“See!” I cried out enthusiastically. “See! Is important! Make Nevin the stronger. I bounced up and down. Excitement coursed through my veins. This… this was important, not just to me but to Nevin. If I could get this to work then he’d spend more time at home again. “Here!” I reached into my shoulder bag and rummaged around till my hand clasped over a handful of the tiny blood pearls. I lifted them out my bag. “Who want one?”

I wasn’t...expecting everyone to start. Members of the congregation started to rush me, “I uh….uhm…” I glanced toward Nevin and the priest for help. I didn’t want all those people that close to me.

“Please stop.” The priest rose his hand and people slowed to a halt. Oh phew..that was good. The old man cleared his throat. “Let us not overwhelm the man. It is clear he can hear our prayers. Let us take a moment to think - how would he handle the love, and voices of us all?”

I stilled.

Oh… Oh I hadn’t thought about that. I turned to Nevin. He...he was struggling with just myself and the priest praying to him. All those people… all at once… I wanted him to be stronger but maybe he wasn’t used to such things yet.

“Eteri...not know what do.” Nevin reached out and pulled me to him, wrapping his arms around me and holding me tight. When he spoke, his words only reached me.

“Stay with me. You're my rock, Eteri. My support. I'll endure this, and grow stronger, for you. With you.” Then he lifted his head up. His voice became strident, strong. He was - good.

“For the rest of you. Please. Keep your prayers to certain times. Here, together. But - if you need me, need my help. Do not hesitate. If I am to be your god, then - I should be there for my followers when they need me most. Don't abuse this though - I am a god of acceptance, not a god of good. I take both the good and the bad, and I can use both if someone goes too far.” There was a dominant, strong tone to his words. Commanding, as his eyes flashed around the chamber, stabbing into the people who had the blood pearls.

There was a low murmur through the crowd and a feeling of understanding and acceptance. Then, people started lining up in front of me to accept the pearls.

“I’ll need to punish you later for taking these.” He whispered into my ear. He grabbed my shoulders tightly, a playful warning. I turned to the people who were lined up and carefully placed a stone in each of their hands.

It was worth it. Any punishment was worth helping him. Most of the congregation had received a stone, I did run out… but the people didn’t seem disappointed. Instead, they spoke with others, about sharing. It was...an odd concept to me.

Sharing.

I tried to imagine sharing my things but couldn’t. I still would barely let Nevin touch my soul vials unless he asked first. Things had begun to settle, the members of the church chatting idly amongst themselves. “Hey...Nevin…” I turned to him. “Did...Eteri do right thing?” He turned to me, dark eyes studying me for a moment. Then he kissed my forehead, then pressed another soft, warm kiss to my lips.

“You did what you thought was right, love. I was - being silly. Stupid and afraid. Thank you.”

His words alleviate any concerns I had. “Am glad.” I stepped into his embrace and wrapped my arms around his waist nuzzling into him. “If this helps...will see you more often? Not so many late nights and no sleeps?”

“I'll - be home every night dear. With you.” He stroked the hair on top of my head, the edge of his thumb brushing against the base of my ear ever so softly. “I'm sorry, Eteri.”

“Is ok.” I pressed myself tighter against him. “You is going to be very strong soon. Very strong.”

The priest cleared his throat which made Nevin pull away from me. “Miss… Eteri was it?” I nodded. He bowed low to me. “You have done us, and our lord a great service. May I offer you a place as one of the disciples in this humble church?”

Dee---what now? I glanced up at Nevin. “Uh… what….word?” He blinked. Looked thoughtful.

<”Like the old priest is close to the gods of Akashima. But - you’d be closer, a more intimate relationship.”>

I nodded and turned to the priest. I understood. I just didn’t quite catch the old man's accent. “Ah! Yes. Eteri will. Eteri is!” The priest smiled warmly.

“We will look forward to the wise words one so close to our god will bring.”

Wise words? I think this guy was …. Not knowing what he was getting himself into. My words were never wise. They were barely coherent. Instead of telling him this I gave him a small nod.

“After all…” He continued. “You dream of the Crimson Lands correct?”

I furrowed my brow. “You mean red place where tall man fight?”

The priest nodded. “Yes. We feel these dreams mean a great deal. We have a few dreamweavers, and if you ever wish - you may rest here and they can gaze upon what knowledge you have in your subconsciousness.”

In my….He wanted to look in my dreams? But most of them where of Nevin…. A naked Nevin. “Ah...maybe… not now...maybe one day.”

“I - think she is concerned of dreams of a more personal nature. And I have to agree.” Nevin's
arms tightened around me.

“Y-yes!” I nodded. “Eteri dream of Nak-mmpf” Nevin placed his hand over my mouth.

“Eteri, sweetheart. Don’t you think it’s time we depart and get something to eat?”

I nodded. He let me go and bowed to the priest - who bowed so low he nearly hit the ground with his face. Nevin shook his head.

We continued to say our goodbyes to the congregation as we left the church. I felt...proud...accomplished..but I also felt like - something was missing. That I was forgetting something important in all this. As we walked the sunny streets toward a small cafe I looked up at Nevin.

“Nevin. You has the prayers now. You get the strength, but Eteri feel like not do something important. What is?”

“I’m sure it's nothing Honey.” He gave me a slightly strained smile and squeezed my hand. I nodded. If he said so… I’d trust him. We avoided the main streets and restaurants. He knew I wasn’t too keen on those anymore. Instead, we found a quaint cafe not too far from home.

A bakery. A small bakery that sold cakes, pastries and hot drinks. The outside was adorned with flowers, which I didn’t eat by the way! There was a single iron table outside, painted white and inside were a few wooden tables. It was a nice day so we chose to sit outside.

Nevin had ordered a big mug of bitter black coffee and a thin cheese Danish. That didn’t really appeal to me. What was sitting in front of me was much much better. A small puff pastry topped with cream and lots and lots and lots of strawberries. “Eteri love sweet things!” I said as I stabbed the fork into a strawberry and placed it into my mouth.

He laughed, then reached out and swiped some cream from the edge of my mouth. He sucked the cream off his thumb, his eyes sparkling as he looked at me. “Not quite my favorite flavor but it'll have to do.” He grinned.

“What is your favourite flavour?” I asked.

He gave me a devious smirk, and I could feel the tickling sensation of his tendrils dancing along the skin of my legs. “My sweet Eteri. I thought you were smarter than that.” He paused to take a long sip of his coffee then set it down. The tendrils wove their way around my legs, constricting them. “You. You’re my favourite flavour.”

I forced my eyes down to my half eaten tart. His gaze was intense and I could feel it on me. Just..just… I shoved as much of the tart into my mouth as I could so I wouldn’t make a sound.


I heard the clatter of silverware against the table and my eyes shot up to him holding his head. A pained look on his face. “N-Nevin?”

“H-home. Now..” He hissed through clenched teeth. The tendrils pulled away from me and II pushed out from the iron chair and quickly helped him stand.

“What wrong?”

“Please Eteri.... Help me get home.”

I nodded, concerned. What...what had happened? Today was going so well.