Tethys had long ago accepted that her world would turn to darkness. Her eyes would one day fail her, so she took beauty in when she could. She could see the light pattern of his coat as he pressed into her. His head draped over her neck and she was pulling closer to him.
His whispered only her name, but it made her shiver when he said it. There was something in his tone--something that she would have missed before when her eyes were so bright and seeing. But now they were dim, and dimness had brought forth her other senses.
She could smell the woodsy musk of his coat. She could hear the quaver in his voice as he rested his neck over hers. His heart was pounding so loudly she could hear it, and she heard her own too.
A smile came easy to her lips, but the words stuck in her throat rendering her speechless. She wanted to say so much to him and yet, her own body betrayed her. No words seemed possible to convey what she was feeling or what she meant.
She had traveled the Kawani and never been left speechless--until now, until him. Tethys pushed her head into him, the rustling of his leafy hair filling her ears. It was one of the most lovely profound sounds she'd ever heard. "Celegras," her voice broke and she fumbled for words and their meanings. "I have told you stories because I want to see you. Because I want to be near you." Her breath caught and she could feel her cheeks blushing wildly.
What would he say to her now? She had not meant to say so much. Even though he was nestled against her, she feared what he might say. But that was foolish. He was holding her, nuzzling her. He was telling her what he meant by his actions and she had to trust instincts. Trust him.
Trust was hard for her. Her heart had been broken before. She had loved and lost. And here, standing beside her, was what she hoped would be her future. "Please say something," she nuzzled her face into the foliage of his hair.
Her heart thudded loudly and she shifted to him. Tethys didn't want to move away from him, didn't want to open her eyes. She did not need to see him to know him. Why was she doubting that? She knew how he felt, could feel it in the sound of his voice and in his caress on her neck.
Don't doubt what is true. Maybe she didn't need any words, his actions spoke louder. This, this was enough. All she had ever wanted.
Don't doubt the good things, she told herself.
Let them be.
