"We’re here."
Perched on Yoa’s arm and nestled into his side, Nova’s eyes swept the area, frowning. Yoa had stopped with his announcent. They were in the heart of the jungle, yet it was eerily silent. It was like they were in the Oncari land again.
Although it was eerie, Nova felt safe and especially protected against Yoa. He was the biggest threat of all the jungle, after all. Perhaps that is why no manner of creature seed to pass this area by.
"And where exactly is... here?" Nova pondered, searching for a rock or spot that would open up to so hidden path like at Yoa’s other hideout.
Yoa smirked at Nova’s confusion and tipped her chin upwards. Her lips instantly gaped at the Ceiba tree. The jungle was full of different species of trees, all so enchanting and gigantic. Bigger than any she’d seen back ho at the nature reserves or parks dotted around the cities.
Nova couldn’t keep up with being blown away by them and, by this point, had been too focused on Yoa’s touch to pay attention to what was around her. Now, she stared up at one of the trees she could na because of Felipe’s explanation of its importance to the tribes. It was ant to be sacred, and how could it not be with how it looked?
This towering and sacred tree had been camouflaged among the thick growth of the other trees, though it still couldn’t quite stop itself from spreading its branches far and wide, taller than the others, popping above the canopy. Vines and mist clung to its trunk, its roots snaking through the jungle floor, and now that Nova was paying attention, she could feel the pulse, an almost ancient energy thrumming around them.
She could not see the top as it was past the others, but she knew without a doubt that this was Yoa’s ’hideout’. Was it a hideout, or did everyone know not to enter this area? Was this a known spot where the island’s hunter resided, a territory that should never be dared to enter?
"How... Do I get up there?" Nova asked, sounding a little breathy, noting that the hideout was far beyond anywhere she could physically get to without it probably taking at least an hour to climb.
Yoa chuckled, the sound so light and playful as he nuzzled his nose into her neck, slling her and closing his eyes. "Do not trouble yourself with such thoughts, little mouse. I’m here." With that, his grip on her tightened before he sprang upwards. Like a damned superhero, they whooshed powerfully from the ground, one clawed hand digging into the trunk of the tree.
The air escaped Nova’s lungs, trembling slightly from the dizzying height. She didn’t an to look down but now it was almost rising and falling, making her feel sick.
A fainting whining sound carried on the wind and drew her gaze away from the forest floor, but it faded as Yoa launched himself from the tree, leaping higher to grab a dangling ladder. It hung from a hidden spot, perfectly concealed from anyone else and one only known to those who had been there before.
With one hand, Yoa held onto the ladder and helped manoeuvre Nova safely around his body. Yes, she was a wuss when it ca to these extre heights; who wouldn’t?
But she also knew he couldn’t easily climb up while holding onto her like cradling a baby on one arm. Nova climbed around his body like a monkey until she hung from his shoulders, legs wrapped around his waist, arms around his thick neck.
"Hold on," he ordered over his shoulder before climbing up the ladder. Nova didn’t dare look down as she felt the wind whoosh around her skirt and through her hair, ssing it up and flying into her eyes.
As Yoa climbed the ladder, Nova’s gaze swept along the tree, taking note of so netted platforms, vine-draped ladders, and rope bridges connecting various levels of an imnse treehouse woven into the thick branches. From this angle, she could see there were three distinct tiers. She stared past his broad, solid shoulders, utterly awestruck by the craftmanship of the hidden dwelling.
Yoa pushed open a trapdoor and climbed through it, hopping up onto the lowest decking of the first floor. Nova slid off his back where he was crouched, and watched as the trapdoor retracted. "Did you... make all of this?" Nova asked in awe, rising slowly to her feet as she took in this solid floor that expanded outwards, nets going wider to other branches above.
There was nothing on this level besides a small lounging area. It was entirely open-spaced, allowing the breeze to flow through with ease. It was clearly a lookout point. She could tell by the more worn sections of the branches compared to the feather-stuffed cushions scattered invitingly across the decking.
Nova’s hand traced over the cushions, wondering whose feathers were inside—from prey, he’d eaten before, what types of bird feathers were inside. She sat on the square, a light khaki cushion that had tribal drawings on it. It was so comfortable it felt like sinking into a cloud.
Yoa watched her from, remaining in his crouched position, raven locks falling over one side, eyes glimring a little in the light. He was transfixed on Nova, watching her take in every detail of the most basic part of his ho. "Yes," was his simple answer to her earlier question.
So late was his response that Nova had forgotten she’d asked a question as she’d been in awe looking at a few carvings on the trunk that stood like an ancient being in the middle of the treehouse. Her finger traced over a little story of carved figures in the wood hunting an animal. "This is amazing," Nova whispered, awestruck, her gaze slowly returning to et his.
Tension crackled between them every ti their eyes clashed, and a tingling sensation rushed through their bodies, reminding them of what almost happened at the lake. Nova couldn’t hold his stare, her cheeks filling with colour as she looked away shyly and focused on other fascinating parts of the first floor.
Yoa couldn’t stop watching her, almost hypnotised by seeing this stunning creature at his ho. The hideout by the cliffside was also his ho. But this one was more personal. It wasn’t as aesthetically pleasing and had been created by his own hands.
Pride welled in his chest as he finally responded with a grin, "You should see the rest of it."
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