Chapter 51

Zai warped us directly into our living room to avoid any witnesses. I checked my phone and saw that a lot of people had been listening to my song. Even the comments were mostly nice, over 100 were saying they were excited about the album release. No one is more excited than me though... because once it's out I'll finally have my own income and maybe I can plan a new surprise for Zai. 

"You look happy..." Zai pointed out so I rushed over to him and showed him,

"Look! My song post has over 20k views!" He ruffled my hair,

"That's wonderful," Zai replied,

"That's right!" His eyes narrowed and my heart trembled, feeling like he may be about to finish what he tried to start in the prison but he sighed and walked away from me to sit on the couch.

"I don't want to ruin your mood... but if I don't talk to you now, I won't feel up to it later." He said while staring out the window to his left.

"You can tell me." I put my phone away and then sat beside him, being sure to not leave even a millimeter of space between us. 

"... I fought the Lightning Chosen of Infaniya, a few years ago... Not many can see what I am but he noticed right away..." They fought? That makes no sense. Then why isn't Zai a wanted criminal? How come no one knows he's an Afarion? "He was much older, and had some battle experience but my trainer... gave me the ability to absorb electricity. So... As the fight drew on, he grew weaker and I grew stronger. Other factors contributed to my victory but, I knew he wouldn't let me live a peaceful life so in the end... I had to kill him." My eyes widened and the mood I was in changed slightly... I know he didn't have much of a choice in that situation but it's still crazy to imagine. "Seems Smoke thinks I'm the Infaniyan Chosen of Lightning, who is just pretending to be dead to stay out of the war."

"... That's... trouble." If Smoke is convinced that Zai is the Guardian of Lightning then he'll be really suspicious when the real one is found reincarnated in the next few years.

"Seems like you understand... I guess I went a little too overboard in our last fight." The one I didn't see...

"Smoke is a hundred years older than you, how did you beat him so easily?" He scoffed,

"Did that look easy? Hmm... well to be honest... once I mastered my own element I asked Valin to teach me the basics of Earth, to make up for my weaknesses. Earth can purify poisons, have slight control over gravity, and negate lightning and absorb... seemed like the best secondary element to practice." I need to focus, but right now I'm curious about what kind of teacher Valin was. 

"Smoke won't say anything," I assured. Zai frowned and replied,

"Do you believe you know him well enough to make that claim?" I hung my head... I can't be confident that he wouldn't... just a few weeks ago I was sure he'd never kiss me. "I do hope you're right..." He then put his arm around my waist. "There's too much tension in here... put some music on." I hurriedly picked up my phone and began playing an album by a singer I grew up with. "... Wow... that's an old song." Does he know it? "Is this your favorite song?" 

"Oh ... um no... should I play my favorite?" He nodded so I switched over to the song I liked the most.

"Hmm... if this is your favorite, we'll play it at the wedding." My heart fluttered, and then Zai's face moved in closer to mine, first, he brushed his nose against mine, making me giggle then he opened his mouth and kissed me deeply, massaging my tongue with his. I made a few weird sounds before turning away bashfully. "Do you think less of me now? Should I give you space?" I'm surprised he'd ask me this. I knew he killed before and that we were in a war. From what he told me, he barely had any other options. As soon as I decided to be okay with loving an Afarion, I also decided to accept whatever dark past he had.

"That's not it... it's just hard for me to switch my mindset when the conversation was so serious, moments ago." I explained, he tilted his head confused.

"Is the music not working? Would it be better if I sang to you?" his question excited me so I nodded rapidly. So he laughed and restarted my favorite song, then sang along perfectly with it... My heart was pounding in my ears, faster and louder with each second that passed. I watched his face and was mesmerized by his lips. When the song ended another one began auto-playing and Zai kissed me again, in the same way, he'd done previously. I kissed him back, returning the same level of intensity and when our mouths parted I said,

"I could never think less of you... I'm always on your side Zai. In everything you do, I trust you have your reasons and... I just want to be here to have your back." He stared into my eyes, then grinned widely,

"I'm starting to feel like you're too good for me." He stated while moving his hands under my skirt to remove my underwear, 

"D-don't say that... I'm just right for you, not too good." I corrected. Zai kissed me and I heard his pants unzip. He's in a hurry! when the conversation got so serious I thought he might not be in the mood tonight. He held my chin to keep me from looking away and put his other hand on the armrest behind my back.

"I feel like I deserve you less and less every day," He mumbled while staring right into my eyes. "You are too good to me Snowe... I promise." He added before lifting me up and lowering me down onto his lap. I had to summon the boldness within me to maintain eye contact with him because I knew it was what he wanted. And even though I was on top of him it still felt like he was in control during the activities that followed. After we stopped Zai hugged my waist, holding me in place so we stayed connected, and pressed his face into my neck, I felt like it was my chance to say what was on my mind to say hours ago...

"I want to ....be even... b-better to you..." I was having trouble catching my breath and Zai laughed,

"Me too." Then he bit my neck and I gasped which only made him bite slightly harder, then lick me to ease away the pain. "Let's move to the bedroom..." He whispered directly into my ear, his breath tickling me. The next day when I woke up, Zai was sleeping next to me... it's rare to catch him sleeping. I always feel blessed to see him looking so sweet and vulnerable. This is a present only I can enjoy. "I can feel you staring at me." He said softly, then his eyes flew open and he caught me before I could turn away.

"I'm sorry." I whimpered and he chuckled,

"No, I think it's cute that you still get excited from looking at me." I blushed at his wording.

"That's not true!" I yelled in my defense and he pulled me closer till his bare body pressed against me.

"Silly Snowe... I know when you're lying." As soon as those words escaped his mouth his phone rang. Zai groaned and rolled away to check it. Now that I think about it, I've never heard his phone ring before. He answered and brushed his hair from his face with his free hand. "What is it?" Is that any way to answer the phone? "I was on vacation... yeah... fine I'll get it done tonight." Then he hung up.

"What was that about?" I inquired. He tossed his phone into his desk chair and said,

"Business."

"Oh! I never heard your phone ring before, I was a bit shocked." I noted

"I have important numbers on emergency bypass." Zai explained, then he began leaving tiny kisses on my shoulder, "I'll... make you breakfast." He offered, seeming to force himself to pull away, then he went to his dresser and put on some sweatpants before heading to the kitchen downstairs. I took my time following him, and when I finally reached the kitchen I saw him cooking, so gracefully as if he was dancing. I'm not sure if he even noticed me till I sat down at the bar top. It seemed I made it just in time since my plate was ready, pancakes topped with strawberries. He sat beside me with blueberry pancakes for himself and leaned his shoulder on mine as we ate, 

"Thank you for making me breakfast," I said while pouring strawberry syrup over my food.

"Are you going to thank me every time I cook for you? It's going to be a lot since we have a long life ahead of us." He replied, 

"I plan on it! I'm going to thank you every day and tell you I love you every day and tell you that you're beautiful every day!" His cheeks reddened, up to his ears.

"You're ridiculous." He commented but I could tell I made him happy and that put me in the best of moods.