Lydia felt the languor of peace flowing through her. Time spent with Shenyo knit her soul to him. They lay cradled in the bosom of the tree during the night or when light rain misted through the dense leafy cover. Sometimes he grew so quiet that Lydia was concerned that he was unhappy. Certainly the past days had been fraught with danger but there was something exhilarating about the adventure which was missing from the bucolic lifestyle.<br/><br/>His voice was pleasant and dreamy when he inquired about whether this tree had been used by others in the past. Lydia smiled. She snuggled his dusty fur and played with the tip of the tail that held her wrist.<br/><br/>“Maybe it was once a palace for a faerie princess and her brave escort. Or maybe it was the resting place of the Goddess and her lover.<br/>”<br/>Lydia ran the tip of the tail over her lips and kissed it.<br/><br/>“I believe this was a place that knew great peace and contentment.” She whispered. Her words were given witness by the soft shushing of the wind through the leaves and the twittering of song birds as they flittered among the boughs<br/>.<br/>“Shenyo,” Lydia said and her voice held sadness. “What’s the matter? I sense you are restless. Even when we make love, I feel that your soul is a million miles away. Tell me what is on your mind.”<br/>