Surprising Change
***Two Weeks Later***
Kennice sat in the rocking chair next to the window and stared off into the distance. Though her body was completely healed and didn't ache any more, her heart was a different story. Not one word had she heard from Cyrus since the night of their lovemaking. Fighting off Kaie during the dawn hours was somewhat a blur for her. She remembered trying to wake Cyrus and the arrival of Brenna. She remembered the shockwave that had flung everyone outward and the pain of the tree branch impaling her flesh. Lots of pain and then Rhys, Henry and Brenna around her. Everything in between was missing but from what Rhys, Erykia and Henry had told her, it was probably better that she had been unconscious.
She was feeling uncertain now. The dreams that the mysterious voice had shown her weighed heavily on her soul. Was that to be Cyrus' fate? Was that evil beast Kaie going to steal Cyrus away from those who loved him and turn him into the cruel man she had seen in the dreams? She shuddered and closed her eyes. Oh Cyrus, where are you? Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come." She kept her eyes shut. She heard the door open and knew that it was Rhys who had entered.
"How are you feeling?" He stopped a few feet away from her.
"I'm fine. Just tired. I am waiting on our high priestess' verdict on whether or not the fertility rite was successful. If it was not, we must do it again. I'm not sure I could stomach another try."
"Are you saying that because you want Cyrus to be the only one to touch you?"
"I," she blushed and fell silent.
"Look, Ke, I've been thinking quite a bit about what happened at the fertility rite. Hell I've been thinking about the way I've been acting and I realize now that I've been a jerk."
"Try asshole," she replied, her eyes open and searching his face for any hint of treachery. "You're right. Asshole is more correct," he agreed with a grimace. "I don't know what got into me to be perfectly honest with you. I guess I was jealous because all you ever talked about was Cyrus and how wonderful he was. You never even gave me the time of day. I'm human and humble enough to admit that my ego was bruised. I looked at Cyrus and tried my hardest to figure out what the hell you saw in him that you couldn't find in me."
"He doesn't talk down to me. He actually listens to what I'm saying. And he makes me feel like I'm the person I want to be."
"And I've done the opposite." He took the last few steps to her and dropped down to his knees. "Kennice, please. I want another chance. I want to show you that I do have those qualities in me. That I can be a better man than what I am now. When we, I almost lost you..." he turned away, his voice choked with emotion. He visibly struggled with his emotions before getting them under control enough to continue speaking.
