My Wild Beast

Nova’s grin split across her face as she brushed her fingers through Yoa’s tangled hair, trying to tame it a little as he’d been telling her about the Trial of Choice. She sat to his side and managed to tame half of it down without causing too much damage or pain to his scalp. But now her mind swum with glee and pride about Yoa.

Even back when he was ten, when children were still learning and growing, Yoa put aside his goal, all of his training, and followed his heart. She couldn’t hold back the burst of energy his story ignited in her, and pressed a few quick kisses along his jaw and cheek while her fingers were still entwined in his hair.

Yoa chuckled, leaning into her more. "What was that for?"

"Just being you," she breathed, grinning against his skin as she cuddled his face. "You passed because you chose to save someone instead of winning. I’m proud of you."

Yoa purred into her, startling her at the softness, and he closed his eyes, content in her arms. They stayed like that for a while, feeling the heat blossom between them, their breaths and heart syncing to the same rhythm before Nova broke the comfortable silence.

"So, do you and Chitaka still speak?" She pondered aloud.

Yoa smirked. "Yes. Chitaka told me a few moon journey’s later, that he and the other child weren’t Marked. He showed me his skin. There was no mark, no sign from Tayun that he’d been chosen to pursue the role of guardian."

Nova’s brows pinched together, and she leaned back to stare at him in confusion. "What do you mean... They weren’t...? They... So, they weren’t meant to participate in the trial?" Her heart rate leapt at the conclusion forming before her.

If that was the case, then that child died for no reason at all...