that. She fought as hard as she could to keep them open.

“There is one thing I like about you humans.” Syth was smirking as he said this.

“What’s that?”

“Your minds are so easily manipulated.”

“What are you getting at, Syth?”

He wasn’t making any sense to her tired mind and she wasn’t in the mood to figure it out.

“You will think this is a dream in the morning.” He was still smirking.

“No, I’ll remember.” She stopped to think. “Okay, you’re probably right. So give me something to remember this night.”

“Sorry, I can’t do that.”

“Come on, Syth,” she pleaded.

He chuckled. “Come on. I’ll take you to your room.”

He rose up from the log and walked over to her side. He pulled her up out of the chair and picked her up bridal style again. She had no choice but to let him. She couldn’t fight back in her state. She fell asleep the moment he picked her up.