You were saying, little bird?
Oh, shut up!
The words are already out before I realize what I'm saying - and to whom - but to my surprise, I can actually sense the god...smiling?
You're not mad?
There is nothing for you to worry about.
You must always feel free to speak your mind to me.
It is how things should be between a god and his future goddess.
Did he just say—-
No, no, no.
I can't take it seriously. Right?
His words worry and thrill me at the same time, but I'm distracted from my thoughts when I hear a small popping sound as my divine lover gently pulls himself out.
Hold on to me.
He carefully lowers me to my feet, but my legs immediately fold, and I sense him chuckling even as strong invisible hands swiftly clamp around my waist to save me from falling flat on my face.
Are you alright?
SHUT UP.
The words are out before I can stop myself, and I realize all at once it's my subconscious attempt to test him. Gods are notoriously fickle, and a part of me wanted to see if he truly meant it when he said I can always speak freely to him.
Does anything hurt, moraki mou?
The god asks this as he carefully helps me back to my suit, and while that intimate part of me does feel a little tender, I also have a feeling this god of mine can be so protective such an answer would mean sexual abstinence.
And since no way am I going to stand for that—-
I quickly shake my head. All good here.
You're sure?
Yup.
Unseen knuckles run gently down my cheek, and as I close my eyes to savor his touch, I hear the god murmur in my mind—-
Meet me at the labyrinth after class.
There is something we need to speak of.
IT'S RAINING AGAIN when classes end for the day, but I don't give it a second's thought as I take off my blazer and hold it over my head before making a run for it.
A concealing mist starts to form as I reach the road leading to the labyrinth, and it turns into a thick wall of fog behind me just as I spy a large creature with snowy white fur resting by the entrance. The beast abruptly sits up with a growl as soon as its eyes of gold and blue rest on my drenched profile, and barely a second passes when I sense the god growling in my mind—-
Why do you NEVER remember to take your umbrella with you?
I don't even have the time to answer. The beast has vanished, the god switching back to its other form, and I only know he's materialized right next to me when I feel his magic dry-cleaning my uniform in an instant.
"Uh...thanks—-ow!"
Invisible lips have just nipped the marked skin on the side of my neck, and I can only grimace, knowing better than to complain.
Do not let me catch you without your umbrella again, you understand?
"Ne, kyrios."
The words translate to 'yes, master', and I secretly sigh in relief when I hear the god cough a moment later. I remember reading somewhere that the old gods love it when humans from foreign lands speak their language, and since my god is older than, well, just about everything else...
Punishment averted, mission accomplished, which then leaves me one last thing to do—-
I lift my gaze to where I sense the god is, asking, "Why did you want us to meet here?"
Come with me, and I'll show you.
He takes my hand, and memories tease my mind as I let the god lead me deeper into the labyrinth. I know it's only been weeks, but it feels like an eternity has passed since I first laid my eyes on the god's bestial form within these very walls.
Perfumed air wafts around us as we reach the path where I last saw Isabella and the professor together, and my blood turns cold when I recognize the scent.
Carolina roses.
It's that flower again, and I find myself swallowing hard when I remember the message its nocturnal blooms are supposed to deliver.
Are you alright, moraki mou?
The quiet concern I sense in the god's voice makes me quickly push all thoughts aside. "I'm fine." I turn my gaze back to the vine-colored wall we're standing in front of. "Does this lead to the headquarters of the order?"
If you place your hand on the wall, you shall see the answer for yourself.
Now that you bear the order's mark, it shall open upon your touch.
I do as the god bids me...and jump back in surprise when the walls silently part just like I remembered them doing in the past.
Shall we go?
The god takes my hand again, and the quiet strength in his grip becomes my private source of comfort as we descend the steps in complete darkness. You'd think a god like him would afford to have lighting installed, but I guess being divine doesn't save someone from being cheap—-