Desert Lily

Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Lilium

As we headed into town, I closed my eyes while leaning on Kaisen's shoulder as the plant life around began to all buzz and scream. It had been much worse than what I had expected but there had to be something I could do. I thought to myself as one particular spell came to mind but if I did it, I'd be down for a week. Distant yelling pulled me from my thoughts as I opened my eyes to see a lot of Apiazans gathered at the square and a gray one stood on a small stage before them. It almost looked like the gray Apiazan was trying to stop the others from yelling over him but it didn't seem to work. It only got worse when they finally noticed us.

"Why is the human here?! It's her fault all of this happened!" One individual screamed as the angry crowd agreed as Kaisen's hand firmly gripped my thighs. "None of this would have happened had Kaisen not brought her back here! Those Ijiratians probably followed them!" The same one screamed as Kaisen stopped at the back of the crowd who all stood glaring at us.

"I asked them to come here! They both have more of a right to be here than the rest of us!" The gray one on stage shouted as murmurs and whispers filled the crowd. Gently tapping Kai's shoulder, I asked him to put me down as he knelt down to let me off of his back. It felt like I was back in school all over again as the Apiazans looked me over while viciously snickering and whispering.

"If you have something to say about my mate, speak up." Kaisen threatened with a dark look on his face as the crowd fell silent. "We were not followed back. In fact, this attack had nothing to do with my mate. Even the Tiocravens have said that the Ijiratians had nothing to do with my mate." He added as the crowd looked from him to me before the whispers started up again as Kai immediately held my hand. I wasn't sure if he was comforting me or vice versa but it was much needed.

"You're lying! No Tiocraven has talked to us!" Somebody yelled from the crowd as laughter echoed from behind us before the crowd fell silent again as I turned to see what shut them up. Walking up with Nisa in his arms was Haimo and a few other Tiocravens. The ones amongst him looked like the ones that had taken down the ones in our yard when I was attacked.

"You're right, we haven't talked to you. We've talked to Kaisen and his family. Some of you are worse than snakes." He quietly laughed while stopping to stand next to me as Nisa waved happily at me with a smile on her small face as I couldn't help but to smile back at her.

"She's a danger to us all and you're just taking up for her!" Somebody yelled out as Haimo growled in their direction.

"A danger?! She did more than any of you would have in her position! Not only did she save the children of the Tiocraven tribe but she raised the alarm and alerted us all of the danger running amuck in our own tribes! Where were you all?! Were you trying to save people? What about fighting off our invaders?!" Kaisen yelled with pure rage on his face as the crowd once again grew quiet. I just hoped and prayed that nobody would say anything else to these two while they were holding back their very visible anger.

"How could a human have saved the children of the Tiocraven tribe? Those kids were probably lying to you." One smug green guy stated while stepping from the crowd as Kaisen lept towards him before I quickly raised vines around him, holding him in place. He quickly snapped his head back towards me as I sighed.

"Let me go, Lilium. He needs to learn his place." Kaisen growled as I shook my head before he started prying the vines from his arms. The crowd was now buzzing as Kaisen grew closer and closer to getting free while Haimo handed Nisa to somebody else who looked exactly like her before stepping up beside Kaisen. As he put his hand on his shoulder, they both looked at the guy while towering over him.

"Are you calling the children liars? Please speak up for us while we're here." Haimo calmly spoke as pure unbridled rage flashed through his eyes. Oh God, this was getting bad. I thought to myself as Sihea and Rowen appeared from behind the Tiocravens gathered.

"Please, speak a little louder for us too." Rowan smiled as Sihea nodded in agreement while her tail thrashed about. I couldn't help but to admire the people in front of me. They were willing to go to these lengths to protect. It felt like I was home again.

"Can we please calm down for a second! I called this meeting to discuss plans on our relocation not to wage a war between tribes because of a few dumb Sframs amongst us. Those of you who are willing to talk smack must have some type of resolution to our problems instead of picking a fight with a completely innocent being that wishes to live a safe life like the rest of you?" The gray one on the stage announced as the crowd grew completely silent once again. "As I thought, now please any suggestions of our relocation would be much needed!" He skimmed over the crowd as I quietly raised my hand. "What would you suggest?" He asked as I was about to open my mouth to answer him when somebody said something sly before Kaisen attacked them. As I watched my mate beat a pink Apiazan black and blue, I couldn't help but smile. I was tired of being nice or considerate when it came to holding back Kaisen.

"I can save the entire forest." Was all I said as the gray Apiazan looked excited while the others whispered on. I gently raised my hand as a root shot from the ground before pulling Kai off of the unconscious Apiazan. "That's enough, darling. I'm sure they got the point now." I smiled while placing him down beside me as the gray Apiazan on stage clapped his hands in astonishment. Kaisen looked between the crowd and me before wrapping his arm around my waist. "I am a nature witch and my specialty relies on nature and plant life itself. Just standing here, I can feel and hear the plant life screaming in pain. I just wish to help stop their pain." I explained as the gray Apiazan nodded in understanding.

"Both of my fathers allow anybody to show their opportunities and I will do the same while taking the place of the tribe leader. If you're willing to help such a hateful tribe, I would be very honored." He spoke as I smiled up at him before looking around.

"Once I restore the forest, I just hope that you all will leave us be. I don't care if you don't like me because I look like a human but leave my mate, my family, and the Tiocravens out of it." I sternly warned as a few of the Apiazans looked guilty while others wore smug looks. Gently pulling away from Kaisen, I slowly closed my eyes as wind whipped around us before gasps echoed around me. "Please stay still." I quietly called out while opening my eyes as I looked down at the Apiazans. I was currently floating in the air a good distance above both tribes as I gently raised my hand while clouds grew above me. I prayed that this spell would work as rain slowly dripped from the clouds before it began to pour down. As the rain poured down on the dying plant life, I could feel them each growing stronger before the wind picked up. It swirled around me viciously while sucking up my powers before the rain slowly came to a stop as flowers began to fall from the clouds. Just a little more. I told myself as I began to grow weak before dispersing the remainder of my powers as I slowly fell from the sky, my eyes no longer willing to stay open.

"Lilium!" Kaisen screamed before arms wrapped around me as we went tumbling. "Are you okay, my love?!" He asked as I slowly opened my eyes while looking up at him with a smile on my face.

"I'm okay, darling. You just look so beautiful amongst the flowers." I quietly laughed while caressing his cheek as he kissed my hand. "I'll be okay, I just need some rest. That was a powerful spell." I explained as he nodded his head while picking me up as I leaned on him before closing my eyes. "What about the meeting?" I asked as I could feel Kaisen moving further away.

"We're done. Haimo and our family can handle the rest." He stated firmly while kissing my forehead as I hummed in agreement. It really did feel like his family was my family.