Chapter 47 - Stay With Me

After speaking to his father, Christopher returned to his chamber. He saw Amanda literally stuck out her head through the window, just to get a good look at the dried courtyard below. There were men of Aeros training with swords and she tried to analyze their moves.

"Amanda," he called out. "Didn't you hear me come in?"

Slowly, she returned her head back to the room and directed her attention to him. She smiled and said, "I want to see everything." She looked up and added, "From above."

He smiled and said, "Then, I'll take you."

Everyone's eyes were on the second master of Aeros, walking hand in hand with a girl. The servants and soldiers were unfamiliar with the girl, moreover, it was not like the castle to allow entry to outsiders, unless they served the ruler, Master Theo, and his family.

Arriving at the castle's changing area, Christopher ordered, "I need my armor."

Amanda watched as a man strapped an armor on Christopher's back. As she stood there, more eyes study her frame. She remained silent and unmoved by their glancing. Despite her presence, no one objected or asked Christopher about her.

After changing into an armor, that merely covered his front, Christopher brought Amanda to the courtyard. It was there where he re-introduced Amanda to his friend, Kyle.

"So what Cassy told me was true, the woman did find her way here!" Kyle said out loud.

While he knew all along this part of Christopher's plan, Kyle was still surprised that Amanda came to their world. Moreover, quickly accepted the existence of their kind. Like Christopher, he thought Amanda was an odd woman. Still, there was no questioning the choices of the second master.

"Shhhh... quiet down, Kyle," said Christopher. "Remember Amanda?"

"How could I forget? Welcome, Amanda," said Kyle. "I hope you survive here."

"Thank you," said Amanda. Her green eyes were distracted for a second, looking at the flying men who had landed before saying more. "I - I plan to stick around."

Her words satisfied Christopher. He smiled triumphantly at Kyle and said, "I'm taking Amanda around, take charge while I am away."

"That's nothing new," remarked Kyle.

In the middle of the courtyard where many of Aeros' arms stood by, Christopher held Amanda, bringing her to his back. He asked, "Do you want to see it?"

She nodded eagerly. She had always wanted to see how his wings came out. Her eyes focused on how cartilages seem to carve out of his back, slowly expanding and growing thick brown feathers until the entire length of his wings stretched out.

"Wow... Amazing." Her eyes grew wide, and her mouth formed into a circle. It was truly magical. Even if she had seen many creatures in her life, Christopher's kind was unique, being able to hide wings in their bodies.

Christopher gave it a good flapping before he said, "Come here, Amanda" He held her closely in his chest while he guided her arms around his neck. "Hold on tight to me."

'Don't worry, I'm not going to fall,' she said in silence and spoke, "I'm... going to choke you with my hold."

"I'm glad you are amused," said Christopher. She saw the excitement in her eyes. He felt Amanda was worry-free at that very moment. It wasn't like the times they had previously spent together where her thoughts were often drifting away.

Amanda tightened her arms around his neck and she felt his strong arms around her waist. She heard him say, "Let's go."

In seconds, she felt her feet above the ground. She heard clearly the flapping of his wings, and in a minute they were above the highest peak of the castle.

As Amanda strengthened her hold around Christopher, she looked down and saw the clear vastness of the castle grounds. She realized it was as significant as a football field, covering over an acre of land.

This morning, Christopher rushed her to his quarters by walk. She could tell that the castle was huge, and seeing it from above confirmed it.

The structure had two walls. The outer walls merely had towers evenly distanced, while the inner walls protected the quarters.

The castle stood on a rocky hill, further preserving it from invasion. Not too far was another barricade, signifying the last of Aeros' protected land. It was there where the redwood tree stood, Aeros' nearest entrance to Trinity Bay.

Looking back at the castle, she noticed flashing plates laid on center-most architecture. She asked, "Are those solar panels?"

"Yes, we brought them from the earth and many more of your world's innovations," he said. While ascending further, he asked, "Ready to see the villages?"

"Yes, I can see it from here too - Ahhh! Haha!" She yelled in excitedly after Christoper sped up, flying to the direction where many homes were found.

Throughout the day, Christopher brought Amanda from one village to another, flying and walking in between. She saw structures were still being built traditionally in stone walls or bricks. People walking around mostly wore light-material tunics whereas the obvious soldiers were wearing thick-material clothes or armors.

There were no grasses around and very little trees. Most were about to die from the dryness of the land. It was exactly how Christopher had once told him, their world was facing barrenness.

Christopher then brought her to another peak, several miles from the castle. It was the first time Amanda saw grass, but that too grew in a very little area. They rested on the rocky land and watched below the near village.

As they sat down, Christopher explained, "This year. It only rained thrice as far as I can remember. It did not even last that long. The thought of this makes me wonder if I was right to invite you here."

Amanda felt his worries and said, "Don't worry about me. I've already decided I'll stay with you. It doesn't matter if it's a land full of lava. I'll stay with you."

He scoffed and said, "I - I don't ever want to bring you to a land full of lava." He moved closer and put an arm around Amanda. "But you don't know how happy it makes me hear you want to stay with me."

"I have no choice. You took my virginity," she teased while looking out the land.

They both wound up chuckling, but after some time, Christopher fell silent. He looked earnestly at Amanda and asked, "I know that everything between us happened so fast, but Amanda... with you, everything feels right."

He reached for Amanda's hand and held it firmly before saying, "Here, we will go through many obstacles, but I am prepared to protect you and fight for you... that is because - Amanda... I've never wanted anyone so badly in my life... That's you, Amanda."

Amanda's eyes were fixed on his as she listened to him continue his words, "Amanda, will you be mine, forever?"

Her heart was racing, hearing him ask this. 'Could I really? What if the blue crystal master really appears before me? Would I really end up leaving Chris?'

Christopher leaned over to cover on her lips. She kissed back, closing her eyes. Only after letting go did she say, "I'll try my very best, Chris. For now, I truly want to stay with you."

He sighed and pecked on her forehead. "That's enough for me... Still, if you leave me, I'll find you wherever you go."

She sighed and chuckled.. "How comforting."