Chapter 268: 3.25 TLOC (15)

Zander walked in and smiled. Nyxara was relieved he was wearing casual, comfortable clothing but worried she didn't look pretty enough, which was a silly thought for her to have, and she knew it. She ran up and jumped on him to hug him while kissing him on the cheek.

"I missed you!" She said enthusiastically.

'I'm glad she's not worried anymore, I don't know why she would be worried. She's happy, did miss me, curious about the meeting and has some feelings of love swirling around in her head. I wonder what my head looks like.'

"Probably about the same, just more confused," Zephyra teased.

Zander laughed. "Yes, much more confused."

"What's so funny?" Nyx asked curiously, smiling while finally jumping down from hig hug.

"Oh, I just was thinking I wonder what my emotions look like in my head and Zephyra joked and said a lot more confused, that's all." Zander said, finally more relaxed, like a person, not like a god.

"I see someone is getting better with his social skills!" She smiled. "Ok, I'm ready! Do I need to bring anything?"

"That's up to you. If you want to bring a change of clothes or something to wear if you want to travel somewhere tomorrow. Do we get to spend the day tomorrow too or is this just a sleep over?"

"I made sure I had tomorrow free so that we could do whatever we wanted!" She exclaimed, winking at him.

'That's great! I'm so glad she is so thoughtful I know she's probably very busy.'

"Suggest she pack an overnight bag. I used to see people who were in relationships do that all the time while in Paradise."

"Thanks for the tip Zeph."

"Hey Nyx, since we're not in a rush, maybe you could pack an overnight bag?" Zander asked politely.

She tapped her finger on her chin, which Zander thought was really cute.

'I like when she's curious and thinking like that, she looks so amazing.'

"Well, since you can take us anywhere, what is something you would be interested in seeing?"

"Nyx, I have seen the entire world from Paradise and in Paradise, time flows differently. One day on Earth is a year in Paradise, so things move in super slow motion. It feels the same, time that is, but I want to go where you want to go and see the things you want to see."

She smiled. "You are so sweet. That's so interesting about the time in Paradise. Let me grab a few things. I have a few ideas. Oh! I need make up and stuff too."

"I don't think you need makeup, but if you would like to bring some that is ok too." Zander complimented her in a casual way.

'He's finally starting to get it a little bit! This is great.' Nyx thought.

"Thanks, I appreciate how sweet you are. I was thinking maybe tomorrow we could meet with Fleur in her castle or something? I think it would be nice for the three of us to sit down and talk, if that's ok with you?"

"Sure, I'll text her in the morning. Well, I'll give you some space while you pack your things. When do you want me to return?"

She blushed. "Zander, you don't have to leave. It's not like you're going to see me naked or anything and I'm already dressed to sleep. I was so happy when I saw you were also in casual clothes, I didn't know what to wear so I just threw this on!"

"Oh, ok. Well, I think you look great, but you looked so gorgeous in your formal wear I got something for you!" Zander said excitedly as he pulled the small black box from his pocket.

"Here, this is for you. Since you're my girlfriend, I should treat you as such and buy you things every now and then just because."

"Woah, you even bought it from the demon market? Her shop is wonderful… and very expensive you didn't have to buy me something so expensive!"

'She's excited but feels guilty about accepting an expensive gift, I guess I should just be honest with her.'

"Well, it's not like my mother would send me to Earth without a substantial amount of money and the woman wouldn't accept my money. She was excited I was doing something nice for her favorite princess and made me give her my word that I would take care of you and unite the races. I told her I could only promise her to take care of you, which she accepted. She is very nice, I wanted to give her money but she wouldn't accept," Zander slipped up and was a little too formal this time.

"Less formal Zander! It doesn't sound as sincere when you say it so formally. It sounds like you were doing it just to impress me or the shop keeper. Don't worry, I don't think that, I know you did it because you were doing something nice, I'm just letting you know for other social interactions is all," she said while giving him a kiss.

'I am so lucky to have someone so nice and patient with me. Even when I make mistakes she's never mad.'

"Well, are you going to open it?" Zander asked excitedly, back to his casual tone.

"See, there he is! Zander the person, not Zander the formal god." Nyx smiled as she opened the box, which caused her to gasp.

'She's amazed, happy and feels loved… her emotions are swirling around so quickly. I guess I picked a good gift.'

"Zander… this is amazing! It's so beautiful and it even has a pink sapphire. Did you secretly spy on me from Paradise or something."

Zander actually picked up that she was teasing him this time and didn't take it literally. He was slowly learning how people interacted after spending time in different realms, talking with Jessica, Fleur, the council and others. He often watched in Paradise, but never really focused on the emotions behind it. He was just more curious as to why beings behaved the way they did.

He laughed. "Good one. Anyway, are you ready?"

'Woah, he picked up the joke! That's amazing.'

"Yes, whenever you are!"

Zander failed to realize how late it was when he landed in the fairy queen's bedroom. It was nearly 2 am and he didn't really have a good sense of time on Earth yet, despite it being very dark, quiet with no moon shining.

"Hello Fleur," Zander said quietly.

"AH! You scared me!" She screamed as she woke up."

"I am sorry!" Did I wake you?"

"Yes but it's ok… I suppose you haven't got used to the ways of Earth yet. What's up dear?"

'She is not mad that Nyxara and I are together and is still very polite, despite me scaring her. She is tired, overwhelmed but hopeful…'

"Zander, you ok?" She asked.

"Oh, sorry, lost in my thoughts again. I just wanted to thank you for today. There is a meeting tomorrow at 7 PM at the Royal 5 headquarters."

"Thank you for letting me know… it's a shame Nyxara stole your heart so quickly but it's for the best. I believe she is the only one who can truly understand what it is like to live such an isolated life and grow up. Try to find some male friends as well. I believe Verde has a few male children… one or two near your age. Try that."

"Thank you Fleur, you are too kind. She has helped me significantly, as have you. I am very glad I could leave her here without worrying about her. Thank you for the tip about the battle today and thank you for the information about his children." He said before disappearing into the night.

She laughed. "Wakes me up in the middle of the night and he's gone…oh well, I'll do my best to make sure he has at least one good friend on Earth. It's a shame though…" She muttered.

"I really did like him…"

******

Zander laid in his bed but couldn't sleep. He was overwhelmed with everything going on and felt terrible about his actions against the humans, but remembered that it had to be done. He tried to open a portal to Paradise, but couldn't.

"What? Why not?"

He tried again, then a third time and finally gave up.

"Mother? Why would you block me from coming home…" He frowned.

******

In Paradise Aphrodite was visiting her sister Athena and talking with her when they both noticed Zander was trying to come home.

"Did you really block him from coming home?!" Aphrodite was confused.

"I don't need him running back here every time he gets in a difficult situation. He will be fine."

"So you built his house by the one silver soul knowing she'd sneak out and find him, you are quite a genius my dear sister."

Athena smiled. "Thank you. Also, thank you for not casting a charm or anything on her and making sure everything went naturally. I know many people may view it as them rushing a relationship, but I think it's exactly what Zander needs. Someone to guide him, hold his hand and walk him through things."

"I agree, there's no way that poor young god would stand a chance with how many women would throw themselves at him. I think Nyxara was the perfect woman to build him close to."

"Yes, I agree. Well, his training wheels are off now. I've done everything I can and I certainly hope he slows down on killing people, although I agree with his decisions. The humans are vile!"

"Yes, you set him up nicely in a difficult situation and with the demons and fairies aligned, maybe the vampires and elves will start to pair up. Then he will only have 3 groups to bring together, not 5."

"That was my original intention. Where he goes from here is purely up to him."

'Great job Zander. You and Zephyra are doing great! Just don't break that poor girl's heart…'

******

Zander decided to dress in casual clothing and cover up as much as he could and visit the land of the demons.

It was nothing like he expected or from when he watched in Paradise, not that he paid attention here much. It was highly populated with street vendors everywhere. They had stalls for flesh, clothes, everything. Demons filled the streets, laughing, talking, enjoying their lives.

'So many neutral souls. So strange. Why is the demonic race more pure than humanity?'

Unfortunately, he couldn't hide his eyes, and people finally started to realize it was him.

"A god?!"