Kiri woke up early to a torrential storm. Sheets of rain pounded the tree tops and soaked the ground below. Lightning cracked on the horizon and lit up the dull skyline. Raindrops slid down the flower bud and kept them both dry for the most part. Her skin still felt clammy and her body ached harder than she could ever remember. But, waking up and seeing Johann’s sleeping face more than made up for it. Hours could pass and she wouldn’t get bored just watching him lay there.

The final day arrived and her heart twisted at the idea of saying her goodbyes to him in the evening. She wondered what last night meant to him. What it meant for them. Life took on a whole new dimension now that she shared her flower bud with him. Nothing could get between her and Ajalla, her seedling, but Johann was a new aspect she wanted to include in her life.

Kiri lifted Johann’s arm off her nude body and got dressed. She lowered the petals and peered out to make sure nobody was watching nearby and snuck down the trunk.

“You’re horrible at stealth. Always have been,” said a voice from the other side of the tree. Ajalla came around with a grin and razor sharp eyes focused on her.

“Were you waiting for me to wake up and come down?”

Ajalla shrugged and pulled Kiri closer to whisper in her ear. “You didn’t think you could keep last night a secret from me. Did you? I mean, you woke me up in the middle of a storm. That’s a feat in its own right.”

“I-I woke you up. I’m sorry but I had a rough night and couldn’t sleep,” Kiri admitted, trying to shift away from the topic.

“Rough night. You don’t say.” Ajalla raised her brows and let go of her seedling. She led her along the edge of the clearing to where pairs of fruit-bearing trees grew. “You might want to take a few of those. To help mend the source of your trouble sleeping.”

Lefaljac strode through the rain across the clearing to join the two nymphs. “You look radiant today, Kirilamei. That’s good. You should take Johann as soon as possible and bring him to the cove.”

“What’s wrong?” Kiri asked, noticing the unease with which the Elder stood before them. “It won’t open for hours, we still have plenty of time.”

Lefaljac hesitated answering the question. “I spotted Zafira this morning. We don’t know where she is right now but I’m fairly certain she’s come for Johann.”

“Zafira’s here?” Ajalla said, balling her hands into fists.

The Elder circled them, keeping a watchful eye out towards the forest.

“This might not be the best time, but what if he decides not to leave?”

“Stay?” Lefaljac halted and looked over her shoulder. “Did he say that to you?”

“Not directly.”

“It’s his decision to stay or go and we can not make it for him. He did not come here out of his own will. If he is willing, then I see why not.”

Kiri rolled the melon between both hands. “So he could stay here even longer, as long as it’s what he wants?”

Lefaljac sighed. “Now’s not the best time for hypothetical situations. It’s better — easier — if he goes back to his people until we have brought Zafira and the Erythrai back to our cause. Humans have families that care for each other. They must be worried about and miss him dearly.”

“I understand,” Kiri said in a low voice. “I’ll wake him up and get him ready.”

“Thank you Kirilamei. I know these past few days have been a trial for you.” Lefaljac took Ajalla with her to search for Zafira.

Kiri stood in silence as her hopes of being able to keep Johann for another three days were snuffed out. In her heart she knew three days changed nothing, only postponed the inevitable. She fastened the melon under her arm and scaled the tree back up to her level.

A flash of lightning streaked over the jungle and highlighted the dark figure lurking by the ralu flower. Zafira sat next to the sleeping Johann. Kiri dropped the melon out of surprise.

“Dear Katarina, you don’t know how lonely it is out here.” Zafira looked up and showed Kiri the piece of paper she held. “Do you know what this is? It’s a letter. Humans convey words through symbols to relay messages.”

“I didn’t ask for a lesson from you. Now step away from him.” Kiri reached into her bio-ethereal basin and prepared to use it to confront Zafira.

The nymph stood and folded the letter together. “I could read it to you? Are you sure you’re not interested in what Johann has to say to his loved one back on Gaia?”

Kiri ground her teeth together and moved around Zafira, placing herself between her and Johann. “I don’t believe you. Leave him and hand yourself over to the Elders.”

Zafira barked a laugh. “I was just on my way, when I thought I’d stop by and visit my old friend here. They summoned me to a hearing. I’m sure they plan on ganging up on me and sealing me away for the next thousand years.”

“Why don’t you speak to them and find out for yourself.” She dropped to a knee to check his breathing and let out sigh of relief when she felt his pulse beating against her fingers.

“Lefaljac doesn’t appreciate you. They see your strength and fear it, like they fear me. The Elders claim to be Wardens of all dryads but that isn’t true. Only those that think and act as they see fit may wander the worlds.”

“We have to respect all life. It isn’t our place to take sides.”

“A noble idea,” Zafira stated, holding a finger in the air. “We both saw what the humans did to Gaia and yet the Elders refuse to act. They simply sit in the Grove all day and wait. Hoping for change to occur, but I tell you change has come and I am the one to bring it forth. It’s the only way to save the world.”

“They might change if we try communicating with them,” Kiri said, rising to meet Zafira’s glare.

“What makes you think that? Johann?” Zafira took a step forward and showed the scars around her wrists. “Heracles slew Ladon and destroyed the garden on Gaia but he also broke my heart. Johann won’t return your affection. Love is an ensnarement men use to hold women hostage. You give yourself fully, only to be abused and discarded.”