Out of the World

27. Perfect

Nina

I had to blink a few times to get my sight back after being engulfed by Zorion’s flash of light. Now that I could see properly again, I looked around the green meadow and the cute — almost fairytale-like — cottage. Well, I’ve even met an actual Fairy, so the fairytale thing was kind of a realtale-thing here. Yet it wasn’t the overly sweet child stuff, but rather real, scary, too powerful for me to understand. And in what came to Zorion all fairytales were hot, delicious and tall tales.

“Are you alright, Honey?” he cupped my face carefully, looking at my surely confused-looking face.

“Yes, that’s only me trying to process the glow and the flash thing. All good, just another Sunday morning!” I gave him a smile. I wasn’t freaking out anymore, Big Vamp Daddy’s peepy-talk helped. And now that we were about to get some answers, things could only get better, right?

“Mama Schawn lives in this cottage,” Zorion explained as we walked towards it. There were many animals around, especially ducklings. Funny fellas! Before we could even knock, a woman came out of the house. She looked older than anyone else in this world — everyone I met looked young, even Zorion’s parents. But this woman looked like someone in her late fifties. Pretty, fit and everything, but definitely not younger than that. Could that be that she was human like me?

“Zorion, my child. So, I am finally meeting your beautiful mate!” She smiled, wrapping her arms around Zorion’s waist before she looked at me, “Nice to meet you, Nina. Please, you both take a seat here. Do you want some verbena tea? Or coffee? I know you have lots of questions, but tea — or coffee — should always come first,” she motioned for us to enter her house. It was a very warm place, filled with antique decoration, something you expect of a grandma, I guess.

Wait, how did this Mama Schawn know my name? Did Zorion tell her or was it a shaman thing?

“Thank you for receiving us. I will take coffee, please” Zorion told her, turning to look at me as we took a seat on the small sofa.

“Coffee, always.”

Mama Schawn brought us a tray with coffee, tea, and some cookies. She took a long sip of her drink before her gaze met ours.

“My first question is something I have wondered since I met Zorion. Why me? Why am I his mate? I’m only a simple and plain human.”

A deep sigh left my nostrils, and Zorion took my hand in his, squeezing it gently. He was way too perfect for me.

~ * ~

Zorion

Nina still couldn’t understand why she was my mate. I might not know the Goddess' reasons, but I was sure that my Nina was perfect for me. My soul and body called for hers.

“Are you, my dear?” Mama Schaw asked enigmatically, looking intently at my mate.

Nina’s eyes popped open and she squeezed my hand hard, the look in her eyes was of utter confusion. She was completely overwhelmed. My arms wrapped around her on their own accord as I tried to give her some comfort.

“What do you mean, Mamma Schawn?” I asked, looking intently into her golden-coloured eyes. She only gave me a cryptic smile in response.

“I don’t understand… could that be that I am something else and that’s why I am Zorion’s mate?” Nina thought out loud, looking into space. “Mama Schawn, my parents… Do you know who they are? Are they human?” Nina’s voice was filled with anxiety. I could see the anticipation and even uneasiness in her honey-brown eyes. She had to know it. Of course she did! Somehow, not knowing about her origin, she felt as if she didn’t know completely who she was.

“That I can’t say, dear girl. There are many mysteries above and under the upper Realms. We are surrounded by two infinities, the skies and Hell.” Mama Schawn answered.

“What about the glowing thing? When I painted, I glowed, Mama Schawn. What does that mean?” she asked, fidgeting with her dark hair.

“Did you feel happy, plentiful with your art? Could every brush and every trace lead you to yourself and help you to connect with your emotions, your instincts, what you are deep inside behind the barriers of thoughts, habits and fears?”

Nina only nodded, seemingly shocked by Mama Schawn’s description.

“It was your soul, my dear, and so did your skin. That’s simple and not harmful; you have nothing to fear. The light within you broke through your pores, giving your skin the shade of a star. Isn’t it beautiful where art can take us?”

“Where? To know the truth?” Nina asked, confused.

“Art can take us to ourselves, to the secrets we have and don’t yet know. You were one with your soul, your real call, your destiny — many could call that magic — but I call it strength. You’ve been daring more and more with your art, going beyond your fears, and that allows you to glow.”

“Does that mean that Nina is magical, or not?” I asked, growing impatient. Mama Schawn was raising more questions instead of bringing answers.

“Zorion, dear. Everyone is magical, even humans. They have a different kind of magic. Yet their feelings, their actions can be powerful and filled with light; love, resilience, selflessness are magical in themselves.”

A sharp exhale of frustration left me. It wouldn’t work, she would say anything about Nina’s past. Maybe there wasn’t anything to be told.

“How can our mating process work?” I asked another pressing question. After Sienna’s words when she examined Nina when she was burning with fever, I’ve been afraid to take this step with my female and somehow harm her.

“Please tell us, Mama Schawn.” Nina asked, her hands on her face as she tried to manage her frustrations as well.

“Nina. For you to be able to mate with the Prince, your body, soul and energy must go through some changes, my dear girl.”

What did she mean? Changes? I didn’t want my mate to change! I loved and wanted her the way she was.

“What kind of changes?” Nina asked.

“You’ve to raise and groom the magic inside of you. The bond and its magic will do it. For that, you have to stay very close to your mate, as close as possible. Although you both can’t mate. The predicament is that you wouldn’t survive it,” she replied before taking a large gulp of her verbena tea. It’s a bit funny, mom says that my dad’s scent is mint and verbena, just like the tea Mama Schaw is apparently obsessed about.

Nina’s small form went stiff and I could feel all of my muscles tensing as well.

“What? And what do you mean by mate? The whole deed, second basis?” Nina asked.

“Having s*x, it’s what she means, Nina.” I explained.

“So, if we do it, I will die?... that’s... I don’t even know what to say or think. We shouldn’t try this thing. Us — It won’t work, Zorion. It’s dangerous and clearly just wrong.” She moved away from me.

A sharp exhale of frustration left me. I couldn't have her denying our bond again. This was maddening.

“It’s a lot of changes and novelty for her. It’s good that you’re a very patient and gentle male. She will need you, my dear.” Mama Schawn gave me a smile of sympathy. I was patient, but I too had a limit and having my Honey that close but not being able to love her completely was becoming too much. I couldn’t wait much longer.

“Allow me to continue, dear girl.” Mama Schawn placed her hand on Nina’s, bringing her back from her haze. “It means that you both can only mate, consummate your relationship, after Nina goes through all her changes,” she added.

“Then, she won’t face any risks? I don’t want to hurt her, not even slightly.” My words were charged with determination. If it meant that my Nina would be safe, I would wait all the time in the world.

“She will be safe. Your intimacy can progress and you both can enjoy your love in other ways,” the shaman answered serenely.

“When would that be?” When will she be completely ready with the changes?”

“You will know when the time comes.” Mamma Schawn gave one more of her typical answers. Coming here didn’t bring my mate any peace of mind, but rather filled us both with aggravation and uncertainty. I inhaled deeply remembering what my parents told me; Mama Schawn likes vague answers.

“I- Mama Schawn, thank you,” Nina murmured, standing up with a jolt.

“Nina, you are more special than you think. Don’t doubt yourself,” Mama Schawn said as my mate ran out of the cottage. After thanking the old shaman, I followed Nina outside.

As I tried to reach her, her short legs moved faster, putting more distance between us, “Nina, wait. Let’s talk.”

She breathed deeply. “Talk about what?” She motioned to the both of us. “The thing between us is nonsense. It’s just so blatantly wrong. Our love can kill me! What else do you need to hear to accept that we don’t belong together? We are literally from different worlds!” she sighed, and I could see the way she swallowed hard and how she sucked her breath in, successfully containing her tears.

My legs strode towards her, killing the distance between us. I cupped her face, wrapping an arm around her waist to prevent her from taking one more step back. We were very close; our breaths mingled, and I could feel her chest raising and falling. I only ever wanted to be like this, close to her, with her in my arms.

“Does it feel wrong?” I asked my mate.

“No... I don’t know, Zorion. I don’t know how it feels.” She looked down and I tilted her chin up.

“I- I am completely useless. I have no powers, no magic and you can’t even do the mate thing with me. I am not even good for fun. It’s all—” she muttered after a few minutes of heavy silence.

“I don’t want you to be useful, Nina. You are my beloved, not a tool. I don’t want you for s.ex only, but because I love you. I love every minute with you,” I murmured in her ear, running my fingers down her hair, “Besides that, Mamma Schawn said that we can’t mate, but there are many things we can do. And I will bring you lots of pleasure, Little Honey! You are mine in every way, Nina, and I will show you that. I will make you feel how much I love and desire you.” As my lips took hers in a scorching kiss, I lifted her by her waist, pressing her against the trunk of a tree and wrapping her arms around my waist.

Finding the answers behind Mamma Schawn’s riddles could wait. My mate needed something more convincing than words, and I was happy to give it to her.

*

Guys,

Can you get the meaning behind Mamma Schawn's words?