The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 189: His Idea of Love ()

Zariah walked through the forest at a slow pace, the feel of the wind on her hair was chilling, slowly drying up her still damp hair.

Zariah had left her hair undone to air dry, on any other day, she would have easily dried it up with an insignificant fraction of her flame element but that was no longer ideal.

By Nile’s firm order, Zariah was not to summon flame magic for any cause whatsoever and even without Nile’s order, Zariah found her magic was greatly depleted and difficult to reach.

It would take too much effort, one Zariah was not prepared to muster just yet.

Of course, over the past few days, Zariah had steadily recovered but she was still a long way away from being well enough to wield magic.

Summoning magic to dry her hair and aggravating her health condition did not seem like a worthwhile bargain to Zariah and so she had just left her hair to air dry.

Zariah’s recovery was slow, her senses were still not as it used to be and it was a disturbing thought on Zariah’s mind, this level of weakness was one Zariah was intent on overcoming as soon as possible.

Zariah had finally arrived at her destination after a short walk and she stepped out of the cover of trees, heaving a sigh of relief.

Zariah glanced around the clearing, she had not realized there was such a beautiful place not so far from the inn and she had only discovered it on one of her many walks in Caedmon’s company.

Of course, Zariah had failed to appreciate the true beauty of this clearing in his presence the night before, but now, she had come out here as soon as she awakened to take a better look and Zariah was mystified by what she saw.

It was a small clearing deep in the forest, though it was small, Zariah had to admit, it was enchanting.

There was a small waterfall from which water slowly trickled down to a gently flowing stream.

The stream was surprisingly clear, and Zariah could see right to the bottom where gleaming pebbles littered the bed of the stream.

There were a few colorful fishes swimming past here or there and the earthy scent from the forest around made the view all the more refreshing.

It was indeed a sight for sore eyes and after a week of the most unpleasant company, Zariah truly needed this moment of quiet to ease her unsettled heart.

Zariah walked over to the stream, pulling off her boots, she dipped her foot into the water, wincing slightly at the chill that spread up her bare feet.

When Zariah got used to the temperature, she sat down by the stream, wrapping her arms around her knee with her head rested on them.

Zariah just sat in that position and watched the stream, the sight alone calmed her in more ways than anything had in this past week and the serenity and silence of her surroundings was much welcome.

"I never liked water much before now." Zariah murmured with a small smile on her lips.

As a flame wolf, Zariah had never been able to find the appeal in water unless for the basic necessities, it was a natural trait of most flame wolves and worse for Zariah whose flame was the strongest in the Crimson Moon.

However, after the Sea Kingdom, Zariah’s opinion and feelings towards water had changed completely.

Somehow, it was the most calming thing Zariah had ever seen and she wondered why she had never realized that until now.

"I lived never finding the time to appreciate the beauty in the little things...it is truly a pity." Zariah murmured to herself.

A moment passed and Zariah was just about drifting off to sleep when the peace and serenity was interrupted.

Zariah’s nose twitched slightly, a tingling sensation spread through her nostrils, alerting her of what was coming long before it reached her.

Zariah sucked in a deep breath, forcing away the glowering expression on her face as she turned around to find Caedmon jogging over to her, a hand full of freshly picked flowers and a smile wide enough to fit three people.

’He said he would arrive at noon today.’ Zariah thought to herself in annoyance as she got up to her feet and watched the grinning man.

Caedmon’s idea of love was bubbly and full of excitement, it was eye catching and overrun with serenades...it was so far removed from reality that Zariah had found herself wondering constantly why she had ever fallen for this in the first place.

But perhaps that was the very reason, because he was different...full of light and beauty, or so Zariah had thought.

Zariah realized good could not be equated to bright smiles and a positive energy, and one who was cold and distant did not always have an ulterior motive.

"I thought you would not come till noon." Zariah said, accepting the flowers with barely a glance spared to it.

"You do not like flowers..." Caedmon guessed at Zariah’s reaction.

"Not really." Zariah agreed.

Zariah was certain Caedmon already knew that, he had looked into her likes and dislikes and so she knew the only reason Caedmon would bring something he already knew she did not like to her was to create an opportunity for himself.

And Zariah was proven right when Caedmon winced visibly.

"Forgive me...it is difficult to tell what you prefer, you hardly say a word." Caedmon said in a helpless tone.

"We have had a week together already, Zari and these days have been the happiest of my life. I have spent the time showing you my world as best as I can from so far away..."

"I cooked you the foods I love, I took you to places that reminded me of home the most here in Royal Lycan territory. And there is so much more I want to show you, but I realize... I still do not know much about you, or your world." Caedmon lamented.

"You never speak of the Crimson Moon Pack...or what it is like where you come from. I mean, everyone believed your kind to be a myth...tell me something about your people, anything..." Caedmon implored.