63 - Growing A Seed (2)

63 - Growing A Seed (2)
Clare swam a little away from Xavier, finding a smooth rock she could sit on. She got into a sitting position with her legs crossed, trying to ignore the hot gaze Xavier was sending her.
Maybe this wasn’t the best place to meditate.
No!
She could do this. She just needed to close her eyes and focus on her surroundings, channeling the magic flowing all around her…
“Xavier, can you stop staring at me like that.” Clare sighed, opening her eyes to stare into Xavier’s. “I need to concentrate.”
“Right… sorry.” Xavier gave her a sheepish look before turning his head to the side.
Taking a deep breath, Clare closed her eyes once more and let her mind empty. It took a few moments but soon Clare felt a calming feeling fall over her along with silence around the hot spring, save for the sound of water flowing around her.
Once she had gotten the peace of her surroundings, Clare turned inward. First, she felt her heart beating as it pumped blood through her body, magic following the blood as it moved through her body.
Clare counted the beats of her heart before she moved to feeling her blood flow through her. Magic swirled around her and she loosened her grip on the seed, opening her hand.
She took in deep breaths, sweat forming all over her body as she continued let the magic flow around her, concentrating hard on her meditation.
Meditating this way had become easier since she first started, but there was a limit to how long she could go on. Her body was starting to tire out but Clare kept going, needing this to work.
“Clare…” Xavier’s voice sounded, suddenly breaking her concentration.
Clare’s eyes flew open and she panted slightly, gazing at the wide eyed man. She was upset at him at first for breaking her meditation but when she noticed where his gaze was not on her, she paused herself and followed his gaze.
In her right hand, which once held a seed, now stood a sprouting plant. Not much had grown but Clare could not but help grin widely with joy as she gazed at the sight.
She had finally cracked the code!
Well, she had bribed Lif for a riddle that helped her get the breakthrough but a win was a win. After a week of no success she was finally getting somewhere. Now all she needed to do was complete growing this plant and she could move on in her magic lessons.
“I did it!” Clare exclaimed excitedly at Xavier. “I finally got this seed to sprout!”
Xavier smiled softly at her. “Yeah, you did. I’m so proud of you.”
Clare couldn’t help but blush at his words, suddenly realizing that she was practically naked in the hot spring with Xavier, having promised him something.
It wasn’t like she didn’t want to, but every time she looked at Xavier, she couldn’t help but feel her breath be taken away. He was a work of art, carved by the Goddess herself into perfection.
Xavier seemed to noticed her staring and smirked widely. “You can touch. I won’t bite unless you want me to.”
“You’ll have to wait a bit… I need to put this away first.” Clare smiled a little shyly.
She was getting used to Xavier’s flirting nature but sometimes she felt she would never get used to it. He always seemed to have a line up his sleeve.
Clare shook her head to clear her thoughts before getting up. She felt herself get dizzy and before she knew it, Clare was in Xavier’s arms.
“I think you need to take it easy.” Xavier murmured softly. “You must have used a lot of magic. Should I get you something?”
“No, I’m fine…” Clare murmured, watching as he went from flirt to caring partner in a split second. “I probably got up too quickly.”
“Alright… but you should still rest.” Xavier ordered, placing her back on the rock. “Let me take the plant and put it away while you relax. Don’t move, okay.”
He took the plant before Clare could do or even say anything before swimming to the edge of the spring. He pulled himself out the hot spring, giving Clare a chance to appreciate the view of his flexing muscles.
Maybe this wasn’t too bad, relaxing in hot water that gently massaged her body as she watched her mate walk around. Too bad he kept a towel wrapped tightly around his waist.
Still, this was definitely a great way to end the day.
By the time Xavier came back baring a tray in his hands, Clare had her eyes half-closed enjoying the hot spring as it soothed her somewhat tired body. The water had helped her get some of her energy back and while she wouldn’t pounce Xavier just yet, maybe something else could work…
“You should eat something first.” Xavier stated, giving her a knowing look as he placed the tray behind her.
He then moved next to her on the rock, settling down before pulling her into his lap. Clare snuggled into chest and sighed happily.
She loved moments like these.
“Here.” Xavier placed a small purple fruit on Clare’s lips. “Eat.”
Clare opened her mouth, letting the fruit enter her mouth. The taste of peaches and strawberries filled her mouth, making Clare realize how hungry she was.
Xavier seemed to know this too as the second she finished eating the first fruit, a second one was waiting on her lips. She let Xavier feed her, sometimes grabbing some fruit and giving it to him.
Soon, the tray was empty and Clare lay back on Xavier’s chest, letting her fingers trace every line of his body. As she did so, Clare noticed a bruise on Xavier’s forearm.
“I’ll need to put ointment on this…” Clare murmured to herself before gazing up at Xavier. “Do you want me to tell Alre to stop hitting you so hard?”
“No, I’m fine.” Xavier said, placing a kiss on her forehead. “Don’t yell at Alre for something he didn’t do… I was sparring with his familiar with is how I got this.”
“Oh…” Clare was a little surprised. “Alre’s familiar can fight?”
“Yeah. Quite well too.” Xavier stated. “Which reminds me, I’m going to do an extra two hours training with her every evening. It’s to try out this technique.”
Clare stilled at his words for a moment, not sure how to take this news. She was a little jealous for some odd reason but if Xavier was just training, it was fine.
She would miss him through seeing as the evenings were the only time they could be alone together.
“Alright.” Clare finally sighed. “As long as you don’t come back to me battered and broken, I’ll be fine with this.”
Xavier grinned at her. “I’ll try my hardest not to get hurt.”