《Wind-Caller: A Mystic’s Memoir》 Chapter One The cauldron bubbles, and an ominous, black cloud of smoke begins to form just above it. Miss Eisley eyes it, full of anxiety, with her fingers gripped firmly around the handle of a bucket brimming with water at the ready. I hold my breath as the cauldron shows the usual signs of a potential explosion. I prepare to cast a spell when the cauldron begins to shake. I wonder how much longer it will continue to do that, and if I should be running. While my spellcasting comes easily, potion making does not, and I have already mentally prepared for the worst possible outcome of this exam. I will fail again, and delay my entry into the Academy of Arcane Magic and Alchemy for another year. ¡°Are you sure you counted the seconds correctly? You tend to wait too long,¡± asks Miss Eisley, apprehensively. ¡°I used the Chronosphere,¡± I assure her. ¡°Did you set it correctly to thirty seconds?¡± She asks, looking towards a small wooden desk where the enchanted device of golden sands sits. ¡°I did.¡± ¡°Did you add the-¡± ¡°Yes, I added the lavender oil after I steeped the chamomile and lemon, amongst other things,¡± I grumble, growing more concerned as the shakes of the cauldron grow increasingly more violent. ¡°Fifteen minutes?¡± ¡°Miss Eisley, I¡¯m terrible at making potions, but I can still read the instructions.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± grumbles Miss Eisley. ¡°I just don¡¯t understand why the smoke is black. It should be purple by now, with golden sparks.¡± ¡°Maybe it can sense your stress and anxiety?¡± She frowns immediately, not the least bit amused at my attempt to ease her discomfort. ¡°Why else do you think I¡¯m having you brew Tranquility? Sweet Gaia, please let this girl pass her exam, so I can finally send her off to the Academy, and live a peaceful life once again!¡± She prays to the heavens. ¡°Miss Eisley,¡± I cry, dumbfounded. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have been that bad!¡± ¡°Of course, not, my dear, but if I don¡¯t pray now, you will never pass and be accepted into the Academy,¡± her voice sounds desperate and anxious. The dark smoke begins to spark with flecks of gold, and I hold a wind spell tightly in my hands to keep it from slipping from me. This action causes my fingers to go numb from the feeling I can only describe as trying to hold a mouse with the strength of a bear in the palm of your hand. The cloud of smoke suddenly disperses, and I shield my face with one arm, releasing my spell blindly towards the cauldron. Miss Eisley yelps like a wounded dog as water splashes her, and a bright, green smoke fills the room as the fire enchantment on the cauldron drops to the floor, the words now an inky blob on the soggy paper. I press my lips together, stifling a laugh, afraid Miss Eisley will fail me and never teach me again if I release it. She frowns at me again after removing the bucket from her head. Her hair is wet, sticking to her forehead, but she¡¯s quickly distracted by the cauldron where a cottony purple cloud with golden sparks now hovers over it. I¡¯m grateful she¡¯s forgotten to scold me. ¡°The bottle! Quickly!¡± She cries, holding out a hand towards me, and wagging her fingers like long, spindly spider legs. I search frantically for any available empty bottle amongst the scattered papers and equipment that litter my work desk, and heave a sigh of relief when I locate one hiding behind a large stack of books. The bottle is quickly positioned beneath the purple cloud as it rains droplets into the cauldron like a small rain shower. Steadying my breath, I keep the bottle still, but my hands threaten to shake from nervousness. I scan the room, wishing I had a funnel, as my hands would surely stain from this artificial rain. I recite the first rule of potion making in an endless loop through my mind to help calm my nerves. ¡®The fresher the ingredients,¡¯ I remind myself, ¡®the better the results.¡¯ And the quicker I could attend the Academy. Just before the bottle overflows, I seal it, and hand it to Miss Eisley. ¡°Let¡¯s see here,¡± she mumbles, putting on a pair of glasses that hang from a chain around her neck. She holds the small bottle up in front of a window, carefully examining the contents. ¡°The color is a bit dull, but that might be due to the quality of ingredients I¡¯ve given you to work with. The clarity is¡­ excellent. Consistency is¡­ perfect for once.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± I grumble in protest of her insult. ¡°You took all the proper precautions, caught the errors in the written instructions I gave you. I say, Luna Masters, congratulations on passing your level one potions examination.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to drink it for taste, aroma and potency?¡± I inquire. She flinches at the suggestion. ¡°I-I trust it¡¯s been done correctly,¡± she says, nervously. ¡°It¡¯s quite harmless even if it was brewed incorrectly.¡± ¡°Oh, very well,¡± she relents, removing the cork from the bottle, and hesitating just before taking a small sip. ¡°I suppose death is not nearly as bad as having you for a student for another year.¡± ¡°Miss Eisley!¡± I gasp, almost amused by her crassness. Her face falls with the first sip, and she¡¯s expressionless. A wistful smile spreads across her face, and she remains unresponsive for a few moments. ¡°Ah!¡± She exclaims. ¡°Quite potent.¡± Just as I think she¡¯s frozen in place, she rushes to her desk, which is littered with papers of scrawled notes, memos, and books opened at various locations, all of them stacked on top of one another. Some of the books are marked with ribbons, quills, or leaves. Miss Eiseley¡¯s desk always seems incredibly unorganized to me, but she seems able to find what she¡¯s looking for at any given time. ¡°Congratulations, again, Miss Masters,¡± she says, with a smile. She dates a yellowed piece of paper (¡®14 Lunara¡¯) with her signature on the bottom left corner, and then presses her ring into a small puddle of wax melted at the bottom. ¡°I can finally, and proudly, remove this certificate from my files.¡± She hands me the sheet of paper, and I nearly cry as I gratefully take it from her with both hands. I bow deeply, having never been happier to be holding a piece of paper. ¡°Thank you so much, Miss Eisley. I truly appreciate your patience, and your time.¡± Miss Eisley waves a hand dismissively, and wipes a tear near the outer corners of her eyes. I wonder briefly if she¡¯s crying from pride, or relief. ¡°You¡¯re the first Mystic I¡¯ve had the pleasure of teaching in years. I¡¯ve looked forward to this day since the time you initially blew a hole through the roof of this humble school.¡± I feel my cheeks grow hot with embarrassment, and giggle through my tears. She¡¯s proud of me. I should have known that Miss Eisley would be proud despite the torture I¡¯ve put her through this past year. She¡¯s always been kind and patient with me. ¡°I see so much of myself in you, as you¡¯ve struggled through the years. You¡¯re determined, and hard-working, just like your parents. It will be both a pleasure, and a sadness to see you leave Bellehaven. I hope the City of Lights and the Academy treat you well, teach you much, and help you master your abilities.¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Eisley.¡± ¡°Get home, dear. Start packing a bag. I¡¯ll drop by tomorrow with some letters allowing you entrance into the city and academy. Be sure to pack your certificate.¡± I rush out of the classroom, and turn back after walking several paces away to stare at the small wooden structure that serves as the village¡¯s schoolhouse. This place became my second home for the past year. I still remember, quite clearly, the day I cast my first accidental spell; A gust of wind to catch a child that was falling out of a second story window. It had come as a shock to everyone in Bellehaven when they learned of my Mystic powers manifesting. It¡¯s rare for a decades old human to develop magical abilities so late in life, but it isn¡¯t completely unheard of. There are some cases of some Mystics well into their 50s suddenly developing magic who have gone on to become some of the best in the land. But it rarely happens in our family. It rarely happens in Bellehaven. This small farming village is so close and yet far enough away from The City of Lights, that nothing exciting ever happens, and if it does, it doesn¡¯t last for long. ¡°Is that you, Luna?¡± A warm gruff voice calls out. I smile at Marcellus when I spot him turning the corner. Marcellus and I grew up together, and have been inseparable since the day we met almost ten years prior when I first arrived in Bellehaven with my family from Mirror Lake. Mirror Lake is the complete opposite of this place. It¡¯s busy, crowded, noisy, and something exciting is always going on, be it parties, carnivals, or festivals. When my powers manifested a year ago, Marcellus was my main source of comfort, and something about him changed since then. The sight of him has always made my heart flutter, my hands shake, my throat dry, and my mind blank, but lately, I think he¡¯s caught on to how I feel. Even if he did reciprocate some feelings, I¡¯ve decided it won¡¯t be enough to change my mind about going to the Academy. I long to leave this place behind me, and venture to the rest of Amith. I wave to him. His tousled chestnut hair from his long day of harvesting has a hint of red in the light of the setting sun, and his bright-emerald eyes appear to shimmer as he approaches me. There¡¯s a blanket-covered basket in his hands, and he holds it out towards me. I look up at him, squinting until he blocks out the light of the sun by shifting in front of it. He gives me a wide grin. ¡°Good evening,¡± I say, turning to face him, raising my chin up high with pride. I slow my pace to match his lazy saunter, and we continue down the main dirt road where my family home stands at the end, away from the rest of the village. ¡°I just finished my last lesson for the day. You are now looking at a level one Mystic!¡± He parts his lips, his mouth hanging open for a moment, and he forces a smile. ¡°It¡¯s an honor, Novice Luna Masters, only Mystic of Bellehaven, to stand before you,¡± he bows low before me. I give him a look of discomfort when those around us begin to stare. One small girl watches on curiously while her mother pulls her along, seemingly scandalized at such a sight. Marcellus laughs, noticing the look on my face. ¡°Get up, that looks so strange.¡± ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you be treated like royalty now?¡± ¡°Absolutely not!¡± I say, forcing him up. ¡°I¡¯m hardly anyone important.¡± ¡°I brought you some sweet potatoes, and fresh herbs from mom¡¯s garden.¡± ¡°Thank you so much. My mother will love these,¡± I say, taking the basket from his hands. ¡°Will you be off to study at the Academy, then?¡± ¡°Yes, and unfortunately, if my potion making skills are any indication of how soon I will reach level five, I¡¯ll be done with my studies in about a century.¡± ¡°Lou, I know you¡­ You¡¯re obsessive. You¡¯ll probably get there ahead of schedule.¡± ¡°I¡¯m counting on it,¡± I say, puffing out my chest, which is quickly deflated at the thought of my returning. ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you, you know. You¡¯re not going to be around to be a pain in my arse, anymore.¡± I glance over at the sad look on his face, and try my best to ignore it. ¡°Hey!¡± I nudge him playfully with my elbow. He catches my arm, and stops me from walking on. He looks down at me more seriously than I¡¯m used to, and I distract myself by glancing around pretending to be distracted by the people walking past, feeling a little uneasy. ¡°Seriously, Lou, hurry back, if you can.¡± ¡°We talked about this,¡± I frown, feeling a knot forming in my chest. ¡°Marcellus, it¡¯ll be 13 to 16 years before I come back.¡± We didn¡¯t really talk about it. I mentioned it in passing one day, and left before either of us had a chance to react. I¡¯ve avoided the subject ever since, because talking about my feelings is too difficult to do when I can¡¯t keep my mouth shut on a regular basis. ¡°Do you really have to go, Lou?¡± He gives me a heart-wrenching look. It¡¯s one he¡¯s used on me more often recently. I can almost be convinced to do anything when he gives me that look, but I know that if I stay, there will have been no point in terrorizing poor Miss Eisley for the past year. ¡°Marc, please. You know I can¡¯t stand that sad look, even if you are joking,¡± I poke his chest with my index finger. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. He winces and grunts, rubbing his chest ¡°And getting very good at it, I might add,¡± I smile widely. ¡°When are you leaving?¡± He feigns cheerfulness, smiling brightly, but there¡¯s a sadness in his eyes, and he¡¯s walking now as if he¡¯s dragging an anchor behind him. ¡°The classes start in the month of Solstice, unfortunately.¡± ¡°That¡¯s in two weeks!¡± ¡°I know. I have to leave tomorrow if I want to make it in time for registrations.¡± ¡°It¡¯s so soon,¡± he panics. ¡°If I¡¯d known, I would have taken more time off to see you.¡± ¡°It couldn¡¯t be helped. We were both very busy. I¡¯m sorry to say that I really have to get going, though. I¡¯ll see you later!¡± I take off, sprinting down toward the end of the road. ¡°Tonight! At the usual place!¡± He shouts. ¡°Okay!¡± I shout, waving back at him. When I reach my home, a two-story stony structure between a small cluster of trees, I slip through the front gate, then past the front door. A fire is crackling in the fireplace, and there¡¯s a stew cooking in the pot hanging over it. The aromas bombard my senses, causing my stomach to growl. ¡°Mom, Marcellus gifted us some potatoes and herbs!¡± I shout, knowing she will probably be in her garden. ¡°Should I put them in the stew?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± she calls from the back door. I take the basket and a bucket that lives by the backdoor with me, and head towards the small stream that runs just behind our house. I fill it with water, and begin scrubbing the potatoes with a rag, the tips of my fingers become red from the roughness. When the water becomes muddy and dark, I pour it over the roots of the taller plants in my mother¡¯s flourishing garden. ¡°Hello, love, did you pass it?¡± Comes my mothers gentle voice from inside the small storage shed. Mother approaches me, and plants a kiss on the top of my head, then proceeds to comb her fingers through my hair in an attempt to make it look more presentable. She knows how much it annoys me to have my hair touched, but she can never stop mothering me. I swat her hand away, and tie my hair up, which is barely long enough to form a proper ponytail. I gather more fresh water with the bucket, and give the potatoes a second round of washing. ¡°I did,¡± I grin widely. ¡°Are you proud of me? ¡°Well, I was right to start the celebrations early, then,¡± she says, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear. ¡°I sent your father out to pick up a gift for you.¡± ¡°A gift?¡± I ask, trying not to sound too excited. ¡°I don¡¯t need a gift, mother.¡± ¡°Nonsense. You¡¯re the first Mystic in the family to pass your level one test. You deserve it. You studied hard. You worked hard. You avoided all of your chores quite expertly. Finish up with all that, and come inside.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± I murmur, watching her make her way through the back door leading inside the house. ¡°But what gifts will you get for Sols and Cels?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll figure something out when we get there.¡± I look down at my hands, rough and calloused with years of hard labor and chores. This could be the last time I scrub potatoes in a muddy dress in my mother¡¯s garden. I¡¯m not sure how to feel about this. I haven¡¯t known any other life except this one. Will I actually miss scrubbing vegetables? When the potatoes are clean, I bring them inside, and I set them on a small cutting board, which has always sat on top of the dining table since the day we moved into our home. I spread the herbs over a dry cloth to dry. Mother¡¯s favorite knife sits on the counter, and I use it to roughly chop the potatoes. The fire hisses as the water splashes over the edge of the pot when I¡¯ve dropped the chunks in. ¡°Careful, Luna,¡± mother warns. ¡°Don¡¯t burn yourself.¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I intended to do, Mother. I¡¯m purposely trying to burn myself,¡± I snark. ¡°What would you like me to do with the herbs?¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± mother hums, taking up a few of the herbs to inspect closely. ¡°Put some of these into the stew, and set the rest of them to dry.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Following her directions, finely chopping some herbs, and adding them to the stew. Anything remaining is tied up with a bit of string to hang from a wooden stick positioned in the corner of the kitchen by a window that always gets the best breezes. ¡°You should start packing your bag,¡± mother chokes. ¡°Make sure you don¡¯t forget anything.¡± My chest tightens at the tone of her voice. She always puts on a stern and serious tone with us, because my father was always too soft, and easily forgives us when we misbehave. To hear her cry is very rare, and heart-wrenching. ¡°Oh, mother,¡± I say, now becoming emotional myself. ¡°Don¡¯t cry. We won¡¯t be able to enjoy dinner.¡± ¡°Oh, I can¡¯t help it,¡± mother pouts, just before she begins crying. ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you. I¡¯m so proud of you, and I am excited for you, but I¡¯m going to miss you. ¡± She squeezes me tightly, petting and kissing the top of my head as she does so. ¡°Go pack,¡± she says, pushing me towards the stairs, her tears drying. I look back at her sadly, then climb the stairs towards the bedroom I share with my sisters. The three beds, Solera¡¯s, Celestia¡¯s, and mine, sit perfectly lined in a row, each with a wooden trunk at the foot of it, one with a moon, another with a sun, and the final one with a star. I open my trunk, and wander the room gathering up my belongings; Spell books, quills, ink bottles. I find the small box belonging to my bottle of inks, and store them securely in a bag along with everything else I¡¯ve collected. I peer down into my nearly empty trunk. Inside is a small wooden figure my father had made for me when I was just a child; a little horse with wheels. There¡¯s just enough room in the pocket of my bag to safely tuck it in. I scan the room one final time, in search of anything I might have missed. ¡°Lunaaaaa!¡± Celestia shouts from downstairs. ¡°Luna?¡± ¡°Up here!¡± I call down. ¡°Come down here,¡± Solera calls back. ¡°We brought you something.¡± ¡°Coming.¡± I place my bag into my trunk, and shut it. I find my family standing around the wooden dining table when I rush downstairs. On the center of the table sits a box of pastries, and an item wrapped in bright blue fabric. ¡°For me?¡± I can¡¯t help smiling. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t have.¡± ¡°Open it!¡± Solera rushes me impatiently. She picks the wrapped gift from the table, and forces it into my hands. The object is weighty, and whatever¡¯s inside is solid, with no moving parts. I remove the knot from the fabric, and set the wrapping neatly aside. It¡¯s a book, and as I flip through the pages, I realize they¡¯re all blank. ¡°You like writing, so¡­¡± father grumbles, and I can see his lip quiver as he fights his emotions. I rush to him, and give him a hug, feeling tears welling in my eyes. My sisters and mother join us, and we cry together, like the overly sentimental family we are. ¡°I¡¯m going to write often, I swear,¡± I promise them. ¡°You better!¡± Celestia scolds me through her tears. After a nice filling dinner and songs by the fire, the house is quiet, and only the sounds of my father¡¯s snores and my sisters¡¯ gentle breathing can be heard. I tiptoe out of my room, skipping over the creaky floorboards expertly, and gently lift my cloak off the hook by the door without a sound. I gingerly shut the door behind me, and chew on a leaf of Nightshade Lumina. The juices of the bitter herb coat the inside of my mouth like a film of oil, but I¡¯ve grown used to it. I chew it thoroughly, and suck as much of the juices out of the leaf as possible before spitting out the pulp. When the herb begins to take effect, my vision slowly adjusts to the darkness, and Selene appears in the night almost as bright as Sol does in the day. I walk quietly through the mostly sleepy village. Only the faint sound of music and raucous laughter from the inn down the road can still be heard from this distance. A small dirt path leads towards a lake deep in the forest, and I walk along it, as the sounds of the town die away behind me. ¡°Lou?¡± A familiar voice calls. I freeze like a deer from fright. ¡°Marc? Where are you?¡± ¡°Here,¡± he says, poking his head out from behind the trunk of a tree with a lantern. ¡°How was your dinner?¡± ¡°It was wonderful. My mother made all of my favorite things. ¡± ¡°Come on,¡± he waves a hand, and begins to walk off. ¡°I made a fire in the cave. We can keep warm there.¡± Walking along the lake shore, we follow it towards a hidden cave that, as far as we both know, is undiscovered by anyone else in Bellehaven, which proved a wonderful hiding spot when we wished to not be bothered. The fire¡¯s heat spreads over me like warm honey, and the air smells of citrus, cinnamon, and other sweet spices the further into the cave I walk. I look around, and spot a small box that contains a set of cups. There¡¯s a pan full of wine being warmed by the fire, from which the smell of spices is emanating. ¡°Mulled wine?¡± Marcellus offers, grinning widely. I sit on the blanket spread out on the floor ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind,¡± I admit, taking up a ladle, and spooning some into an empty cup. Marcellus takes a seat next to me, and serves some for himself. It¡¯s silent for some time, as we watch the fire dance, and listen to the wood crackle. Embers float around us, and I follow them up into the air until they disappear. The wine begins to fill me with warmth from the inside. Speaking first is the most difficult thing that I¡¯ve never had the displeasure of doing, and with Marcellus, I¡¯ve never had to, but only because he¡¯s always been kind enough to speak up first. He hates awkward silences more than I do, and I use it to my advantage. I can always sit in the awkward silence longer than he can. ¡°Lou,¡± he mumbles. ¡°You don¡¯t have to go, do you?¡± ¡°Marc, please¡­¡± I plead, having already prepared for this argument. ¡°I want to go. This life isn¡¯t for me. You know that.¡± ¡°We could be happy together,¡± he says, meekly. ¡°Marc, what are you saying?¡± I place my cup down, and look over at him more seriously. ¡°I¡¯m going. There¡¯s nothing here for me.¡± Marcellus laughs bitterly. ¡°Nothing? Even after ten years of driving me insane, I¡¯m nothing to you?¡± ¡°You know what I mean. I don¡¯t know if I could ever settle down here. I¡¯m too restless.¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t have to stay here. We could go to Port Quelil or Nien or any of those other places you¡¯ve wanted to go to.¡± ¡°In the winter? We¡¯d have to rush back. It¡¯s the only time of year you¡¯re never busy.¡± ¡°Gods, Lou,¡± he sighs heavily, giving me a sinking feeling. I¡¯ve never heard him sound so devastatingly sad. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m going to do without you here,¡± he sniffs. ¡°You can hang out with Mark and Abigail.¡± ¡°No thanks, they still scare me as much as they did when we were children.¡± I nod in agreement. Mark and Abigail moved into the village years before from Solari, but have never shared much with the villagers about their lives. No one knows if they¡¯re actually siblings because they look nothing alike, but I recently noticed Abigail taking more interest in Marcellus. I¡¯m still not sure how I should be feeling about it, but I¡¯ve been too busy with my studies to process it. It¡¯s probably for the best if she keeps him distracted. ¡°That¡¯s too bad, I heard Abigail likes you,¡± I say, jokingly nudging his side. Marcellus gives me a look of absolute shock. I¡¯ve only seen that look on his face once before, and it was when I shoved honey cake in his face after he¡¯d spilled wine on my favorite dress. ¡°D-Does she? Why? We never talk,¡± he recoils, and furrows his brows. I can tell the thought never crossed his mind, and he¡¯s using all his energy to conjure up memories of such a fact. Of course he wouldn¡¯t realize it. He¡¯s been oblivious to my advances for the past ten years. ¡°You don¡¯t need to talk, you just need to keep lifting heavy objects into the grocer¡¯s. She couldn¡¯t stop talking about how strong you are, buuuuut,¡± I say, attempting to sound more cheerful. ¡°You should ask her to go with you to the Day of Celestial Alignment celebration.¡± ¡°Lou, you know I don¡¯t care about any of that,¡± he pouts. ¡°Or anyone else.¡± ¡°Marc, you-¡± ¡°I love you, Luna,¡± he whispers, timidly. ¡°I love you so much.¡± The ground is pulled out from under me, and I lean away from him, spilling some wine over my chest. Marcellus hands me a rag, and I dab it at my dress and neck. With my composure regained, I sit up a bit straighter than before, determined not to lose this battle. ¡°You can¡¯t-¡± ¡°Is someone there?¡± Asks a timid voice from the entrance of the cave. Marcellus and I stare at each other wide-eyed. If someone from the village spots us alone together, the rumors will be endless, and I will definitely never return to Bellehaven in fear of my mother¡¯s wrath for starting them. ¡°Y-Yes!¡± I shout. ¡°Luna, why did you say anything?¡± Marcellus scolds, with a trembling voice. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to respond.¡± ¡°What if they¡¯re just lost?¡± I whisper, feeling somewhat hopeful, not recognizing the stranger¡¯s voice. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t be lost here,¡± he whispers back, harshly. I reach blindly towards my cloak, and take out a leaf of Nightshade Lumina from an inside pocket. I chew it thoroughly, and spit out its remains into the fire, causing the fire to hiss. The darkness lifts from our unwelcome guest. He¡¯s a dark elf with what appears to be pale, iridescent skin, reminding me of moonlight rippling on the surface of water. His bright red eyes are similar to those of a dragon''s. Two symmetrical horns, seemingly made of moonstone, stick out from beneath his head of dark blue hair, reflecting moonlight on the walls in an array of dancing colors. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry for intruding¡­¡± he mutters. ¡°State your business,¡± shouts Marcellus, with a drawn dagger. I feel my blood run frigid, and a cold sweat on my brow. ¡°I¡¯m just traveling through these forests. I mean no harm.¡± ¡°Oh, really?¡± Marcellus challenges. ¡°Marc, relax,¡± I laugh nervously, as I lower his hand, and pry the dagger from his grasp with some force. ¡°What¡¯s your name, traveler?¡± ¡°Lucien Moonshadow.¡± ¡°So you are a dark elf?¡± I ask. ¡°You¡¯re joking,¡± scoffs Marcellus. ¡°You couldn¡¯t possibly be-¡± ¡°I¡­ am, partially,¡± he says, looking straight into my eyes. ¡°You¡¯re a Mystic, I presume?¡± ¡°I¡­ am,¡± I mumble, moving away from him as I try to break away from his uncomfortable stare. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for intruding¡­¡± he blushes, his gaze bouncing between Marcellus¡¯ and my face. ¡°I didn¡¯t think anyone would be here today, but it seems I was mistaken.¡± ¡°State your business!¡± Shouts Marcellus more angrily. His voice echoes off the walls of the cave. The elf flinches, and covers his ears. ¡°I¡¯m simply seeking shelter for the night,¡± he says, quietly and defensively, eyeing Marcellus cautiously. ¡°Lou, let¡¯s pack our things and go,¡± mumbles Marcellus. ¡°We don¡¯t need to associate with his kind.¡± ¡°Marcellus!¡± I gasp, feeling fury ripple through my veins like a flame. ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± ¡°Lou, seriously, not now,¡± he gives me an irritated look. I nod politely to the elf, with a forced smile, then turn away from him, feeling embarrassed on Marcellus¡¯ behalf. I pack our belongings into a box, and hand it to Marcellus. All that remains is the blanket which I gather, and throw over my shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s all yours, traveler,¡± I say, keeping my voice level, despite what¡¯s still left of my anger. ¡°Enjoy your evening.¡± I drag Marcellus forcefully by the arm out of the mouth of the cave. We trudge through the forest in silence as I guide him in the darkness, weaving through the trees, taking a shortcut away from the main path. At the town¡¯s edge we face each other, and I stuff a leaf of Nightshade Lumina into his mouth. He coughs, then looks down at me, almost having the decency to look somewhat ashamed of himself for his humiliating behavior. ¡°Goodnight, Lou,¡± he says, looking down at his feet. ¡°Goodnight, Marc.¡± We part ways, and I sneak back inside my family home. The snores of my father are loud enough to drown out the sounds of my steps over the creaky wooden floor when timed perfectly. Chapter Two ¡°Lous,¡± whispers Celestia. Before opening my eyes, I memorize the last of the fading details of my dream where I am a princess in a beautiful palace. Celestia¡¯s outline slowly appears before me, as my vision focuses, the bright morning rays obstructing my view of her face. I rub my eyes, grumble incoherently, and stretch. There are a few unpleasant aches in my body; upper back, legs, and the joints of my right hand due to holding my spell for so long during yesterday¡¯s exam. The words Marcellus spoke the night before; the words ¡®I love you¡¯, begin to bounce around in my head, chipping away at my excitement for this day¡¯s journey. The events of last night had kept me from resting peacefully, but I¡¯ve decided I can¡¯t stay angry with Marcellus. I can¡¯t, because I¡¯m going to miss him too much, and I¡¯m afraid that I might love him, too, even though he behaved like an idiot to that dark elf. It¡¯s a flaw in his otherwise shining personality. ¡°Where were you last night?¡± Celestia whispers to me. ¡°Were you with him?¡± I bolt upright to a sitting position in a panic. My cheeks instantly warm up, betraying me. ¡°I guess I wasn¡¯t as quiet as I thought I was,¡± I groan, feeling certain she¡¯s going to threaten to tell my parents. ¡°I could feel the shift in the air,¡± she says dreamily, taking a seat next to me in bed. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I won¡¯t tell mother and father. I thought it was strange you didn¡¯t spend more time with him when you knew you were leaving soon.¡± Strong magic does not run in our family, but the Master¡¯s have always had an affinity for wind magic. Solera can summon a gentle breeze on a sweltering summer day. Celestia cannot be snuck up on, claiming she can feel the vibrations in the air. My mother is able to predict what the weather will be like two weeks in advance. My grandmother walks unusually fast, and has very light steps (she always enjoyed scaring us when we misbehaved as children). My great grandmother could hear anything from several miles away. My great great grandmother could fall from a great height, and always land safely on the ground. On and on it goes to the very first Wind-Caller of Amith. My sisters and I have trained to go to the Academy, but neither of them possess the ability to become stronger¡­ yet. I¡¯m hopeful they will soon, or our abilities will just fizzle out of the family line completely, because what¡¯s the use, otherwise? I¡¯ve failed my training before, and thought I was never going to be a Mystic, until the fateful day I saved a boy with a gush of wind. My family was filled with such pride that day, theorizing that not only did the Masters finally have a Mystic in the family, but that I will be the strongest in a long line of Wind-Callers. My theory is that I will probably only reach level one, and maybe several generations from now, the Masters family will have a member that could possibly reach level two, if we continue at our current pace. ¡°Yeah,¡± I sigh, feeling it was useless to lie to my sister about my visit with Marcellus. ¡°I was with him. We haven¡¯t really had much time to talk lately, I¡¯ve been so busy studying.¡± ¡°Studying, sleeping, neglecting your chores.¡± ¡°Gods,¡± I laugh. ¡°You sound just like our mother. Are you feeling alright?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t even keep track of the number of times I¡¯ve had to do laundry because mom said you were too tired from your studies to do it yourself,¡± the corner of her mouth twitches in irritation. ¡°Have I mentioned that I¡¯m very bad at potions, and that using magic is physically exhausting?¡± I smile, and she rolls her eyes at me. ¡°I¡¯ll probably never reach level two at the Academy, so I¡¯ll be back soon enough to make it up to you.¡± ¡°What?¡± She gasps, startling me. ¡°Luna! Don¡¯t say that! You¡¯re amazing at it! You¡¯ve learned so much this past year. I know you¡¯ll reach level five in record time, and I intend to be right behind you!¡± ¡°Cels¡­I didn¡¯t know you believed in me,¡± I chuckle, and slap her upper arm lightly. ¡°Lous, Sols and I are rooting for you. If you can make it, then when it¡¯s our turn, mother and father won¡¯t be so concerned.¡± ¡°What if I can¡¯t do it?¡± I hug my legs, and bury my face into my knees, trying to keep the warmth encased in my chest. ¡°You¡¯re going to have a rough time.¡± ¡°And you can come back and open a potions shop,¡± she cackles. ¡°Miss Eisley would love that!¡± I laugh. ¡°I¡¯ll miss you, Cels.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be here, and the Academy soon,¡± she rolls her eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s get downstairs, and celebrate your going away breakfast. I¡¯ve been looking forward to getting half of this bedroom for a long time.¡± ¡°Ha. Ha,¡± I laugh, dryly. ¡°Mom¡¯s not going to let you rearrange our room. When I visit, I¡¯ll need a place to stay.¡± ¡°Well, don¡¯t visit then. I thought you were trying to leave, anyway. I came up here to tell you that Marcellus is here,¡± she sings, leaving the room. My mind goes blank for a moment as I recall the previous night once more. I rush around the room tidying my hair, straightening out my clothing, and applying some powder to my cheeks so I can look somewhat alive at this ungodly hour. When I finally walk downstairs, after getting lost in my frantic morning daze, I¡¯m surprised to find Miss Eisley and Marcellus sitting at the table enjoying bread, cheese and fruits. ¡°Good morning, Luna,¡± greets Miss Eisley, politely. ¡°I¡¯ve brought your letters. Your mother insists you¡¯d want me to see you off this morning.¡± ¡°My mother is correct. I hope you don¡¯t mind,¡± I give my mother a grateful smile, which she returns with a knowing wink. ¡°I can walk with you to the edge of town,¡± Miss Eisley says, with a warm smile. ¡°Thank you, Miss Eisley.¡± ¡°I was going to walk with you until you made it to the main road,¡± Marcellus informs me. ¡°Thank you, Marc. I appreciate that.¡± ¡°From there, the roads will be safe enough for you to travel alone,¡± adds my mother. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean you can go day-dreaming, like you always do.¡± ¡°Yes, mother,¡± I mumble. After a long breakfast, everyone seems reluctant to begin saying their final goodbyes. My father eventually sighs heavily, and stands up from his seat at the table. ¡°It¡¯s time, Luna,¡± he says, with a sad smile. I nod, and look around the room into all of their faces, carefully burning each of them to memory. It¡¯s a tearful goodbye as we all walk to the edge of town where the sign for Bellehaven has been sitting for as long as I can remember, touched up every few years with a fresh coat of paint for the letters. I wave at everyone, until they¡¯re no longer visible around the bend. ¡°Lou,¡± Marcellus places a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. ¡°Hey, you¡¯ll be back in no time. We¡¯ll all be here, and you can see us whenever you want.¡± ¡°I swear to visit on holidays l-like Night of Shadows and Harmony Day.¡± ¡°I¡¯m holding you to that,¡± he says, with forced cheerfulness. His face sinks into the same look from the night before. It¡¯s a look of hopelessness, deep sadness, and maybe heartbreak? I know I¡¯m feeling heartbroken. Marcellus and I reminisce for hours while we walk, laughing, crying, and teasing each other about the foolish things we did in the past. We share resurfaced memories I¡¯ve long forgotten, but deeply treasure. Memories that make me smile so long, my jaw and cheeks begin to hurt, or memories that make my eyes tear up with laughter. Memories so sad, my heart is in knots, or so upsetting, my heart races as I recall them. ¡°You remember that time when you were at the festival, and you confused me for my sisters?¡± I ask, with a teasing wink. ¡°You all dressed exactly the same!¡± He whines, defensively. ¡°Besides, the moment you spoke, I knew it was you.¡± ¡°I know. You could always tell the difference between us even though no one else could.¡± ¡°Well, some of their friends could.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true. Gods, you were my only friend.¡± ¡°You should have made more.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, I¡¯ll have to work on that. I could have been walking out here with a whole crowd of people, instead of just you. You¡¯d have someone to¡­ walk back with¡­¡± I trail off. ¡°You remember that one time when we were on the bridge-¡± ¡°After I¡¯d fallen in because Solera scared the lights out of me?¡± I guess. ¡°Yep, that was the only time you¡¯ve fallen off a bridge.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± ¡°We spent hours looking for that ridiculous bracelet you dropped that you insisted on taking everywhere with you! We missed the entire lighting of the lanterns, and had to watch them from a distance as they floated off without ours. Then you took both of our lanterns, lit them, and let them float down the river without everyone else¡¯s. I thought I was going to live alone for the rest of my life.¡± ¡°I liked that bracelet. It was my favorite.¡± ¡°It was a stupid bracelet. You could have gotten another easily.¡± ¡°No, because it was the first gift I received from someone in Bellehaven.¡± ¡°Was it?¡± ¡°Yes! You got it for me, remember?¡± ¡°No¡­ I don¡¯t.¡± ¡°We weren¡¯t alone, either,¡± I murmur, shyly. ¡°We would have had each other. That¡¯s what I thought, anyway.¡± ¡°You and me, for the rest of our lives? Nobody else? That sounds lonely.¡± ¡°!ell, the following year, we made it to the lighting ceremony,¡± I inform him, remembering it was the same day I was certain I wanted to leave Bellehaven, and for Marcellus to remain happy. ¡°We¡¯d have our families with us.¡± ¡°It didn¡¯t matter,¡± he sighs. ¡°I knew that even if I didn¡¯t make it that year, I¡¯d at least get to be with you for the rest of my life. And now you¡¯re missing this year''s lighting.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll make it, Marcellus, to every single one after my time at the Academy, I swear.¡± ¡°Lou, I love you,¡± he states, matter-of-factly. My heart plummets to my stomach, followed by a heaviness in my chest where it once was. It spreads through me, making me feel like I¡¯m about to crumble from the inside out. ¡°Right¡­ I thought about that,¡± I mumble, sadly. ¡°I thought about it all night, the day before this journey, thanks to your terrible timing, in fact. I think it¡¯s all this touchy feely thing of me leaving. You¡¯re just sad, so it¡¯s making everything more¡­¡± It¡¯s making everything too real and permanent, but I can¡¯t admit that out loud to him, or I will never leave. Escape is within my reach, but each time he says those words to me, I¡¯m being pulled back into a place of doubt. Would life with him make me happier? The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡°Last year, when you started your studies, I saw this amazing side of you I¡¯d never seen before. You weren¡¯t this sad, bored girl that saw no beauty in life, and became this happy, excited woman that had a new passion for living. I was gobsmacked, Luna. I learned so much about you, and suddenly, I couldn¡¯t imagine a life without you.¡± ¡°Marcellus, you¡­¡± Why does he have to say all of this as I¡¯m finally leaving? If he¡¯d said it sooner, I wouldn¡¯t have fought so hard to leave. I would have stayed. I know I would have. ¡°It¡¯s alright, you don¡¯t have to say anything. I realized then that the woman I¡¯d grown to love would be gone if she stayed here. I just¡­ need you to know that I¡¯m going to miss you, and I wish only the best for you. And please come back when you can.¡± ¡°Thank you, Marcellus, but for your information, I¡¯d always been that woman.¡± ¡°Have you?¡± ¡°Yes, you just had a blindfold on.¡± Marcellus and I are sitting by a fire eating some bread and meats we¡¯d packed for the journey. They compliment each other well; soft, chewy bread and salty, savory, dry smoked meat. I¡¯ll grow sick of it soon, as it was all I¡¯d been able to pack for the trip that would keep. ¡°So, Novice Luna Masters, what will you do once you become the most powerful Wind-Caller in all of Amith?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be the most powerful,¡± I grumble in embarrassment. ¡°I bet I couldn¡¯t even make it past level two.¡± ¡°Luna, you¡¯re going to. I know you. When you¡¯ve got your mind set on something, you go at it full force. I¡­ actually had never noticed that about you before¡­¡± he trails off. ¡°My mother calls it the Master¡¯s stubbornness. She said my father has it, and I inherited an extra helping from both of them.¡± ¡°It suits you. You¡¯re going to be amazing, you know.¡± ¡°What if I¡¯m not?¡± I chuckle. ¡°You never turn down a challenge, and you will always be amazing, no matter what you choose to do, as long as it makes you happy.¡± ¡°Now you¡¯re just being too nice,¡± I turn away from him, shyly. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re the same Marcellus I knew in Bellehaven?¡± ¡°Heh,¡± he laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Sorry.¡± ¡°I heard Abigail is even more stubborn than I am,¡± I put forth. ¡°Gods, Luna, at least let me finish feeling sad about this, before telling me what my options are,¡± he grins. ¡°You can¡¯t just keep tossing me at other girls.¡± ¡°I heard Aurora is very good at being a complete pain in the ass, too. I¡¯m leaving big shoes to fill, but I¡¯m sure she could take my place.¡± ¡°Aurora!¡± He exclaims with some discomfort. ¡°I don¡¯t like her. She¡¯s so insufferable.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t knoooooow,¡± I tease him. ¡°I really like her, she reminds me of myself.¡± ¡°Trust me, Luna. No one can deal with someone just like you, especially you. I bet if you did meet someone just like you, you wouldn¡¯t like them.¡± ¡°Remember when we played that trick on her? I gave her that sleeping potion, saying it would give her a good night¡¯s rest, and she overslept for that birthday party.¡± ¡°Her mother got so angry when she was late! Served her right for making fun of me.¡± ¡°But then I got in trouble,¡± I roll my eyes, remembering my punishment of extra chores I¡¯d received. ¡°I guess I did deserve it. I certainly wasn¡¯t building up a good reputation for my future potions shop.¡± ¡°I remember sneaking into your room, after nearly killing your mother¡¯s flower bushes, and keeping you company as we missed all of the music and the good food that night.¡± ¡°And you brought me that soggy pastry,¡± I choke back my laughter. My eyes instantly fill with tears of laughter as I picture the damp pastry that looked like a thick soup in its paper wrappings, and an equally soggy Marcellus dripping water all over my bedroom floor. ¡°It rained!¡± He cries out, defensively. ¡°And then you gave me yours, and lied that you¡¯d already had one, like a fool.¡± ¡°You knew?¡± His cheeks blush. ¡°I knew. You¡¯re a terrible liar.¡± ¡°And you didn¡¯t share?¡± ¡°You would have fought me all night, and it would have gotten cold by the time you took some.¡± ¡°You¡¯re probably right. I was an idiot.¡± I look towards the night sky at Selene, as she smiles down upon us. How can she bless me with powers, but also curse me by forcing me to go through the pain of leaving everything I know behind? Why did she take so long to give me this pain of leaving after I fought so hard to escape? ¡°You¡¯re so ridiculous, Marc.¡± ¡°I know. That was the day I realized you cared about me, though.¡± ¡°Of course I care about you. You¡¯re my friend.¡± ¡°You cared for me more than any friend, Luna. I was just too blind to see it.¡± ¡°No,¡± I scoff, feeling my cheeks burning. ¡°I didn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Luna, admit it. I¡¯ve¡­ noticed your feelings changed, too.¡± ¡°Well,¡± I turn to face him, so I can gaze directly into his eyes. ¡°They didn¡¯t change, according to you. You just removed your blindfold, and I stopped hiding my feelings.¡± The green tint in his eyes shimmers in the firelight, stealing my breath away. His eyes fall on my mouth, and his lips part slightly. ¡°It¡¯s not like it would stop me, anyway,¡± I turn away from him, in order catch my breath. ¡°I know,¡± he sighs. ¡°Let¡¯s get to bed.¡± ¡°Morning, Lou,¡± Marcellus whispers, lifting the flap of my tent. I stretch uncomfortably, feeling every ache in my body from the rough ground I slept on. The air is freezing, but I¡¯ve sweat through the night. ¡°You were toasty last night, weren¡¯t you?¡± he asks, handing me a packet of food wrapped in some leaves. ¡°I found a stream, so I filled up your waterskin, and your canteen.¡± ¡°Thanks, but I¡¯m going to change,¡± I shiver. ¡°Or I¡¯m going to freeze.¡± ¡°Sure. Hurry back.¡± Marcellus and I are walking quietly down the muddy road, the cloudy skies making the forest dark, and the faint glow of the flower spirits visible. They glint when the raindrops pass through them. The sight of them mesmerizes me, and transports me to a fantastical world where I¡¯ve become a spirit of the forest. I live carelessly, without burdens and expectations weighing down on me. I am happy with all of my other spirit friends and family. I am able to leave Bellehaven and see all the forests of Amith, traveling swiftly to any location in the blink of an eye. Would it be a life worth living? ¡°I¡¯m going to miss seeing this,¡± I admit, sadly. ¡°The darkest parts of the forests near the City of Lights are too far away. I also heard they never get light showers like this. Just a deluge of water.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have to make sure to visit this time of year, then,¡± Marcellus says cheerfully. ¡°Miss Eisley was telling me that there are small winged creatures in those forests, though. I can¡¯t wait to see them. They take offerings of seeds, and sweet things. She said there are also little moving balls of moss that can be found there.¡± ¡±You¡¯ll certainly be keeping yourself busy trying to familiarize yourself with the local wildlife, I suppose.¡± ¡±Well, they¡¯re mostly in the northern forests where it¡¯s warmer. Maybe I can visit Zelfari if I take up an interest in learning how to make enchanted devices. I do have to study enchantments as part of my coursework.¡± ¡±Wow, Zelfari!¡± He looks scared for a moment, then puts on a mask of happiness. ¡°That¡¯d be such a long trip!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not as long if I take a horse. Just¡­ three weeks. I heard they have vehicles now that work without horses, too! They run off heated water, enchantments, and other miraculous things.¡± ¡°I hope you can go there one day, then. You¡¯ll have to tell me all about it.¡± ¡°I hope so, too. I¡¯ll have to travel with a wagon for all the gifts I¡¯ll have to carry back.¡± I remember the day Miss Eisley described, with glistening eyes, all the magical objects she¡¯d seen being sold as trinkets in every corner of Zelfari. Her eyes were wide with excitement, and I hung on her every word in disbelief at the objects she described. Trinkets like the Chronosphere she keeps in her office that became incredibly valuable to a place as small as Bellehaven. Miss Eisley had described many other objects, too, that could emit light without fire, or measure the temperature of air with floating glass spheres of various liquids, and even metal limbs to replace those lost in accidents or war. ¡°If I¡¯d known I was going to get soaked again, I wouldn¡¯t have bothered changing. I hope this shower stops soon,¡± I step into another mud puddle which was deeper than it looked, and let out a groan when it splashes my trousers. ¡°You heard your mother, it¡¯ll be nice and cool after this. It¡¯s just autumn coming, and we¡¯re expecting two short weeks of rain. You¡¯ll get to see the leaves change colors once you get to the academy.¡± ¡°If I could even see it. The trees will be so far from the city.¡± ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll have a beautiful room in a tall tower where you can see for miles and miles away. And maybe you even could see the mountains of Castin from there.¡± ¡±I¡¯d need incredibly good eyesight, and not a cloud in the sky to see that far, Marc.¡± ¡°Gods, you remember that time we tried to cross the Misthaven River?¡± I grimace. ¡°Those were not mists. More like rapids.¡± ¡°I thought for sure we were going to drown that day!¡± He laughs. ¡°Then Solera and Celestia came to save us, knowing we were up to something foolish again. That was so embarrassing.¡± ¡°You looked so funny walking up the bank with your hair plastered to your face.¡± ¡°You¡¯re one to talk. You looked like a wet mutt. Ugh, mom was so angry, I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d ever stop doing chores.¡± ¡°My hands were raw from all the plowing my dad had me do,¡± he glances at me, and gives me a pained look. ¡°I remember that. Every time we met up together, you¡¯d stick your hands in the river while I stuffed you full of apples.¡± ¡°And healing draughts.¡± ¡°You were the perfect person to test them on.¡± I grin widely, remembering Marcellus¡¯ eagerness to drink my potions, and how much Miss Eisley had scolded me because Marcellus was supposed to learn some sort of lesson from his punishment. I remember being near tears every night from the full day of labor, and how Marcellus went out of his way to make me laugh when we could finally sit down. We¡¯d enjoy a late dinner together in the barn, and chat for hours despite his injuries and his eagerness to have his wounds healed. Marcellus hums quietly as I remember other times with him, until we finally stop for a rest, and a quick snack of nuts and berries. I sit under a large tree, and watch the rain, and staring up at the leaves of the trees, their veins made more visible through the sunlight. How can something I¡¯ve seen my whole life still look so beautiful? A few shadows dart around us from tree to tree, visible from the corners of my eyes. They are most likely shadowstalkers, protectors of the forests. They¡¯re harmless, but always make me feel uneasy. They look like a cluster of nothingness, ready to swallow everything around them. Marcellus never seems bothered by them, but they¡¯ve always filled me with a feeling of dread. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t eat all the berries. Leave some for me,¡± he whines, taking a seat next to me. I hand the small pouch over to him, and struggle to keep up with the shadowstalkers dashing through the trees. They stop at a single spot, something having caught their attention. It sends a shiver down my spine. ¡°Ahh,¡± sighs Marcellus, satisfyingly. ¡°The rain has finally stopped. Did you want to change?¡± ¡°Gladly,¡± I say, placing my bag down, and pulling out a dry set of clothing. I eye Marcellus suspiciously, and he laughs nervously. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m not looking,¡± he says, turning his gaze away from me. I change, struggling to remain hidden beneath my cloak, and afraid I¡¯ll trip over. I trust Marcellus not to peek, but is he actually trustworthy? I know I¡¯d take a peek at him, given the opportunity to do so. ¡°Done!¡± I announce, turning to face him. I quickly look away when I see he has also begun to change, and is shirtless. ¡°Sorry! I didn¡¯t know!¡± I say, shyly walking away. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Lou. I¡¯ve got pants on.¡± The night is unusually cold. I toss and turn, unable to find a position that will keep me warm. I can hear Marcellus shivering some distance away in his own tent. ¡°I¡¯m still cold, and I¡¯ve even got my cloak over me,¡± I whimper pathetically. ¡°It should warm up tomorrow,¡± he responds, his voice shaking. A shiver courses through me, causing my teeth to chatter. This is miserable. The cold has already reached my bones. ¡°I¡¯m going to freeze to death before then,¡± I grumble. ¡°I¡¯m not giving you my blankets,¡± he grumbles. ¡°Can we just share a bed?¡± There¡¯s a long pause, and he doesn¡¯t respond. Should I feel embarrassed about making such a suggestion to him? On the other hand, is that fair given this is a life or death situation? ¡°Very well,¡± he murmurs at last. Marcellus mutters curses under his breath as he takes down his tent, packs it away, and enters mine. He tosses his cloak and blanket over me before he slips into my sleeping pack, and wraps his arms around me. His touch makes me flinch, and I laugh nervously, as he gets comfortable at my back ¡°Better?¡± He whispers, his warm breath blowing on my lower neck, sending pleasant, unfamiliar shivers through my body. ¡°Yes,¡± I whisper back, feeling my heart fluttering. ¡°Much better.¡± ¡°Luna¡­¡± He says, his tone serious, which catches me by surprise. ¡°Yes, Marc?¡± ¡°Can I kiss you? I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll regret it if I don¡¯t.¡± I feel heat rush my body, and my breath catches. This will be wrong. This is wrong. I will be stealing his first kiss, and breaking his heart. Or this could be the final trap, and I¡¯ve doomed myself. What if I like it? What if I don¡¯t? What if this seals my fate? ¡°Why would you regret it?¡± I tease him, laughing nervously. ¡°Lou,¡± he says, moving closer to me. ¡°I just will.¡± Still, I can¡¯t imagine kissing anyone else at the moment. Should I have my first kiss before I reach the city? It might be embarrassing to be this old, and having never had my first kiss, anyway. ¡°I guess it¡¯ll be alright.¡± He cups my cheek, and I shut my eyes, afraid I¡¯ll do something stupid if I watch him. He presses his lips against mine gently, and they¡¯re sweet and soft, just like I¡¯ve always imagined they would be. A twig snaps somewhere in the forest nearby, and our bodies tense. My heart begins pounding, and I swear if anyone is out there, they could hear it. I search blindly for my bag, feeling the familiar straps at my fingertips, and pulling back the flap that covers the side pocket. The pocket is filled with Nightshade Lumina. I place a single leaf in my mouth, and chew it thoroughly. Cautiously stepping outside the tent with my dagger held firmly in one hand, I scan the surrounding forest for any movement. The cold now seeps into my blood, and my remaining warmth is sent up into the air in small, white puffs. A bush rustles in the distance, and a deer steps out from amongst the treeline, drawing my attention. I sigh with relief, re-enter the tent, and collapse from the sudden feeling of exhaustion that overcomes me. ¡°Just a deer. Gods, I was terrified.¡± ¡°We should get some sleep, or we might not be alert enough in the morning.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Chapter Three ¡°Lou, wake up, we¡¯ve got to go,¡± Marcellus¡¯ voice summons me from the world of dreams. I slap at the air wildly and frantically, having dreamt I was being attacked by a large swarm of bugs that chased me through Bellehaven. ¡°Hey, hey!¡± He scolds. ¡°You¡¯re going to make me drop your food.¡± He holds out a piece of bread and cheese towards me. I stare at it sleepily for a few minutes before realizing he wants me to take it from him. The bread is stale, but the melted cheese stuffed inside makes up for the taste. I scarf it down hungrily, and down the water from my canteen. ¡°Get ready. There¡¯s a stream nearby you can wash in.¡± I stand in a stream shivering, with the feeling I¡¯m being watched, as I scrub my skin roughly with a wet rag. In the distance, I swear I can see the outline of another human-like figure. Possibly a dryad? The sun is still low in the sky, but slowly making its ascent, its brightness dulled by the misty morning fog that blankets the forest. It¡¯s unusually quiet. The fog transports me to a city in the skies where I am ruler, as the most powerful Wind-Caller that has ever existed. I am engaged to a handsome man that loves me, and protects me from the evil dragons that attack our precious city. We are victorious in our final battle, and win our final war against them. We get married and live happily ever after. I crash back to Gaia when I think about a kiss¡­ and then Marcellus¡¯ kiss. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. How could we have gotten so carried away? What if I never came back? What if I do? I don¡¯t think I like either possibility. When I¡¯ve finished washing up, I return to camp, and find Marcellus has already packed away our belongings. He¡¯s sitting on the ground by the dying fire, trying to keep himself warm with its pitiful remains. ¡°Ready to set off?¡± ¡°I am. Are you going to be alright by yourself on the way back? We¡¯ve hardly seen anyone on the road.¡± ¡°I¡¯m actually meeting a man on the main road. He¡¯s headed to Bellehaven by wagon to meet with my father. I should be back in record time.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief, then.¡± ¡°Are you worried about me?¡± ¡°It makes me uneasy.¡± ¡°So you are?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t admit that to you. You might think too deeply about it.¡± He laughs at me, then stands, and dusts the dirt off his trousers. ¡°It¡¯s your job to think too deeply about things. I think it¡¯s endearing that you care about me.¡± Days pass as we trek through the forest down the small dirt road. It¡¯s becoming wider, more defined, and there are many more tracks on it. There¡¯s one week remaining until the start of Solstice. I stare restlessly at the light seeping into our tent from the lanterns that line either side of the main road only several miles away. Marcellus¡¯ soft breath blows on me as he sleeps soundly, and I¡¯m envious of his ability to sleep through anything, especially the sounds of the night. Despite being so close to the main road, it¡¯s still too quiet. The sudden sound of a snapping tree branch has startled me awake, and I¡¯m almost certain I can hear someone wandering the woods near us. My heart races as I listen intently to the sounds of the night. Whatever is out there, their footsteps are light, almost undetectable, but I¡¯ve always been sensitive to sound. It has always proven helpful when I wandered the surrounding forests of Bellehaven alone. I tiptoe out of the tent, chewing on an herb, and scan the forest for any movement. The woods are suddenly eerily still and quiet. Listening and watching carefully, breathing as softly as I can, I wait in silence. Even the wind has died down. I pull my cloak tightly over my body, feeling naked and exposed to whoever might be out there. If someone is out there. Is¡­ someone out there? I swallow hard at the thought. A shadow is hiding amongst the trees, and I pray to the sweet Goddess Selene that it¡¯s just another deer or some other creature of the forest. The moon peeks through the clouds for a split second, making the world light up as if it were day. A glint of moonlight catches my eye, and for a moment I swear I see a horned, hooded figure looking back at me, just before the clouds cover the night again in absolute darkness again. Fear rushes over me like a wave, freezing me in place for several seconds before I stumble back into the tent, and trip over Marcellus¡¯ body. I can¡¯t speak, my voice caught at the back of my throat, nor can I think, my mind panicked. Evidentially, I can¡¯t stand either, as my legs tremble. Marcellus stirs in a panic, then grumbles in annoyance, as I gape at him. ¡°Lou, what are-¡± ¡°There¡¯s someone out there, Marc,¡± I whisper in a panic, stuffing an herb into his mouth. He coughs as he chews the bitter herb. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just someone that¡¯s wandered off the main road. We¡¯re not too far from it, you know. You can see the lights from here,¡± he suggests, wanting to get back to sleep, and hoping to calm me. ¡°Marc, I¡¯m serious,¡± I whimper. Fear becomes terror as I search frantically through my bag for my silver dagger. ¡°I believe you, Lou, but it could just be a traveler.¡± ¡°Who goes to Bellehaven this time of year? The roads have been empty this whole time.¡± ¡°We saw tracks headed in our direction. Could be they¡¯re coming from Nien. Most people don¡¯t want to cross the Misthaven by boat, and choose to pay the fee at the bridge.¡± The distinct sound of footsteps crunching over dead leaves can be heard approaching our tent, and I grip my dagger tightly the moment I feel the hilt inside my bag. I hold our breaths, hearts racing, and goosebumps forming. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for startling you,¡± says a familiar voice. ¡°I¡¯ve simply been traveling in the same direction as you, and noticed there were some Sprites near your camp. I chased them off before they could get up to any mischief, but it seems I didn¡¯t do it quietly enough, and may have perhaps startled you.¡± The night suddenly comes alive with familiar sounds of the forest. ¡°Moonshadow?¡± I ask, recognizing his voice immediately. ¡°Yes,¡± he says, his faint shadow faint when he stands between our tent and Selene¡¯s bright light. His ears flick, making his many earrings play a happy tune. ¡°Go away,¡± mutters Marcellus, finally letting go of his held breath. ¡°Marc, he means no harm,¡± I scold. ¡°Traveler, are you headed to the City of Lights as well?¡± ¡°I am. I have some business there. I don¡¯t mean to keep you. I was simply making sure everything was alright, and you didn¡¯t need any help. Sprites enjoy causing all sorts of mischief, I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware.¡± ¡°Everything is fine, thank you,¡± mumbles Marcellus, probably irritated that he is now wide awake from fright. ¡°Very well. Have a good night,¡± he says, with a slight nod. ¡°Good night to you as well,¡± I say, attempting to remain cheerful, and giving Marcellus¡¯ arm a light slap. Marcellus scoffs, and returns to his place beneath the covers grumbling a complain about the Nightshade Lumina disturbing his sleep. In the morning, I walk away into the forest to wash myself, leaving Marcellus to pack away the tent. When I return, I see the dark elf talking to him. Marcellus appears incredibly agitated, but Lucien is unaffected by his mood, and I frown. He¡¯s probably grown accustomed to such awful treatment by humans closer to the west. ¡°Good morning,¡± he says, politely, bowing slightly when he sees me. I approach, and am awestruck by the sight of him in the light. His hair cascades down his back, in a long, thick braid, reminding me of moonlight glinting off the surface of a dark river. His skin is flawless, and pale, flushed with various shades of blue. The two symmetrical moonstone horns on his head glint in gold with the sunlight. His eyes are like flames when they meet with the rays of the sun. I¡¯m not sure if he looks better in the light or at night, but either way, I can¡¯t help but stare. ¡°Good morning, uh¡­ Sir Moonshadow,¡± I smile nervously, unsure how to address him. ¡°You may call me Lucien, if you wish.¡± ¡°You may call me Luna, then. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever read of dark elves possessing bright eyes such as yours,¡± I comment, then look away nervously. He eyes me curiously, and I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ve upset him. ¡°I¡¯m half dark and light elf, actually. I take it you¡¯ve never met any light elves? They have similar eye coloration.¡± ¡°O-Oh!¡± I exclaim, cheerfully. ¡°That makes sense. I¡¯ve never seen a light elf, but I did notice you also have the¡­ Yes, that makes sense.¡± ¡°Longer ears?¡± My eyes reflexively flicker to Lucien¡¯ unusually long ears, and back to his eyes. I¡¯ve seen dark elves, having lived in Mirror Lake for a while, the dark elves'' second home away from the Grove, and I remember all of them possessing shorter ears than his. His are nearly double the usual length. Scanning him from head to toe, I take in his entire appearance. He wears long silken robes. His long, dark hair is covered in feathers and decorative silver jewelry with charms of stars, moons, and other celestial bodies. Everything about him indicates he¡¯s a dark elf. Even his ears are adored in silver piercings, and his horns are decorated in silver chains. ¡°You¡­ seem overdressed for traveling,¡± I say, feeling shy, and staring down at my ragged traveling clothes. ¡°Probably, but that¡¯s not what you noticed,¡± he mutters, just above a whisper, looking away from me. He smirks, when my face falls. ¡°What did you think I noticed?¡± I whisper, pretending to be distracted by a passing bird. ¡°I am from the Dark Grove,¡± he says more loudly. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Lou,¡± grumbles Marcellus, growing annoyed with us. ¡°Are you joining us?¡± I ask Lucien. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind the company. I dislike traveling alone,¡± he says, politely. ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯ll continue on my way, and try my best not to disturb you.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t mind it at all,¡± I say, before Marcellus can protest. I pick up my pack, and begin walking, pulling both Marcellus¡¯ and Lucien¡¯s hands at my sides, setting the pace before letting them go. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind my asking, what brings you to the City of Lights? I know there are some¡­ unpleasantries between the dark elves and those that reside there.¡± ¡°They have, thankfully, not banned us from attending the academy,¡± he responds, with a weak smile. ¡°You¡¯re a Mystic?¡± I gape at him, then look away quickly. ¡°I heard you have your own Academy.¡± ¡°I am,¡± he smiles warmly. ¡°And we do, but it¡¯s an Academy for Court Mystics.¡± I catch a quick glance at his face, as I¡¯m unable to tell from his tone if I am making a fool of myself by asking too many questions. ¡°I¡¯m a Wind-Caller. What about yourself?¡± It feels like I¡¯m introducing myself to a classmate on the first day of school. ¡°I believe you refer to my kind as Shadow-Casters and Light-Weavers.¡± ¡°Is it true that some elves are born with a natural ability to control magic?¡± ¡°It is,¡± he nods. ¡°I was born with some form of Mystic abilities.¡± When I was growing up in Mirror Lake, I embarrassed my parents with all of my intrusive questions to the elves. The elves have always mystified me. Luckily, when I was a child, they were always polite enough not to take offense, and answered all of my burning questions. ¡®Why do you wear such beautiful clothing all the time, even when you¡¯re working?¡¯ ¡®Why do your horns always resemble the minerals of the earth? Do elves grow from the earth like plants do?¡¯ ¡®Why are all the elves so incredibly pretty?¡¯ ¡®Why aren¡¯t there many baby elves?¡¯ ¡®Why is your skin blue?¡¯ It was only when I moved to Bellehaven that I realized how ashamed I should have been about my prying, when I grew old enough to try mastering the art of conversation. I am grateful Lucien is kind enough to answer my questions at the moment, while I try to make a better effort of thinking before speaking. ¡°And you can control the associated elements?¡± ¡°I can perform basic spells from all the elements, since I am born from dark and light elf lineage. I¡¯m not sure what my limitations are yet, though. So far, I have learned all the level one spells from all the elements.¡± ¡°Dark magic has always seemed so fascinating,¡± I exclaim. Lucien chuckles, and I look away embarrassed by my own childish excitement. ¡°What does it feel like to have those¡­¡± If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°The small horns on my head?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± I admit, feeling humiliated. ¡°It¡¯s like¡­ hair. It doesn¡¯t do anything, but they¡¯re there, and I have to care for them.¡± ¡°Oh, how? Do they regrow if they break? What does it feel like if they break?¡± ¡°Lou,¡± scolds Marcellus. ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumble. ¡°It¡¯s quite alright,¡± he gives Marcellus a smile. ¡°I polish them, but I don¡¯t have to. They¡¯ll sort of heal if I break them, but as I get older, it¡¯ll take much longer.¡± ¡°And your¡­ dress¡­?¡± ¡°Lou!¡± Grumbles Marcellus. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Uh, they¡¯re robes, firstly. They¡¯re comfortable, and I¡¯m actually dressed quite casually.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re casually dressed, I must look like I¡¯ve rolled out of a gutter.¡± He laughs. ¡°I¡¯m used to your form of clothing. I¡¯m not without exposure to humans from the west.¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­ half dark elf? Exactly half?¡± Marcellus huffs, and Lucien laughs lightly. ¡°There aren¡¯t many half-breeds like myself. We usually take after the light or the dark side more. I¡¯ve grown up in the Dark Grove my whole life, so it¡¯s only natural I would resemble a dark elf more, but I am exactly half light-elf. It¡¯s rare, but not unheard of. Both sides of my lineage have strong traits.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± I mumble. ¡°So, what can you do with magic? What does a level one spell look like for a Light-Weaver and Shadow-Caster? Humans can¡¯t perform magic like yours, so Miss Eisley, my instructor in Bellehaven, didn¡¯t even have books about it, though I was quite curious.¡± ¡°Well, I could drain life from something living, and give it to another that is in need. It works to promote healing. I haven¡¯t mastered that spell yet. I can bend light and shadows. Light works like fire and earth magic, and dark like¡­ well, obviously water and wind magic.¡± ¡°How so?¡± ¡°Um¡­ have you seen any fire or earth spells?¡± ¡°Once or twice, but not often.¡± ¡°Well, how can I explain it? Earth spells have very stiff, strong, pushing movements,¡± he says, holding his arms out, and stomping, causing the ground beneath us to crack, then come back together. ¡°And fire magic is always very¡­ sort of¡­ holding, flowing, and constantly moving type motions,¡± he demonstrates by tossing a small fire ball out of his hand, and making it vanish before it hits the ground. ¡°And water magic is sort of¡­¡± ¡°Like a pushing motion? I think I saw some water spells in Miss Aisley¡¯s books.¡± ¡°Yes, pushing and pulling, like waves, always flowing. Dark magic uses much of the ebbing and flowing, and the sharp movements of wind. Light magic has many of those firm movements of earth, and flowing motions of fire. It¡¯s the best way I can describe it, unfortunately.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have so many spells to learn, won¡¯t you? That¡¯ll be quite a challenge.¡± ¡°I will, but¡­ I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be limited.¡± ¡°Wait one second for me, Lou. I¡¯ll be back,¡± Marcellus interrupts us. Marcellus runs off, and disappears beyond the tree line. I find a spot to sit on, a mossy root of a large tree that stands next to the road. ¡°Will it be easier to learn all that magic because you¡¯re an elf?¡± I inquire. ¡°Yes, especially in my family, and those with long lines of magic.¡± Lucien takes a seat next to me, and stares into the distance towards the large hill surrounded by trees where the City of Lights is peeking over the top of the horizon. The tall wall that guards it from intruders is visible, but nothing beyond them is. ¡°So close, yet so far,¡± I mumble, looking up at it. ¡°Is he¡­?¡± ¡°Attending personal business.¡± ¡°No¡­ I mean¡­ who is he to you?¡± ¡°Marcellus? Uh¡­ what do you mean?¡± I ask, suspiciously, afraid my questions made him too comfortable with me. ¡°Twice now I¡¯ve¡­ stumbled upon you, and you seem¡­ close. Is that why he seems so defensive? I mean neither of you any harm. I apologize if I-¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not sure,¡± I look away, recalling Marcellus¡¯ kiss. ¡°I¡¯ll be away for a long time, but we¡¯ve known each other for almost half my life, and I¡­ Sorry, I don¡¯t mean to overshare. In short, we¡¯re just friends.¡± ¡°My apologies. There¡¯s no need to explain. It¡¯s all matters of the heart,¡± he states. ¡°They¡¯re rarely so clearly defined. I didn¡¯t mean to pry, you don¡¯t have to explain anything to me.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± I murmur, thinking back on how my relationship with Marcellus has changed in just a single year. ¡°I¡¯m sure¡­ everyone knows about such things. It¡¯s no matter. I¡¯ll be visiting Bellehaven for the holidays when there are no classes for the summer, and maybe I¡¯ll have a better idea.¡± ¡°An excellent plan,¡± he gives me a comforting smile. ¡°I imagine you won¡¯t see Dark Grove for a long time. It¡¯s so far away. How long have you been traveling?¡± ¡°It¡¯s been¡­ 3 weeks since I left the Grove, and I had just arrived from Solari. I¡¯ve lost track, I¡¯m afraid, but it feels like it¡¯s been months.¡± ¡°That sounds awful. I¡¯d miss being home if I were away for that long.¡± ¡°Well,¡± he sighs, sadly. ¡°It might have felt extremely long in the beginning, but one can grow accustomed to such things if it¡¯s what they¡¯re used to.¡± ¡°That¡¯s sad. It makes it sound as if you have no home.¡± ¡°I really don¡¯t.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll miss your family when you¡¯re away from them?¡± ¡°Most of my family lives in Solari, so it¡¯s a familiar feeling, since I spend most of my time in the Grove.¡± ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes. I fell in love¡­ with uh- with Dark Grove growing up, amongst other things,¡± his cheeks become a darker shade of blue when he blushes. ¡°The cities are a sight to behold, built from the trees. The glowing of the lanterns in the dark night sky. The cool nights spent by a warm fireplace being¡­ I also sleep better in the darkness. In Solari, the daylight seems never-ending, and it¡¯s impossible to block it out.¡± He stares up at the skies, lost in his own daydream. ¡°Isn¡¯t Dark Grove the opposite?¡± ¡°Yes, and it¡¯s wonderful! I¡¯m just in love with the night. Even here, the nights are too bright, and you cannot see Eclipsa and Ombra until they¡¯re passing Selene.¡± ¡°You can see them in Dark Grove? I used to see them in Bellehaven a little bit, but only when Selene takes her rest.¡± ¡°You can see all of them clearly in the night sky. They¡¯re both as visible as Selene herself in the Grove.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± I¡¯m trying to imagine such a sight, and I¡¯m not sure I believe him, but if it¡¯s true, I hope to see it one day. We sit in pleasant silence as we wait for Marcellus to return. Images of the night sky in an even darker forest swim through my imagination. I can see myself gliding through the night''s skies as if it were a dark water in which I can breathe, and all the stars are schools of fish flowing past me on their way to some other parts of the skies. ¡°You¡¯ll return home soon,¡± he says. I stare into his eyes, and I swear I can see the flame inside them flicker. But what does he think he knows? ¡°I¡¯m not sure that¡¯s what I want from this life.¡± ¡°You want to be a wanderer?¡± ¡°Yes, why?¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound enjoyable at all.¡± ¡°Well, what¡¯s the point of living, if you don¡¯t go out and see the world?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the point in traveling the world, if you never find a place to call home?¡± ¡°I could have homes all over the world. A world of friends to know.¡± ¡°I suppose.¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± says Marcellus, when he returns. ¡°Let¡¯s get going.¡± Hours later, we reach the main road. It is unusually busy, probably due to the influx of students returning to the Academy, or arriving for the first time. Some of the travelers are from Mirror Lake, their dresses soft, elegant and flowing, almost like those of the dark elves. Others are from Zelfari, wearing stiff purple garments with golden accents, and strange devices attached to various parts of their bodies that appear to be made of metal. I¡¯m surprised to see a rare group of people from the Ibis Islands, wearing rich greens and brown clothing covered in feathers and flowers, walking with beautiful wooden staffs covered in intricate, delicate designs. The crowd draws me in, and I¡¯m instinctively flowing towards the City of Lights with them. ¡°Lou, hold on!¡± Cries Marcellus. ¡°I have to find someone.¡± ¡°Right,¡± I say, turning back to face him. ¡°Did you agree to meet somewhere?¡± ¡°He was supposed to be at the crossroads. Maybe he¡¯s been delayed.¡± ¡°Well, we can wait for him to a-¡± ¡±MARCELLUS!¡± Calls a man from the crowd. ¡°Marcellus! Is that you?¡± ¡±Sounds like you¡¯ve been spotted,¡± says Lucien. ¡°I guess this is goodbye then, Lou,¡± he mumbles, standing before me looking down at me with a sad expression. I hug him tightly, almost afraid I¡¯ll never see him again, but eager to be on my way to the Academy, and get myself settled into this new life. ¡°I¡¯ll be back, I swear. I¡¯ll write often,¡± I promise him. ¡°I¡¯m holding you to that. Please stay safe, follow the groups, don¡¯t wander too far off the path, and send a letter the moment you arrive so that your family and I know you made it there safely.¡± ¡°I will, Marc.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll miss you,¡± he whispers into my ear, before breaking our embrace. I give him a half smile, and hesitate before I join the river of people walking down the road towards the city. I wave back at Marcellus until I can no longer see him through the crowds. ¡°Well,¡± says Lucien, appearing next to me as if out of thin air. ¡°We could part here, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ fine, I suppose,¡± I say, not wanting to admit that I am afraid of journeying alone. ¡°I think you¡¯re mostly harmless.¡± ¡°Mostly? Which part of me do you think would be harmful? My offensive appearance?¡± ¡°W-What? No,¡± I scoff. ¡°Your horns look like they¡¯re very pointy. Not to mention you¡¯re a fully armed Mystic with the ability to control light and dark magic. I think I¡¯ll be safe with you. I¡¯m only in trouble if I upset you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­ I was just joking. I thought I could joke about that since you seem very unlike Marcellus, and extremely trusting. I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s foolishness or friendliness on your part¡± ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯m sorry about him. He¡¯s been to the west more often than myself, and picked up some strange ideas about¡­¡± ¡°My kind?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡­ have met many dark elves in Mirror Lake, and some were always kinder than some humans. Once, Marcellus had made an offensive comment to a dark elf that was staying in town, and I¡¯d longed to slap his face when he said it, but I didn¡¯t. Instead, I¡¯d ignored him for weeks until he promised not to do it again, but even then, he could never fully conceal his disgust, and the elf left town immediately. I¡¯ve always wondered what people are saying about them in Port Quelil, but I¡¯ll be more disappointed in Marcellus if I did know. The dark elves I knew were just like any other living creatures, and it¡¯s unfair that they¡¯re being treated so poorly these days. I suppose you¡¯d know. You barely defended yourself earlier. I guess I¡¯m no better.¡± ¡°You could have jumped in at any time.¡± I wince. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°No matter. Tell me more.¡± ¡°About?¡± ¡°Your upbringing in Mirror Lake.¡± ¡°I¡­ oh¡­ I grew up with dark elves, listening to the tales of the Grove, and the songs of Selene.¡± ¡°Which songs?¡± He asks, his interest peaking, and his ears twitching, making his earrings play a short tune. I am silent for a moment as I wonder how bored he is, and if I¡¯m speaking too much. Would this have been a moment my parents would have scolded me for if I was still a child? Is this idle chit chat offensive to him? Is he amused by my stupidity? ¡±Well, my favorite is when Sol first witnessed the beauty of Selene with skin like the night sky, hair like silvery moonlight, eyes like glimmering pools of water reflecting the stars,¡± I sigh happily, remembering how I¡¯d felt the first time I heard their tale, back when true love could exist, and every story had a happy ending. ¡°They don¡¯t speak much of the love between Sol and Selene anymore. Just Gaia.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± he mumbles. ¡°They don¡¯t. It¡¯s a nice love story, I suppose.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard songs of when they first met, but never anything more.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Lucien smiles, and it seems I have his full attention. ¡°I can tell you of the tales I¡¯ve heard.¡± ¡°Please do. I never mind hearing more about them.¡± ¡°Selene was the most beautiful of all the Goddesses, and Sol the most handsome of the Gods. Naturally,¡± he laughs. ¡°Naturally,¡± I snark. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t be a love story without such impossible beauty.¡± He gives me a warm smile, and it feels comforting, easing any fears I have of speaking with him. My mother would be so disappointed in me if she witnessed my conversation right now, and I can almost feel the phantom nudge she¡¯d give me to hush me up. ¡°They were infatuated with each other, but the other gods forbid such a relationship-¡± ¡°Other gods?¡± I exclaim. ¡°What other gods?¡± ¡°You think Selene and Sol are the only gods? There are millions of stars in the sky, Luna,¡± he says. My name on his lips making my heart skip half a beat. He reflexively catches a quick glimpse at my chest, where my heart malfunctions. ¡°There are millions of worlds out there created by the gods. If you¡¯d paid any attention to the tales from the dark elves, you¡¯d know this already.¡± ¡°Millions of worlds? They were never mentioned,¡± I mutter under my breath. ¡°That sounds almost too impossible to believe.¡± He smiles at me again, as if I¡¯m a child. It¡¯s a familiar look. Even at my age, my parents still look at me that way when I say something ridiculous. Marcellus still gives me that look from time to time, too, though not as much lately. ¡°Well, they began to meet in secret, and fell madly in love. A glance, a touch, a kiss was enough for Sol, but only for a while,¡± he pronounces each word with such strong emotion, I can almost feel the longing of Sol like a deep ache in my chest. ¡°He craved for more, filled with love and an unbearable lust.¡± I bite my lip, and swallow hard, clinging to his every word. He chuckles when he looks at me. ¡°They began to meet in secret. Until one night, they were caught in the throes of passion, the very night Gaia was conceived.¡± I blush, and look away, pretending to have my attention drawn away by a small child running past, as my mind is occupied by what such lust would feel like. What would have come after my kiss with Marcellus if Lucien had not shown up? I shove the thought aside, hoping it won¡¯t resurface ever again. ¡°There are many variations of what happened next, but in each version, they were cast out of the heavens by the other gods, and made to live a life in isolation. They created Amith, but not as we know it today. When Gaia was born, they made it her domain, and granted her the power of creation, so that she could do with Amith as she pleased. This weakened them, forcing them apart due to the opposing nature of their very existence, but their love for her was worth more than any of that. ¡°Gaia created the mountains, the streams, the plains, plants, animals, and all that we see around us, but still, her parents seemed saddened by their forced separation. She longed for companions, and to help her parents regain their powers so that they may rejoin the other gods. And so the dark and light elves came to be in honor of her parents. They served as companions to Gaia, and as guardians to the temples of Sol and Selene, which served as vessels to gather the praises of Amith. Praises that would be used to restore them to their former glory. The rest is already known to most.¡± ¡°That¡¯s already much more detailed than any of the tales I¡¯ve heard.¡± ¡°There¡¯s obviously some details I¡¯ve missed; when and why they were forced apart, and the tales of Umbra and Eclipsa.¡± ¡°There¡¯s more?¡± ¡°There¡¯s so much more. Of course, it could all be made up, and the elves just needed tales to keep themselves entertained, like most religions.¡± ¡°The same could be said of Gaia. I guess both kinds needed a reason to feel superior to each other. I wonder why humans choose to worship Gaia, and not all three of them.¡± ¡°I supposed Gaia is more relatable. She was created by the gods, and the humans were created by the elves which¡­ some humans view them as gods, I suppose? We possess immortality-¡± ¡°And such striking god-like beauty.¡± He smirks. ¡°What if the gods are real?¡± I ask. ¡°Then I wish they¡¯d make my existence a bit more bearable at several levels.¡± ¡°Are they really going to be reunited one day, you think? Is that what the elves long for?¡± ¡°Well,¡± he thinks for a moment, and stares up at the skies. ¡°I know that my eldest relative made mention that the power emanating from the temple ruins has been increasing over the centuries before he passed, but I don¡¯t know for sure myself. It¡¯s nice to think that they will one day be reunited with the others in the heavens, but it seems silly to want to return to all that, doesn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°I hope they are at least reunited with each other,¡± I think aloud. ¡°Imagine what that would be like, missing someone for so long. And I¡¯m sure they have other family members that miss them. They have to have come from somewhere, haven¡¯t they?¡± ¡°They¡¯re gods. Who knows? Selene and Sol do get to meet once every 100 years when Selene and Sol cross paths in the sky. How do you think we have Eclipsa and Ombra?¡± He nudges me playfully, and when I realize what he means, I blush. ¡°I never really thought about it. I just thought they served Selene. They¡¯re not really in the text.¡± ¡°The dark elves have songs for them.¡± ¡°Maybe you can recount them to me one day.¡± He laughs joyously, and I wonder if we will somehow become friends, because I want us to. ¡°One day,¡± he promises. Chapter Four ¡°Are you telling me that you don¡¯t have your own tent?¡± I ask meekly, having grown more concerned as the night breezes send shivers through me. ¡°I¡¯m an elf,¡± he smiles. ¡°I don¡¯t really need a tent. Just a nice mossy patch under a tree.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me. I know all of you enjoy your comforts. And what if you don¡¯t find a mossy patch? Or it starts to rain? Or the temperatures drop?¡± ¡°The ground has grass, the trees have leaves, and I¡¯m a dark elf, immune to the cold. Why are you worrying yourself about me? Get some rest. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°At least take a blanket,¡± I whine. ¡°In case it gets too cold.¡± He laughs heartily, making me feel ridiculous. ¡°I¡¯m from the Grove, Luna. The nights there are much colder than this. You¡¯ll be colder than me, even with your blankets. You¡¯re already shivering, and I still feel warm.¡± ¡°Well, if you¡¯re sure,¡± I pout, feeling defeated. ¡°But do let me know if you need it. Do not hesitate to wake me.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t wake you at all, but thank you for your thoughtful concern.¡± I¡¯m lying in my tent tossing and turning, unfamiliar with the quiet of this part of the world. The insects chirp, frogs croak, and there are other sounds I don¡¯t recognize. I almost miss the gentle breathing of my sisters, the loud snoring of my father, and the faint music of the inn down the road from the Masters¡¯ household. It is too deafeningly quiet. We¡¯ve camped further from the road than I would have expected because Lucien also has sensitive hearing. More sensitive than my own, it turns out. I begin to wonder if I should be worried that I¡¯m possibly too far from everyone, and in some sort of danger for being too trusting of him. He¡¯d insisted I camp by the road, and meet up with him in the morning, but I was afraid of being left alone with more strangers, and no one to protect me. ¡°In a realm where heavens align,¡± sings Lucien, not well, but trying. ¡°There lived a love, divine. Sol, the radiant sun, shining high, and Selene, the moon, adorning the sky¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s¡­ the rest?¡± I whisper, when he stops. ¡°The words I¡¯ve forgotten, though I know someone who would probably know all of the verses. I¡¯ll be sure to send him a letter, and inquire about it when we reach the Academy.¡± Happiness floods me. A small hint that he wants to stay in touch. Have I made my first friend outside of Bellehaven? What a momentous occasion. This could be the start of my grand journey. I hesitate to speak, still feeling like we¡¯re strangers. What if he¡¯s not attending the Academy to make friends, and I¡¯ve read too much into his politeness. ¡°Lucien¡­?¡± ¡°Yes, Luna?¡± He sounds alert. ¡°Can you describe Dark Grove for me? And the night sky?¡± He chuckles, and the sound of it further eases me. It warms me inside knowing that he doesn¡¯t mind my endless babble yet, instead finding it mildly entertaining. ¡°The trees in Dark Grove are taller and larger than any you¡¯d probably ever seen or imagined, unless you¡¯ve been there. One tree is as large as a city block, and the cities are built into them, or on the branches wider than the main road. The roads lead over rope bridges suspended between the trunks and branches.¡± I gasp in awe imagining a tiny tree city small enough for fairies that in my mind¡¯s eye have been replaced with dark elves, the prettiest of them looking like Lucien. ¡°At night, the light of Selene is as bright as Sol,¡± he says, dreamily. ¡°And when Selene is absent from the heavens to take her rest, it¡¯s so dark, you cannot even see the tip of your nose in front of you.¡± ¡°That sounds terrifyingly wonderful!¡± ¡°That¡¯s when you can see all the stars in the sky, and Eclipsa and Ombra are at their brightest. Sometimes, stars that are not normally seen become plainly visible.¡± ¡°Truly?¡± I exclaim in disbelief. ¡°I would love to see that! That sounds magnificent!¡± ¡°Well, if you¡¯re ever in Dark Grove, I¡¯ll be sure to show you around.¡± ¡°I once went on a boat when Selene was taking her rest. The lake was like the surface of a looking glass. I saw all the stars that night, and I don¡¯t think I¡¯d ever been happier. I¡¯d also never felt so incredibly small and insignificant. It almost brought a tear to my eye. It was such a comforting feeling, filling me with an overwhelming sense of happiness and warmth, spilling out of me, and seeping into the earth- Well, the boat, below my feet,¡± I realize I¡¯m speaking nonsense, and should stop speaking. ¡°I¡­ must sound silly.¡± ¡°You¡¯d love Dark Grove. It''ll magnify that feeling.¡± ¡°I hope one day I really can see it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a Mystic, you¡¯ll have time.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll make it to level six to get the immortality potion, if I¡¯m being perfectly honest. It already seems impossible for most Mystics from what I¡¯ve heard. I¡¯d be incredibly lucky to make it to level three. I could make a career of doing heavy lifting, or protecting Bellehaven from intruders. I don¡¯t know. I could find something.¡± ¡°Why would you think that you couldn¡¯t make it?¡± ¡°I come from a long line of failed Wind-Callers that never got more than a single ability.¡± ¡°What was yours?¡± ¡°It¡¯s kind of silly. I can remember anyone¡¯s voice, and even if the speaker is trying to conceal it, I¡¯ll know instinctively who it is. Incredibly useless compared to my family¡¯s abilities. One day, I saved a boy by catching him with a gust of wind, and my family thought that there was finally a Wind-Caller in the family. I prayed to Selene that my sisters would also develop abilities, but they haven¡¯t yet.¡± ¡°Sisters?¡± ¡°Yes, we were all born on the same day; Solera, Celestia, and myself. My parents said it was a blessing from the heavens, hence our names. If it truly is, then they will also become Mystics.¡± ¡°It is indeed a blessing. Do you think they will?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve lived with them my whole life. I certainly hope they will, otherwise I¡¯ll be heartbroken. Eternity sounds too long without my sisters, and I refuse to live an eternal life without them.¡± ¡°What love you have for them,¡± he says, in a soothing tone. ¡°That even eternity would not tempt you to a life without them. It must be true love indeed. If only siblings knew how much we truly love them, they wouldn¡¯t give us such a hard time.¡± ¡°If only I wasn''t always trying to do the same to them.¡± He chuckles, and my heart skips a beat. We remain quiet for a while, as sadness creeps over me the longer I think of family. I¡¯ve decided we should change the topic or stop talking, because I¡¯m moments from turning around and walking home. ¡°Do you¡­¡± I hesitate, wondering if he¡¯s grown weary. ¡°Do I¡­?¡± ¡°Have to learn spells before you make it to the Academy, or do they just let you join assuming you¡¯ll be naturally gifted?¡± ¡°Both. Once my powers manifest, which they inevitably will, the moment I can master another, I¡¯ll be permitted into the academy. Once one spell is mastered, the rest of the level one spells are learned with more ease.¡± ¡°Gods, do you have to suffer through potions, too?¡± ¡°Most don¡¯t, but Master Eaimer, my instructor, insisted I learn. I thought it was useless.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand it either. When will I ever use potions over magic?¡± ¡°You misunderstand,¡± he laughs, and I blush thinking I¡¯ve missed something. ¡°Potion making is taught to all elves when they begin to get curious about the world around them. We live with Gaia, which is why I sleep outside on a mossy patch or in the trees of the Grove with ease.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie. You have your comforts.¡± ¡°It¡¯s true, recently, but it¡¯s no trouble for us to be without. It¡¯s our way. When you grow up in the Grove, you¡¯re surrounded by many plants that can harm or heal. We know much about herbs and their properties because we wouldn¡¯t survive, otherwise.¡± ¡°So that just comes naturally to you, too?¡± I cackle loudly at the unfairness of it, remembering how much I struggled with potions, despite growing up on a farm. ¡°In a way.¡± ¡°Gods, the elves were a bit unfair when they created us. Gaia made all of you perfectly, and all of you failed to do the same for us! Even placed you in the correct places of the world to help you learn potions,¡± I joke. ¡°I want to be an elf!¡± Lucien laughs, and it¡¯s contagious. ¡°S-Sorry,¡± I murmur, wiping a tear from my eye. ¡°I meant no personal offense.¡± ¡°Luna, I dare say you might be onto something! Maybe the elves were too afraid of creating something that would one day rule over them, so they made humans lesser beings. It¡¯s been working so far.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± I cry out, half-jokingly. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean offense, though you seem to be doing it on purpose.¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s backfiring. Your short lives make you forces to be reckoned with.¡± ¡°Like tiny dogs?¡± ¡°I, personally, know I¡¯m not responsible for the creation of humans. I also believe the elves were unfair to all of you. They could at least have made all of you better-looking.¡± I snicker, having never realized all the elves I¡¯ve ever met have been strikingly beautiful. ¡°Completely unfair, I agree.¡± ¡°Though your Marcellus seemed fairly attractive.¡± I gasp quietly at the mention of his name, and blush. ¡°He¡¯s not mine in any way. He¡¯s just a childhood friend. There¡¯s nothing serious between us,¡± I mutter. ¡°Oh, I thought he was your lover for some¡­ reasons.¡± This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. I choke on a gasp that gets caught in my throat, and cough until it¡¯s cleared. ¡°Gods, Lucien!¡± I blush, burying myself under a blanket. ¡°No. Why would you think such a thing?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t think I needed to state the obvious, but if I must¡­¡± He waits for me to reply, and I remain silent. ¡°I¡¯ve caught the two of you alone on two separate occasions, by accident. The first time he was speaking of love, and the second time, you were sharing a tent. I won¡¯t say anything about it to anyone, so you need not worry and need not lie, but can you blame me for thinking so?¡± I grumble incoherently, unable to find words to defend myself. He¡¯s certainly met us at the worst times. ¡°Pardon?¡± He chuckles quietly, and I struggle to lower the defenses I¡¯ve put up. ¡°Did you say something in another language?¡± ¡°Tell me about Master Eaimer. Is he very strict?¡± ¡°That wasn¡¯t the worst part about him,¡± he says, allowing me to lead the conversation away to another topic. ¡°He had an entire garden dedicated to herbs, and always complained about how there was one plant he could never grow.¡± ¡°Which was?¡± ¡°Some rare herb from the brightest parts of Solari. I told him it needed more sun, but he never believed me. He also always emphasized that magic was not what was going to save us, just potions, because everyone can create and use them. So, I learned every single potion, and I dread coming back to learn more. He¡¯ll make me redo each potion until it is absolutely perfect, all of them, every single time. He says it¡¯s to keep my memory fresh.¡± ¡°Miss Eisley just wanted me to pass so I¡¯d stop blowing holes through the roof of the schoolhouse,¡± I yawn, and smile with amusement remembering the look on her face when I did it the first time. ¡°I think I¡¯d go mad if Master Eaimer was my instructor. I¡¯d go mad, and he¡¯d go mad trying to teach me.¡± ¡°Master Eaimer is very patient. He somehow survived having me as a student, and I¡¯d purposely given him a hard time.¡± I shut my eyes, seeing colors flashing beneath my eyelids. They slowly become the figures of Sol and Selene dancing amongst the stars. ¡°Do you think Selene and Sol will ever get to be together again?¡± I ask, feeling weary, and yawning. ¡°All the time, I mean?¡± ¡°I think they will, otherwise, the gods are unfair.¡± ¡°Are they capable of being unfair? I suppose they must be, to force them away,¡± I settle into my pillow, and wrap my blanket tighter over my shoulder. ¡°Though I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ve ever been so in love that I¡¯d face such a punishment. I don¡¯t like the quiet. I don¡¯t even like being alone. What about you?¡± I groan quietly the second I speak the last word. It¡¯s too personal. ¡°Sorry, you don¡¯t have to answer that.¡± ¡°I thought I was in love once,¡± he sighs. ¡°You thought?¡± I almost scoff, and stop myself, knowing I¡¯ve been rude enough already. ¡°What makes one unsure about such things?¡± ¡°It¡¯s confusing. Sometimes even your eyes can make you mistake beauty for love.¡± ¡°Then how could you ever be sure?¡± ¡°Sometimes you can¡¯t. Are you concerned about Marcellus?¡± ¡°No!¡± I say, irritably and defensively. ¡°Enough about him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, it was just a joke. You¡¯re supposed to be getting sleepy, not riled up. I promise I won''t bring it up again.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t.¡± ¡°Luna?¡± Lucien calls. ¡°Are you awake? It¡¯s quite late.¡± I rub my eyes, and groan when the light of the morning sun blinds me through the open flap of my tent. ¡°What time is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯ll be noon in about an hour or two.¡± ¡°It¡¯s so late! Why didn¡¯t you wake me sooner?¡± I crawl out of my tent, and pack up my things in a panicked rush. ¡°I¡¯m usually wide awake in the morning,¡± I apologize. ¡°I just struggled to get to sleep.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not concerned,¡± he says, watching me rush around gathering my things. ¡°We have plenty of time to make it into the city. I¡¯d like to hear about Bellehaven today, if you don¡¯t mind. I was only passing through, and didn¡¯t get to see much of it, though it looked very peaceful.¡± ¡°It¡¯s very small compared to most places you normally hear about. Everybody knows each other. We¡¯ve all grown up together. We¡¯ve seen many people come and go. We¡¯re trapped in some strange distant past, unable to catch up with the rest of Amith. There¡¯s not much to say about it. It¡¯s a little village, where nothing ever happens.¡± ¡°So¡­ you love it there?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t say that I love it,¡± I admit aloud, feeling a heaviness in my chest. ¡°I''ve wanted to leave since the day my family arrived.¡± ¡°But you miss your home, and your sisters.¡± ¡°I do, but I also want adventure!¡± I exclaim. ¡°I want something more in my life. I also want to be with my family.¡± ¡°You¡¯re conflicted,¡± he hums, amused. ¡°Maybe. Marcellus used to tease me for it, but then it began to make him sad. I wish I could just take them all with me, but I don¡¯t think my parents could afford to live in the City of Lights. They would also miss Bellehaven, after wanting to get away from a big city in the first place.¡± ¡°Do your sisters like it there? ¡°I think they want to leave, like I did. I hope they get the opportunity. I don¡¯t think we were born with the desire to settle down like the rest of the Masters family. They all eventually settle down in small towns I¡¯ve never even heard of.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯m made for adventures, either, so I understand your family. I¡¯ll be going straight home once I¡¯ve finished at the Academy, and settle down, myself.¡± ¡±What a waste,¡± I scoff. ¡°Don¡¯t you want to help others, and see the world out there?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help the elves of the Grove. They could always use more Mystics, especially since more and more elves have been returning from the west, and many of them don¡¯t have the powers of healing. It¡¯s not safe for me to travel, anyway, and it¡¯ll only get worse¡± ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± I mumble, remembering the droves of dark elves that had passed through Bellehaven earlier this year, claiming to be returning to the Grove after being chased away from their homes. ¡°I hope Solari is able to help stop all that foolishness.¡± ¡°Well, tensions are high, unfortunately, and the light elves don¡¯t want to step on anyone¡¯s feet.¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± I sigh. ¡°We can move on to more cheerful topics, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°Tell me more about Bellehaven, and how you happened upon that cave.¡± ¡°Well, one day, I was with Marc, and we went out fishing, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a violent storm rolled in! The boat began to rock wildly, nearly toppling over. Marc rowed us back to shore as quickly as possible while I stupidly held onto the fish we¡¯d caught, afraid they¡¯d fall back into the water. I was so hungry, I just wanted to eat¡­ my priorities were a bit skewed. We found that cave, blindly running through the forest for shelter, and made a small fire to dry us while the storm passed. Marc and I remained warm and safe, eating the best meal of fish with some fresh- well, mostly fresh bread, herbs, and sweet potatoes.¡± ¡°And you kept returning?¡± ¡°We¡­ spent much time alone just talking, and being with each other. It was the only time we could act like ourselves, away from the eyes of those who would judge us. It¡¯s¡­ sad the conclusions people come to when they see a man and a woman together,¡± I say, staring at him with narrowed eyes. ¡°It was nice to be away from eyes that would make assumptions about our relationship.¡± ¡°Well, fresh bread and fish sounds delicious. You¡¯re making me hungry.¡± I¡¯m grateful he knows not to ask any more questions, but I wonder if my discomfort is plainly visible on my face. ¡°I¡¯m making myself hungry. I¡¯ve had nothing but stale bread and salted meats for weeks now.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll trade you some of my fruits, berries and nuts for some of that.¡± ¡°If I were better at hunting, I¡¯d make a rabbit stew.¡± ¡°I¡¯m an excellent hunter. I can catch one for us, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°Oh? I¡¯d like that very much.¡± We sit around the campfire as the stew boils away. I poke the potatoes again, and sigh when they are still rock hard. I¡¯m starving, and I feel as if I¡¯ve been waiting hours for the stew to finish cooking. ¡°If you keep watching them, they¡¯ll never finish,¡± Lucien informs me. ¡°I¡¯m so hungry! I should have cut them smaller. Is the rabbit at least done yet?¡± ¡°Not quite,¡± he says, before bowing his head low, and closing his eyes. ¡°Oh Selene, divine, we offer this prayer with grateful hearts, to thank you for the bounty we receive.¡± He glances up at me expectantly. ¡°Oh, a prayer¡­ uh¡­ Thank you, Gaia, for the delicious rabbit stew. I was¡­ quite tired of surviving off bread and meats,¡± I peeked through one eye at Lucien, wondering if my prayer was sufficient enough for him. He looks up at me with an amused smile. ¡°Not the praying type?¡± ¡°I am¡­ just not so formally.¡± ¡°I understand.¡± I scarf down my first bowl of stew when it is finally ready, and then slowly work on the second, waiting for Lucien to catch up to me. He eats slowly, savoring every bite. ¡°So, if there are other worlds, how do we get to them?¡± I ask him as casually as I can, in an attempt to make small talk. Lucien raises his eyebrows as he swallows another spoonful of soup, and reaches into his bowl to pick out a bone with a small piece of meat still attached. He tears the meat off with his front teeth, and tosses the bones into the fire. ¡°I don¡¯t think we can get anywhere until Selene and Sol are reunited,¡± he replies, when he¡¯s done chewing. ¡°And have been restored to their full power.¡± ¡°Imagine what those other worlds would look like! It could be Amith but filled with only magical creatures and spirits!¡± ¡°A world with a completely different system of magic!¡± ¡°Oh, yes! That sounds amazing! Or a world filled with dogs.¡± ¡°That sounds dreadful. Imagine how loud it would be.¡± ¡°So what? They¡¯re so friendly, and helpful.¡± ¡°I suppose.¡± ¡°They¡¯d talk!¡± ¡°They¡¯d make endless demands for belly rubs and scratches behind the ear.¡± ¡°I could make a career out of it!¡± ¡°What would they pay you with?¡± ¡°Unconditional love and affection, of course! What else would one need?¡± I eat another spoonful of soup, and take a sip of water from my canteen. ¡°Stimulating conversation?¡± ¡°They¡¯d talk. Imagine the wisdom they could share. They could reveal the secrets to happiness.¡± He smiles. ¡°That does sound nice. When you¡¯re finished, I have a piece of honey cake we can share,¡± he says, serving himself a second bowl. ¡°Honey cake!¡± I exclaim, grinning widely at the thought. ¡°I haven¡¯t had any in a long time. Are you sure you want to share it?¡± ¡°Well, the honey is straight from Master Eaimer¡¯s garden. You will not be disappointed, and I wouldn¡¯t have offered it to you otherwise.¡± The stew is finished off, and Lucien and I are lying against a slope on the ground staring up at the night sky, digesting our food, and happily licking honey off our fingertips. Lucien is humming happily next to me as he wipes his hands clean on a damp rag, while his twitching ears play out a little tune with his earrings. ¡°That one is the twin witch and wizard,¡± I say, pointing at a cluster of stars. ¡°The brightest stars are the gems at the tips of their staff. My sisters and I made up a story that they defeated a dragon.¡± ¡°What about there?¡± Lucien asks, leaning close to me. I can feel the warmth radiating from his body, and I¡¯m suddenly aware of how close we are to each other. I lean further into him, feeling the need to be closer, and follow the tip of his finger towards a cluster of stars. ¡°The one next to the other three? Those are the spirits of the elements of magic. I think if you look closely enough, they¡¯re all different colors. Red, blue, yellow-blue and a white-black.¡± ¡°I never noticed their colors before. What about those?¡± ¡°Oh, those are the lovers. One was a dark elf, and the other a light elf.¡± ¡°You mean an elf, and a human.¡± ¡°A human? No. Those are not the tales I¡¯ve heard in Bellehaven.¡± ¡°I see. Well, I guess there¡¯s not a very romantic story behind it then, is there?¡± ¡°I mean, they¡¯re lovers, it¡¯d have to be romantic.¡± ¡°Dark elves and light elves enter marriages, and have children all the time.¡± ¡°It¡¯s like the tale of Selene and Sol! It was once forbidden love! Their families were displeased!¡± I suggest. ¡°But it¡¯s not even for-¡­ Have you ever seen a human with an elf?¡± ¡°Yes¡­?¡± ¡°Publicly?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Have you seen a dark elf with a light elf?¡± ¡°I have¡­?¡± ¡°Why do you think that is?¡± ¡°Well, it might have something to do with your similarities, I¡¯d suppose. Among other things¡­ like compatibility¡­ o-or¡­ something?¡± I fight the urge to look down at his belt. ¡°You¡¯re all so¡­ different from humans¡­ Aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°No, but a human and an elf would make for a much better type of forbidden love. It¡¯s more taboo.¡± ¡°Do dark elves hate humans?¡± I ask, feeling relief it doesn¡¯t lead down the path I¡¯d anticipated, then cursing myself for asking such a question. ¡°Not nearly as much as all of you hate us. Especially lately.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I murmur apologetically, with nothing to add. ¡°N-No, it¡¯s fine. I know¡­ it¡¯s not your fault. My sincerest apologies. I didn¡¯t mean to bring up such an unpleasant topic.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, I just¡­ don¡¯t know what to say.¡± Chapter Five The light blinds me when I open my tent flap, and I curse internally at Lucien¡¯s cheerful morning disposition when I spot him humming as he packs away his things. I stumble away from our camp, across the forest floor, and find a stream in which to wash myself, shivering as I do so. When my tent is packed away, we continue our journey, rejoining the crowds on the main road, and look up towards the hill where the City of Lights appears closer than ever before. ¡°I regret not accepting an offer of a horse,¡± Lucien groans. ¡°My feet are hurting. I¡¯d rather be walking on the grass.¡± ¡°I¡¯d be glad to have even been offered a horse to ride on. I feel exhausted.¡± ¡°I¡¯m equally exhausted from your constant tossing and turning. I¡¯d think you¡¯d be tired after so many restless nights, but I suppose you don¡¯t need as much sleep as others, because you never sleep.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I say, feeling embarrassed that I¡¯ve caused him so much trouble. ¡°If you are weary from traveling with me, I will take no offense if we go our separate ways.¡± ¡°I¡¯m simply worried about you, is all,¡± he glances over at me, and there¡¯s a sad look on his face. ¡°You¡¯re not meant to spend so many nights without rest. How are you going to stay awake for all of your classes if you keep that up? Besides, despite all that, I¡¯m in good company.¡± ¡°I¡¯m flattered that you should worry about me,¡± I say, nervously. ¡°But you need not. I can travel on my own.¡± ¡°With that hearing of yours, I trust you could. You can hear almost as well as any light elf.¡± ¡°Truly? What about dark elves? Is your hearing also sensitive?¡± ¡°Dark elves have better sight.¡± ¡°Did you inherit all the useful traits from your parents? I meant to ask, but¡­¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe it, but I even got their incredibly good looks, on top of everything else they blessed me with.¡± I glance over at his face, caught by surprise that he is already looking at me with a smirk. I¡¯m not sure if his face is considered handsome by elf standards, but by mine, he¡¯s painfully attractive. A heat creeps over my cheeks, and I turn away from him so he won¡¯t notice I¡¯m ogling. ¡°Well, I wouldn¡¯t know,¡± I admit. ¡°I suppose it looks okay.¡± ¡°Oy! Half-breed!¡± Someone calls. I reflexively reach for the silver dagger I keep at my belt, and wrap my fingers around my hilt, ready to pull it out. ¡°I knew you looked familiar! Lucien, my friend, have your horns grown longer?¡± A tall, well-dressed man with red hair, bright green eyes, and pale freckled skin walks up to Lucien, and hugs him. Lucien freezes in place, seemingly shocked, before hugging him back. ¡°Lynn,¡± he says, nervously, pushing him at arm''s length, and examining his face closely. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Why won¡¯t you call me ¡®Arthur¡¯?¡± the man scolds him, furrowing his brows. ¡°Why are you being strange?¡± ¡°Arthur, it¡¯s nice to see you. Returning to the academy?¡± ¡°I am. Starting level five. It feels like it¡¯s been a long time.¡± I watch them talk and stare at each other, feeling suddenly as if I¡¯ve shown up uninvited to a private meeting, and should be escorting myself off the premises. ¡°This is my traveling companion, Luna Masters,¡± says Lucien, after clearing his throat. ¡°What an enchanting creature,¡± he says, eyes trailing over my body. It feels inappropriate somehow, and I shyly cover my body beneath my cloak. ¡°Masters?¡± He asks, taking my hand, and kissing it softly. ¡°Sounds familiar.¡± ¡°Her family used to reside in Mirror Lake, so it¡¯s possible you¡¯ve heard of them before,¡± says Lucien. ¡°Ah. You¡¯re correct. I presume you¡¯re a Wind-Caller, then, if I¡¯ve guessed your lineage correctly?¡± ¡°I am,¡± I say, shyly taking my hand back, and easing my grip on my dagger. ¡°You need not worry with Lucien here watching over you,¡± he says, spotting my weapon. ¡°He once took down a gang of thieves single-handedly.¡± I look over at Lucien, who beams with pride. A giggle escapes me, causing him to chuckle uncomfortably. ¡°Well, tell me more,¡± I say, moving to continue our walk down the road. ¡°So, there we were, minding our own, having food scraps for dinner on our way back to Mirror Lake from the Grove. I was supposed to keep guard, but wound up falling asleep, you know how that is,¡± he rolls his eyes, and lifts his hands, shrugging exaggeratedly. ¡°And we were surrounded by a band of thieves. They attacked us, but Lucien had them all on the ground groveling in seconds. Have you seen him move? Like a shadow.¡± ¡°Well, he is a Shadow-¡± ¡°I know, it¡¯s just¡­ different to actually see it. We wound up finding the thieves'' camp, found all the goods they¡¯d stolen, and had quite a feast that night. Eventually, we met up with a group of people they had robbed, and returned their belongings.¡± ¡°How kind of you,¡± I say, trying to imagine possessing the ability to return stolen goods after growing up with so little. ¡°So, Luna, where did your family move to?¡± Arthur asks, nonchalantly. ¡°Um¡­ Bellehaven. It¡¯s a-¡± ¡°Bellehaven! What a quaint, little village! I¡¯ve always wanted to go. It¡¯s like stepping into the distant past.¡± ¡°According to Luna, there¡¯s not much to see,¡± Lucien comments. ¡°That¡¯s the beauty of it,¡± Arthur explains. ¡°I bet after living in such a big city, you seek the quiet and simplicity Bellehaven offers.¡± ¡°I suppose,¡± I mumble. ¡°I¡¯d rather be back in the city.¡± ¡°How old were you when you left?¡± ¡°I was ten and two.¡± ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a long time to grow up somewhere. I can¡¯t imagine ever leaving my home. I struggle enough being away to attend the Academy.¡± ¡°Mirror Lake is just as far as the Grove from the Academy, isn¡¯t it?¡± I inquire, trying to conjure up the image of a map I¡¯d seen in one of Miss Eisley¡¯s books. ¡°It is. So there will be no visits back home any time soon,¡± he says, taking a deep breath and sighing loudly. ¡°Except this time. I had matters to tend to. Nothing like that fresh forest air, and being so close to nature to really make a person miss their creature comforts. I forgot how many bugs are out here.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not talk about bugs.¡± ¡°Really, have you seen the ones-¡± ¡°How have you been, Arthur?¡± Lucien asks, abruptly. ¡°My father is remarried. I don¡¯t like her at all, but don¡¯t tell anyone I said that. I have to keep up appearances.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you like her? Did she ask you to behave for once?¡± ¡°She¡¯s hideous!¡± ¡°That¡¯s it?¡± He laughs, looking over at me when I momentarily pause to glance at Arthur in disbelief. ¡°I suppose you believe everyone is unlikeable, then?¡± He pauses, and gives Lucien a half smirk. ¡°No! But it doesn¡¯t help. She could have at least been pretty to make up for everything else.¡± I scoff, and cross my arms over my chest in anger. ¡°Oh, sorry, Miss Luna, did you have something to add?¡± He asks, sarcastically, his tone unbothered and challenging. ¡°No,¡± I huff. ¡°Obviously, appearances aren¡¯t everything,¡± he says, defensively. ¡°She¡¯s been preaching some nonsense to my father about the evils of the dark elves. The dark elves already residing in Mirror Lake are uneasy enough as it is with the goings on in the west. We don¡¯t need it to corrupt my father.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t all of you just chase her off?¡± I ask, feeling my anger subside a little. ¡°It¡¯s not that easy. My father is taken with her.¡± ¡°So, chase them both out?¡± I suggest. ¡°Luna,¡± Lucien snickers. ¡°His father is King Richard Lynn of Mirror Lake.¡± My eyes grow wide, and I stare at Arthur, taking in his appearance. He¡¯s wearing expensive clothing, several golden rings, and a jeweled dagger at his belt with a golden hilt. You wouldn¡¯t notice it, unless you looked closely, as it is very plain in appearance, otherwise. ¡°You¡¯re Prince Arthur?¡± I freeze in place. ¡°I¡¯m very sorry for my rudeness.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a prince while I¡¯m in the City of Lights,¡± he says, with a wink. ¡°Keep that to yourself, won¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Why would you¡­ What?¡± ¡°He¡¯s got a complex,¡± says Lucien, with a wink and a teasing smile. ¡°His family has ways of keeping an eye on him at the Academy.¡± ¡°I just want to become a Mystic on my own terms,¡± grumbles Arthur. ¡°Unlike my father.¡± ¡°Right,¡± I mumble, gathering my composure. ¡°I won¡¯t tell a soul, I suppose.¡± ¡°Feel free to treat him like anyone else when he inevitably behaves foolishly, though,¡± Lucien advises. Gods, the look Lucien gives Arthur! His cheeks become a darker shade of blue, his eyes shimmer in the light, and¡­ did he just sigh dreamily? My gaze draws his attention, and looks away quickly, to clear his throat. ¡°He likes to cause trouble for anyone near him,¡± Lucien teases him. ¡°I never have a day of peace when he¡¯s around.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be so cruel. I¡¯m not that bad. Don¡¯t give Luna such a bad impression of me. We¡¯ve only just met,¡± Arthur says, grinning mischievously, and I wonder if he¡¯s purposely trying to annoy me so they can have some privacy. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter to me,¡± I laugh. ¡°You¡¯re apparently nobody important.¡± Arthur guffaws, bending over, and clutching his stomach. It¡¯s awkward, and unsettling. ¡°You catch on quickly. Is that why you continue to keep her company, Lucien?¡± I look over at Lucien, and notice his eyes are watching something beyond the tree line. ¡°You know better than anyone, the company I prefer to keep,¡± he says, following his target intently, and slowly reaching for the weapon at his belt. ¡°What kind of company is that?¡± I ask, reaching slowly for my own dagger, wondering if we are about to get ambushed. ¡°One second,¡± he says, vanishing before my eyes, leaving behind a black, curling mist where he¡¯d been standing. He reappears in a flash, causing my ears to ring. ¡°I¡¯ve got some nice rabbits for our meal tonight,¡± he says, holding up a dead rabbit. ¡°Gods!¡± I sigh, shaking my limbs to settle my nerves. ¡°I thought there were thieves hiding in the forest.¡± Lucien stares at me, seemingly amused. ¡°Is that the only part that surprised you?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°Not even the dark magic?¡± He asks, sounding a little disappointed. Arthur scoffs, looking irritated. ¡°He only likes to keep the company of individuals who he deems worthy of his time. Which he has plenty of, being an elf.¡± ¡°I enjoy good company, and it¡¯s hard to come by,¡± he says, defensively. ¡°She¡¯s from Bellehaven. How fascinating could she be?¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ¡°Excuse me! How dare you both insult me! I¡¯m from Bellehaven, not a cave. I¡¯ve seen dark magic, having grown up in Mirror Lake. And you!¡± I approach Arthur, pointing an angry finger in his direction. ¡°I¡¯m not some sort of entertainment! I¡¯m a woman! A person! Living and breathing!¡± ¡°But it is something, otherwise, why waste the time?¡± He says, without flinching. ¡°Arthur,¡± chides Lucien. ¡°Try not to be an ass. I know it¡¯s nearly impossible for you, but you might be capable. I believe in you. Luna, I apologize for my rude behavior.¡± ¡°My apologies, Miss Luna. I meant no offense,¡± grumbles Arthur under his breath. ¡°He meant offense, but he¡¯s harmless. Don¡¯t take anything he says seriously.¡± ¡°Now I¡¯m offended,¡± Arthur says as he crosses his arms. ¡°Oh, shut up, Arthur,¡± sighs Lucien, exasperated. ¡°You¡¯re exhausting us. Our peaceful journey has suddenly become significantly less peaceful because of you. Luna and I were getting along perfectly.¡± I¡¯m flattered he would say such a thing. ¡°Is that how you¡¯re going to treat an old friend?¡± Arthur asks in feigned disbelief. ¡°That¡¯s not the word I¡¯d used, but fine,¡± he says. Lucien clasps his mouth, and looks away, the tips of his ears becoming dark blue. ¡°What word would you use?¡± I inquire, curiosity getting the best of me as I wait for a reaction. Arthur clears his throat, drawing my attention away. ¡°He¡¯d hoped I¡¯d at least omit the part where I called him old,¡± Arthur mutters. ¡°Because I¡¯m not,¡± Lucien grumbles. ¡°You will be.¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get level six, and become immortal. Then I¡¯ll be sure to annoy you for all eternity.¡± ¡°How big of you to admit you¡¯re annoying.¡± Arthur huffs. We walk in silence for some time, and I enjoy the gentle, cool breezes blowing through my hair, waving the branches of the trees above, and scattering the leaves beneath our feet. I dream I am walking through a flowing river, at the edge of a cascading waterfall, as the mist rises to meet me. With my arms held out at either side, I jump off the edge, spread my arms, and take flight. I soar over the waterfall, rivers and- A shadowy figure dashes across my field of vision. ¡°Another shadowstalker,¡± I whisper faintly. I can see Lucien¡¯s ear twitch from the corner of my eye. His eyes flicker over to me, and immediately follow my gaze. ¡°It¡¯s harmless unless you try to hurt the forest,¡± he comments the moment he spots it. ¡°Well, if he¡¯s harmless, should we stop? I¡¯m getting tired, and I could use a small break.¡± ¡°Yes. I can hear a stream, if you¡¯d like me to refill your canteens,¡± he says, holding out a hand. Arthur immediately pushes past him, and past a line of trees just off the main road. ¡°Or you¡­ can come with me, I suppose,¡± he says, quietly. ¡°Why miss out on the opportunity to dip my feet in the water?¡± Arthur calls out. ¡°That does sound nice,¡± I agree, feeling a dull ache in my legs, just before sprinting to catch up with Arthur. ¡°Even if it¡¯s too cold.¡± The air feels cooler around the stream. I set my things on flat ground, then take a seat at the edge of a large stone positioned over the river. Lying back in a sunny spot, I bite into a sweet, red apple. The juices trail down the corners of my mouth, and I lick them up, feeling the stickiness left behind. I sigh contentedly, and yawn. ¡°Do you have any more honey cake?¡± I ask Lucien, jokingly. ¡°I could really use some right about now.¡± ¡°Honey cake?¡± Arthur asks, lazily, stirring from his nap. ¡°I don¡¯t, I¡¯m afraid. What we had yesterday was the last of it.¡± ¡°And you didn¡¯t share?¡± He asks, peeking over at Lucien with one eye open, and a smirk on his face. Lucien rolls his eyes, not wanting to fall for Arthur¡¯s bait in an attempt to rile him up. ¡°Sorry,¡± he snarks. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure your unexpected company is considered next time.¡± Their voices fade away when they begin to bicker again. I watch the clouds float past, as exhaustion slowly lulls me into a deep slumber. ¡°Luna,¡± whispers Lucien, shaking me gently. ¡°We¡¯re ready to go.¡± I peer through my eyelids, and see the leaves of the trees and sunlight sharpening into view partially blocked by Lucien¡¯s smiling face. Have I ever prayed to Gaia that I may witness such beauty? If I did, she answered my prayers a thousand fold. ¡°Gaia¡¯s blessing,¡± I mutter. He raises an eyebrow. ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumble, slowly pulling myself out of my daze. ¡°I¡¯m still waking up.¡± I get to my feet, pack away my things, and swing my bag over my shoulder. We walk in silence, and I listen to the conversations of the crowds that surround us as Sol is beginning to make his descent across the sky. ¡°So,¡± Lucien says, quietly. ¡°Are you going to light a lantern in the City of Lights for the upcoming festivities?¡± ¡°That¡¯s such nonsense,¡± Arthur argues. ¡°I lit a lantern standing by this goddess of a woman in Mirror Lake, and I never saw her again.¡± ¡°Well, it is a day for receiving blessings, and you were clearly not one she asked for,¡± states Lucien. ¡°The perfect man?¡± Lucien and I snicker quietly. ¡°Most people ask for a peaceful life,¡± I mention. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be so personally offended just because she was the lucky one,¡± adds Lucien. I snicker again. ¡°You¡¯re probably right!¡± Arthur laughs. ¡°I was hoping I could light a lantern with Marc,¡± I say, absently staring up at a passing hawk soaring just above us. ¡°Marc?¡± Arthur asks, glancing over at Lucien for an explanation. ¡°Her lover,¡± Lucien informs him. Arthur eyes me from head to toe with a devious smirk, and I feel like he¡¯s undressing me with his eyes. I turn away from him slightly. ¡°Lucien!¡± I laugh nervously, my cheeks burning. ¡°He¡¯s not my lover! Don¡¯t spread rumors¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand what the matter is, and why you¡¯re so embarrassed to admit that it¡¯s, at the very least, what you want him to be,¡± he scoffs. ¡°We¡¯re humans, Lucien,¡± Arthur mutters. ¡°We don¡¯t speak so openly of relationships the way you unsophisticated dark elves do.¡± ¡°I bet you¡¯d all live longer if you did. You overcomplicate things too much. It shortens your years, and it¡¯s a shame because you have so few of them already.¡± ¡°Listen to him. He¡¯s unbelievable,¡± Arthur scoffs, smiling mischievously, and it reminds me of how my father teases my mother. ¡°He has centuries to learn better.¡± ¡±It is,¡± states Lucien, stubbornly. ¡°It isn¡¯t,¡± I disagree. ¡°I¡­¡± I think for a moment, letting it sink in that I am trying to speak to two strangers about matters of the heart, and almost bringing up Marcellus again. ¡°Never mind,¡± I mutter, returning my gaze to the road ahead. ¡°A wise decision,¡± Arthur sighs. ¡°Lucien will have you convinced that everything is cut and dry in love.¡± ¡°It is,¡± insists Lucien. ¡°You like them, you lay with them, and if the emotions linger, you lay with them multiple times. If you continue to lay with them, you marry them and have several children. That¡¯s how it usually works, isn¡¯t it?¡± I feel my cheeks burning, my thoughts returning to Marcellus once again, and I curse internally. Why is he constantly running through my mind lately? It¡¯s quickly becoming irritating. I¡¯ve only ever been smitten with one other person before, and I don¡¯t have time to waste going through this again. I have to focus on more important things. ¡°Gods, Lucien,¡± I mutter. ¡°You live a simple life, then, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Sometimes you¡¯re attracted to the wrong¡­ individual, and you can¡¯t do anything about it,¡± he says, flatly. ¡°I mean, you can agonize over it, or move on quickly.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s not so cut and dry?¡± Arthur teases. ¡°You move on just like that?¡± ¡°In general, it is¡­ cut and dry¡­¡± ¡°Th-¡± I begin to disagree. ¡°That¡¯s not what she asked, though,¡± Arthur interrupts. ¡°But you answered the question, anyway.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t live a simple life,¡± Lucien says, defensively. ¡°Love¡¯s not so easy, then?¡± He gives an exasperated sigh, and looks over at me. I think for a second he¡¯s going to get angry with me for having started this conversation, but he smiles instead. ¡°I do recall mentioning that matters of the heart are rarely clearly defined,¡± he reminds me, giving me what feels like a flirtatious smirk, but surely, it can¡¯t be. ¡°I do rec-call,¡± I stutter, my heart racing. ¡°But did you mean it? The way you¡¯re speaking, I can''t tell that you actually even meant what you said.¡± ¡°Well, let¡¯s take Arthur, for example¡­ You don¡¯t mind if I speak of your affairs, do you, old friend?¡± He looks over at Arthur who shakes his head, his attention focused on a pinecone he¡¯s been kicking down the road. ¡°Arthur, being mostly attractive by your human standards-¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Arthur warns. ¡°Choose your words carefully, Moonshadow.¡± ¡°Sorry, he thinks he¡¯s extremely attractive by your standards.¡± ¡°Not my standards,¡± I assert. Arthur mutters under his breath, and kicks the pinecone further down the road again harder than before. ¡°He simply has to express interest in someone, and they immediately lay with him, and the deed is done. They move on with their lives, and so does he,¡± he waves his hand lazily. ¡°Until they don¡¯t?¡± I ask,, enjoying the irritated look Lucien gives me. ¡°They always do when he brings up his engagement to Princess Isabella of Castin. They have to move on because they¡¯re not given a choice.¡± ¡°You¡¯re engaged?¡± I gasp, covering my mouth with both hands, and staring at Arthur wide-eyed. ¡°You¡¯d think all of Amith would know, and that you¡¯d know better than to¡­¡± Arthur has the decency to hang his head in shame, but only for a few seconds. ¡°That poor woman!¡± I cry. Lucien huffs as he forces down a laugh. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like I had a choice in the matter,¡± he murmurs. ¡°Imagine if the princess did what you¡¯re doing now, arranged marriage or not. I bet she¡¯d be shamed!¡± I cry out. ¡°Even if she also has no choice in the matter!¡± ¡°Probably, but can you please keep your voice down?¡± He mutters. ¡°It¡¯s not as if I would mind.¡± ¡°If anyone has a simple life in love, it¡¯s Arthur,¡± Lucien summarizes. ¡°We weren¡¯t talking about him, though.¡± ¡°Gods, you¡¯re right. Arthur¡¯s ramblings distract me. I meant to say¡­ In conclusion, Marcellus also seems infatuated with you, and therefore you can just admit that you want him to be your lover.¡± My cheeks burn hot. ¡°We were done talking about that.¡± ¡°We were not.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not simple!¡± Says Arthur defensively, startling the both of us. ¡°I don¡¯t want to marry her. She¡¯s so boring. There¡¯s barely anything there to look at.¡± ¡°I heard she¡¯s the most beautiful woman in all of Amith,¡± I say, recalling a rumor I heard years ago. ¡°She¡¯s nothing compared to the light elves. Right, Lucien?¡± He asks, nudging him expectantly. Lucien tears his eyes away from my own, and smiles at Arthur. ¡°But you¡¯re enga-¡± ¡°Yes, yes,¡± Arthur scoffs, irritated. ¡°I¡¯m just comparing.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t,¡± states Lucien. ¡°Because it¡¯s not even an option that can be considered.¡± ¡°What?¡± I mumble. ¡°Then why do you think it can be both simple, and complicated?¡± ¡°For me, it¡¯s complicated. For most, it¡¯s not.¡± ¡°Oh, Lucien,¡± says Arthur. ¡°You realize you¡¯re wrong, and we just proved you wrong, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m done talking about this,¡± he mutters, giving Arthur a look of disappointment and betrayal, his ears and neck a dark shade of blue. ¡°That¡¯s how it always goes with him,¡± he whispers to me, unbothered. Lucien¡¯s ear twitches, and he gives Arthur a threatening glare. ¡°How are things in Mirror Lake?¡± I ask Arthur, feeling tensions rising, and the need to diffuse them. ¡°Well, we¡¯re not doing very well with our new queen being spiteful towards the dark elves, as I mentioned. As you probably already know, having grown up there, we have a large population of them, and many are leaving in droves back to Dark Grove. All we can do is arrange safe passage between the two cities. The streets have been eerily quiet and empty lately, and the city is practically abandoned. People have been ransacking and destroying the vacant homes. It¡¯s attracting a nasty crowd.¡± I can only picture the crowded streets of Mirror Lake, lively, and filled with children running around unattended and free, and the many vendors selling delicious foods, potions, and sometimes even trinkets from Zelfari that my family could never afford. I remember my parents allowing my sisters and I to wander the streets unsupervised, as it was always safe to do so in the past. I can¡¯t imagine what it¡¯d look like now. ¡°Hmm, that¡¯s a shame,¡± I mutter, mostly to myself, trying to think of a more lively topic to pass the time. ¡°Luna,¡± whispers Lucien, placing a hand on my shoulder, and pointing towards a distant spot in the forest. ¡°Can you see it?¡± I follow his finger, and I¡¯m unable to guess what he¡¯s trying to show me. ¡°What is it?¡± I ask, leaning in close to see from his point of view. ¡°Your shadowstalker. He¡¯s taken an unusual interest in you. Did you do anything to harm the forest?¡± My head turns up towards the sky, as I try to recall if I¡¯ve recently done anything unusual while walking through the woods, but nothing stands out. ¡°N-Not that I can recall,¡± I say unconvincingly, finally spotting the shadowstalker that was most definitely looking back at me with bright, white eyes. ¡°Then you have a friend.¡± Arthur shields his eyes from the sun, trying to spot the shadowstalker that has drawn our attention. ¡°That¡¯s just a normal shadow,¡± He insists. ¡°No,¡± murmurs Lucien. ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± The shadowstalker vanishes, lost amongst the trees once again. ¡°How could you even tell it¡¯s the same one? They all look the same,¡± says Arthur, finding another pinecone to kick. ¡°Have you ever seen a shadowstalker this far north?¡± ¡°No, but what would I know?¡± ¡°Nothing, actually, but I didn¡¯t ask you about that.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ve never seen a shadowstalker this far north,¡± I comment. ¡°It was the first unusual thing I noticed about it. I¡¯ve heard of the powers of the shadowstalkers. If it¡¯s a friend of mine now, I¡¯ll¡­ be in good hands, right?¡± ¡°You will be guaranteed safety and protection in the forest.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never met a shadowstalker. Have you?¡± ¡°Met?¡± Arthur laughs. ¡°They¡¯re spirits. There¡¯s not much t-¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never personally met one,¡± interrupts Lucien. ¡°But a friend of mine believes that they are quite knowledgeable in dark magic. He learned a few unknown spells from them.¡± ¡°That¡¯s complete nonsense.¡± ¡°Possibly, but the spells he¡¯d cast were unlike any I¡¯d ever seen.¡± I set up my tent on level ground, and light a fire to make dinner while Lucien and Arthur forage for food. Lucien returns with rabbits, drops them off, and quickly returns to his foraging. I clean them, and set them to cook over the fire ¡°I found some berries, nuts, and mushrooms,¡± says Arthur upon his return. ¡°Gods, that smells amazing already. I¡¯m starving.¡± ¡°Bring it here,¡± I hold out my hands as Arthur hands me a sack filled with his findings. ¡°Go, and fetch me some clean water, please.¡± When Arthur returns with a small pot of water, I wash my hands with a wet rag, and we begin our work in cleaning and preparing everything for the cooking. I stop my preparations to examine an unusual flower that was brought back, and set it aside, away from the other herbs and vegetables. ¡°Sorry,¡± he says, when he notices it. ¡°That flower is used to help aid those who have trouble sleeping, something Lucien has always struggled with. I meant to remove it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because humans are so noisy,¡± says Lucien, startling both of us when he appears seemingly out of nowhere. ¡°I¡¯ve returned with some roots, herbs, and fish.¡± ¡°Some fish sound wonderful,¡± I exclaim. ¡°Thank you, Lucien.¡± Chapter Six We recline in the middle of a forest clearing, watching the stars as we stretch out to ease our full bellies. Lucien and Arthur are now bantering after Arthur¡¯s made a comment about a woman he¡¯d met on the road claiming she was extremely beautiful, but not quite perfect. ¡°I know your type, Arthur,¡± Lucien teases him. ¡°You like them to look exactly like light elves.¡± ¡°Ugh!¡± He groans. ¡°It¡¯s just not the same, and it never could be.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard Princess Isabella is the closest any human has become in matching the beauty of the light elves,¡± I comment absently, not caring for the conversation, but feeling left out. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, she is quite beautiful, except for her hair. It¡¯s not quite light enough.¡± ¡°You could convince her to put honey in it, and over time it would get lighter.¡± ¡°Truly?¡± He asks, excitedly, waiting for Lucien to confirm my statement. ¡°Luna¡¯s correct, but it wouldn¡¯t be lightened by much.¡± ¡°I tried it once, but it was exhausting, and sticky,¡± I sigh. ¡°And a waste of good honey.¡± I smile to myself, remembering how my sisters, mother and I had each tried to lighten our hair. Marcellus couldn¡¯t tell the difference, but noticed how happy it made me, and wouldn¡¯t say anything about it. He¡¯d simply discouraged any future experimentation, commenting that my hair was light enough. It didn¡¯t take much convincing to not do it again. The process had been long, and annoying. ¡°So, you¡¯ve had your turn to annoy everyone. Now it¡¯s my turn,¡± I smile, looking over at Lucien, and I¡¯m surprised to see him already smiling back at me. ¡°I¡¯m so glad I have two irritating humans choosing to journey with me on my first year to the Academy. It¡¯ll be a lesson in being more wary of the company I choose to keep next time.¡± ¡°You know you like us,¡± Arthur teases. ¡°Or you would have left us by now.¡± ¡°Your ego is showing, Arthur,¡± Lucien scolds him playfully. ¡°Do me a favor, and put that dreadful thing away. Besides, it¡¯s Luna¡¯s turn to speak.¡± ¡°You can take a turn,¡± I say, looking over at him, surprised to find his gaze is still on me. ¡°You¡¯re several turns behind.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve nothing of interest to say.¡± ¡°Well,¡± I say, propping myself up on one elbow in order to examine Lucien¡¯s face better. I can¡¯t tell if he¡¯s joking, or purposely giving us both a hard time, but I enjoy the way he looks in the moonlight, even if he¡¯s barely visible. ¡°Tell us what¡¯s on your mind then. Anything at all,¡± I grin. ¡°No,¡± he states, pursing his lips to form a pout. He looks so endearing, it makes me snicker. His pout vanishes, and he looks smug, as if he¡¯s won some unknown challenge between us. ¡°Lou,¡± whines Arthur. ¡°We promise we won¡¯t use it against you.¡± ¡°Dinner was delicious. That is all I¡¯m thinking about,¡± he gives me a side-smile, determined to continue giving Arthur a hard time, and now pulling me into his game. ¡°It¡¯s not, stop lying,¡± Arthur sighs heavily. ¡°We just ventured into conversations about hair color. You must be far past thinking of dinner. I swear you can trust us with your deepest, darkest, elf secrets.¡± ¡°I am not a fool, and would never believe such a promise coming from you, no matter how much wine I¡¯ve consumed.¡± ¡°I promise I¡¯d never bring it up again,¡± I promise. ¡°I¡¯ll even let you prod me more about Marcellus, if you¡¯d like.¡± I raise my hand, making an oath to the heavens. He shakes his head, with an amused look. ¡°I believe you, of course, but you can keep your affairs with Marcellus to yourself, if you do not wish to begin rumors. This idiot cannot keep a secret, and cannot help inquiring further without being offensive.¡± ¡°You already told him we¡¯re lovers. He couldn¡¯t possibly be worse than you.¡± ¡°You underestimate him.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Arthur cries. ¡°We¡¯re all friends here. I don¡¯t go around spilling your secrets to anyone.¡± Lucien returns his gaze to the stars, and I do the same, lying back with my hands at my sides, twisting the strands of grass between my fingertips. The cool night breeze makes my skin prickle, and I am beyond my normal levels of exhaustion, but I don¡¯t want to stop looking at the stars. I don¡¯t want to stop speaking with Lucien. I feel drawn to him; His warm smile, his inquiring eyes, his soothing voice, and the way he easily speaks to me as if we¡¯ve always been friends. Or maybe, this is all in my imagination, and I¡¯ve been daydreaming again. ¡°What¡¯s the most amazing sight you¡¯ve ever seen?¡± Lucien asks. ¡°Ibis Islands,¡± replies Arthur. ¡°What are islands?¡± ¡°I thought you were smart, Lucien. I guess you only know what Master Eaimer has taught you.¡± ¡°Arthur!¡± I scold him, then turn to look at Lucien, who looks over at me puzzled, but not the least bit upset. ¡°Islands, like Ibis Islands, were formed by a volcano that once existed beneath the water where the islands now stand. Some are broken off from larger pieces of land, like other parts of the world beyond Amith.¡± ¡°Volcano?¡± He sits up, and looks down at me, his long braid cascading over his shoulder, reflecting the light of the moon. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± I prop myself up to meet his gaze again, losing hold of my senses in my weariness, feeling myself increasingly drawn to him. I¡¯m taken aback momentarily by his endearing and inquiring glance, like a curious and trusting child, hungry for knowledge. I want to run my thumbs along his ears, and trace his braid with my fingers. I clear my throat, trying to focus. ¡°It¡¯s like a mountain that¡¯s connected to Gaia¡¯s center, spilling out rock so hot, it runs like a river down its sides,¡± I say, motioning the flowing of a river with my hand, and giggling when he watches my fingers intently. ¡°Where those rocks were cooled off by the surrounding waters, the islands formed.¡± ¡°A river of fire?¡± His eyes grow wide, flickering like a flame in the moonlight, and his earrings collide with each other loudly as he shakes his head excitedly. ¡°I see¡­ you call those volcanoes.¡± ¡°What was your next thought?¡± ¡°It was ridiculous,¡± he mutters. ¡°I¡­¡± ¡°Go on,¡± says Arthur, teasingly. ¡°Never mind.¡± ¡°I¡¯m listening,¡± I say, and this seems to encourage him. ¡°I once pictured a grand weeping willow surrounded by this powerful wind that kept it afloat over some strange city surrounded by stone walls. I¡¯d forgotten all about it, since it¡¯s been a long time, but lately, I keep dreaming of it.¡± ¡°That sounds like Zelfari,¡± says Arthur. ¡°Except the tree isn¡¯t floating, it¡¯s just really old.¡± He¡¯s more alert now. ¡°Such a thing exists?¡± ¡°It does. It¡¯s not very impressive.¡± ¡°I want to see it one day. I¡¯ve been¡­ visited by that image often, and I¡¯ve always wondered what it meant.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, that¡¯s ridiculous,¡± says Arthur, stretching, and letting out a yawn. ¡°I¡¯m going to sleep. I¡¯ll see you in the morning.¡± ¡°Goodnight, Arthur,¡± says Lucien, with a smile, following him with his eyes as he walks past us. ¡°Goodnight, Arthur,¡± I say, my eyes drawn to the expression on Lucien¡¯s face. When Arthur is no longer within earshot, I give Lucien a devious grin. ¡°Is he your complication in love?¡± Lucien gives me a puzzled look, and pouts. I want to pinch his cheeks. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Arthur. You¡¯re in love with him, aren¡¯t you?¡± Lucien scoffs, then laughs bitterly. ¡°I see he¡¯s already had an effect on you. You¡¯re catching his stupidity, but I¡¯ll forgive you. It¡¯s quite contagious. I¡¯ve witnessed it myself.¡± ¡°Lucien, one would have to be blind not see the way you look at him. So, if you¡¯re trying to conceal it, I must warn you that you¡¯re not doing it well enough.¡± He scoffs again, and I half expect him to leave, but he rolls over to his side instead, and gazes at me. There¡¯s a strange glimmer in his eye. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. Not only is he a human, he¡¯s also a man, and that is greatly frowned upon by all of you. You cannot even figure out your own simple relationships, too afraid to admit your feelings for each other when your life is already so short.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t you judgmental?¡± I ask, irritably. ¡°Simply stating the facts.¡± ¡°You almost make me regret not speaking to Marcellus,¡± I frown. ¡°You should speak to him, and finally lay all your feelings out, so that they may rest. You¡¯ll be much happier, I guarantee it.¡± ¡°What about you and Arthur?¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he gasps. ¡°Please, I won¡¯t speak of that.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t or you won¡¯t speak about it with me?¡± ¡°As long as you swear to only speak of it to me, and no one else. Ever! Especially not Arthur,¡± he pleads. He pouts again, and I can feel my self-control beginning to slip. It was such an endearing look, on his otherwise serious face. I laugh, and pinch his cheek. He looks even more upset now, and rubs his face, as if it¡¯s been soiled. ¡°I¡¯m not a child, you know.¡± ¡°Nor am I, Lucien. I won¡¯t say a word to Arthur, you need not worry. If I can keep my sisters¡¯ secrets, I can keep yours.¡± ¡°Arthur is such an idiot,¡± Lucien begins, laying back on his arms, letting his defenses down slightly. ¡°He¡¯s also spirited, and charming. I cannot help being drawn to him. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve noticed.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t witnessed his charm. I wasn¡¯t aware he had any.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ he¡¯s an acquired taste,¡± he reassures me, sounding doubtful. ¡°That definitely explains it, then. How long until I witness his¡­ charm?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve known each other since I was eight years old, and he was ten.¡± ¡°Forever, then?¡± ¡°Well, yes. He is an idiot about most things, but he knows my true feelings for him.¡± ¡°He does?¡± I exclaim in surprise. ¡°I forget who I¡¯m speaking to,¡± he groans, pained by the excited look I give him. ¡°I¡¯ve just set myself up for a long night of interrogations, I suppose?¡± Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°So, make it easy for both of us, and get to the point.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve wanted to lay with him,¡± he looks away. I blush, and the tips of his ears go dark blue. ¡°Sorry, I swear I¡¯m not judging you, I just can¡¯t imagine ever admitting such a thing out loud about anyone.¡± ¡°Well, I can never have enough of him. I¡¯m quite drawn to him¡­ for some reason. It¡¯s embarrassing.¡± ¡°And did it happen?¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t, but my feelings continue to become stronger, and his feelings are diminishing rather quickly, so I¡¯d rather not entertain the thought.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ Sorry.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± he tuts. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a situation I wanted to ever find myself in.¡± ¡°Afraid?¡± ¡°No,¡± he scoffs. ¡°Then what?¡± ¡°Gods, Luna, have some manners,¡± He laughs, dryly. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll have to disappoint you. I don¡¯t want to discuss it further. I think I¡¯ve already trusted you with enough of my secrets to make me uncomfortable for the entirety of your existence.¡± ¡°When I was seven, my father brought home a bunch of pastries from the shop. I didn¡¯t often have pastries, and they were so delicious that before I knew it, I ate the last one we were saving for my father. When my mother asked who took it, I lied and told her that Celestia did it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re ruthless.¡± ¡°Before my poor sister could even defend herself to my father, he forgave her, and confessed that he¡¯d brought home a second box, and we could enjoy more. My mother forbade Celestia from taking any, and she cried the whole night until she fell asleep. I¡¯d saved my pastry, feeling too ill from the whole situation. I woke my sister in the dead of night, and gave it to her. She forgave me, shared it with me, and never told another soul what I¡¯d done. Instead, she still holds it over my head to this day.¡± ¡°Why are you telling me all this?¡± ¡°Now you know my deepest, darkest secret.¡± Lucien laughs in amusement, and I feel relieved. ¡°I¡¯m still not going to talk about Arthur, though that was quite an amusing tale, and an impressive attempt.¡± I sigh. I assume it''s safe to share my true secrets to him, knowing he¡¯ll forget me soon enough when we reach the Academy. ¡°When I lived in Mirror Lake, there was a girl that none of the wealthy children liked, named Angelina, because she looked different from all of us. She had strange hair that stuck out in all directions, with strands of silver, and her skin was almost as dark as the night sky. They¡¯d make fun of her for looking old, and so different from the other dark elves, and, of course, I wanted to fit in, so I joined them. We teased her relentlessly, and there wasn¡¯t a day I ever saw her smile,¡± I take a deep breath, feeling my chest tightening into a knot. ¡°One day,¡± I swallow hard, and continue on. ¡°We were all just being¡­ downright nasty, throwing rocks at her in the forest where no one would see us. She slipped, trying to get away from us, and fell into the river. All of the other children left fearing punishment, and would have surely pinned the blame on me because I wasn¡¯t really their friend, I was just always around them. She screamed for help, and instead of helping her, I decided she was going to do just fine on her own. I followed everyone back. ¡°The next day, I found out from my mother that she¡¯d drowned in the river. She said very nasty things about the children that teased her, not knowing I was one of them, because none of them ever bothered to learn my name when they were ratting each other out. She prayed for divine intervention to teach those children a lesson. That very day was the day my family and I left for Bellehaven. My sisters and I were bullied relentlessly for our appearances, just because of our silver gray hair when we first arrived. It went on almost as long as I¡¯d teased Angelina. I felt rotten knowing my sisters were paying for my sins, except I wasn¡¯t dead in a river somewhere like her.¡± I wipe a tear from my eye, and look over at Lucien, who appears saddened. ¡°Anyway¡­ Are we even now?¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t have to be but¡­ I¡¯d say so. Uh-¡­ Luna¡­¡± he looks up towards the stars, and smiles. ¡°I know a wealthy man from Mirror Lake by the name Montclair, with a beautiful daughter. She has the softest, darkest, curliest hair I¡¯ve ever seen. She¡¯d even inherited her mother¡¯s dark, luc- smooth skin. I could barely keep my eyes off her. She seemed unreal, beyond any beauty I could have ever imagined. ¡°Her father noticed my gaze wander to her during the middle of his admittedly dull story, and he mentioned that before everyone thought of her as a breath-taking woman, she was teased relentlessly by the other children. He¡¯d never known until she was brought back to him by a hunter that heard her cries in the forest. She told him how she¡¯d fallen in the river, and none of the children helped her. He was so furious, he lied to the townspeople about her death.¡± ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± He holds up a finger before I can say another word. ¡°He let them think she¡¯d died until finally confessing to the townspeople that Lady Angelina was home with a cold. Each child received quite a punishment. And then he warned me that she was engaged to be married to Prince Raiden Tempest of the City of Lights, not that I admitted any interest. I have a good feeling about her marriage. She¡¯s very good with¡­ She¡¯s simply divine.¡± ¡°Sweet Selene certainly has a sense of humor.¡± ¡°She does. Lady Angelina is one of the best of you pathetic humans I¡¯ve ever met. She was extremely kind to me, and is a dear friend of mine despite all the rumors in the west that she¡¯s been exposed to.¡± ¡°Well, I guess we¡¯re no longer even.¡± ¡°We¡¯re even, don¡¯t worry about that. Are you feeling weary yet?¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right!¡± I exclaim, having forgotten the small sleeping draught sitting in my tent. ¡°Arthur made a potion for you. He says it would help you sleep. It¡¯s in my pack.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± he sounds pleasantly surprised. ¡°I¡¯ll have to thank him in the morning. He¡­ he did make this himself, right? Not you?¡± ¡°Yes, it is fully made by Arthur, including his dreadful cutting skills. Have you always had trouble sleeping?¡± I yawn, exhaustion hitting me twice as hard suddenly. ¡°I¡­ no. Nothing could keep me awake in the past. One day, that idiot over there got himself kidnapped, because he wasn¡¯t keeping guard like he was supposed to, as you heard in his tale. What he never mentions is that I didn¡¯t hear any of his shouts or cries for help at first. It wasn¡¯t until the next day when I hunted his captors down, in a state of mania, that I slaughtered every single one of them. I didn¡¯t realize what I¡¯d done, and wish I could redo that whole night over. I still can¡¯t sleep well because it haunts me, and he sleeps like a log every night. Even with a sleeping draught, I will be alert at the sound of a pin dropping miles away. He always remembers that tale fondly, because it was the first time he saw the true capabilities of my magic, but¡­ it¡¯s not a fond memory for me.¡± ¡°That accursed light elf trait,¡± I tease him lightly. ¡°Yes,¡± he chuckles. I awake the next morning to the sound of footsteps trekking through the forest. Gripping my dagger tightly in my hand, I wait quietly, until I hear the familiar sound of laughter, as Lucien and Arthur walk back to our camp. ¡°Lucien, I forgot how good you are at dueling!¡± His voice becomes muffled, and I can¡¯t catch the rest of his statement. ¡°Good morning, Luna,¡± calls Lucien. ¡°Sorry we woke you.¡± ¡°G-Good morning,¡± I stutter. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯m going to wash up,¡± says Arthur. ¡°Uh¡­ good morning, Luna.¡± I hear his fading footsteps crunching the earth beneath his boots as he walks away to the nearby river. ¡°Good morning¡­ Arthur,¡± I say, awkwardly, knowing Lucien is the only one remaining. He sighs, as he passes my tent. ¡°I¡¯m sorry we woke you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ alright.¡± There¡¯s a tension in the air, and I am grateful for any sound that can fill even a fraction of the unbearable silence between the three of us. I feel Lucien¡¯s gaze on me, but I have already failed to catch him in the act several times. ¡°Luna,¡± laughs Arthur. Now that the silence is broken, I wonder if it would have been better to endure it, than to listen to Arthur. ¡°Why are you so unusually quiet?¡± It was better. ¡°You¡¯re the one who¡¯s quiet,¡± I retort, catching a quick glimpse of Lucien. He immediately averts his gaze from me. His ear tips become dark. ¡°Look,¡± says Arthur, more seriously. ¡°I know Lucien confided in you about our close relationship, but believe me, nothing¡¯s happened. I¡¯m a free man.¡± I gasp, and look away, wanting to bury myself in a deep hole, or that Gaia will mercifully swallow me whole to remove me from this situation. ¡°Arthur,¡± Lucien whispers harshly. ¡°She thought nothing of it, but you¡¯ve made it awkward.¡± ¡°He did tell me,¡± I admit. ¡°I want nothing to do with it.¡± ¡°Always the smart ones, huh, Lou?¡± Arthur lets out a bitter laugh. ¡°I know you know, so let¡¯s just pretend there¡¯s nothing to it.¡± ¡°Dammit!¡± shouts Lucien, angrily. ¡°Can we just be awkwardly quiet for the rest of this trip, please? She didn¡¯t think anything of it until you said something. You¡¯re the one making everything so uncomfortable, and I wish you¡¯d shut up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m alright with that,¡± I mumble. ¡°And he¡¯s right, I didn¡¯t pass any kind of judgment.¡± I distract myself by staring off into the forest, and spot the shadowstalker again. ¡°Nothing happened, Luna!¡± Arthur whines. ¡°I didn¡¯t think anything happened, but you sound highly concerned, and you¡¯re making me uncomfortable.¡± ¡°See!¡± Lucien shouts. ¡°Nothing happened, but because you mentioned it, it sounds like something did.¡± He crosses his arms over his chest, and we continue to walk in silence. ¡°Is that the shadowstalker you were talking about?¡± Arthur exclaims. Lucien and I wince, feeling pained that he still wants to continue talking with us. ¡°Tis,¡± sighs Lucien. The day felt like endless suffering. The quiet is better than the talking, but the talking is more entertaining. Lucien and Arthur exchange hushed whispers. They¡¯re standing very close, their fingertips brushing past each other as they walk side by side. It reminds me of when my friend got a boyfriend, but they were too embarrassed to share their relationship status with anyone. I felt insignificant. I feel insignificant now. I¡¯m just a passing tree in the forest that surrounds us. Like a disposable character in their romantic tale. I wonder if I should just allow myself to fall behind, and get lost in the sea of people around us. Our lunch is quiet. Our dinner is quiet. Everything is unbearably quiet. I lie in my tent wanting to scream just to fill the silence. I long for Marcellus¡¯ company. I long for my family. I long to be anywhere else but here. ¡°Luna,¡± comes Lucien¡¯s voice from somewhere in the dark. I remain quiet, pretending to have fallen asleep. ¡°Luna, I can hear that you¡¯re awake. I know what your breathing sounds like when you¡¯re sleeping.¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± I ask, trying my best to sound irritated, when in fact, his voice is much more preferable to the silence. ¡°I¡¯ve spoken to your shadowstalker.¡± ¡°What?¡± I gasp quietly, intrigued. ¡°Shhhh,¡± he hisses. ¡°If you wake Arthur, he¡¯ll chase it away.¡± I creep out of my tent, slip on my boots, and pull my cloak tightly over my body. A distraction from this day is just what I need right now. Lucien¡¯s fingers press something against my lips. It¡¯s a leaf. I take it from his hands, and hold it to my nose. The familiar scent of Nightshade Lumina fills my nose with a fishy smell. Moments later, I can see in the darkness as well as I can in the light of day. Lucien presses a finger lightly over my lips to quiet me, then takes my wrist. I¡¯ve been transported into another world where it is just the two of us running through an enchanted forest, as he leads me towards the stars. We travel far from our camp, and towards Selene on the horizon, bright and full and beautiful. My breath is lost when I take in the sight before me; A large waterfall surrounded by lush, flowering plants, the crashing of the waters drowning out all sounds of the surrounding forest. Lucien turns to face me. His long braid cascades over his shoulder, each strand perfectly in place. His robes billow softly in the breeze. The light of the moon perfectly reflects off his horns and the strands of his hair. His eyes are like the embers of a dying flame. He¡¯s even more breath-taking than the sight before me. The shadowstalker is a formless mass of darkness that absorbs all light. It has bright, white eyes that seem to pierce my soul with its gaze. Lucien and I stare, approaching hesitantly. Its shape begins to change, and the figure takes my form. A glowing petal surfaces out of the palm of its hand, and it presses the petal into my palm. I glance over at Lucien, who points at his mouth when our eyes meet. He means for me to eat it. I shake my head, having never encountered such a plant, and knowing that by the color and the glow, it has high chances of coming from a poisonous plant. Lucien points at the petal, and then his mouth, convinced I haven¡¯t understood him. ¡°No,¡± I hiss, and shake my head. ¡°Luna, just do it.¡± ¡°You eat it!¡± I whisper harshly, startling the shadowstalker. It vanishes into a puff of smoke, and reappears poking his head around the trunk of a tree. ¡°Luna, it¡¯s a blessing from Selene.¡± ¡°Blessing? Is that what it said? Did it seem upset with me at all?¡± I twist the soft petal uneasily between my fingers, and look up at the shadowstalker, still hiding. The shadowstalker takes Lucien¡¯s shape, and its form points at the flower petal, then points at its mouth. It thinks it needs to teach me how to eat, and begins demonstrating how to chew and swallow. ¡°It doesn¡¯t have to be today, does it?¡± Lucien speaks to it with his hands which make the sounds of a gentle breeze blowing through the trees, and it responds to him with the sound of a thunderstorm. I flinch from the sound of clapping thunder. Lucien ducks and covers his ears. He flicks his fingers, responding with a gentle ripple of raindrops on the surface of water. ¡°That sounded¡­ not good,¡± I mutter. ¡°It said it¡¯s traveled a long way, and will not hesitate to take the gift away.¡± ¡°Why me?¡± I ask, pointing at myself. A gentle breeze makes the grass ripple around us like waves. Its eyes shut, and it turns away from us. ¡°He said it is what Selene has told him to do, and he will not question the gods.¡± ¡°Selene?¡± I gasp. ¡°They speak to Selene?¡± A small whirlwind surrounds me, and gently blows my hair, as if caressing me. ¡°It¡­ said they do, but it is not permitted to inquire further. It seems fond of you, though. It seems to know who you are from your time in Bellehaven.¡± I twist the petal a few more times in my hand, pinch my nose, and swallow it whole, forcing a smile, as the shadowstalker watches me curiously. Seconds later, it vanishes after it¡¯s convinced I¡¯ve actually swallowed the petal. I go through a mental checklist of healing potions that will save me from an unknown plant poisoning. ¡°I¡¯ll need marigold petals, and¡­ honey, and-¡± ¡°Luna, relax. I think you¡¯re fine.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t just eat the petal,¡± I say harshly. ¡°Is this how I die?¡± My body is plunged into a dark pool of water. The only thing I can see is Selene high in the night sky. I search frantically for land, but Selene only gets closer and larger, until she consumes the sky around me, so bright and full, I need to shield my eyes. Her light is all I can see around me. ¡°A vessel?¡± I hear a gentle voice inquire. ¡°Your best one?¡± ¡°Yes, Mother,¡± a soft voice responds. ¡°She¡¯s perfect, thank you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Mother.¡± Chapter Seven ¡°Luna!¡± Whispers Lucien, patting my cheeks light, in an attempt to wake me. ¡°Luna, wake up. We need to get going.¡± ¡°I¡¯m awake,¡± I grumble, feeling as if I¡¯d fallen from the skies, and hit my head against a stone. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been out for hours. Sol has just about begun to rise.¡± ¡°Hours? What happened?¡± ¡°You ate the petal and collapsed.¡± ¡°Gods,¡± I grumble, getting to my feet, feeling the sticky dampness of my cloak. ¡°I told you it was dangerous. Why am I all wet? Did it rain?¡± ¡°Briefly.¡± I curse internally, missing the comforts of my home and bed. I push past Lucien, but he takes me by the arm and tugs me backward. I pull back my arm irritably, and glare at him. ¡°Yes, Lucien?¡± ¡°Our camp is¡­ this way,¡± he says, shyly, walking in the opposite direction I¡¯d been headed. I huff, embarrassed, and follow him, pulling my cloak low over my face to hide my shame. This morning is no different than the previous, except Arthur has realized Lucien can¡¯t be bothered to even entertain the idea of light banter. ¡°I heard of a wonderful uh¡­ inn that¡¯s nearby, where we could possibly get some much-needed rest in a bed. I can¡­ pay, of course,¡± he says, hesitantly. ¡°No,¡± I mutter. My parents have always discouraged me from accepting favors from others to avoid ever having the displeasure of repaying them. I definitely don¡¯t want to owe someone like Arthur some money. ¡°Nonsense, as our traveling companion, you also deserve a rest. I have the coin for it.¡± ¡°I have my own coin,¡± I hold my head high, and speed ahead of him. ¡°I don¡¯t need yours.¡± The inn is lively with music, dancing, and plenty of other travelers that are already drunk. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my cheapest room is already occupied,¡± the woman at the counter says apologetically. ¡°I¡¯ll need more coins for the last available room. It¡¯s a busy season with the Academy, I¡¯m afraid, so we¡¯re not bargaining.¡± ¡°Put it on my tab,¡± Arthur places coins on the counter, and gives the woman a wink. She takes the coins, bites her lip when she looks up at his face, and walks away backwards, not breaking eye contact with him until she runs into a wall. ¡°I don¡¯t need your help. I can just camp outside,¡± I complain. ¡°Are you Lucien now?¡± ¡°Not that I care, but what on earth do you mean?¡± ¡°He¡¯s always sleeping outside, despite having plenty of coins for many comforts.¡± ¡°He hates the noise, and I don¡¯t have coins. I can¡¯t accept this. I can¡¯t repay you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t. Consider it a gift or a favor.¡± ¡°No! That¡¯s even worse,¡± I turn back towards the counter in search of the woman. ¡°Madam! Please! I don¡¯t need a room.¡± The woman reappears with a key in her hand. ¡°You don¡¯t?¡± She asks, puzzled. ¡°Sorry, my friend is just¡­ uh¡­ a little drunk. I¡¯ll be walking her up to her room, thank you,¡± he takes the key from her hand, spins me around, and begins to push me towards the flight of stairs. ¡°An actual favor?¡± I ask, inquiringly. ¡°Or would I have to sleep with you or something? Cause I¡¯m not going to do that. The very thought of it-¡± ¡°- An actual favor.¡± ¡°- Will make me vomit.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± he mutters, with a grimace. ¡°Enjoy your room. You¡¯re sharing with Lucien.¡± ¡°Sharing?¡± ¡°Unless you want to listen to the sounds of-¡± ¡°Got it. Good luck to your vic-¡­ good luck on your endeavors.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a hot bath coming to your room. Try to enjoy it.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t accept-¡± ¡°Then, let Lucien have it to himself. I don¡¯t care.¡± I plunge my head beneath the hot water until I can no longer breathe, then rush up to the surface, gasping for air. The hot water is relieving all the aches and pains in my legs, and cleansing me of my travels. ¡°What the hell are you doing?¡± Asks Lucien, peeking through the entry of the washroom. I reflexively hide beneath the water, even though there¡¯s a screen standing between us, and I¡¯m well hidden from his sight. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just washing,¡± I grumble. ¡°It¡¯s a bath, not a river. Stop splashing all over the floor.¡± I look around me. The dim candle light reflects off many puddles of water on the floor. ¡°It¡¯s not that bad,¡± I try to say convincingly. I can almost hear the roll of his eyes when he sighs deeply. He must think I¡¯m childish. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll dry up before I¡¯m done,¡± I say, defensively. ¡°I don¡¯t care if it does. I¡¯d just like to still have a functioning washroom when it¡¯s my turn.¡± I sit at the edge of my bed, fiddling with my wooden toy horse. There¡¯s a tightness in my chest, making me want to implode. How can I possibly miss all the people in my life I¡¯d been dying to get away from? How can I miss them, while being so excited to finally leave them? Lucien exits the washroom, and an herbal steam flows out across the floor, flooding my senses. I look up at him, and give him a sad smile. ¡°Would you like to get dinner downstairs? We could put it on Arthur¡¯s tab,¡± he gives me a pitying smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I have food left in my pack.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell him it was all me.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± I follow him out, and we share quiet giggles as we discuss the foods we¡¯ll indulge in. At the table, we wait for our order to arrive as we drink our second cup of ale for the evening. I laugh at Lucien¡¯s dark blue flushed cheeks. He¡¯s already drunk, and I¡¯m trying to stop him from ordering another ale, hardly able to resist the endearing look on his face as he questions why I won¡¯t indulge him. I wonder if he¡¯s the type of drunk to let down his defenses. I wish he could, because I¡¯m curious about him. ¡°Is there something on my face?¡± He asks, wiping his cheeks. ¡°Please, madam- oh, why won¡¯t she stop?¡± ¡°No,¡± someone behind me responds, tickling my ear, making me flinch. ¡°There¡¯s nothing on your face.¡± While I glare at Arthur for standing so close, he walks around the table with an amused smile, and takes a seat next to Lucien. ¡°You seem rather entertained by Lucien''s embarrassing state.¡± ¡°Embarrassing?¡± Lucien asks, timidly, wiping at his cheeks again. ¡°Entertained?¡± I ask. ¡°You¡¯re already incredibly drunk,¡± he informs Lucien, then turns to me. ¡°Lucien cannot handle his alcohol- My dear lady, some bread, cheese, and stew. Fresh fruit if you have it.¡± ¡°And some-¡± begins Lucien. ¡°Yes, sir,¡± a woman replies quickly, being called away by several other patrons. ¡°Did you enjoy your bath?¡± Arthur asks me, after giving a woman behind me a flirtatious smile. I turn around to face her, and mouth out the words ¡®He¡¯s engaged.¡¯ She points at me. I shake my head in horror. She¡¯s undeterred. I roll my eyes, and return my attention to Arthur. ¡°It¡­ was nice. Thank you,¡± I murmur. ¡°Have you ever even experienced such a thing, living in the middle of nowhere?¡± ¡°I live in Bellehaven, not a cave.¡± ¡°Probably not since you left Mirror Lake, then?¡± ¡°Arthur,¡± Lucien scolds him, slurring. ¡°For goodness¡¯ sake, let her be. She already thanked you.¡± ¡°So irritable. What¡¯s the matter, Lucien?¡± He says, poking his cheek. ¡°You¡¯re supposed to be a fun drunk.¡± Lucien slaps his hand away, and moves away from him. ¡°Stop being purposely difficult,¡± he mutters. ¡°I agree with Lucien, stop being purposely difficult,¡± I repeat. ¡°You¡¯re both in a mood. What happened, Lucien? Was the bath not cold enough?¡± Lucien tries to frown at Arthur, but the fake pout Arthur¡¯s is now wearing on his face causes him to smile instead. ¡°I saw a vision of you married to a light elf,¡± he says, turning to face me and giving me a playful wink. I hide my smile behind my cup. ¡°You¡¯re such a cruel liar. Don¡¯t do that to me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, you didn¡¯t marry one. You become King Arthur of Castin and Mirror Lake, and Isabella gives you five beautiful children, all of them ruling their own kingdoms, becoming powerful Fire-Wielders, and Earth-Menders, but never stronger than you. A true legendary Mystic.¡± Arthur scoffs. ¡°Luna! Tell me more about yourself and your quaint little upbringing.¡± ¡°Why should I?¡± I ask, taking a long drink of water. ¡°Well, Lucien seems to like you, so now I¡¯m wondering what the attraction is.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because she¡¯s practically your opposite,¡± mutters Lucien, taking my cup of ale from me, and taking a long drink. ¡°Polite, respectful, and she minds her own.¡± ¡°That can¡¯t be it,¡± Arthur presses his lips together, stifling a laugh. I wonder if he always torments poor Lucien. I raise a hand, drawing the attention of the server. I mouth out the word ¡®ale¡¯, and she nods. Lucien raises a hand, but she turns away before he can say anything. ¡°I¡­ uh¡­¡± I try to think of something insignificant to mention that will distract him sufficiently enough. ¡°I like to¡­ write.¡± ¡°You¡­ like to write,¡± he repeats drolly. ¡°You write, but you¡¯re poor?¡± ¡°Uh- yes,¡± I say, spotting a tray of food heading towards our table. ¡°Just because I¡¯m poor doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m¡­ uneducated¡­¡± Arthur excitedly takes up his utensils, and digs right in. I ask for another cup of ale, planning to give it to poor Lucien. I¡¯m grateful for the distraction eating brings, as he¡¯s dropped the conversation in order to stuff food into his mouth. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°What do you write about?¡± He asks with his mouth full. ¡°You¡¯re disgusting,¡± I say, repulsed. ¡°What?¡± He asks. ¡°Don¡¯t talk with your mouth full, Your Majesty,¡± mutters Lucien. Arthur drops his utensils on the table, and presses a finger to Lucien¡¯s mouth, startling him. ¡°Stop your nonsense,¡± he hisses. ¡°We can eat in silence, if that¡¯s what you wish.¡± When Arthur frowns, I almost feel bad for him. I know I¡¯ll regret continuing our conversation, but I¡¯d really like not to spend another day not talking. ¡°I just like writing¡­ anything. My dull life, made up tales, notes on my studies, drawings of plants. Everything. It¡¯s comforting. My parents got me a book to fill while I study at the Academy.¡± ¡°That sounds very nice. Have you written anything in it?¡± Lucien looks up at full attention, almost surprised he doesn¡¯t have to shout at him again, but prepared to do so, anyway. ¡°Not yet. I haven¡¯t had time to fill it.¡± ¡°You said you had sisters, right? Are your sisters nice? My brothers hate me.¡± Lucien laughs bitterly. ¡°You make fun of them all the time. Of course they hate you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about,¡± he winks at me, taking another bite of food, excited to get a negative reaction out of Lucien. ¡°Of course you don¡¯t,¡± Lucien says, turning to face me with a look of concern. ¡°If you¡¯d wanted to write, you could have just informed us. We have plenty of time.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to slow us down over something I¡¯ll have plenty of time for later.¡± ¡°She¡¯s not about to write about Marcellus with the two of us around, either,¡± Arthur chuckles. Lucien and I roll our eyes. ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡¯d write about. I want to write down what Lucien told me of the love story between Selene and Sol. And- And other things. Like the plants and the animals in these parts of the forests.¡± ¡°A love story? They¡¯re gods. How much love could there be?¡± ¡°Forbidden love sounds romantic,¡± I muse, catching Lucien eyeing Arthur. ¡°Romantic? Do you hear this nonsense, Lucien?¡± He says, slapping Lucien¡¯s back hard enough to wake him from his daydream. ¡°She thinks forbidden love is romantic. It¡¯s stupid if you ask me. Why risk it? They¡¯re idiots for getting themselves excommunicated, becoming weak and powerless. For love, no less. I¡¯d have never done that.¡± ¡°Then you¡¯ve never loved, I¡¯m sure,¡± I say, my thoughts on Marcellus. ¡°I¡¯ve loved,¡± he laughs. ¡°I¡¯ve loved plenty of times. You seem the most inexperienced.¡± ¡°She means real love,¡± sighs Lucien. ¡°Not whatever it is you do.¡± ¡°What¡¯s real love?¡± Lucien and I look at each other, unable to come up with an answer. ¡°Seriously? Is it like my father, blinded and taken advantage of by that woman? Or like my political arrangements to marry other royalty for power and land?¡± ¡°It¡¯s like my parents,¡± I say, hesitantly. ¡°Putting up with each other¡¯s flaws, secretly taking admiring glances at one another, and willing to sacrifice anything for each other. A-Amongst other things.¡± Lucien peeks a glance at me then acts as if he¡¯s distracted with his food. ¡°You¡¯re poor, of course that¡¯s how you think it works.¡± Lucien chokes, then slaps his hand on the table, stands to his feet, and pulls me up with him. He takes up our plates, and pushes me towards the stairs. ¡°Let¡¯s enjoy dinner in our room,¡± he sighs heavily, and I can hear the anger in his tone. I follow him, taking a backward glance at Arthur with a pitying look. He looks away, almost embarrassed, but still quite smug. We sit at the edges of our bed, Lucien and I, quietly finishing our dinners, sneaking shy glances at each other. I don¡¯t know what it means to be doing this with someone I don¡¯t know, but it¡¯s fun, and it makes my heart race. I return our plates downstairs, knowing Lucien would prefer not to risk catching a glimpse of Arthur, still seething with anger I can¡¯t quite understand. As I head back up the stairs with two additional cups of ale for us, I spot Arthur on the landing kissing a pretty girl with long, golden hair, and pale skin. I rush past him, unnoticed, slip inside my room, and shut the door behind me quietly. I hand a cup to Lucien, and set the other on a table, where I¡¯ve set up my book, pen and ink bottle. With my pen dipped in ink, I begin scratching away the image of the shadowstalker, flower petal, and spirit-filled forest during the light rain shower. ¡°You¡¯ve captured everything almost perfectly.¡± I jump away, having not heard Lucien approach behind me. ¡°Thank you,¡± I say, leaning back so he could view it better. ¡°But I¡¯m not a great artist. I do enjoy it, though. It calms me.¡± ¡°What¡¯s this plant?¡± He points. ¡°The sleeping herb?¡± ¡°Yes, I thought it would be useful to remember¡­ since I have trouble sleeping.¡± ¡°I see,¡± he says, then quickly adds. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to pry. Your journal is probably very private, and it¡¯s rude of me to stand over your shoulder like this.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. My writing used to annoy Miss Eisley because I would be sketching other things, but it¡¯s hard to focus when there¡¯s so many things you don¡¯t want to forget. She was especially annoyed that it was never in any particular order, but how else was I to take notes, sketch, and write down my inner thoughts at the same time? It is private in a way, though.¡± ¡°Master Eaimer would keep you as a scribe,¡± he pauses, deep in thought, before he continues speaking. ¡°Well, except that chronological order problem would have to be fixed. Luna, I¡¯m sorry that¡­ this trip has been uncomfortable for you. I¡¯ll try to be in better spirits tomorrow.¡± I look up at him, his face outlined by the light of the moon through the window. His appearance is enchanting, and all I can do is stare at him while I try to find a voice to speak. ¡°Thank you,¡± I finally reply. ¡°I¡¯m going to bed. Arthur won¡¯t be awake until noon, I¡¯m sure, so you need not rush with your writing.¡± ¡°Alright, but I¡¯ll be finished soon enough. I¡¯m growing tired.¡± After I spend some time updating my journal with all the notes of my journey, I leave it open to allow the ink to dry on the desk, and my pen and ink are nestled back inside my bag. In the night, I hear Lucien stir. The sound sends adrenaline rushing through me. I¡¯m immediately alert, and sitting upright in my bed. ¡°You need not fret, I¡¯m just going downstairs,¡± he reassures me. ¡°It¡¯s the middle of the night,¡± I whisper, rubbing my eyes. ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t sleep. I think I just need to take a short walk through the forest.¡± ¡°One moment,¡± I say, bleary-eyed. I get out of bed, pull my cloak around my body, and fasten my belt around my waist. I search my pack for my dagger, and attach it to my belt. ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± I yawn. ¡°Luna, please. I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°Look, if you run into thieves, and get attacked, or whatever, I don¡¯t want to be the one to inform Arthur I let you go out at night alone. He might never shut up.¡± ¡°The roads are protected by the city guards.¡± ¡°But you¡¯re not going to remain on the road, are you?¡± ¡°Very well, but there¡¯s not much you can do for me, is there? I¡¯ve yet to see you use that thing, except to skin a rabbit.¡± ¡°Even better, then. I¡¯m safer with you in the forest than I am here alone. I could use a breath of cold, crisp evening air, anyway.¡± ¡°I¡¯m flattered you¡¯d think such a thing.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s true. I¡¯m safe with you.¡± The grass crunches beneath my boots as we wander away from the inn in search of a place from which we can view the stars. I glance over at Lucien, who seems sure he¡¯s spotted a clearing in the distance. Like a ghost Lucien moves soundlessly and effortlessly, as if he were gliding across the forest floor. The night air chills me as I struggle to keep up with him, with sweat beading on my brow and my breathing heavy. The wind picks up when we reach the edge of a forest clearing. It blows my hair up, which obscures my view of Lucien standing before me. He glances at me for a brief moment before running towards the center of the clearing, expecting me to chase him, and I do, because I¡¯m inexplicably drawn to him. The light of the inn and the road is no longer visible from this distance. He places his cloak over a spot on the ground, lies down, and leans back on his arms to watch the stars. I stand over him, our eyes meeting for a moment too long just before I join him. As I lie back on the soft grass, I pull my cloak tightly around me. The stars are brighter out here so far from the main road, and my thoughts return to Bellehaven. ¡°You¡¯re missing home?¡± He asks, trying to read my face. ¡°I¡¯m not going to survive long, am I?¡± I sigh, feeling disappointed, and somewhat amused. ¡°Try to imagine the alternative.¡± ¡°I could be with Marc. We¡¯d be miserably cold, warming ourselves up together by a small campfire.¡± ¡°Sounds wonderful to me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re teasing me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not capable. I mean it, it sounds nice to be with someone you care about.¡± ¡°What would you be doing?¡± I inquire. ¡°Preparing for the Celestial Alignment,¡± his gaze turns towards the stars. ¡°Lanterns, festivities, and everything else. Master Eaimer would be scolding me for not being completely focused on my studies. ¡®You¡¯ll have time for all of that later,¡¯ he¡¯d say. He always made sure I enjoyed myself between my studies, though. So long as it didn¡¯t interfere.¡± ¡°You light the lanterns, too?¡± ¡°Hundreds of them! We paddle boats out onto the water, then release them into the skies and the river. It¡¯s like being surrounded by the stars,¡± his voice trails off, and he wears a dreamy smile. I could almost picture it, and I¡¯m probably grinning like an idiot. Lucien looks at me, and laughs. ¡°You like to get lost in the stars, too, I see.¡± ¡°The thought that they could be other worlds has made them more appealing, I must admit. I¡¯ve been having dreams where I can sail through them on a ship, and I¡¯d find so many new plants and animals.¡± ¡°Would you like to explore the stars with me, Luna?¡± He asks, making a small orb of light, as dim as a candle, shine in the palm of his hand. ¡°Sure, whenever you figure out how to travel to them.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll have to settle for cheap magic tricks.¡± He sends out many of the small orbs of light from his palm, and they float gracefully all around us, bobbing in the night breezes. I almost can¡¯t distinguish the ground from the skies in the darkness. I jump to my feet, wanting to burn this moment in my memory, definitely grinning like an idiot this time. I am a traveler, exploring the universe in search of the other gods. I want to see their worlds. I want to meet their people. I want to live their lives. They spin, and blink as I weave through them, and one by one, they begin to flicker out, until there are only the stars above us in the night sky. The soft grass beneath my feet cushions my fall back to reality. ¡°Lucien!¡± I cheer, when sadness fades away like the lights. ¡°That was beautiful!¡± ¡°Well, I had to make it up to you for keeping you up so late.¡± ¡°Ah, yes¡­ We should probably get back.¡± ¡°We should.¡± ¡°In several more minutes?¡± He smiles warmly at me and nods. The next morning, Lucien and I check out of our room, and wait downstairs for Arthur to make an appearance. Lucien picks absently at a bowl of roasted nuts, and I am nibbling away at a fresh loaf of bread, and sipping a cup of coffee. ¡°How did you sleep?¡± I ask, taking a drink of water. Movement on the landing draws my attention. It¡¯s the woman I¡¯d seen Arthur kissing the previous night making her way out of the inn. I try not to stare for long, but Lucien spots her immediately, and gives her a sad smile as she walks out, her teary eyes red and puffy. ¡°I slept well,¡± he grumbles, looking away from me. ¡°Good.¡± ¡°Thank you for the sleeping draught.¡± ¡°You really should just keep those on you at all times.¡± ¡°I should, but then I¡¯d have no room for the rest of my things,¡± he laughs. ¡°You should try a method that extracts the juices, and it could be especially concentrated. A single drop could be enough, if you make it correctly. Evaporation or-¡± ¡°I¡¯ll work on that.¡± ¡°You claim to be good at potions. It shouldn¡¯t be too difficult for you.¡± ¡°Morning!¡± Shouts Arthur from the top of the staircase. ¡°Lou. Other Lou. The Lous?¡± I flinch at the sound of his voice. He¡¯s embarrassingly loud and obnoxious, drawing attention to himself from the other patrons. ¡°Absolutely not,¡± I mutter. ¡°Good morning, Arthur,¡± says Lucien with a warm smile, pulling out a chair at his side for him to sit. ¡°I didn¡¯t know we would be getting such an early start, I would have gone to bed sooner.¡± He takes a few handfuls of nuts from the bowl in front of Lucien, then eyes my tray of food. I push it towards him, having had my fill. He pulls off a hunk of bread for himself, and slathers it with butter. He takes a drink from my cup, and when I refuse to take it back, he finishes it off. ¡°I¡¯ll be quick, then,¡± he says, getting to his feet, and heading back up the stairs, with bread hanging from his mouth. On the road once again, Lucien and I listen to Arthur speak of a strange woman he¡¯d met one night on his way back to Mirror Lake from Nien. ¡°She said she possessed death magic. Reanimated corpses, and such. She sounded absolutely ridiculous. Death magic. I mean, imagine such a thing!¡± ¡°Such a thing exists, but it is not common. It¡¯s a lesser form of dark magic,¡± states Lucien. ¡°Oh? Are you going to tell me that some form of life magic exists, too? She was human!¡± ¡°I met someone passing through Bellehaven that could bring plants back to life!¡± I chime in. ¡°He said he was hiding, and trying to make his way to Mirror Lake.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure it was just an Earth-Mender. It¡¯s what they do.¡± I shrug, having never met a Light-Weaver in my life to compare the man to. ¡°He had¡­ a strange appearance. His eyes were the lightest blue I¡¯d ever seen, and he wore a large hat to keep the sun off his face. He refused to remove it.¡± ¡°Or even a Water-Bearer! How gullible you must be!¡± ¡°I guess I am. I fully believed him,¡± I say, feeling a tinge of irritation. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± Lucien chuckles. ¡°Arthur used to believe that nightstalkers were evil spirits that steal children¡¯s souls if they misbehaved.¡± My irritation subsides, realizing he¡¯s trying to comfort me. ¡°I was a child. Those are the tales they tell children to get them to sleep at night,¡± he scoffs. ¡°It¡¯s natural to believe such things.¡± ¡°You believed it to be true until just a few years ago.¡± ¡°Goodness, Lucien,¡± he says, exasperated, with a wide grin. ¡°Yes, Arthur?¡± Lucien asks, annoyed. ¡°You know what,¡± he says, giving me a sideways glance. Lucien glares at him. ¡°What the hell are you both going on about?¡± I ask. ¡°He¡¯s absolutely s-¡± Lucien flicks his fingers towards Arthur, and he is suddenly spitting up water in the middle of the road. ¡°Arthur!¡± I cry out, running to his side. ¡°Are you alright, what happened?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he grumbles, glaring at Lucien, continuing to cough. ¡°Why¡¯d you do that?¡± I scold Lucien with a whining tone. ¡°Don¡¯t trust him with secrets, he can¡¯t keep his mouth shut. Sometimes I¡¯m forced to keep it shut for him.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to say anything,¡± he says, with another cough. ¡°You know that wasn¡¯t very nice, Lucien,¡± I scold. Lucien huffs, and stops down the path ahead of us. Several more days have passed, and we are just a day¡¯s walk away from the City of Lights. The lanterns of the city are clearly visible from our position. Lucien and Arthur walk in silence, and I am afraid of saying anything that will make matters worse. I can¡¯t wait for this journey to come to an end, feeling desperate to be rid of both of them. Chapter Eight A large crowd is lined outside the city walls, all of us waiting to be permitted entry into the city. My letters are ready, and I keep them close, safely tucked away at my belt. Lucien and Arthur are whispering quietly to each other, the conversation growing intense. I try my best to ignore them, feeling an ache in my feet, and hunger in my stomach. I think about the sorts of foods I will find once I¡¯m in the city, and wonder if it will be anything like my mother¡¯s cooking. A cart selling pastries is pushing past us, and the smells waft towards the crowd, making me hungrier than before. I search through my purse in hopes of finding an extra coin to buy one, but the small amount I have left is for sending letters back home to my family. ¡°Luna?¡± Arthur taps my shoulder, and hands me a wrapped package. I open it, releasing the wonderful smells of the meat pastry inside. It¡¯s intoxicating, and makes my mouth water. ¡°Keep it for yourself,¡± I say, reluctantly rewrapping it, and pushing it back into his hands. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous, I¡¯ve already had one.¡± ¡°Then you take it, Lucien,¡± I say, pushing the package at him. Lucien takes it, and tears the pastry in half. ¡°We can share,¡± he says, eating his half in a single bite. I eat the remaining half slowly. It¡¯s the most delicious meat pastry I¡¯ve ever had in my life. I take a drink out of my canteen, which is now empty, and curse internally. Lucien hands me his full canteen, and I take a long, satisfying drink from it. ¡°I¡¯ll repay you later,¡± I state. ¡°Remind me. I¡¯ll repay you for the room, and the bath at the inn, as well. Just let me know how much it was. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± Arthur retorts. ¡°I¡¯m serious.¡± ¡°Fine, fine. But I hate forcing my friends to pay me back.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to be your friend,¡± I mutter, in disbelief. His mouth parts, and he gapes at me. Lucien stifles a laugh. ¡°I don¡¯t want to be friends with either of you,¡± I admit, more confidently. It¡¯s Lucien¡¯s turn to gape at me now. ¡°You don¡¯t mean that,¡± cries Arthur. ¡°I¡¯ve left my friends and family behind, and will probably be away from them for more than a decade. Then I meet the two of you, and you can barely stop fighting like a couple of children. If I ever see the two of you again, it¡¯ll be too soon. Maybe once the two of you have grown up, I won¡¯t be so embarrassed to be associated with either of you.¡± ¡°Gods, Luna!¡± Arthur moans, his cheeks flushed. ¡°Fine, you can repay me, but you don¡¯t have to be so hurtful!¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯m also quite serious.¡± I feel myself getting angrier when Arthur laughs off my comments. At least Lucien appears embarrassed and deeply regretful. Once in the city, I am overwhelmingly stressed by the surrounding chaos. Luckily, I¡¯m given an escort to the Academy. A woman meets us at the front gates claiming to have been sent by the Headmaster and Headmistress. She wears the crest of the Academy on her sleeve; the alchemical symbols of the four elements on a shield crest. After she¡¯s rounded up several of the other new level two students, we¡¯re taken to the Academy by carriage. I stare out the window at the tall structures of the city. They¡¯re taller than any of the buildings in Bellehaven, and sit closer together. There are many shops with large windows, and signs. Shops for clothing, books, souvenirs, shoes, sweets, enchantments and so on. The streets are crowded with vendors, and the intoxicating smells of fried dough, meats, nuts, and other unfamiliar scents, which makes my nose tingle. How dramatic has the change been in the rest of the world while Bellehaven slept in its tiny corner a short journey away? The women¡¯s living quarters at the Academy are separated from the men¡¯s, to my relief, and I can finally be rid of Lucien and Arthur for the time being. I¡¯m escorted to my room, and discover I will share it with three other students at my level, each specializing in another elements to encourage us to learn from each other. I¡¯m the eldest in my room, but I was reassured it is not uncommon. My schedule, a list of supplies needed for the entirety of my second level classes, and a list of shops from which to purchase my materials are waiting for me at my small study desk. A few days before classes are scheduled to begin, I hand two letters and the last of my coins to a messenger. When I return to my room, I lock up my bag in a trunk that sits at the foot of my bed. The key hangs from a loop on my belt, and I¡¯m afraid of losing it, so I hide it in my mattress instead. Today, I am determined to find work in the city to pay for my studies. The wonderful thing about the Academy is that it graciously loans its students money to purchase their supplies as long as they promise to pay it back before continuing on to their next level. The unfortunate thing is that I¡¯m encouraged to begin paying it off as quickly as possible before it collects too much interest. I explore the city, and apply to any position I can find; A server at an inn, washing dishes at a pub, cleaning horse stables, preparing potion ingredients in a shop. Anywhere and anything I can find. Most of the positions have already been filled by the more diligent students of the Academy who will also struggle to pay off their loans, and I fear I may have begun my search too late. ¡°How well are your potion-making skills?¡± Asks the potions shop owner. She looks older than any Mystic I¡¯ve ever met, and I wonder how old she was when she first reached level six, and received the immortality potion. Her nails are long and stained in various colors, usually the sign of a failed potion. The unruly waves of her hair are an indication that she might have ancestors originating from Ibis Islands. Half of it is being held up in a bun at the top of her head with a pin, the rest cascading down her shoulders and back. ¡°I thought I would just be preparing the ingredients.¡± ¡°You will, but I might need help making potions to keep the shop running.¡± ¡°Well, I suppose I should go, then,¡± I say, nervously inching towards the door. ¡°I might still get that dish-washing job at the pub if I beg enough.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, dear. You¡¯re attending the Academy, correct?¡± I nod. ¡°So you will learn eventually¡± ¡°Please,¡± I laugh nervously. ¡°Don¡¯t let me waste your time. I¡¯m horrible at it.¡± ¡°Then, I will teach you. You seem bright.¡± ¡°It¡¯ll be a challenge for both of us,¡± I admit, embarrassed, my hand on the door knob. ¡°Sit. I¡¯ve never met anyone who is too difficult to teach. Even the ones that think they know more than me. I could always use a challenge, it keeps me young.¡± I look up towards the ceiling of the shop, wondering how much damage I can cause if it¡¯s low enough. ¡°I¡¯m an Earth-Mender. My shop is safe.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ Are you accustomed to explosions around here?¡± ¡°I still make mistakes myself, when I experiment,¡± she says, wiggling her fingers in the air. ¡°I¡¯ve hired Fire-Wielders who practiced their spells in my shop, and it still couldn¡¯t be burned down.¡± ¡°Right.¡± She presses some coins into my hand, and turns away, walking through a doorway that leads to another room at the rear of the shop. I stare at the coins awkwardly. ¡°What would you like me to do with this?¡± I call out to her. ¡°You can take those coins to buy yourself dinner. I can¡¯t expect you to work on an empty stomach. You sound like you haven¡¯t eaten in days,¡± she calls back. ¡°Uh¡­ Just a little light on coins after my long journey, and with classes not starting yet, the dining hall is sparse.¡± ¡°You should make enough by Selara. I pay on the first of every month.¡± I count off the months on my fingers. ¡°Half a year? That¡¯s too much!¡± She returns to the front of the shop with a frown on her face. ¡°Never say that, child!¡± She puts on a pair of spectacles. ¡°Some will begin to believe they can take advantage of you. Never underestimate the value of your time. Now, go and get dinner. Get some rest. Return once you¡¯ve settled down and had something to eat. You can work in your plain clothes, but I expect you to keep a clean appearance. You must also remain focused on your courses while you work here, and I expect to see your scores. You will not lose your position if you need some time to study, arrive late or need to take time off. Just don¡¯t get lazy. Do you understand? I¡¯ve attended the Academy, and I¡¯ll know if you¡¯re slacking.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ Right. Thank you,¡± I mumble, surprised by her generosity. ¡°Every year, there are plenty of students coming from less fortunate families that cannot afford the Academy. It¡¯s a shame that only the rich have been able to become Mystics in the past. The people in the city have agreed to help some of the less fortunate, so that they may focus on their studies, without concerning themselves with coins. Does that answer your unasked questions?¡± ¡°But¡­ why?¡± ¡°The rich Mystics care less and less about helping others these days. They learn magic for themselves, and for a profit. They¡¯re also spoiled rotten, and useless, if you ask me. Being a Mystic is about helping those who cannot help themselves. There are some exceptions, but not many.¡± ¡°Thank you, then. Truly. For this opportunity.¡± ¡°Go. Your first lesson will be a short one tonight after the shop has closed.¡± This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡°Alright.¡± Lunch is lonely, as I sit in the dining hall surrounded by strangers. I watch several of the high level students greet old classmates, and newer students shyly introduce themselves to each other. I wish I had the courage to do the same, but I have no time to suddenly find courage when I have to return to the shop. I take a short rest in my room after a large lunch, and just before leaving the Academy, I meet the first of my roommates. I rush off with an awkward wave, back to the shop before I have the opportunity to properly introduce myself, but she assures me she understands my predicament, and I¡¯m grateful. ¡°¡­ here are all the stirring rods. Use the metal ones when brewing the potions, and the glass ones only for mixing. Unlabeled potions will be placed in that box, which brings me to my next rule; avoid keeping potions unlabeled. It takes time to identify some of them, as I have my own recipes, and I refuse to sell them without a label. Understood?¡± I nod. ¡°The wooden mortar is for non-staining herbs only. If you must use it, I have one that has been stained in every color over the years,¡± she says, pointing at a shelf lined with wooden mortars. ¡°Feel free to use the marble one each time if you prefer, but never touch the labeled wooden ones. They¡¯re reserved for only the rarest of ingredients, which must remain pure. Ingredients are freshest on the first and second day of the week, which is when I make most of the elixirs. However, production does not stop at all. You will have plenty to keep yourself busy.¡± I make a mental note to write this all down later in my book. ¡°Can you write?¡± She asks me. ¡°I can.¡± ¡°Good, I will have you writing down customer orders. Some of the potions are not readily available in the shop, so ingredients must be gathered. On the first and last day of the week, I will make regular journeys into the forest north of here. If you accompany me, I can teach you how to forage for them. If you are busy with your studies, I do not expect you to show up. I will trust you to use your best judgment.¡± ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°It¡¯s Madam Lyra Treeleaf.¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf,¡± I declare with more gusto. ¡°Any questions before I release you?¡± ¡°How early do you forage for ingredients?¡± ¡°When Sol rises, until he rises again.¡± ¡°A whole day?¡± I must have sounded shocked, because she laughs at me. ¡°Yes, my dear, but you are not expected to show up. Some ingredients are better picked at different times of the day, as you know, and I must keep my shop well stocked.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ be sure to show up this weekend.¡± ¡°Relax, my child. You need not worry yourself. I may look old, but there is life in me.¡± ¡°Right,¡± I say, wondering exactly how old she is, but not rude enough to ask. ¡°Please come bright and early tomorrow morning, if you plan to show. I prefer not to wait. Goodnight, Luna.¡± ¡°Goodnight, Madam Treeleaf.¡± When I return to the Academy that evening, I sit in the dining hall picking at my food absently with a fork as I write down anything I can remember from the past few hours. ¡°Luna!¡± Shouts a voice, across the hall. I look up reflexively, but turn away quickly, when I realize who it is that¡¯s called me. ¡°Luna!¡± Arthur shouts, standing right behind me. ¡°Did you not notice me?¡± I flinch, knocking over my cup of water, getting some of it on my tunic as it spills over the edge of the table. He climbs into a bench next to me with a full plate of food, and I watch him with narrowed eyes, as I dab at my tunic with a rag. ¡°Yes, Arthur?¡± I try to sound as annoyed as possible, which really isn¡¯t very difficult when conversing with him. ¡°You¡¯re seriously going to remain upset?¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry,¡± I snark. ¡°I suppose I should be grateful for the discomfort you put me through on the last stretch of my trip, then?¡± ¡°You have to admit it was better than making that journey alone.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know,¡± I mumble. ¡°I¡¯ll have to try it in another lifetime.¡± ¡°Have you seen Lucien?¡± He continues, ignoring my obvious annoyance. ¡°No,¡± I reply, returning to my meal and notes. ¡°I¡¯d prefer not to see either of you.¡± Though I really wish it were Lucien having dinner with me, and not Arthur. ¡°What¡¯s that you¡¯re working on?¡± He reaches for my book. ¡°Something that¡¯s not yours,¡± I reprimand, threatening to stab him with the nib of my pen. He leans over, to peer over my shoulder at the pages of my book. I sigh with defeat, and put it away. ¡°The potions shop?¡± He asks. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Why are you writing instructions for a potions shop?¡± ¡°Ugh,¡± I groan. ¡°I got a position to work there so I can pay off my schooling.¡± ¡°The one nearby? You sure are diligent, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to tell you where it is so you can show up and annoy me.¡± ¡°We can¡¯t all be like you, Arthur,¡± says Lucien, taking a seat next to me. I sense another argument, and plan an escape route away from the table. ¡°Enjoy your dinner,¡± I say, quickly gathering my belongings so I can leave quickly. ¡°Stay, Luna, please,¡± pleads Arthur. ¡°No, thank you,¡± my lip curls into a half scowl for a second. ¡°I¡¯d like to enjoy my evening, and it doesn¡¯t involve you.¡± ¡°I swear I will not make this evening unpleasant for you,¡± promises Lucien, tugging at the hem of my tunic lightly. ¡°And I¡¯ll be sure that Arthur does the same.¡± I try to come up with a valid excuse to leave, but Lucien¡¯s promise and the soft tone of his voice weakens my resolve. I have no fight left in me, as I¡¯ve already begun to miss the company of others. The other girls in my room are all much younger than me, and have been busy exploring the city. I¡¯ve had no time to do the same due to my search for work. ¡°Very well,¡± I say, airily. ¡°But I¡¯m leaving the moment I get annoyed.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t take much then, I imagine,¡± states Arthur, placing his napkin in his lap and picking up his utensil. ¡°Only with you,¡± I huff. ¡°O-Oh, sorry,¡± he mumbles. ¡°Please give me another chance.¡± ¡°He¡¯s been home too long. He keeps forgetting you¡¯re equals here,¡± Lucien explains, resting one elbow on the table as he eats. ¡°Do they not teach you manners? How can anyone stand you?¡± I groan, sitting down, and spreading my things out onto the table. ¡°Only for¡­¡± he looks down at his plate, and eats quietly. ¡°He¡¯s taught how to treat those above his station. Nobody else is deemed worthy.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Scoffs Arthur, clearly disappointed in Lucien. ¡°You could afford to put it more delicately.¡± Lucien ignores him, and takes another bite of his food. ¡°Then, how did the two of you manage to meet in the first place? Or get to know each other well enough to become friends?¡± I wonder aloud. ¡°Are you some part of high society?¡± ¡°Lucien, I think I¡¯m in love,¡± Arthur says, looking at me in adoration. I¡¯m taken aback, and trip over my own feet as I move further away from him. ¡°Disgusting,¡± I whisper to myself. ¡°She¡¯s¡­¡± Lucien pauses, and tugs at my sleeve, a gesture for me to take my place at the table. ¡°¡­ observant like you are.¡± ¡°It¡¯s refreshing.¡± ¡°And without typical restraints.¡± ¡°I like it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s because you¡¯re both complete strangers,¡± I cry out, defenseless. ¡°Are you trying to make a fool of me? I told you, I don¡¯t even want to be friends. I don¡¯t want any trouble.¡± ¡°Lucien is royalty,¡± explains Arthur. ¡°You¡¯re an idiot,¡± replies Lucien. ¡°I¡¯m not royalty.¡± ¡°You¡¯re engaged to royalty perhaps is the better way to put it.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he says, his statement quickly followed by a flutter of his ears. ¡°You¡¯re engaged?¡± I ask, my eyes wide. ¡°Not exactly,¡± he states, flinching away from my intense stare. ¡°My grandmother is planning to make an arrangement for it once I complete my studies at the Academy.¡± ¡°Wow!¡± I exclaim, trying to imagine the appearance of the dark elf he¡¯s engaged to. ¡°She must be beyond beautiful!¡± ¡°She is¡­ but why would you guess that?¡± I open my mouth to speak, but can¡¯t admit that I find him extremely attractive even though he has probably already guessed as much. He¡¯d have to be promised to someone with equal or greater beauty for the marriage to even be considered. ¡°Why is it when I say that-¡± Arthur pauses to take another bite of his food. ¡°You always punch my arm, but when Luna says it, you¡¯re nice to her?¡± ¡°Luna''s much more polite.¡± ¡°Ugh,¡± he scoffs with great annoyance, returning to the piece of bread on his plate. ¡°What is she like? Is she kind? Is she generous? What is her name? Is it something beautiful like Tigerlily or Elizabeth?¡± Arthur lets out an annoyed sigh, putting down his bread, determined not to rejoin the conversation, but failing. ¡°Lumaria. She¡¯s quite fetching,¡± replies Arthur, reflexively, then looking away, pretending to be disinterested. Lucien¡¯s ears twitch, and he glares at Arthur for a quick moment, before looking away. ¡°She¡¯s very kind, generous, curious, and many other wonderful things,¡± he stares off into the distance, lost in thought, the expression on his face unreadable, but resembling sadness. ¡°That sounds wonderful! I hope that one day I can find someone like that,¡± I say, dreamily. ¡°No one is that perfect. I¡¯m waiting for the day Lou discovers her flaws,¡± comments Arthur. ¡°It¡¯s nice that the two of you are engaged. How did the two of you meet?¡± I ask, ignoring Arthur¡¯s comments. ¡°It¡­ was arranged, and we¡¯re not engaged yet,¡± Lucien mutters. ¡°There¡¯s no meeting, just introductions.¡± ¡°Well, at least you like her, it seems.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he smiles, with a twinkle in his eyes. ¡°She¡¯s a dear friend of mine.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve met her, she¡¯s perfect for him,¡± Arthur informs me. ¡°So, she¡¯s nothing like you?¡± I tease, giving him my best toothy grin. He looks up at me, and a smile spreads slowly across his lips, making me uneasy. I frown at him. Lucien coughs, and clears his throat after taking a drink of his wine. ¡°Enough about Lucien,¡± Arthur says, taking over the conversation. ¡°Luna, I feel like I know nothing about you, still. Tell me about your siblings. Are they anything like you? If they are, Lucien would probably like to keep all of you.¡± Lucien inhales sharply, looking exhausted as Arthur slowly falls back into his annoying line of questioning. ¡°They look like me, but they¡¯re not exactly like me. It¡¯s not as if we all think the same way, or live the same lives.¡± ¡°Well, go on,¡± he demands. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I appreciate your tone, Sir Lynn,¡± I retort. ¡°S-Sorry. I¡¯d like to know more about them, if you¡¯re willing to share,¡± he says, more meekly. ¡°Solera is very talkative, and could always hold everyone¡¯s attention. Celestia is quiet, and always helpful. I¡­ don¡¯t know what I am.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a Mystic, hard-working and¡­ passionate.¡± ¡°Arthur,¡± I gasp, feigning shock. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you could give compliments, especially to someone that¡¯s so far beneath you.¡± He gives Lucien a mocking, pained look. ¡°What?¡± I ask, nervously. ¡°It¡¯s nothing. It¡¯s how he both insults and compliments people. He¡¯s going to treat you as a plaything,¡± Lucien declares. ¡°I won¡¯t,¡± he promises, offended. ¡°I¡¯m not your entertainment, Arthur!¡± I get to my feet, gather my things, and walk away. ¡°I¡¯ve enough entertainment,¡± Arthur calls across the dining hall. ¡°What I need is someone who can challenge me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not here for that either!¡± I shout back. ¡°It¡¯s exhausting, and I¡¯m only slightly amused.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± calls Lucien, taking up his things and rushing to my side. ¡°I highly encourage you to continue to follow your instincts. You¡¯re doing an excellent job.¡± ¡°Lucien, instinct tells me to also stay away from you.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry,¡± he stops dead in his tracks. I turn to face him, and give him a wide grin. ¡°But only when you¡¯re near Arthur,¡± I say with a wink. ¡°Otherwise, I¡¯d gladly bask in your beauty all the time.¡± ¡°L-Luna, don¡¯t¡­¡± his cheeks become a darker shade of blue. ¡°Don¡¯t joke like that.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I could handle it quite as well as Arthur could.¡± ¡°Handle what?¡± He stares at me, scanning my face for something unknown. ¡°Your teasing,¡± he sighs, defeatedly. ¡°Just enjoy the rest of your evening, and don¡¯t say such things out loud. What would people think about you?¡± My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a dark elf, Luna.¡± ¡°Sorry. I guess you¡¯re right, I guess I should be more careful, but I don¡¯t think I care much about what others would think¡­ Goodnight, Lucien.¡± Chapter Nine Before sunrise, I arrive, and stand nervously outside the shop, waiting for Madam Treeleaf. I fidget with my bag where I¡¯ve packed my book, quill and ink set in the hopes that I could write down everything I¡¯ll learn today. ¡°Good morning, Luna.¡± I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping I¡¯m just imagining the haunting image of Arthur before me, but when I open them, he¡¯s still standing there. I turn away, and groan, knowing it¡¯s too late to pretend I haven¡¯t seen him. ¡°Arthur, please, I can¡¯t do this right now,¡± I groan. ¡°Do what? Have a good morning?¡± ¡°Not with you around, I¡¯m afraid.¡± ¡°I just wanted to wish you a good first day.¡± ¡°Thank you, now please carry on about your business.¡± ¡°Arthur!¡± Cries Madam Treeleaf, pushing through the morning crowds to meet us. ¡°Madam Lyra, you look younger each time I see you. How old are you now? Eighteen?¡± My jaw drops when I notice the blush on her cheek. How can she fall for such cheap flattery? She should know better at her age, shouldn¡¯t she? ¡°You¡¯re back early,¡± she replies with a grin. ¡°How is your family?¡± ¡°Everything is wonderful. My father sends his greetings.¡± ¡°Well,¡± she sighs, then waves her hand, motioning us to enter the shop. ¡°Come in, I was just opening up. This is Luna, she will be my new apprentice.¡± ¡°The two of us have already met on the road over a week ago. She was traveling with a good friend of mine. You remember Lucien?¡± ¡°Oh,¡± she says, smiling warmly at Arthur, reminding me of my grandmother when she dotes on my sisters. ¡°Arthur is good company, isn¡¯t he? Always such a good boy.¡± She disappears into the back room, and I hear her rummaging around. I give Arthur my best disapproving look, and he just grins, clearly enjoying my discomfort. ¡°I¡¯m actually getting older, you realize,¡± Arthur calls, giving me a wink. ¡°Not really a boy anymore.¡± ¡°Sorry, my dear. He¡¯s a good man,¡± she says, reappearing with several pastries on a plate. ¡°Please take one. Take two, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take one, thank you. Let me know if you need help picking herbs this week, I¡¯ll gladly help you.¡± ¡°Nonsense, don¡¯t trouble yourself, my dear. You know I can do it alone.¡± ¡°I know you can, but it still doesn¡¯t hurt to have help.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help,¡± I offer. ¡°See? Luna says she¡¯ll help.¡± ¡°Nonsense,¡± he says, with an overly caring tone. The door opens, and a stranger steps in, which Madam Treeleaf seems to recognize immediately. ¡°Tim! How is little Alice doing?¡± ¡°She¡¯s doing quite well,¡± he says, with a bright, weary smile. ¡°I¡­ wanted to thank you in person.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just glad to hear it, my dear. Glad to hear it. Come in, come in. This is Luna, my new apprentice, and Arthur, promising Mystic, and very skilled in Fire-Wielding.¡± I smile, and bow my head politely. ¡°Luna, I have many herbs ready to be grounded, and extracted. Put on an apron, and get to work.¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf.¡± Arthur follows me across the room with his eyes, smiling deviously. I try my best to ignore him, but my insides are rattling, and colliding with my insides. ¡°Well, Tim,¡± says Madam Treeleaf, from the shop floor. ¡°How¡¯s the family, and¡­¡± I crush herbs in batches in the back room, listening to the talk at the front of the shop. The leaves are crushed to dust, and poured from the mortar into a pot of boiling water sitting over the roaring fire. The water is already a dark, murky green color, and the smell of it is so strong, I¡¯m grateful to have an open window for the smell to escape through. ¡°How have you been, Arthur? How was your journey here?¡± I hear Madam Treeleaf ask. ¡°It was quite pleasant, actually. As I mentioned, I ran into an old, dear friend of mine.¡± ¡°How is Lucien?¡± ¡°He¡¯s well. As irritating as always.¡± I can picture the smug look on his face as he says it, and accidentally crush my finger with my pestle. I let out a yelp, feeling tears prickling the corners of my eyes. I continue to work more carefully, after taking a few deep breaths. ¡°Oh, Arthur!¡± Madam Treeleaf laughs heartily. ¡°I know you are the difficult one. Lucien is usually a dear. You didn¡¯t give him a hard time, did you?¡± ¡°Always, Madam Lyra. Do you need me to help you with those?¡± ¡°Yes, place them on that shelf just there.¡± I hear the clinking of bottles, as Arthur makes his way across the shop floor. ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear Lucien¡¯s abilities finally manifested. Did he take after his mother, or father?¡± ¡°Both, actually.¡± ¡°Well!¡± She cries out loudly, making me flinch. ¡°He always did show much potential.¡± ¡°He did. What do you think of your new apprentice? I only met her briefly on the road. She seems¡­¡± he speaks the rest quietly. I stiffen, and shut my eyes tightly. I¡¯m afraid of what he might say about me. Would I be losing my job so soon? ¡°She¡¯s going to be one of my best. I can already tell,¡± replies Madam Treeleaf. I sigh with relief. ¡°That¡¯s just what you¡¯re supposed to say,¡± laughs Arthur. I tighten my grip on the pestle, annoyed by the sound of his laughter. ¡°It is, but I know she¡¯ll do well, anyway.¡± ¡°Will you still like an extra hand around the shop?¡± I squeeze my eyes tightly, praying that he is only trying to be difficult, and isn¡¯t really considering an apprenticeship in the shop to annoy me further. ¡°Of course, I will, dear. Feel free to stop by whenever you¡¯d like.¡± I pray a silent prayer to Selene, hoping my next job is further away from the Academy where he can¡¯t find me. ¡°Well, I¡¯d love to help you, believe me, but I am extremely busy this year. I¡¯m beginning my level five courses. I was asking for Lucien¡¯s sake. If he doesn¡¯t have anything to do, he will never leave his room, and will get paler than he already is. You¡¯ve seen him, he¡¯s too pale for a dark elf as it is, and it won¡¯t do him any favors.¡± ¡°Of course. Lucien can stop by, as long as it doesn¡¯t interfere with his studies.¡± ¡°Would you mind if I take another pastry back for him?¡± ¡°Of course not, dear. Help yourself.¡± After a full day of grinding and crushing herbs, I make my way back to the Academy. The halls are empty, due to the Celestial Alignment ceremonies. Even from my room on the top floor of the Academy, I can hear crowds gathering outside. Thoughts of Bellehaven, and missing out on such a joyous day with family and friends has put me in a somber mood. Finally deciding that going out, and wandering the streets alone is better than missing the festivities, I change out of my nightgown. There are many people around, and the streets are more crowded than usual. While it¡¯s been weeks since I¡¯ve arrived in the city, I¡¯m still unfamiliar with the area, and take care to remain near the Academy, easily visible above the surrounding structures. ¡°I see her!¡± Shouts Arthur from the crowd. I search around trying to spot him so I can escape in the opposite direction, but I come face-to-face with Lucien instead. The sight of him stuns me, and I¡¯m frozen in place. Meanwhile, Arthur is being pushed away from us by a swarm of people walking past. Lucien smiles at me, and shoves a small lantern into my hands. I accept his gift, afraid I¡¯ll spend my first year at the Academy alone, if I don¡¯t. ¡°Thank you, Lucien,¡± I say, feeling suddenly shy, and fidgeting with my lantern. ¡°Do you believe in silly superstitions, too?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± he replies in a gentle tone. He scans my face, and again he smiles. ¡°Lu-¡± ¡°Lou? Lous? Ready for the lantern festival?¡± Asks Arthur, finally reaching us. I reluctantly and forcefully pull my eyes away from Lucien¡¯s gaze, and look over at Arthur, who is grinning from ear to ear with a bit of jam on his chin. I snicker, and point at his face. He wipes his mouth with a sleeve, and licks the corners of his mouth trying to find the remaining traces of it. I reach towards his face, to help him, but Lucien takes me by the hand, and pulls me through the crowds, in search of an empty spot by the river that runs through the center of the city. Rumor has it that it¡¯s the best place for viewing the lanterns during the festival. ¡°Lucien!¡± Arthur calls out. ¡°Why are you trying to abandon me?¡± ¡°I want to make sure Luna has a good spot to light her lantern, since she¡¯ll be needing many friends this year to keep herself sane from your incessant company.¡± ¡°L-Luna,¡± Arthur pants. ¡°Did you have dinner?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± I say, giving Lucien a puzzled look. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go get us something to eat. Pastries? Fruit? That¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll pick several things for all of us,¡± he says, and he disappears into the crowds once more. ¡°Hello, Luna,¡± Lucien smiles, and sits on the ground on the banks of the river. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about Arthur¡­ again. And¡­ me. I¡¯m sure you¡¯d rather be with some of your other friends for this?¡± He offers me a hand to balance myself as I take a seat next to him, being careful not to crush the delicate paper lantern I balance in one hand. ¡°Hello, Lucien,¡± I say with a wide grin. ¡°Thank you for my lantern. I haven¡¯t made friends yet, but my roommates are very sweet.¡± ¡°Arthur insisted I get the lantern for you.¡± Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°Did he, now?¡± ¡°No, he said it was a terrible idea, and you¡¯d hate it, since you were so disappointed in us. I told him I wasn¡¯t going to let you spend your first year at the Academy alone, though. You don¡¯t have to spend it with us, but I don¡¯t think anyone deserves that.¡± He stares at me, and I¡¯m almost convinced he can only see me. ¡°I¡¯d like to spend it with you,¡± I mutter, saying my private thoughts out loud. I gasp, and clasp my mouth shut, surprised at my carelessness. His cheeks become a slightly darker shade of blue, but he refuses to break eye contact with me despite his visible discomfort. There¡¯s a glimmer in his eyes that wasn¡¯t there before, and I¡¯m not sure what it means, but I want to fill the awkward silence with other distracting topics. ¡°Sorry,¡± I laugh, nervously. ¡°That¡­ came out wrong. I¡¯m sure you know what I mean. Friends are hard to come by, and I could use as many of them as I can make, since I don¡¯t know anyone here.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± he exhales sharply, turning away. I am grateful he¡¯s able to quickly let matters go, knowing Arthur will never shut up about it, if he happens to overhear us. ¡°I love this time of year,¡± I say, making another attempt at small talk. ¡°Though I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever celebrated this festival with such a large crowd. There are many people in Mirror Lake, but they don¡¯t live so close together, and the entire city is surrounded by water, so no one gathers like this. I loved seeing the lanterns in the distance, like watching from another¡­ world¡­ a river of lights, like spirits making their way to the heavens.¡± Tears threaten to spill from my eyes, and Lucien gives me a worried look. ¡°Sorry, I¡­ Sorry,¡± I mumble. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Luna. You¡¯ll get to celebrate the more fun holidays with your family in the summer, won¡¯t you?¡± ¡°What fun holidays?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you dress up during Twilight¡¯s Mystic Masquerade or Selene¡¯s Blessing?¡± ¡°In Twilight, I do, but I don¡¯t have nice clothing. I¡¯ve always hated it, because I wear the same dress almost every year. It was the worst. We¡¯d get so jealous of all the other girls,¡± I laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. ¡°I remember one year, my mother loaned Celestia the only necklace she owned, and every year after that, we asked to borrow it. My poor mother never got to wear it during the holidays.¡± ¡°The dark elf maidens dress like Selene in Dark Grove. They wear long flowing dresses, chains of silver adorned with moons and stars in their hair, waists and necks,¡± he has a dreamy look in his eyes as he speaks. ¡°My grandmother said my father found my mother breath-takingly beautiful during that celebration, and that¡¯s when he first fell in love with her.¡± ¡°What¡¯s breath-taking?¡± Asks Arthur, returning with a tray of food. Lucien clears his throat, and shakes his head. ¡°Uh-Oh,¡± I stutter. ¡°I saw a woman with a lovely jeweled necklace.¡± ¡°Fine, lie to me,¡± he grumbles, taking a bite out of an apple. ¡°How do you celebrate during Lunara¡¯s festivities?¡± I ask in an attempt to veer the conversation to another topic. ¡°The children dress up as magical creatures, the non-sentient ones, of course, and we enjoy a large feast, like all the other boring holidays,¡± he says, looking bored. ¡°I get dressed up, shown around like a trophy, and remain on my best behavior.¡± ¡°That sounds incredibly difficult,¡± I snark. Lucien chuckles, and covers it up with a cough. Arthur¡¯s eyes flicker to his face, then back at me. ¡°Lucien,¡± I slap his upper arm. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it that way. I¡¯m sorry, Arthur.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not blaming you. Here, take this. I¡¯ll be back,¡± he pushes the tray of food into my arms. ¡°I see someone I know.¡± Lucien breaks out into a fit of giggles when Arthur is out of sight. I give him a stern look, but wind up joining him instead. ¡°Oh, Lucien!¡± I laugh. ¡°Stop. It¡¯s not fair. Both of you are constantly giving each other a hard time, and I keep getting caught in the middle. Is that really the type of thing you like?¡± ¡°I like that the two of us can laugh together, and Arthur knows he and I never stop taking jabs at each other.¡± ¡°Must you stick me in the middle?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t mean to, however, Arthur seems to have taken an interest in you. A dangerous type of interest. You¡¯re to be his new plaything for now. He always tries to push his limits.¡± ¡°A plaything? I¡¯m not a plaything.¡± ¡°As you¡¯re already aware, Arthur has a very different way of viewing the world.¡± ¡°Is there a way out of this? Is there a way to make him run in fear?¡± ¡°You can just play along. It¡¯ll be fun to see him challenged for once. Or behave like all the other women that enjoy rejecting him, insulting and degrading him non-stop. He deserves it, anyway,¡± he says, watching people in the crowd settle down across the river from us. ¡°Oh, is this a game you play? You find his next victim, and he makes a pass at me?¡± Lucien turns to look at me, and it sends a shiver down my spine. His brows are furrowed, his lips are tightly pressed together. He looks more upset than I ever thought possible. ¡°I don¡¯t pick the women, he does,¡± he states, emphasizing each syllable. ¡°He wanted to annoy me by selecting you, and I thought it¡¯d be fair to warn you. It¡¯s ridiculous and annoying.¡± ¡°Is he good at this game he plays?¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he sighs, looking weary. ¡°Not really. It¡¯ll be painfully awkward.¡± ¡°Why does he do it, then?¡± ¡°I personally think it¡¯s just an excuse to sleep with as many women as possible before he¡¯s married.¡± ¡°But you love him. So he must be¡­ he¡¯s¡­ somewhat¡­¡± Lucien chokes on a bite of food, as he¡¯s choking back laughter. He clears his throat with a swig of wine. ¡°Sorry,¡± I blush. ¡°I wasn¡¯t thinking¡­¡± ¡°Sweet Selene, you nearly killed me. Can we please not speak about that near others?¡± ¡°Yes, sorry. You¡¯re right.¡± ¡°If you want, you can just make him think you only want riches. It¡¯ll crush him.¡± ¡°Some wine!¡± Shouts Arthur, startling us. He sits close to Lucien, and places a cup in my hand, brimming over with mulled wine. ¡°I forgot he got married,¡± comments Arthur, making small talk. ¡°Having his fourth child already. Poor lad! At least he¡¯s happy, I think. What about you, Luna? How many children are you going to have?¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± I think about Marcellus, and the day he mentioned wanting a big family. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ personal.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be that way. You have some idea, I¡¯m sure.¡± ¡°Three, I guess?¡± ¡°Three? That¡¯s a low number. I want at least fifteen children!¡± ¡°Your poor, unfortunate wife,¡± I blurt out, and turn away from him, wiping up the wine that spills out of my mouth from the shock. Lucien breaks out into a laugh, and slaps his knees in amusement. ¡°Why unfortunate?¡± Arthur glares. ¡°She¡¯d have fifteen copies of you,¡± explains Lucien, when he finally stops laughing. ¡°I just¡­ mean that it sounds like too many children, but what would I know? I don¡¯t come from riches.¡± ¡°How many children does your Marc man want?¡± ¡°Arthur!¡± Scolds Lucien. ¡°Don¡¯t test her patience.¡± ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s fine,¡± I decide to entertain him, rolling my eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve bought me food. I¡¯ll talk to you about him, but ask everything you want to know now, because after this day, I shall not be answering any more questions about it. Or talking to you, hopefully.¡± ¡°So suddenly. I wasn¡¯t prepared at all for this momentous occasion,¡± a smile creeps over his lips. ¡°Hmm,¡± I hum, in a teasing tone. ¡°That¡¯s too bad then.¡± ¡°Well, how many?¡± ¡°At least five boys.¡± ¡°Oh, my. He¡¯ll keep you busy-¡± ¡°Arthur,¡± warns Lucien. ¡°That¡¯s two.¡± Arthur simply laughs at Lucien¡¯s discomfort. Lucien eyes me, carefully scanning me for any signs of distress. I wish I¡¯d known he¡¯d be here, and would be looking at me closely, I would have worn my best clothing. ¡°How long have you and Marcellus known each other?¡± Asks Arthur. ¡°Ten years.¡± ¡°Ten years? And you clearly haven¡¯t laid together?¡± ¡°That¡¯s three,¡± grumbles Lucien. ¡°You¡¯re done. Go away.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, Lucien,¡± I say, placing a hand on his shoulder in an attempt to calm him. He gives me a worried look, and I give him a reassuring pat on the back. ¡°I¡¯ll decide when he¡¯s crossed the line, thank you for your concern. I¡¯ll leave it at two, though. Arthur, I¡¯m not going to discuss that with you. It¡¯s highly inappropriate, and extremely personal, like most of our conversations, but if you must know, I don¡¯t think he can provide me with a life of comfort. He¡¯s poor, like my family, and I¡¯d rather move up in status.¡± ¡°Very well, uh¡­ What is your favorite color?¡± ¡°Silver and gold, of course,¡± I wink at him. ¡°Jewels are not so bad, either.¡± He turns away, looking uneasy. ¡°I see,¡± he mumbles. ¡°Well, how is your relationship with your parents?¡± ¡°Um¡­ well, they couldn¡¯t afford much, so it¡¯s been a difficult life. We get along fine, nothing special. I¡¯m sort of the black sheep of the family, though.¡± ¡°How so?¡± ¡°Well, I want to make tons of riches using my magic.¡± ¡°Ugh, Lucien,¡± he rolls his eyes. ¡°You told her?¡± ¡°Why make it easy for you, Arthur? You think you¡¯ll find true love, you still lie with them, and then you never change. Don¡¯t waste Luna¡¯s time. She already knows you¡¯re engaged, and she has higher standards than most. You¡¯re just annoying her at this point.¡± ¡°You just want to keep her for yourself, I bet.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a thing to be owned!¡± I shout. ¡°Gods, I hate both of you. Now I¡¯m going to have to find someone else,¡± he says, averting his gaze from me. ¡°I¡¯ll warn every single one of them,¡± I mumble, thinking this will be the best way to keep him away from me. ¡°Oh, this will be a fun challenge, then.¡± That was not the response I expected. The lights of the city dim suddenly, and only the lights of a few lit candles remain. Soon, the light spreads to thousands of lanterns, and each of them is released onto the river. They float along gracefully like small boats made of light. Lucien gasps quietly near my ear, and I peek over at him. His eyes are filled with childish wonder, and his mind is probably flowing down the river alongside the lanterns. He looks over at me, as if sensing my gaze on him. The corner of his mouth curls up. The image of another time and another place flickers before. It¡¯s of my sisters, from years ago when we¡¯d lived in Mirror Lake. We¡¯d waited anxiously by the lake that surrounded the city, and screamed with excitement when the lanterns began to flow down the rivers like a blazing fire. My parents had been frightened, thinking we¡¯d been attacked by a wild animal. Lucien sharpens back into view before me, appearing sad, with one hand placed on my shoulder. ¡°Is everything alright, Luna?¡± He whispers. ¡°Oh,¡± I sniffle, and wipe my tears away in embarrassment with the sleeve of my dress. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°She just needs some sweets, and some ale,¡± says Arthur, pushing a cup into my hand with a concerned look. ¡°I¡¯ll return shortly.¡± I take it without protest, and continue to watch the lanterns. Some time passes, and I become lost again, my thoughts making a journey through the stars, the universe, the heavens. I watch the strangers around me hugging, chatting, kissing. They all look so happy. Suddenly, I realize Lucien and Arthur are no longer at my side. After searching for them for a short time, I resort to walking back to the Academy, thinking I¡¯ve been abandoned for the evening. My crying has probably made them uncomfortable. It¡¯s for the best that I return now, knowing my day will be starting early tomorrow. I feel a light tug on my sleeve. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Asks Lucien. ¡°I thought I¡¯d just get b-¡± He holds out an apple pastry for me. ¡°For you,¡± he says, shyly. ¡°N-Not that it¡¯ll¡­ uh¡­¡± ¡°Thank you, Lucien.¡± ¡°Thank Arthur. Do you want to¡­ take a walk outside the city? I¡­ was planning to follow the river until the last lantern went out. Feel free to decline my invitation, if you need to. I will take no offense.¡± ¡°What about Arthur?¡± ¡°He¡¯ll be fine. He hates when I force him to come with me. He thinks it¡¯s foolish, and the last time I saw him, he appeared busy finding his next victim. If you don¡¯t want to-¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go, as long as they let us back into the city.¡± ¡°They will tonight.¡± We walk along the banks of the river, not saying a word to each other, simply admiring the lantern light with the rest of the crowds that have chosen to follow them. There are only two lanterns remaining afloat. Lucien and I follow them, growing increasingly excited each time we find ourselves struggling to keep up. Our journey continues long after the others around us have ended their own, and return to the city. Soon, we¡¯re both determined to continue following them as far as we can. I chase after Lucien through the meadows until the river becomes a small waterfall, and we can follow them no further down the steep drop. From the top of the falls, we watch them until they vanish beyond our line of sight. ¡°Those two are going to be together for a very long time,¡± I say, excitedly. ¡°Yes, they are.¡± ¡°I wonder who they belonged to. They¡¯re going to be happy.¡± ¡°They could end up hating each other, too.¡± ¡°I certainly hope not. That would be awful.¡± We turn back, following the path along the river towards the City of Lights, reaching the city gates. The crowds have cleared the river banks, and all the pubs, residences, and shops have become alive once again. ¡°Where the hell did the two of you go? I searched everywhere for you.¡± ¡°Arthur,¡± Lucien says, with as much cheerfulness as he could muster. ¡°I walked off to get a pastry, and suddenly, the both of you were gone.¡± I wonder why he¡¯s neglecting to tell the full story. Would Arthur tease him for choosing to follow the lanterns? ¡°Yes, and I ran into Lucien after I¡¯d wandered back to the Academy,¡± I say, convincing myself I¡¯m technically not lying. ¡°I wasn¡¯t even gone for very long,¡± grumbles Arthur. ¡°In any case, good night to the both of you.¡± ¡°Good night, Arthur,¡± I wave, making my way back towards the Academy. ¡°Good night, Luna,¡± Lucien says, with a polite nod. ¡°Thank you for coming with me.¡± ¡°It was a pleasure, Lucien. Have a good night.¡± We stand there awkwardly, and I almost think he wishes to remain with me a bit longer. Just before I find the courage to ask, he turns on his heel and walks away claiming he has to stop Arthur before he gets too drunk. Chapter Ten ¡°¡­ Each of you will begin your training in the art of finding ley lines, which are places of power, for those of you that did not pay attention to your instructors. Ley lines are where your abilities can be amplified if you are ever in a bind.¡± A student raises their hand, and Madam Lucero points at them. ¡°When will we ever find ourselves in a bind?¡± A small group at the front of the class begin snickering, while the rest of us grumble. Madam Lucero returns her attention to the class, and continues to her lecture. ¡°You could find yourself in a bind if you¡¯re like this student. What is your name?¡± She turns to the student that asked the question. ¡°Lyons, Madam.¡± ¡°Lyons. Lyons, here, thinks they¡¯re completely safe from those that will do them harm, because mother and father have always paid off their problems. Unfortunately, orcs, goblins, and other harmful creatures cannot be paid off, and roam the roads they travel by. I¡¯m not threatening you, but you should know that one day you may need a ley line to help you defend yourself. Or if you wish to catch a glimpse into the future to see if your partner is cheating on you. Or if you want to summon a creature for whatever reason.¡± The instructor walks around the room passing out various objects; Trinkets, stones, pieces of glass. ¡°I¡¯ve placed before you an object that comes from a sacred place. Today¡¯s assignment is to try to sense the energies contained within it. This will assist in helping you locate ley lines in the near future when we go out on the field in search of them, which will make up the majority of your final grade. Let¡¯s begin.¡± A rough stone with a line going roughly down the center has been placed on my desk. I flip it around several times in my hands, feeling nothing from it except the roughness and heaviness of it. ¡°Oh!¡± Exclaims a student. ¡°I can sense it! It¡¯s very powerful, whatever it is!¡± Excited whispers spread through the class. ¡°It was gifted to the Academy long before my time. Try to guess what it is. That is usually the most difficult task.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ Madam?¡± It¡¯s the same student from earlier. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Why would¡­?¡± He mumbles the rest too quietly for anyone to hear. ¡°Ley lines, much like your abilities, contain the essence of specific elements. Finding one that matches your own element, will greatly multiply your already enhanced abilities. While the source of ley lines is extremely powerful, you can come across others, hence ¡®lines¡¯. The ¡®lines¡¯ usually connect two sacred places together. Naturally, the further apart they are, the weaker the lines, but any enhancement to your abilities is still beneficial.¡± The instructor walks over to another student that claims they can sense the powers from the objects before them. ¡°I can sense it now, too!¡± Shouts another student. The other students ooh and ahh, struggling to focus on their work from all the excitement. I stare at the stone in my hand, trying to feel anything that will indicate the object has magic in it, and groan in frustration as several other students leave after completing their assignment. This is my last class of the day, and I¡¯m ready to get to the potions shop, and allow my mind to go numb with tedious chores after being so busy. ¡°Selene, please!¡± Shouts a voice so loudly, I drop the stone from fright. Glancing around frantically, I search for the source of the voice. ¡°Careful!¡± Madam Lucero cries out. ¡°I cannot get another of any of these objects.¡± A few of the students giggle, and turn shyly away from me. ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumble out. I touch the stone again, and my body freezes in place. ¡°Selene, please, let us discuss this!¡± A beautiful woman appears from behind the trunk of a white tree, her skin is white as snow, her hair black as the night sky, and her eyes are startling dark and empty. ¡°Sol! We cannot. I will not abandon our child!¡± She cries, walking away, being followed by a handsome man, his hair golden, his skin dark and smooth, and his eyes like bright embers of flame. ¡°I got it,¡± mutters another student, sounding relieved, and making his exit. I stare around the room. There¡¯s no one else left except my instructor who sits at her desk at the head of the classroom, reading a book through a pair of half circle spectacles. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I grumble. ¡°Take your time. This is not unexpected.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ is this stone from a temple? Sol¡¯s? Selene¡¯s?¡± ¡°Indeed! It¡¯s from Selene¡¯s temple¡± The instructor looks up from her book, removing her spectacles. ¡°Excellent job! What is your name?¡± ¡°It¡¯s Luna.¡± ¡°Luna. Well,¡± she sighs, shutting her book. ¡°You may go. Enjoy the rest of your evening.¡± ¡°Thank you, Madam Lucero.¡± I wander the halls of the Academy, trailing my hands along the stones of the walls, excitedly imagining the love story of Selene and Sol now that I have a better idea of what they might have looked like. I could never have imagined such beauty. But what could they have been arguing about? Why would they need to abandon Gaia? Will the other gods not accept her as one of their own? Once in the dining hall, I stuff myself with dinner, and race towards the potions shop. As I make my way through the busy streets, images of Selene, and Sol in love and looking forward to the birth of Gaia dance through my mind. When I reach the shop, I unsuccessfully try to hide the disappointment on my face when I see Arthur is already here chatting with Madam Treeleaf, and he grins when he notices. ¡°Luna, welcome. I have some berries which are to be crushed, placed in a pot to boil, then poured through a fine meshed sieve into a decanter.¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf,¡± I say, as I enter the rear room of the shop, to put on an apron. ¡°The rest of your tasks are on the list. Arthur, I must run to the bakery, and drop off an elixir. Keep an eye on the shop for me, will you?¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Lyra. I¡¯ll be sure your apprentice does her work properly.¡± I huff in annoyance. ¡°Luna!¡± She calls out to me. ¡°When you¡¯re done, remember to label the bottles.¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf.¡± I hear the bell at the front door ring when she leaves. ¡°I¡¯m in charge of you, did you hear?¡± Asks Arthur. ¡°No, Sir Lynn. I heard you¡¯re in charge of the shop.¡± He tuts, and saunters into the back room of the shop, with a playful look on his face, and his arms crossed over his chest. ¡°You level two Mystics have gotten so disrespectful lately.¡± ¡°Probably,¡± I say, absently crushing away the berries, resisting the bait he¡¯s laid out for me, trying not to make eye contact. ¡°Do you know what those are for?¡± ¡°Not really,¡± I shrug. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°Those are for resilience. It helps those who have been poisoned. It¡¯s a minor potion, not very strong, but it¡¯s very common, and excellent for preventing the spread of the poison.¡± ¡°What potion is used when this doesn¡¯t work?¡± ¡°You¡¯re making it. The fermentation makes it more potent, and quite disgusting. Like drinking spoiled wine. It has many side-effects, so it must be given in small doses over the course of several days for maximum efficiency, and minimal discomfort to the user. You just can¡¯t remain too far from a toilet.¡± ¡°Bleh,¡± I shudder at the thought. ¡°That sounds awful.¡± ¡°Awful, but useful. Did Lucien take you outside the city to watch the lanterns flow down the river? Is that where the two of you disappeared to last night after the ceremony?¡± I look up from my work, at his fox-like grin, taking the bait. ¡°He did,¡± I state, curtly, returning to my work. ¡°He¡¯s always such a romantic. Was there that one lantern that went on and on till the falls at the end?¡± ¡°There were two,¡± I mutter quietly, pretending to be heavily focused on my task. ¡°Oh, he must have been thrilled. He always dreaded that one lantern being left all alone for so long. I guess someone has found true love,¡± he teases. I pour the pulpy mixture into a boiling pot, being heated by a small paper enchantment. Some of the water splashes out, hissing when it hits the ground. I take another handful of berries, while Arthur watches me, making me uneasy. Happiness rushes me, when I hear the ring of the bell at the front of the shop. ¡°Welcome, fine sir and madam,¡± greets Arthur. ¡°What sort of potion can I get for you?¡­ What type of ailment?¡­ I don¡¯t believe we have anything for you at the moment. How long have you had symptoms?¡­ Oh! Congratulations!¡­ Let¡¯s see¡­ I can give you¡­ here you go. That¡¯ll be five copper coins, please. I¡¯ve made a note letting Madam know you dropped by with a request. Have a wonderful evening.¡± The bell rings again as the patrons exit. I can hear Arthur drop the coins into a pile, where Madam Treeleaf keeps the shop¡¯s funds in a small wooden box. The box sits on an enchanted shelf beneath the front counter, hidden from sight. Arthur reenters the back room, and watches me. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, are you just going to stare like a pervert?¡± I ask, irritably, getting uncomfortable. ¡°No, you¡¯re just doing such a fine job, I¡¯m just admiring your work. I wouldn¡¯t dare ruin your flawless routine. I might recommend you chop up some of the pulp before putting them in the sieve, to make your work easier, though.¡± I place the pulping mixture onto the wooden table, and chop it up with a cleaver, being sure to do it aggressively. He remains unfazed. ¡°So, there were two lanterns this year, you say?¡± He asks, approaching me. ¡°Yes,¡± I sigh, exasperated. ¡°Funny, that should happen the first year you¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Or Gaia changed fate,¡± I splash the berry pulp into the pot, and grab another handful. ¡°How do you know Madam Treeleaf?¡± I might as well try to make polite conversation, since he cannot be dissuaded from speaking with me. ¡°When my father was a more active Mystic, she was the healer of his company. She must have saved his life hundreds of times. She¡¯s also a Legendary level Mystic, in case you wondered.¡± ¡°That means-¡± ¡°Yes, she¡¯s been blessed with the Elixir of Immortality, and holds a very high status.¡± ¡°That¡¯s amazing. I wonder how long it took. I¡¯ve always imagined it to be some impossible task.¡± ¡°I wonder why she chooses to run a small potions shop in the City of Lights with all that power. She could make a fortune standing by a king¡¯s side, instead of selling potions to common folk. Not to mention the many spells she could write, and her studies on potion making.¡± ¡°I''m ¡®common folk¡¯,¡± I mutter. ¡°Sorry,¡± he hisses. ¡°I¡¯m not used to-¡± ¡°Being polite?¡± ¡°Speaking to an intelligent peasant-¡± ¡°That¡¯s definitely not a better way of putting it.¡± The shop bell rings once more. ¡°Welcome, fine sir,¡± he greets, cheerfully. ¡°What sort of potion can I get for you?¡­ I see. I believe we have something for that. Would a hair tonic suffice?¡­ Very good. Take one drop of it every day until it runs out¡­ Yes¡­ No¡­ Uh, definitely not, please don¡¯t try that¡­ It will not restore your original color, so if you had gray hair¡­ I¡¯m afraid not, but I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t mind¡­ How old, you say?¡­ I see, good for you, Sir! That will be one silver coin, please. Thank you, sir. Good luck.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. I hear some coins drop into the wooden box. ¡°Your change, sir. Have a good evening.¡± I let the pot of berry juice thicken until the mixture becomes dark and coats the back of the wooden spoon I¡¯m using to stir it. When it resembles a thick soup, I pull the slip of paper with a fire enchantment off the pot, and check the concoction for brightness in color. Using two wooden slabs as a cooling rack, I balance the pot over them. Stirring it constantly so that the mixture won¡¯t separate as it cools, I watch the steam tendrils wisp into the air, and disappear. Is this what the birth of a star would look like to a god? There one moment and gone the next? The bell rings once again before Arthur can reenter the back room, and he lets out a frustrated sigh. ¡°Lucien!¡± Arthur greets. ¡°Are you here to see Luna?¡± I feel my cheeks burn. Why would he ask something so ridiculous? ¡°Luna¡¯s here?¡± Inquires Lucien, his voice soft. ¡°Yes, she works here.¡± ¡°Is that why you¡¯re here? Why couldn¡¯t you just let her be?¡± He asks, exasperated. I feel my heart sinking, wishing Arthur wouldn¡¯t annoy him so. ¡°Good day, Lucien!¡± I call out, trying to sound cheerful. ¡°Good day, Luna,¡± he calls back. ¡°I hope Arthur is behaving himself.¡± ¡°Of course he isn¡¯t,¡± I say cheerfully. ¡°I was afraid you¡¯d say that.¡± After getting to my feet, I stretch, feeling aches in my body from having sat for too long. I approach the front of the shop, where Lucien now stands, with a smile at the ready for when he sees me. ¡°What brings you here?¡± I ask, politely. ¡°Lucien always comes here with head pain,¡± responds Arthur. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine why,¡± I tease, walking over to the shelf where Madam Treeleaf keeps the healing tonics. ¡°Is it your hearing? A soothing tonic, maybe?¡± I scan the sea of bottles lining the shelves with labels written in Madam Treeleaf¡¯s small flowing lettering. ¡°Yes,¡± says Lucien, quietly, trying to remain respectful. ¡°Three copper, sir,¡± says Arthur, holding out a hand to him. ¡°Right,¡± says Lucien, rifling through his coin purse. When I find the bottles labeled Minor Soothing Tonics, I hear the coins drop into the wooden box. ¡°Here you are, sir,¡± I say in my most formal voice, handing over the bottle. ¡°Thank you, Lu- Miss.¡± He walks out of the shop, and I¡¯m not sure if I missed him or if it¡¯s just that I prefer his company over Arthur¡¯s. I follow him as he walks outside, through the window, then rest my elbows on the front counter, and sigh when I notice Arthur is giving me a mischievous look. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re thinking, no,¡± I mutter the second his mouth opens to speak. ¡°You didn¡¯t even let me-.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need to hear you speak. I know you¡¯re going to say something that¡¯s going to make me angry based solely on the look you have on your face. It¡¯s the same look you use when you are about to enjoy the misery of those around you, mainly Lucien.¡± The bell rings as Madam Treeleaf walks in, carrying a small basket in her arms that¡¯s filling the air with sweet, tantalizing aromas. ¡°Well, they were very grateful for the elixir. It worked almost immediately,¡± she sighs contentedly at the door. ¡°Luna, Arthur, help yourselves.¡± I stare at the steaming basket, and my stomach growls. ¡°Tea?¡± Asks Madam Treeleaf, disappearing into the back room. ¡°Yes, please!¡± Responds Arthur. ¡°Yes, please,¡± I say politely. ¡°Luna! You did so much already. Thank you,¡± she says, when she steps through the threshold of the door. ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Madam Treeleaf.¡± I nibble on a meat pie, and take a cautious sip of tea. The previously boiling pot of berries I¡¯ve prepared is now cool, and I scoop the mixture into a large glass jar with a cloth filter over the top of it, clearing away the remaining pulp into another container to be processed later. Arthur and Madam Treeleaf are chit chatting at the front of the shop as they organize the potions lining the shelves. ¡°Lucien was here earlier. You missed him by just a few minutes,¡± mentions Arthur. ¡°Oh, what a shame. Do greet him for me.¡± ¡°Of course. I¡¯m certain he¡¯ll be returning soon about the apprenticeship.¡± ¡°What makes you so certain?¡± ¡°There¡¯s¡­ an incentive.¡± ¡°An incentive?¡± ¡°Yes. He¡¯ll have a pretty face to admire while he works.¡± My cheeks warm, and I know he¡¯s just flattering Madam Treeleaf, but I thought he was talking about me. Madam Treeleaf laughs. ¡°You¡¯re such a flatterer. You¡¯re going to get yourself in trouble one day.¡± At the day¡¯s end, when the jar is filled to the brim, and the remaining pulp is distilled and stored in a smaller jar, I complete my labels, make a few quick notes in my book, and collect my cloak from a hook by the back door. ¡°I shall be going now, Madam Treeleaf,¡± I say, with a slight bow. ¡°Thank you for your help, Luna,¡± she says, as she counts the coins collected in her small wooden box. ¡°You did an excellent job today.¡± ¡°Wait there,¡± calls Arthur, disappearing to the back room, and returning without his apron. ¡°I¡¯ll walk you back to the Academy.¡± ¡°Such a gentleman,¡± comments Madam Treeleaf. ¡°I have no interest in you, Arthur.¡± ¡°You know, Luna, I guarantee Lucien will take the position, and you might not see me as often.¡± ¡°Well, thank the gods for that, but I wouldn¡¯t have to see you at all if you didn¡¯t just mind your own.¡± ¡°Madam Treeleaf has always needed more than one apprentice. I always show up when classes begin at that Academy to make sure she has all the help she needs while she transitions to her new apprentices. I didn¡¯t think she¡¯d hire you so quickly. She must see something in you.¡± ¡°I do what I can.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the best you can do.¡± ¡°Why are you being so nice?¡± ¡°You and I are going to be good friends soon.¡± ¡°Oh, really? What in Gaia¡¯s name makes you think that?¡± ¡°Lucien will be the common denominator.¡± ¡°Oh? You think I¡¯ll be friends with Lucien?¡± ¡°I think you¡¯ll be more than friends with Lucien.¡± I scoff. ¡°Stop talking, now. I have no interest.¡± ¡°Because he¡¯s a dark elf?¡± ¡°No, you idiot. Because he¡¯s friends with you.¡± When I return to the Academy, I make my way to the dining hall to add more detailed notes to my book. Someone takes a seat next to me, and I glare, expecting it to be Arthur, where Lucien now sits. He laughs at me when he notices my look of irritation. ¡°Sorry, he¡¯ll be here soon. Best make your escape while you can,¡± he warns. ¡°Oh, hello, Lucien,¡± I say, pleasantly surprised. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Much better, thank you.¡± ¡°Good to hear.¡± We sit in awkward silence for some time, and Arthur eventually joins us. He complains loudly about his month of classes and most everything else. Nothing else exists as Lucien and I sneak shy glances at each other, and make faces at each other in reaction to Arthur¡¯s tales, mostly making fun of him. If Marcellus were here now, he¡¯d be furious. ¡°Goodnight,¡± I announce, when Arthur finally stops talking long enough. ¡°I have to study a bit.¡± ¡°Study what?¡± Asks Arthur, irritably. ¡°I thought you finished writing in your journal while you were in the shop.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying to make notes of the potions I made. I didn¡¯t have as much time for that, but I think it¡¯ll help me.¡± ¡°How can you be so smart, and struggle with potions? It¡¯s just a list of instructions and ingredients, like cooking.¡± ¡°I get distracted¡­¡± ¡°Then perhaps you shouldn¡¯t be working in a potions shop.¡± Lucien¡¯s body tenses, and reflexively reaches for my hand beneath the table, out of Arthur¡¯s sight. He squeezes it tightly, needing more comfort from Arthur¡¯s jabs at me than I do. ¡°Well, it¡¯ll be beneficial for me. Madam Treeleaf said she would help me,¡± I reply, calmly, enjoying the feeling of his strong hands around mine. Lucien eases his grip, and runs his thumb over my knuckles in a soothing manner, but I¡¯m still unable to determine if he¡¯s trying to comfort me or himself. The feeling of it is strange to me, but I don¡¯t want him to let go. I rarely held hands with Marcellus, and when I did, it wasn¡¯t for the sake of holding hands, but for guiding him through the dark forest, or for him to help me down from a high ledge. ¡°What about you, Arthur? You didn¡¯t go to Madam Treeleaf¡¯s shop in order to learn potions, did you?¡± Scolds Lucien. ¡°Goodnight, you two,¡± I say, collecting my things. I make my way back to my room, and tiptoe inside. None of the lights are on, and I can hear the others sleeping soundly. Lysander Hawthorn is my instructor for Healing and Restoration classes, and extremely charming. The delicate yet firm tone of his voice is enough for me to hang on his every word. I try to resist the urge to volunteer for every single one of his demonstrations, but my resolve is weakening each time he calls on one of the other students. ¡°Miss Luna?¡± I stand at attention when he says my name. ¡°If I have a crystal vial, a very common item amongst most travelers, what will I need to perform a Rite of Renewed Vitality?¡± ¡°Purified water!¡± Shouts one of the students. ¡°Sorry,¡± he murmurs. ¡°I thought your name was Elysia.¡± ¡°Sorry, Professor Hawthorn.¡± ¡°Luna, is Elysia correct?¡± I nod. ¡°And what else would one need to complete the ritual?¡± ¡°Pure light, such as unobscured moonlight or sunlight, and a white silk cloth.¡± ¡°Correct. Excellent job, Luna.¡± I smile brightly. ¡°Lucien, you¡¯re next. The Harmonic Resonance of Restoration.¡± I search for Lucien, spotting him on the opposite side of the classroom. ¡°A soft instrument, such as a flute, or a chime. Crystal bowl, dim lighting, and¡­¡± Our eyes meet, and he seems momentarily distracted. ¡°And?¡± Hawthorn challenges. ¡°Something soft smelling, like flowers, to ease the mind.¡± ¡°Excellent.¡± I catch up with Lucien in the halls, carrying everything in my hands in my haste to speak with him. ¡°Lucien!¡± I call out. He searches the crowds for me, and I wave my hand frantically, spilling my things in the process. He rushes over to me, and immediately begins to help me clean up. ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ve got it,¡± I say, frantically gathering up my notes. ¡°Luna. You¡¯re in the same class,¡± he smiles as he hands me a stacked pile of papers. ¡°I am. I didn¡¯t notice you at all this whole time!¡± ¡°I like to hide at the back of the classroom. It makes¡­ others feel more comfortable.¡± ¡°I can sit with you.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s alri-¡± ¡°I could probably find you in all my classes, couldn¡¯t I?¡± ¡°Yes. All level one students have the same schedule.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t even notice. I also didn¡¯t realize there would be so few Mystics at the Academy. I saw the outside of school and thought there¡¯d be hundreds of students! But it¡¯s just a handful.¡± I tuck my things into my bag, and get to my feet. ¡°Yes, there used to be many more when the Academy was first created, but abilities amongst the humans seems to be dwindling, hence the giving of the potion of immortality. Amith is in need of healers, builders, soldiers to fight off the orcs, goblins, and other dangerous creatures. Your abilities are a rare commodity, and if you¡¯re powerful enough, you¡¯re worth keeping around.¡± ¡°What¡¯s our next class?¡± ¡°Mystical History and Lore.¡± ¡°Oh, that.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t sound terribly excited.¡± ¡°Well, Professor Raven¡¯s voice lulls me to sleep, and what¡¯s the point of learning about lost spells if they haven¡¯t been found? I want to learn more about artifacts, and the cultures of Amith. Preferably Dark Grove.¡± ¡°Why there, specifically?¡± ¡°So you¡¯ll think I¡¯m interested in you.¡± ¡°Are you?¡± ¡°Very much so, but I am also interested in Dark Grove, so don¡¯t get too excited.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try not to,¡± he snickers. The next day, after my classes and work at the potions shop, I sit in the dining hall, writing down what I¡¯d learned from Madam Treeleaf about the perfect temperature for making a healing draught, as I eat my dinner, being careful not to spill anything. I¡¯ve mixed my writings with my notes on Wards and Protections for shrines, temples and other holy structures from my day¡¯s reading assignment. ¡°Good evening, Luna,¡± greets Lucien, taking a seat next to me, and opening up a book. His presence instantly improves my mood, and makes me smile. ¡°Good evening, Lucien. How was your day?¡± ¡°It went well, though there are a few spells I¡¯m struggling with.¡± ¡°Which ones?¡± I ask, peering over his shoulder, scanning spells I¡¯ve never seen before. ¡°Casting shadows?¡± He leans closer to me, much to my delight, granting me a better view of his book. I¡¯m quickly drunk off the intoxicating smell of his hair, and fight the urge to bury my nose into the nape of his neck. ¡°Yes. It projects a shadow on the ground as a distraction. I need to find someone who can better help me learn these.¡± ¡°I¡­ definitely cannot help you with that, then.¡± ¡°Well, you could. Spell casting is the same, whether you can cast the spell or not. It¡¯s just a series of hand motions and instructions.¡± ¡°True,¡± I say, reading the steps more closely. ¡°So, let¡¯s see it.¡± ¡°Well,¡± he says, with a smile, taking a bite of his food. ¡°I can¡¯t do it correctly. I¡¯m not sure where I¡¯m failing.¡± ¡°Just show me. Like you said, if they¡¯re just a series of motions, I might be able to see what you¡¯re doing wrong. At least if it¡¯s just your hands, you can easily correct it.¡± ¡°Right,¡± he says, putting down his utensils in preparation for demonstrating. He skims through the page, copying the hand motions pictured in the diagrams. The waving of his hands reminds me of wind and water spells with more pauses in between each step. ¡°I see your problem immediately. You¡¯re stopping too many times¡­ I think. I¡¯m lying. I don¡¯t know anything about this.¡± I follow the hand diagrams on the page, and when I reach the final diagram, I feel a tap on my shoulder, and flinch away from it. ¡°Sorry. Good evening, Luna. Lucien. Lous.¡± ¡°No,¡± I mutter. ¡°Arthur,¡± says Lucien, sounding a bit cheerier. ¡°How are your classes going? Still as awful as they were yesterday?¡± ¡°Of course. What spell were you casting? It didn¡¯t look like wind magic. All of you usually look like you¡¯re tossing things towards the skies when you cast spells.¡± ¡°I was just following the spell diagrams in Lucien¡¯s book for a spell he¡¯s struggling with.¡± ¡°Oh, trying dark magic? Let¡¯s see it,¡± he commands, setting down his plate, and giving me his full attention. ¡°Should be good for a laugh.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t do dark magic, so it won¡¯t work, of course,¡± I huff. ¡°No, of course not, but even I could follow a spell diagram correctly,¡± he says, pulling Lucien¡¯s book closer. Lucien and I share a knowing glance. ¡°Um¡­¡± I mutter nervously, following the diagrams. ¡°Something like this¡­¡± When I complete the spell, I stare up at Lucien nervously. ¡°That was helpful,¡± he reassures me. I finish my dinner quietly, and Lucien eyes me the whole time, nodding and laughing at all the right times as Arthur speaks endlessly about an encounter with one of his instructors. His stare makes me inexplicably nervous. I stand, and say my good nights the moment my plate is empty. Walking away quickly, unsure where to escape to, I wander the halls, eventually making my way to the library. I set my book down, and open it to a random page I¡¯d written in; a recipe for a soothing tonic. My nerves calm as I read over the recipe several times, reciting the familiar instructions over and over. ¡°Luna,¡± whispers Lucien into my ear. I flinch in my seat, and look over at him, my nerves immediately on edge again. ¡°Yes?¡± I ask, slightly panicked. ¡°Thank you for your help.¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­ welcome,¡± I smile nervously. ¡°Have a good night.¡± ¡°G-Good night, Lucien.¡± Chapter Eleven I tiptoe out of my room, and prepare everything I need to go foraging with Madam Treeleaf. I have my book, quill and ink safely packed away inside my bag, and a few vials given to me for collecting some ingredients for a class assignment. Silently, I walk down the empty halls to the dining area, and wrap some food in a piece of cloth. The streets of the city are mostly empty, and only a few people have started their day early this weekend. Arthur, Lucien, and Madam Treeleaf are already waiting for me when I arrive. I feel a little uneasy seeing Lucien there, as I¡¯ve avoided him since we last spoke in the library. ¡°Sorry,¡± I cry out, rushing over to them. ¡°I haven¡¯t kept you waiting, have I?¡± ¡°Not at all, dear. Goodness, all three of you. We¡¯ll be collecting enough to keep Luna busy all week. You two better stop by to help her.¡± ¡°I-It¡¯s fine,¡± I mutter nervously. ¡°I can handle it.¡± ¡°Nonsense, I will insist on helping you tomorrow morning when we return,¡± says Arthur. He smiles wider when I give him an annoyed look. I¡¯m tempted to explain in great detail how useless I think he is, but wouldn¡¯t dare do it in front of Madam Treeleaf. Lucien gives me a weary, apologetic look. Madam Treeleaf speaks with me as she scans the ground on our way to the forest for herbs. The forest is a few hours walk, and she explains in some detail how to find the best herbs for the most common potions, pointing out some of the more common plants along the way. ¡°¡­ Keep in mind that we have a long journey back that will typically take a bit longer because we¡¯ll be weighed down by our supplies. Some plants don¡¯t retain their potency after they¡¯re plucked from the ground, and must be taken up by the root for transporting. Never take everything. You¡¯ll always want to leave something for those who would need them, and of course, so they continue to grow. Most plants, however, will regrow in the same places. Always take the freshest of the herbs, however, as they will not be fresh later.¡± Wishing I could write as I walk, I plan to note everything she says as I eat lunch, or when we make camp for the night before the light of the fire goes out. We go our separate ways with a list of rare ingredients needed for uncommon potion requests. I shield my eyes from a swirling gust that comes from nowhere, sending dirt and leaves through the air, and towards my face. Suddenly, the trees have become saplings, and a small child runs past me. Her hair and skin are dark, and she laughs as she runs towards something. I follow her, and see the same man and woman I¡¯d seen when I¡¯d touched the stone in my first lesson in finding ley lines. ¡°Mother, you should see them!¡± The girl cries out to the woman. ¡°Gaia, my love, I have seen the elves many times already.¡± ¡°No, mother! The humans! The elves have made humans!¡± ¡°What are humans?¡± ¡°Come look!¡± She cries out, running off. Something moves like a shadow, just past my field of vision, and I hold a wind spell tightly in my hand, feeling it fighting to escape. ¡°H-Hello?¡± I whisper, frightened. A crunching leaf spooks me, and I hide behind a small bush. ¡°Luna, there you are,¡± says Lucien, stepping out from behind the trunk of a large tree. ¡°We¡¯ve been looking for you. Did you not hear us calling?¡± I exhale sharply as relief washes over me. ¡°I¡­ got distracted by my work. Sorry.¡± I glance around. The meadow is gone, replaced by the forest of trees, and the girl and her mother are nowhere in sight. ¡°Did you see something?¡± He asks, following my stare, his fingers at the hilt of his dagger, preparing to attack. ¡°No¡­ possibly just a rabbit?¡± I suggest, nervously. ¡°I might have been daydreaming again, and spooked myself.¡± We stare at each other, a tension lingering between us. He takes a step forward and flinches at the sound of Arthur¡¯s voice. ¡°Lucien!¡± Arthur calls. ¡°Lucien! Luna! Stop kissing, and show yourselves!¡± ¡°We¡¯re coming!¡± I cry, rushing towards the sound of Arthur¡¯s voice. Lunch is quiet as I sit on the root of a tree trying to avoid Lucien¡¯s gaze, and focusing on listening to Arthur¡¯s cheerful chatter with Madam Treeleaf. He¡¯s almost unrecognizable when he¡¯s not being his usually annoying self, and I can hardly believe he¡¯s the same person we departed the city with. The very sight of his face makes me want to slap him on most occasions, but not now. Watching on in disbelief, I make a conscious effort not to let my mouth hang open from the shock of it. Lucien chuckles quietly at my side. ¡°He¡¯s almost charming like this, isn¡¯t he?¡± He whispers, almost inaudibly. I nod, and cover my mouth to hide my smile. ¡°You¡¯re perceptive,¡± I whisper. ¡°Most people have the same reaction to Arthur when they witness his charming behaviors.¡± I cover my laugh with a cough. ¡°What are the two of you giggling about?¡± Madam Treeleaf asks, amused. ¡°Sorry, Madam Lyra,¡± tuts Arthur. ¡°Lucien has terrible manners.¡± ¡°Sorry, Madam Treeleaf,¡± says Lucien, defensively. ¡°I was just teasing Luna. She was so distracted when I located her in the forest. She looked like she¡¯d seen a ghost.¡± ¡°Did you, now?¡± Madam Treeleaf asks, curiously. ¡°Did you?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ I thought¡­ I saw¡­ Gaia.¡± ¡°It is indeed the location of her temple. The City of Lights was built for Gaia¡¯s worshippers to be close to her without treading over such sacred ground. If you haven¡¯t visited the temple in the city, I highly advise you to pay it a visit. The stained glass windows are a sight to behold. You must have found the powerful ley line that runs through the forest, if you came across Gaia. Not bad for your first week of classes.¡± ¡°Thank you, Madam Treeleaf,¡± I say, with a short nod. Arthur stares at me, his lips slightly parted. I give him an inquiring look, and Madam Treeleaf laughs and claps his back, startling him. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Arthur? You look surprised.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ Luna just seems to be remarkably talented in everything, doesn¡¯t she? It took me several months to master sensing ley lines, and here she is already seeing visions of Gaia¡¯s statue in her old temple.¡± ¡°It¡­ wasn¡¯t a statue,¡± I clarify. Everyone freezes, to give me a questioning look. I blush from all the attention I¡¯ve drawn. ¡°W-What?¡± I ask, clutching my cloak tightly around me. ¡°Did I say something wrong?¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t a statue? The worshippers then?¡± ¡°It¡­ wasn¡¯t a statue,¡± I repeat. ¡°I¡­ saw a girl running to this beautiful woman that looked just like the images of Selene I once saw on the stained windows in Mirror Lake that depicted her as a dark elf, and in my class assignment when I held the stone from the temple in Shadowhaven. The girl called her mother, and she called her¡­ Gaia.¡± Arthur¡¯s food drops to the ground, and I give it a pitying look. ¡°Sweet Selene and Sol, Luna,¡± gasps Lucien. ¡°You¡¯re not serious.¡± ¡°Uh, I¡¯m¡­ prone to daydreaming, so it¡¯s possible that I¡­ dreamt it all up.¡± ¡°That sounds more likely¡­¡± mutters Arthur. ¡°Yes, well¡­ what an active imagination you must have,¡± laughs Madam Treeleaf. ¡°My family certainly thinks so,¡± I laugh nervously. Everyone settles back comfortably into their places accepting my explanation, as if nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Relief floods me, and I finish the remainder of my food in silence. Madam Treeleaf begins to rifle through the herbs we¡¯ve picked, nodding approvingly at them. ¡°Lucien, your skills are unmatched,¡± she praises him. ¡°Thank you, Madam Treeleaf,¡± he grins widely, then gives Arthur a smirk when he gives Lucien an envious glare. ¡°Luna, you have much to learn, but you did a wonderful job as well. You might want to go with Lucien next time. Arthur, still not very good at picking flowers, I see? You¡¯ll never know unless you practice.¡± ¡°With all this praise going around, I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll disappoint you,¡± he says glumly. ¡°Nonsense,¡± laughs Madam Treeleaf. ¡°I¡¯ll never compare any Mystic¡¯s abilities with another¡¯s. We are all skilled differently, and we are all here to learn. I know that you could do it, if you practice the skill more often. You¡¯ve always been a quick study, once you¡¯ve mastered fundamentals.¡± Arthur puffs out his chest. ¡°Thank you, Madam Treeleaf.¡± When we¡¯ve gone our separate ways again to gather more herbs, I follow Lucien, and he explains to me how he determines the best herbs for picking, but I can¡¯t hear his words. I¡¯m too enchanted by the sound of his voice, and the way he appears to glide over the forest floor so effortlessly, as if he¡¯s floating. ¡°¡­You¡¯ll write this all down?¡± He asks. I nod absently. ¡°And what did I just say?¡± ¡°Something about¡­ morning dew?¡± He laughs. ¡°Yes, what about it?¡± ¡°You¡¯ve caught me,¡± I admit. ¡°I¡¯ve been unable to pay attention since lunch. I¡¯d have been fine if we¡¯d done this earlier, but after eating, my mind just wanders more freely.¡± ¡°I understand. I can dictate my notes to you later, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°Well, I have my journal with me now, and we¡¯ve picked plenty of herbs already. Maybe we can sit for a moment, and I can write it all down now?¡± ¡°Certainly,¡± he says, glancing around. ¡°Would you like to sit under a tree, or in the sun?¡± ¡°The sun, of course.¡± ¡°Cold?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Gods, Lucien, are you a princess?¡± I ask, when a butterfly lands on his nose. ¡°Not that I know of,¡± he nudges the butterfly gently, and it repositions itself further up his face. ¡°Why won¡¯t it-?¡± ¡°You¡¯re being too nice to it,¡± I say, flicking the butterfly gently with the end of my quill. It flutters around in circles, then lands on Lucien¡¯s knee. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s better,¡± he mutters. ¡°What was I saying?¡± ¡°Leaf color.¡± ¡°Oh, right. In general, you can see a discoloration of the leaves, or sometimes if you look on the underside, they¡¯ll be covered in white or black specks-¡± ¡°Slow down, you¡¯re too excited. I can¡¯t write very quickly.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know shorthand?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± ¡°Would you like me to teach you?¡± ¡°Would you like to sit out here forever?¡± ¡°The company¡¯s not bad.¡± I snicker. ¡°¡®Discoloration of the leaves¡­¡¯ Go on¡­¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± The forest comes alive at night with hundreds of glowing plants and animals I¡¯ve never seen in the forests of Bellehaven before. I can¡¯t sleep from the excitement of its unexplored beauty. I desire to explore as much of it as possible so that it can be sketched in my journal. When the sounds of the others sleeping soundly can be heard, I venture out into the forest, keeping one hand by the hilt of my dagger. I¡¯m a traveler walking through a forest on another world where it is always dark, and the glow of the plants is the only source of light to guide me. The light ebbs and flows, like the gentle breathing of a sleeping giant. I gather a few plants I¡¯d seen mentioned in Miss Eisley¡¯s books, all of them lovelier than I could have ever imagined in person now that it¡¯s dark out. As I hold them in my hands, their soft light slowly fades, and I¡¯m reminded of the petal the shadowstalker had given me. It had this same glow, but had somehow kept it after traveling for a long distance. Were shadowstalkers capable of freezing time? Was time magic something that could be learned? Would it be considered dark magic? ¡°Luna!¡± Lucien whispers in my ear. I trip over a fallen tree from fright, and hear the gentle tinkle of Lucien¡¯s earrings as he flutters his ears. ¡°Lucien!¡± I whisper harshly. ¡°I was going to come back, I just¡­¡± ¡°You were taken in by the beauty of the night again?¡± The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡°Always,¡± I sigh dreamily, watching the glow of the forest continue to breathe. ¡°It¡¯s alive, and simply begging to be admired.¡± ¡°¡®Tis,¡± he smiles gently. ¡°Why did you follow me?¡± ¡°You should return to camp before you get lost.¡± ¡°Oh, couldn¡¯t I wander around a bit longer? I¡¯m not tired yet,¡± I whine, looking up at the treetops, as Selene¡¯s light pours through. ¡°And I¡¯m keeping to the path, mostly.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve brought some wine, maybe that will help?¡± ¡°Some wine? That might do the trick,¡± I smirk. I reach out to him, and he hands me his wineskin. I take a drink, and laugh maniacally as I run further into the forest with it. ¡°Luna, honestly?¡± Lucien grumbles, chasing after me. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be wandering in the night through an unknown forest! Especially if you¡¯re drunk!¡± ¡°Come on, Lucien, there¡¯s time for sleep tomorrow, and I only took one drink, so I¡¯m nowhere near being drunk.¡± ¡°You will slow us down on our way back if you get lost, you know!¡± He protests. I take another drink of wine, and wait for him to catch up before running further away. I can hear a high pitched ringing in my ear each time Lucien disappears and reappears amongst the shadows of the trees. ¡°That¡¯s cheating, Lucien!¡± I call out to him. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try it?¡± He suggests, and disappears once more. I lose track of him, his misty outline already barely visible in the night. ¡°How would I even begin to do that?¡± I ask aloud. ¡°Just try to imagine yourself standing some place within your line of sight.¡± ¡°Surely, it can¡¯t be that simple,¡± I say, in a playful tone, following him each time I hear a sound. ¡°It is,¡± he whispers, his breath tickling the tips of my ear. I turn around quickly, and gasp quietly when I come face to face with his blazing red eyes. I¡¯ve never noticed how bright they really are, and the night has made them seem brighter. I stumble backwards over my own feet, into the trunk of a rotting tree, and almost scream as I imagine the many insects that are living in it, and crawling all over the inside. ¡°Try it,¡± he smirks, cornering me inside the trunk. ¡°It can¡¯t be that simple,¡± I say, shoving him aside. ¡°But it is¡­¡± he vanishes into a black stream of curling smoke, and reappears a short distance away. ¡°Soon, you can appear anywhere with just the memory of a place to guide you. Take my hand. Guide me.¡± He takes my hand. ¡°Lucien,¡± I murmur, impressed by his magic, but doubtful of its simplicity. ¡°I couldn¡¯t just-¡± I am suddenly standing in front of him, someplace else, and my body feels as if it¡¯s fallen from the skies. I grip Lucien¡¯s arm as I lose my balance. ¡°Lucien!¡± I stumble backwards towards the ground. He stares at me wide-eyed, and pulls my arm up, slowing my fall. ¡°Luna! You did it!¡± ¡°That was¡­¡± The world fades to black. When I come to, I am staring at the familiar sight of the inside of a tent. A gentle breeze makes the flaps of the entrance flutter, blinding me by the occasional rays of sunlight that peek through. When I¡¯m nearly asleep once more, someone pulls back the flaps. ¡°Go away,¡± I grumble, angrily. ¡°You must be an absolute delight in the morning,¡± says Madam Treeleaf, amused. ¡°Sorry,¡± I murmur. ¡°I¡¯ll be ready in just a moment.¡± ¡°I saw you gathered more herbs after we¡¯d gone to sleep. Not tired enough after a full day of work?¡± ¡°I only gathered a few more. I have trouble sleeping at night.¡± ¡°A few? You picked enough for a month. The baskets of herbs are almost overflowing.¡± ¡°O-oh, I guess I got more than I thought,¡± I lie. ¡°Forgive me.¡± ¡°Nonsense, this will be excellent for a bit of experimentation. I¡¯ve been trying to create a salve to minimize the appearance of scars.¡± Our return trip to the city feels longer due to all the herbs we are carrying in our packs, and I swear I can hear my bed calling to me from all the way out here in the wilderness, begging for me to lie down and relieve my aches. I glance over at Lucien, wondering if I¡¯d dreamt my nightly adventure with him. He merely smiles at me, and it inexplicably terrifies me, excites me, and steals my breath away all at the same time. I search for something to break the silence between us, but can¡¯t find a subtle way to bring up the previous night. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, Luna?¡± Arthur asks. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I mutter. ¡°I wasn¡¯t listening. Your voice just gr¡­ gets¡­ I can¡¯t finish that sentence politely. Forget I said anything.¡± ¡°I was telling Madam Lyra that you are most excellent at drawing and taking notes.¡± ¡°You''re not volunteering her for something, are you?¡± Asks Lucien, hiding his annoyance. Blushing, I note he also had not been listening to their conversation, and I wonder what was distracting him. I look over at him, pleasantly surprised he¡¯s unashamedly staring back. ¡°No, I¡¯m not. I¡¯m simply stating that Luna will be an excellent apprentice to Madam Lyra due to her diligence, and determination,¡± he hums. ¡°Are you alright? You both seem distracted.¡± ¡°Uh-¡± ¡°I had already guessed that without you, dear,¡± laughs Madam Treeleaf, and I feel grateful for her commentary. ¡°Why do you think I hired her to work in my shop? Lucien, I¡¯d love to take you in, by the way. I could learn from you about the herbs from the Grove and their properties. Arthur said you¡¯d gladly become my apprentice.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to intru-¡± ¡°That¡¯d be wonderful!¡± Arthur cries out. Lucien gives me an apologetic look, and I smile warmly at him in an attempt to reassure him that it is fine if he worked at the shop. Seeing him every day will either make me happier or more frustrated, I¡¯m not sure which. When we return to the City of Lights, we spend hours arranging the herbs, and processing them. Some are dried, others are boiled, a few are placed into jars of salts or sugar. I hardly notice the time pass as I mindlessly sip my wine, and crush several more herbs in the mortar, while others are being distilled, cooled in jars, and boiling at the fireplace. At last, when it comes time to make labels, Arthur stands by the door, and mumbles something about getting back to the Academy. Madam Treeleaf follows him out, promising to return with lunch for the three of us. I give her a drunk, happy grin, and return to my work, after wiping the sweat off my brow. ¡°I¡¯ll keep an eye on her,¡± Lucien promises Madam Treeleaf just before she leaves. ¡°I¡¯ll return shortly,¡± she says, with a slight nod of her head. ¡°Thank you, Lucien.¡± ¡°Take your time, and find something tasty. We deserve it,¡± he grins. ¡°Anything for you, my dears,¡± she says, reminding me of my grandmother back in Mirror Lake. I hum while I work, finishing off another batch of herbs that I¡¯ve washed thoroughly, and setting them on a rack to dry. ¡°It wasn¡¯t a dream,¡± Lucien mutters. I grip the table¡¯s edge, and force my eyes shut, trying to maintain my balance. It actually happened? I fall to the ground and scuff my knees. ¡°I can¡¯t understand why you¡¯re so frightened,¡± he sounds offended. He takes hold of my hand, and pries my fingers from the edge of the table so that he can pull me to my feet. He tsks when he sees the scuff on my knees. ¡°We should have carpets in here.¡± ¡°They¡¯d get dirty,¡± I murmur, feeling uneasy. ¡°Do you think dark elves are evil?¡± ¡°You know that¡¯s not it.¡± He¡¯s taken aback. ¡°It¡¯s not?¡± ¡°I¡¯m human, Lucien. I cannot, by my own natural limitations, as a human, Lucien, entertain the idea¡­ of¡­ well,¡± I laugh nervously, spreading a few more herbs out on a drying rack to be set outside behind the shop to dry. ¡°Are we going to travel through the stars, and to another world then? Is Selene going to take us there?¡± ¡°Anything you want, Luna Masters. I¡¯ll follow you anywhere you go,¡± he whispers. My breath catches at the sincerity of his promise. I turn to face him, my face already flushed from the wine, and becoming more flushed from his comment. ¡°We could travel through the stars, to a world where the gods are more fair,¡± he exclaims. ¡°You make these promises lightly, I see. Are you a romantic?¡± ¡°I guess I have more flaws than we both thought.¡± I return to my work. The rack I¡¯ve been filling is crowded now, and I take another off a high shelf, and begin lining the remaining herbs on it. ¡°You certainly kept yourself busy last night, didn¡¯t you? I know I didn¡¯t pick these,¡± I mention, absently. ¡°You picked quite a bit by the time I got to you, but I did help. I couldn¡¯t sleep.¡± ¡°You should have just brought along a sleeping potion.¡± ¡°I was¡­ afraid you were hurt. You make strange sounds when you sleep, by the way. You muttered spell after spell. It sounded like you were preparing for a great battle.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure I was.¡± ¡°Off on great adventures?¡± ¡°Ugh,¡± I groan. ¡°If only.¡± I wipe my hands off on my apron, and take up the racks on the counter before me. The back door is open to allow a fresh breeze to blow through the shop so we won¡¯t suffocate from all the fumes and strong smells. I step outside, and the sun is shining obscenely brightly. Shield my eyes, I place the racks on the ground in a neat row. The city around us is beginning to wake. The sound of children playing can be heard just beyond the backyard of the shop, and wagon wheels over the stone paths echo against the walls. The smells of the bakery waft into the air with tantalizing fragrances of dough, sugar, and butter, instantly making my mouth water. After setting down the last rack, I stretch out my arms and legs, and take a moment to enjoy the warmth of the sunlight on my skin and the cold breeze making my skin prickle. ¡°Do you want to study with me?¡± Asks Lucien, peering through the doorway. ¡°Maybe you could learn to fly?¡± I sigh irritably. He places several baskets in a row out in the sun, and sighs deeply. ¡°I believe that was the last of it. I¡¯m going to return to the Academy.¡± ¡°Madam Treeleaf said she¡¯d return with lunch.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he says, hanging his apron on a hook, and gathering his things dejectedly. I bite my lip, feeling a tinge of guilt for denying his help, but enjoying his small tantrum. When he is halfway out the door, I let out an exaggerated sigh. He turns on his heel immediately, and smiles sheepishly. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll do it, but the moment I get frustrated, we stop.¡± ¡°I agree.¡± ¡°Why are you doing this? What does it matter? Is it Arthur?¡± ¡°No,¡± he furrows his brows, instantly irritated. ¡°I just want to help you.¡± ¡°Is it because you so desperately want to escape into the stars?¡± I inquire, making my way back into the shop, with Lucien following closely behind me. ¡°I want to feel free.¡± ¡°What if you can¡¯t be?¡± ¡°But what if I can be?¡± He smiles, and there¡¯s a glimmer in his eyes. The bell at the front of the shop rings, and I rush to answer it. It¡¯s Madam Treeleaf with a crate full of jars and vials. ¡°Luna, dear, sort these for me. I¡¯ve brought lunch for you and Lucien. Where¡¯s Arthur?¡± ¡°He¡¯s gone. I don¡¯t think he likes labeling.¡± She groans. ¡°Never liked it, that one. He¡¯s the reason I put such an emphasis on labeling. It¡¯s no matter. It¡¯s best I leave it to you. You¡¯re quite organized, and have much better penmanship.¡± I carry the crates to the back of the shop, the bottles clinking with each step. Lunch is excellent. Bread, fresh roasted meats, fresh fruits, nuts, and a delicious porridge. We eat, as we work, and Madam Treeleaf skims through the notes in my journal (only the pages I¡¯ve made visible to her), checking it for any mistakes, and writing her own notes in the margins next to anything Lucien might have dictated incorrectly. ¡°¡­ I wish the Academy would begin personalizing lessons for some of the older students, especially those that wish to make it to level six,¡± she grumbles. ¡°Instead, they just kick them out and expect them to figure it out on their own. When I attended the Academy, back when I was still actually the age I look now, they¡¯d at least find someone you could study under. You¡¯d correspond with them, and if they were ready for a new apprentice, off you went to study for five more years. I remember going to Zelfari to study under Madam Cornelia, and Sir Silas. Ugh!¡± She squeals, the sound taking Lucien and me by surprise. ¡°We still talk to this day. They are my oldest and dearest friends. Lucien is in touch with a legend of his own, Master Eaimer.¡± Lucien gives her a warm smile. ¡°I could get you in better touch with him if you¡¯d like. I have his personal address.¡± ¡°Could you? That would be grand.¡± ¡°Any advice on passing Divination and Prophecy with Madam Drake?¡± ¡°She¡¯s obsessed with death, so any prophecy you think you see, tie it back to death and she¡¯ll pass you easily.¡± Lucien chuckles. ¡°I thought Arthur was just making that up.¡± ¡°No, she¡¯s always been that way, even when she was teaching Warding and Protection courses.¡± ¡°What about Enchantments?¡± I ask. ¡°Ah, there¡¯s an enchantment shop near here with a most handsome apprentice that shows up on rare occasions. Even if you aren¡¯t struggling with anything, stop by and take a look at him.¡± I stare at her stunned, and she laughs. ¡°The shop owner, Jacob, is always happy to help, and his apprentice makes it worth the trip,¡± she says, with a wink. ¡°If the owner doesn¡¯t mind¡­¡± I mumble. ¡°When does he show?¡± ¡°He¡¯s rarely there. Jacob, however, likes to show off, but mind the enchanted bugs.¡± ¡°Bugs?¡± I shudder. ¡°They¡¯re not real, but still manage to make my skin crawl.¡± ¡°The mere thought of bugs makes my skin crawl.¡± Lucien coughs to hide a laugh. I get to my feet when the shop bell rings, and reassure Madam Treeleaf that I can handle it on my own. ¡°Welcome to Madam Treeleaf¡¯s Potions Shop!¡± I greet. ¡°What sort of potion can I get for you?¡± ¡°Love potion,¡± the man grunts. Madam Treeleaf had warned me of people in search of love potions. Usually, if they are searching for one, they¡¯re likely up to no good. The man stands at the counter breathing heavily, scowling, and avoiding eye contact. His knuckles are covered in blood, and his face in fresh scratches. My skin crawls, and my heart begins to pound. ¡°We don¡¯t sell that, and even if we did sell what most call a ¡®love¡¯ potion,¡± I state, rehearsing a script. ¡°Love cannot be brewed. We cannot guarantee the person you give it to will be in love. Any potions sold under the title of ¡®love potion¡¯ just give the recipient false effects of love; heart flutters, sweaty palms, et cetera.¡± ¡°Good enough,¡± the man says in a gruff voice, angrily. ¡°We don¡¯t have any, sir.¡± The man tosses several golden coins on the counter towards me. ¡°I¡¯ll pay more for your silence.¡± ¡°One moment, please. I must speak with the owner of the shop,¡± I bow politely, and make my way to Madam Treeleaf, trying to maintain my composure. ¡°Madam Treeleaf, I don¡¯t believe I¡¯ve been trained to handle the situation occurring at the front of your shop. If you would jump in and assist me, I would be grateful.¡± ¡°What does he want?¡± She sets her cup of tea down roughly, and gets to her feet. ¡°Love potion, but he¡¯s terrifying, and won¡¯t listen.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± she huffs. ¡°We don¡¯t sell those here. I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± ¡°I told him so, but he keeps tossing gold on the counter. He¡¯s looking to pay for¡­ our silence.¡± I try to listen in on the conversation occuring at the front of the shop between Madam Treeleaf and the stranger, but can¡¯t make out any of the words as Lucien hums merrily in his drunken state. I scowl at him, and he pays me no mind after being hushed for the fifth time. ¡°Sol and Selene, forever entwined. Their love is a tale, eternally signed. Through twilight''s embrace and dawn''s first gleam. Their hearts united, a celestial dream.¡± ¡°In some ways, you¡¯re worse than Arthur,¡± I mutter, taking a sip of water. ¡°How could you say such an awful thing? I¡¯m simply sparing you from the realities of this world,¡± he says, jokingly. ¡°Are you? Which realities?¡± ¡°He wants a love potion. He thinks he can force someone to love him, but Madam Treeleaf cannot sell emotions. No one can, and so she must explain to him that love cannot be brewed in a potion, or cast as a spell. She must force him to promise that he will not be upset if she creates an imitation love potion, and it fails. Potions that imitate feelings of any kind are the most expensive, and the least effective. He¡¯s angry with her, and doesn¡¯t want to leave without it, while also getting angry at the possibility that it might fail because the woman he is pursuing is clearly not interested in him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous. Who sells them, anyway? It¡¯s such a silly thing to do.¡± ¡°Humans would pay anything for love.¡± ¡°Humans can never get everything they want. If we could, I¡¯d be on the other side of the stars on a grand adventure with you.¡± ¡°Me? You¡¯d go with me? I¡¯m flattered. What about Ma-¡­ sorry.¡± ¡°Marcellus has no interest in leaving Bellehaven. I hope that one day I can be okay with that, but¡­ not right now.¡± The door slams shut, and Madam Treeleaf appears at the doorway of the back room with furrowed eyebrows, nostrils flaring, and a scowl. ¡°Do not let him back in this shop, do you understand, Luna?¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf. You won¡¯t have to tell me a second time.¡± ¡°The nerve of him!¡± She huffs, pacing. ¡°Please sit, Madam Treeleaf,¡± says Lucien, standing from his seat, and putting an arm on her shoulder, to stop her. ¡°Nonsense, I have to go speak to someone. He¡¯s been here several times already, and gets worse with each visit. Watch the shop for me. If you see that man again, I insist you lock the doors. You¡¯ll take care of Luna while I¡¯m away, won¡¯t you, Lucien?¡± ¡°L-Luna?¡± He glances over at me. ¡°Why? Is he going to be after her?¡± Madam Treeleaf turns to face me, and I can read the panic in her eyes as she scans my face. ¡°Stay safe, or return to the Academy, do you understand?¡± She asks me. ¡°Yes,¡± I nod. ¡°Did he threaten Luna?¡± Lucien asks, panicked. ¡°I can¡¯t be sure, but he seemed quite upset about the whole situation, and kept threatening my ¡®disrespectful¡¯ apprentice. In the meantime, do not let her out of your sight until the matter is settled.¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf,¡± Lucien and I say in unison. Chapter Twelve ¡°Soothing tonics are over here,¡± I tell Lucien. He picks up the large crate filled with potions perfectly lined in rows, and I take out a few gray ones from inside it, neatly organizing them with the others. Pulling the older ones forward on the shelf, and I place the new ones behind them. ¡°You¡¯re making Arthur look bad. He just used to shove them all into the shelf without sorting them. When I was around to help, I¡¯d fix them for him, and he¡¯d take all the credit.¡± ¡°Why would you let him do that? He¡¯s so spoiled already.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Luna. I¡¯m an idiot sometimes when it comes to him,¡± he groans. I turn to him, and laugh when I notice the blue flush on his cheeks. ¡°You really are, I¡¯ve noticed. You seem to be more aware of it lately, though. I haven¡¯t heard you sigh dreamily in his direction for quite some time.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve¡­ been away from him since I started my studies. I thought it would be the opposite. I thought I¡¯d miss him, but I noticed I was less¡­¡± ¡°Distraught?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure, honestly,¡± he laughs. ¡°He just seems more childish now compared to¡­ before.¡± ¡°The¡­ healing potions are the green ones? He is a child, so that makes sense.¡± ¡°Yes, they are. I used to like it. I think I found it¡­ endearing. Like we would always have fun together.¡± ¡°What are these blue ones for? ¡®Mana regeneration¡¯? What¡¯s that? It¡¯s not endearing, it¡¯s annoying. I know I¡¯d enjoy my time better if he wasn¡¯t purposely trying to get a rise out of me.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not that bad. I think that¡¯s his way of making sure you notice him. Yes, when you get to the higher levels of magical studies, some spells will drain your energy. These are used often by the students of the Academy when they have exams coming up. It allows them to study their spells for longer periods of time.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± I say, placing them on the shelf next to the others. ¡°I guess you¡¯re just not as bothered as I am. Selene blessed you with patience I¡¯ll never have. How have you been sleeping? And your headaches?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯ve been sleeping just fine. It¡¯s just on the road when I have trouble. I¡¯m still taking soothing tonics, but not as much anymore.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± I grumble, arranging the bottles. ¡°That sounds terrible. You must hate traveling, and it¡¯s all Arthur¡¯s fault.¡± ¡°I do. I¡¯m looking forward to going home, and staying there when the time comes.¡± ¡°Um¡­ the Euphoria Elixir¡­ Uh¡­ How are you going to travel the stars with me if you never travel?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just below the Brew of Tranquility. We can negotiate.¡± We¡¯re quiet for a while as I focus on my sorting. ¡°Lucien¡­¡± I mumble, lining up the small vials on the shelf, and pushing the old ones forward. ¡°Gods, do we need to take Arthur? I don¡¯t want to travel the stars with someone like him. Can you just imagine? He¡¯d complain non stop.¡± ¡°¡®This bed is awful!¡¯¡± ¡°¡®This wine is not good enough!¡¯ ¡®How do you peasants consume this vile poison?¡¯¡± ¡°Or¡­ ¡®This isn¡¯t that amazing. I want to go home to my palace!¡¯¡± ¡°He¡¯d make the whole thing just awful.¡± ¡°He absolutely would,¡± smiles Lucien. ¡°You¡¯d travel to other worlds with him, though, wouldn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°In a heartbeat, Luna,¡± he says, pained. ¡°Because you¡¯re in love?¡± I whisper. ¡°Because he¡¯s still my best friend, even though he is a pain in the ass.¡± ¡°Um¡­ hair growing tonic?¡± ¡°Oh, on this other shelf,¡± he huffs, readjusting the crate in his arms. ¡°Why don¡¯t you just set that down on the counter, and help me sort, Lucien?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. I was just scared of setting it down earlier when it was so full. I could barely keep myself from dropping it.¡± He grunts, and the bottles all clink when the crate comes in contact with the counter. ¡°Alright, hair growing tonics, just up there. Use the ladder, be careful. It shakes a bit.¡± Standing at the top of the ladder, and gripping the railing as tightly as I can, I reach down for several more potions that Lucien is passing up to me. I smile at my work, having made all of the labels face out. ¡°You¡¯re definitely making Arthur look bad, and possibly even me. Now, come down before you fall.¡± ¡°Just give me the rest of them. I might as well sort them while I¡¯m up here.¡± ¡°It¡¯s too far a reach. The ladder is not a good one. It¡¯s Madame Treeleaf¡¯s-¡± ¡°Lucien,¡± I say, holding a hand out to him. ¡°I won¡¯t catch you if you fall,¡± he threatens. ¡°Good thing I¡¯m a Wind-Caller, then,¡± I say, snatching up the potions from his hands, and leaning on one side of the ladder to better reach the next shelf over. The world moves in slow-motion. The ladder creaks, and my foot slips off the rung. I watch Lucien cast a spell on the bottles I¡¯d been holding, a small wind preventing them from shattering when they hit the floor. Then, he reaches for me, and casts the same wind spell on my body. I do the same at the same time, causing our spells to collide and knock us away from each other. I hang from the ladder with one hand, as Lucien is knocked against the front counter. ¡°Gods, Luna, I told you!¡± He says, irritably. ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumble, climbing down from the ladder. Lucien rubs the back of his head, and reluctantly takes the hand I offer to him. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ pay for your healing potion.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, just¡­ listen next time, won¡¯t you? That ladder has never been a good one, but Madam Treeleaf refuses to make another, even though she¡¯s an Earth-Mender.¡± ¡°I wonder why.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Arthur said it had something to do with it being the first thing she created with her powers.¡± ¡°Well, that explains why it wobbles. You could have started with that.¡± He scoffs, and places a firm grip on my hips as I climb up the ladder. I nearly miss the next rung when his hands slide around my thighs, making my knees weak. Lucien reflexively tightens his grip on me. ¡°Sorry, were you hurt there?¡± He asks, relaxing his hold. ¡°I can climb up, and you can hand me the potions.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine,¡± I say, shyly. ¡°I just slipped.¡± He immediately busies himself by picking up the fallen potions from the floor one at a time, and piling them into his apron. Thankfully, none of them have shattered. When the last of the potions are sorted and placed on the shelves, Lucien once again places his hands on my hips as I climb down, this time being more gentle. I turn to face him, and remain still, gazing at him. My heart skips a beat when I notice the intensity of his stare. His eyes flicker down to my lips, and I feel my cheeks flush when he smiles. He cups my cheek, his hands warm and soft, and runs his thumb gently over the tips of my ears. ¡°Luuu¡­¡± I can¡¯t speak, his name is caught in my throat, and I have to force it out. ¡°Lucien.¡± ¡°Yes?¡± He asks, without reacting. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re a bit¡­¡± He steps away from me, and nervously fiddles with the end of his braid. ¡°Sorry, I¡­ I was thinking of someo- thing else.¡± ¡°Your fianc¨¦e back home? Or Arthur?¡± ¡°She¡¯s not my fianc¨¦e, and definitely not Arthur,¡± he murmurs. He turns away quickly, takes up the crate on the counter, and disappears into the rear room. The bell rings, and a very pregnant woman walks in. ¡°Is Madam Treeleaf here?¡± She asks. ¡°She had to step out, I¡¯m afraid.¡± ¡°Do you know when she¡¯ll be back?¡± ¡°No.¡± The woman steps past me, and places a note on the counter. ¡°Well, I suppose I¡¯ll just leave this here.¡± Lucien reemerges from the back room. ¡°Hello,¡± he says, politely. The woman huffs, and walks out grumbling. I grimace, and look over at Lucien who seems unbothered. He carries on, keeping himself busy twisting the potion bottles on the shelves around, so their labels face out. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry,¡± I mumble. ¡°Hmm? Oh, no, that¡¯s fine. It¡¯s the City of Lights. It¡¯s quite normal here.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not serious.¡± ¡°I was more surprised by your¡­ Marcellus, than anyone else. I didn¡¯t think it¡¯d reached that far south¡­ east to the smaller parts of down that still do trades with the Grove.¡± ¡°It¡­ I guess it has. Even Arthur said that his step mother is¡­ Let¡¯s¡­ take a small break. The garden perhaps?¡± Through the back door, is Madam Treeleaf¡¯s herb garden, a small well, and a tree with many herbs strung by strings to its branches. Lucien¡¯s been practicing shadow traveling for hours, and I am beginning to get used to it. I¡¯ve finally led him in teleporting us under the tree in the small garden, when I see Lucien¡¯s ear twitch. He races into the shop, then returns several minutes later appearing slightly distraught. ¡°Uh, you should handle this one. He¡¯s taking them for¡­ a curse. He¡¯s¡­ just going to die poor and young.¡± I give him a puzzled look as I step inside. ¡°Hello, what potion can I get for you?¡± ¡°Minor healing potion.¡± ¡°Um¡­ five copper coins,¡± I say, fetching a bottle from the shelf. He pushes the coins into my hand firmly, and leaves. ¡°Sorry,¡± Lucien mumbles. ¡°I¡­ tried to suggest another potion, but he wouldn¡¯t take it. He got upset with me. He¡¯s apparently been coming here for years.¡± ¡°His name?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ Lark?¡± I write down the order into the record book beneath the counter. ¡°I¡¯m sure Madam Treeleaf will know him then,¡± I reassure Lucien. ¡°What¡­ Why do you look so upset?¡± ¡°He¡­ There''s a curse they place on Mystics who have committed some of the worst crimes, usually by their own definition of crimes, and the cursed are forced to live a painful existence until they¡­ kill themselves or try to continue living. They wind up losing their minds, and get themselves killed anyway. He seemed to have some sort of youth extracting curse, but also immortal, so he¡¯s¡­ suffering greatly from unimaginable pains of aging, which means he¡¯s still committing the same crime.¡± ¡°Goodness, I wonder what it was.¡± ¡°He said he fell in love with an elf maiden.¡± ¡°Elf maidens you mean?¡± ¡°No, just the one.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ unfortunate.¡± ¡°Always be careful when traveling shadows, they can be quite tricky when you¡¯re trying to be precise. You should also never travel through a shadow that is smaller than your own, it just won¡¯t work.¡± ¡°I see, so¡­ uh¡­¡± I focus on a shadow forming behind the tree int he garden, and attempt to travel through it with Lucien. The sensation of falling unbalances me, and I catch myself against his back, causing him to fall forward. He groans in pain, when I roll off him. I lie on the ground, and stare up at the sky that is now pink from the light of the setting sun. ¡°Sorry, that feeling is¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯ll get used to it.¡± ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s dreadful. I feel ill. Like I¡¯ve been spinning in circles and suddenly stopped.¡± Lucien sits up, and leans over me. His long braid cascades down over his shoulder, and the end of it tickles my cheek. ¡°Come on, then, no need to continue if you¡¯re feeling unwell.¡± He offers me a hand so that I can sit up. ¡°Sorry, I know you¡¯re very excited, and I hate to ruin the fun.¡± He smiles warmly at me. ¡°Nonsense, it¡¯s still exciting. We just need to take a break.¡± He gets to his feet, and dusts off his clothes before offering his hand to me once again. I take it, and struggle to my feet. ¡°Quickly now,¡± he says. ¡°The bell rang.¡± As I walk to the shop floor, I dust myself off, and Lucien follows behind me, straightening my hair, and removing bits of leaves and twigs. ¡°Hello, what potion can I get for you?¡± I ask, trying to catch my breath. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. The woman walks into the shop cautiously, and stares around in awe. She has long black hair, and eyes just as dark, with flecks of gold, visible now by the light pouring in through the second story window. She is petite, and dressed in the fine clothing of Solari that¡¯s made of light flowing fabric, covered in amazingly intricate, golden designs. ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± she mumbles. ¡°I¡­ ate a funny plant, and¡­ strange things have been happening.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ do you know what the plant looked like?¡± ¡°Um¡­ it was¡­ white¡­ and glowing. It¡¯s¡­ I thought it was poisonous. I don¡¯t know why I ate it.¡± I hear Lucien approaching the back door of the shop, trying to take a peek at the woman. Her eyes flicker over to the rear door when he appears. ¡°S-Sorry. He¡¯s not a stranger. He works here with me and Madam Treeleaf.¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­ a dark elf.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get out of your way,¡± he sighs. ¡°N-No! I just¡­ I haven¡¯t seen one of you in so long since¡­ Gods, you¡¯re all so strikingly beautiful.¡± Lucien stares at me, maintaining a neutral expression on his face, and an obviously panicked look in his eyes. ¡°Um¡­ so¡­ a duneswift approached me¡­¡± she continues on. ¡°What¡¯s a duneswift?¡± I inquire. ¡°The opposite of a shadowstalker,¡± states Lucien. ¡°They reside up north by the deserts of Solari. They guide lost travelers to the nearest oasis, or get them more lost if deemed unworthy of living.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ terrifying,¡± I mutter. ¡°Well,¡± continues the woman. ¡°I passed out, and somehow, I¡¯ve found my way here. Maybe a healing potion? There¡¯s¡­ someone here in the city I feel I should meet.¡± ¡°What¡¯s your name, traveler?¡± ¡°Seraphina¡­ Uh- Ainsley.¡± ¡°Are¡­ you also a student of the Academy?¡± ¡°I have become a level six Earth-Mender already. It¡¯s been several years.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± ¡°I got the feeling I¡¯d meet important people here, and I believe you¡¯re one of them.¡± ¡°I see, well¡­ you¡¯ve come to the wrong place. There¡¯s no one important he-¡± ¡°Do you get premonitions?¡± Asks Lucien, excitedly. ¡°Premonitions?¡± I ask. ¡°If she¡¯s a Fire-Wielder, her instincts guide her.¡± ¡°Truly?¡± ¡°You¡­ must be very new to the Academy,¡± she says. ¡°I am¡­ how did you guess?¡± ¡°Madam Treeleaf always takes in student apprentices. Her last one must have finally completed his level four. How is Arthur? Is he still here?¡± She asks, shyly. ¡°ARTHUR!¡± I gasp. ¡°He¡¯s engaged to be married!¡± ¡°I know that!¡± She says, defensively, with a flush on her cheeks. ¡°He¡¯s just a dear friend of mine.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll send your greetings to him,¡± says Lucien. ¡°I¡¯m afraid he¡¯s still busy with his level five studies.¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­ you¡¯re that Lucien?¡± ¡°Whatever he said about me, it was most likely untrue, you can ask Luna,¡± he nods his head in my direction. I nod emphatically. ¡°He spoke very highly of you,¡± she says. ¡°Was he drunk?¡± I scoff. Seraphina and Lucien share a laugh. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ be seeing you around, Luna¡­ Lucien. I¡¯ll leave my location with you. Tell Arthur to come see me.¡± She walks out of the shop, leaving behind a small slip of paper with the name of an inn located on the opposite side of the city. Lucien tucks it safely into his pocket when I refuse to touch it. ¡°I wonder what her next vision will be,¡± he says, excitedly. ¡°Hopefully a vision of Arthur getting married, and bringing up his fifteen children with the proper person,¡± I groan. ¡°She doesn¡¯t actually find him attractive, does she?¡± ¡°Some people fall in love with their eyes, some fall in love with their hearts, some fall in love with the idea of being in love, and some don¡¯t fall in love at all.¡± ¡°The last ones are the luckiest,¡± I grumble, pushing around some empty vials across the counter. It might also be some twisted version of the feelings I¡¯m beginning to feel for Lucien, but being in love is not the same as love. I sigh, and begin to read through the shops¡¯ logs to keep me distracted. ¡°Marcellus?¡± ¡°Ugh, Lucien,¡± I groan. ¡°Not everything is about Marcellus, I swear.¡± ¡°I thought¡­ My mistake. No need to be so defensive. You look pensive.¡± ¡°Just because we¡¯re talking about¡­ love or whatever, doesn¡¯t mean¡­ Never mind. When do you think Madam Treeleaf will return? I smell like everything in the shop, and it¡¯s not a pleasant smell. I want to wash it off. Maybe I¡¯ll bathe in the river and spare the others¡­ wash my clothes while I¡¯m at it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll return soon.¡± ¡°So¡­ if Fire-Wielders can see potential futures, and Wind-Callers can fly, what special ability do Earth-Menders and Water-Bearers get?¡± ¡°Um¡­ let¡¯s see¡­ Master Eaimer said Earth-Menders can make their skin impenetrable, and Water-Bearers¡­ can breathe underwater, if I recall correctly. The skills are difficult to master, though. Seraphina must be a very powerful Mystic if she can already use a Fire-Wielder¡¯s ability¡± ¡°You will be, too, if you master all your levels of magic. Flying, stone skin, underwater breathing, and premonition! What about Light-Weavers and Shadow-Casters?¡± ¡°If I got any more abilities, the gods really would be unfair, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°I suppose¡­¡± ¡°And I¡¯ll only get those abilities if I¡¯m lucky. It¡¯s going to take a long time for me to master each element. I¡¯m taking several more courses than you.¡± ¡°What do you want to focus on?¡± I asked, getting comfortable on a stool by the counter. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ actually not sure yet.¡± ¡°Hmm, flying sounds exciting,¡± I murmur. ¡°And it¡¯d be easier to travel with you. I¡¯m getting hungry. We¡¯ve been working for hours without rest. I could run out and get something for us, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go. I know you¡¯re not familiar with the entire city just yet, and I know a place with the best pastries and meat pies.¡± ¡°Thank you. I shall pay you back,¡± I call after him when he exits the shop. ¡°Be careful!¡± ¡°You can pay me back by speaking with that woman when you get the chance again,¡± he cries through one of the shop windows just outside. ¡°I¡¯ve a good feeling about her.¡± ¡°What kind of feeling?¡± ¡°She could be a good friend for you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got friends.¡± ¡°Sure you do, but you could always use more.¡± ¡°¡­ and then the woman just slaps Arthur!¡± Laughs Lucien. ¡°You should have seen the look on his face, as if he had the right to become insulted after what he told her.¡± ¡°The nerve!¡± ¡°I know. I couldn¡¯t even comfort him, I was laughing hard, and couldn¡¯t stop to catch my breath. He said I was the worst friend he¡¯s ever had, and I had to remind him I was probably the only friend he had at that moment. He¡¯s gotten much better, though¡­ maybe. I can¡¯t tell, sometimes. You¡¯ve got a bit of jam just there.¡± He points to the corner of his own mouth, and I try to lick where he¡¯s indicated. ¡°Did I get it?¡± ¡°No, just¡­ one second.¡± He reaches towards my face, and I lean back, away from his touch, reflexively, nearly toppling off my seat. ¡°Stop squirming like a child,¡± he scolds me, jokingly. ¡°You¡¯re going to hurt yourself. I¡¯m just trying to help you.¡± ¡°Sorry, fingers towards my face usually meant my sisters were up to tricks again.¡± He wipes my cheek with his thumb, and licks the jam from his fingers. ¡°Hey,¡± I laughed. ¡°That was mine.¡± ¡°Oh, pardon me,¡± he blushes, and holds his pastry towards me. I take the smallest possible bite, and push his hand away. ¡°Thank you,¡± I say, with a wide grin. He watches me, lips parted slightly. ¡°So,¡± I continue, staring at his mouth. ¡°You say much about Arthur, but tell me more about yourself.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ what about me?¡± He grumbles, unhappily. ¡°Tell me about your parents, maybe?¡± ¡°O-Oh¡­ let¡¯s see¡­ Theirs was a love story not nearly as romantic as Selene and Sol¡¯s, but¡­ my parents met at the Grove, then again at the Academy,¡± he fidgets nervously in his chair. ¡°I¡¯m one of two children. We were both left in the care of my grandmother when they passed, so I don¡¯t know much about them, except what I¡¯ve heard from others, and what¡¯s written in my mother¡¯s journals. My grandmother never speaks of them much or how they passed, but she rushed to leave the Grove with my sister when it happened.¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry. You don¡¯t have to talk about this if you don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. You talked to me about your family, so I can do the same.¡± ¡°Mine¡¯s not so¡­ sad.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not as sad anymore.¡± ¡°Well, what do you know about them?¡± ¡°My grandmother,¡± he continues. ¡°Told me my parents were in love for hundreds of years, and when their life of adventure finally came to an end, they settled down in Dark Grove, and had me and my younger sister. I¡¯m glad they lived happily for so long together, I just wish they¡¯d lived a bit longer so I could remember what they were like.¡± ¡°Why did you stay, though? Weren¡¯t you sad to be surrounded by¡­ them?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to leave what was left of them behind. I still live in our old home. My mother wrote down much of their adventures, the same way you do. Drawings, spells, all sorts of notes in many books and journals. She even wrote of the fights she¡¯d had with my father trying to convince him to leave behind his life of adventure to settle down. She¡­ didn¡¯t expect him to enjoy fatherhood as much as he did, and was pleasantly surprised. They were happy, and they loved my sister and I very much. It¡¯s comforting to keep those memories close, and the home they created for us.¡± I reach a hand towards him, and place it on his shoulder. He places his hand over mine, and squeezes it lightly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Does it ever get lonely? I can¡¯t stand the silence when no one is there.¡± ¡°I get by. I have the wonderful company of my dearest friend. Surprisingly, that friend is Arthur. I visited him often when he wasn¡¯t busy with his studies. Master Eaimer has always been a close family friend, and is like a grandfather to me. It¡¯s not so lonely.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry to be the one to tell you that you need better friends, if Arthur is the best you¡¯ve got.¡± ¡°Are we not friends yet? In that case, I hope we can be friends soon enough.¡± ¡°I¡¯d be happy to be considered your friend, Lucien,¡± I say, smiling like a fool. ¡°I¡¯m glad¡­ I¡¯ve been afraid to admit I¡¯ve grown quite fond of you,¡± he smiles warmly, and his knee brushes past mine. ¡°Why would you be afraid to admit that?¡± I bite my lip to hide a smirk. ¡°Your Marcellus would hate me if I¡¯d ever uttered those words out loud. Arthur would never cease bothering the both of us. And¡­¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°Just don¡¯t tell Arthur. He could either grow very attached to you, or try his best to push you away.¡± ¡°Jealousy?¡± ¡°Not his finest trait, I¡¯m afraid.¡± ¡°He¡¯s got many unlikeable traits.¡± ¡°I know,¡± he says, squeezing my hand again, and rubbing his thumb along the top of it. His ear twitches, and he jumps quickly away from me, just as the bell rings, and Madam Treeleaf enters the shop. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you two, my business took longer to settle than I realized. I remembered that if the both of you were going to be working here in my shop, I needed to find a way to grant you access through the gates at night in case we ever return late from our foraging. In addition to that, my concerns were completely ignored, so if you ever see that man again, let me know immediately, and I¡¯ll handle the matter myself.¡± I give her a worried look, and she cackles. ¡°I¡¯ll keep him alive, don¡¯t you worry about that.¡± My mouth forms a nervous smile. ¡°Did we have any other patrons?¡± ¡°Not many.¡± ¡°That¡¯s alright, the shop will be busy tomorrow. Run along, you two. Get some rest. Thank you for the hard work.¡± ¡°Um¡­ Could I go out tonight, since you mentioned it? I need to wash my clothes, and I wish not to make my room smell of¡­ well, everything. I thought I could go to the river outside the city walls.¡± ¡°Of course, everything has been arranged already. Leave your name and mine with the guard. Though I do hope you¡¯re bringing someone with you. It¡¯s not safe at night, and that man has given me an uneasy feeling.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go with her, Madam Treeleaf. I also smell¡­ interesting.¡± ¡°Alright, then. Have a goodnight.¡± ¡°Just¡­ try to leap to that shadow over there. It¡¯s not too far, and it¡¯s big enough. Watch.¡± Lucien vanishes, and reappears some distance away, waves a hand at me, then reappears next to me. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not an expert yet, Lucien,¡± I grumble, taking his hand. ¡°What if I hurt myself?¡± ¡°The only way you can hurt yourself using dark magic, is if you¡¯re purposely doing it wrong, or land somewhere above the ground. You¡¯re fine, just¡­ focus.¡± ¡°Focus¡­¡± I shut my eyes, and feel the familiar sensation of falling. When I open my eyes, Lucien is standing in front of me, and catches me as I stumble forward. ¡°This is the worst.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t practice, you¡¯ll never get used to it.¡± ¡°Wind magic doesn¡¯t really come with consequences like this, you know.¡± I groan, and take a seat on the ground, giving my head a moment to stop spinning. ¡°Can I just walk next time?¡± ¡°It¡¯s more fun this way.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not. Find some herbs to wash our clothing. I¡¯ll help you in a moment, once the world stops spinning.¡± ¡°Alright. You may begin bathing. I¡¯ll warn you when I come back.¡± Behind a line of trees, I nervously scrub myself with a rag, listening for any sign of Lucien. I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t hear him when he comes back, and so I remained dressed. ¡°Luna, I¡¯m here!¡± He warns. ¡°Back here.¡± When he passes the line of trees, he laughs. ¡°You¡¯re still wearing your smelly clothes? And you¡¯re bathing in them, too?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t¡­ need you walking in on me. I didn¡¯t think I would hear you.¡± ¡°I see. Well, I found some herbs for the wash. You can just hand me your clothing once you¡¯ve undressed, and I swear not to look at you, and won¡¯t return until you¡¯re done.¡± ¡°That¡¯s uh¡­¡± ¡°Much trust you¡¯re putting in me?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve brought a change of clothing. If I take off with your clothes, you¡¯ll have a backup.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± I tut. ¡°But that¡¯s not what I¡¯m worried about.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll keep my hands off you, until you grant me permission to touch you, I guarantee it.¡± My cheeks burn. ¡°Until I grant you permission to do what?¡± He turns away, and coughs. ¡°Just set the clothes next to me, and I¡¯ll leave.¡± When I¡¯m fully dressed, I locate Lucien staring up at the skies, and our washed garments hanging from a rope tied between two trees. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ all yours, Lucien,¡± I say, shyly. ¡°I can wash your clothing for you while I wait.¡± ¡°No peeking,¡± he says, with a smirk. I blush when he removes his robe, and nearly scream aloud when he continues to strip before me. I turn away immediately feeling my body heat up. ¡°Lucien, a warning.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he laughs. ¡°I¡¯m naked. You can try to keep your eyes to yourself, but I won¡¯t stop you from looking.¡± ¡°You!¡± I scream. ¡°Just give me your clothes.¡± ¡°With pleasure, Luna.¡± The stars are twinkling, and the leaves in the trees rustle when the night breeze blows gently. I lie back on my bag, and shut my eyes, unable to put off sleep for much longer. What is taking Lucien so long? I look over at the trees one more time. He¡¯s still not making his way back. ¡°Sorry,¡± he apologizes, after successfully waking me. ¡°I need your help, if¡­ you don¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°Sure. What is¡­ it¡­?¡± His hair is soaked, and no longer braided. It trails behind him, and gets tangled up with leaves and other debris along the ground when he walks towards me. ¡°My hair, of course.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try my best, but you¡¯re going to be disappointed.¡± He pushes an ornate ivory comb into my hands decorated in a moon and star motif. ¡°Oh, this is quite beautiful,¡± I comment, turning it in my hands. ¡°Thank you, it was my mother¡¯s. It was one of the first gifts my father got for her.¡± ¡°That makes it even more precious. Are you sure you can trust me with this?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not worried, unless you¡¯re going to purposely try to break it.¡± I comb his long hair, and smile as I recall memories of doing the same for my sisters and my mother. I remember how my mother would braid my hair before festivals, and how my sisters used to tie colorful strings into their own hair, and I would beg them to do the same for me. When all the knots are out, I struggle to lift sections of his hair to form a braid, and he chuckles. I poke his side, making him cry out in pain, and he does the same to me. ¡°Hey, hey! I¡¯m trying to help you,¡± I complain. ¡°That doesn¡¯t give you a right to abuse me,¡± he says with a laugh. I braid for what feels like hours, lifting heavy sections of his hair, and untangling it every so often. My arms fall limp and sore at my sides when I finally finish tightening the final hair ribbon. I give my numbed hands a shake to encourage some blood to rush back to them. Feeling accomplished, I lie back, and look up at the sky. ¡°No more, right?¡± I ask. ¡°Uh¡­ a few more things, if you don¡¯t mind. I cannot place the feathers back myself. Not neatly, anyway, and I don¡¯t think you¡¯d like it if I messed up your hard work.¡± I hold out a hand towards him, and he puts various feathers and jewels tied to strings into my hand. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter where they go.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± I huff, sitting back up. I tie the strings in knots on various parts of his braid, trying to place them as closely as I can to their original locations. ¡°How do you even do this in the first place?¡± I grumble. ¡°It¡¯s usually quite difficult, as you can see.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you cut it?¡± ¡°I might, one day. It is getting quite heavy to carry around so much hair. One more thing¡­¡± he puts a small ring with a connected chain and jewel into my hand. ¡°Ah, yes. Can¡¯t have your horns looking so plain,¡± I tease. ¡°Absolutely not.¡± He leans back, and I loop the ring around one of his horns. He fastens on several earrings to his long ears, and forms braids with the remaining strands at his ear that are shorter than the rest, then hangs another jewel near his left ear. I just watch him, admiring the way the light of the moon reflects off him. ¡°Thank you, Luna,¡± he says, with a slight bow. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ welcome,¡± I say, trailing my fingers along the tips of his ears. ¡°I like your ears,¡± I admit. ¡°With all of those jewels¡­ your hair. Your horns. You¡¯re almost as pleasant to look at as the night sky. You take my breath away.¡± ¡°Thank you. I¡­ thank you.¡± Gods, how embarrassing. Chapter Thirteen I scribble a note into my journal, and slide it over to Lucien. He reads it, then does the same. I won¡¯t have time to go to the Potions¡¯ Shop today. Will you be alright alone? I¡¯ll also be working on assignments. Do you require assistance? We can work together, if you¡¯d like. I know a quiet place in the library where even Arthur won¡¯t find us. I glance over at him, and bite my lip to keep myself from laughing. Does Arthur even know what a library is? Or where it is? He chuckles. ¡°Miss Masters!¡± Shouts our instructor, Master Riversong. ¡°Yes, sir?¡± ¡°Will you please answer the question?¡± ¡°Rubies,¡± whispers Lucien. ¡°Rubies, sir.¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct. And what are they best for?¡± ¡°Storing the energy of any fire-based spirit or energy. However, precaution should be taken, as the object can become incredibly hot against the skin.¡± ¡°Good. Pay attention. Sir Moonshadow, the same goes to you.¡± ¡°Yes, Master Riversong. My apologies,¡± says Lucien, with a quick nod. Why do you think I suggested it in the first place? I¡¯ll go. I pack up my bag, moving as quickly as possible so that I can catch up with Lucien in the hallways. ¡°Miss Masters,¡± calls Master Riversong. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, sir. I didn¡¯t mean to-¡± ¡°Miss Masters, it¡¯s important to make friends here, but try not to distract them. I¡¯ve assigned Sir Moonshadow as your partner for the upcoming group project. Is that alright? The two of you seem to be getting along, and none of the other students want to be associated with him.¡± ¡°Wh-¡­ Yes, it¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Good. Get out of my sight,¡± he sighs, and continues scribbling in his book. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t thank me yet. You¡¯re both diligent, but Lucien has you beat.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°I certainly hope so, for your sake.¡± I exit the classroom, and find Lucien just outside, leaning against the wall. The rays of the sunlight pouring in through the tall windows create a soft halo around him. The sight of him takes my breath away. ¡°Luna,¡± he smiles, and it instantly warms my heart. ¡°You¡¯re still here,¡± I say, taking his arm, and leading us towards our next class. ¡°I am. I thought we could walk together since you still get lost trying to get there.¡± ¡°How thoughtful of you. I don¡¯t get lost, however.¡± ¡°Then why are you always late?¡± ¡°I¡­ day dream.¡± ¡°I see. You get mentally lost,¡± he smiles. ¡°I heard we¡¯ll be reading tea leaves today.¡± ¡°I better prepare for the many gruesome ways you and I will both die,¡± I laugh. ¡°Don¡¯t make it too obvious this time.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t enjoy my show last time?¡± ¡°You screamed, making my ears ring for weeks.¡± ¡°Sorry. I forgot you have sensitive hearing.¡± I spot a group of Mystics scowling at Lucien, and quickly pull him down through a different passageway. ¡°It¡¯s easier to walk down that other passage,¡± he murmurs. ¡°I know but maybe we¡¯ll find a shortcut.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to make us late for class, let¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°No, come on.¡± ¡°Luna, I¡¯m an adult. I can handle a few scowling Mystics, and their negative viewpoints on dark elves and how we are somehow single-handedly destroying Amith.¡± ¡°I know you can, but¡­ you shouldn¡¯t have to. Let¡¯s just go this way,¡± I take his hand and pull him through the empty halls. ¡°One second, follow me. I actually know where I¡¯m going,¡± he murmurs. I laugh nervously, and follow him through various corridors, until we¡¯re finally standing in the center of a dark room surrounded by cobwebs. The furniture is coated in a fine layer of dust, and on the tables lie pieces of unpolished silver; candles, trays, goblets, and other items I don¡¯t recognize. ¡°Well, I think you got us more lost, Lucien.¡± ¡°No, our classroom is just beyond that door, across the hall.¡± ¡°You¡¯re kidding. What is this place, anyway?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ a small temple for the worshippers of Selene.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ We should clean this place up. Find you a nice corner to be all strange and dark elf-like.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not. Besides, the temple of Gaia is being looked after by the other worshippers, and we¡¯re supposed to be respectful and kind to each other or something.¡± ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get to class.¡± How are you planning to die today? Death by handsome dark elves. That doesn¡¯t sound awful, actually. Should it be more tragic? Death by a handsome dark elf that is already spoken for? Are you? What? Lucien peers over at me, trying to read the expressions on my face. I giggle and hide my face behind the steam of my cup of tea. ¡°Luna,¡± whispers Lucien. ¡°Are you making a pass at me?¡± I nod, shyly, feeling the heat rising in my cheeks and ears. ¡°Lucien!¡± Calls the professor. ¡°Yes, Madam Drake!¡± Lucien says, standing at attention. ¡°Stop flirting with Luna, and tell me what you see in your tea leaves.¡± ¡°Fli¡­ Yes, Madam Drake,¡± he mumbles. ¡°But Luna¡¯s the one flirting.¡± I break out into a nervous fit of giggles with the other girls and women in the classroom The professor waves her hands lazily. ¡°Get on with it.¡± ¡°R-Right. Uh¡­ I uh¡­ what was the question we asked today?¡± ¡°Finding love.¡± The younger girls in the class giggle. ¡°Right, with the intent of finding love,¡± he clears his throat. ¡°Um¡­ The symbol closest to the handle looks like¡­ a mountain? I suppose I won¡¯t be successful any time soon, and will be facing many challenges. Then there¡¯s¡­ a¡­ flower? I¡¯ll heal from these challenges, and then a h-heart¡­ I mean a skull. I¡¯m definitely going to die a very young elf just after healing from my challenges.¡± Madam Drake gets to her feet slowly, and puts a hand on Lucien¡¯s shoulder. ¡°My good elf, I¡¯m sorry,¡± she says, dramatically. ¡°You will pass, though. Excellent interpretation. LUNA!¡± I get to my feet, practically knocking my cup off its saucer from the edge of the desk, and stand at attention. ¡°Your reading. Go ahead.¡± ¡°Uh, right. Let¡¯s see¡­ a dog. A friendship? The letter L? I suppose for me? And¡­ a¡­ wavy line? So a strange journey?¡± ¡°Nothing else?¡± ¡°Oh! Oh, yes¡­ a mushroom. I¡¯ll have an awful fight with my lover, and we¡¯ll never be reunited.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± she sighs, sadly. ¡°I¡¯m sorry dear. You passed today¡¯s assignment. Next, Lucinda.¡± I take a seat, and sigh with relief. Lucien takes my cup from me, and begins to trace it onto a sheet of paper. What are you doing? Reading your tea leaves. Take mine. We¡¯ll exchange our guesses. Would you like to remain alive for this one? He chuckles, and nods. You¡¯ll have a friend sent to you by the Goddess Selene, and you will go on a journey through the stars with this person. They will remain loyal until the end of time. That¡¯s not even romantic. I didn¡¯t know that was a requirement. What¡¯s mine? You¡¯ll struggle in the beginning with this awful concept called ¡®love¡¯, and it¡¯s only after you heal that you will find it. And then I¡¯ll die? And then we¡¯ll see the stars. Luna, that sounds wonderful, but were you making a pass at me? Sorry, I swear I was jesting. I know you¡¯re engaged. Very well, but I¡¯m not. My hands shake, and I place my pen down. I can feel Lucien¡¯s stare on me as I try to focus on Madam Drake¡¯s explanation of tarot cards. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Soon, we are telling each other¡¯s fortunes. ¡°Cut the deck, please, my good sir,¡± I say, dramatically. ¡°Gods, you enjoy this, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I also need to pass this course.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ The Two of Cups.¡± ¡°Oh, my!¡± I laugh. ¡°Let¡¯s see. It¡¯s upright. Attraction? A unity or connection. A strong bond.¡± ¡°Sounds positive. A new friend perhaps?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make sure your death is inevitable.¡± ¡°Thank you. Next¡­ Page of Swords. Reversed. Lucien, Lucien, Lucien,¡± I tsk. ¡°You should work on your communication skills.¡± His cheeks darken. ¡°Right, well¡­ I¡¯ll be sure to keep that in mind in the future, and work on that. You¡¯re going to enjoy this. Death. Upright.¡± ¡°Death is not a bad card. Let¡¯s see¡­ You¡¯re going to go through a great change. We could even say it¡¯s going to be life-changing.¡± He smirks. ¡°Knight of Wands. Upright.¡± ¡°You will go on a great adventure, Lucien! Maybe you¡¯ll be seeing the stars.¡± ¡°Maybe with a little human named Luna,¡± His eyes become wide when he picks up the next card. ¡°Hierophant. Reversed.¡± ¡°Hmmm. Rebelliousness and non-conformity. Where will this adventure take you?¡± ¡°The Lovers. Upright.¡± ¡°What a switch,¡± I laugh, reading through my notes. ¡°You¡¯ll find love again, at least.¡± ¡°Oh, good. I¡¯ll find it in my next life after I¡¯ve died.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not dying¡­ well, if Madam Drake asks, you will, but¡­ it doesn¡¯t look like a permanent death.¡± ¡°Your turn, now. What are you asking for?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯d rather not say out loud,¡± I lean forward, and Lucien does the same. ¡°I want to know if I have a chance with you.¡± ¡°O-Oh, you¡¯re teasing me again. Cut the deck, and try to imbue it with¡­. Uh¡­¡± he scans his notes. ¡°¡®Your intentions and desires.¡¯ Whatever that means.¡± I chuckle. ¡°I think I understand.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± he blushes. ¡°Draw your first card.¡± ¡°The Lovers. Reversed,¡± I laugh. ¡°This is going well already.¡± ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll die before me,¡± he chuckles. ¡°There¡¯s trouble with something or someone you love? Perhap Marcellus?¡± ¡°Oh, darn,¡± I scoff. ¡°You¡¯ve caught me. I¡¯m absolutely asking about Marcellus, and definitely not you.¡± ¡°I knew it. Draw your next card.¡± ¡°The Page of Cups. Reversed.¡± ¡°Marcellus is emotionally immature, but will open up, perhaps? You mustn¡¯t lose hope.¡± ¡°Wonderful. The Wheel of Fortune. Upright.¡± ¡°Some luck for the two of you. It must be fate. The two of you will become close.¡± ¡°Excellent,¡± I say, picking up the next card. ¡°Damn¡­ The Tower. Reversed.¡± Lucien sucks in air through his teeth and gives me a pitying look. ¡°That¡¯s not good.¡± ¡°No,¡± I mutter. ¡°Nine of Swords. Reversed.¡± ¡°Seems you will also require lessons in communication. How satisfying. You should be more honest with Marcellus when the time comes, and skip past all the more difficult parts of this relationship.¡± I laugh. ¡°It¡¯s not Marcellus at all, you know.¡± ¡°Then who? It¡¯s not Arthur, is it?¡± I snort out another laugh. ¡°Focus. The Ten of Cups. Upright. I guess things will look up for me.¡± ¡°They¡­ they will. It¡¯s not Arthur, is it?¡± ¡°No, and why would it matter?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want you to get hurt by him,¡± he says, reaching out across the table, taking my hand, and giving me a concerned look. ¡°Well, good thing it¡¯s not him, then,¡± I say, taking my hand back shyly. ¡°If it¡¯s not him and it¡¯s not Marcellus, then who is it?¡± ¡°I already told you.¡± ¡°What? You were serious?¡± ¡°Class! Pay attention!¡± Shouts Madam Drake. ¡°Why don¡¯t we just go to that small temple for Selene? If we clean it up a bit, add some tables and chairs, we could have our own private study room.¡± ¡°You¡¯re joking. You don¡¯t really care about that old dusty room, do you?¡± ¡°Lucien! My tea leaf reading had a moon. Selene is guiding me. The least I could do is take care of the place her worshippers will be visiting.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so full of nonsense, but fine. Let¡¯s go, then.¡± Lucien and I raid a supply closet, and begin tidying up the room while everyone is busy having dinner. Over the course of several days, it slowly begins to look more like a temple. I sit at a small table at the back of the dust-free and cobweb-free area, beyond the many rows of benches, and watch Lucien perform his rituals to Selene. ¡°Luna, you wouldn¡¯t mind being my Mistress of Shadows, would you?¡± ¡°Not if you¡­ think it¡¯s alright,¡± I say, setting my pen down, and getting to my feet. ¡°I¡¯m not really a¡­ worshiper of Selene.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. Now¡­ drink the contents of this goblet.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Just water that¡¯s been exposed to the pure light of the full moon.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not going to taste funny, is it?¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he huffs. ¡°Right. I¡¯ll drink it. What is all this anyway?¡± ¡°Well, I can¡¯t make a toast to Selene, so you are a temporary replacement.¡± ¡°Right, thank you. I¡¯m flattered,¡± I say, putting the cup to my lips. ¡°Wait!¡± He cries. ¡°Let me shroud you.¡± ¡°Shroud?¡± ¡°We are not permitted to gaze at the goddess, so you must hide your face.¡± Lucien pulls out a small folded shroud from a pocket in his bag, and wraps it over my head and around my shoulders. ¡°Now, you may take a drink.¡± I take a sip from the silver goblet. The water is cool and refreshing. ¡°What a nice¡­ drink that was. I can almost taste the moon. Or is that the polish?¡± He chuckles, and takes the goblet from my hands. He drinks the rest of the water, then raises it to the heavens, and bows down low. ¡°Should I do the same?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t mind.¡± By the time his small ritual is over, I¡¯ve recited unfamiliar words and made promises to Selene that I don¡¯t think I can keep. Lucien promises that I¡¯ll be in her protection from now on, however, and shouldn¡¯t be too concerned if I don¡¯t keep up my end of the bargain. I return to my studies, and Lucien soon joins me after tidying up after his ceremony. ¡°Thank you, Luna. I really appreciate your participation.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no matter, though I should know in more detail the conditions for which I can continue to be safe from Selene¡­ or¡­ for her to keep me safe.¡± ¡°I can explain later, but you¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Now, this paper for History and Lore¡­ I¡¯m struggling a bit with it. I wanted to write a paper about Gaia¡¯s tears, and connect them to the Trees of Power.¡± ¡°These trees are nothing but-¡± ¡°I know what you think. I just think Thaldris Nightshade was onto something.¡± ¡°Thaldris Nightshade? You¡¯re starting to sound like Master Eaimer.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment.¡± He moves his chair close, and peers over my shoulder to read over my notes. The heat radiating off his body is warm, and spreads out over my body. ¡°I suppose you make a somewhat convincing argument.¡± ¡°Do I?¡± ¡°Yes. Even I can be convinced that you¡¯ve lost your mind,¡± he whispers into my ear. ¡°Lucien!¡± I gasp. ¡°I haven¡¯t lost my mind.¡± ¡°Why are they trees, then? Were they tears or were they gems? And why would trees sprout from them?¡± ¡°They were seeds! Imbued with the power of-¡± ¡°It¡¯s all nonsense.¡± ¡°Well, what are you writing about?¡± ¡°The Duel of Sol and Selene.¡± ¡°Oh, I hate that one. I could never believe that they didn''t always get along.¡± ¡°Really? You¡¯re not fond of enemies turned lovers? I thought you, of all people, would enjoy the drama of it.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­ I¡¯d like to think they were friends, first,¡± I wink at him, and his cheeks go dark. ¡°Lu-¡± he clears his throat. ¡°Luna, I¡¯m not looking to be in any sort of relationship.¡± ¡°With Arthur?¡± ¡°O-Oh! It¡¯s not an option,¡± he says, nervously. When the two of us have finally finished writing our papers, after spending several hours agonizing over details and citations, and critiquing each other¡¯s work, it¡¯s near midnight. I stretch out, and begin to gather my things into my pack. ¡°Thank you for your help, Lucien,¡± I yawn. ¡°I thought I¡¯d be working on that for the whole weekend.¡± ¡°Now we can optimize our time at the shop.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see you then.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll bring honey cake with me.¡± I drag my feet towards the potions shop, having stayed up half the night chit chatting with my roommates. The only thing keeping me from returning to my room to get some more sleep is the promise of honey cake, and getting to see Lucien. I enter the shop and the sweet smell of coffee hits my nostrils. The second I step through the door, Lucien pushes a hot cup into my hands, and takes my hand, guiding me to the back room as I try to take a sip of it, succeeding only in spilling some of it over the rims of the cup. ¡°This is wonderful,¡± I sigh, taking a seat at the table, where a slice of honey cake is already waiting for me. ¡°You¡¯re spoiling her, Lucien,¡± comments Arthur. ¡°Good morning, Arthur,¡± I force a cheery smile. ¡°Good morning, Luna,¡± says Lucien, putting a fork in my hand, and wrapping my fingers around it. ¡°Lucien, you shouldn¡¯t have.¡± ¡°You helped me with my work yesterday. It¡¯s the least I could do.¡± ¡°But you helped me, and I didn¡¯t do anything.¡± ¡°You did. You cleaned up the temple with me,¡± he smiles. ¡°Temple?¡± Asks Arthur. ¡°Yes. Selene¡¯s Temple in the Academy.¡± ¡°There¡¯s¡­ a temple to Selene at the Academy?¡± ¡°It¡¯s next to Madam Drake¡¯s classroom.¡± ¡°So the two of you are spending time alone in a small, dark, cozy room?¡± ¡°Get your head out of the gutter!¡± I scowl. ¡°Arthur, stop being ridiculous. Luna uses the room to study, and I¡¯m able to keep up with my rituals.¡± ¡°Rituals?¡± He asks, with an eyebrow raised. ¡°Yes, rituals. You know what those are,¡± he rolls his eyes. ¡°You spend much of your time trying to talk me out of performing them. Now, if you¡¯ve got nothing else to say in order to get a rise out of Luna, I suggest you leave, or I¡¯ll be making you write five hundred labels.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not writing labels.¡± ¡°Then go, or be civil. You¡¯re capable, right? Of being civil?¡± ¡°Goodness, when did you become so serious?¡± He laughs nervously, and takes a seat in front of me at the table. ¡°I like Luna. She¡¯s a good friend. And I¡¯d like you to try and get along with her, because I¡¯d like to spend time with both of you together.¡± ¡°Then she can take the same teasing,¡± he grins. ¡°She doesn¡¯t know you that way, Arthur.¡± ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± I mumble. ¡°I¡¯d prefer not to know you at all, but since you¡¯re friends with Lucien, I assume I have no choice.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t, unfortunately,¡± adds Lucien. ¡°See? And when I¡¯m trying to actively get rid of you both, you¡¯re suddenly a constant presence.¡± ¡°Admit you like us, though, Lou,¡± says Arthur, with a smirk, reaching for my honey cake with a fork. ¡°I¡¯m trying to,¡± I say, chasing Arthur¡¯s hand away with my own fork. ¡°Seeing as I can¡¯t be rid of you, no matter how hard I try. Didn¡¯t you already get your own piece of cake? Stay away from mine.¡± ¡°In that case, would you like to go out for dinner tonight?¡± ¡°Dinner?¡± Lucien presses his lips together, and his eyes go wide. ¡°A nice friendly dinner?¡± I ask. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°So, Lucien is invited?¡± ¡°Naturally.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll consider it. Where will we go?¡± ¡°The pub on the other side of the city. They have live music, and many pretty girls.¡± ¡°Oh, yes, pretty girls. I best warn them you¡¯re coming.¡± ¡°Is that a yes?¡± ¡°It¡¯s still undecided, and if you inch your fork any closer, you¡¯re going to lose a finger,¡± I take up my plate, and take another bite. ¡°Lucien gave you a bigger slice.¡± ¡°I guess I¡¯m his favorite now,¡± I grin. ¡°I¡¯m almost jealous,¡± Arthur glances over at Lucien, whose face is covered by a curtain of hair. ¡°Stop fighting,¡± he mumbles, getting up to busy himself with the day''s tasks. ¡°Arthur is lying. I gave him the bigger piece.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not even jealous,¡± I say, getting up to help Lucien. ¡°Because at least he brought me some, and I¡¯m not a child.¡± ¡°You know,¡± says Lucien, after Arthur has left. ¡°If you keep teasing him, he¡¯ll never give you a moment of peace.¡± ¡°That¡¯s alright. He¡¯s not any worse than my sisters. They¡¯re much more annoying.¡± ¡°I thought you liked your sisters,¡± he says, using his apron to wipe up the edges of the potion bottles he¡¯s filled. I get up from my seat at the table, and grab a clean rag from a basket in the storage closet. ¡°I do,¡± I say, pulling his apron out of his hands, and pushing the rag into his hands. ¡°But we also bicker like children. It¡¯s alright, it keeps me¡­¡± ¡°Stressed?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ It¡¯s challenging. It tests my patience.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to learn patience from Arthur?¡± He asks, continuing to wipe down the bottles with the rag I¡¯ve handed him. ¡°No. I¡¯ll learn self-control.¡± He chuckles. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°What about me?¡± ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°What can I teach you?¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± I think carefully about my answer, not wanting to embarrass myself. ¡°Loyalty? Devotion, perhaps?¡± ¡°That sounds dull. Am I dull?¡± ¡°You are, but it suits you.¡± ¡°So honest, Luna. It hurts.¡± ¡°Well, you can take a shot at me, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± he says, placing the rag down, and wiping his hands. ¡°Hmm?¡± I ask, continuing to work on my labels, and he walks over to the storage closet and pulls out a wrapped package. ¡°Curiosity? Adventurousness? Maybe open-mindedness?¡± ¡°You¡¯re too kind,¡± I mumble, my head lowered to the table. He places the wrapped package in front of me. I put my pen down slowly, and look at it. ¡°Open it,¡± he commands. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Open it,¡± he says again. I open the package, and there¡¯s another piece of honey cake inside. ¡°For me?¡± ¡°Arthur was right. I did get you a bigger piece. You can save it for later, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Chapter Fourteen Chapter Fourteen It''s the last day of the 13th, and final month of the year, Nyctara. I groan, unable to master the last wind spell for my mid year exams. I have to create a small whirlwind, and despite many failed attempts, I can¡¯t figure it out. The diagrams from my book have been copied into my journal, and littered in notes, but despite my best efforts to find help with my spellwork, I¡¯m still unable to cast it. I¡¯ve decided it must be due to some misinterpretation of the instructions. It must be something so small that it¡¯s difficult to see immediately. At least, that¡¯s the excuse I¡¯m using to comfort myself for being a failure. The words on the page before me are beginning to meld together, and form giant unreadable clusters of words, and it may be time to go downstairs to the dining hall, and have dinner. I look out the window, and wonder if Lucien is still at the potions shop. With my spell book and journal in tow, I decide to pay the shop a visit in order to lift my mood. While on my way there, I pick up some dinner for myself from the dining hall, and hope Lucien and Madam Treeleaf have not eaten yet. The very thought of seeing Lucien makes me feel lighter, and my feet move quicker, as if I¡¯m floating. ¡°I¡¯ve brought dinner,¡± I say, cheerfully when I step into the shop, placing a basket on the front counter. ¡°Luna?¡± Calls Lucien from the back room. I peek around the doorway, and spot Lucien crushing something with the mortar and pestle while other things bubble and hiss around him. His cheeks are stained green, and he¡¯s got sweat on his brow. The sight of it is amusing, and I force my smile away just before approaching him. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s me. Is Madam Treeleaf here?¡± ¡°She¡¯ll be back soon,¡± he says, setting aside his work, and dusting his hands off on his apron leaving behind dark blue stains. ¡°Did you bring anything for me?¡± I nod and smile. ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Thank you. I missed lunch. I was struggling with a spell, and there¡¯s only one dark magic instructor available during lunch¡­ I watched him eat, and my stomach just kept growling as I struggled to focus on the words he was saying, instead of the apple in his hand. I missed about half the things he said, unfortunately.¡± ¡°And then you showed up here without eating? Why?¡± ¡°I had no time. I knew you were going to be busy today, and I didn¡¯t want to leave Madam Treeleaf alone in the shop. She said it was going to be very busy.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t Arthur promise he would show?¡± ¡°Ugh, he told me he was courting some woman tonight, and then took off with one of those stupid imitation love potions we¡¯ve been experimenting with. I almost didn¡¯t let him walk out with it, but Madam Treeleaf assured me it was alright, it wouldn¡¯t work anyway. I suppose she thinks he¡¯s harmless. Even she¡¯s aware he¡¯s not much of a charmer when he¡¯s trying to make a first impression.¡± ¡°Or a second, tenth, or hundredth.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he smiles. ¡°I thought the two of you were becoming friends.¡± ¡°Friends¡­ Acquaintances. Who knows? Come eat.¡± ¡°One moment, I need to remove a few enchantments from the cauldrons.¡± ¡°Which ones? I¡¯ll do it for you. Go eat.¡± ¡°Uh, let¡¯s see¡­ Clairvoyance,¡± he points. ¡°Tranquility, serenity, and enhanced strength. The magic rejuvenation needs a bit more time.¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­ brewing for an army?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an important week. Everyone is stressed, and nervous. I made you something, it¡¯s at the front of the shop.¡± ¡°For me? You shouldn¡¯t have,¡± I jest. I remove the enchantments from a few cauldrons, and they immediately stop bubbling. ¡°I¡¯m glad you came, I wasn¡¯t going to have time to eat. I still have to bottle and label everything. That takes a long time.¡± He goes to the front of the shop, and pushes aside the bottles stored below the counter. ¡°I had to hide it. I didn¡¯t want Madam Treeleaf to see it,¡± he says, when I give him a puzzled look. ¡°Uh¡­ that¡¯s not comforting.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s just made with some expensive ingredients I had foraged myself, and I didn¡¯t want her to see it, or she would have asked me to find more.¡± ¡°Well, this is all too much suspense for me. Tell me what it does, already, before I burst from excitement.¡± ¡°Well,¡± he laughs. ¡°I combined the effects of several potions. It will help you with nerves¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got those.¡± ¡°Distractions.¡± ¡°I might have some of those,¡± I glance up at him quickly, then back to the bottle. ¡°Lack of sleep¡­¡± he smiles. ¡°Definitely.¡± ¡°Other small things, like an upset stomach, mental fatigue, and everything else you need to help you pass, such as minor focus and a steady hand. It was a recipe Master Eaimer sent me. He thought it would help me, but I think you could use it.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re not taking one for yourself?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve finished my examinations already. Here. Just take a drop of it every day. It should be enough to last you the week and then some.¡± ¡°Thank you, Lucien. You¡¯re a sweetheart.¡± ¡°Thank Master Eaimer, he came up with the recipe.¡± ¡°Thank him for me, then.¡± ¡°I will. Let¡¯s eat, I¡¯m starving,¡± he says, pushing aside the cloth on the basket, and immediately taking a large bite out of a meat pastry. ¡°Gods, nothing has ever tasted this good! I was so hungry.¡± I search the basket for a hard boiled egg, and begin peeling the shell off, and stacking the pieces of it into a pile on the counter. ¡°I¡¯m having trouble with a spell. I was hoping to find someone who could help me, and so far, three people are too busy, one professor said I should figure it out myself, and one of the more senior students I know told me that it¡¯s a simple spell that I¡¯m overthinking, but their fingers hurt too much from practicing their own spells. One was going to show me, but¡­ his hands were too swollen from a failed potion brew.¡± ¡°Would you like me to help you?¡± He asks, after swallowing another bite of his pastry. ¡°If you wouldn¡¯t mind it.¡± The bell rings, and Lucien quickly takes the basket off the counter, and places it out of sight. ¡°Good evening. What potion can I get for you?¡± ¡°Oh, hey, Lucien.¡± ¡°Oh! John? You¡­ what happened to you?¡± ¡°Long story short, my girlfriend is a terrible Fire-Wielder, but she¡¯s getting much better at it with my help. I need a healing potion, though. And maybe something for my nerves? And my singed eyebrow?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got it,¡± I inform Lucien. ¡°Give him the three bottle discount. Throw in a small vial of healing draught for him. The strongest one we¡¯ve got.¡± ¡°That¡¯ll come out to five-¡± ¡°Lucien¡­¡± I scold. ¡°Sorry, three silver.¡± ¡°Thank you. Both of you. Let me treat you to a drink sometime once I¡¯m free.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you know when I¡¯m also free of this suffering,¡± I murmur, scanning the shelves, and picking the potions out. ¡°What about you, Lucien?¡± ¡°I¡­ probably can¡¯t go. Things have been getting more¡­ uncomfortable around the city. We¡¯ll have to stay by the Academy if you want me there.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a problem. We can stay close.¡± I place the potion bottles in his hands along with a small vial. ¡°Take them like any other potion, but be careful with the healing one in the vial. You don¡¯t want it to go to waste by taking too much of it. Five drops maximum. I don¡¯t think we have anything for your eyebrow, as the hair growing tonics are too powerful, but the healing potion will help your hair grow back eventually.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± When he leaves the shop, Lucien takes up the basket, and carries it to the back. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t eat at the front. Madam Treeleaf will get upset if I¡¯m not professional.¡± ¡°I see. She¡¯s gotten more strict the longer you work here. Is it because your potions are always so amazing?¡± ¡°You¡¯re also responsible. Always so polite and such with all of our rude guests. You have a reputation now. Your preparations are excellent. You do an impeccable job stocking the shelves. If only your brewing wasn¡¯t so terrible.¡± ¡°Do I really have a reputation?¡± ¡°Oh, yes, some very handsome men came in looking for you today. I told them you¡¯re taken.¡± ¡°Thank you, but I am available.¡± ¡°You¡¯re most welcome, but are you really?¡± ¡°You¡¯re lying, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I am. Most of them come looking to yell at you for not putting up with their nonsense. Are you really available?¡± ¡°I see. I might be,¡± I wink. ¡°Madam Treeleaf likes it. You help her find the bad ones, and I help by keeping them away. I guess if people are afraid of dark elves, I might as well look a bit more scary. Are you returning home before Selara?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so. I would barely have enough time before the break ends. Marcellus has been so upset about it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate.¡± ¡°The whole academy will probably be empty, and sad, won¡¯t it?¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be sad, but you¡¯ll definitely notice the lack of warm bodies.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t get to celebrate the Festival of Twilight Shadows with my family. It was my turn to get a new dress. I saw a beautiful moon necklace in a shop the other day. I wanted it so badly, but the shop owner said they were recently robbed, and that was one of the pieces taken.¡± ¡°Which shop?¡± ¡°Um¡­ it¡¯s the one with that large yellow and red necklace on the sign between the blacksmith and the uh¡­¡± ¡°The armory?¡± ¡°Yes, that one.¡± ¡°That one does have some very beautifully delicate pieces, considered very pricey. I¡¯ve a theory there¡¯s a dark elf working there. I might purchase a piece for my grandmother if I ever plan a visit to see her. I might even get some jewels for Master Eaimer. His collection of jewels is so dull. I don¡¯t think he¡¯s changed his look in decades.¡± ¡°Well, how often does one change their look? You¡¯ve looked the same since the day I met you.¡± The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Well, these have all been gifts. Some have been passed down for many generations. We don¡¯t get ourselves jewels, I¡¯m afraid. So if you want to see anything change, I¡¯ll have to find someone to get them for me.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t get your own? Is it frowned upon?¡± ¡°Well, yes and no. Things can be bought for special occasions, but that¡¯s the only time.¡± ¡°How would you even know?¡± ¡°You wouldn¡¯t,¡± he titters. ¡°But we pride ourselves in having more friends than jewels.¡± ¡°If you have many friends, you¡¯ll have many jewels.¡± ¡°And then we gossip about those who cannot fool us. We don¡¯t give them freely, either.¡± ¡°Oh, gossip. I love it. So who bought all of these for you?¡± ¡°My family, and friends¡­ and¡­¡± ¡°Your fianc¨¦e, Lumaria?¡± ¡°She¡¯s not my fianc¨¦e,¡± he says, tapping the tip of my nose with a finger, and an amused smile on his face. ¡°So¡­¡± I smile, touching the silver jewel on his horn. ¡°Who got you this?¡± Lucien leans into my touch. ¡°Um¡­¡± he blushes. ¡°My grandmother gave this to me. She thought it would make me look more¡­ regal. It used to belong to her. It has other pieces, but they get tangled up all the time, it¡¯s annoying.¡± ¡°Oooh, and this one?¡± I ask, touching the jewel that hangs from a short braid by his ear. ¡°Lumaria, the one you keep calling my fianc¨¦e.¡± ¡°Oh, my, it does look very expensive,¡± I jest, twisting the jewel in my fingers. ¡°She¡­ comes from money. This would be considered a cheap gift for her to get me, though it has special meaning to me.¡± ¡°Special?¡± ¡°A-Ah, well¡­ she¡¯s a very good friend of mine.¡± ¡°And what about,¡± I trail my fingers along the edge of his ear, lost in the details of his face. ¡°¡­These?¡± He cups my hands, and gives me a look. I don¡¯t know what it is, but I want him to keep looking at me that way. ¡°Luna,¡± he whispers, feigning shock. ¡°What are you doing touching my ears like that?¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± I move away from him, when my face flushes. ¡°Was that rude?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s alright, it¡¯s just very intimate.¡± He takes my hand delicately, then immediately drops it when the shop door rings. ¡°Lucien!¡± Someone calls. I get to my feet, and rush to the front of the shop. ¡°Seraphina, hello again,¡± I greets. ¡±Luna, is Lucien here?¡± ¡±Yes,¡± he grumbles, stepping up next to me. ¡°Can I help you with something? Arthur sends his greetings, by the way.¡± ¡°How long did it take him to remember me?¡± She pouts. Many expressions flash across Lucien¡¯s face in the span of a few short seconds; Disappointment, pity, disappointment again, pain, anger, embarrassment. He settles on exhaustion. ¡°Well, he uh¡­¡± ¡°Say no more,¡± she snickers. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I expected it. What finally triggered his memory?¡± ¡°I reminded him that you were a better student than he was, and reached level five two years ago despite the fact that you¡¯re my age.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± she sings. ¡°So, what now?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I guess it depends on you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see you around,¡± she smiles, heading out the door. ¡°This is the start of a beautiful relationship. Tell Arthur to come see me!¡± ¡°I have! Several times!¡± ¡°Tell him several more times!¡± She calls, just before the door shuts. ¡°I will, I promise.¡± ¡°We¡¯re going to be trapped here all night,¡± I groan. ¡°We¡¯re going to miss the festival. I would have gotten my dress for nothing. I don¡¯t even get to celebrate passing all of my mid-level exams.¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s alright,¡± grumbles Lucien, wringing his braid out, splashing water on the ground. We planned to pick herbs for Madam Treeleaf, but a storm has successfully thwarted our plans. We¡¯re now hiding away in a cave that sits behind a waterfall. The same waterfall that kept us from following the lanterns months earlier. The thunder and lightning outside the cave crash and resound off the walls around us, and I press my hands over my ears to drown out the sound. I look over at Lucien, who is grimacing, as he stuffs pieces of fabric into his ears. I crawl to his side, and hug his arm, shivering and soaked. ¡°Do you have a spell for drying clothes?¡± I ask through chattering teeth. ¡°You¡¯re a Wind-Caller,¡± he smiles at me, and winces when the cave shakes from another thunderclap. ¡°Oh, Lucien, I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I cry out, placing my hands over his ears. He leans his head against my chest, and curls up against me, gripping the front of my tunic tightly. ¡°I¡¯m guessing there aren¡¯t many thunder storms in Dark Grove?¡± I ask, in an attempt to distract him. He shakes his head. I begin casting a spell for a warm summer breeze, tweaking the hand motions a bit to optimize its ability to dry our clothes. Lucien grabs my hand before I can finish it. ¡°You¡¯re going to freeze to death if you do it that way. It¡¯ll take forever,¡± he says. ¡°I¡¯m going to freeze to death either way at this rate.¡± He glances around the cave, and points towards a tunnel. ¡°If we get away from the falls, we¡¯ll stop getting soaked. It¡¯ll also be a bit warmer, and a drying spell will be more effective. Go.¡± He pulls me to my feet, and drags me farther from the entrance of the cave where the falls cascade. He seems relieved when the sound of the storm is only slightly dampened. ¡°Take off your cloak, your shoes, whatever you¡¯re comfortable removing.¡± I do as he tells me, keep my cloak on, and strip down to my undergarments beneath it. He takes my clothes, and begins casting spell after spell on them until they are fully dried. ¡°Remove the rest.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll be warm enough.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t look, I swear.¡± I strip beneath my cloak, and sit on the ground, keeping my body covered, and hugging myself to keep warm. ¡°You can help me, then. I taught you a few wind spells, didn¡¯t I?¡± He mumbles. ¡°Right,¡± I cast an advanced wind spell that heats the air around me, which dries my skin and cloak. ¡°Here,¡± he says, tossing my clothes at my head. ¡°Don¡¯t look. I¡¯m undressing.¡± ¡°You know,¡± I mutter, as I redress myself. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t believe it, but I just¡­ realized I can see in the dark.¡± ¡°Can you, now?¡± He laughs. ¡°It didn¡¯t occur to you each time you went out foraging for the past five months that you never once had to taste that bitter herb? I think even Arthur almost noticed, and I had to convince him he just didn¡¯t see you take them.¡± ¡°How embarrassing that even he noticed before me,¡± I sigh. ¡°I wonder if it was the petal.¡± ¡°I wonder what other abilities it¡¯s given you. You¡¯re always day-dreaming when we go out there. It¡¯s no wonder you haven¡¯t noticed.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not day-dreaming.¡± ¡°So you see the daily lives of the gods?¡± ¡°I do.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re not day-dreaming?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°And you think that¡¯s normal?¡± ¡°Definitely not.¡± ¡°You know how I first noticed you had night-vision?¡± ¡°How?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the way you look at me. Normally, during the day you¡¯re trying to hide your face when you¡¯re embarrassed, but¡­ ¡± ¡°Oh,¡± I blush. ¡°I¡¯m just so used to the shadows of the night keeping my face shielded from¡­ expressing my annoyance. Even Arthur can¡¯t read my face.¡± ¡°Arthur couldn¡¯t read your anger if you were screaming at him, with a red face, and had a neck vein that was about to burst,¡± he chuckles. ¡°He¡¯s so stubborn.¡± ¡°But that¡¯s not the look I¡¯m referring to,¡± he says, quietly. ¡°Oh? Then what look are you referring to?¡± I ask nervously. ¡°If I looked annoyed, it likely wasn¡¯t your fault.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not referring to that look either.¡± I glance up at the stalactite of the caves, trying to figure out if I¡¯ve ever looked at Lucien in a certain way that would render an unpleasant reaction. I hope he hurries up and gets dressed so I can see if he looks upset with me. ¡°I give up,¡± I sigh. ¡°What look did I give you?¡± ¡°This one,¡± he says, suddenly appearing in front of me. I stumble backwards, tripping over the hem of my cloak. Lucien catches me, and helps me get back to my feet. I readjust my cloak, and frown at him. ¡°This look,¡± I say, pointing at my face, with a scowl. ¡°You deserve it.¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± he laughs. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d get so surprised. I do that to you all the time.¡± ¡°Not while I¡¯m thinking about other things.¡± ¡°You really should be more aware of your surroundings. One day you¡¯re going to wander off, and never find your way back.¡± ¡°My mother was always telling me I¡¯d one day find myself deep in a river, and wouldn¡¯t even notice until it carried me off. I¡¯d probably be dreaming I was flying with a gaggle of geese.¡± Lucien spreads his cloak on the ground, takes a seat on it, and pats the spot next to him. I take a seat, and pull my knees close to my chest. ¡°Your mother is correct.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t possibly be that bad.¡± ¡°What do the gods do while they¡¯re busy creating the world?¡± ¡°Oh¡­ um¡­ lately, Gaia has been very excited about what the humans created, and Selene and Sol always look¡­ terrified.¡± ¡°There¡¯s a whole story? Maybe you need some special potion. I wonder if Master Eaimer has something for delusions.¡± ¡°I¡­ record it in my bo-¡± An extremely loud clap of thunder sounds through the cave. Lucien covers his ears, and groans in pain. ¡°Oh, no!¡± I panic, rushing towards him, and protectively covering his ears. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Lucien.¡± He gives me a weak smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine. I should get used to it.¡± I begin waving my fingers in a motion to create a tight sound-proof barrier around us. He laughs when the spell doesn¡¯t work. ¡°You do it, then, since you¡¯re such an expert.¡± He shakes his head, keeping his ears covered. I begin again, and he taps me, correcting my hand motions, before covering his ears again when the thunder claps once more. ¡°Oh, got it,¡± I say, restarting the spell a final time. The sounds around us fade, as if the storm is miles away. Lucien uncovers his ears and sighs with relief. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°We found the first downside of being an elf.¡± He laughs dryly. ¡°Oh, what a shame,¡± I say, dramatically. ¡°I know, I couldn¡¯t be perfect,¡± he sighs, playing along. ¡°So¡­ I got you a gift,¡± I say, reaching into my bag, relieved that nothing got wet. I pull out my book, and tear out one of the pages. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ well,¡± I blush. ¡°A sketch of Arthur, thank you,¡± he says, running his fingers along the outline of Arthur¡¯s nose. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡­ made the ink¡­ strong so it won¡¯t fade. It¡¯s a thank you for the potion. It got me through my studies.¡± ¡°I shall treasure this, though one day I¡¯ll be expecting a drawing of you.¡± ¡°M-Me? What for?¡± ¡°You¡¯re also my friend.¡± He slips the drawing between the pages of a book in his bag. ¡°Well, maybe I can sketch one for you now, since I brought a mirror for that invisible herb we were going to pick.¡± I turn my book to an empty page, pull an ink bottle out of my bag, uncork it, and set it on the ground close to me. Lucien pulls out his own mirror, and holds it up towards my face. I frown at myself in the mirror, then begin sketching. When I¡¯m finished, I show it to Lucien. ¡°Excellent, when it dries, I can place you next to Arthur.¡± ¡°Place me far away from Arthur,¡± I demand. ¡°You might curse us to a long life together.¡± ¡°Did you use the same ink?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. By the time that picture fades, you¡¯ll be in the Grove, and I¡¯ll be on an adventure! You¡¯ll have forgotten all about me.¡± ¡°I intend to be with you for a long time, you know.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make promises you can¡¯t keep, Lucien.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± I¡¯m speechless, but Lucien doesn¡¯t notice. He rifles through his bag, and pulls out a small wrapped package, which fills the air with the warm scent of honey when he unwraps it. Lucien takes a bite from the small piece of honey cake, and presses the rest of it to my lips as he licks the wrapping. ¡°Do you like it?¡± He asks. I grab his wrist and lick his fingers just before he puts them in his mouth. A look of surprise flashes across his face. He cups my cheek, and pulls me closer. Our lips are close, and I shut my eyes. He licks the honey off the corner of my mouth, instead, and laughs at me. ¡°Did you want me to kiss you?¡± ¡°N-No!¡± I scoff. ¡°Aren¡¯t you engaged? I¡¯d never.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ the only problem you have?¡± ¡°Yes! That, and you¡¯re friends with Arthur!¡± ¡°You like Arthur.¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± I wince. ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°Is that it?¡± ¡°N-No!¡± ¡°What else?¡± ¡°Y-You¡¯re¡­ You¡¯re¡­ perfect otherwise, but those are some serious flaws!¡± All my thoughts disappear, and I¡¯m trying to remember how we began this conversation. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I did that,¡± I say shyly. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have.¡± ¡°I see. I think the storm just got worse,¡± he mumbles, pushing the pieces of fabric deeper into his ears. ¡°Great, we might as well settle down for the night. Good thing we¡¯ve come prepared.¡± I unpack my bedroll, and lay it out on flat ground, already missing my bed back at the Academy, as I stare at the rocky ground. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right,¡± he sighs, leaning back against the cave wall, and pulling the hood of his cloak low over his face. ¡°You can just sleep like that?¡± I ask, getting into my bedroll, and pulling my cloak tightly around me. ¡°I can.¡± ¡°Is it because your beds back home are also built out of the trees? And your mattresses are stuffed with splinters and moss?¡± ¡°We have proper beds,¡± he chuckles. ¡°But I¡¯ve been on the road most of my life, so I can do without. I used to sit on the branches of the trees when it was my turn to keep watch. I had better hearing than most, so I never really had to be awake after¡­ Arthur¡¯s incident.¡± ¡°Do you prefer it over a proper bed?¡± ¡°Absolutely not. I¡¯m completely spoiled, just like you.¡± ¡°Me? I love my bed at the Academy. It¡¯s much better than the one I have back home.¡± ¡°Really? I miss my bed back home. Arthur complains endlessly about the beds at the Academy, too. His bed is stuffed with feathers.¡± ¡°Well, then I¡¯m not as spoiled as you thought.¡± ¡°And I¡¯m not engaged.¡± ¡°W-What?¡± ¡°Sweet Selene, you¡¯re incredibly obtuse, sometimes.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not! You usually are!¡± ¡°Then you¡¯re misunderstanding me on purpose,¡± he sighs. ¡°N-No¡­¡± I replay the conversation in my head, not wanting to make sense of the obvious. ¡°I¡¯m not engaged, Luna, and I wouldn¡¯t mind kissing you.¡± I hide beneath my blanket, pretending to have fallen asleep. ¡°I know you¡¯re awake, I have excellent hearing.¡± ¡°Well, take the hint, and stop talking.¡± ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll talk about this some other time.¡± I grumble. ¡°You won¡¯t get upset if we don¡¯t talk about it?¡± ¡°Of course not, because we¡¯ll be talking about this some other time.¡± ¡°You won¡¯t get upset if we don¡¯t talk about this ever?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll get your kiss when I¡¯m good and ready.¡± ¡°Shut up, Lucien! We¡¯re friends.¡± ¡°Alright, then. Is that your final argument?¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± ¡°Goodnight, Luna.¡± ¡°Goodnight.¡± Chapter Fifteen ¡°Is that a new frock?¡± Mutters Arthur. ¡°Who are you trying to impress?¡± ¡°It¡¯s nice to see you, as well, Arthur,¡± I say, stepping into the shop, and draping my cloak over my arm. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to impress anyone.¡± ¡°Hello, Luna,¡± greets Lucien, stepping out from the back of the shop, and wiping his hands on his apron. ¡°That color looks lovely on you.¡± ¡°Arthur,¡± I state. ¡°Take note that that is how you¡¯re supposed to compliment a woman.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t see a woman here. I just see you,¡± he scoffs. Lucien lightly smacks the back of Arthur¡¯s head lightly, and Arthur glares at him. I groan, and step into the back room. After replacing my apron with my cloak on the hook by the back door, I walk to the front of the shop as I tie back the straps. ¡°I see Arthur has left you with all the hard work today,¡± I say loudly. ¡°He doesn¡¯t want to stain his hands before he meets with some girl for dinner tonight. He said it would probably keep her distracted, and she¡¯d miss out on his handsome face.¡± ¡°I see¡­ although he could do her that favor, or use gloves like the rest of us.¡± ¡°He said it wouldn¡¯t be enough because his hands are too pale, and stain easily.¡± ¡°When was the last time a potion stained your hands?¡± I grumble. ¡°It¡¯s happened a handful of times. More often to Arthur. I match the color of several potions, you¡¯d hardly notice,¡± he says, holding his hands out towards me, palms up. His hands are stained a bright green color, and we both laugh. On the small work table sits a list of ingredients to be prepared, and I set to work on them immediately. ¡°Mandrake root, and the berries are already boiling. I just need the starflower petals picked off, and cleaned,¡± he says, pushing a basket piled high with bright yellow flowers towards me, along with a rag sitting in a bucket of cold water. ¡°Leaving me with the worst task?¡± ¡°Of course. You¡¯re getting paid to suffer with me.¡± Lucien picks petals off flowers until they are all bare, then takes up the stems and tosses them into a tall pile by the back door. I sit across from him doing the same. ¡°Madam Treeleaf said she¡¯d deal with these later,¡± I inform him. ¡°I¡¯ve been too busy to ask what they¡¯re for.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll most likely be separating the leaves from the stems,¡± he comments. I place the petals from my hands into a bucket of water, and begin to fish several of them at a time onto the table to wipe dry. ¡°This is so tedious. No wonder Arthur didn¡¯t want to do this.¡± ¡°Are you going to abandon me, too?¡± He eyes me over the basket. ¡°No, I¡¯m not a dirty traitor like Arthur!¡± I shout loudly. ¡°I can¡¯t hear you over the sound of my unemployment!¡± Shouts Arthur. ¡°Then why show up?¡± ¡°For your wonderful company, of course!¡± The shop door rings, and Lucien and I fall silent. ¡°Hello, madam. What sort of potion can I get for you?¡± The woman speaks so quietly, I can barely hear her. I look over at Lucien who seems focused on his work. ¡°Can you hear what¡¯s going on?¡± I ask. ¡°Yes. She seems to be suffering from terrible headaches. Arthur is giving her some soothing potions, and a mild sedative to help her sleep. He¡¯s also making an idiot of himself. I suppose she must be attractive. Oh! She seems to be married.¡± I stifle a laugh. ¡°That¡¯s never stopped him.¡± ¡°Most people have morals.¡± ¡°Not the people he hangs out with, apparently.¡± ¡°I¡¯m one of those people, Luna,¡± he scoffs. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for you, Lucien. Truly, I am. You¡¯re too good for him.¡± Lucien struggles to keep his face straight, then snickers. The woman at the front of the shop laughs. ¡°What happened?¡± I ask Lucien. ¡°Was he actually funny?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. You were making too much noise. In any case, she paid for her things and ran off.¡± ¡°That was a real lady!¡± Shouts Arthur. ¡°You should take note, Luna!¡± ¡°Oh, did she like you? I¡¯ve heard you¡¯re an acquired taste.¡± He stomps to the back of the shop. ¡°A what?¡± ¡°An acquired taste,¡± I snicker. Lucien looks over at me, and stifles a laugh. ¡°The two of you are children. Always gossiping, sharing secrets, and laughing at my expense. You should be ashamed of yourselves.¡± ¡°Goodness, he forgets his place so easily. Sorry, Your Majesty,¡± murmurs Lucien. ¡°Are you this rude to your friends? Maybe that¡¯s why you don¡¯t have any,¡± Arthur huffs at me. ¡°I¡¯m her friend,¡± says Lucien. ¡°Besides, you¡¯re just pretending to be hurt. Don¡¯t try to make Luna feel bad. You¡¯ve been here all day, and haven¡¯t even lifted a finger to help me. She¡¯s just arrived, and has already accomplished more than you.¡± ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll go out and get us lunch. I¡¯ll even pay.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like a meat pie and a pastry,¡± says Lucien, quickly. ¡°I would like the same,¡± I add. ¡°Whatever. Mind the front of the shop by yourselves, then.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not going to return for hours, is he?¡± I ask Lucien when Arthur leaves. ¡°No. Probably not.¡± ¡°At least it¡¯ll be peaceful.¡± ¡°I do like your dress. I meant it when I said the color suits you very well.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± I blush. ¡°I thought it would.¡± ¡°It¡¯s mostly the fact that you look quite cheerful in it. Are you actually meeting someone, though? I remembered you mentioned several weeks ago that you would be seeing Marcellus.¡± ¡°I am seeing him, but I had no intention of informing Arthur of that fact,¡± I say, wiping clean a few more petals. ¡°He¡¯s going to be stopping by the city here for a few hours, and I thought I could slip out of the shop later. Do you think you could manage the shop alone this evening?¡± ¡°Of course. Arthur would never leave me here alone. I think¡­¡± ¡°Thank you, Lucien.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have to tell me all about it tomorrow, though.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t really want to hear about it, do you?¡± I ask, placing a stack of clean petals into a glass jar, and moving on to another batch. ¡°Besides, it¡¯ll probably be strange. We haven¡¯t seen each other in a while, and he¡¯s still upset that I¡¯ve been working with you in the shop. He also got upset that I didn''t return home during Nyctara. I just don¡¯t know why he wants to see me, honestly.¡± ¡°He probably needs to apologize, and realizes he is being unfair to you. It¡¯s not as if he¡¯s made any effort to see you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, honestly. Oh! I was wondering if you could put some braids in my hair. I didn¡¯t have time to style it before I got here. I woke up late, after struggling with a few spells, trying to get ahead on my study material, but I¡¯m absolutely hopeless.¡± ¡°You know I¡¯ll help you, and you¡¯re not hopeless. Why does it take you so long to ask me for help?¡± ¡°I know you¡¯ll help, of course, but sometimes I feel like I need to do it wrong a few times before I¡¯m given the answers. I can¡¯t keep relying on you.¡± ¡°Alright, one second, let me wash my hands,¡± he grunts as he struggles to his feet. ¡°I¡¯m exhausted, but you can always rely on me.¡± ¡°Always?¡± ¡°Always, Luna. Just like I can always rely on you to help me in the shop.¡± ¡°Well, you¡¯re a very good friend, then. Did Arthur really not help you at all? How could he do that to you?¡± ¡°He¡¯s got his own problems, I imagine. Mirror Lake has ceased being a safe haven for dark elves, and he¡¯s upset not being there to help escort them to the Grove. I think it keeps him up at night. He keeps writing letters to his father, and gets increasingly upset with each returned reply.¡± ¡°What a shame.¡± ¡°I agree. There¡¯s no place else. I cannot wait to return home. I¡¯m considering returning sooner, and completing my education with Master Eaimer. He has enough materials to teach me.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t leave me here alone with Arthur, I¡¯ll never survive,¡± I snicker. ¡°Especially after you¡¯ve promised to help me with my studies.¡± There¡¯s another feeling there beneath the dread. It¡¯s a strange sense of sadness. He combs my hair with his fingers as I try to refocus on my task. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± he laughs, and takes up a few strands of my hair to braid. ¡°I¡¯m not leaving that soon. I¡¯ll remain until you¡¯ve completed level five.¡± He ties it up with a small ribbon, and holds up a silver tray so I can see myself. The ribbon has a small, flat gem hanging from it. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I ask, tugging at it so I can see the gem up closer. ¡°A gift from Arthur.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. We can match,¡± he says, pointing at his hair. He also has a gem that matches mine perfectly. ¡°But just for today.¡± ¡°It looks much better on you, which is not helping matters.¡± ¡°You can just wear it on special occasions, if you¡¯d like. In fact, I insist. Like today. Just take it with you so Arthur stops bothering about it.¡± ¡°Fine. Does he think we¡¯re still friends?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t really go out of your way to say otherwise, I¡¯ve noticed. Besides, these little gems are typically bought for friends¡­ at least in the Grove. But I wish he hadn¡¯t gotten us a matching set. I told him to pick out a different color for you so it¡¯d look like he at least tried.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re right. Am I getting used to him? Is that how he makes friends?¡± ¡°It is. You almost don¡¯t notice you start to like him.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡¯s working. I¡¯m so upset!¡± ¡°It¡¯s impressive, isn¡¯t it?¡± He runs his fingers through my hair one final time, separating my curls. ¡°I believe you¡¯ll be alright with this?¡± He asks, holding the tray up again. ¡°Thank you,¡± I say, admiring my hair. ¡°I wonder if Marcellus will notice.¡± ¡°He¡¯d be crazy not to. Oh! Here, have a feather. It matches your dress,¡± he pulls one of his feathers out of his hair, and ties it around a thin strand. ¡°Return it later.¡± ¡°Why are you giving me a feather?¡± If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°It¡¯s good luck. Consider it a late birthday present.¡± ¡°Thank you. Is this¡­ a dark elf thing, or¡­?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just a loan. aThey¡¯re from a bird found only in the Grove that is thought to be lucky.¡± ¡°It can¡¯t be lucky if it lost its feathers.¡± ¡°They fall off, you know. Naturally. Birds molt their feathers¡­?¡± ¡°I''ll take that back, then. Thank you.¡± When I arrive at the pub where I¡¯m expecting to meet with Marcellus, I wait at the door nervously, and smile whenever anyone passes, so I won¡¯t draw attention. ¡°Hey, Lou,¡± says a familiar voice. ¡°Marc,¡± I greet him, excitedly, as he approaches. His face has grown up some; he has a full beard, and his body looks more muscular. ¡°Seems you¡¯re been working hard,¡± I comment, tracing my eyes admiringly over his physique. ¡°Father has been sick. I¡¯ve had to do more than my fair share of the work around the farm.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear that. Is he going to be okay?¡± ¡°The healer thinks so. Miss Eisley has been making potions for him nonstop. He seems to be gaining his strength. He¡¯s getting older, though, and struggles to keep up with his work these days.¡± ¡°I suppose my parents will soon be experiencing the same.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve got plenty of time before that happens, I¡¯m sure. They¡¯re both still quite spritely.¡± ¡°How have you been, though, otherwise?¡± ¡°Besides being exhausted at the end of the day, and caring for my younger brothers, I¡¯m fine. Sarah got married. I couldn¡¯t believe it.¡± ¡°No way! To whom?¡± ¡°Caesar.¡± ¡°I knew it!¡± ¡°Yeah, well, she was with child. Don¡¯t tell my mother I told you that. She¡¯s embarrassed, but it really was a true Bellehaven scandal. She¡¯s so young.¡± ¡°Caesar is going to hate the bakery if he has to work there. Are his parents going to care for them? Aren¡¯t they rich?¡± ¡°They disowned him. They couldn¡¯t believe he would marry someone beneath him, but my mother wouldn¡¯t give them an option. They agreed to her conditions so long as Sarah and Caesar never ask for money. My mother said it was perfect, because they¡¯d both learn some sort of lesson.¡± ¡°That sounds awful. I¡¯m glad I missed it.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Come, let¡¯s go inside. Order whatever you like.¡± I sit at the table, as Marcellus tracks down a server, and orders food. I fetch drinks for the both of us in the meantime. ¡°Your hair looks¡­ interesting,¡± he comments, tugging lightly on the feather. ¡°My friend said they¡¯re from these birds considered lucky from the Grove.¡± ¡°The Grove? Are you still friends with that dark elf? You really shouldn¡¯t associate with them. Think of what people will say about you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯d care much about what those types of people would say about me, would you, Marcellus?¡± I ask irritably, as I receive my drink from a server. ¡°No, you¡¯re right. I just¡­ it¡¯s been getting worse.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re not helping, are you? Buying into that nonsense.¡± A server drops by with a plate of bread, and drinks for our table. Marcellus gives her a quick thanks, then slumps over in his seat. ¡°Sorry, you¡¯re absolutely right. How is your fr- Lucien?¡± ¡°He¡¯s well, though he cannot walk freely outside the Academy.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°People are cutting off their horns, slicing off their ears, and stealing their jewels.¡± ¡°That seems excessive.¡± ¡°Hmm, you think?¡± ¡°Well, I am sorry to hear that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no matter. All the incidents are being investigated, and nothing ever seems to turn up.¡± ¡°What of the elves?¡± ¡°Well, they go back to the Grove, because none of them can stay after being attacked, of course. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve noticed them in Bellehaven.¡± ¡°Oh, of course. Sorry, I¡¯ll stop¡­ asking questions. What of your classes? Are they going well?¡± ¡°Well, the spells are obviously much more difficult as the time passes. With each new spell, I get more and more time to work on them. I could spend weeks perfecting a single spell before I can cast it. I¡¯m lucky that Lucien is the apprentice of a skilled Mystic back at the Grove. He¡¯s been kind enough to send me useful texts on the subject, and even has Lucien create wonderful potions for me to get me through my classes and my work at the shop.¡± ¡°You two seem very¡­ close,¡± he says, as a server brings two bowls of stew, and places them before us. ¡°He¡¯s a very dear friend to me, Marc. He¡¯s been nothing but kind to me despite the wonderful first impression you made when we first met. Is there any other news from Bellehaven? From my family?¡± ¡°Yes. Um¡­ Celestia has a boyfriend. She won¡¯t admit it, but we¡¯ve seen her spending time with that Edward kid.¡± ¡°Willow? Doesn¡¯t he come from a long line of Earth-Menders?¡± ¡°A very long line.¡± ¡°Wow, that would be a first in our family. My parents will be happy to have those grandchildren.¡± ¡°Celestia would kill you if she heard you say that. She¡¯s tired of hearing about these non-existent grandchildren.¡± ¡°Oh, good to know. I can annoy her when I visit. What about Solera?¡± ¡°I think Turner¡¯s kid is finally going to propose to her, though I don¡¯t think she even knows how he feels.¡± ¡°Oh, I knew it! I knew it!¡± I slap the table. ¡°Remember when I told you! I knew he was in love with her!¡± ¡°Alright, alright. You were right. Quiet down, you¡¯re drawing attention.¡± ¡°You owe me two gold coins,¡± I whisper. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you remember that bet.¡± ¡°You were so convinced I was wrong.¡± ¡°Geez, okay. I¡¯ll cover your food tonight, and pay you the rest when you come back for a visit.¡± ¡°Deal.¡± ¡°Your mum misses you. Especially when she¡¯s in her garden. She starts staring off at the river and getting all sentimental, and reminiscing about the days you¡¯d sit out there all day playing by the stream, and cover yourself in mud. Then she starts sniffling and crying.¡± ¡°Oh, she¡¯s so embarrassing,¡± I roll my eyes, and laugh. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Have you been helping her in her garden?¡± ¡°Not much. Celestia has. I just drop off anything we¡¯ve harvested that my parents are giving away. You should have tasted your mother¡¯s tomatoes this year, they were the best ones yet.¡± ¡°Oh, that sounds wonderful. I can¡¯t wait to return. I really miss all of you, but it¡¯ll feel so strange to come back. It feels like a whole lifetime has passed.¡± ¡°I wish it was, so the ache would go away. I miss you very much, Luna.¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be silly, Marc,¡± I scoff. ¡°You¡¯ve been spending more time with Abigail. My sisters told me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, but¡­ Bellehaven just isn¡¯t the same without you. I can¡¯t wait for you to come back.¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know. I have many years to go, and we¡¯ll hardly be seeing each other.¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to wait for you, Luna.¡± ¡°O-Oh,¡± I mumble. ¡°That¡¯s okay, if you insist, but I¡¯d prefer it if you wouldn¡¯t¡­ Um, are you inheriting the farm?¡± ¡°I am. We can live a peaceful life in Bellehaven,¡± he takes up his cup and taps it against mine. ¡°That¡¯s w-wonderful¡­ f-for you,¡± I say, taking a sip. ¡°You look shocked, and slightly disappointed,¡± he says, setting down his drink. ¡°I am. I just wonder how your brother felt about that. He was the eldest.¡± ¡°He was relieved. He wants to live in the city, but he doesn¡¯t understand how stressful it is, does he? You must be quite eager to return to the quiet of our small town.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s quite lively here. You know how much I dislike the quiet.¡± ¡°I actually didn¡¯t know that,¡± he looks taken aback. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve been working at a potions shop, and I was thinking of remaining there, and finding a Wind-Caller to take me under their wing so I can reach level six sooner.¡± ¡°Why would you want to do that? You could find plenty of work as an adept.¡± ¡°I¡­ want that potion, Marc.¡± ¡°The immortality potion?¡± He asks in disbelief. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to take it?¡± ¡°I mean¡­ I don¡¯t know, but I¡¯d like to have the option.¡± ¡°Why would you want to live forever? Is it because of that dark elf?¡± He shouts, slamming his fists on the table. ¡°Marc! Seriously,¡± I look around, smiling nervously at anyone that watches. ¡°You¡¯re embarrassing yourself. There¡¯s a whole world out there to see! You think I¡¯ll be satisfied living a simple life on a farm in Bellehaven? That¡¯s hardly a life worth living! And that elf is still my friend, so please don¡¯t say ¡®dark elf¡¯ like you¡¯re muttering a curse or- or saying something disgusting!¡± ¡°Sorry¡­ But that¡¯s the life I want, Lou! Are you saying my life is not worth living?¡± ¡°No,¡± I huff, eating a spoonful of my stew, feeling embarrassed at the sudden realization. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant. I just¡­ there¡¯s so much out there, and it terrifies me that I won¡¯t ever have the opportunity to see it all.¡± ¡°So let¡¯s go, and see it all together.¡± I look up at him, and the anger he had is suddenly gone, replaced with a more calm and determined demeanor, but there¡¯s a sadness that seems to weigh him down like an anchor. ¡°What about your father¡¯s farm?¡± ¡°Dad has always wanted to leave it to Catherine. She¡¯s always known more than me, and seems determined to stay around to help out, anyway.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t make you do all that.¡± ¡°Lou, the farm, settling down, Bellehaven¡­ it¡¯s not worth it without you. I just want to be where you are, and if that means dragging me across the world on an adventure, I¡¯ll go with you.¡± ¡°But¡­ ¡®Dragging¡¯? That sounds awful, if you put it that way. What about you? That¡¯s not the life you want to live. Clearly.¡± ¡°Just promise me we¡¯ll settle down when we get old.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ think about it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good enough for me.¡± ¡°Very well, but this matter isn¡¯t settled,¡± I sigh, defeatedly. ¡°I know,¡± he grumbles. ¡°But for now, let¡¯s just enjoy our time together. I haven¡¯t seen you in nine months.¡± ¡°You counted. I¡¯m mildly impressed.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t flatter yourself. It¡¯s been nine months since sweet potato season. My brain keeps track of the seasons very well.¡± ¡°And why are you thinking of sweet potatoes?¡± ¡°Cause it¡¯s¡­ the last basket of vegetables I gave you before you left,¡± he pauses. ¡°Fine. I remember, but can you blame me? I¡¯m looking right at you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, I¡¯m just teasing you. I missed you, too. I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t written as much. I¡¯ve been busy.¡± ¡°I know. I hardly have time to write back, myself. Your family and mine spend time taking turns updating each other about you. Everything you do is the latest news.¡± ¡°Oh, goodness, that¡¯s so embarrassing. Don¡¯t you have better things to talk about? Although, now that you¡¯ve mentioned it, I do the same to Lucien. I keep him updated on all of your lives, I must bore him to tears. He always remembers everything I tell him, and even remembers things I¡¯ve forgotten, when I start repeating myself.¡± ¡°He must find our lives dull.¡± ¡°Not at all. He finds it endearing. He longs to return home to Dark Grove to live a simple life as a healer for the dark elves returning home, and tend to Master Eaimer¡¯s garden.¡± ¡°So, if he¡¯s not putting thoughts of great adventures in your head, is it Arthur?¡± ¡°No,¡± I scoff. ¡°I want a life of adventure because I just do. You know that.¡± ¡°Of course. Sorry.¡± ¡°I think the first step of my journey will be to meet Master Eaimer, and thank him for all of his help. He¡¯s an excellent instructor, even if he is just writing to me.¡± ¡°What would be the point?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯d like to connect the name to a face, and I don¡¯t know¡­ he feels like a good friend, and seems very kind and patient. He reminds me of how my mother described my grandfather.¡± ¡°That does seem like a good place to start, then¡­ I suppose¡­. For now.¡± After a long night, Marcellus and I go our separate ways. I wander outside the city walls and stare up at the stars, my feet guiding me towards the falls where Lucien and I spent the night hiding away from the thunderstorm. I arrive there in record time, and pull my cloak tightly around me to protect myself from the spray of the cascading falls. The sound of the rushing waters, and its reverberations through the cave, serve to drown out the sounds of my thoughts. ¡°Luna?¡± ¡°Lucien?¡± I search around frantically, and spot him approaching me. ¡°What on earth are you doing here? How did you find me?¡± ¡°I saw you leave the city. I called out to you, but you were daydreaming again, weren¡¯t you? Are you alright?¡± I collapse to the ground, and lean against the wall of the cave. Lucien rushes to my side in a panic. ¡°Are you sick? What happened?¡± ¡°I had a¡­ stressful meeting with Marc. I¡¯m¡­ lost. I feel lost. I don¡¯t know who I¡¯m supposed to be anymore. I don¡¯t know what I should want from this life. I thought I did, but I find myself not wanting to look back¡­ to go back. I don¡¯t want to go back, because I think I¡¯ll be trapped, Lucien.¡± ¡°So you wandered into a cave to hide for the evening?¡± ¡°I needed to clear my head. The noise from the falls¡­ It makes me feel like I¡¯m¡­¡± ¡°Drowning?¡± ¡°No,¡± I laugh. ¡°I just needed noise. I need my thoughts to be drowned out, and pushed out of my head.¡± ¡°This is serious,¡± he says, taking a seat next to me. ¡°Can I help you? It sounds to me like you don¡¯t enjoy thinking about your problems.¡± ¡°Nobody does.¡± ¡°No, but you¡¯re trying to run away from them by keeping your mind occupied. What happened, Luna? Truly. You can talk to me, you know. I have big enough ears for listening,¡± he smirks, and makes his ears wiggle. ¡°Marcellus seemed upset that I plan to take the immortality potion, because I guess he sees us growing old together, and he won¡¯t have that option. I told him he¡¯s free to be with someone else, and he said his life isn¡¯t worth living if I¡¯m not there with him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a bit dramatic. He¡¯s putting too much pressure on you, and too much emphasis on his own happiness.¡± ¡°He even promised he¡¯d go and see the world with me if that¡¯s what I want, as long as we can settle down when we get older.¡± ¡°Marcellus expects much from you, it seems. What is it that you want? Did he ask you?¡± ¡°I suppose. He knows what I want.¡± ¡°What do you want, Luna?¡± ¡°I want to live the life of an immortal. To choose when my life ends. I want to see the whole world at my leisure. I want to travel to the stars. I want to be released from this anchor, this mortal life, where time seems such a scarce commodity.¡± ¡°Now who¡¯s being dramatic?¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± I laugh. He wipes a tear off my cheek, and settles down at my side. ¡°So, why don¡¯t you just do that?¡± He asks, taking my hand in his. ¡°I don¡¯t want to do all of that alone.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure you wouldn¡¯t have to, if that¡¯s what you chose, and I¡¯m also sure you¡¯ll find someone to join you, if you just ask. Besides¡­ I¡¯d follow you anywhere, Luna.¡± ¡°You say that, but I don¡¯t believe you. Could I visit you in the Grove when you¡¯re settled there? With your big house, and your family with Lumaria.¡± ¡°¡­Nothing would make me happier. Why don¡¯t we return to the city?¡± ¡°Can we go see the stars instead? Not the whole night, but¡­ just for a while.¡± ¡°Would it help you?¡± ¡°Possibly.¡± ¡°And you¡¯ll help me write two hundred potion labels tomorrow?¡± ¡°Two hundred?¡± ¡°I was delayed because of you.¡± ¡°You can go back. I didn¡¯t know you were still busy.¡± ¡°Luna, I can¡¯t leave you here like this.¡± ¡°Oh, but you could. I¡¯ll survive.¡± ¡°I could, but it wouldn¡¯t sit well with me. You¡¯re very good at wandering off when you daydream.¡± ¡°Daydreaming is my problem to deal with. Your concern is your own.¡± ¡°They¡¯re our problems, now, friend.¡± Chapter Sixteen ¡°Tell me about¡­ that one.¡± I point at a random cluster of stars. Lucien leans his head on my shoulder as he attempts to figure out what I¡¯m pointing at, and I reposition myself closer to him, so he can rest his head against me more comfortably. ¡°The six clustered stars, I¡¯m assuming.¡± ¡°Yes, good guess,¡± I giggle. He gives me a suspicious look, then takes my hand, and moves it to the correct group of stars. ¡°It¡¯s supposed to be a gateway to the other worlds.¡± ¡°Go on. Don¡¯t make me ask.¡± ¡°Well,¡± he sighs, lying back, resting his head on his arms. ¡°It¡¯s how Selene and Sol got here. When they¡¯ve regained all their power, they will get to travel back through it, and continue their life with the other gods.¡± ¡°They¡¯d leave Gaia?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think Gaia would need them anymore.¡± ¡°It sounds like a lonely life.¡± ¡°We could never understand. We are not gods. Maybe they don¡¯t feel loneliness like we do. Or love, or sadness, or anger like us. They live for eternity, so there¡¯s always a chance of seeing each other again. We live drastically shorter lives in comparison, so we feel the isolation more intensely. I think.¡± ¡°That sounds possible. You¡¯re an elf, and you live a long time. Do you not miss others like humans do?¡± ¡°Maybe not quite the same way, but we¡¯re not heartless. I just¡­ don¡¯t notice the passing of time as much.¡± ¡°Really? And what about if you actually did miss someone?¡± ¡°The time will feel endless, and immensely painful.¡± I can feel his eyes on me. After several attempts at trying to catch him staring, he smiles widely, takes my hand, and interlocks our fingers. ¡°Hmm¡­ you never finished telling me about the lovers,¡± I mention. ¡°Funny you should mention that now, of all times,¡± he says, his eyes flickering for a moment over my lips. My cheeks get warm. ¡°Funny, that.¡± ¡°Well, there isn¡¯t much about them. The dark elf maidens always think it¡¯s so romantic, and make up tales about them. How they were friends with Gaia, and she granted them god-like powers, but betrayed her, to join the other gods. Others believe that Gaia was in love with a human, and to make him happy, she allowed him to live forever with the elf woman he loved by granting him immortality, and that he was the first Mystic to live a very long life. Some say they are the reincarnations of Selene and Sol.¡± ¡°Selene and Sol¡­ Selene would make a most beautiful dark elf. I¡¯ve witnessed it myself.¡± ¡°Did you, now?¡± He teases me. ¡°Yes!¡± I laugh. ¡°I told you.¡± ¡°There are depictions of her in the temple of Shadow Haven with what appears to be horns. Not to mention a statue. I¡¯ve always wondered if it is the same in the temple of Anar. If Sol was a light elf, and if Gaia simply created the elves in her parents¡¯ image. It could be why your tale for the lovers is different from ours, and it¡¯s really just another retelling of their tales.¡± ¡°Which story do you believe is true?¡± ¡°Hmm, I think there was an elf that just fell in love with a human, and Gaia knew them well, and so she placed their likeness in the heavens so she could remember them when they passed.¡± ¡°They passed? Even the elf?¡± ¡°Are you so shocked? We live long lives, but we¡¯re still vulnerable to blades and illnesses.¡± ¡°Unless you¡¯re part light elf and have stone skin, then you¡¯re only vulnerable to illnesses, so you¡¯ll be safe.¡± He laughs. ¡°I guess the gods really did make me perfectly.¡± ¡°They did. It¡¯s such an injustice.¡± I lie back next to him, and point at the stars again. ¡°What about those?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t remember that one. It was something like a flower¡­ I think Master Eaimer said it¡¯s a moonrose.¡± ¡°Now you¡¯re just making things up. I¡¯ve never heard of a moonrose.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ a pale white rose that glows with the same soft light of the moon. They¡¯re rare, but you can still find them in some of the finest gardens of Dark Grove. They don¡¯t grow quite as big in the wild, being a fine delicacy for most of the animals in the Grove. They¡¯re also quite fragile, it¡¯s a wonder they ever survived. You¡¯ll never see them outside of the Grove. They prefer the dark.¡± ¡°You must be lying. Such a beautiful thing cannot possibly exist.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not lying,¡± he laughs, nudging me. ¡°I¡¯ll have Master Eaimer send you some notes. They don¡¯t have any useful properties for making potions, so they¡¯re not mentioned in most texts, but they¡¯re nice to look at. I think Master Eaimer has many of them. He never shuts up about it, either, but has yet to show them to me. He thinks I¡¯ll damage them somehow. I¡¯m certain he¡¯d show it to you, though. I can tell from the way he writes about you that he admires you very much.¡± ¡°I hope so¡­ Lucien, how do you choose between two different loves? Loving someone, and doing what you love most?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s something you truly love, you wouldn¡¯t have to make a choice. You¡¯d know instinctively you couldn¡¯t live without it.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± I grumble, feeling tears prickling the corners of my eyes. ¡°Is this about Marcellus again? I hate to see you hurting over him.¡± ¡°It hurts to think about him sometimes, but I can¡¯t help myself. It feels like too much, and this feeling is just going to consume me.¡± ¡°You have years to think about it, don¡¯t you? The worst thing you could do is make a rash decision because you feel pressed for time. Be honest, and tell him you¡¯re not making a decision just yet. If he can¡¯t wait for your answer, then maybe it¡¯s not meant to be.¡± ¡°Very forward and honest, huh?¡± ¡°Humans enjoy over-complicating matters.¡± ¡°How is your particular complication?¡± ¡°You mean Arthur? Or my supposed fianc¨¦e?¡± He gives me a sidelong glance. ¡°Your fianc¨¦e. I can guess about Arthur.¡± ¡°Oh, can you?¡± He asks, poking my side. ¡°She has moved into a bigger home deeper in the Grove. It¡¯s more private and secluded, and she said it will be a great place to raise children.¡± ¡°Oh, my, she¡¯s ready for you,¡± I slap his upper arm playfully. ¡°We¡¯re not engaged yet, Luna,¡± he says, with an eye roll, and I see evidence of a blush on his cheeks. ¡°I know, but you¡¯re fond of her, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°She¡¯s a nice elf maiden¡­¡± ¡°Is this about Arthur, then?¡± He tuts, and gives me a disappointed look. ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then what is it about?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about anything. I just thought that being in love would be different. I thought I¡¯d feel something different. I care for her deeply, I¡¯m just not feeling¡­¡± ¡°The heart flutters? The butterflies in your stomach? The feeling of your heart pounding in your chest? The¡­ sparks?¡± ¡°Yes. I don¡¯t feel that way at all. I¡¯m waiting for it to happen, and then maybe we will be engaged. Your tales of Marcellus give me hope.¡± ¡°It shouldn¡¯t. Does she know you¡¯re not¡­?¡± ¡°She¡­ does, and she¡¯s trying, even though it¡¯s an attempted arrangement, and she has the final say. I just think she¡¯d rather be in love before we¡¯re forced to be married. I begged her to find someone else, but¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯s an acquired taste, too?¡± I laugh. ¡°No. She¡¯s wonderful. Leagues and bounds better than Arthur. Something must be wrong with me. She doesn¡¯t fall in love easily, either, so the whole thing has been equally difficult for her.¡± ¡°I spent ten years with Marcellus pining, and dying for him to fall in love with me like I did with him. He couldn¡¯t see what was in front of him! So stupid, and infuriating¡­ Well, I thought he was. I made it so obvious, and I¡¯m so tired. I just want to move on now that I have this new life. I guess you should be flattered that she at least considered you, since she doesn¡¯t¡­ easily fall in love. She must see something special in you. I¡¯ve had friends fall in love at first sight. I gave up on Marcellus after some time, thinking it¡¯d at least be nice to have a good friend, and all of a sudden, he noticed me.¡± Lucien traces my palm with his finger. ¡°How inconvenient.¡± ¡°I think it could happen,¡± I mumble. ¡°I think you could fall in love. It¡¯s not hard to fall in love when you already like someone.¡± ¡°What if it¡¯s the wrong kind of love?¡± I grimace. ¡°That would be difficult for everyone, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Exactly. Sometimes, I¡¯m not even sure if I¡¯d know if it was love.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll know. One day, I just looked at Marcellus, and I knew! I knew I was in love with him. I knew I could never love anyone the same.¡± Lucien lets go of my hand. ¡°But¡­ You don¡¯t want to be.¡± ¡°Not lately¡­ I think my love for adventure has surpassed that love I thought I had for him. I long for a lengthy and full life outside of Bellehaven. But what if that changes, and I miss out on the greatest love of my life? I¡¯m just afraid, and I really hate thinking about it.¡± ¡°Just tend to your life first. Love can always be found.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the worst. You just told me you¡¯re not sure what it is. I told you I do, and now you¡¯re telling me you think it¡¯s easy to find?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not easy, obviously,¡± he blushes. ¡°But what would I know? I¡¯m just a dark elf. According to everyone these days, we¡¯re evil creatures set on destroying all that is good and right in this world. We know nothing of love, or complicated human emotions.¡± I laugh, and roll over to look at him, propping myself up on an elbow. ¡°Lucien, you should never give advice. You¡¯re too agreeable.¡± He looks up at me, and cups my cheek. ¡°Sometimes someone just needs to hear someone else say whatever they¡¯re thinking out loud from another person¡¯s mouth.¡± I lean against his hand, and kiss his palm. ¡°In the end, just pick the life with the least regrets. That¡¯s what my grandmother has always advised me to do,¡± he gives me a sad smile. ¡°Your grandmother sounds like a very wise woman.¡± ¡°You¡¯d like her as much as you¡¯d like Master Eaimer, I¡¯m sure.¡± ¡°You think so?¡± ¡°I know so.¡± ¡°Do you write to your grandmother?¡± ¡°I write to her and my sister once in a while, but I don¡¯t say much. I never want them to worry. But lately¡­¡± He traces along the tips of my ears with his thumbs. ¡°If you¡¯re going to do that, you better let me touch your ears then,¡± I say playfully. He sits up, and leans towards me. I sit up next to him, and lean towards him. I hesitate a moment, thinking maybe I¡¯ve finally crossed the line, and that I should back off before we get too close. I wonder briefly what Lucien¡¯s kisses taste like, how his embrace feels, how it feels to be desired by him, or if he could love me, or if he is just a small footnote in the life of my adventures that have yet to begin. Maybe we¡¯re just footnotes in each other¡¯s life. ¡°Luna, are you alright?¡± Lucien laughs, prying my fingers off his ears. ¡°Are you trying to create another hole by rubbing one in with your fingers?¡± ¡°Oh, sorry. I got¡­ lost in thought.¡± This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°About?¡± ¡°Is it a crime to steal someone¡¯s first kiss?¡± ¡°Marcellus?¡± His eyes light up. ¡°No, I¡­ was thinking of Arthur.¡± He furrows his brows. ¡°What did he do?¡± ¡°N-No! He didn¡¯t do anything. I just wondered¡­ how he felt when¡­ I was thinking about my kiss with Marc, and just¡­ Oh, God. Where was my mind? I can¡¯t even follow my own line of thinking.¡± ¡°He wasn¡¯t the first person I¡¯d ever kissed, if that¡¯s what you were curious about.¡± ¡°He wasn¡¯t?¡± For some reason, the fact that Arthur wasn¡¯t the first to kiss him is reassuring. ¡°No. I actually kissed some girl in Mirror Lake when I was only seven years old or so. Well, she kissed me. It was the day before I met Arthur, actually. We were watching all the lanterns flow down the river, and all of the couples were kissing. She didn¡¯t have anybody else around that was her age, and just chose me, thinking she had to do what the adults did. I didn¡¯t know what to think of it, but I never saw her again. I have no idea who she was, where she¡¯s from or anything. Complete strangers.¡± ¡°Oh, my. That¡¯s not very romantic at all.¡± He chuckles. ¡°First kisses rarely are, I think. Arthur¡¯s first kiss was some princess who was engaged to someone else, and just wanted to make sure her first kiss wasn¡¯t special so she wouldn¡¯t be so afraid during her marriage ceremony.¡± ¡°Poor Arthur.¡± ¡°Well, hopefully the kiss with Isabella will go well.¡± ¡°I hope so, and now, I¡¯d very much like to stop talking about him kissing people, because it makes me feel ill.¡± ¡°What about kissing in general?¡± I blush. ¡°Uh¡­¡± ¡°Would you like to head back into town, then? It¡¯s getting late.¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably a good idea.¡± I push myself to my feet, dust off the back of my dress, and hold out a hand for Lucien to take. The city is dark, and crowded with people celebrating the Mystic Masquerade. At the back of the potions shop, I¡¯m searching for a vial of healing potion made specifically for this night by Madam Treeleaf that was meant to cure hangovers. ¡°There was one more box, I know there was!¡± I shout, as Lucien and I search frantically through the shelves at the back of the shop. ¡°Maybe you miscounted?¡± Arthur calls back from the front of the shop. ¡°In any case, there¡¯s regular healing potions still in stock.¡± ¡°Those are not easily replaceable! Just allow me one more moment, please. I swear they¡¯re here.¡± ¡°I found them!¡± Shouts Lucien, running to the front of the shop. ¡°Thank Gaia!¡± Lucien walks the last person out of the shop, then shuts the door, and locks it. He turns off all the lights, and the three of us collapse at the table at the back of the shop, while Madam Treeleaf hums away at the front, sweeping and straightening up the shelves. ¡°The three of you should go out. You¡¯ve worked hard, and you deserve to enjoy the festivities with everyone else. You¡¯ve already stayed too long.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯d like to leave, but not to join the festivities,¡± mumbles Lucien. ¡°I don¡¯t think I have the energy to enjoy anything after tonight¡¯s chaos.¡± ¡°A drink will do you some good. I implore you to get out of here. You¡¯ve been here all day,¡± she waves him off. ¡°I¡¯ll go, too,¡± says Arthur, leaving before Madam Treeleaf can say another word. ¡°Are you sure there¡¯s nothing more I can help you with?¡± I ask her. ¡°Get out. Get out,¡± she pushes me towards the door, and waves me off with a smile and a wink. ¡°Go enjoy yourselves. You¡¯re still young.¡± I wander the streets lost in the darkness that has transformed the city into another world. The candles that line the shop windows and streets appear to float, and they guide me down some unknown paths I¡¯ve yet to explore. The masks on the faces of the passersby take me to the depths of the underworld in search of my beloved, and I will soon join them in the quiet peace of death. A black mask with horns is displayed on a stall I pass, and I join the residents of the underworld in their darkness, the mask now concealing my face. Elation fills me, as I revel in the feeling of being unknown and unseen, like the feeling of a freedom I¡¯ll never know in this life. Is being unknown the same as freedom? ¡°Luna, over here!¡± Cries Arthur, motioning towards me. I¡¯m tempted to ignore him, but I notice the masked figure next to him is Lucien. ¡°Hello, Arthur,¡± I say, as cheerfully as I can. ¡°Hello, Lucien, I thought you weren¡¯t joining the festivities.¡± ¡°I had no intentions to do so,¡± he says, moving his mask aside for a brief moment. ¡°I like your horns, by the way. Are those new?¡± ¡°They are,¡± I giggle. ¡°Do they suit me?¡± Lucien pulls his mask back over his face. ¡°They do. Would you like some wine? I can fetch some for you.¡± ¡°Yes, please. After the day we¡¯ve all had, I¡¯m surprised I¡¯m not already holding a cup.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll return shortly. Keep Arthur out of trouble for me, won¡¯t you? Unlike most people, he doesn¡¯t need alcohol to find it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ keep track of him while he¡¯s within eyesight.¡± ¡°Good enough.¡± I watch him walk off, then turn to stare up at the skies. I¡¯ve never seen the stars so bright in this city before. If I didn¡¯t go herb picking with Madam Treeleaf, I¡¯d forget they could look so beautiful. ¡°Lucien is taken with you,¡± Arthur whispers, amused. My eyes roll before he can even finish speaking. ¡°Arthur, please. We¡¯re just friends.¡± ¡°You might want to tell him that, then.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t, because he also knows we¡¯re just friends.¡± ¡°He doesn¡¯t. He speaks very fondly of you with a bright smile on his face. He gushes every time the two of you have studied together. He incessantly whines about Marcellus when he hurts you.¡± ¡°All very friendly actions.¡± ¡°Very well. Have it your way.¡± ¡°Elves and humans can-¡± ¡°Are you hungry? I can get us something to eat.¡± ¡°You have to stay within sight. You can go get us some¡­¡± I look around at the nearby vendors. ¡°Ah¡­ whatever they¡¯re selling.¡± ¡°Fine. It looks like meat pies and something made of honey.¡± ¡°Sounds perfect. Lucien is getting us wine, so it should taste delicious together.¡± We sit around the bank of the river, away from most of the crowds. Arthur scarfs down his food, eager to return to the music and the dancing. He gives Lucien an intense stare. ¡°You don¡¯t need me, right? You¡¯re here with Luna.¡± He runs off before Lucien can even respond. ¡°Not as good as the honey from Master Eaimer¡¯s garden,¡± I say, through my bites of a honey pastry. ¡°But still quite delicious, and it feels like a rare treat.¡± ¡°It is. I have some place I wish to be, but you can find Arthur, or return to the Academy.¡± ¡°You¡¯re leaving already?¡± ¡°Just for a moment.¡± ¡°Couldn¡¯t I come with you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­ afraid it won¡¯t be nearly as exciting as you might believe.¡± ¡°What do you think I¡¯m thinking?¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t the slightest idea, honestly, but give it your best shot.¡± ¡°Secret dark elf rituals.¡± He gives me a contemplative look. I look back towards the dancers at a nearby inn, and see Arthur with a woman I¡¯ve never seen before. I look back towards Lucien, and he smiles hopefully. ¡°If you¡¯re uncomfortable, however, I¡¯ll have no trouble remaining here, and keeping an eye on Arthur for you until you return.¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­ going to say a sad and mournful prayer for my parents outside the city, if you¡¯re curious, and are still interested in going.¡± ¡°So¡­ Secret dark elf rituals. I was right. I¡¯m always curious about you. You¡¯re still quite a mystery to me.¡± He rolls his eyes, and smiles, holding his hand out for me to take. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Lucien, I¡¯d like to get to know every part of you.¡± He blushes, and laughs. ¡°You should really be careful with the words you choose, Luna. I know what you mean, but Arthur would get the wrong idea.¡± It¡¯s my turn to blush. ¡°You know what I meant,¡± I tut. ¡°Let¡¯s go, then. We can let Arthur fend for himself.¡± Outside the city, Lucien now stands in the middle of a forest clearing, away from the lights and the sounds. He holds his hands up and out at either side, having draped himself with a thin, black silk fabric that falls over him like water. It¡¯s the same shroud he used in the Temple of Selene at the Academy, and I wonder if he¡¯s always shrouded for every ceremony. He recites a practiced prayer to his ancestors, and it sounds like a song. The king of death confesses his love to the queen of the heavens, their love doomed for all eternity. His shroud is the waters of the night that run through the underworld, carrying souls to their final resting place. His long braid, the chain that keeps him just out of reach from his beloved. Lucien¡¯s feathers blow gently in the breeze, and I wonder if they tickle his cheeks at all, or if he is just too focused on his task to notice. I stare up at the stars, feeling at peace in the silence, and in my drunken stupor, creating a narrative for their reunion. When his murmured prayers come to an abrupt end, I turn to look at him, sensing the change in his routine. He gets to his knees and bows. When he stands again, he heaves a sigh of relief, and turns to face me. ¡°Would you like to try?¡± He offers. ¡°Um¡­ I wouldn¡¯t know what to do. I don¡¯t want to look ridiculous.¡± He holds his arms out in a grand gesture. ¡°For your audience?¡± ¡°You know what I mean,¡± I smack his shoulder. ¡°There are no set rules. You simply thank your ancestors, and the gods. You can speak with your loved ones if you think they will listen.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think they will, since this is the first I¡¯m hearing of such a thing. I don¡¯t believe they would have received that notice.¡± ¡°You can thank Selene, then, for¡­ whatever you¡¯d like to thank her for.¡± ¡°Just Selene?¡± I eye him curiously. ¡°Well, I am from the Grove. We focus our worship more heavily on Selene, the light elves on Sol, and humans on Gaia.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t realize. Though I do remember seeing so many beautiful shrouds in Mirror Lake. I always wanted one, but my parents said those were not for me.¡± ¡°Come, stand next to me,¡± he says, holding out a hand. When I stand up next to him, he pulls his shroud over my head, and around my neck. It feels incredibly soft, and I can¡¯t resist running my fingers over it. ¡°What¡¯s this for?¡± ¡°In case you cry, you can hide your tears, and keep the ancestors and the gods happy.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ quite the challenge.¡± He nods and smiles warmly at me. ¡°But you can just go through Selene¡¯s prayers.¡± Lucien feeds me line by line the prayers of Selene, and the entire ceremony until I am face down on the grass bowing to her. The words feel strange on my tongue, and he stifles his laughs each time I mispronounce them. When the final line is butchered by my twisted tongue, I get to my feet after he instructs me to do so. ¡°Excellent. I¡¯m sure Selene will bless you for the remainder of the year.¡± ¡°Wonderful,¡± I say, gently pulling the shroud off me, and handing it to Lucien. Lucien folds it, and tucks it away gingerly into a velvet bag with drawstrings, which he stuffs into the pocket of his cloak. ¡°Do all your ceremonies require fancy shrouds?¡± ¡°Selene was the goddess of the night. The night is mysterious, hidden, secret, and beautiful.¡± ¡°Most people might think you¡¯re a bit biased about that last one, even if you¡¯re right.¡± He smiles. ¡°We can return to the festivities now. Thank you for coming with me. I know it was almost too exciting to bear.¡± ¡°I was day-dreaming through most of that, I admit.¡± ¡°Oh? Of course you were. What sort of ritual was I performing?¡± ¡°Oh, you were¡­ vanquishing evil.¡± ¡°You¡¯re lying. I can tell.¡± ¡°How can you tell?¡± ¡°You¡¯re terrible at it.¡± ¡°I am. I dreamed you were king of the underworld, confessing your love to the queen of the heavens! Doomed love, and all of that.¡± ¡°How very like you,¡± he says, taking my hand to lead us back into the city. ¡°You¡¯re very attracted to that idea, aren¡¯t you? Or is it something else you¡¯re attracted to?¡± ¡°Would you really like to know?¡± I ask, grinning. He gives me a knowing look. ¡°Would you like several more hours of that ritual, then? I could go on. I cut it short for your benefit.¡± ¡°I hope you didn¡¯t. I wished not to interrupt.¡± ¡°Well, we can remain here until sunrise.¡± He turns to walk back to the clearing, but I take his arm, and pull him towards the city again. ¡°No thank you, though it was educational. I was never allowed to watch the dark elves do that whole¡­ thing,¡± I¡¯m embarrassed I might have used the wrong words, and even more embarrassed I¡¯ve used the word ¡®thing¡¯ to replace them. ¡°Uh, sorry¡­¡± ¡°Well, you were my guest of honor,¡± he heaves a heavy sigh. ¡°The whole ordeal is meant to be a most personal affair for close family only.¡± ¡°Then I am even more honored that you would trust me with something so intimate. Have you ever invited Arthur?¡± ¡°He¡¯s always stealing my shroud before I finish my prayers, and makes me chase him. He¡¯s a nuisance sometimes. I think he gets bored.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t blame him,¡± I stifle a laugh. ¡°I know it¡¯s not a very interesting thing to watch, which is why I encouraged you to stay with Arthur in the first place, but you insisted.¡± ¡°Sorry¡­¡± I murmur. ¡°Master Eaimer wrote back to me, by the way. Since you seemed so interested in the lovers¡¯ stars, I inquired about it, and he, being ever eager to please, did some in-depth research about it. They were simply meant to represent Selene and Sol. Sol worshiped Selene, and he had the heavens rearranged in their image, declaring his love for her before everyone.¡± ¡°He worshiped her?¡± I gasp. ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°A woman?¡± ¡°The humans worship Gaia.¡± ¡°And Sol.¡± ¡°Unlike the rest of Amith, the dark elves have women who¡¯ve ruled. We have one now, in fact. A queen.¡± ¡°You¡¯re definitely lying, now. Everyone knows you¡¯ve always had a king.¡± He laughs. ¡°Of course we do. However, he¡¯s not the one in charge. Amith would be deeply offended to be dealing with a queen about important affairs, wouldn¡¯t they? Just like with Nien and Zelfari. So we send our king in her stead. You know her best as my fianc¨¦e, which she isn¡¯t.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have to see this for myself.¡± ¡°Should I have Master Eaimer backup my claims?¡± ¡°No, I believe you, it¡¯s just so¡­ strange.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°You know why. If everyone just knows¡­ and they still tolerate it¡­ And the fact that you have a queen in the first place.¡± ¡°It¡¯s strange that we¡¯re all equal there? They respect each other, but it¡¯s frowned upon. I¡¯d think you¡¯d appreciate such a thing.¡± ¡°I see,¡± I say, staring at my feet. ¡°And I do. All the more reason to visit you when you leave.¡± Lucien leans over to look into my face more closely. ¡°How else can I satiate your curiosity?¡± He smiles. ¡°So, that¡¯s why you and Lumaria¡­ won¡¯t be forced to marry, but she still has the final say?¡± ¡°Yes. She is free to choose whomever she wishes.¡± ¡°Then, what is the problem? You should write to her. Get to know each other. Try to fall in love with the person you¡¯ll one day be engaged to.¡± ¡°I was not expecting that response from you.¡± ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s none of my business, but what other response should I give? You have a queen that wants you, and you cannot deny her.¡± ¡°I could write to her more often, I suppose,¡± he says, turning away, as we continue our journey back to the city. ¡°In fact, I promise to do so. For you, and your burning curiosity.¡± ¡°And I¡¯ll be more honest with Marcellus, because¡­ it would be the right thing to do.¡± ¡°As you should be, by default, Luna,¡± he scolds me. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t really lie to others. Surely you¡¯ve been raised better than that. You don¡¯t strike me as a liar.¡± ¡°You¡¯re mostly right about that. I lie to you all the time, and you never take offense.¡± ¡°You do? You¡­ are you lying now? What do you lie about?¡± ¡°See? How would you know? You don¡¯t know me as well as you think.¡± ¡°I want to.¡± Chapter Seventeen ¡°Just one moment!¡± I call out from the back of the shop. I set my book face down on the table so as to not lose my place. ¡°Take your time,¡± calls out a sweet, familiar voice. ¡°Seraphina!¡± I call cheerfully, making my way towards the front of the shop. ¡°How have you been?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got a place to stay for the time being. I¡¯ve also found work at a flower shop.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear it. When can I visit?¡± ¡°The moment I¡¯ve settled down, I¡¯ll let you know. I¡¯ve still not seen Arthur, can you believe it? He just keeps sending me letters.¡± ¡°You¡¯re better off, trust me. I see too much of him sometimes.¡± ¡°Speak of the devil,¡± giggles Seraphina, racing to hide behind the counter. The shop bell rings as Arthur and Lucien step in. Lucien is smiling brightly, making my heart flutter, and he immediately meets my gaze. ¡°Luna, tell Lucien he¡¯s being ridiculous,¡± cries Arthur in agony the moment he spots me. ¡°Arthur,¡± I chide. ¡°You¡¯re being ridiculous.¡± ¡°You¡¯re both against me,¡± he complains, now pouting. ¡°You¡¯re the worst thing that¡¯s happened to him, I swear.¡± ¡°You make it so easy,¡± Lucien teases. ¡°You really do,¡± I agree. ¡°Hello, Luna,¡± Lucien confidently looks me up, and down while Arthur is distracted. ¡°Hello, Lucien!¡± I grin, cheerfully. ¡°Hello, Seraphina,¡± he says, grabbing onto Arthur¡¯s arm before he can make his escape. Seraphina appears from her hiding place behind the counter, and sprints around it to throw her arms around Arthur. She squeezes him in a tight hug, which he desperately tries to escape. ¡°You idiot,¡± she cries. ¡°Why are you avoiding me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m engaged.¡± ¡°You keep saying that, but I keep telling you she¡¯s not going to marry you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re absolutely insane.¡± I take a seat at the counter, and watch them. Lucien approaches me, stands at my side, and rests his elbow on the countertop, nudging me playfully. I glance at him from the corner of my eye; his glistening eyes, and the beautiful way his long braid slips down his shoulder and sways. ¡°Almost ready to return home?¡± He asks me, quietly. ¡°I am,¡± I sigh. ¡°My belongings are packed, and I¡¯ll be headed out in the morning. It¡¯s going to be so strange seeing my family. Especially after Marcellus wrote to me that Solera is engaged. I should be returning in time for the wedding.¡± ¡°Engaged to Marcellus?¡± He grins. ¡°No,¡± I chuckle. ¡°She¡¯s had a friend that¡¯s been in love with her since the day they met, she¡¯s just been so oblivious.¡± ¡°Like you?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± I look over at him. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°You mentioned Marcellus didn¡¯t realize you liked him.¡± ¡°Oh, yeah¡­ It was like that. I¡¯ll be making my return journey with my sisters after Solera¡¯s wedding, by the way. My sisters have both been accepted into the Academy.¡± ¡°Your parents must be overjoyed.¡± ¡°They are. I¡¯m glad I don¡¯t have to share a room with them.¡± ¡°Why not? You¡¯ve shared with them before.¡± ¡°I have, but I prefer to be with three people that leave me alone,¡± I laugh. ¡°Not two people that will pry into my personal business.¡± ¡°Well, if it¡¯s any consolation, they don¡¯t typically change your room until you¡¯re studying for level five.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t wait until then. I¡¯ve never had my own room.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t? That sounds dreadful. How could you have never experienced that joy?¡± ¡°Well, you¡¯re right about one thing; It¡¯s dreadful.¡± ¡°And how is Marcellus?¡± ¡°He seems eager to see me again¡­¡± ¡°But¡­?¡± ¡°Uh, nothing. I can¡¯t wait to see him again?¡± ¡°Are you asking me?¡± he chuckles. ¡°No.¡± ¡°What¡¯s bothering you?¡± He asks quietly, leaning closer to me. ¡°I¡­ Just¡­ Think he¡¯s more eager than I am,¡± I say quietly. ¡°I¡¯m afraid he wants to talk again about¡­ We haven¡¯t spoken since he visited. I¡¯m the worst person ever, aren¡¯t I?¡± ¡°At least I didn¡¯t have to say it.¡± He leans forward against the counter, resting his chin on the table, and we both watch Arthur and Seraphina talk to each other about things neither of us know anything about in harsh whispers, vague references, and strange gestures. ¡°I thought you were excited,¡± he glances over at me. ¡°I am excited, it just feels¡­ Like I¡¯m going to be a stranger to them.¡± ¡°A stranger?¡± He leans in closer to me. ¡°It feels like-¡± The shop bell rings, and I stand at attention. ¡°Madam Treeleaf! You weren¡¯t supposed to be back so soon.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s my shop, and I see everyone else is here. Good to see you, Seraphina. Why are you here?¡± She asks, eyeing her from head to toe, then looking over at Arthur who looks angry. ¡°I see. Luna, you can go home, I need to close the shop for the day. Everybody out!¡± Seraphina looks panicked. ¡°Madam Treeleaf, I¡¯m sorry if I¡¯ve-¡± ¡°It¡¯s not you, Seraphina. It¡¯s none of you. I¡¯ve had a long day, and a terrible headache. I¡¯m going to drink a few potions, and take a long nap. It¡¯s just a shame it¡¯s happening during the busiest time of the year, but I simply cannot stay here for the rest of the day.¡± ¡°I could watch the shop for you,¡± I suggest. ¡°So you don¡¯t have to miss out. I already know how to do almost everything, and Lucien knows how to do the rest.¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± she seems a little apprehensive, then gives Lucien and me a warm smile. ¡°Very well. I suppose I could trust you to run it for the rest of the evening. Do not hesitate to shut down for the day if it becomes overwhelming. Arthur and Seraphina, if you¡¯re going to fight, do so outside my shop. I don¡¯t need to be associated with¡­ whatever it is you¡¯ve been arguing about. Or you can both stay here and help Lucien and Luna, they¡¯ll need it.¡± ¡°We weren¡¯t arguing about anything,¡± grumbles Arthur. ¡°I could hear you from the street!¡± She cries out. Arthur retreats to the furthest corner of the shop. Lucien and I exchange glances, and quietly snicker. ¡°Sorry, Madam Treeleaf,¡± Arthur apologizes. ¡°I¡¯ll be going.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go, too,¡± says Seraphina, with her head hanging in shame. ¡°Lucien, go check on your potions,¡± she commands. ¡°They¡¯re probably ready, since they¡¯ve been cooling all night.¡± Lucien races to the back of the shop without hesitation. Madam Treeleaf wanders around, and picks out a minor healing potion, soothing potion, and a potion for dulling the senses. She places several copper coins on the counter, and I move them into the box. ¡°I¡­ um¡­ I¡¯m supposed to log this, correct?¡± I ask, taking up my pen and the shop¡¯s book logs. ¡°Log everything, Luna.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± I say, writing her name down, the potions she gathered, and the amount paid. ¡°Well, you¡¯re all set. I hope you recover from your ailment.¡± She grumbles, and turns away from me, then stops abrupty. ¡°Goodnight, Luna.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the shop. We¡¯ve watched you work. We can handle it for one night.¡± She smiles warmly, then walks out. I race towards the back of the shop, where Lucien is pulling some pots off the heat, and removing some enchanted papers from several others. ¡°Want to help me bottle these up and label them?¡± He grunts as he places the hot pot on a cooling rack, and takes another with him to place on the work table lined with bottles and blank labels. ¡°Fetch a funnel, would you?¡± He asks. ¡°I don¡¯t know why we can¡¯t put cooling enchantments on these. They¡¯d be useful.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± I say, handing him a funnel with three spouts at the bottom. ¡°Didn¡¯t Madam Treeleaf say she didn¡¯t trust them? And she doesn¡¯t want them to shatter if they cool off too quickly?¡± ¡°Can you begin writing the labels? Your handwriting is better than mine, according to you,¡± he shakes his hands, and cracks his knuckles, preparing for the task at hand. ¡°And she did say that, but it¡¯s still annoying.¡± ¡°Sure. I can help prepare them with you, though. You still need to fill them.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need. You¡¯re leaving soon, you said? Tomorrow morning?¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t be helpful. I¡¯m packed, and I¡¯m going to be here for the rest of the day at least. What are we even preparing? I don¡¯t know what to write on these labels. It looks like Stamina.¡± ¡°It is. Oh, here,¡± he says, pulling a small vial out of his apron pocket, and setting it before me. ¡°Tuck that way in your bag.¡± ¡°What is it? Another one of Master Eaimer¡¯s concoctions?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ I think he¡¯s fond of you. I wrote to him that you would be traveling home, and he sent me a recipe that would heal your body of aches as you make your journey. It¡¯s enough for your return, as well. He¡¯s being strangely thoughtful. He¡¯d never do such a thing for me. He also thanks you for your sketches. If I¡¯d known your sisters would be returning with you, I would have made them one.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be alright. You can make it for them next time we make the journey back. I just hope one day I can meet Master Eaimer. I have to thank him for helping me with my whirlwind spell. I would have never passed the exam without him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯d be happy to meet you. He said he¡¯s never met such a meticulous note taker¡­ except himself, of course. If you¡¯re not careful he¡¯s going to ask the Academy if he can finish teaching you himself.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t sound like a bad thing.¡± ¡°Not yet, it doesn¡¯t, but you haven¡¯t had to sit in a cold pool of water for hours at a time to ¡®become water¡¯.¡± ¡°Would he do that to me?¡± Lucien laughs, then shrugs. ¡°He¡¯s unpredictable.¡± I set aside a few labels for the stamina potions, allowing the ink to dry as I line up more sheets of paper, while Lucien begins to ladle the potion into a funnel sitting over bottles clustered in threes. We fall into a natural rhythm after the first few are completed. ¡°I¡¯d happily learn from him,¡± I comment. ¡°He¡¯d be glad to teach you. You can label these.¡± I brush an adhesive onto the bottles, and begin pressing the labels to them two at a time. ¡°Madam Treeleaf has certainly helped me with potions. Do you think she¡¯ll allow me to work here until I reach level six?¡± ¡°The way she speaks of you, she¡¯d hire you permanently if you wished.¡± ¡°Ha!¡± I snort. ¡°I joked about opening a potion shop in Bellehaven when I completed my level one because I was so bad at it. I can¡¯t wait to tell Miss Eisley I¡¯m working in one now, and the owner actually likes me because it turns out I¡¯m pretty good at it.¡± Lucien chuckles, and it makes me smile to hear it. I begin writing a few more labels, listening to the sound of Lucien pouring the potion into bottles, and adding stoppers to them as he quietly hums to himself. When I run out of labels to write, I line all of the labeled potions in a box, and place them on a shelf to be stocked later. The bell rings, and I dust my hands off on my apron, and step into the front of the shop. ¡°Hello, madam. What sort of potion can I get for you?¡± ¡°Um,¡± the woman says shyly. ¡°My husband and I¡­ We¡¯d like a child.¡± ¡°Ah, fertility potion will be just the thing. One moment.¡± I walk to the back room, and search the shelves. Fertility potions are not typically kept at the front of the shop, or commonly sought out. I sift through a box filled with vials, and find what I¡¯m looking for. ¡°You¡¯re in luck, this was our last one. I¡¯ll make a note to have several more made. Typically no more than two are needed, and most people only need one.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°That will be one silver and seven copper.¡± The woman places the coins on the counter. I slip the coins into the box, and hand her the vial. ¡°This will be¡­ potent?¡± She asks, shyly. ¡°Yes, madam. We sell only the best potions here. If you¡¯re ever unsatisfied, you may return when Madam Treeleaf is here.¡± She leaves the shop with a slight nod, and I return to the back, where Lucien is now labeling the remaining potions himself. ¡°Make sure they''re straight,¡± I scold him. ¡°You¡¯re the only one that notices when they¡¯re not.¡± ¡°Unhand the labels, then. I¡¯ll do it myself.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± he mumbles. ¡°Seriously, get back to filling the bottles. You¡¯re better at that.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he gasps dramatically. ¡°Where are your manners? Did you forget them at the counter up front?¡± I nudge him playfully, and snatch the labels from his hands. He huffs, then continues filling the bottles. ¡°I can fill the next batch, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°Please do. I¡¯ll make sure to make the most imperfect labels for you.¡± ¡°Why?¡± I whine, taking a giant pot off a cooling rack sitting on a counter in the corner. ¡°Because I like the way you scrunch your face when you¡¯re upset, and the way you put your hands on your hips, as if you can scare me into changing my mind.¡± I click my tongue. ¡°You don¡¯t believe me?¡± ¡°I do,¡± I laugh. ¡°Is that why you hang out with Arthur?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not the only reason, but it¡¯s one of them.¡± I feel his eyes staring at me. I lift the pot off the counter and place it on the work table. The labeled potions are placed neatly into a box, and join the shelves with the others. ¡°What¡¯s this next batch? More stamina potions?¡± I ask. ¡°No, but close. Revitalization.¡± ¡°Really? Why is it¡­ so green?¡± ¡°Madam Treeleaf wanted it to have more healing properties.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have to be careful labeling these. I¡¯m going to get confused.¡± I write more labels, then set them aside for the ink to dry. The filled potion bottles are wiped clean of any spilled liquid, and stoppers are put in. ¡°You¡¯ll¡­ write when you return home safely?¡± He mumbles quietly. ¡°O-Oh¡­ if you¡¯d like. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll have a very exciting visit.¡± ¡°I¡­¡± he stops to look at me, but I ignore his gaze. ¡°I would¡­ like it if you wrote.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll keep me updated on things around here, then?¡± ¡°Absolutely, and I¡¯ll be sure to have some honey cake waiting for your return with your sisters.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not necessary.¡± ¡°It is, though.¡± I look up at him, and he smiles the moment my heart begins to pound in my chest. I move the prepared potions to the shelf. ¡°Hmm, it¡¯ll be too bad if you don¡¯t have any. I guess I¡¯d have to eat it all myself,¡± he says in a sing-song tone. ¡°Fine, fine,¡± I sigh. ¡°I knew you couldn¡¯t resist. In fact, I have some for you now, if you want.¡± ¡°How? That must be so costly. Where are you getting all this cake?¡± ¡°I made it myself. Master Eaimer simply provides the honey.¡± ¡°You made it¡­ yourself?¡± ¡°Yes, I did.¡± ¡°Honestly?¡± I huff. ¡°Is there anything you can¡¯t do?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t uh¡­ Oh! I can¡¯t wait to uh¡­ meet your sisters. It¡¯ll be so strange seeing three different Lunas at the Academy.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve warned them about Arthur already.¡± ¡°Good, now find work to do, since you insist on being here all day.¡± Ingredients, tools, and potion bottles of all shapes and sizes litter the counters, and I can only think about poor Madam Treeleaf not being well enough to tidy up when the shop closes for the night. I watch Lucien for a moment, and decide it¡¯s best to get the worst of it over with now, instead of waiting until I¡¯m too tired. ¡°And I¡¯ve warned Arthur about them,¡± he mentions. ¡°Thank you. Do you think he¡¯ll actually listen?¡± He hums thoughtfully. ¡°He might. He¡¯s not completely heartless.¡± ¡°How did his little game play out this year?¡± ¡°I think he gave up when his father threatened to keep him away from the Academy. Rumors were beginning to spread.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief.¡± Using an old, dirty rag, I wipe off some residue from the counter, then go on a quest in search of a cleaner one. ¡°He¡¯s required to send regular correspondence home, now.¡± ¡°I wonder what his father must be like. Have you met him? Is he like Arthur at all? It would explain so much,¡± I murmur, getting increasingly irritated by the mess in the shop. ¡°Where are the clean rags? I could have sworn I¡¯d done the washing.¡± ¡°He¡¯s only ever mentioned that his father is cold and distant. And I know he cares deeply for his brother despite what he says. They both care very much about each other. You did do the washing, and then you hung it outside to dry. You¡¯re lucky it didn¡¯t rain.¡± ¡°I forget the two of you are so close sometimes, the way you bicker.¡± A lengthy clothes line runs across the garden with rags draped over it, and not a single exposed surface of the line remaining. I take the rags down one at a time, and place them into a basket. Once inside, I begin to fold them as neatly and quickly as I can. ¡°I did tell you he was an acquired taste. He¡¯s always been difficult to get along with, and somehow, he manages to make friends everywhere he goes. Besides, if there¡¯s anyone who could understand what my life is like, he would. He just approaches it differently.¡± ¡°Is that right? And what kind of life is that? Being insanely attractive?¡± He turns to face me, his mouth open. ¡°You think he¡¯s attractive?¡± He manages to force out, holding back his laughter. ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°You think I¡¯m attractive?¡± ¡°Lucien, you¡¯re a dark elf.¡± ¡°You- You find Arthur attractive?¡± I laugh at him. ¡°Don¡¯t ever tell him I admitted that.¡± ¡°We look nothing alike.¡± ¡°You¡¯re attractive in different ways. Why are we still talking about this?¡± I turn away, cheeks burning, and focus on my folding. ¡°Luna, I won¡¯t ever bring up this conversation again, but we can¡¯t stop now. I¡¯m far too invested.¡± ¡°You promise?¡± ¡°I swear on Selene herself that if I ever bring up this conversation again, she may rain down lightning and smite me.¡± ¡°Dramatic, but¡­ alright. Arthur has that confidence. He knows what his life will be like, he¡¯s accepted it, and he¡¯s going to do what he wishes. And you¡­¡± ¡°Me?¡± He asks. ¡°You promise?¡± ¡°Selene smite me if I break my promise,¡± he says, placing one hand on his chest, and holding the other out towards the heavens. ¡°I¡­ love the way the moonlight shines off your skin, and the way your braid sways behind you when you walk. I love the way your brow furrows when you¡¯re trying to understand the most fundamental thing about your spellwork, because you still get so ridiculously obsessed with something you¡¯re naturally gifted at. I especially like the way my name rolls off your lips¡­ Um¡­ Please forget that last part.¡± ¡°Lun¡­ Luna, you¡¯re making me blush.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ You¡¯re¡­ just¡­ stop!¡± I groan, irritably. ¡°It¡¯s not important.¡± There¡¯s a long pause between us, while he¡¯s waiting for me to speak, but I refuse. ¡°I need to finish up,¡± he says, his face a dark shade of blue. I sit down, and return to my folding, leaving one rag aside for cleaning, and another for the mess Lucien will likely be making as he finishes up his work. The pile of folded rags are set on a shelf with the other cleaning supplies in the storage closet, and I take a few with me to wipe down each surface I come by, determined to leave the shop spotless for when Madam Treeleaf returns. ¡°I¡¯m glad you chose to stay with me in the shop today. I was dreading cleaning up the mess I made yesterday,¡± Lucien says, quietly ¡°Well, now that you¡¯ve told me Madam Treeleaf likes me so much, I really should start slacking off. She might never let go of me, and I have a world to see.¡±. ¡°You¡¯re going to leave me with all the work like Arthur?¡± ¡°I could. I¡¯ve built up a wonderful reputation.¡± ¡°You could never.¡± ¡°I could never. You¡¯re right.¡± When the last of the potions are labeled, placed in a box, then set on a shelf, Lucien and I clean every surface until the shop is spotless. We begin to create the final batches of potions for the evening which include different batches of elemental resistances used by those traveling to Ibis Islands or Zelfari. ¡°Does anyone take this potion when going to the Grove?¡± ¡°Of course. Everyone always gets cold so easily.¡± ¡°I should have guessed. Does that mean you get hot easily?¡± ¡°I¡¯m like a furnace when I sleep, I¡¯ve heard.¡± ¡°Oh? Are you? And who told you that?¡± ¡°Hmm, I can¡¯t remember,¡± he says, with a cheeky grin. I roll my eyes at him, not wanting to tread on delicate topics again. ¡°Do you think I can use it to keep warm on the road? It¡¯s been so cold, and it''s only been getting colder. I also didn¡¯t have enough coins to get my coat mended, so I¡¯ll be a bit miserable on the road.¡± ¡°The potion Master Eaimer made will help with that, but are you telling me you¡¯re going to travel with a torn cloak, and you don¡¯t know how to mend it yourself?¡± ¡°I just haven¡¯t had time.¡± ¡°Did you bring it with you?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ I¡¯ve only got one,¡± I hesitate. ¡°But it¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he chides. ¡°Bring it to me. I¡¯ll fix it for you.¡± After fetching my cloak from a hook by the back door, I toss it at Lucien, who catches it with one hand. He spreads it out on the table, noticing the obvious tear running right down the middle of it. ¡°How did that even happen?¡± I groan. ¡°It got snagged, and I pulled it. I didn¡¯t realize the strange sound I was hearing was the fabric ripping until it was too late. I was so exhausted from studying for an exam I¡¯d completed, and my work at the shop, I¡¯ve had no time to tend to it.¡± Lucien searches the back room, eventually standing on a chair so he can search through the top shelves. After some minutes, he pulls down a small box from one of the highest ones. ¡°What color would you like your patch to be?¡± He asks, holding up two long pieces of black fabric with a wide grin. ¡°The uh¡­ black one, but the other black one might add some variety to the color.¡± ¡°Choose carefully.¡± ¡°I think I¡¯ll take¡­ the left black one.¡± ¡°Good choice,¡± he says, placing one of the strips of fabric back on the shelf. ¡°Sit. I¡¯m going to show you how to mend your own clothing.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, I know how to do it, it just takes me so long. I¡¯m always stabbing myself with the needle. Just don¡¯t be alarmed if you see the table covered in blood.¡± ¡°Then take a seat, and repair your cloak, then. I¡¯ll mind the shop. There¡¯s not much left to do anyway.¡± He pushes a spool of thread into my hand, places a pair of scissors on the table, then finds a needle in a small repair kit. I take the needle from him, and thread it, annoyed that I¡¯ve mentioned anything about it. He takes up the box of potions I¡¯ve stored on the shelf to set out at the front of the shop. When the shelves are stocked, he returns with what¡¯s remaining, and places them back on the shelf. ¡°It¡¯s strange the shop is so empty,¡± grumbles Lucien. ¡°Madam Treeleaf said it will be much busier closer to the late afternoon, and tomorrow morning. Unfortunately, I won¡¯t be able to help you then.¡± ¡°That is quite unfortunate, but I¡¯m sure Madam Treeleaf will be back in the morning.¡± I tie a knot at the end of the thread, then snip the remainder off. ¡°I¡¯m done. It¡¯s repaired,¡± I announce, proudly. Lucien walks up behind me, and observes my work. ¡°Excellent. Your sewing is as meticulous as everything else you do.¡± The shop door rings, and I can hear a large crowd gathering. I set my cloak aside, and return the needle and thread to their rightful places. ¡°Hello,¡± I say, when I step out from the back room. ¡°Please step up to the counter in an orderly fashion.¡± I take my place at the front of the shop as the crowd organizes itself. ¡°What would you like?¡± I ask the first customer. The evening is ceaseless chaos as the crowds continue to form. When, at last, the final patron walks out the door, Lucien locks up behind them, and draws all the curtains closed. The shelves are sparse, and only the priciest of potions remain. We sigh with relief to be almost finished with the day. I pick up stray boxes scattered about the floor, and begin to stock the shelves with anything remaining from the back room. Lucien takes up a cauldron, and begins to prepare the next day¡¯s potions. We collapse at the table in the back, and nibble away at the honey cake we never got the opportunity to enjoy. ¡°I¡¯m going to miss-,¡± Lucien murmures the rest. ¡°You¡¯re going to miss what?¡± I ask, happily chewing on a piece of cake. ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you,¡± he murmurs more loudly. I feel my cheeks burn, and look up at him with a wide grin. He looks flustered and frustrated, and Sweet Selene, I want to kiss those pouting lips. ¡°Are you? That¡¯s nice of you,¡± I tease him. ¡°Luna¡­ I¡¯m being serious,¡± he says, sternly. ¡°Can we be serious?¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯m going to miss all this honey cake, so I suppose I¡¯ll miss you, too.¡± He smiles. ¡°Honey cake? Not me?¡± I won¡¯t admit to him that I¡¯ll miss his and Arthur¡¯s company. Mostly his. I¡¯ll be returning home to complete strangers, while Lucien and Arthur feel like my new family, and I¡¯m praying for a happy union of the two when they finally meet. I¡¯m looking forward to having my sisters make the return journey with me, to help with this uneasiness that¡¯s been creeping upon me over the past few weeks. Maybe we¡¯ll all laugh, and still be close, as if nothing has changed. If I¡¯m lucky, I can still be the same person when I return, instead of hiding behind the person my sisters expect me to be. I feel a deep ache at the thought of leaving Lucien and Arthur behind if I¡¯m not. ¡°I¡¯ll admit, but only to you- So don¡¯t say anything to Arthur! I will miss you both, but mostly you.¡± ¡°Because of the honey cake?¡± ¡°Because of the honey cake,¡± I agree, with a nod. Lucien takes my hand, and holds it, tracing his thumb along my knuckles, a look of sadness on his face. ¡°You¡¯re more upset than you should be,¡± I comment. ¡°Is it because Arthur is going to remain?¡± He lets out a forced chuckle. ¡°I don¡¯t know what it is,¡± he sighs. ¡°It¡¯s hitting heavier than it should¡­ the thought of your absence.¡± What words! I should tease him, but how can he be so honest with me, when I¡¯m not honest with him? ¡°¡­The shop will be lonelier without you. I spend too much time here, I suppose,¡± he grumbles. ¡°Why don¡¯t you ask Arthur to help you tend to the shop while I¡¯m gone. I¡¯m sure he¡¯d be dying for something to do to keep Seraphina away.¡± ¡°Possibly,¡± he sighs heavily. ¡°Oh, Lucien, you¡¯re going to make me sad.¡± He¡¯s going to make me stay, but I have promises to keep. ¡°I promise you won¡¯t even notice I¡¯m gone,¡± I say, reassuringly. ¡°It¡¯ll feel as if time flew by, and you¡¯ll have wondered if I¡¯d even left at all. You are a dark elf, after all, and the passing of time will be quick.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re right,¡± he grins. ¡°I can annoy you, if you¡¯d like, so you¡¯ll be happy I¡¯ve gone.¡± ¡°No. You¡¯ve¡­ got some honey just there,¡± he points. ¡°It won¡¯t work. I like it when you annoy me.¡± I lick my lips, unable to find where he¡¯s pointing. ¡°No, it¡¯s here,¡± he leans towards me, and places a tender kiss on my forehead. ¡°Lucien¡­ What¡­¡± I can¡¯t speak. I can¡¯t form words. ¡°Luna, say you¡¯ll miss me,¡± he whispers into my ear. ¡°I did,¡± I whisper back, trying to sound light-hearted, despite my heart racing at his closeness. I poke his side, making him flinch away, giving me a moment to catch my breath. ¡°Say you¡¯ll miss me, and only me,¡± he whispers in a pleading tone. I stare into the flames of his eyes, and he stares back intensely, his gaze burning me. His lips quiver, and I wonder briefly if they taste like honey, but quickly look away. ¡°What¡¯s gotten into you?¡± I laugh nervously, moving away from him awkwardly. ¡°Did Arthur put you up to this?¡± ¡°No!¡± he says, instantly irritated. ¡°Luna, I-¡± The shop door rings. Madam Treeleaf¡¯s familiar stride resounds through the shop, and reaches the back door. ¡°Have a goodnight you two. Thank you for your hard work. I¡¯ll see you in the morning, Lucien. We have many potions to stock tomorrow. As for you, Luna, safe travels.¡± ¡°Thank you, Madam Treeleaf,¡± Lucien and I say in unison. We walk out of the shop and Lucien vanishes, reappearing far ahead of me. I struggle to catch up to him, but he ignores me when I call out to him. ¡°Please tell me what I did, Lucien. I know you¡¯re there. You hate when I walk back to the Academy alone.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± he appears behind me. ¡°Talk to me.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t want to have a serious talk.¡± ¡°Then just talk to me about something not serious.¡± ¡°You infuriate me.¡± ¡°What would you like me to say?¡± We walk silently through the halls of the Academy, and stop just as we¡¯re about to part ways. ¡°Here,¡± he says, pushing a small object into my hands. ¡°You left it in the shop. Have a safe journey.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± The next morning, my heart is heavy. Arthur, bless him, waits for me at the gates, hands me more food for my journey, and hugs me before I leave. It¡¯s awkward, but I¡¯m grateful for it, as I almost cry. Almost. If I did cry, Arthur would think we were close, and even though we might be, I don¡¯t want him to know it. Chapter Eighteen Chapter Eighteen In the middle of the month of Twilight, I arrive late, with no time to find myself a dress for Solera¡¯s wedding. She doesn¡¯t mind it, though, and I¡¯m grateful that she¡¯s just happy to see me. I feel guilty knowing days earlier I almost didn¡¯t want to attend the wedding at all, already weary from my travels. After the ceremony, everyone returns to my parent¡¯s home for a feast. I wander around the garden where I can hear musicians beginning to play a lively tune. Solera claps happily along to the music, looking stunning with a red cloak over her long, white dress. Adam, now proudly her husband, fondly watches her with a bright smile. When the song ends, the musicians take a bow to the scattered applause. The chatter dies down when a slow tune begins to play. Solera giggles uncontrollably when Adam begins to sing a familiar tune with a shaky voice. ¡°¡­Like Sol, your radiance warms my weary heart. Guiding me through the darkness, never to depart. And like Selene, your light illuminates my night, a beacon of hope, a love''s eternal flight¡­¡± He continues on, as I make my way towards Celestia once I spot her in the crowd. She¡¯s watching them with tears in her eyes, and a wide grin on her face. Her dark gray hair appears silvery in the moonlight. ¡°Hi, Celestia,¡± I greet. She blinks several times when she spots me. ¡°I¡¯m actually here, not a figment of your imagination.¡± ¡°Luna? You didn¡¯t get dressed? It¡¯s Solera¡¯s wedding! I have a dress upstairs that¡¯s still sort of new that you can wear.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t have time. I only just arrived before the ceremony.¡± ¡°You should have left the city earlier, instead of flirting with your dark elf.¡± ¡°Flir-! Celestia, I¡¯m not flirting with anybody.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± she says, doubtfully. ¡°Well, it¡¯s nice that you¡¯re here, but the least you could have done is brush your hair.¡± ¡°You could have stopped at ¡®It¡¯s nice to see you¡¯,¡± I grumble, taking a seat in the chair next to her. ¡°Or followed it with ¡®How are you?¡¯¡± ¡°Sorry, Lous, how are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m doing well, but the journey was long and a bit lonely. How are you? Are you excited to go to the Academy?¡± ¡°Not really. I¡¯m scared that I won¡¯t get to share a room with either of you, and won¡¯t get along with my roommates. I don¡¯t like strangers.¡± ¡°Well, you can ask to be roommates with Solera. I can¡¯t change my room until I¡¯ve reached level four.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t. Solera is just going to pay for a room in town so she won''t have to be away from Adam. They¡¯re inseparable now, even though she had no idea he liked her. I guess they¡¯re making up for lost time or something,¡± she rolls her eyes, then lets out a dreamy sigh. ¡°She looks happy, though.¡± ¡°Well, this could be a great opportunity to make new friends. I get along with all of the girls I share my room with. We¡¯re not close, but we share food, notes, potion ingredients, and books. Not to mention, I¡¯m hardly there at all as it is.¡± ¡°Oh, I hope you¡¯re right. How was your journey home? You said it was long?¡± ¡°It was, but also peaceful and lonely. I had plenty of potions to keep my energy up, thanks to Lucien.¡± ¡°Luuuuuciiiieeen,¡± she teases, stopping only when I frown at her. ¡°Did you sleep at all?¡± ¡°Hardly. I hate sleeping on the road. I¡¯ll be glad to have both of you with me on my return journey. How are mother and father? They must be so sad to see all of us go. And how are you, most importantly? I know you¡¯re very attached to them.¡± ¡°Are you kidding? They¡¯re already talking about renting out our room while we¡¯re away to earn some extra coins, and help around the house. I¡¯m doing just fine, just nervous they might not want us back.¡± ¡°Well, at least they¡¯ll keep themselves busy,¡± I laugh. ¡°Do you think I could find a job at the potions shop like you?¡± She asks, hopeful. ¡°No, Madam Treeleaf isn¡¯t taking any more apprentices, but I did put in a good word for you at the pottery shop, and for Adam at the blacksmiths.¡± ¡°What about Solera?¡± ¡°Hmm, just before I left, I had a friend drop off a letter at the jewelers for her. I¡¯ll have to wait for a response.¡± ¡°You seem to know everyone.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t, but Madam Treeleaf does, so you¡¯re pretty much guaranteed an apprenticeship.¡± ¡°So, do you think Solera will let me visit her when I get tired of being trapped in the small rooms at the Academy?¡± She gives me a nervous smile. ¡°They¡¯re not small. They¡¯re as big as our house. I have plenty of privacy.¡± ¡°Really? I can¡¯t wait, then.¡± ¡°The beds are softer, too.¡± ¡°And the pillows?¡± ¡°Yes! And the rooms are kept warm in the winter.¡± ¡°Father said he was going to fix up the house while we¡¯re away. He said with us gone, he¡¯ll have more time to get things done.¡± ¡°He¡¯ll miss us during harvesting season.¡± ¡°He¡¯s already got an arrangement with some of the boys from the bakery, and Marcellus¡¯ brothers. Oh! Speaking of Marcellus,¡± she sings. ¡°Cels,¡± I whisper harshly. ¡°Oh, stop. Everyone knows. He was so down when you left, it was hard not to notice him moping around here all broken-hearted and pathetic. Anyway, he¡¯s trying not to bother you, but hasn¡¯t taken his eyes off you since you got here.¡± She nods, and I follow her gaze to where Marcellus is waving nervously. I give Celestia an expectant look. She rolls her eyes, and smiles, returning her attention to Solera and Adam before waving me off. ¡°I¡¯ll see you later, I guess,¡± she teases. ¡°You certainly will. I promise to annoy you endlessly with all my gushing.¡± ¡°Gods, go away already.¡± I weave through the crowd of guests quietly, being careful not to block anyone¡¯s view, and make my way towards where I¡¯d seen Marcellus. ¡°Psst,¡± he whispers. I follow the sound of his voice to the far side of my mother¡¯s garden. When I approach, he pulls me into the shadows by my wrist, and kisses my hand. ¡°Hello, Luna,¡± he whispers, smiling, and tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear in order to stare at me more closely. ¡°Hello, Marc,¡± I whisper back. ¡°I missed you.¡± ¡°Did you?¡± I tease him. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t think I believe you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s nonsense, Luna. Would you care to dance with me?¡± ¡°That sounds lovely.¡± After several dances, as everyone makes circles around the married couple, we¡¯ve exhausted ourselves. I take a seat next to Marcellus on a bench as he drinks some water, and rubs his neck, sore from the day¡¯s work. He leans against my shoulder. He smells of dirt, grass, and everything outside mixed with sweat, and it creates a strange perfume that reminds me of my childhood. I glance around, afraid someone will notice us being close, and give us a stink eye, forgetting I¡¯m no longer a child. Everyone around us is occupied, of course, with Solera and Adam, who are now slow dancing together to the tune of a soft melody. ¡°Marc, someone¡¯s going to see you,¡± I whisper. ¡°You know how people love to gossip.¡± ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m¡­ having trouble keeping myself from you,¡± he whispers back into my ear, ticking me with his breath. I blush hotter than the fire before me, but my thoughts return briefly to Lucien. ¡°Marc, I¡­ don¡¯t think I want to come back to Bellehaven, you know.¡± ¡°Luna, you¡¯re not serious!¡± He whispers harshly. ¡°How can you say that after only just getting here?¡± Several people nearby eye us nervously, and laugh. I bury my face behind my cup. ¡°Not here,¡± I whisper. ¡°Not now.¡± ¡°When?¡± He whispers back, angrily. ¡°Tomorrow night, maybe? At our usual place?¡± ¡°Fine,¡± he sighs. He takes up his cup, and walks away from the table. Celestia immediately replaces him in the seat, grinning mischievously. ¡°He didn¡¯t look too happy just now,¡± she whispers. ¡°What¡¯d you say to him?¡± ¡°Cels, I don¡¯t even know¡­ Well, I do, but I don¡¯t want to talk about it right now. I need time to think it through.¡± ¡°Of course you do. Sneaking out tonight?¡± ¡°Tomorrow night.¡± ¡°Good. Just don¡¯t be stupid, and get yourself caught. You know how mom is. ¡®I didn¡¯t raise you girls to sneak out of the house to hang out with boys!¡¯¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never heard mom say that. You must suck at it.¡± ¡°Edward lets dad supervise our dates. It¡¯s annoying.¡± ¡°You sneak out with him, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m a grown woman, Lous. I don¡¯t need my parents keeping such a close eye on me. It¡¯s embarrassing.¡± ¡°Whatever. It¡¯s not like it matters, anyway,¡± I sighed. ¡°I think I¡¯m going to call it a night.¡± ¡°Very well, good night.¡± ¡°Goodnight, Cels.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget to say goodnight to the happy couple.¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± Lucien, I have arrived safely home to Bellehaven. Solera¡¯s wedding was wonderful, and I am happy for her. Adam is going to be a wonderful husband to her, and she is truly blessed by the gods. There was no honey cake, an absolute tragedy, I know! But there was plenty of dancing, ale, wine, and wonderful fruits from the harvest to be enjoyed. My mother outdid herself with the cooking and the decorating. I have drawn my sister and her husband dancing, as it was quite the sight to behold, and difficult to describe. It was magical. I wish you¡¯d seen it. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen either of them look so happy. I wonder if that was how Selene and Sol were. There was no one else they could be happier with than each other, and maybe the gods could forgive them, because isn¡¯t that all we ever want from life? To be happy? If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Your friend, Luna Masters I stare at the letter long after it has dried, hesitating to seal it. It feels wrong somehow. The words are wrong. The feelings are wrong. They are too simple. Too plain. And I haven¡¯t expressed all I¡¯m feeling. I haven¡¯t mentioned how I thought of him and that we could possibly be that happy together. I haven¡¯t mentioned how I wish I could confess my love for him in front of our family and friends. I haven¡¯t mentioned how badly I wished he was here. I feel my heart skip a beat as I remember Lucien¡¯s tender kiss. I want to know him. Every part of him. His kiss made Marcellus¡¯ seem like a distant, blurred memory. He¡¯s made Marcellus a distant memory. My days have seemingly dragged on while I¡¯ve been away, and I long for my job at the shop, meeting new people, speaking with my friends. I long for the tedious History of Mysticism lessons, Astral Projection classes, or even my potions lessons which are still the worst classes, but becoming less so with Madam Treeleaf¡¯s guidance. And then there¡¯s Lucien; I long for the nearness of him, for his company. I feel his absence like a dull ache in my chest, as if part of my heart has gone missing. How? Why? I seal the envelope with a frustrated sigh, unable to find words to describe my feelings in a manner that won¡¯t raise suspicions, and grab my bags with the intention of spending the rest of my stay at the nearby inn. I need a place to think. A noisy place. Noisier than the sounds in my head. ¡°Are you sure, Luna?¡± My father asks, as I walk out with my bags. ¡°I¡¯m sure, Father. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be here almost every day. It¡¯s not a long walk. I just need a room to myself.¡± ¡°Alright, Luna. At least let me give you some coins.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine,¡± I say, nervously, hoping he wouldn¡¯t find the coins I¡¯ve snuck into his coin bag earlier this week, until I¡¯ve gone, or he¡¯d try to return them. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re sure. You come over when you¡¯re missing your mother¡¯s cooking. You know she¡¯ll make you whatever you want, and you won¡¯t have to pay.¡± ¡°I will. Thank you. I¡¯ll even help you with some of the fieldwork tomorrow.¡± ¡°Alright, take care. I¡¯ll be seeing you later?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m just going to get a room, and drop off a letter. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± I wait in the cave by a warm fireplace, and keep it burning by casting simple wind spells over the pile of logs. The smoke rises up through the opening far above me, blurring Selene¡¯s bright light. My heart is pounding, and my nervousness is beginning to get the best of me. I want to run back to the city, away from Marcellus and the disappointment he¡¯ll have for me, afraid that he will begin to hate me. Why did I tell him I didn¡¯t want to come back to Bellehaven? I could have waited years before I told him, and spent this time together being happy. No. I did the right thing. I want Marcellus to have a happy life without me, and I couldn¡¯t keep letting him hope he had some sort of chance with me. It would be wrong. I get up to my feet. I could make it out of here unnoticed if I move fast enough, but the second I do, I see him walking towards me. I mutter a curse beneath my breath at Selene, Sol, and any other gods that can hear me. I can''t possibly leave now. ¡°Good evening, Marcellus.¡± ¡°You¡¯re here earlier than usual. Is your family still tired from the wedding?¡± ¡°No, uh¡­ I¡¯m not staying in my family¡¯s home. I¡¯m staying at the inn.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± He asks curiously. ¡°The one above the pub?¡± He takes a seat next to me by the fire, and stares into the flames. I can almost feel his sadness radiating from his body into the air, crushing my lungs and tightening my throat. ¡°Lou, it¡¯s okay,¡± he sighs. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I got angry with you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Marcellus,¡± I blurt, before I truly grasp the meaning of his words. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be sorry. I figured you would like city life. You never stop talking about your days at Mirror Lake, and¡­ I just don¡¯t¡­ feel the same way. You¡¯re right, we¡­ could go our separate ways.¡± ¡°Can¡­ we still be friends, Marcellus?¡± ¡°Of course, Lou. Just¡­ give me some time, won¡¯t you?¡± He gives me a pained look. ¡°I will.¡± ¡°Want to get a drink? We can go to the pub and drink away our sorrows.¡± ¡°Of course, but not all our sorrows, or I won¡¯t be functioning in the morning.¡± He gives me an inquiring look. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. I¡¯ll probably divulge the details later when I¡¯m drunk.¡± ¡°If you¡¯re sure you want to tell me.¡± I shrug. ¡°I¡¯d rather not, if I can help it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try not to pry.¡± The next morning, I wake in my bed at the inn, to the sounds of Marcellus¡¯ gentle breaths at my back. I feel my cheeks become hot, and nearly fall out of bed from shock. What is he doing here? Panicking, I try to recall the previous night, but only the vague memory of writing a letter flashes through my mind. Taking several deep breaths, I try to calm my thoughts and my breathing, and glance around the room for my journal. I flip through the pages and notice the remains of a torn page. Have I sent the letter? I couldn¡¯t have, it¡¯d been the middle of the night. So where is it? Where would I have put it? ¡°Lou?¡± ¡°Marc, good morning.¡± ¡°You look a bit¡­ worried about something¡­¡± ¡°What happened last night?¡± I eye him up and down, and turn away, noticing he¡¯s shirtless. ¡°No! No! Nothing happened, I swear on my life!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t remember much of my evening, and I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m going to have to rely on your memory for that.¡± ¡°You got pretty drunk, Lou. I had to carry you up to this room. Luckily, this is the only inn in town, so I could guess where you were staying. By the time I got you back, I could barely get myself home. You forced me to spend the night. It was a tempting offer, as I could barely drag my feet across the floor, but I swear on my life, I would never do that to you.¡± ¡°I believe you, but¡­ I wrote a letter. Do you know what I did with it?¡± ¡°I think you tucked it into the back of your journal somewhere? I saw you chuck something into the fireplace, too. You were behaving very strangely about the matter, and wouldn¡¯t let me ask.¡± I sigh with relief. ¡°Lou, what¡¯s this about?¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­ nothing. I just remembered I have to send a letter to¡­ Madam Treeleaf. To let her know I arrived safely, and to see if she¡¯s heard any news about the position at the jewelry shop for Solera. I didn¡¯t want to sound informal, so I¡¯ve been struggling with how I¡¯m going to politely inquire about it, since she hates impatience.¡± Nothing I¡¯ve said is untrue¡­ but it¡¯s not what I wrote in that letter. I know it isn¡¯t. I have a terrible feeling about it. ¡°Whatever it was, you seem very worked up about it. I¡­ you¡­¡± ¡°Well, out with it,¡± I say, feeling his discomfort. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡± ¡°Lucien¡­ you talked about him all night. He¡­ makes you happy, I¡¯ve noticed.¡± Oh, no! What have I said to him? My heart is racing, and the book in my hands is all I¡¯ve got between us. I pick at the remains of the torn page with my fingernails, clear my throat awkwardly, and begin to straighten myself out in front of a mirror. I watch Marcellus in the reflection stretch out, put on a shirt, and push back hair from his face. ¡°Extremely happy. I haven¡¯t seen your face light up that way since-¡± ¡°He¡¯s a friend, Marcellus.¡± ¡°Lou¡­ you can be honest with me. I won¡¯t¡­ judge you.¡± ¡°But you will, won¡¯t you? Because he¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°Luna, if I¡¯m upset, it is only because I failed to convince you to remain in Bellehaven, I swear it.¡± ¡°Um¡­ I¡¯m going to spend the day with my family. I¡¯m sure they¡¯d love to have my help with some chores.¡± ¡°I was headed that way, too. Your mother said she had something to give me. Maybe we can talk on our way there?¡± ¡°Oh, uh¡­ wonderful. You know how much I love talking.¡± He¡¯s quiet, and I wonder how much I revealed about my feelings for Lucien. I pick up the ribbon necklace gifted to me by Arthur from my bag, and tie it around my neck. ¡°Lou, I¡¯m worried about you,¡± he says more seriously, furrowing his brows. ¡°What?¡± I turn around. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Lou, you kept talking about that elf, and it seems to be bothering you a great deal more than you¡¯ve let on. What happened? He didn¡¯t hurt you, did he?¡± ¡°He¡¯s a friend, Marc!¡± I scoff. ¡°He¡¯s only been a friend since the day I met him.¡± ¡°Lou, you can¡¯t get close to his kind! Not right now! Imagine what they¡¯ll do to you if they think you¡¯re-¡± ¡°Think I¡¯m what? I thought you wouldn¡¯t judge me.¡± ¡°Lou¡­¡± ¡°I can¡¯t talk about this. Get out. We have to get going.¡± Marcellus leaves quickly after picking up a basket of fruit my mother gives him to bring home. We can barely look at each other as he walks off angry and disappointed. My mother tuts, and pulls me along towards her garden, forcing me to sit on a wooden bench while she gathers her tools, and tends to the soil. I can hear the distant voices of women most likely doing the wash in the river, and the laughter of children splashing around them. I pick at a loose thread at my sleeve, remembering when my sisters and I would do the same with my mother. ¡°Did Marcellus say something upsetting again?¡± She asks, sweetly, and I hear a tinge of amusement in her voice. ¡°I don¡¯t want to talk about it,¡± I mumble, pulling at another loose thread. ¡°Sweetheart, the two of you are normally inseparable. What happened? Has my sweet child grown too big for this little town?¡± How does she know? ¡°Ugh, mom. Stop being so observant!¡± I shout, trying to sound annoyed, and smiling anyway. ¡°Lous, my love, should I be worried about you?¡± She asks in a more serious tone. ¡°Do I need to speak with Marcellus¡¯ father?¡± ¡°No, mother. I¡­ simply don¡¯t¡­ I thought I wanted to be with Marc, and marry him or whatever-¡± My mother laughs. ¡°He was so clueless about your little crush. I never understood how you could fall for someone who had nothing but air between his ears.¡± ¡°Mother!¡± I snicker. ¡°It¡¯s not his fault.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. Dear me, even Solera is just as clueless,¡± she sighs. ¡°They¡¯re loveable, and make friends easily, but absolutely clueless.¡± ¡°I think I like being in the city with all the people, and all the noise.¡± ¡°You were always curious about everything, just like your sisters. They¡¯re very excited to be in the city, too. Mostly because they¡¯re going to be with you, and none of you ever stopped wanting more.¡± ¡°I swear I¡¯ll visit you.¡± ¡°Luna, Luna, Luna. I know you will, darling.¡± She grunts as takes a seat on the ground, and it¡¯s the first time I¡¯ve ever noticed she¡¯s getting much older. Her hair is whiter, her hands more wrinkled, and she¡¯s got lines on her face, but her eyes remain as bright as ever. She begins making a line of holes in the wet soil in front of her. ¡°Does Marcellus not want to live in the city?¡± She asks. ¡°He wants to be here. I mean, he said he¡¯d come with me, but I think we¡¯ll both know he¡¯ll be very unhappy. Could you imagine how much we¡¯d resent each other trying to stay together?¡± ¡°Hand me those seedlings,¡± she points to a tray filled with clods of dirt, a small sprout emerging from each of them. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°Well, I agreed we could go our separate ways, but what does that mean for us?¡± I take up the tray, and hand it to my mother. ¡°Can we actually remain friends? I don¡¯t think that¡¯s possible.¡± ¡°Well, you better work it out, because I want you to visit, and I need our families to remain close.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true. They have the best potatoes.¡± ¡°And throw the best parties. Did you hear Edward and Cels are together?¡± ¡°I did.¡± ¡°You need to hurry up and find someone. I¡¯m not getting any younger.¡± ¡°Mother! I won¡¯t fall into that trap. I¡¯m not settling down.¡± She huffs. ¡°And how are your little friends at the Academy?¡± ¡°They¡¯re fine, mother,¡± I stare off into the distance at the scenic view of the trees, and the running stream. ¡°And they¡¯re not little.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good, but don¡¯t tell your father that. The day he realizes you¡¯re spending time with grown men is the day we¡¯ll pack up our bags, and find some way to live in the City of Lights. Come help me, sweetheart,¡± she waves me over. ¡°He¡¯s ridiculously overprotective,¡± I grumble, taking a seat next to her, and helping her place the seedlings in the holes. ¡°He almost lost it when he realized Solera was getting married. Cried non-stop for weeks. Then he found out about Turner¡¯s boy, and goodness me, I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d ever leave the house again.¡± ¡°Did he really?¡± ¡°He loves you girls with his whole heart.¡± ¡°It makes me almost sad enough to stay.¡± ¡°Almost, but not quite?¡± She gives me a wink. ¡°Exactly.¡± ¡°Good. Don¡¯t let us hold you back. We¡¯ve already lived our own lives.¡± Several weeks pass, and I receive a letter from Lucien. I read it once I¡¯ve returned to the inn, practically collapsing into my chair after a long day of helping my father with the final harvest of the year. My dearest friend Luna Masters, I have received your letter, and I was happy to hear of your safe return to Bellehaven in time for your sister¡¯s wedding. Your drawing truly captures a beautifully tender moment, and I feel as if I was there to witness it myself. It truly is unfortunate that there was no honey cake at the wedding, but you ate and drank well, I imagine, if your mother was the one to prepare the food. This shop feels much quieter without you. It¡¯s an uneasy sort of calm. Even on days when we are incredibly busy (and there are many during the summer), it¡¯s unbearably quiet. Travelers from all parts of Amith and beyond her borders have come to the shop, and I know you would have loved to speak with them, and ask them thousands of questions. Your child-like curiosity would have allowed them to open themselves to you. Arthur has not been around much. He has not been well, and is always falling asleep at the front of the shop. I believe he is still very much concerned about the dark elves in Mirror Lake, and wishes to be there to see them off back to Dark Grove. Or it¡¯s just Seraphina. She¡¯s been here often, and there is a man named Fox who has attracted her -attention-. We¡¯ve seen many dark elves come by the shop, many of them quiet, and timid, almost afraid to speak. Each time it happens, each time they flinch away from any of us in the shop, Arthur seems a little less like himself. I cannot comfort him during these times. I, too, am distraught. Cases of attacks around the city have increased, and Arthur will not let me wander the city alone, afraid I will encounter an assailant. I remain hidden at the back of the shop these days, and it is when I notice your absence the most. When you arrive, I swear there will be honey cake waiting for you and your sisters. I¡¯d asked Master Eaimer to send more honey before you left, and he has sent me several jars, ever eager to please you. I¡¯ve had too much honey cake, and require your assistance to finish it off. Your friend, Lucien Moonshadow I read his words several times, until I¡¯ve almost memorized every stroke of his pen. What is this feeling? This longing to be close to him again... My friend Lucien, What can I possibly say? I miss you? I cannot wait to see you again? I could never admit it. I can¡¯t admit it. I pull out the unsent letter. My friend Lucien, I¡¯ve not been able to stop thinking of you since the day I left, but it feels strange. It feels different. I miss you like my lungs would miss air, like my veins would miss blood, like my heart will miss beating. I ache with longing for you¡­ I¡¯m too embarrassed to read the rest, and quickly toss it into the fire to watch it burn along with any hope I might have of being with him. Chapter Nineteen ¡°Good morning, Madam Treeleaf,¡± I greet her, as I step into the shop. ¡°Luna, how was your journey back? I wasn¡¯t expecting you to return so soon.¡± ¡°My sister is in need of a place to stay with her new husband, so we arrived early, and I can bless you with my presence and my assistance once again. I hope you don¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°Of course not. Lucien is at the back of the shop.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ is he?¡± I asked, shyly. ¡°Thank you.¡± She laughs, and waves me off as I walk into the back room to retrieve my apron. ¡°Luna?¡± Lucien peeks around the doorway of the back room. ¡°You¡¯re back so soon. Is that why¡­¡± ¡°Hello, Lucien,¡± I say, walking past him quickly to fetch my apron, and pulling it over my head. He walks up behind me, and helps me tie up my hair. The feeling of his fingers running lightly through it is enough to make my knees weak. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t write. I got very¡­ busy,¡± I lie. ¡°With M¡­ Your sisters?¡± ¡°Yes. You should have seen my parents. They were such an emotional mess. My mother was bawling. Can you believe my sisters got better gifts than I did for attending the academy? My family seems to be much better off now. The farm is doing well.¡± ¡°And¡­ How is Marcellus?¡± ¡°First, tell me about Arthur.¡± ¡°He¡¯s¡­ coping,¡± he looks around, afraid of being overheard. ¡°I¡¯ve got a headache,¡± grumbles Arthur, walking into the back room, and snatching a strong soothing potion off a shelf. ¡°He¡¯s been irritable,¡± says Seraphina, following him in. ¡°That¡¯s an improvement,¡± I mutter. ¡°Are you paying for that?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m stealing it,¡± Arthur mutters, rolling his eyes at me. ¡°Of course I¡¯m paying for it. I¡¯m not poor. You¡¯re back early. Did your parents not want to keep you?¡± ¡°Gods, I almost forgot what life without you is like. Thank you for the kind reminder.¡± ¡°Did you miss me?¡± ¡°My life was very peaceful, and suddenly it isn¡¯t,¡± I tease him. ¡°So, possibly.¡± ¡°Hello,¡± says a quiet voice from the door. An extremely handsome man with black hair with streaks of blue follows Seraphina in. I try not to stare, and turn to look at Lucien, hiding the shock behind my hand, struggling to rein in a smile. When I¡¯ve composed myself, I turn back to look at him. ¡°Are you¡­ from Nien?¡± I ask, trying to be polite. ¡°Your hair is¡­¡± ¡°Luna, this is Fox,¡± says Seraphina, watching me closely. ¡°Oh¡­ nice to meet you,¡± I can¡¯t stop my cheeks from getting hot, and I can barely stop myself from smiling. ¡°I grew up in Zelfari, but my family is from Nien. I lived there as a child.¡± I almost mutter my thoughts out loud. That it¡¯s not just his hair, but his piercing blue eyes, and his extremely handsome face that reminds me of the depictions I¡¯ve seen of Sol. Those from Nien have been compared to the dark elves in beauty, and I understand why now. ¡°The two of you can bond over that trauma,¡± mutters Arthur, downing a full soothing potion. ¡°What¡¯s the matter, Arthur? Hung over?¡± I ask him. ¡°And I¡¯m sure it wasn¡¯t traumatic, unless¡­ you think otherwise?¡± ¡°It¡¯s his hearing. It gotten more sensitive. He¡¯s not used to it,¡± Seraphina chimes in, sweetly. ¡°I¡¯m helping him with that.¡± ¡°I see. Is that why he¡¯s¡­¡± I gesture towards him. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°A curse,¡± he groans. ¡°I like this version of you better, Arthur. You¡¯re quieter. Did you finally realize how loud you are?¡± Fox snickers. ¡°Lucien mentioned the two of you were close.¡± ¡°Not that close,¡± the rest of us grumble in protest. ¡°Oh,¡± he laughs. ¡°My apologies.¡± ¡°I¡¯m guessing¡­¡± I say, placing the potions list down on the table, and searching for marigold petals, or anything else to distract myself with. ¡°On the shelf over there. I¡¯ve already dried them,¡± says Lucien, watching me closely. ¡°Right, thank you,¡± I say, taking them off the shelf, and placing them on the workstation. Arthur groans. ¡°I¡¯m beginning to hate the taste of these potions, but they¡¯re the only ones that work.¡± ¡°I asked Master Eaimer to send me a recipe for something better,¡± sighs Lucien. ¡°But he¡¯s been unsuccessful.¡± ¡°Unsuccessful, or he just doesn¡¯t like you,¡± I laugh. ¡°Or that,¡± Lucien agrees, covering his mouth with his hand to hide his amusement. ¡°You¡¯re both the worst,¡± Arthur says, with a weak smile. ¡°It¡¯s nice to have you back, Luna.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nice to be back, Arthur,¡± I say with a smile. ¡°I brought back some boring trinkets from Bellehaven for all of you. I left them at the Academy, though.¡± ¡°Well, I can hardly wait to see what you got for me. How¡¯s Marcellus?¡± ¡°Who¡¯s Marcellus?¡± Asks Seraphina. ¡°Her lover,¡± says Arthur. ¡°He¡¯s not!¡± Lucien and I retort. We look at each other, then turn away in embarrassment. I look over at Fox to gauge his reaction. He¡¯s got a neutral expression on his face, and just eyes Arthur curiously. ¡°A touchy subject?¡± She asks, giving Arthur a nervous look. ¡°Luna doesn¡¯t want to admit that she likes him,¡± he responds. ¡°Gods, Arthur, that¡¯s really none of your business, is it?¡± She says, smacking the back of his head making him wince. ¡°It¡¯s fine, you don¡¯t have to tell me about it.¡± ¡°He¡¯s just a friend, I swear,¡± I say defensively, getting a pot to fill with water. ¡°A friend,¡± Arthur scoffs. ¡°Arthur!¡± He flinches, covering his ears. ¡°Go get me water if you¡¯re just going to annoy me!¡± I scold him, picking up a bucket, and holding it out towards him. He smiles wearily, and takes it from me. ¡°As you wish, Your Majesty.¡± We all watch him silently exit the shop through the back door. ¡°He¡¯s-¡± ¡°Shh!¡± Seraphina holds up a finger. ¡°He¡¯s not far enough away yet, I can still hear his footsteps.¡± On her signal, we all look at each other, not sure what to say next, but feeling a wave of relief with his absence. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have asked,¡± she mumbles, apologetically. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. He¡¯s very¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s a bad habit of his,¡± I busy myself with other tasks around the shop, noticing how messy it is. ¡°Lucien, can¡¯t keep this place organized? In any case, things didn''t go well.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not me making a mess,¡± Lucien mumbles. ¡°It¡¯s Madam Treeleaf. I clean up every night, but she¡¯s impossible, sometimes. You wouldn¡¯t know. You¡¯ve been gone for so long.¡± ¡°Not that long.¡± ¡°It felt like a lifetime,¡± he mumbles. I¡¯m almost flattered, as I begin tidying up loose labels piled carelessly on a counter, and scattered corks, which I placed into a large glass jar. ¡°So,¡± I say, shyly, noticing Fox¡¯s curious eyes following me around. ¡°Tell me about yourself, stranger.¡± ¡°Not much to tell,¡± he grins. His smile freezes me in place. How is he almost as stunning to look at as Lucien? I look back and forth between them, and settle on Fox. ¡°How is Zelfari this time of year?¡± ¡°Hot,¡± he laughs. ¡°It¡¯s always hot. In the summer, it¡¯s slightly¡­ hotter.¡± ¡°Sounds¡­ hot,¡± I laugh, and our eyes connect for a brief moment, making my cheeks warm up. ¡°Well,¡± says Seraphina. ¡°I¡¯d love to continue listening to this enthralling conversation, but I¡¯ve got to get going. You can join me if you¡¯d like, Fox, but only because I don¡¯t think Madam Treeleaf will appreciate it if you continue to distract her favorite apprentice. We can meet more formally for dinner, perhaps?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a distraction, am I?¡± He smirks. I catch my breath. ¡°Definitely¡­ yes.¡± ¡°I do need to get going, then,¡± he says, with a slight nod. ¡°Unless you wish to be distracted further.¡± We continue to stare at each other, his eyes scanning me from head to toe. I bite my lip in order to stop myself from grinning. ¡°Not a student at the Academy?¡± I ask him abruptly. ¡°No, I¡¯m afraid not. I¡¯m an archmage already,¡± he responds, leaning in closer to me. ¡°And you don¡¯t look a day over ninety,¡± I joke. He laughs politely. ¡°You¡¯ll be at dinner?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± I promise. He and Seraphina get up to leave the shop, and I shamelessly watch him as he takes his leave. When he¡¯s gone, Lucien and I continue our work in awkward silence. ¡°I don¡¯t ask because I want to pry,¡± begins Lucien. ¡°But because you¡¯re a friend-¡± ¡°I told Marcellus I don¡¯t want to return to Bellehaven, that I want the potion, and that I have every intention of traveling, and continuing my studies.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t take it well?¡± I look up at him with a look of feigned disappointment, and a roll of my eyes. He smiles. ¡°Of course he didn¡¯t,¡± I laugh. ¡°But we¡¯re not exactly getting along at the moment. It¡¯s probably for the best.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry it didn¡¯t work out between the two of you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not,¡± I grumble, collecting loose odds and ends from the counter, and sorting them out into several boxes. ¡°It was bound to end poorly one way or another. At least I stopped it at the source before I dragged him along for too long. Also, it couldn¡¯t have been that quiet without me around. All of you seem to be getting along. I almost feel like an outsider.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll have to change that. And you can talk to me about it¡­ if you¡¯d like. You¡¯re my friend, and you don¡¯t have to hide it from me when something is hurting you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ hurting,¡± I say, feeling suddenly confused about my own emotions. ¡°You¡¯re not? Then what¡¯s that look on your face?¡± ¡°What look?¡± I ask, turning to face him. ¡°That one,¡± he says, poking my nose, and leaving a thick substance on it. ¡°Lucien!¡± I wail, wiping my nose off with my apron. ¡°Relax, it¡¯s just a healing salve. It¡¯s harmless. I completely agree that things have to change around here. Sir Wells seems¡­¡± ¡°Handsome?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°You noticed, did you?¡± I laugh. ¡°I call dibs, if you haven¡¯t already made your move.¡± A faint blush appears on his face, and he turns away quickly. ¡°N-No. I just noticed the look you gave him. Or rather¡­ the looks you gave him. You seem taken with him. Openly so. Shamelessly so.¡± ¡°But you noticed, didn¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Stop talking now, please,¡± he says politely, holding out his hands towards me. It makes me giggle uncontrollably when the tips of his ears become many shades darker. ¡°It¡¯s hard not to, isn¡¯t it?¡± I ask. ¡°Anyone with eyes can see how attractive he is.¡± He gives me a look of horror, causing me to giggle more. He looks panicked, and gently covers my mouth, pressing a finger to my lips, to shush me. I can hear a man at the front of the shop. He sounds angry, and his voice is slowly getting increasingly loud as he continues to speak with Madam Treeleaf. ¡°Love potion guy, right?¡± He asks. I nod. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s his voice. What does he want?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± ¡°Hmm, possibly a love potion?¡± The back door opens, and Arthur comes stumbling in with a bucket sloshing with water. ¡°Why are you talking about love potions?¡± He asks. ¡°Shh,¡± Lucien shushes him. ¡°Madam Treeleaf is in with a troublesome customer.¡± ¡°Troublesome?¡± He listens intently. ¡°What¡¯s he going on about?¡± Lucien gives him an irritated look. ¡°He wants a love potion. He¡¯s trying to get Madam Treeleaf to brew one. If you stop talking, I could actually follow along.¡± ¡°Those things are terrible. I never have any luck with them.¡± ¡°That¡¯s because you can¡¯t brew love. They only work when someone already likes you, now shut up, I cannot hear.¡± ¡°Everyone knows you can¡¯t brew love potions,¡± Arthur rolls his eyes. ¡°Of course not. I just said that you can¡¯t brew-¡± ¡°So, Luna-¡± ¡°Shut up, Arthur!¡± Lucien and I shout. ¡°How¡¯s M-¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to hurt you,¡± I threaten, shoving a cork into his mouth. Arthur takes a step away from me, then pours the bucket of water into one of the many pots lined up on a counter near the back door. The sound startles Lucien and me. I rush towards Arthur, and he backs himself into a corner with an amused look. I lightly punch his upper arm just before I begin laugh. ¡°I hate you,¡± I say, taking a rag off a shelf behind him. ¡°You¡¯re the worst.¡± ¡°I bet you still missed me, though.¡± ¡°I missed both of you,¡± I say, taking a quick glance at Lucien. Lucien rolls his eyes at me, then gets back to his work. ¡°I think Lucien missed you the most,¡± says Arthur, lightly. ¡°He got so gloomy while you were gone. I swear he got several shades bluer while you were away.¡± Lucien¡¯s ears twitch, and he pretends not to have heard anything. ¡°You don¡¯t have to drag Lucien into every conversation, you know. Just admit your heart ached for me, and you were counting down the days of my return.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± he pouts. ¡°You¡¯re not fun to tease anymore. What happened? Did Bellehaven make you worse than you already were?¡± ¡°Arthur-¡± ¡°Shh!¡± Lucien quiets us. ¡°The town guards are here.¡± The three of us peek past the edge of the doorway looking into the front of the shop, and watch them struggle to restrain the large, gruff-looking man. They knock him into a shelf, and several of the bottles shatter on the floor just before he tumbles to the ground, holding the back of his head. Madam Treeleaf is standing confidently at the counter watching as the city guards restrain him with a rope and pair of shackles, and pull him to his feet. He screams at Madam Treeleaf, but barely budges an inch against the guards firm grips on his shoulders. He turns to face the three of us at the door, and he begins screaming once again. ¡°You better watch it!¡± He shouts at us. ¡°I hear the streets aren¡¯t safe for dark elves! Would be a shame if you lost an apprentice!¡± I gasp, and I can see Lucien¡¯s face fall. There¡¯s a look of fear and shock in his eyes which he barely manages to hide moments later. I take his hand, and he grips it tightly. The guards yank him out of the shop by the ropes, and the last thing we see is the hideous grin he gives Lucien. Lucien shuts his eyes tightly the moment the door is shut, then turns around, and continues with his work, busying himself with the marigold petals I forgot about. A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation. ¡°Sweet Selene and Sol!¡± Cries Madam Treeleaf. ¡°Lucien!¡± She rushes to him, and just stares. He winces, and looks down at his hands when she doesn¡¯t say anything. ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf?¡± He asks, stopping to look up at her. ¡°Are you okay, my dear boy?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a boy,¡± he grumbles, looking down at his hands, but unable to continue his work. ¡°You¡¯re all my children.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, Madam Treeleaf.¡± ¡°Should I send you back to the Academy? Do you feel unsafe here?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t imagine you¡¯d want to continue to pay me if I spend my time hiding away at the Academy each time someone threatens me.¡± She sighs in defeat. ¡°You¡¯re right, not that you need the funds. Luna!¡± I stand at attention, and look at her. ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf?¡± ¡°I need you to run over to the charms shop-¡± ¡°That¡¯s not necessary!¡± Shouts Lucien, distressed. ¡°And get me the best protection you can find. A talisman, perhaps?¡± ¡°Yes Madam-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± Says Lucien, glaring at me. ¡°-Treeleaf. I¡¯ll get right on it,¡± I say, giving Lucien a bright smile. ¡°Take some money from the box-¡± ¡°Madam-¡± ¡°And pick up some wine, while you¡¯re at it. The sweet kind. Something for lunch and dinner as well.¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf,¡± I say, setting off immediately. ¡°This is unnecessary!¡± He objects. ¡°Thank you, Luna,¡± she ignores him. I step into the charm¡¯s shop, the wooden steps creaking loudly as I enter, and the bell above the door rings, announcing my arrival. The shop is filled with boxes of rolled up scrolls, trinkets, and many other seemingly normal objects. The air of the shop, however, feels like it¡¯s pulsing, giving me goose flesh, and making my mind hum. I groan uncomfortably. ¡°Just a moment!¡± Shouts a familiar voice from the back of the shop. ¡°Sir Wells?¡± I call out. ¡°One moment, please,¡± he calls out again. Something clatters to the floor, and I can hear a scrape as it¡¯s picked up. There¡¯s another clatter, as the object is tossed, probably into a box like the rest of the items in the shop. Fox emerges, giving me a look of surprise, and then grinning widely, almost reminding me of Arthur. Almost, but Fox¡¯s face doesn¡¯t make me frown when I see it. ¡°Fancy seeing you here.¡± ¡°You work here?¡± I step up to the counter, and rest my hands on it. ¡°I didn¡¯t know, though you could be the handsome apprentice Madam Treeleaf is always going on about.¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve recently acquired a more permanent position here. There was a vacancy after the shop owner¡¯s apprentice brought in a cursed pendant, and became gravely ill.¡± ¡°Oh, my,¡± I gasp. ¡°Is he alright?¡± ¡°He¡¯s perfectly fine, but the shop owner fired him immediately.¡± ¡°Surely, it was a mistake¡­?¡± I inquire. ¡°No, he¡­¡± he leans in close, and cups his hand. ¡°Did it on purpose, except the wrong person was cursed.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t Arthur, was it?¡± He laughs. ¡°No.¡± I give him an awkward smile. ¡°Uh¡­¡± he tuts, then stands at the counter with an inquiring look. ¡°Can I help you, Miss?¡± ¡°¡®Luna¡¯ is fine.¡± ¡°You certainly are,¡± he smiles, eyeing me up and down. ¡°Can I help you, Luna?¡± My mind ceases to function for a moment, as I stare at him in disbelief. ¡°S-Sorry,¡± he stutters. ¡°Was I too forward?¡± ¡°Um¡­¡± I try to speak, but the words won¡¯t form. ¡°Did Madam Treeleaf need anything perhaps?¡± He stares at my mouth intently, as if it will encourage the words to come pouring out of my opened mouth. ¡°An enchantment for a pot, perhaps? I know those are quite popular in your shop. I saw a few of them today.¡± ¡°Sorry!¡± I exclaim, speaking louder than I intended, startling the both of us. I cover my face in embarrassment, and he chortles. ¡°Sorry,¡± I say, more quietly this time. ¡°Madam Treeleaf sent me for a protection talisman of some kind. She¡¯d like the strongest one you have.¡± ¡°Protection talisman¡­¡± he shuts his eyes, pensive. ¡°I believe we have pendants, or if you need something for the shop we have some scro-¡± ¡°It¡¯s for Lucien.¡± ¡°Oh, the elf? He seems like a strong fellow, why would he-¡± ¡°It¡¯s not¡­ safe for his kind in the city, as you know. Madam Treeleaf is worried about him, especially after someone threatened him at the shop just a while ago.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, of course. I should have known. My apologies. I have just the thing¡­ One moment please,¡± he says, holding up a finger, just before vanishing behind the back of the shop. I wander the shop, digging through boxes of small vanishing charms I¡¯d seen often used for pulling childish pranks at the Academy. There are several supposed love charms often bought before dates. There are tiny scrolls I¡¯ve seen placed under my roommate''s pillow that claim to keep bad dreams at bay, and to put up a challenge against Dream-Walkers. I open box after box until I come across one filled with bugs. I gasp, letting it fall to the ground, the contents spilling across the floor. The bugs are not real, but they wriggle just the same, making me shudder and gag. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Fox calls out. ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± I call back. I get to my knees, turn the box upright, and begin putting all the fake bugs back inside it. They continue to crawl over the shop floor, and it sends a shiver down my spine. They¡¯re too realistic, and I¡¯m fighting every urge to scream. ¡°I really should put a warning on that one,¡± Fox laughs, reappearing. ¡°You¡¯re not the first to knock it over.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so sorry. I¡¯ll clean it up, I swear.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll help, but come here for a moment,¡± he says, waving me over. I gladly stop what I¡¯m doing to get up, and approach the counter. ¡°What do you think? Do you think your Lucien will like this lovely piece¡­¡± he holds up a simple golden sun pendant on a black cord. ¡°Or this one?¡± He holds up a simple silver moon pendant, also on a black cord. ¡°I think the silver will suit him better. I didn¡¯t notice him wearing any gold jewelry.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, he doesn¡¯t.¡± ¡°He¡¯s part light elf, though, isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°He¡­ is. How did¡­ it¡¯s the eyes, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°It is, and the ear. Silver, then?¡± ¡°Is it the best protective charm? The color doesn¡¯t matter if-¡± ¡°They¡¯re both the best we have.¡± ¡°Silver then.¡± ¡°Alright, that¡¯ll be five gold.¡± I stumble where I stand. ¡°I don¡¯t think Madam Treeleaf gave me enough.¡± ¡°I¡¯m joking. It¡¯ll be two gold, and thirty silver. Twenty-five, if you help me pick up the bugs someone dropped earlier.¡± ¡°How inconsiderate of them to just leave them there.¡± ¡°Yes, but I can forgive them. They¡¯re quite easy on the eyes.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± I snicker, taking the coins from my belt, and placing them on the counter. ¡°But you didn¡¯t have to bribe me. I would have done it anyway.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. You¡¯re only getting a discount because I like you,¡± he says with a wink. Fox slides the necklace across the wooden counter towards me, and slides the coins towards him into a small pouch just below it. I take the pendant, and hang it around my neck. ¡°I thought that was for Lucien,¡± he smirks. ¡°Though it suits you well.¡± ¡°Well, what better place to keep a necklace of protection, than around my neck for me to keep it safe, and for it to keep me safe?¡± ¡°A valid point.¡± I return to gathering the enchanted bugs once more. Fox rushes around the counter to join me. ¡°Is this really a protection talisman? These bugs are still moving.¡± ¡°They¡¯re harmless,¡± he laughs. ¡°Don¡¯t you see plenty of bugs traipsing through the forests of Bellehaven?¡± ¡°How did you know I¡¯m from Bellehaven?¡± I say, squeamishly dropping a particularly large spider into the box. ¡°Arthur.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± I sigh. ¡°He doesn¡¯t know how to stop talking. Best not to give him too much ammunition for his attacks, if you know what¡¯s good for you.¡± ¡°He seems harmless enough.¡± ¡°That¡¯s part of his charm, isn¡¯t it?¡± A large bug flies towards my face, and I swat at it, causing it to vanish. Illusion magic. Fox coughs to disguise a laugh. ¡°These are cruel. Why would someone sell such things?¡± I huff. ¡°It¡¯s harmless, and keeps the bills paid. It¡¯s not often people come for expensive items like that necklace you¡¯re wearing.¡± His eyes wander momentarily to my chest, then he quickly looks away. ¡°Of course that makes sense. We do the same thing at the shop. Minor healing potions make up the vast majority of our sales.¡± ¡°Why¡­ was Lucien threatened in the shop of all places?¡± He asks, cautiously. ¡°He always keeps to himself, from what I can tell.¡± ¡°Oh, it was just some¡­ idiot asking for a love potion. He¡¯s been there several times before. This time he thought he could get what he wanted, and when they arrested him, he thought he¡¯d get back at Madam Treeleaf by threatening Lucien. Madam Treeleaf is concerned, because he keeps getting released from his imprisonment. With everything going on in the city¡­ Well, I¡¯m sure you understand.¡± ¡°I have a good idea.¡± I spot a tarantula crawling towards me, and back myself into a shelf from fright. I prepare for the clatter that would inevitably come when I run into it with the back of my head, but it doesn¡¯t budge an inch. ¡°I nailed them to the walls after the¡­ upteenth time someone dropped the bugs,¡± he presses his lips together into a forced smile. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s nice to have something to do. It¡¯s always empty before classes begin at the Academy.¡± ¡°After the rush, I¡¯m sure.¡± ¡°Not many students are looking for enchantments. They¡¯d have spent all their money on the road.¡± ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Though we have some excellent enchantments for studying.¡± ¡°I might want to take a look at those¡­¡± ¡°Well,¡± I sigh, placing the box of bugs back onto the shelf with a fresh warning message painted on the side. ¡°I must be going. Thank you for your help. It¡¯s been a pleasure.¡± ¡°So soon?¡± ¡°Yes. I was supposed to pick up this necklace, some lunch, and a sweet wine for Madam Treeleaf.¡± ¡°Sounds like a party. Is it Lucien¡¯s birthday?¡± ¡°No. Madam Treeleaf probably has a headache.¡± ¡°Ah, but the wine won¡¯t help,¡± he says, pensively. ¡°Don¡¯t let her ever hear you say that. Enjoy the rest of your day, Sir Fox.¡± ¡°You as well, Miss Luna.¡± I place one foot out the door, where the stair creaks the loudest, then turn to face the inside of the shop. Fox is still watching me. ¡°Did you forget something?¡± He asks, with a warm smile. ¡°Are you hungry? Would you like to join me for lunch? Or rather¡­ the picking up of lunch?¡± His eyebrows shoot up momentarily in surprise. ¡°Do you think Madam Treeleaf would mind waiting longer?¡± ¡°For five silver coins? No. She wouldn¡¯t mind a single bit.¡± ¡°Sure, let me get the shop key. I¡¯m famished. Someone dropped all the bugs earlier, and I had to pick them up.¡± ¡°Sounds exhausting.¡± ¡°I know. Some patrons are the worst.¡± He rushes to the back of the shop, then reappears seconds later, and walks me out, locking up the shop behind him. ¡°There¡¯s a wonderful bakery just down this path,¡± he suggests. ¡°Madam Treeleaf is picky about where she gets her pastries. She doesn¡¯t want to insult her best patrons.¡± ¡°Oh, my apologies!¡± He says, exaggeratedly. ¡°I am unfamiliar with the customs of the potions shop.¡± ¡°The first rule is to make friends with the baker that makes the best bread.¡± ¡°But the other baker has wonderful pastries,¡± he frowns. ¡°Wait until you try this one. It¡¯s quite a walk, but you¡¯ll thank me later.¡± ¡°Gods, this is amazing!¡± Exclaims Fox, with a mouth full of egg custard pastry. We saunter down the path towards the shop after picking up fresh fruits, pastries, and some sweet wine. ¡°Worth the long walk, wasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°I would have enjoyed it either way.¡± ¡°Do you enjoy long walks?¡± ¡°Long walks, yes. Especially with wonderful company.¡± ¡°Who would that be?¡± I snark. ¡°Do you see me speaking with anyone else?¡± I stop in my tracks, and shut my eyes tightly. I open them moments later, and Fox is now mere inches from my face, eyeing me curiously, before finishing off the last bite of his pastry. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m still here,¡± he says, amused. ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°Was I being too forward again?¡± ¡°No. You¡¯re very subtle about it. It¡¯s refreshing, actually, but I can¡¯t help¡­ uh¡­ ¡± ¡°My apologies, if I¡¯ve made you uncomfortable.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no discomfort at all. I¡¯m flattered,¡± I say, looking away, trying to compose myself. ¡°I should return to the shop,¡± he says, staring at a flat rounded object tied to a chain. ¡°What is that?¡± ¡°A pocket watch.¡± ¡°Oh, a timekeeper? I¡¯ve never seen one up close before.¡± He presses the object into my hands. ¡°I¡¯ll retrieve it tonight when I see you for dinner. ¡°Thank you for lunch, Luna.¡± ¡°It was a delightful pleasure, Sir Wells.¡± ¡°You may call me Fox. I don¡¯t intend to keep my distance from you,¡± he whispers, just before walking off, leaving me stunned. I fumble with the timekeeper in my hands, unsure how to open it, or read the time through the small window in the center. Lucien watches on, then holds out a hand towards me. ¡°I can show you,¡± he says, hopefully. I place the object in his hands, and sit down, watching his nimble fingers wrap around it. He pushes a knob where the chain and the timekeeper meet, and top springs open, revealing a flat face inside with numbers and moving hands. I gasp quietly, and stare at it, mesmerized by its beauty. ¡°You¡¯ve never seen one?¡± He asks, handing it back when I reach for it. I take it into my palm, and watch the little hands move in a circle beneath the glass face. He takes a small bucket off a shelf, and begins pouring a thick liquid into glass jars. He chuckles when he notices I am still distracted by it. When he finishes filling the bottles, he wipes the lips of the jars with his hands, corks them, and wraps paper around the top with some twine. Watching him proves more interesting than the timekeeper. His fingers are graceful as they perform their work, his brows are furrowed, and his lips are ever so slightly pressed together as he focuses. ¡°We don¡¯t have such things in Bellehaven,¡± I say, closing, and opening the watch. ¡°Can you read it?¡± ¡°Is it like a sundial?¡± I ask, placing it flat on the table. ¡°Not quite¡­ no. Where did you find this? Someone will be missing it,¡± he wipes his hands on his apron, but the paste sticks to his fingers. ¡°It looks expensive. There¡¯s a small enchantment on it, too.¡± ¡°Oh, Fox loaned it to me until we meet him for dinner later.¡± ¡°Fox?¡± He picks up a cleaning cloth, and wipes his hands, with an annoyed look. ¡°Yes, he works at the charms shop.¡± ¡°I see. And he just loaned you his¡­ timekeeper? His very expensive, enchanted timekeeper?¡± ¡°I swear I¡¯m not a pickpocket.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I¡­ Fox just-¡± ¡°Yes. I went to the charm shop, like Madam Treeleaf asked, and there he was. I asked for a protection talisman, and while he was at the back of the shop, I accidentally- Oh! I completely forgot!¡± I exclaim, causing him to flinch away. I take the silver necklace off, and hold it out towards him. He looks down at his hands, covered in remnants of the paste. He smells strongly of peppermint, the smell making my eyes sting, and water. ¡°Would you mind?¡± He smiles up at me with an apologetic look. ¡°I¡¯d rather not get this all over my clothing¡­ or my hair.¡± ¡°You¡¯d smell better than most. Just wash your hands.¡± He shrugs with a laugh. ¡°Probably. Just put it on for me. I¡¯m just going to get them dirty again, anyway. No use wasting time.¡± Standing over him, I take off the necklace. ¡°Right¡­¡± I continue. ¡°So he went to the back of the shop, because they keep the more expensive items hidden there, of course. Like we do.¡± I nod, and he nods with me, gazing up at me. I pause for a moment, lost in his eyes, and he does the same. His lips slightly part. ¡°And I¡­¡± I pull my eyes from his, to work the necklace over his head. ¡°I wandered the shop. Did you know there are little enchanted imitation bugs that move around, and fly at you?¡± I grab hold of the pendant so as to not smack Lucien in the face with it. ¡°I¡¯ve seen them several times,¡± he chuckles. ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t know, and they terrified me. I hate bugs!¡± ¡°Noted, but the pocket-¡± I pull the cord carefully over his horns. ¡°Right. Sorry, so-¡± I stop in order to untangle the cord from one of the jewels in his ears, and he almost reaches up to assist me, but then rests his elbows in his lap, defeated. ¡°So, anyway, after I make a whole mess of things, and he helps me clean it up¡­ oh, wait¡­¡± I grin. ¡°First he flirted with me-¡± ¡°Flirted?¡± He snaps his head back to look at me, getting the cord snagged in one of his earrings. He winces while I carefully untangle it. ¡°Stop moving¡­¡± I scold him, lightly smacking the top of his head. He stiffens up, and I let the pendant loose on his chest. ¡°Let me get your braid¡­¡± I trail my fingers down his long braid, feeling the softness of his hair, and begin to loop it through the cord. ¡°He¡­ said I was ¡®fine¡¯.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not a compliment¡­¡± he says, sternly. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought, but then¡­ hmm,¡± I lightly pull on a feather jewel, untangling it from the cord. ¡°He asked me if he was being too forward, so I thought, maybe it was¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a good compliment,¡± he mumbles. ¡°Still¡­ so I invited him to come and get lunch with me, and as we were heading back-¡± ¡°You invited him? Are you sure he didn¡¯t invite himself?¡± I work another feather through the cord. ¡°It was the least I could do, after making a mess in his shop, and receiving a small discount on your pendant.¡± When the braid is finally through the cord, I readjust his hair jewels, and lightly fluff the feathers. ¡°And the timekeeper?¡± ¡°He saw I was interested in it, and loaned it to me. Though I had no idea they were so expensive, or I would have made him keep it. Can you imagine if I got mugged?¡± Lucien stiffens. ¡°Have you been mugged?¡± He asks, a hint of anger tingeing his tone. When I don¡¯t respond immediately, he tries to sit up, but I force him back into his seat. ¡°No! I¡¯m just making a point that it was kind of nerve-wracking. I don¡¯t know why he would trust me with something like this.¡± I ruffle his hair in an attempt to unflatten and style it, and begin running my fingers through the length of his bangs. He snickers, and shakes his head from side to side like a wet dog, and his hair falls perfectly into place. I¡¯m stunned, my fingers frozen on his cheeks. ¡°Gods, that¡¯s completely unfair,¡± I mutter with amusement, and a feigned pout. ¡°What is?¡± He grins. ¡°You¡¯re so perfect, how can you stand it?¡± His mouth falls open in surprise. ¡°Oh, my gods, Lucien!¡± I laugh, nervously, and back away. ¡°I was joking, I swear. It¡¯s not like you¡¯d-¡± ¡°Can you just tell me if you¡¯re attracted to him?¡± I¡¯m speechless, and all I can do is stand there stupidly, aware that my mouth is hanging open. ¡°W-Well,¡± he mumbles. ¡°That answers that. I just thought that¡­¡± I can¡¯t hear what he¡¯s saying, because his voice is muffled by the sound of my heart beating. His lips move slowly, forming words I cannot hear. My eyes wander to the time keeper. Each moment is being timed perfectly, in sync to the moving of the smallest hand. Extremely small fragments of time. One¡­ Two¡­ Three¡­ Eight¡­ Twelve¡­ Fifteen. ¡°Luna, are you alright?¡± He sounds panicked. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to upset you. I shouldn¡¯t have asked you that. It was inappropriate.¡± ¡°Sorry, you said you were concerned that he might not¡­ What exactly?¡± ¡°That he wouldn¡¯t-¡± ¡°Did you ask me if I¡¯m attracted to him?¡± ¡°I did. I just thought that you-¡± ¡°Lucien, gods!¡± I shriek, startling him. I take several deep breaths, leaning against him as he gingerly holds my waist with the back of his hands, being careful to avoid getting any paste on my dress. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± he panics. I fall forward, holding myself up by his shoulders, and stare down at him. He tenses, bringing a hand up to cup my cheek, then quickly pulls it away. His skin is unbelievably warm as I trace my hands from his shoulders to his chest. He looks away shyly, then furrows his brow, giving me a concerned look. ¡°Lucien,¡± I whisper, suddenly consumed by fear. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry!¡± He looks down at my mouth as he bites his lip, his eyes slowly making their way up to meet my gaze. He looks frightened. ¡°I just need to know that I-¡± The shop bell rings, and I look up at the door, suddenly feeling out of place, then step away from him. He sighs, and looks away, irritated. I busy myself by sorting the food on the work table. Lucien gets to his feet, and goes outside to wash his hands. When he returns, the food is spread out on the table, and a row of cups is being filled with wine. The look of irritation is still there, and I turn away, pretending not to notice it. ¡°Why are you sorry?¡± He asks. ¡°You have nothing to be sorry about. I¡¯m sorry I¡¯ve made you uncomfortable.¡± The rest of the day is spent in silence, the tension between us palpable. The shop bell chimes, and from the excited tone in Madam Treeleaf¡¯s greeting, it¡¯s Arthur and Seraphina who have just walked in. My theory is confirmed when I hear them speak. I add my apron to a pile of dirty rags, and smooth out my tunic. Lucien pulls his apron off over his head, and his braid sways back and forth where it falls. ¡°Ready for dinner?¡± Asks Seraphina, walking in with Arthur and Fox. ¡°Yes, thank you for stopping by,¡± mumbles Lucien, pushing past Fox, as he heads out the door. Seraphina gives me a puzzled look. I laugh nervously with a shrug, and glance over at Fox. His eyes follow Lucien. ¡°Your timekeeper,¡± I say, holding the object towards him. He looks over at me, and smirks. ¡°Thank you for keeping it safe.¡± ¡°The unfortunate thing is that I can¡¯t even read it. Lucien is going to show me, though.¡± ¡°Well, that is uh¡­ easily done. You seem quite intelligent.¡± ¡°Right! Well¡­¡± says Seraphina, pushing Fox and Arthur out the door. ¡°Dinner. I¡¯m starving.¡± Chapter Twenty I take a sip from the cup of wine in front of me, listening to Fox excitedly explaining how the enchantment placed on the pots in Madam Treeleaf¡¯s shop work. It¡¯s not the most intriguing topic, but it¡¯s endearing how animated and excited he looks as he speaks. The music in the pub is almost too loud, and I miss half of what he¡¯s saying, but I¡¯m able to follow along with the general idea of it. I notice, from the corner of my eye, Lucien rolling his eyes, as he takes another bite of his food. Our eyes meet for a moment, and he¡¯s stunned, then he pretends to be distracted by a passing server, his cheeks darkened. ¡°¡­It¡¯s a very simple enchantment,¡± Fox shouts over the music. ¡°You must be amazing at enchantments and charms, if Master Khen allows you to run the shop unassisted,¡± Seraphina says, giving Fox a silly grin. She sighs dreamily, her eyes glistening, and cheeks red. She¡¯s captivated by Fox, and we can all see it plain as day. ¡°Well, I did specialize in it, and I¡­¡± My eyes trail toward Arthur who is watching Seraphina¡¯s face, the corner of his lip twitching, and his eyebrows furrowing slightly each time she laughs at Fox¡¯s jokes. Our eyes meet, and he smiles quickly before looking shyly away. His eyes move on to Lucien, and he scowls. I look over at Lucien, who is now scowling at him, too. I wonder briefly why he¡¯s upset, but it is most likely something they bickered about, and I¡¯m not too interested in their squabbles lately. ¡°¡­ Isn¡¯t that right, Luna?¡± The noise of the pub is suddenly louder as my attention is drawn to the sound of my name. ¡°I¡¯m sorry? I couldn¡¯t hear that last part over all the noise.¡± ¡°He asked about the bakery,¡± says Seraphina, loudly. ¡°Oh, yes. It was wonderful!¡± I turn to look at Fox, who is eyeing me curiously. ¡°It was very good,¡± he says, eating a forkful of pie off a plate in front of him. ¡°But that¡¯s not what I asked.¡± I blush. He¡¯s clearly caught on that I wasn¡¯t listening, and looks over at Lucien. ¡°I asked what your favorite pastry was, so I can try it.¡± ¡°Oh, the honey cakes, though they¡¯re nothing compared to Lucien¡¯s.¡± Lucien stiffens beside me. ¡°Oh, really?¡± He says, narrowing his eyes, and smirking at Lucien. ¡°Lucien, I¡¯ll have to try it some time. I¡¯ll be sure to pay you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not¡­ necessary,¡± Lucien mumbles, rolling a grape around his plate, before giving me a side-eye. ¡°You don¡¯t have to¡­¡± The music begins to play a familiar tune, and everyone in the pub suddenly quiets down, and turns to watch the musicians. ¡°Would you like to dance?¡± Asks Fox, as he gets to his feet, and holds out a hand to me. I look at Lucien awkwardly, and before he can react, Fox takes my hand, and pulls me towards the crowd of dancers. With one hand at my waist, and the other holding my free hand, we dance to the rhythm of the song. Turn, kick, turn, kick, feet together and spin. We repeat it over and over, the song getting faster and faster until all the dancers on the floor are laughing as they struggle to keep up. Finally, only one other couple remains dancing alongside us. The dance gets faster and faster, and sweat beads on our brows. We can barely catch our breaths. Turn, kick, turn, kick, feet together, spin¡­ kick, kick, spin¡­ kick, kick, spin. Over and over, until it¡¯s so fast, I¡¯m kicking again before I¡¯ve completed my revolution. I can hear Seraphina and Arthur cheering, and we both stop, panting and sweating. The other pair has beaten us, and takes a bow. Some cheers break out, and the music resumes. A slow tune, an old song that tells of two lovers from a different world and time that meet in the land of dreams. Some of the other dancers clap Fox¡¯s back as we make our way to our table, all of them complimenting his dancing skills. I down my ale, and take a seat next to Lucien who moves a bit to make more room for me, then continues to watch the musicians in quiet reverie. ¡°You¡¯re a wonderful dancer, Luna,¡± Fox exclaims, taking a long drink of his ale. ¡°There¡¯s not much dancing in Zelfari like that.¡± The room is still spinning as my eyes adjust to the stillness, but I manage a smile. ¡°In Bellehaven, it¡¯s what we do for every festival.¡± I¡¯m struck with a sudden sense of homesickness that feels out of place. It¡¯s so sudden, it takes me a few moments to remember where I am, and who I¡¯m with. ¡°I understand how you feel. It¡¯s the same in Nien,¡± he continues. ¡°And Mirror Lake,¡± adds Arthur, taking a seat next to Fox. ¡°The two of you looked great out there. Very natural. The other couples didn¡¯t stand a chance.¡± ¡°Thank you, Arthur,¡± says Fox. ¡°Too bad we didn¡¯t win. We could have gotten a free drink to share.¡± Lucien takes hold of my hand beneath the table, and squeezes lightly. ¡°Fox,¡± Seraphina cries, excitedly. ¡°Isn¡¯t this a song from Nien? Do you want to dance? I bet you¡¯re a wonderful slow dancer, too.¡± Fox gives her a flirtatious smirk. ¡°Of course. I couldn¡¯t possibly pass up the opportunity to dance with another beautiful lady such as yourself.¡± She giggles, then pulls him away from the table. Arthur downs the rest of his ale, and runs after them with flushed cheeks and hair soaked with sweat. Lucien moves his seat closer to mine, and takes my hand into his lap. ¡°Lucien,¡± I mumble. ¡°What is it? You haven¡¯t smiled all evening. Is it Arthur?¡± ¡°Tell me you¡¯re not attracted to him,¡± he murmurs so quietly, it¡¯s almost difficult to make out the words. ¡°I am,¡± I say, with a wide grin. ¡°He¡¯s handsome. Even Arthur has almost noticed, and he never notices anything.¡± I laugh when he gives me a look of shock and disappointment. It breaks my heart a little. ¡°You¡¯re cruel,¡± he mutters, with his brows furrowed. ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡± He lets my hand go as if it¡¯s a dirty rag he¡¯s dropping into a bucket, and takes a long drink of his ale. He¡¯s lost in the sound of the music shortly after, and I watch his ears flick to the beat. I take a drink from my cup as I scan the faces in the pub. Fox is looking at me, and I¡¯m surprised to see him walking back towards our table so soon. He smiles at me, and my heart flutters. ¡°Arthur is quite¡­¡± he begins, then hums when he sits, still unable to find the right word. ¡°A pain in the ass,¡± mutters Lucien, without taking his eyes from the musicians. ¡°Would you like to dance with me again, Luna?¡± Asks Fox. Lucien stiffens at my side, and takes my hand again, this time it¡¯s not the one beneath the table. ¡°Unless Lucien would prefer to do the honors,¡± he says, eyeing the both of us curiously. ¡°Would you?¡± I ask Lucien. ¡°Do you know this dance?¡± He stiffens, then turns away, and shakes his head. ¡°I don¡¯t, unfortunately. I thought I did,¡± he huffs. ¡°I can teach you,¡± I say, poking his shoulder. He swats my hand, and looks away irritably. ¡°I¡¯ll be back, then,¡± I tell him. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll know the next one.¡± I can see his ears twitch, and the tips of them darken. ¡°Alright,¡± he grumbles. ¡°Get us more drinks,¡± I order him, before walking towards the other dancers, with Fox at my side. The music guides me through the familiar choreography, and I don¡¯t need to think about the steps. I¡¯ve grown up with this song, watching people dance to it, and learning the move since I could first walk. I recall a fuzzy memory of Marcellus¡¯ black silhouette in front of a blazing bonfire. It could be any number of celebrations, but it was always Marcellus I danced with. ¡°I think,¡± Fox says, guiding me through a spin with one hand. ¡°That Lucien has taken a liking to you.¡± ¡°Of course. We¡¯re friends. Unless you¡¯re Arthur, then you¡¯re just begrudgingly friends with him.¡± ¡°You know,¡± he whispers into my ear. ¡°I know you don¡¯t believe that. You don¡¯t have to be ashamed of yourself. I happen to have a distant relative that is a dark elf.¡± I gasp quietly, and notice his grin. ¡°Don¡¯t lie to me, Fox. It¡¯s not very nice,¡± I give him a wide grin. ¡°I¡¯m not lying,¡± he says, playfully. ¡°I¡¯m just letting you know that you would not be the first. Most people from Nien are part dark elf. It¡¯s hard to resist their beauty.¡± ¡°¡®The first¡¯ what, exactly? What assumptions are you making about me, Sir Fox?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not the first human to have relations with an elf.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not having¡­ relations with him!¡± I huff, feeling my cheeks burn at the thought of it. ¡°We¡¯re just friends!¡± ¡°Well, as friends, which we know for certain you aren¡¯t, or not, he seems overly protective,¡± he laughs. I gasp. ¡°I¡¯m sure he just doesn¡¯t know you very well! Even I¡¯m beginning to suspect you¡¯re not quite as innocent as you appear. It¡¯s possible you could be some murderer of some kind.¡± ¡°I¡¯d definitely want to explore our possibilities,¡± he whispers. I punch his upper arm, and he winces. ¡°Was I too forward?¡± ¡°Absolutely! Are you really part elf?¡± ¡°Possibly,¡± he says, staring at the ceiling in thought. ¡°Stop lying to me, Fox. It¡¯s not very nice,¡± I try to frown, but can¡¯t help grinning at him when he gives me a charming smile. ¡°Come home with me tonight,¡± he croons. ¡°You can find out for yourself. I could be hiding a horn somewhere on my body.¡± ¡°Sir Wells-¡± I gasp. ¡°It¡¯s Fox to you, Luna.¡± He tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear, and plants a kiss on my cheek. The look on his face makes my insides tremble. He¡¯s definitely good-looking enough to be part elf. ¡°I bet you say that to all the ladies you meet,¡± I scoff, feeling my heart beating so loudly, it¡¯s competing with the sound of the music. ¡°Only the ones I find attractive,¡± he whispers. He spins me around, and we bow to each other, and begin the dance steps anew. ¡°That¡¯s too bad,¡± I tell him, when we¡¯re standing close again. ¡°Why? Is it Lucien?¡± He asks, tracing my jaw gingerly with his finger. I look back at our table, where I can see Lucien speaking to a server, clearly frustrated. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go somewhere more private with him,¡± Fox suggests. ¡°Since you seem to have other things on your mind. I¡¯ll tell the others you¡¯ve gone to practice magic or something.¡± ¡°Right, thank you.¡± He looks surprised at my response. ¡°Try not to let him bite you anywhere visible.¡± My cheeks redden. ¡°We¡¯re just going to talk,¡± I say, defensively. ¡°Of course,¡± he says with a smirk. ¡°You¡¯ll be doing something with your mouths, I¡¯m sure.¡± Stolen novel; please report. I look at him in amused shock. ¡°If you¡¯re going to spread rumors, I¡¯ll just stay here, and you can torture me with more of your explanations of enchantments.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not torture. Is it?¡± I giggle at his worried look. ¡°Not when it¡¯s you,¡± I admit. His face softens. ¡°Go talk to him. You clearly have things you need to say to each other, but don¡¯t wait too long or I¡¯ll be taken.¡± ¡°I will act decisively and swiftly. You know why?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re just friends?¡± ¡°Because we¡¯re just friends, Sir Fox.¡± He waves a hand at me dismissively, and begins to dance with another woman. Lucien cowers away from me when I approach him at the table. I try to soften whatever expression I might have on my face that caused such a reaction. ¡°Lucien, can we talk?¡± ¡°Y-Yes¡­¡± he says, hesitantly, leaning away from me as I walk to my place at the table. ¡°In private, if you don¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to take your hand like that. I won¡¯t do it again.¡± ¡°I¡¯m-¡­¡± I take a deep breath. ¡°I¡¯m not upset about that. I just think we need to discuss some things.¡± ¡°Right. What about the others? We can¡¯t just leave.¡± ¡°Fox promised he¡¯d take care of it.¡± ¡°Can we trust him?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure he knows that if he says anything, Arthur will never shut up, and that¡¯s enough to deter him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true.¡± The fire in the shop warms us as we sit next to each other on the workbench of Madam Treeleaf¡¯s shop. We¡¯ve been sitting in silence for some time, both of us afraid of speaking first. ¡°Fox¡­ thinks you¡¯re¡­¡± I start, but can¡¯t finish my thoughts. I hate speaking first, but it¡¯d feel rude not to, since I dragged him out of the pub (not that he¡¯d looked too disappointed to escape somewhere more quiet). ¡°I¡¯m¡­?¡± He smirks. ¡°Agh!¡± I scream in frustration. ¡°I hate¡­ talking. I hate this awkwardness!¡± ¡°Then don¡¯t. That¡¯s your way, isn¡¯t it? Want some more wine? I think Madam Treeleaf keeps several bottles in the attic.¡± He¡¯s so perfect, and I want to kiss him. ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°So,¡± he hiccups. ¡°I told Arthur that -hiccup- he should really stop believing he¡¯s better than every -hiccup- one, if he wants to make frieeee -hiccup- nds. This is going to drive me -hiccup- mad!¡± ¡°Just hold your breath.¡± ¡°How -hiccup- long?¡± I press my lips together to stop my laugh from escaping. ¡°Until I¡¯m blue in the -hiccup- face?¡± He laughs. I nod, and giggle. ¡°Arthur¡¯s right, I¡¯m beginning to rub off on -hiccup- you, and it¡¯s not a good thing.¡± ¡°As long as Arthur is not rubbing off on me.¡± ¡°He is, though, but it¡­ suits you better.¡± ¡°Oh, does it? I¡¯m flattered.¡± Lucien reaches for the bottle, and groans when he realizes it¡¯s empty. ¡°I think you¡¯ve had enough, anyway,¡± I lecture him. ¡°You¡¯ve been complaining about Arthur for over an hour, and I mean no offense when I say; I¡¯m bored with this topic.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s talk about Fox, then. I think he really liked -hiccup- that woman with the red hair he danced with earlier today. He invited her to return with him to his home.¡± I bite my lip, then burst into laughter. ¡°He invited me, too, so she must have turned him down.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not -hiccup- DAMN, Sweet Selene in heaven!¡± He pours himself a cup of water, and downs it. ¡°You¡¯re not -hiccup- serious!¡± I giggle. ¡°I am, but I also turned him down.¡± ¡°W- -hiccup- why?¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t think I like him that way¡­ yet.¡± ¡°-hiccup- Dammit! ¡®Yet¡¯?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I said.¡± ¡°Just¡­ don¡¯t¡­ Take care of yourself, Luna, pleee- -hiccup- please! Selene, have mercy!¡± ¡°I will.¡± In the early hours of the morning, having not slept, I mindlessly crush some herbs while reading over a spell book, memorizing the diagrams, and trying to cast the spell once in a while. It¡¯s been days since I¡¯ve begun looking at it, and I¡¯m unsure why it won¡¯t work. Spellcasting is as personal as one¡¯s handwriting. Some spells work better one way for one Mystic, and a different way for another. These changes create new spells due to experimentation of hand movements for each caster, and so the possibilities and limitations of magic are seemingly endless. However, there is a set curriculum for all Mystics when passing into the next levels. Most Mystics strictly follow the curriculum, but some, like Madam Treeleaf and Master Eaimer, experts in their arts, experiment enough to create entirely different types of magic. I¡¯m not sure which path I want to take yet, because I¡¯ve been struggling with this single spell for what feels like an eternity. ¡°Trying to get ahead?¡± Lucien asks, taking a peek over my shoulder. ¡°Because I¡¯m already struggling to keep up,¡± I mumble. ¡°I¡¯m exhausted, though. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll make it to the end of the day.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been worse,¡± he says, placing a cup of tea in front of me. ¡°Remember that paper you panicked over about the History of the City of Lights?¡± ¡°The history of the city¡¯s magic is the dullest because I¡¯m already here, and it feels exaggerated. Not to mention, they only ever mention Fire and Earth Mystics, because, apparently, Wind and Water Mystics never make it into the history books. I wish they would go over the more interesting parts of Amith. I want to learn more about Solari and Dark Grove. Places I haven¡¯t been. I can¡¯t wait to hear about Zelfari. ¡± ¡°They¡¯ll teach you eventually, and I promise it¡¯ll all be equally exaggerated and boring,¡± he says with amusement, pushing my cup of tea closer, encouraging me to take a sip. ¡°They¡¯ve been very focused on Gaia, though. I can almost recite what she did from the moment she was born.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve noticed. The Trial of Balance and Harmony,¡± I announce. ¡°The Trial of Elemental Unity,¡± he says, pompously. ¡°The Trial of¡­ Everlasting Spark?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not one of the names of the trials,¡± he snickers. ¡°Then what is it?¡± ¡°Temptation¡¯s Embrace.¡± ¡°And then Illuminating Spark?¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s Convergence, then Illuminating Shadows, not Spark.¡± ¡°Right¡­ So¡­ Cyclone Fury¡­ not that I¡¯m going to practice it at full power in this shop, but the diagrams¡­¡± Lucien stands behind me, and rests his chin on my shoulder as he reads through my spell book, following the words on the page with his index finger. It feels intimate, and I wonder if he understands that or if this is just how he is. Either way, I don¡¯t want him to distance himself. I want him to be close to me. ¡°It¡¯s obviously a wind storm,¡± he notes, then mumbles the words on the page, and copies several of the hand diagrams lazily. ¡°Right, I haven¡¯t learned this spell yet, but let¡¯s see your spellwork.¡± I follow the diagrams on the page, up until the last movement of the spell, to prevent myself from casting it. ¡°What did I do wrong?¡± I ask him, staring down at my book. When he doesn¡¯t respond, I turn to look at him. He¡¯s not looking at my hands, and I catch him staring at my mouth. ¡°Lucien,¡± I tease. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°Uh- Right. You got the second hand motion incorrect. Remember that wind magic is always a sort of pulling of¡­ well, the air. Try it more like¡­¡± he demonstrates, but now I¡¯m distracted by his mouth. He notices, and smiles back at me. ¡°Miss Masters, you¡¯re not paying attention, either.¡± ¡°My apologies, Sir Moonshadow. Sometimes, when your mouth is moving, it¡¯s more interesting than the words coming out of it.¡± ¡°Is that so? Do you know what else my mouth can do?¡± ¡­ ¡°P-Please show me again,¡± I blush. He demonstrates the spell again, then stops when he notices I¡¯m still not paying attention, and my eyes are drifting to his mouth again. ¡°Still more interesting than what I¡¯m saying? You¡¯re a terrible student. It¡¯s no wonder you¡¯re stru-¡± his ear twitches, and he stands to move away from me. A moment later, the shop door rings. ¡°You¡¯re here early,¡± says Madam Treeleaf when she enters the back room. ¡°I haven¡¯t even made you a task list.¡± ¡°We¡¯re just making some basic potions,¡± says Lucien, wiping down the counters of the previous day¡¯s work remains. ¡°Healing draughts and magical restoration potions. I see you¡¯ve been experimenting again. I could have sworn I left this workroom spotless last night. Now everything is covered in a fine blue powder.¡± ¡°What else do I pay you for?¡± ¡°Apparently, to clean up after you.¡± ¡°Well! Very good. Today I¡¯ll have you starting on level two potions. Those are level three spells, I see. Are you doing the same with your potions?¡± I shut my spellbook. ¡°Yes, I- I like to get an early start.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have another year to work on those. What¡¯s the rush?¡± She laughs. ¡°She¡¯s quite diligent,¡± states Lucien, taking a seat opposite me at the work table. ¡°She¡¯d get each level done in a year¡¯s time if she could.¡± ¡°Quite admirable,¡± she tuts. ¡°It is,¡± he says, taking my book, and opening it to the spell I was struggling with. I watch him demonstrate the spell one final time, noticing where I failed. I nod, then copy his hand motions, dropping the final movement. He smiles at me, and my heart flutters. What is this foolishness of mine? What is wrong with me? ¡°Well,¡± says Madam Treeleaf, preparing herself a cup of tea. ¡°Try working on a greater health potion, and a swiftness potion. They¡¯re level three, but it should be straight forward. You won¡¯t be too unfamiliar with the process. You¡¯ll find the recipes in the usual place. Hopefully, they¡¯re still organized. It¡¯s not often I need recipe cards for level three potions, though, so don¡¯t be too disappointed, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find them somewhere around here.¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Treeleaf,¡± I say, getting up to search the recipe box. ¡°Call me Madam Lyra, dear. It¡¯s about time you did. You, too, Lucien.¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Tree- Lyra,¡± he says with a stiff nod. ¡°I hope you¡¯ll forgive me if I slip up a few times.¡± She tuts several times, with feigned disappointment. The recipe box is sitting in its usual place on the counter. It¡¯s stained in various colors, but spotlessly clean on the inside. ¡°I¡¯ve got some business with the herb shop,¡± says Madam Treeleaf, taking a seat at the work table, and sipping her tea contentedly while munching on some buttery biscuits she brought in with her. ¡°He has been raising his prices, and hasn¡¯t been carrying some of the rarer items.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Says Lucien, expressing some interest. ¡°What¡¯s happened?¡± ¡°He claims that no one is buying, but I purchase what I can from him. I prefer not to have to go out of the way to send for them,¡± she sighs, and takes another bite of her biscuit, and another sip of tea. ¡°Not that either of you do a bad job at finding everything we need, you¡¯re just occupied enough as it is since the shop has been more busy lately, and it doesn¡¯t hurt to support the other local shops. His apprentice is lazy, I just know it, and I don¡¯t think he¡¯s caught on. I bet he¡¯s the one slacking off, and cutting corners.¡± ¡°Is his apprentice Arthur?¡± I laugh. Lucien stares wide-eyed at me, then presses his lips together. He lets out a high-pitched sound, when he chokes back a laugh. Madam Treeleaf laughs heartily. ¡°No, but it sounds like him, doesn¡¯t it? It¡¯s not Arthur, but I did find someone who can take his place.¡± ¡°What did I do?¡± Asks Arthur, irritably, coming in through the back door, looking dreadful. ¡°I heard you say my name.¡± ¡°Gods, you look awful,¡± says Madam Treeleaf, giving him a disgusted look. ¡°Thanks for that. I feel better now,¡± he grumbles. She pulls out a chair for him to sit, pours him a cup of tea, and pushes the plate of biscuits towards him. Lucien snatches up the biscuit Arthur reaches for, and takes a bite. Arthur glares, and grabs another one. ¡°Oh,¡± she tuts. ¡°I meant no offense. The three of you look worse for wear. What on earth happened?¡± ¡°Well, I danced more than I care to, and¡­¡± Arthur trails off, and finishes his biscuit with a blush on his cheeks. ¡°Drank more than you should have?¡± Inquires Lucien. ¡°No. I had trouble sleeping. Everything is just so loud when the students arrive. It¡¯s as if they don¡¯t know what sleep is until their studies begin.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± sighs Madam Treeleaf, dreamily. ¡°I remember those days. Away from your parents for the first time with the freedom to stay up late into the night at the pub with your friends. Returning late because the curfew isn¡¯t in place yet. When you get your own room at level five¡­ Well, I didn¡¯t sleep much. You¡¯ll miss those days when you get to my age. Enjoy them while you can, but don¡¯t forget to sleep.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try not to,¡± Arthur says, staring at me from across the table, and mouthing out the words ¡®Where did you go last night?¡¯. I pretend to not notice him, and take my spellbook back from Lucien to read through. The shop door rings, and I get to my feet immediately, but Madam Treeleaf pushes me back into my seat, and stands. ¡°Finish your tea, I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± she assures me. When she walks out of the room, Arthur smiles, and I prepare for an onslaught of questions. ¡°Where the hell did the two of you disappear to?¡± He asks, loudly enough to startle me. ¡°Fox said you both returned to the Academy to sleep or whatever, but neither of you look very rested.¡± ¡°I was trying to get ahead on my spellwork,¡± I lie. ¡°You know better than I do how loud it was last night,¡± says Lucien. ¡°Of course I didn¡¯t get any sleep. Humans are so loud.¡± ¡°You weren¡¯t in your room, I checked,¡± says Arthur. ¡°Your roommates said you¡¯d not even stopped by. So, out with it. What did the two of you do?¡± ¡°We studied,¡± says Lucien, quietly. ¡°And when we were done, I slept outside, and returned early this morning.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± he hums uncomfortably. ¡°You abandoned us for that? Really?¡± ¡°It¡¯s better than the loud pub.¡± ¡°My father sent me a message this morning. He¡¯s considering replacing me with that woman¡¯s son. That bastard- uh¡­ Thomas,¡± says Arthur, choking back tears of anger. ¡°Replace?¡± Lucien asks, shocked. ¡°Yes, my father is considering disowning me, since I refuse to support him slaughtering dark elves.¡± ¡°Slaughter?¡± I exclaim loudly. ¡°They¡¯re killing them now?¡± Arthur covers his ears, and he and Lucien wince. ¡°Yes. My father has been planning to slaughter any dark elves still residing in Mirror Lake. I¡¯ve sent word to a trusted friend of mine who promised to help get them all out before my father commits genocide, but it¡¯s practically a second Dark Grove.¡± Lucien¡¯s hands shake, and he quickly stands from the table to pace the room. His braid sways back and forth at his back, and I¡¯m mesmerized by the sight of him. ¡°What is it?¡± Arthur asks Lucien, concerned. ¡°I must write to Master Eaimer about a private matter. I thought it could wait, but if you¡¯re not heir to the throne of Mirror Lake, then I can¡¯t hold off for much longer. Arthur, help Luna with the shop, I really must send this letter out immediately. And actually help her, don¡¯t slack off!¡± ¡°Sure¡­¡± he says, after Lucien has already left. Chapter Twenty-One ¡°So, it¡¯s whata€| like an air spell?¡± I ask Lucien, watching his hands as he attempts to cast it for the upteenth time. We¡¯re practicing in Selene¡¯s Temple at the Academy, knowing we¡¯re safe from any students until the end of the year when examinations are being held. While I was away, Seraphina, Arthur and Fox helped furnish it with a table and some chairs for us to study more comfortably in secret. We take turns practicing with Lucien, and teaching each other what we¡¯ve learned of our own elemental magic. ¡°Yes, like an air spell,¡± responds Lucien. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try another one?¡± Calls Fox. Fox peers over his book to look at me, and a smile creeps over his lips. I¡¯m speechless for a moment, enraptured by it, and from the corner of my eye, I see that Lucien is, too. ¡°Why don¡¯t you give your spell one more try, Luna,¡± says Lucien, encouragingly. ¡°If you can¡¯t get it, take a break, and practice with Fox. Seraphina needs some help with a few things.¡± ¡°Alright, but they¡¯ve already completed their studies here,¡± I grumble, following along with Lucien¡¯s hand movements. ¡°More air like?¡± ¡°Yes. It¡¯s very much like uha€| that level one disperse spell. It¡¯s more of a sweeping motion with your arm, instead of just your fingers.¡± His hand reaches for the ground gripping any wind he can take hold of, and sweeps in a large circle to throw it over his body. It forms a barrier around him. He clears his throat, and with a simple flick of his hand, disperses it. ¡°Goodness, I¡¯ll barely be able to pick up a potion bottle tomorrow after flailing my arms wildly all day. You make it look so easy. You must have very strong arms.¡± Lucien blushes, and Arthur laughs like a madman at the table. ¡°Look at him. He doesn¡¯t even know what to do with all of your compliments.¡± ¡°Gods,¡± mutters Fox, quietly. ¡°You¡¯ve probably never received one, and wouldn¡¯t know how to react, either. How are all of you friends with him? Are you obligated because he¡¯s royalty?¡± ¡°Who said I¡¯m his friend?¡± I tease. ¡°I heard you admit you missed him,¡± he winks. ¡°I may have gotten ahead of myself. He¡¯s since refreshed my memory.¡± I can see him preparing to say more, but quickly shuts his mouth, and gives Arthur a sideways glance. Whatever he wanted to say would probably excite Arthur. When we¡¯ve returned to our tasks, a slight blush warms my cheeks, and it takes a few moments for me to comprehend my hand diagrams again. Lucien eyes me carefully, and frowns. ¡°Can you focus?¡± He whispers, irritably. ¡°Right. I think I need to stand for this, until I get better.¡± I get to my feet, and shut my eyes, feeling at my fingertips for the tendrils of air that Lucien assures me feels like soft tufts of fur. Once I¡¯m able to pull a single strand of it below me, the rest follow. The weight of it shocks me every time, but I¡¯m determined to keep a firm grasp on it. I toss it up as gracefully as one would a sack of rocks over my shoulder, and the weight of it vanishes, and covers me in a protective gust. It dampens my senses, and the sounds of Arthur¡¯s laughter have been muffled. Lucien bounds towards me, and dispels it with a flick of his fingers. ¡°Excellent,¡± he says, as the wind dissipates. ¡°You can take that spell off your list, and start working ona€| I¡¯m afraid I don¡¯t know where you¡¯ve left off with Fox. I¡¯ll test you next time, so try to remember what you did, in the meantime.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still on the same spell as last time with Fox,¡± I say, feeling ridiculously daft, as I walk over to the table to take a seat. ¡°O-Oha€| well, good luck to you. Seraphina, I¡¯m sure you could use a br-¡± Seraphina is at Lucien¡¯s side before he can finish his sentence. Arthur grumbles, as he tries to rein in the flame that continues to grow at a rapid pace, quickly taking over half the tabletop. With a flick of his hand, Fox puts it out with a small water spell, making sure to splash Arthur¡¯s face. ¡°You¡¯re still on Whisper, correct?¡± Fox asks, finally noticing me now that Arthur¡¯s flame has died out. I nod shyly. ¡°I¡¯m struggling a bit.¡± ¡°That¡¯s alright, you¡¯re still just a level two Mystic, and learning. There¡¯s no need to be embarrassed about it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re already far past me, and still young.¡± ¡°I¡¯m also far past my days at the Academy, and have perfected my skills considerably. They start to become familiar, like playing an instrument, and your fingers are following along to the music your mind is composing.¡± ¡°I feel as if I got such a late start, I¡¯m still learning how to play the scales.¡± ¡°Lucien is also at your level, and you¡¯re both doing well.¡± ¡°Lucien is at my level with six elements!¡± I argue. ¡°Well, before you argue with me further, let¡¯s work on Whisper. You grew up in Bellehaven, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve gone swimming in lakes, and all of that. Try to imaginea€| floating into a gently flowing river, and your body is being carried with it. Allow your hands to feel the push and pull of the current like wind on your fingertips as you cast the spell.¡± I try to imagine what he¡¯s saying, but fail to calm my mind. Instead, my thoughts are on lunch. ¡°Luna,¡± he says, waving a hand over my eyes. ¡°I know you cannot stand the sound of silence, but you should at least pretend to pay attention to me.¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± I mumble. ¡°I tried, but then Ia€|¡± ¡°Lost your head in the clouds?¡± He smiles. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it was just lunch time.¡± ¡°You¡¯re very much a Wind-Caller. Come, follow me. Let¡¯s take a walk to help you clear your head. How does that sound?¡± I look over at Lucien, who is enjoying chasing Seraphina around the cave with a projected image of himself made of earth, as she chases him with her own. ¡°I suppose that won¡¯t be too awful.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be back,¡± he announces, standing, and pushing his chair under the edge of the table. Lucien gives me a reassuring nod, and waves me off encouragingly, with a wink. Near the drop of the falls outside the city, I have my hand dipped in the icy cold waters. ¡°This is not what I had in mind,¡± I say, trying to focus as my hand is becoming numb from the cold. ¡°You don¡¯t have to keep it in there,¡± Fox laughs. ¡°You just need to feel the push and pull of the water.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t feel anything with frozen fingers.¡± He rolls his eyes, and pulls my hand out, warming it up with his own. He breathes a hot breath on them, and rubs his palms over mine quickly. The sensation helps only slightly, but his efforts are noble. ¡°We can try something else,¡± he suggests. ¡°Yes, please. I need my hands intact for spells.¡± ¡°When I was being taught water magic,¡± he smirks, recalling what I assume is a fond memory. ¡°My instructor pushed me into the river in the middle of winter, and made me swim the full length of it several times before he let me go home.¡± ¡°That sounds dreadful!¡± ¡°It was,¡± he laughs. ¡°I¡¯d come home every day regretting I had magic. Then, one day, it stopped feeling so miserable, and I enjoyed it. It was like I was part of it.¡± ¡°Was it warmer out?¡± He laughs. ¡°It was. I didn¡¯t make that connection until years later. It was effective training, though, and the cold Zelfari winters do nothing to me now.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t lie, Fox,¡± I laugh with him. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you get a little chilly with the autumn breeze. I also didn¡¯t see your hand in that water next to mine.¡± ¡°I¡¯m part dark elf, so I was also born with an advantage.¡± ¡°Are you really, though? Or is that the lie you tell everyone you flirt with?¡± ¡°Why in Gaia¡¯s name do you think I¡¯m such a flirt?¡± ¡°Look at you! Have you ever stared into a looking glass? Or noticed women¡¯s stares?¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t make me a flirt!¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, but Lucien told me I was not the only woman you invited back home with you that night we went dancing, so forgive me for making assumptions.¡± We¡¯re silent for a moment, and then we break out into raucous laughter until we¡¯re both crying. ¡°And if I think of it further, you¡¯re a horrible flirt. You¡¯re much too obvious,¡± I complain, through my laughter. ¡°You¡¯ll have to excuse me, I¡¯m out of practice.¡± ¡°How are you an archmage, already, anyway? You must be very old.¡± ¡°No. My family line is simply the longest in a long line of Water-Bearers.¡± ¡°Strangea€| I come from a long line, too. So do Arthur and Seraphina. Except mine was a long and weak line. Do you think Luciena€| comes from a long line of Weavers and Casters? ¡°It wouldn¡¯t surprise me with those eyes, and skin.¡± ¡°Do you ever wonder if there¡¯s even somea€| greater purpose to all of this?¡± ¡°I think if we were to serve some greater purpose, there would be some obvious signs.¡± ¡°You can see in the dark, and you need another sign?¡± I ask. ¡°A shadowstalker fed you a magic glowing petal. A duneswift did the same to Seraphina and Arthur, and suddenly they have the same sensitive hearing of light elves. We¡¯ve all somehow met here, and you still need another sign? Maybe there are some dormant dark elf powers running through my own bloodline,¡± I laugh. ¡°It¡¯s an ancient one. What if it all started with a dark elf and a human? Stranger things have happened.¡± ¡°They have not. If they have, you¡¯ve led a far more interesting life than you think.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, my life is as dull as they get.¡± ¡°You came from Bellehaven, and I heard it doesn¡¯t get duller than that.¡± ¡°I did, and I grew up in Mirror Lake.¡± ¡°It¡¯s no wonder you like the citya€|¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Alright, enough idle chatter, I don¡¯t want to disappoint Lucien. Whisper. Show me what you remember so far.¡± ¡°Sorry. Am I speaking too much? It¡¯s a bad habit of mine,¡± I apologize. ¡°You can stop me whenever you¡¯d like. Unlike Arthur, I can take subtle hints.¡± ¡°No. I thought I was doing too much of the talking. I guess we both have the bad habit of being forever curious. I have to restrain myself sometimes.¡± We smile at each other. ¡°Uha€| shut your eyes, and take a deep breath,¡± he says, quietly and slowly. ¡°Imagine the push and pull of water. Imagine your emotions like a wall of sand, and let the waves wash them away. Clear out your mind. Water-Bearers must cast spells with feelings. Wind-Callers with thought. This spell is a comforting worda€| a hot cup of tea on a cold night. A good friend, wrapping their arms around youa€| A lover¡¯s kissa€| Am I being too forward?¡± ¡°Are you?¡± I blush. ¡°My apologies if it seemed that way.¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°It¡¯sa€| alright,¡± I whisper, shyly. ¡°I like it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear it.¡± The lights of the city seem too bright for me to get any sleep tonight. As I stare at the ceiling of my room at the Academy covered in dancing lights coming in through the window, I decide to take a small light stone, and sketch Fox¡¯s face into my journal. It¡¯s not perfect, but I clutch the journal to my chest feeling delirious and giddy, overwhelmed with my own feelings. I read through my spellbook the next morning, wishing I could use willpower to cast my Cyclone Fury spell into existence. ¡°Still struggling?¡± Asks Lucien. ¡°It¡¯s so small, it could barely take out a seedling.¡± ¡°You realize they take longer to master with each level, right? That you won¡¯t get it overnight? And that¡¯s why you¡¯ll be here for twelve more years?¡± ¡°Fox makes it look easy.¡± ¡°He¡¯s got years of training, you know. Ia€| noticed the two of you were getting along,¡± he says, inquiringly. ¡°Did you?¡± ¡°I did. You both seem to be getting along swimmingly, actually. Is he treating you well?¡± ¡°He¡¯sa€| such a flirt, but it¡¯s not as painful as watching Arthur do it.¡± I eye him curiously, and he grins widely. ¡°How is your Stamina potion coming along?¡± He asks, abruptly changing the subject. ¡°I bet you still haven¡¯t figured it out.¡± ¡°I¡¯m grateful I have another year to master these potions,¡± I mumble. ¡°If that¡¯s what you mean.¡± ¡°Not well?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Madam Treeleaf will be more than happy to show you.¡± ¡°Too happy, if you ask me. Last time, she went on for hours about all of the properties of plants I¡¯d never even heard of.¡± ¡°Luna, can we-¡± his voice cracks, and he clears his throat, looking slightly faint. ¡°Luciena€|?¡± I wrap an arm around his shoulder, and walk him to the table. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he says, sitting down. ¡°I feel I¡¯ve made things uncomfortable between usa€| because I¡¯m an idiot.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not an idiot, nor have you made me uncomfortable. I mean, now I¡¯m uncomfortable, but that¡¯s besides the point.¡± He laughs, with tears in his eyes. ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°You¡¯re still the only person I prefer to watch the stars with,¡± I say, rubbing his back. ¡°Which means I¡¯m not uncomfortable.¡± ¡°I sent out a letter to Lumaria this morning. I told her I¡¯d try toa€| make things work out with her. That I¡¯d give her a chance.¡± ¡°That¡¯s excellent news!¡± ¡°Thank you. I was terrified. My hand shook the whole time, I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t be able to make out half the words on the page.¡± ¡°What¡¯s there to be afraid of? She already likes you.¡± ¡°What if I wrote something foolish?¡± ¡°What did you write?¡± I chuckle. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you asked Arthur for advice.¡± He scoffs. ¡°No, and I¡¯m not going to tell you.¡± ¡°That proves you¡¯re not an idiot.¡± He laughs. ¡°Did you confess your undying love for her?¡± I sing, poking his side. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± he rolls his eyes. ¡°Alright, don¡¯t tell me. I don¡¯t care.¡± He pokes my side, and laughs when I jump away, and smack his upper arm. ¡°You care a little,¡± he teases, pinching my cheeks. ¡°It¡¯s endearing.¡± ¡°It¡¯s only because I care for your well being.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re a hopeless romantic.¡± ¡°That I am.¡± ¡°So, Fox,¡± I say, trying to fill the awkward silence between us. ¡°How was your day at the shop?¡± He looks up from his book, and smiles at me from his perch on a rock. ¡°Focus on the silence, Luna.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t!¡± I cry out. ¡°I hate every moment of it. You can¡¯t just sit there and ignore me the whole time. We¡¯ve been sitting here for hours, and the sound of the falls just makes my throat feel parched.¡± ¡°Lucien told me you needed extra training, so train.¡± He looks back at his book, and turns the page. ¡°He was just trying to do me a favor and make us spend more time together, you know.¡± ¡°Was he, now? And why¡¯s that?¡± ¡°I mean, it¡¯s obvious, isn¡¯t it? You¡¯re flirting with me, and I allow it because Ia€| Well, you knowa€| I like you.¡± ¡°Do you, now?¡± He looks up from his book again, shutting it this time, and gives me a devious smirk. ¡°Well, if you didn¡¯t know, then you know now.¡± ¡°Indeed, I do.¡± ¡°So, how was your day at the shop?¡± ¡°I was quite distracted by thoughts of a certain Wind-Caller.¡± ¡°Oh, is it someone I know?¡± I ask, airily, with a grin. ¡°You might. She¡¯s very curious, and I must admit that I am, too.¡± ¡°I can guess why she¡¯s curious, but what are you curious about?¡± ¡°I wonder what her lips taste like.¡± ¡°I bet she wonders the same. Do they taste like fresh spring water? Or mint tea? Or warm hot chocolate in the winter by the fire?¡± ¡°Would she like to put her curiosity to rest?¡± ¡°Absolutely.¡± He stands, moving slowly, and confidently. He approaches me without any hesitation in his step and takes me into his lap moments later. ¡°Fox. Fox. Fox, wait a minute,¡± I push him away, and clutch my chest, as I gasp to catch my breath. ¡°I don¡¯ta€| I¡¯ve never done this before.¡± ¡°Sorry. I didn¡¯t mean toa€| I thought you wanted to.¡± ¡°I-I do. I just need to catch my breath.¡± He takes my hand, and kisses it softly. ¡°It¡¯s whatever you want. I won¡¯t push it.¡± ¡°How are you?¡± whispers Fox. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing no one could hear us,¡± I say, feeling giddy. ¡°I was too occupied relishing it to worry about something like that, but I was quite worried about you.¡± I turn to face him lying on the floor on a pile of blankets and cloaks next to me, and plant a kiss on his lips. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Fox. I justa€| I didn¡¯t think I could evera€| nevermind.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t fall in love easily?¡± ¡°You¡¯re quite wrong. I fall in love very easily. I fell in love with you the moment I saw you, I just have enough patience not to make a fool of myself.¡± ¡°You called that patience? We went out once, and wella€| here we are.¡± ¡°You have less patience. Do you fall in love easily, Fox? Should I be worried?¡± ¡°I do, but I¡¯m quite loyal,¡± he grins, giving me his best innocent look. ¡°And what made you fall in love with me? ¡°I have no idea. I¡¯m hoping to find out.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know?¡± I laugh nervously. ¡°Gods, we hardly know each other. I just find myself increasingly attracted to you each time we speak. I thought we might as well get the difficult part out of the way. I¡¯m glad we did, because I think I love you even more now.¡± ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡± ¡°I love the way you cry out my name as you come.¡± ¡°Fooox,¡± I whine, blushing. ¡°That¡¯s embarrassing.¡± ¡°I can make you do it again if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°You laid with him?¡± Cries Lucien. ¡°Don¡¯t you think you¡¯re moving a bit fast?¡± ¡°Would you mind not making me feel like an idiot? I¡¯ve beat myself up enough, already. I can¡¯t stop hearing my mother¡¯s voice telling me I¡¯ve been a fool.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you¡¯re right. You¡¯re absolutely right. I¡¯m sorry. Do go on.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t just go on. What else can I say after that?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve no idea,¡± Lucien says, falling into a seat next to me, and staring off blankly towards the shop shelf. ¡°Is he just as beautiful when he¡¯s undressed?¡± I gasp, and break out into a laugh. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Luna.¡± ¡°He¡¯s even more beautiful, actually.¡± ¡°Gods, I knew it,¡± he frowns. ¡°I should have made my move sooner.¡± ¡°You would have won, too, I¡¯m sure.¡± He eyes me from head to toe and turns away. ¡°Lucien?¡± ¡°I would have,¡± he mutters. ¡°Rude!¡± The stars are bright, and the evening would be perfect if Arthur wasn¡¯t snoring a few feet away from me. ¡°Is your hearing alright with all that noise?¡± I mutter. Lucien stirs beside me, and slaps the top of Arthur¡¯s head, waking him from his nap. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll go back,¡± he groans. Seraphina yawns, and stretches. ¡°Me, too. I can¡¯t stay up much longer.¡± ¡°Let me know if anything exciting happens in the skies,¡± says Fox, grunting when he sits up. ¡°I think I fell asleep several times already.¡± He leans over to kiss my cheek, then walks away with Seraphina and Arthur back to the city. ¡°Oh, my,¡± sings Lucien. ¡°Was that a kiss?¡± ¡°Stop it,¡± I laugh, slapping his arm. ¡°It¡¯s not anything.¡± He sits up, and leans over me, blocking my view of the night sky. ¡°Nonsense. The two of you have been inseparable these past few weeks.¡± ¡°I know, I can hardly get rid of him after a night out in the city,¡± I bemoan. ¡°Is he your boyfriend yet?¡± He whispers into my ear. His breath on my ear sends shivers through my body, and I blush. ¡°No!¡± I cry out in embarrassment. ¡°I¡¯m not sure, honestly.¡± Lucien freezes, and his ears twitch. He¡¯s listening to the sounds of the forest. ¡°Do you hear something?¡± ¡°So,¡± he continues, ignoring my question. ¡°Does that mean that I-¡± he kisses my cheek. ¡°Can kiss your cheeks-¡± he kisses me again. ¡°Too?¡± He kisses me over and over, until my face is burning hot. ¡°Lucien!¡± I whine. ¡°What are you doing? Have you had too much to drink?¡± ¡°Is he your boyfriend?¡± He asks, cupping my cheek. ¡°No, not yet¡± I mumble, eyeing his face, my gaze settling on his piercing red eyes. ¡°Why does it matter?¡± A grin spreads slowly over his lips. ¡°Does he know that?¡± ¡°Yesa€|?¡± I say, suspiciously. ¡°Good,¡± he smiles. ¡°Ia€| I¡¯m meeting with Lumariaa€| soon.¡± My heart sinks, but I¡¯m not sure why. Would we be growing apart now? Unfortunately, I¡¯m unsuccessful in hiding my disappointment, and Lucien gives me a pitying look. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I know wea€|¡± I grumble from weariness. ¡°We¡¯re not going to talk about this.¡± ¡°Luna, we can¡¯t resolve all of our problems in this manner. We really should talk.¡± ¡°We can, if that¡¯s the only way I know how.¡± He heaves a heavy sigh. ¡°Right. I¡¯ll walk you back, then.¡± ¡°Already?¡± ¡°You can¡¯t always have it your way. If you don¡¯t want to have a difficult conversation, you¡¯ll have to settle for silence. It¡¯s better than pretending that everything is alright.¡± ¡°Fine. Will we speak tomorrow?¡± ¡°Of course. I always let you get away with it, like an idiot.¡± ¡°My favorite idiot.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll remember that,¡± he huffs. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you just tell me you were sick, Fox?¡± I scold. ¡°You look awful! I can¡¯t believe you didn¡¯t just ask me for help.¡± ¡°Why would I? We hardly know each other,¡± he moans into his pillow. I walk around, tidying up the small place he calls a home, gathering the empty dishes spread all over the table, and placing them in a wash basin. Scattered clothing is goes into a basket, and his work desk tidied of his books. ¡°You know we¡¯re closer than that.¡± He buries his face into his blankets, and turns away from me. ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to see me this way, I look pathetic and unattractive.¡± ¡°You¡¯re still quite attractive, though you are pathetic.¡± He groans. ¡°That hurts.¡± ¡°This place is a mess! I can¡¯t believe you. How many healing potions have you taken?¡± ¡°Too many,¡± he mumbles, blowing his nose into a rag. ¡°How long has it been since you¡¯ve washed those sheets?¡± ¡°Twoa€|¡± ¡°Days?¡± ¡°Weeks.¡± ¡°Up!¡± I shout. ¡°Luna, just go! This is awful. I feel awful, and humiliated.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been known to change bedsheets very quickly. It was my least favorite chore, and I learned to do it fast so I could spend more time watching the travelers in the inn down the road. If you get up now, I can change your sheets before you¡¯ve even stood up.¡± ¡°You hate me.¡± ¡°Get up!¡± I say, pulling Fox to his feet, and helping him take a seat on a chair. ¡°The other sheets are just there.¡± He gestures vaguely to a dresser in the corner. ¡°I¡¯ll be just a moment.¡± He lets out a groan. ¡°Ugh, I feel ill.¡± ¡°Vomit in the bucket if you must.¡± ¡°Alright, how do you feel?¡± I ask him, once I¡¯ve tucked him in. He gives me an irritated look. ¡°It¡¯s much better. You were right.¡± ¡°Excellent. Sleep. There¡¯s some bread and soup on the table there for you when you find the energy to get up. I¡¯ve put an enchantment to keep it warm. Drink your water. I¡¯ll return once I¡¯ve done the wash.¡± ¡°Luna, you¡¯ve done more than enough. I¡¯ll survive a few more days with dirty laundry.¡± ¡°Sleep. That¡¯s an order.¡± ¡°Yes, my darling.¡± Gripping the edge of the counter to catch my balance, I search frantically through the shelves in the back room of the potion¡¯s shop. I down my third healing potion of the day, and wipe the sweat off my brow. It¡¯s enough to take away the aches in my body. When noon rolls around, the shop is empty. I sit at the front of the shop, and fight my internally as I try to get through the first task of Madam Lyra¡¯s task list. ¡°Luna?¡± Asks Arthur. I open my eyes slowly, when he presses a warm hand to my forehead. ¡°You¡¯re burning up. Are you okay? Where¡¯s Lucien?¡± I groan, feeling my dress and apron soaked through with sweat. I stare at my half-finished potions lined up on the table. ¡°He¡¯s meeting with Lumaria tonight. We¡¯re not going to disturb him.¡± He walks me to the back room of the shop, and sits me in a chair. I shut my eyesa€| When I open them, it¡¯s dark outside, and I¡¯m lying in the attic room on a makeshift bed. There¡¯s a damp rag on my forehead, warmed from my fever. ¡°Good evening, Miss Masters,¡± greets Arthur. ¡°Thank you for making this day difficult for me.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t bother Lucien, did you?¡± I groan as I sit up. ¡°No. I ran the shop alone, and completed your task list.¡± ¡°Did you wipe down-¡± ¡°I did everything, Luna. Lucien won¡¯t easily figure out what a slacker you were this evening, and you owe me.¡± ¡°Thank you, Arthur. I swear I¡¯ll make it up to you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve left some food for you downstairs. Come. You need to eat, and keep your strength up. I¡¯m not carrying you back to the Academy. I¡¯ve done enough heavy lifting for one day.¡± ¡°Sooo,¡± I poke Lucien¡¯s cheek, and he brushes my hand away with a look of disapproval. ¡°How did it go with Lumaria last week? You haven¡¯t said anything about it. I thought it was because Arthur has been here almost every day, but you still haven¡¯t said a word to me when we¡¯re here alone.¡± ¡°It is strange he was here so often, and kept asking about you, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. He was probably just trying to annoy me. Tell me about Lumaria.¡± ¡°It wenta€| very well.¡± ¡°¡®Very¡¯ well? Lucien, I¡¯m going to need more than that.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been around Arthur too much. You¡¯re catching whatever disease he has.¡± ¡°Disease?¡± ¡°His incessant desire to know everything going on, so he can gossip.¡± ¡°You said it suited me better. You know I¡¯m a hopeless romantic. I understand why he gets irritated with you, now. You¡¯re always so quiet. It¡¯s driving me mad!¡± ¡°She¡¯s in love with someone, and came to see me so she could turn me down in persona€| properly. And for the record, I¡¯ve always been-¡± ¡°That¡¯s awful!¡± I cry out. ¡°I thought you said it went well, not horribly.¡± ¡°That was the outcome I wanted,¡± he chuckles. ¡°I wanted us to remain friends.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t be serious,¡± I groan, taking a bottle and label out of his hands to apply it straighter before the adhesive dries. ¡°Don¡¯t you like her?¡± ¡°She¡¯s a good friend, Luna, but we both admitted there were no romantic feelings between us.¡± ¡°Not yet, but there still could be! Did she at least promise to find you another beautiful dark elf to marry?¡± I ask, sighing dreamily, clutching a rag to my chest. ¡°I have my whole life to worry about that after I¡¯ve completed my studies. It¡¯s best I don¡¯t worry myself with such things now.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re so boring,¡± I say, smacking him with my rag. ¡°We¡¯re young now. It¡¯s the best time to be in love, and do stupid things.¡± He sticks his hand in a bucket, and flicks water at me. ¡°So you admit you¡¯ve been foolish.¡± ¡°Lucien!¡± I scream. ¡°How dare you do that to a lady?¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the lady?¡± I gasp in feigned shock. ¡°Lucien!¡± ¡°He¡¯s right,¡± says Arthur. ¡°I don¡¯t see a lady either.¡± ¡°Gods, don¡¯t you look awful,¡± I state, pushing him onto a chair, and pouring him a cup of tea. ¡°Yes, well, my father finally disowned me, and I¡¯m recovering from an illness I caught from some stranger. Maybe a diseased rat.¡± ¡°What?¡± Asks Lucien. ¡°You were sick? why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡± ¡°Yes, wella€| It¡¯s passed, and I¡¯m no longer Arthur Lynn. I¡¯m justa€| Arthur thea€| nobody. The timing was just so bloody perfect.¡± ¡°You can be Arthur Ainsley!¡± Cries Seraphina, placing a box of pastries on the table directly in front of him. ¡°That does have a nice ring to it,¡± he smiles wearily as he takes a sip of his tea. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry!¡± I cry out, making them all flinch, and cover their ears. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about that, too.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, Luna,¡± he sighs. ¡°The most unfortunate part about all this is that he¡¯s dying, and I can¡¯t even-¡± he chokes back tears. Lucien reaches out for him, but stops himself when Seraphina is immediately at his side. I find a clean rag for Arthur to wipe his face, and then busy myself with my tasks, feeling like an intruder in their shared private moment. ¡°Sorry,¡± Arthur whispers, when his crying subsides. ¡°It¡¯s been a long year.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be here for you if you need anything at all, Arthur,¡± says Lucien. ¡°You know that.¡± ¡°I know you will, Lou.¡± ¡°I will, too,¡± adds Seraphina. ¡°You¡¯re an angel, Sera.¡± ¡°Well, I guess I¡¯m getting roped in, too,¡± I mutter. ¡°I suppose I can tolerate you for the rest of my life.¡± Arthur chuckles. ¡°Thank you, Luna.¡± When Lucien and I are alone in the shop, after a busy day of selling magic rejuvenation potions to the Academy students, I settle into a chair, let out a heavy sigh. ¡°I¡¯m sad for Arthur,¡± I whisper. ¡°I know when he¡¯s hurting, you also hurt.¡± ¡°I think we all do. It¡¯s almost as if we¡¯re close. Like we might actually be friends, and care about each other. Possibly like a family?¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t you ever tell Arthur that I think you might be right. I¡¯m meeting Fox for dinner tonight at his place. He complained that the enchantment shop is equally busy this time of year, and I thought some drinks will prepare us for tomorrow¡¯s onslaught. I¡¯ve brought plenty of wine.¡± ¡°And you¡¯ll both complain more over delicious food?¡± ¡°Naturally.¡± ¡°Will the others be there?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure who he invited. Why? Do you want to come?¡± ¡°If I¡¯m nota€| intruding.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure he won¡¯t mind.¡± ¡°You¡¯re kidding. Of course he will. You brought wine, and you¡¯re meeting him in his home. What do you think he¡¯s planning? A tea party? It¡¯s likely to be a a repeat of what happened the other day, I¡¯m sure.¡± ¡°Do you think he wants us to be alone?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± ¡°Right. Try not to be so dull tonight, okay? Try to get out and have some fun.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not dull,¡± he scoffs. ¡°Are you going to break down your next spell to its very basics, and over-analyze it like you always do?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Enjoy. Have fun.¡± Chapter Twenty-Two ¡°Now that I don¡¯t look so appalling,¡± says Fox. ¡°Would-¡± ¡°And pathetic,¡± I say, fluttering my eyelashes. ¡°Right. Would-¡± ¡°Say it.¡± He rolls his eyes, and looks over to Lucien for assistance. Lucien turns away and whistles a song as he scrapes dried leaves from a large cauldron that sat in the fire too long. ¡°He¡¯s on my side,¡± I say, blocking his view. ¡°Fine, appalling and pathetic. Would you like to go to the pub with me? After you¡¯re done here, of course.¡± ¡°I¡¯d love to, as long as you don¡¯t mind that I¡¯ll smell of burnt leaves.¡± ¡°You could smell like a corpse flower, and I¡¯d still want to see you tonight after what you did for me, Luna. ¡°Gods, now you¡¯re making me feel guilty for making you call yourself pathetic.¡± ¡°You¡¯re both making me feel ill,¡± comments Lucien. ¡°But I was pathetic for not asking for help,¡± he admits, sadly. ¡°Thank you for helping me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re most welcome,¡± I smile. ¡°So, can I see you tonight?¡± ¡°Yes. Which pub?¡± ¡°The Black Rose.¡± When he leaves the shop, Lucien immediately drops what he¡¯s doing, and stands at my side. ¡°I must say, I¡¯m impressed,¡± he says, quietly. ¡°What did you do for him to be soa€|¡± ¡°Honest?¡± He nods. ¡°Are the two of you really going at it?¡± ¡°Lucien!¡± I gasp, covering his mouth. ¡°He was ill. I took care of him.¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°I cleaned up his home, and-... washed his laundry.¡± ¡°Goodness, you just proved to him you¡¯d make the perfect wife. It¡¯s no wonder.¡± I shudder. ¡°It¡¯s nota€| no. Don¡¯t you ever say that again. I don¡¯t want to think about being someone¡¯s wife. I have other things to do with my life, places to see-¡± ¡°Stars to explore?¡± ¡°Exactly. I¡¯m not just going to throw my life away.¡± ¡°What if such a life could exist with your future husband, Sir Fox Wells. What if, and I know this is a huge leap for that adventurous mind of yours, you¡¯d be happy settling down?¡± ¡°Luna! Are you engaged already?¡± Cries Arthur, just outside the door. ¡°No, I¡¯m not,¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°Oh, then do you want to be?¡± He asks, as he enters, wiping his boots on the small mat by the door. ¡°Is that some sort of threat? Why are you here? Shouldn¡¯t you be studying?¡± ¡°He has been,¡± says Seraphina, entering the shop after him. Arthur puffs up his chest. ¡°I bet he¡¯s not making it easy,¡± adds Lucien, getting back to his work with the cauldron. Arthur is instantly deflated. ¡°It¡¯s alright, he¡¯ll learn,¡± she says. Arthur slumps into a chair, and pouts. Lucien tosses him a rag when he begins to draw circles into a pile of spilled powder. ¡°So, Luna,¡± she grins. ¡°I thought you¡¯d like to come with me, and watch the traveling musicians in the south eastern part of the city. Entertainment districta€| not that form of entertainment, which I had to specify to a certain somebody, but you know what I mean.¡± ¡°I¡¯d love to, but it¡¯ll depend on when you¡¯d want to go.¡± ¡°You made plans with Fox?¡± I grin. ¡°Yes. Tonight.¡± ¡°Tonight? But you¡¯ll be working until late.¡± ¡°He said he wouldn¡¯t mind how I looked.¡± Seraphina turns to Lucien, and taps his shoulder. ¡°Will you be alright with a different assistant tonight?¡± ¡°As long as he¡¯ll behave.¡± ¡°What?¡± Cries Arthur. ¡°I¡¯m not working here. I¡¯m not getting paid.¡± Seraphina gives a look that seems to scare, shock, or amaze him. ¡°Fine,¡± he grumbles, looking away from us, his cheeks like tomatoes. Lucien sighs heavily, and gets to his feet. ¡°Go. Make yourself looka€| more rosy-cheeked and all that. Hell, you can fix up your hair while you¡¯re at it. Madam Lyra has some of that hair lotion up front. I¡¯ll pay for it myself. Arthur, grab a scraper, and tend to the other pots. The sooner these are cleaned, the sooner we¡¯ll get through the day¡¯s tasks.¡± ¡°Gods, you looka€|¡± Fox swallows hard. ¡°Nice?¡± I ask, blushing. ¡°I hope?¡± ¡°Stunning. You look stunning. That color suits you so well, and your hair,¡± he gasps. ¡°And youra€|¡± His eyes trail over my body. ¡°Thank you. Would you like to dance?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± He says excitedly, then clears his throat. ¡°I meana€| yes, of course, Miss Luna.¡± He holds out a hand to me, and leads me inside. I tie my hair up, and fan my hot cheeks with my hands, the cool night hair chilling the sweat on my brow. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you can dance for so long. I could hardly catch my breath,¡± I sigh. ¡°You¡¯re clearly not dancing enough. We must practice more. I¡¯ll see you here next week.¡± I grin, and continue fanning my face. ¡°For training?¡± ¡°Mostly dancing. I enjoyed doing that with you.¡± ¡°I did, too. Thank you for inviting me. I really must be going, though. It¡¯s getting late and classes begin early.¡± ¡°I can walk you back to the Academy.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like that very much.¡± ¡°And how did it go?¡± Asks Lucien, the moment I step into the back room of the shop. ¡°Lucien, I think I¡¯m in love!¡± I gush. ¡°Do you, now?¡± He looks up from the cauldron he¡¯s stirring. ¡°It went well, I¡¯m assuming.¡± ¡°You assume correctly.¡± I tie up my apron, and read the task list for the day. ¡°How does one dip dragonfly wingsa€| ¡®in moonlight¡¯?¡± ¡°Oh,¡± he says, taking the list from me, and reading through it. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of it if you don¡¯t have time.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, just tell me what it is.¡± ¡°Well, at midnight, we have to put some dragonflies next to some quartzes anda€| it¡¯s complicated. I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± I shudder. ¡°Dragonflies?¡± ¡°I know you hate bugs. I¡¯ll take care of it myself.¡± ¡°I should help, though, or you¡¯ll be up late.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, Luna,¡± he smiles wearily. ¡°I could at least prepare the jars for you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve already done it, I¡¯m afraid.¡± ¡°Lucien!¡± I scold. ¡°Did you leave anything for me to do?¡± He laughs. ¡°The labels.¡± ¡°You hate me.¡± He laughs again, as he pulls the enchantment off his cauldron. ¡°I promise it¡¯s quite the opposite.¡± ¡°You left me with labels!¡± I cry. ¡°You hate when I write the labels, soa€| you can make them all proper, neat and perfect.¡± ¡°Bless you. You¡¯re Sol-sent.¡± A smile twitches on his lips, then he returns his attention to his cauldron which he stirs one final time, before removing it from the heat. ¡°You¡¯ve got hundreds of labels to make, so prepare yourself. It¡¯s going to be a long day.¡± I roll my wrists, take up a stack of paper, and begin writing. ¡°At least let me help you carry the jars!¡± I protest. ¡°You couldn¡¯t possibly carry all of those by yourself.¡± ¡°Go find something else to do besides worrying about me, won¡¯t you?¡± He says, grunting as he picks up several crates filled with bottles and crystals, all of them rattling. ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I can help you set everything up, at least.¡± He sighs, then looks over at a net sitting on the table next to several blooms meant to attract dragonflies. I take them up the moment he moves towards them. ¡°Fine, but if you start screaming like last time, I¡¯m sending you away,¡± he threatens. ¡°That¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he says, seriously. ¡°I mean it. My patience is running thin today.¡± ¡°Goodness, what in Gaia¡¯s name happened?¡± ¡°We can talk about it when we¡¯re outside the shop. Let¡¯s go.¡± Outside the city, we set out the jars, and insert a small quartz crystal in each one. Lucien spreads out the blooms, and catches any unlucky dragonfly that happens to perch on them. He gently plucks their wings, after muttering a quick blessing to Selene for each one he catches, and places the wings into the jars, discarding their bodies into another. ¡°That was the last one,¡± he laughs, sealing the final jar, and placing it where it can catch the moon¡¯s light. ¡°You can stop holding your breath now.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know how you can just justa€| touch them with your bare hands,¡± I shudder. ¡°They¡¯re bigger, and juicer in the Grove.¡± I gag, and he gives me an amused look. ¡°Lucien, please, I¡¯m going to faint,¡± I say, dramatically falling over, putting the back of my hand to my forehead. ¡°Oh,¡± he groans, mussing my hair. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°What happened today? Did someone give you a hard time? Do I need to hunt someone down for you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not something you could do anything about, so it doesn¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°Well,¡± I say, sitting up. ¡°I have ears that might be good at listening.¡± He lies back, shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath. ¡°It¡¯s alright. Besides, you have small ears.¡± ¡°How are we ever going to become close friends if you won¡¯t talk to me? Especially after you refused my company! I¡¯m insulted.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be. I do the same to Arthur,¡± he says, peeking over at me through one eye. ¡°I¡¯m doubly insulted, now!¡± I say, leaning over him, and resting my chin on his stomach. ¡°Gods, Luna, your chin is sharp!¡± He pokes my side, making me flinch. ¡°Luuuuucien,¡± I sing. ¡°Come on. Who else will you talk to?¡± ¡°Nobody. I¡¯ll keep it to myself, and suffer through it alone. It always works for me.¡± I lie back, and stare up at the stars. ¡°How long must they sit out?¡± ¡°Until midnight.¡± I yawn. ¡°Wake me when it¡¯s time to collect the bottles.¡± ¡°I¡¯ma€| possibly a bit saddened by Lumaria¡¯s news. I thought for a moment I could be happy with someone,¡± he says, quietly and quickly. ¡°So, you do have feelings?¡± ¡°Luna! I¡¯m trying to open up to you,¡± he groans. ¡°Sorry, sorry!¡± I sit up. ¡°Keep talking to me, I¡¯m all ears.¡± ¡°They¡¯re such tiny ears,¡± he squints. ¡°We can¡¯t all be special like you, Lucien. I¡¯m only human.¡± ¡°I just built up this whole scenario in my head where we got married, fell deeply in love, and had a whole familya€| It¡¯s ridiculous.¡± ¡°Gods, I¡¯ve done that before. I¡¯ve lived entire lives in my head with Marcellusa€| Foxa€| even Arthur-¡± ¡°Arthur?¡± He cries, in disbelief. ¡°Really? Arthur?¡± Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°We¡¯re talking about the same Arthur? Sir Lynn? The one that wants fifteen children. That Arthur?¡± His voice cracks as he holds back his laughter. ¡°Yes, Lucien. I¡¯m not proud of myself either, but that Arthur.¡± ¡°What in Selene¡¯s name! Were you ill?¡± He laughs. ¡°Gods, Lucien. I¡¯m not attracted to him. I just got lost in thought one day, thinking about what it would be like.¡± ¡°And?¡± He looks embarrassed for me. ¡°He was very sweet, actually.¡± ¡°Wella€| he can be from time to time. He¡¯s justa€| you know,¡± he scrunches his face. ¡°Well, I am sorry that happened to you, though I thought it was what you wanted.¡± ¡°I suppose, but it¡¯s as ifa€|¡± ¡°You were pulled out of a good dream you thought was real?¡± He nods, sadly. ¡°I thought things would be fine, but I feel unsettled. As if I¡¯m not meant for happiness.¡± ¡°Oh, Lucien,¡± I sigh, lightly slapping his shoulder. ¡°The gods probably have even greater happiness planned for you.¡± ¡°What if they don¡¯t?¡± ¡°I will find them, and destroy them after forcing them to give you eternal happiness, of course!¡± I cheer. He laughs until his eyes are filled with tears. ¡°It¡¯s not that funny.¡± ¡°Lu-¡± He¡¯s laughing too much to speak, and breathes deeply until he calms himself. ¡°You can¡¯t even face dragonflies. How do you plan to face the gods?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll find a way. I¡¯ll probably need to take you with me, just in case there are bugs.¡± ¡°Could you imagine? The greatest Mystic in all the land, Lady Luna Masters! She¡¯s fought the gods themselves, and gets taken out by a single dragonfly. Probably because she ran away and tripped.¡± ¡°There could be a lesson in there somewhere.¡± ¡°Fear of change?¡± ¡°That would be terrible. What about locusts?¡± ¡°That wouldn¡¯t tie into the narrative at all.¡± ¡°I suppose not. I suppose I won¡¯t be fighting the gods for you, then. I need a better tale.¡± I settle down next to him, and we watch the night sky quietly. ¡°Ia€|¡± he hesitates. ¡°I feel better. Thank you for listening.¡± ¡°You¡¯re most welcome. I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t destroy the gods for you, though.¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright, I¡¯ll forgive you this time.¡± He takes my hand in his with a warm smile. ¡°Did you see the dancers with Seraphina?¡± Asks Lucien, tapping the edges of a stack of papers on the table in order to straighten them out. ¡°They were amazing! One of them jumped so high, I thought she was flying. She also moved so gracefully, like aa€| a feather in the breeze. She was definitely a very skilled Wind-Caller.¡± ¡°Was she, now?¡± He asks, beginning to brush adhesive on a row of bottles. ¡°I heard there was fire involved.¡± ¡°Oh, yes! They¡¯d blow fire from their mouths like dragons, and juggle with lit torches. One of them told jokes while he performed. Seraphina and I laughed so hard we cried, and our stomachs were hurting.¡± ¡°Goodness, that does sound wonderful.¡± He looks up at me with a smile, then hands me a stack of labels. I apply them to the bottles one at a time. ¡°Who wrote these?¡± I ask, noticing the unfamiliar neat handwriting. ¡°Seraphina did.¡± ¡°She¡¯s got beautiful writing.¡± ¡°She does. Go on. What else did you see?¡± ¡°Well, there were so many different types of foods. Tarts, custards, meats. Everything was delicious. I wish you¡¯d been able to come.¡± ¡°You were there with Fox, Arthur and Seraphina. I would have ruined the fun dynamic you had going.¡± ¡°Nonsense. I think it would have been wonderful. Oh! I did bring something back for you.¡± ¡°Lu-¡± ¡°I know. I know. But it¡¯s small, I swear. Just some candied fruits I thought you might like.¡± I hear the familiar tinkle of his earrings from his ears flicking. He quickly wipes his hands on his aprons, and holds them out to me. ¡°Yes, please,¡± he grins. ¡°Focus on what you¡¯re doing. You can have them after lunch.¡± ¡°But it¡¯s my gift. Couldn¡¯t I eat it whenever I want?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not your gift yet, though, is it?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you? Did you not get enough sleep?¡± Asks Arthur, when I step into the shop. ¡°Arthur, be nice to Luna for once,¡± Lucien chides, wiping his hands on a rag as he steps into the front of the shop. ¡°Ugh, he¡¯s right, though,¡± I mutter. ¡°I got awful sleep.¡± ¡°Come, I¡¯ve got the kettle on,¡± Lucien says, taking my cloak and pulling me along with him by the arm. He pushes me into a seat, hangs my cloak up, and pulls an apron over my head. He tuts, and finds a ribbon which he uses to style my hair away from my face. ¡°Talk to me,¡± he says, placing some biscuits on a plate in front of me. ¡°It¡¯s just Fox.¡± Arthur rushes into the back room, and takes a seat at the table in front of me. ¡°Can I help you?¡± I ask. ¡°I can hear everything from the front of the shop, anyway,¡± he says, defensively. The shop door rings. ¡°I swear to the gods,¡± he grumbles as he gets to his feet. ¡°They¡¯re all against me!¡± Lucien and I wait until we¡¯re sure Arthur is too preoccupied to fully focus, then he places a cup of tea in front of me, takes a seat at the table, and leans in close to me. ¡°Are you alright?¡± He whispers. ¡°So you know how he and Ia€|¡± I blush. ¡°You knowa€|¡± ¡°I know. Go ona€|¡± he says, gesturing towards me. ¡°Well, the subject of children came up, anda€|¡± ¡°And?¡± ¡°We fought-¡± ¡°You fought?¡± He asks, shocked. ¡°You fought?¡± Screams Arthur from his place at the front of the shop. I groan, and eat another cookie, waiting for Arthur to refocus. ¡°So?¡± Whispers Lucien. ¡°Are you going to talk to him? Is everything alright?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯re going to recover from that, but we could at least part amicably.¡± Arthur barges into the room, making us both jump. ¡°Did he hurt you?¡± He asks. ¡°No,¡± I say, startled. ¡°Is the patron gone?¡± ¡°Yes. She wanted directions to the bakery. But you¡¯re separating?¡± ¡°We are.¡± I give Lucien a confused look, and he shrugs slightly. ¡°You seem more concerned about this than I thought you would be,¡± I admit. ¡°Am I the only one that¡¯s concerned about our small family?¡± ¡°I¡¯m surprised you do,¡± mutters Lucien. ¡°What if you¡¯re going against the natural order of things?¡± He asks, panicked. ¡°Thena€| I¡¯d find my way back to him somehow? Isn¡¯t that how these things go?¡± He gives me an uneasy smile. ¡°Well, I am sorry if things don¡¯t work out. The two of you lookeda€| Happy.¡± ¡°O-Oh,¡± I¡¯m speechless. ¡°Uha€| sorry- uh- thank you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s nice, Arthur,¡± Lucien smiles at him. ¡°Oh, shut up,¡± he grumbles. ¡°I don¡¯t appreciate how heartless the two of you think I am.¡± He rushes back to the front of the shop when the bell rings. ¡°Did hea€| actuallya€|?¡± I gape at Lucien. ¡°I think he cares for you.¡± ¡°Ia€|¡± I start blubbering, and Lucien takes me into his arms and lets me cry into his shoulder. ¡°There, there,¡± he rubs my back to soothe me. ¡°It¡¯s alright. I know it hurts, but everything will be alright. You¡¯ve got me, and apparently Arthur, anda€| Seraphinaa€| and Madam Lyra. We all love you very much, and we¡¯ll be here to take care of you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want-¡± I sniffle. ¡°I don¡¯ta€| Do you think he¡¯ll wish to remain friends?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯d love to,¡± says Lucien softly, kissing the top of my head. ¡°Because you¡¯re a very good friend, Luna.¡± ¡°Level three is awful!¡± I cheer, feeling the cold breeze on my hot cheeks as we lay on an open field far from the city. ¡°Level three is the worst!¡± Cheers Lucien, smacking his wineskin against mine, and taking a long drink. ¡°Until we reach level four! That one will be even worse!¡± I look over at him, and frown when I notice the leaves stuck in his hair. ¡°What?¡± He asks. ¡°I really need to help you with that,¡± I mumble, reaching over to his hair. He slaps my hand lightly, and gives me a puzzled look. ¡°Your hair. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve helped you wash it,¡± I say, reaching over again, now determined to touch it just to see him frown. ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about it. I can care for it myself,¡± he says, pressing his lips together and furrowing his brows. ¡°That¡¯s what you told me, but look at the state of it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m an adult. I can care for myself.¡± I reach over, and muss his hair. He smiles, and there¡¯s a glint in his eye. ¡°Nooooo,¡± I scold him. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re thinking, don¡¯t do it!¡± He sits up, and grins. He straddles me. ¡°Luuuciiiien! Stop it, you¡¯re drunk!¡± I gasp, and reach up to poke his side, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden. He grabs my hands, and pins them over my head. My cheeks burn hot. He musses my hair, and it puffs up like a cotton ball. When he releases my hands, I push him over, and mount him, pinning his arms above his head in the same manner. He gasps quietly, and his eyes glisten. We struggle against each other until we¡¯re both exhausted. ¡°How,¡± he pants. ¡°Do you have so much energy?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the wine,¡± I say, holding him down when he begins to struggle. ¡°Madam Lyra should let you drink in the shop. You¡¯d be unstoppable. I bet you could do a whole day¡¯s work in just a few hours.¡± ¡°Too bad I¡¯ll have a massive headache the next day.¡± ¡°Well, we should be headed back,¡± he says, struggling against me. ¡°Honestly, Luna, let me go.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re trapped there until I finish my wine.¡± ¡°Luna, don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± he grunts. ¡°I have to meet up with someone in the morning. I could easily overpower you, but I don¡¯t want to hurt you.¡± ¡°Oooh?¡± I sing. ¡°Who are you meeting? You¡¯re not with Lumaria, so this must be someone new. Someone you haven¡¯t told me about.¡± I release his hands, and he hands a wineskin to me, rolling his eyes when I sip it exaggeratingly slowly. His hands slide to my hips, his touch like flames on my skin, and I nearly smack our foreheads together as I fall forward with a soft gasp. ¡°Ia€| did what you told me. I met someone,¡± he mumbles, quietly, grunting as he helps me sit up again. ¡°I hope it¡¯s not another human,¡± I cackle. ¡°No!¡± He blushes. ¡°He¡¯s an old friend from the Grove. I think I mighta€| pursue him.¡± I drink my wine slower, and he struggles beneath me, sending me toppling over. ¡°Lucien! My dress!¡± I yelp, dabbing at my tunic with my apron now covered in wine. ¡°You weren¡¯t even drinking it,¡± he scoffs. ¡°What other prying questions will you ask me?¡± ¡°Is hea€| a good kisser?¡± I ask, sitting up, so I can look at the expressions on his face while he speaks. ¡°I¡¯ve never kissed him.¡± ¡°Is hea€| nicer than Arthur?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t most people?¡± ¡°Not really, but you¡¯re right, that was a stupid question. Uma€| what¡¯s his name? Is it lovely?¡± ¡°Cyrus.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a very nice name. It rolls off the tongue quite nicely. Cyrus. Cyyyyrus. Cyruuuuus. Cyyy-¡± ¡°Stop saying his name, you¡¯re ruining it.¡± ¡°Ruining it? How?¡± ¡°If you must know, you¡¯re making it sound awkward. Like you¡¯re pining for him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not- That¡¯s not how I pine! That would sound morea€| Like begging. Like when Arthur needs you to take his place at the shop. ¡®Oh, Lucien!¡¯ Or ¡®Lu-¡¯¡± Lucien presses a hand to my mouth to silence me. ¡°Please don¡¯t say my name like that,¡± he scolds me. ¡°You sound ridiculous.¡± ¡°Oh? You mean like this? Lucien!¡± I cry out, pleadingly. ¡°Oh, Lucien! My heart calls out to you like Selene does to Sol!¡± His cheeks darken to the deepest shade of blue I¡¯ve ever seen on his face. ¡°Stop it,¡± he mumbles. ¡°You¡¯re behaving like Arthur. It¡¯s annoying.¡± ¡°Excuse you, I¡¯m better than Arthur.¡± After an awkward pause, Lucien sighs. ¡°You¡¯rea€|¡± he rolls his eyes. ¡°Still better than Arthur. You¡¯re right.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± I cheer, hugging him tightly until he pushes me off him. ¡°I knew it. Can I meet him? When you¡¯re botha€| together?¡± ¡°I suppose, since you¡¯ll see him eventually. He¡¯ll be attending the Academy.¡± ¡°Oooh, really? Can I meet him sooner, then? Do you know his schedule? I could pretend to run into him in the halls.¡± He gives me a deadpan stare. ¡°S-Sorry. Uha€| is hea€| younger than you?¡± ¡°Not by much.¡± ¡°Do you prefer them younger?¡± ¡°Do you prefer them older?¡± He grins. ¡°I¡¯m asking the questions.¡± ¡°Then, so can I.¡± ¡°Ugh, Lucien! That¡¯s not fair.¡± ¡°It is. This is starting to feel like an interrogation. Like an Arthur interrogation.¡± ¡°I prefer them older.¡± He chokes back laughter. ¡°I prefer to be with someone younger or my own age, which gets more difficult the longer I live.¡± ¡°Because you like humans?¡± He gasps. ¡°Luna! Have you no shame?¡± ¡°Sorry! I meana€| You have a preference for them.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not making that sound better,¡± he groans, highly offended due to the amount of alcohol he¡¯s imbibed in. ¡°I meana€| Uh- Gods! I¡¯m glad you met Cyrus.¡± He instantly rolls his eyes, and groans. ¡°Don¡¯t tell Arthur about this yet, okay?¡± ¡°Does Arthura€| know all abouta€| never mind. Whatever I know, I probably learned it from him. He¡¯s such aa€| gossip,¡± I mumble. ¡°It takes two to gossip.¡± ¡°I just realized that when I said it aloud.¡± ¡°We really should get going.¡± ¡°I know, you¡¯re righta€| but no matter how tired I get, I can never get enough of this,¡± I say, looking up at the twinkling stars. ¡°Me either.¡± I glance over at him, catching him staring. He clears his throat, and turns his gaze to the sky. ¡°You¡¯re pretty good company, too,¡± I nudge him. He laughs, and nudges me back. ¡°You¡¯re late,¡± I yawn. ¡°Good thing, too. Arthur was looking for you. I told him you were busy studying fora€| I think I said Divination.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± he says, with a bright smile. I curl my lips in, and flare my nostrils, resisting the urge to pry. ¡°Ita€| was wonderful. He¡¯s wonderful. He¡¯s so kind, and I think I¡¯m falling in love!¡± His face lights up. ¡°So, it went well?¡± I grin widely. ¡°Yes! Incredibly well.¡± ¡°Cana€| I pry further?¡± I ask, cautiously. He grins, and there¡¯s a twinkle in his eye. ¡°You may.¡± Cyrus is perfect in every way, based on Lucien¡¯s description of him. It¡¯s endearing how excited he gets talking about their time together. He looks happier than I¡¯ve ever seen him, and I struggle to remain focused on my work, when Lucien is just gliding around the shop so cheerfully, humming as my own heart''s still aching from losing Fox. I¡¯m almost jealous, wishing I could be that happy again. ¡°a€| we couldn¡¯t wander too far from the Academy, but we did sneak away from his friends to speak more privately.¡± ¡°Is it official? Do you have a boyfriend?¡± I ask, putting down my work, giving up on it for the time being. ¡°Maybe. I¡¯m not sure, buta€|¡± He pauses, his face turning a deep shade of blue. ¡°Sweet heavens! Did he kiss you already, Lucien?¡± Lucien grins, and gives a small nod. ¡°Wow! He must really like you. You said elves move at glacial paces when it comes to relationships, but Cyrusa€| He must really like yoooooou,¡± I elbow him in the ribs playfully. ¡°And you must really like him back.¡± ¡°We doa€| move slowly,¡± He says, rubbing his side where I¡¯ve nudged him. ¡°And I think he does. Like me, I mean.¡± ¡°So?¡± I take up a broom and begin sweeping. Lucien continues to wipe down a row of bottles that were just filled. ¡°Do not label them, Lucien. I¡¯ll be done shortly,¡± I warn. ¡°My writing is not that bad.¡± ¡°In your own language, it isn¡¯t.¡± I stare at him threateningly until he puts down his pen. ¡°In common, it¡¯s awful.¡± ¡°Moving ona€| what do I do? Should I plan to meet up with him again? Do I have to wait several days? How does this work? Are we supposed to let it all develop naturally?¡± ¡°You¡¯re asking the wrong person,¡± I laugh, sweeping the debris out the back door. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m doing, either. It¡¯s been made quite clear.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t worry about that. Fox still seems comfortable with you.¡± ¡°I know,¡± I finish up the sweeping, and take up my quill and a stack of small sheets of paper, and begin writing. ¡°But?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a batch of Concentration, right?¡± I ask him. ¡°Yes. Luna, but?¡± ¡°But what? I know he¡¯s still comfortable around me. It¡¯s good. I¡¯m glad. We¡¯re friends.¡± ¡°But?¡± ¡°We¡¯re not talking about it.¡± He huffs. ¡°We will.¡± ¡°Not yet.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± I write labels until we¡¯re finally out of bottles, and my hands are cramped. The remaining scraps of paper are placed back into the box filled with blank ones. Lucien begins brushing adhesive on the bottles, and places each label lop-sided to annoy me. I take up each one, and straighten them out before they dry, then finish off by flicking Lucien¡¯s nose in annoyance. ¡°Ow! You waste time when you do that, you know,¡± he says, his expression serious just before he breaks out into a wide grin. ¡°You waste time when you alsoa€| do that,¡± I pout. Lucien taps my nose, his finger sticky with adhesive. ¡°You got it on my face,¡± I whine. ¡°Where?¡± He cups my cheek, and turns my head in every direction, pretending to search for the glue. I poke his side, making him cry out in pain. ¡°Gods, Lucien! It¡¯s all over me now!¡± I wail, feeling the sticky substance drying out. I pull out globs of adhesive from my hair at the wash basin. Lucien then tosses a wet rag at my face. ¡°Really? Are we playing games today?¡± I ask, grinning, as I threateningly roll up the rag. ¡°No,¡± he says, fearfully. ¡°Absolutely not. I¡¯ll stop.¡± ¡°But I have to get even, Lucien.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll give you a silver coin for your hair troubles.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not enough, Lucien,¡± I sing, approaching him. He jumps out of his chair, and backs away from me. I dip my hand into the bucket of adhesive, and corner him. ¡°Luna, no! I¡¯m sorry.¡± When he¡¯s sufficiently frightened, I ruffle his hair with my clean hand, and put a dot of adhesive on his nose. Lucien sighs with relief when it¡¯s all over. ¡°You¡¯ll pay for lunch today,¡± I tell him, as I clean my hands in the washtub. ¡°And never do that again.¡± Lucien cleans his hands, and picks all of the dried globs of adhesive from my hair. He then braids it, ties it up, and attaches one of his feathers to it. ¡°What would you like? A meat pie?¡± He asks. ¡°Yes, anda€|¡± ¡°Honey cake?¡± ¡°Especially some honey cake after the trouble you¡¯ve put me through.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± At the sound of the bell, I put down my honey cake, wipe my hands on my apron, and rush to the front of the shop. A hooded figure stands by the door, holding their cloak tightly over their body so no part of them is visible. ¡°Welcome,¡± I greet, nervously, trying to catch a glimpse of their face. ¡°What are you searching for?¡± ¡°Greatera€| Greater healing,¡± the man groans. ¡°Please.¡± ¡°That¡¯ll be fifteen silver.¡± He tosses the coins at me, sending them to scatter over the counter and the floor as he catches himself on the edge of the counter. I catch the faintest glimpse of dark blue skin beneath his cloak. I gather the coins, and place them into the box as speedily as possible, then rush to the back of the shop where the more expensive potions are stored. There¡¯s a thud before I¡¯ve even found it. Lucien is on his feet immediately, and is standing over the figure when I return. ¡°What happened?¡± I ask Lucien. ¡°He¡¯sa€| collapsed.¡± Lucien pulls back the cloak, and I gasp when I see it¡¯s a dark elf. There are dry wells of blood where his horns should be, and his ears are bleeding, having been rounded by a knife. His breath is ragged, and his skin is glistening with sweat. Lucien grabs the potion from my trembling hands, removes the cork with his teeth, and pours the deep red colored liquid down the elf¡¯s throat as he holds him up, forcing his mouth closed to make him swallow. He chokes on it, but I can see it already taking effect. His wounds seal, and his breath steadies. When his eyes are finally opened, he pulls his cloak over himself once again, and limps out of the shop in a hurry. Lucien remains on the floor, his hands and apron covered in the elf¡¯s black blood. His breathing begins to come in rasping gasps, getting louder and faster. I place a hand on his shoulder, as tears begin to slide down his cheeks. ¡°I want toa€|¡± Lucien slurs. ¡°Kill the people thata€| did that.¡± ¡°So do I, Lucien, but that would be dangerous.¡± I finish wiping down the counters, and pour another cup of water for Lucien who is already more drunk than I¡¯ve ever seen him. Drinking seemed to be the only way I¡¯d been able to get him to stop crying. Not the best solution, but it kept him quiet enough so that I could tend to the shop. The sight of his crying nearly ripped my heart out of my chest, and I couldn¡¯t stand to watch him for another minute. I slip a drop of concentrated healing potion into his cup, for the hangover he¡¯ll have in the morning. ¡°I bet we could take him,¡± he says, feeling overconfident. ¡°We could, after you¡¯ve sobered up, so be sure to drink up your water.¡± Lucien stares at his cups, and takes a long drink. ¡°Good,¡± I say, encouragingly. ¡°Drink it all up.¡± I sweep up the floor, while keeping a close eye on him. Each time he¡¯s close to finishing his cup of water, I refill it when he¡¯s distracted. After the third cup, he seems confused that he hasn¡¯t reached the bottom yet. ¡°Is this an enchanted cup?¡± He asks. ¡°It is,¡± I lie. ¡°It will keep refilling until you¡¯ve sobered enough. Did you finish your food?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not hungry.¡± ¡°You have to eat. How else are you going to kill thosea€| thosea€|¡± ¡°Fucking bastards!¡± He screams, slamming his hands and the cup on the table, startling me. ¡°At least take a small bite out of the cake. You can¡¯t let it go to waste.¡± ¡°You eat it,¡± he grumbles, sliding the plate across the table towards me, and turns away. ¡°I¡¯m full.¡± ¡°I just can¡¯t,¡± his voice cracks. I rush to his side, hold him, and try to console him as my own heart is breaking from the sight of his sadness. He buries his face into my chest, his tears soaking through my tunic. He grips me tightly with each heaving sob, until they finally subside some moments later. ¡°There we go,¡± I coo, wiping his face up with a clean rag. ¡°Do you think you can eat now? At least one bite? For me?¡± He nods with a weary smile, and spends the rest of the evening picking at his plate of food while I tidy up the rest of the shop. The shop lights are shut off, the front door is locked, and the key is hung up on a hook. At the front counter, I pull out the small wooden box, and begin to count out the coins, setting the fifteen silver aside in hopes of returning them to the elf. I leave a note for Madam Treeleaf, just in case I¡¯m not here if he does happen to return, but I doubt he¡¯ll remain in the city after being injured to such a degree. Lucien walks up behind me, wraps his arms around my waist, and nuzzles his nose into the nape of my neck. ¡°How are you?¡± I ask, returning to my counting. ¡°Thank you, Luna.¡± ¡°Did you eat everything on your plate?¡± He nods, pressed against my back. ¡°Good. Have you sobered up enough to make it back to the Academy safely?¡± Again he nods. ¡°I¡¯m about done here, and then we can go.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± he whispers sadly. He doesn¡¯t stop holding me, determined to wait for me to finish counting the coins, and I¡¯m ashamed to admit I purposely moved slowly. Chapter Twenty-Three I actually... like Cyrus. He seems wonderful, but there¡¯s something beneath the surface that I haven¡¯t quite figured out. It irritates me, and I¡¯m not sure if it¡¯s my own jealousy, or if it¡¯s something more serious. It¡¯s definitely something I don¡¯t intend to share with Lucien, however, especially with all his cringy doting. ¡°Have you ever been to the Temple of Sol?¡± Cyrus asks Lucien excitedly. ¡°I have, but it was so long ago, I can barely recall what it looks like,¡± he replies, his eyes never drifting from Cyrus¡¯ face. ¡°We should go there one day.¡± ¡°We should. We can take everyone with us. You¡¯d like that, wouldn¡¯t you, Luna? To go see the temple?¡± The bubbles in my glass of ale pop, and form a surprised face I have trouble looking away from when Lucien says my name. ¡°Sure, it sounds lovely,¡± I grumble, shocked they remembered I was even there after speaking to each other in hushed tones for so long. ¡°You don¡¯t sound convinced,¡± says Cyrus, haughtily, and there¡¯s a strange glint in his eyes. Is that what it is? Is he full of himself, like Arthur? Is that why Lucien likes him? I glare at him over the rim of my glass, as I take another drink. ¡°Sorry, I just...¡± ¡°I thought you said she was adventurous,¡± Cyrus remarks to Lucien, with a small tap on Lucien¡¯s shoulder. The corner of Lucien¡¯s mouth twitches when he looks at me, and I make a mental note to behave more cheerfully before his head explodes. It was the first time Seraphina, Fox, Arthur and I were free at the same time, and Lucien wanted to officially introduce us to Cyrus. I was excited to have them all join me for this awkward occasion. Unfortunately, Seraphina and Arthur are too distracted gazing longingly at each other, and Fox is too busy pacing the pub floor waiting for his girlfriend to show up to have any meaningful interaction with anyone. I¡¯m stuck watching them flirt on my own, and having my jealousy chip away at me, threatening to make me cause a scene. I didn¡¯t think loneliness could feel more intense in a pub filled with people. ¡°Would you like to dance?¡± Lucien asks Cyrus, his eyes glimmering each time he looks at him. Cyrus grimaces. ¡°I don¡¯t like dancing in public, my love.¡± I cough, and some ale burns the back of my throat. I raise an eyebrow, and give Lucien a look. He notices, and promptly ignores it. ¡°So you¡¯ll dance in private?¡± Lucien teases. I huff, then giggle, and Cyrus glares at me. ¡°Don¡¯t flirt so much, Lucien, but dance with Luna, if you¡¯re so inclined.¡± I gulp down the rest of my ale, leave the table, and pull Fox with me towards the other dancers. Fox gives me a concerned look, fighting against me, his eyes never leaving the pub entrance. ¡°I thought you¡¯d be dancing with our favorite elf,¡± he shouts over the noise of the crowd. ¡°Which one?¡± I laugh. ¡°The new one, or the one that¡¯s forcing me to endure him?¡± ¡°Ha!¡± He laughs with me. ¡°Is it just me or does it seem as if he¡¯s not very interested in meeting us at all, and just wants to violate Lucien¡¯s body? I¡¯m surprised they¡¯re still here. I feel like an intruder.¡± ¡°I¡¯d be surprised if he were interested in anyone at all. I can¡¯t understand anything they¡¯re talking about, as if he¡¯s purposely excluding us from every conversation just to brag about himself.¡± I glance back at our table. Cyrus and Lucien seem unbothered, and are chatting with Seraphina and Arthur. Cyrus is rolling his eyes as Arthur is speaking, but staring longingly at Lucien. ¡°Fox, they could hear you if you¡¯re not careful.¡± ¡°It wouldn¡¯t bother me one bit if they did. Is Lucien serious about him? It¡¯s very strange. He¡¯s great, but he¡¯s so... not like the person I thought he¡¯d be with.¡± ¡°It¡¯s Lucien. Who knows what he¡¯s interested in.¡± ¡°Luna, don¡¯t be ridiculous,¡± he grumbles. ¡°What?¡± ¡°He likes you!¡± ¡°Of course he does, we¡¯re friends.¡± He sighs. ¡°As an actual friend to you-¡± ¡°Now.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°We¡¯re friends now, but-¡± ¡°Right, whatever. I must inform you that he likes you as more than just a friend. I¡¯d know.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not. Lucien is just different.¡± ¡°That¡¯s exactly what I¡¯m trying to say. He treats you differently from the rest of us. He drops anything to be with you. How can you not see that? How can you just watch that disaster happening at that table, and not step in to stop it? This is a disaster, and you¡¯re in denial.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve known him longer, so we¡¯re closer.¡± ¡°Ugh, you¡¯re both so frustrating. Arthur¡¯s known him the longest, and the two of you are much closer than they are. Surely you¡¯ve noticed.¡± ¡°I¡¯m just not as annoying.¡± ¡°Who told you that lie?¡± I gasp. ¡°Fox! You¡¯re so rude!¡± ¡°And you¡¯re being purposely obtuse. You¡¯re absolutely delusional.¡± ¡°Delusional,¡± I whisper. ¡°Is what I¡¯d be if I thought I actually had a chance with him. Or... if I thought my family would accept him. Delusional is what I¡¯d be if I thought anyone would accept our relationship. So yes, we¡¯re friends, Fox. Just friends. You¡¯re the only delusional one here thinking I¡¯d just step in, and ruin my best friend¡¯s happiness for my own selfish feelings.¡± He gives me a surprised look, and continues clumsily dancing with me. ¡°Sorry,¡± he whispers. ¡°You¡¯re... right.¡± Before the dance is over, Fox walks away to dance with his new girlfriend, Elizabeth, who has just arrived. Lucien joins me before long, and I¡¯m too numb from my conversation with Fox to question it. ¡°Do you like him?¡± He asks, hopefully. ¡°Uh- Who? Fox?¡± ¡°No,¡± he scoffs. ¡°Cyrus.¡± ¡°He¡¯s... Yes, I do. He seems to like you, too. You seem to make each other happy.¡± ¡°We do!¡± ¡°I¡¯m happy for you, Luce.¡± ¡°Thanks, Lune.¡± It¡¯s late, and everyone has left. Lucien and I return to the potion shop, both convinced it¡¯s still too early to end the night. He grins wide as I pour more wine into his cup, and takes a long drink. ¡°You seemed to have fun tonight. I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t go home with him,¡± I remark, fighting back my sarcastic tone. ¡°He was exhausted.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t be for long if you¡¯d join him. Won¡¯t you be seeing him tomorrow, anyway? Why not take advantage of the situation? Have a little fun, while you¡¯re at it.¡± Being alone right now would give me the time to think through whatever it was that I was feeling after Fox¡¯s words. ¡°If I¡¯m lucky. He¡¯s very busy getting settled at the Academy.¡± ¡°Ugh!¡± I groan. ¡°I¡¯m so jealous. I need to find someone. Even Seraphina and Arthur are beginning to make me feel lonely.¡± I cover my mouth, embarrassed to have said my thoughts out loud. Lucien holds up a finger to indicate he wants to speak, as he downs the rest of the wine in his cup. ¡°You,¡± he says, taking a deep breath and pausing, because he¡¯s already drunk, and struggling to form a coherent sentence. ¡°Will find someone.¡± ¡°Your hesitation worries me,¡± I tease him. I can almost see the steam curling out of his ears as he thinks. ¡°Have you spoken to Marcellus?¡± He asks, setting his cup down on the table. ¡°I¡¯m not that desperate,¡± I say, shocked he would even mention him. ¡°Do you think Madam Lyra still keeps her sweets here?¡± ¡°I think she caught on when we ate some of her chocolates last time.¡± ¡°Damn. I could use something sweet.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Lucien exclaims. ¡°I think I left some honey cake here.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get my hopes up, Sir Moonshadow.¡± ¡°I¡¯m certain of it. One moment. I think I hid it behind a row of potions. Madam Lyra also has a sweet tooth, if you hadn¡¯t noticed.¡± He searches through the shelves, and cheers when he finds the paper wrapped cake. He sets it on the table, and it glistens in a pool of honey. ¡°I wish Cyrus was here,¡± he says, sadly. ¡°He¡¯d love this. Cake, wine, and a good friend.¡± I take a piece of cake, and devour it in a single bite. He laughs at me, and takes a small nibble of his half. We stare at each other, and I wonder if he has any unspoken thoughts rolling around in his head. ¡°Fox got the feeling Cyrus didn¡¯t really want to meet any of us,¡± I comment, as I lick the honey off my fingers. ¡°He¡¯s... very private.¡± ¡°Why did you drag him out?¡± ¡°I wanted all of you to meet him. You¡¯re my friends, after all. I thought it made sense at the time, but now I¡¯m not so sure. You¡¯re probably right, though. He wasn¡¯t very excited to be there. It was difficult to get him to talk to any of you. I think he prefers places that are more quiet.¡± ¡°Places private enough where he can kiss you?¡± I tease him. For a moment, I think he¡¯s too drunk to react, until his cheeks suddenly become a deep shade of blue. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m a teenager again. Everything feels new and exciting, and I just want to be with him all the time.¡± I chuckle, and lick more honey off my fingers. ¡°Does he make your heart flutter when you see him?¡± I ask. ¡°Yes, he does.¡± ¡°Are you thinking of him all the time?¡± I laugh. ¡°Y-Yes,¡± he gets a deeper shade of blue. ¡°Lucien, I think you¡¯re acting like a teenager.¡± ¡°Gods, is that bad?¡± He asks, panicked. ¡°No, Luce! Enjoy it while you can, you idiot. It doesn¡¯t happen often... not that I¡¯d know. There might be a time when you¡¯ll miss when everything was new and exciting.¡± ¡°That sounds depressing.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not. It¡¯s nice to settle down, too. To be so comfortable with someone that conversation and shared kisses come naturally.¡± The look on his face makes my heart leap. I want to know what it feels like for him to fall in love. Is the feeling as pure and sweet as he is? Is it soft and warm? Does it burn hot and fierce? His face seems filled with fear and excitement, and I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s contagious. I want to fall in love like he has. I play with the honey cake wrapper, lost in thought. It wouldn¡¯t be appropriate to ask him all these questions. ¡°Luna, just grab it, and hand it to me,¡± shouts Lucien up at me, gripping the wobbly ladder with all of his strength to keep it from toppling over. ¡°Just stop shaking the ladder, and it wouldn¡¯t be such a problem.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not shaking it. I¡¯m holding it in place.¡± ¡°Gods,¡± I mutter. ¡°I¡¯m going to die in a pile of glass, covered in healing potions. Over and over and over.¡± I snatch up a bottle, and cast a spell on it to make it float onto the front counter. ¡°Hurry up. I can¡¯t hold this ladder for much longer,¡± he rushes. ¡°You seem to suddenly have thin, dried twigs for arms,¡± I grumble, getting off the ladder. ¡°Well, Cyrus keeps me busy.¡± I choke on a gasp, my cheeks reddening. ¡°He¡¯s moving out of the Academy, remember?¡± He reminds me. ¡°So am I! I¡¯ve been lifting so many boxes helping others move out, too. Where¡¯s your mind going?¡± ¡°O-Oh!¡± ¡°He also keeps me busy with nocturnal activities,¡± he laughs. I huff, and take the potion off the counter to the back of the shop, and prepare it to be delivered. ¡°I¡¯m going out. Don¡¯t let anyone in,¡± I say, curtly. ¡°Oh,¡± he pretends to pout. ¡°You don¡¯t have to be that way. I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s nothing personal, but I¡¯d rather not picture the two of you... ugh, bye.¡± When I return, Lucien peeks down from a slit between the ceiling and the attic door. ¡°It¡¯s just me, Luce. Is Madam Lyra still out?¡± ¡°She is.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯m headed out. I have some studying to do, and there¡¯s nothing left on the list to work on.¡± ¡°Actually,¡± he says, appearing next to me, and causing me to fall back. ¡°Lucien! What did I say about that?¡± ¡°I shouldn¡¯t shadow jump right in front of you.¡± ¡°And what did you just do?¡± ¡°Luna, you¡¯ve been behaving... unusual.¡± I shut my eyes and take a deep breath. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m stressed.¡± ¡°Do you... possibly want to talk about it?¡± ¡°No, not really,¡± I say, overenunciating each word. ¡°Did I do something to upset you?¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°No, Lucien. You know you¡¯re not the center of my life, right?¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± he eyes me, narrowing his eyes. ¡°Well, as it turns out, Madam Lyra has one more potion we need to make.¡± He walks over the small box containing recipes for the more complicated potions. ¡°And what¡¯s that? The list is completed.¡± ¡°Elixir of Truth. She has to send it over to the capital,¡± he says, handing me a blank recipe card. ¡°Such a thing exists?¡± I ask, turning the blank card over in my hands several times. ¡°It¡¯s enchanted,¡± he mutters. ¡°We can only view it when Selene takes her rest.¡± If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Wonderful, so we¡¯re done, because that was last-¡± ¡°I memorized the recipe yesterday when she told me about it. I just had no time because I was with...¡± he giggles. ¡°Well, you know.¡± ¡°Wonderful,¡± I say, placing the card back into the box. ¡°So, do we have all of the ingredients?¡± ¡°She was very specific when she mentioned we have to completely lock down the shop, including the addition of silencing charms on the walls.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± I say, excitedly. ¡°Very secretive.¡± ¡°Yes, and she trusts us to do the job correctly.¡± ¡°Well, then, we can¡¯t let her down. Let¡¯s get started!¡± ¡°Whispering petals?¡± I laugh, pressing my ear to the small jar containing some otherwise normal-looking flower petals. ¡°What¡¯s so special about them?¡± Lucien takes the jar from my hand, and pours the petal into the well of a mortar. ¡°They¡¯re petals from a flower that strengthens vocal cords, and amplifies a speaker¡¯s voice. Often used by singing performers.¡± ¡°I see...¡± I say, watching him crush the petals until they become mush. ¡°And three different types of tears. There must be a large amount of crying during truth-telling. I understand. I¡¯d cry, too, if I had to tell everyone exactly what I¡¯m feeling.¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± he asks, placing the petal mush into the cauldron along with three vials of clear liquids of varying colors. ¡°Sounds dreadful.¡± ¡°As if you¡¯d know.¡± ¡°I tell the truth all the time,¡± I attempt to keep a straight face, then clear my throat to keep myself from laughing. ¡°You couldn¡¯t even keep a straight face,¡± he laughs. ¡°You liar.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad this potion isn¡¯t sold in the shop. Can you imagine?¡± ¡°Afraid of telling the truth, Luna?¡± ¡°No!¡± I scoff. ¡°I¡¯m afraid of talking about feelings.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± he hums, taking a taste of the concoction in the cauldron. ¡°It¡¯s about done.¡± ¡°How can you just... taste that? Aren¡¯t you afraid of what it might do?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not glowing yet, but the instructions say to taste it. It should taste like citrus. It¡¯s quite zesty. And unlike you, I don¡¯t mind telling the truth, and sharing my feelings.¡± ¡°Is it potent?¡± ¡°Extremely.¡± Lucien grabs me by the wrist when I reach into the cauldron. ¡°What?¡± I laugh. ¡°It could be finished any moment now,¡± he warns. ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be fine,¡± I laugh. ¡°If it glows, it¡¯s finished.¡± ¡°Then let go of my hand, so I can be quick about it. I could have already tasted it.¡± The potion glows brightly the moment it touches my tongue. I stare at Lucien in disbelief. ¡°I warned you,¡± he chuckles. ¡°Gods, this is all your fault. Now, I¡¯m in trouble.¡± ¡°The worst part is, we can¡¯t leave until everything is bottled and labeled.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not serious. I need to leave.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to take down the enchantments. It¡¯ll waste too much time to take them down for you to leave, and then I have to put them back up,¡± he sighs, frustrated. ¡°We can just work in silence, like we have all day, or I can lock you in the closet.¡± ¡°Closet.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I don¡¯t want to be stuck here all night. You¡¯re helping me.¡± I clamp my hand over my mouth to keep myself from speaking, and he gives me a puzzled look. ¡°You are in trouble, aren¡¯t you?¡± He gets up, and pours me a glass of water. ¡°Drink. It should pass through your system quickly.¡± I down the glass of water, and take several deep breaths. ¡°Silence, then?¡± I nod. ¡°Are you afraid of what you might say to me?¡± I press my lips together, and stare at him wide-eyed. ¡°Very well. It won¡¯t be any different than it was this morning, when you completely ignored me for gods know what.¡± I flare my nostrils, and begin the cooling process of the concoction. ¡°How long will it take to cool?¡± I ask. He sighs, and walks over to a bucket filled to the brim with water. ¡°Not long. We can water this one down. Write some labels.¡± He pours the water into the cauldron while I spend some time neatly tearing up some pieces of paper. I scrawl the words ¡®Truth Serum¡¯ on each one, and stack them neatly in a pile. ¡°Five years we¡¯ve known each other, and you¡¯re still afraid of me,¡± he murmurs. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of you, Luce.¡± ¡°I suppose that¡¯s comforting.¡± I look up at him. He¡¯s stirring the cauldron, while staring into the flames of the fire. ¡°Why do you... nothing,¡± I scoff. ¡°Your heart is always pounding when I¡¯m near you, Lune.¡± ¡°You¡¯re such an idiot. That doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m afraid of you.¡± ¡°Then what is it?¡± I gasp, and cover my mouth, fighting the urge to speak as the sounds force their way out of my mouth. It¡¯s because I love him. I know I love him. I don¡¯t want to ever admit it out loud, not to myself, not to my journal, and definitely not to him. It would make it true. ¡°Don¡¯t answer that!¡± He scolds. I sigh with relief, as the words settle back inside me, no longer wishing to escape. ¡°Did Madam Lyra leave you with instructions for how to deal with accidental truth serum consumption?¡± I ask. ¡°No, because she was very specific about when to taste it, and didn¡¯t think an accident would happen. You¡¯re in luck, however, because when I was younger, I had the displeasure of watching it in action.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± I put my pen down, and for lack of something better to do, I straighten out the small pile of labels. ¡°We¡¯ll need to burn any remaining labels. There¡¯s to be no evidence remaining that these were created. Do you understand?¡± I nod. ¡°It¡¯s Cyrus, isn¡¯t it?¡± He blurts. ¡°Lucien, don¡¯t. I-¡± ¡°Sorry, don¡¯t answer that,¡± he says quickly. I sigh with relief. ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t want to tell you, I¡¯m just afraid you won¡¯t like the answer to that. Gods! Lucien!¡± He stares, his mouth agape. ¡°Don¡¯t... look at me like that. How long will this thing last?¡± I panic. ¡°Then what is it?¡± ¡°Lucien!¡± Lucien dips his finger into the cauldron, and licks his finger. ¡°We¡¯re even. Talk to me.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t just do that. It¡¯s not fair! You have nothing to hide.¡± ¡°I have plenty to hide. Quick, create some rules. Don¡¯t say anything if it¡¯ll risk your life.¡± ¡°I have many questions about that.¡± ¡°Lune! Agree.¡± ¡°Fine, I agree. Nothing life-threatening.¡± ¡°Is it Cyrus? I get the feeling you¡¯re jealous of him, but I¡¯m not sure why. He¡¯s always nice, and we¡¯re still spending time together. It doesn¡¯t feel natural, and I¡¯m not sure what¡¯s happening. I feel like I¡¯m losing you, and you¡¯re distancing yourself from me.¡± ¡°No! That¡¯s not it at all. I would never do that to you on purpose I just feel like...¡± ¡°Finish that sentence.¡± The words threatening to spill out are becoming easier to control. The effects of the potion are beginning to weaken. Lucien dips his finger in the cauldron, and shoves it in my mouth. ¡°Yuck! Lucien! Why did you do that?¡± ¡°Talk. To. Me. Lune. I feel like I¡¯m losing you.¡± ¡°We won¡¯t ever talk about this night again! That is my condition. Agree to it.¡± ¡°I agree. Talk to me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m jealous of Cyrus, and I think you¡¯re too good for him!¡± ¡°Jealous?¡± He cries out. ¡°Why would you be jealous?¡± He stands to his feet, and leans over the table, mere inches from my face. I want to move away, but I¡¯m drawn to him. I feel a rush of heat on my cheeks, my heart pounding. He looks down briefly towards my chest, then into my eyes. ¡°You¡¯re doing it again,¡± he murmurs. ¡°We won¡¯t talk about this ever again?¡± ¡°I already agreed.¡± ¡°You swear?¡± ¡°Lune, when have I ever lied to you?¡± ¡°And we¡¯ll still be friends?¡± His face softens. ¡°Of course. That¡¯s all I want.¡± Tears begin to stream down my eyes, and he cups my cheek with his palm. ¡°You don¡¯t have to tell me, Lune,¡± he says, kissing my forehead. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°You also spend more time with him. I feel like I¡¯m losing you, too,¡± I cry. ¡°What?¡± He pinches my cheeks. ¡°You¡¯re jealous?¡± ¡°Yes. You, Arthur, Fox, and Seraphina. All four of you are occupied with your relationships, and you¡¯ve all forgotten me! You even take Cyrus stargazing, and he gets so bored, it¡¯s not even fun anymore,¡± I whine. ¡°He just sighs, and I feel like he¡¯s waiting for me to leave so he can just... attack you with his- his whole body,¡± I shudder. ¡°He doesn¡¯t attack me with his body. He usually just wants to go to sleep.¡± ¡°Lucien, does he even sit down with you, and have a proper conversation? Every time the two of you talk, he¡¯s saying so many words and they don¡¯t mean anything.¡± ¡°Yeeee...¡± he begins. I can sense his struggle. ¡°No.¡± ¡°See? He doesn¡¯t care about you, and I¡¯m just watching all this from a distance.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean he doesn¡¯t care about me. You don¡¯t know everything!¡± ¡°Oh, Luce!¡± I say, in disbelief. ¡°You can¡¯t think that!¡± ¡°He¡¯s a bad communicator.¡± ¡°If he¡¯s bad, imagine me! I never want to talk, and I¡¯m sure we have more meaningful conversations than the two of you.¡± His mouth falls open, and I close it for him. ¡°I had to give you a truth potion!¡± He exclaims. ¡°And... that¡¯s why you¡¯re not in a relationship with me.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not in a relationship with me because I¡¯m an elf.¡± ¡°First, that¡¯s not enough to deter me. Second, I¡¯d love to be in a relationship with you, but you¡¯re with Cyrus now, and I¡¯m not about to ruin your happiness,¡± I gasp and cover my mouth. ¡°Would you really?¡± ¡°Well, of course. Have you seen yourself? Have you met yourself? You¡¯re perfect,¡± I can¡¯t stop myself. His cheeks darken. ¡°Luna... You¡¯re...¡± ¡°And not to mention all the futures I¡¯ve already imagined with you. Waking up at your side after- Please tell me to stop talking.¡± ¡°Stop talking. Don¡¯t say anything you¡¯ll regret later,¡± he clears his throat. ¡°I already regret everything I¡¯ve just admitted to you, honestly.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Tell me not to kiss you.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Say it!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t... don¡¯t kiss me.¡± ¡°Why did you hesitate?¡± ¡°Because I wouldn¡¯t mind it. Your lips would probably taste like honey,¡± he says softly, staring at my lips. ¡°The potion has made us lose our minds! Let¡¯s just finish this up, and never speak of this again.¡± In the morning, I struggle through my classes, and get to the shop much later than intended. Madam Lyra is at the counter, happily mending a patch into her cloak when she spots me. ¡°Luna, you look awful!¡± ¡°I imagine Lucien doesn¡¯t look much better,¡± I say, with a yawn and weary smile. ¡°Well, now that you mention it...¡± ¡°It¡¯s alright. I just had a long day. Some potion preparations will feel like a... like a breath of fresh air compared to my summoning courses.¡± ¡°Summoning, bah!¡± Madam Lyra scoffs. ¡°I don¡¯t know when I¡¯ll ever need a wood nymph or a... a spirit of the forest. In an emergency, perhaps, but by the time I finish, I¡¯d be dead.¡± ¡°Luna made friends with a Shadowstalker when she was traveling here from Bellehaven,¡± shouts Lucien from the back room. ¡°That¡¯s useful.¡± ¡°It could be,¡± mutters Madam Lyra with a shrug. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind... and it¡¯s not as if I¡¯m abandoning you two every day, but...¡± ¡°Go,¡± I say encouragingly. ¡°Go see Master Eaimer. I know he¡¯s here for a visit.¡± ¡°He¡¯s just such a...¡± she begins dreamily. ¡°Well of know-¡± ¡°Enough excuses,¡± says Lucien. ¡°We know you know that we know.¡± Her cheeks go red. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want to meet with him, Luna?¡± ¡°And cut into your private time? Why would I do such a dreadful thing to you? I¡¯ll meet him eventually.¡± ¡°The task list is on the-¡± ¡°You¡¯ll cover lun-¡± ¡°Of course!¡± ¡°And dinner?¡± She sighs. ¡°And dinner. But only for the two of you. The others don¡¯t work here, and they don¡¯t run my shop perfectly for me while I¡¯m away.¡± ¡°Our names should be on the sign,¡± calls Lucien. ¡°Oooh, imagine it, Madam Lyra!¡± I exclaim, excitedly, enjoying the look of shock on her face. ¡°Treeleaf, Moonshadow, and Masters.¡± ¡°Oh, the two of you! You¡¯re cheeky. You¡¯re lucky I tolerate you.¡± She gets up from her seat, disappears into the back room, and reappears with her cloak and a small wrapped package. The door shuts before I get the opportunity to ask her what it is. I enter the back of the shop, hang up my cloak, and take down my apron, scanning the task list as I tie up my hair. Lucien¡¯s face catches my eye, and I freeze in place. Something is different about it. ¡°Do you like it?¡± He smiles, and flutters his eyelashes at me. ¡°Like what?¡± I ask, looking over the task list. ¡°My... hair...¡± he blushes. ¡°Your-¡± It¡¯s all gone. His hair... His beautiful locks are much shorter, only reaching the back of his neck. ¡°LUCIEN! What happened?¡± I cry out, reaching out for it. He winces, and laughs. ¡°I cut it, obviously,¡± he says, brushing my hand away. ¡°I can see that! But why?¡± ¡°I thought it was time. I haven¡¯t been able to care for it properly, and it was getting too long. Does it look alright?¡± ¡°Oh!¡± I cry out, sadly. ¡°How could you do such a thing? You didn¡¯t have to cut it so short. If I¡¯d known you were going to do that, I¡¯d have volunteered to care for it myself.¡± I run a hand over his head, and I¡¯m surprised at how odd he looks. ¡°It¡¯s just hair, Luna,¡± he pushes my hands away. ¡°It¡¯ll grow back. I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll reach its full length before the end of our examinations.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not soon enough,¡± I pout, returning to my work. ¡°You¡¯ll be fine.¡± It¡¯s a quiet, lazy morning in the shop, and Lucien and I are able to get most of our tasks completed without many distractions. Lucien seems to be moving around faster, and I wonder how much his hair actually weighed, but he no longer seems to glide across the floor, it¡¯s more of a scurry. ¡°It wasn¡¯t Cyrus, was it?¡± I ask, stirring one of the pots with a Whirlwind spell and a large ladle. ¡°What about him?¡± ¡°Did he make you cut your hair?¡± He stands over my shoulder, and I turn back to look at him, pouting when he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear. He bites his lip to keep from smiling. It drives me mad how hard he makes me fight the urge to kiss him. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were so attached to my hair. Should I be worried we won¡¯t be friends anymore? Are you friends with me or my head?¡± I roll my eyes, and return to my pot. ¡°No, Lucien,¡± I scoff. ¡°It¡¯s just hair.¡± ¡°Oh, good,¡± he chuckles. ¡°I¡¯ll find you when it becomes too much effort to care for next time.¡± I wipe my hands off on my apron. Lucien does the same, and, staying an awkward few inches away from my face the whole way up, we get to our feet. I reach up to touch the ends of his hair, and tut. ¡°What about all your jewels?¡± I ask, searching his hair for them. ¡°I keep them on me. They¡¯ve just been... refashioned,¡± he says, waving his ring-covered fingers at me, and pulling out a chained necklace with charms. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll just have to keep your lucky feather, then. At least until you have enough hair to wear it.¡± ¡°I was going to let you keep it, anyway.¡± ¡°Really? Don¡¯t you need luck if you¡¯re going to be chopping your hair off for some boyfriend you just got?¡± ¡°Luna, my friend, you sound a tad bitter.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not bitter. I¡¯m just mad that you cut off all your hair.¡± Of course I¡¯m bitter and jealous. I¡¯m not an idiot. ¡°It¡¯ll grow back, and you¡¯ll laugh at yourself for getting so upset about it in the first place. I didn¡¯t even cut it that much.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not upset,¡± I pout. ¡°And you did! You can¡¯t even braid it in that state.¡± He taps my nose with his finger, laughs, then carries on with his work. We spend the rest of the morning working quietly with each other until lunch, when we¡¯re forced to sit together and talk. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean... to be so stupid.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Lucien,¡± I murmur. ¡°Is that really how you solve all your problems? Just ignore them, and hope they go away? I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± I sigh. ¡°I forgive you.¡± ¡°Forgive me? For what, exactly?¡± ¡°For...¡± I smirk at him. ¡°For stupidly cutting all your hair. Especially for someone like Cyrus. If you ask me, you either have the wrong boyfriend if he doesn¡¯t like your friends, or you have the wrong friends if they don¡¯t like your boyfriend.¡± ¡°I guess I have the wrong friends.¡± ¡°Lucien!¡± I gasp, feigning shock. ¡°You¡¯re such a traitor.¡± ¡°You said it was one or the other.¡± I play with a grape, rolling it across my plate several times before eating it. There¡¯s an awkward silence and tension in the air as we sit there grasping for words to say to each other. I know he knows. I watch him open and close his mouth several times until he looks dejected. Is this my last chance, and I¡¯m casting it away for the sake of not embarrassing myself? Is it his last chance, and he¡¯s struggling just the same? ¡°You wouldn¡¯t really choose him over us, would you?¡± I ask with mild concern. ¡°You¡¯re so serious,¡± he murmurs, amused. ¡°Should I be worried?¡± ¡°No, I jus...| I worry about you.¡± ¡°Luna, it¡¯s just hair,¡± he sighs. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong, but... how am I supposed to find you in a large crowd now?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. Are the horns, red eyes, and pale, blue skin not enough for you?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, I can just look for your insanely large ears poking out above the crowds.¡± ¡°They¡¯re not... that large are they?¡± He asks, covering his ears with his palms. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± I hum. ¡°After seeing Cyrus¡¯ ears, I¡¯d think you could hear the heavens. ¡°Dammit, Luna,¡± he sneers. ¡°Your ears are perfect, Luce.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right. Yours are just too short.¡± ¡°Of course. Only one of us could be...¡± ¡°You can say it. I¡¯m perfect.¡± ¡°I hate you.¡± ¡°Will you please, for once in your life, focus!¡± Shouts Lucien at Arthur. ¡°I can¡¯t spend the rest of the day teaching you this spell. I have to meet up with Cyrus before he leaves the city.¡± ¡°S-Sorry,¡± mumbles Arthur. ¡°I just...¡± Arthur stares around the room, tapping his foot nervously on the floor. His eyes settle on me. ¡°Luna, how does one know if someone is ready to settle down?¡± Lucien and I exchange a puzzled glance, then hide our smiles. ¡°Is this about Seraphina?¡± I laugh. ¡°Fuck, is it obvious?¡± He rubs his face roughly with his hands, and runs them through his hair, making it stick out at all angles. ¡°It seems she¡¯s always at the forefront of your mind lately,¡± I sing, glancing up at Lucien, who is trying to hide a smile. ¡°I want to marry her.. I think. What if she says no?¡± ¡°Arthur, you live together. She tolerates you better than anyone else. She hasn¡¯t killed you despite being within such close proximity, with plenty of opportunities. I think she¡¯ll say yes.¡± ¡°Do you think she¡¯ll like this ring?¡± He reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a gold band with an emerald surrounded by diamonds. I walk over to get a closer look, continuing to polish the silver knife in my hands. ¡°It¡¯s delicate, and colorful, just like she is,¡± says Lucien. ¡°She¡¯ll like it,¡± I say. ¡°And not because it¡¯s breathtakingly beautiful, but because she already likes you.¡± He shoves the ring into his pocket when the shop door rings. Seraphina walks into the back room after greeting Madam Lyra. Madam Lyra has long given up trying to keep them out of the shop, only warning them that she won¡¯t tolerate any slacking on Lucien¡¯s and my part if they distract us. ¡°Arthur, are you ready for dinner?¡± She asks. ¡°Y-Yes,¡± he says, quickly getting to his feet. ¡°Was he a good student today?¡± She asks Lucien. ¡°The worst,¡± replies Lucien, seriously. He fusses with Arthur¡¯s hair, forcing it to lie flat. Arthur glares at him. Lucien struggles to remain serious, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. Arthur pushes Lucien away, but misses him each time, as Lucien gracefully dodges him. ¡°Arthur! I told you not to give Lucien a hard time,¡± she whines. ¡°Are the two of you coming?¡± ¡°No, no, noooo,¡± says Lucien. ¡°I''ve got too much to do.¡± Seraphina looks at me questioningly. ¡°I¡¯m also busy with the same. Madam Lyra will make us scrub cacti again if we fall behind on work again.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go then, Arthur. We¡¯ll talk about your lessons with Lucien later.¡± When they leave, Lucien and I burst into a fit of giggles. ¡°She¡¯s going to be stuck with him forever. Poor Seraphina,¡± laughs Lucien. ¡°I don¡¯t know. He¡¯s been... better lately. Almost likable, and... tolerable?¡± ¡°It¡¯s as if he¡¯s a new man.¡± ¡°I guess he¡¯ll really be Arthur Ainsley soon. That has a nice ring to it.¡± ¡°It does,¡± he says, returning to his work of crushing some dry herbs into a fine powder. I return to my polishing, when Lucien¡¯s ears twitch. He rushes to the attic of the shop, vanishing into a curl of smoke. I focus my energy on integrating our work areas, as if I¡¯d been on my own. When I¡¯ve polished my last knife, someone walks into the back of the shop, and watches me. I peek up, and smile. ¡°Yes? Did Madam Treeleaf need something?¡± I get to my feet, and bow politely at the stranger, taking in his messy appearance, and a shining dagger at his waist. ¡°Where¡¯s the elf?¡± He snarls. ¡°Elf?¡± I ask, innocently. ¡°What elf?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t play dumb. Where did you hide him?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what you-¡± He shoves me aside, forcing me against the sharp edge of a counter, and running out into the garden through the back door. He¡¯s angry when he returns, and knocks over the work table, sending all of the herbs and tools flying. I curse internally when I see he¡¯s broken my favorite measuring scale. ¡°You better find out where he went when I return!¡± he shouts at Madam Treeleaf. ¡°You better save your threats for the city guards, then!¡± She shouts back. ¡°Leave this shop immediately.¡± I rush to the front of the shop, and watch him as he runs his hands along the shop shelves, leaving behind a trail of shattered glass behind him. When the door closes behind him, Madam Treeleaf glances at me, huffs, then pushes past me. She pulls her cloak over her shoulders, and stops at the door. ¡°Do not open this door for anybody,¡± she warns, holding a finger up to me. ¡°Do you understand? I¡¯ll be back.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll clean this mess up.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± After I¡¯ve swept up the glass, and the mess of powders and silverware, I pull the invisible cord attached to the seamless attic door, and make my way up the stairs with a cup of tea, and a small plate of cookies. I find Lucien sleeping soundly under the warm light of the window, and I almost don¡¯t want to wake him. He looks comfortable and angelic on his makeshift bed where he now sleeps, (since he¡¯s no longer welcome in the Academy). His ear twitches, letting me know he¡¯s already heard me come in. ¡°How much damage?¡± He asks, not opening his eyes. ¡°He stupidly went for all the cheap potions,¡± I say, with a weary smile, setting down the cup of tea, and cookies on his nightstand. ¡°You¡¯re not going to slack off for the rest of the day, are you?¡± He sits up, puts his arms around me, and pull me down next to him. I prop myself on one arm, and look down at his smiling face. ¡°I brought you some tea,¡± I grin. ¡°I saw.¡± ¡°And some cookies from the bakery. Your favorite.¡± He turns to the plate, then looks back at me, and opens his mouth. ¡°You¡¯re not really expecting me to feed you, are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve had an awful day,¡± he whines. I sigh dramatically, and take a cookie off the plate, setting it on the nightstand. He opens his mouth, his cheeks flushed, and I can feel heat radiating off his body. ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered,¡± I say, holding the cookie just far enough out of his reach. ¡°How dark elves sleep with those horns. Doesn¡¯t it bother you? Or are they just short enough for them not to interfere with your pillow?¡± He smirks. ¡°And why are you thinking about sleeping dark elves?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± I say, taking a bite out of the cookie, and placing the rest of it in his mouth. ¡°I suppose you could sleep on your side, but I¡¯ve seen other dark elves-¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he sighs. ¡°They can be shaped if it¡¯s a bother.¡± ¡°Shaped?¡± I gasp. ¡°Yes. The only place they hurt is where they meet the head. We can feel pain there.¡± ¡°I see,¡± I say, tapping the base of his horn, until he brushes my hand away in annoyance. I stare out the window in search of distraction, finding a shop owner across the way sweeping the walkway in front of his shop with a broom that looks like it¡¯s seconds from falling apart. Lucien reaches over me, and takes another cookie off the plate. He eats one, stuffs one in my mouth, and takes another into his hand just before lying back in his bed again. ¡°You¡¯re daydreaming again,¡± he states. ¡°What about?¡± I look down at him, and smile, as I watch him eat yet another cookie. ¡°Hmm,¡± I say, finishing off my own. ¡°I¡¯m just tired. My spells have been quite difficult.¡± ¡°Do you need help?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± I sigh, settling down at his side. ¡°Are you sure?¡± He asks, putting one arm around me, and pulling me closer. ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± I say, fighting the urge to nuzzle up against him. ¡°Are you sure, Luna?¡± He asks more seriously. I look up at him, and the look of worry on his face makes my heart race. He smiles, and I know he can hear my heart pounding in my chest. I wish he wouldn¡¯t insist on toying with me. ¡°I¡¯m absolutely sure. Once I¡¯ve given up, I¡¯ll just send a letter to Master Eaimer.¡± ¡°Really? Master Eaimer? Why would you do that when I¡¯m right here?¡± ¡°He¡¯s better at teaching.¡± Lucien¡¯s expression softens, and his gaze falls to my mouth. ¡°I suppose you¡¯re right.¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯m right,¡± I laugh, sitting up, now staring at his lips. I feel hot and uncomfortable, and I need to leave before I do something I¡¯ll regret. ¡°Try not to slack off all day, alright, Luce?¡± ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Chapter Twenty-Four ¡°Good morning, Lune,¡± Lucien says, less cheerfully than usual as he enters the shop from his room upstairs. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? You couldn¡¯t spend the night with your lover boy?¡± ¡°What are you going on about?¡± he groans. ¡°You sound disappointed. I can only assume you couldn¡¯t sleep because you weren¡¯t with him.¡± ¡°Not that it¡¯s any of your business, but no, I didn¡¯t. He was busy.¡± ¡°Is that why you¡¯re upset?¡± ¡°Partially.¡± ¡°I¡¯m shocked. He never turns down the opportunity.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s fine. I just forgot what it¡¯s like to sleep... alone,¡± his cheeks darken when I smirk. ¡°I couldn¡¯t keep my eyes shut worrying about him. I¡¯m exhausted.¡± ¡°I see. I didn¡¯t get much sleep myself. I can¡¯t wait to have my own room at the Academy. I¡¯m so tired of Henry¡¯s snoring.¡± ¡°Henry?¡± He looks surprised for a moment, then starts at the sound of the kettle whistling. ¡°Who¡¯s Henry?¡± ¡°He¡¯s Rosalina¡¯s boyfriend,¡± I say, handing him a cup of tea. He¡¯s been staying over often. He¡¯s very sweet, but he snores like a mist caller when he¡¯s sick.¡± ¡°I refuse to believe those creatures are real.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve clearly never been to Mirror Lake during mating season.¡± I mimic the cry of a whale I¡¯d once heard when I lived in Mirror Lake, the sound closest to a Mist-Caller. Lucien laughs, then hisses as he spills his tea over the rim of his cup onto his hand. ¡°He can¡¯t possibly sound like that. If he does, he should seek a priest.¡± ¡°He¡¯s much better now, but he was like that for days.¡± ¡°And Rosalina let him stay?¡± ¡°Well, he doesn¡¯t live in the city. He¡¯s traveled from Port Quelil.¡± ¡°So, he keeps you up at night, and he smells of fish? Does he not have any money for a room at an inn?¡± ¡°He smells like the ocean, not fish. And his oil paints. He¡¯s an artist, and spends his days creating seascapes and the most beautiful pictures of the city when he¡¯s here. You should see them. He sells them in the market.¡± ¡°If he¡¯s a good artist, he¡¯d have money. Most artists are rich nobles, who pick up painting as a hobby, but I suppose that sounds nice. I¡¯d love to meet him, if I was permitted at the market,¡± he pouts, taking a seat at the table, and finishing off my pastry. ¡°Hey! I was eating that.¡± ¡°I¡¯m starving. Losing sleep does that to you. Besides, you can get more. You¡¯re allowed to wander the city freely.¡± ¡°Gods, if you¡¯re so miserable, why don¡¯t you just return to Dark Grove? Master Eaimer is a better instructor than most of the professors at the Academy, anyway, according to you and Madam Lyra. And you¡¯d be safer.¡± ¡°Trying to get rid of me, too?¡± ¡°You know that¡¯s not what I meant.¡± ¡°Cyrus is determined to remain in the city as long as possible for some reason, and also keeps advising me to return to the Grove. I¡¯d gladly be out of your hair if he¡¯d just come with me.¡± I wince. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it like that. It just doesn¡¯t seem enjoyable being trapped here all day, and sneaking around to go see Cyrus gods know where in the middle of the night. If he cared enough, you¡¯d both be safe already.¡± ¡°There are still humans out there that support the dark elves, so he¡¯s not in complete danger yet.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a comfort to hear,¡± I snark. Lucien pauses, and one of his ears flicks, standing straighter than the other, a motion I¡¯ve learned means he¡¯s focused on a distant sound. ¡°What is it?¡± I ask. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Two women that sound very much like you, and keep saying your name.¡± ¡°How on earth could you pick that out with all the people walking outside?¡± He shrugs, pressing his fingers to the crumbs on my plate, and licking them off his fingers. ¡°It¡¯s like being able to control where your eyes focus, but for hearing. If I hear something that catches my interest, I can tune the other sounds out.¡± ¡°Even with the powers of an elf, I get the least desirable ability. That sounds much better than night vision. Those women, by the way, are probably my sisters. I keep forgetting you¡¯ve never met them.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t look very excited about seeing them. I thought you would be, since you never stop talking about them.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been working on this paper for Professor Amsel for days. I haven¡¯t quite mastered Astral Projection, and needed the extra points in case I fail to do it successfully. I thought I¡¯d be done with it by now.¡± ¡°You daydream all the time. How could you not be good at it?¡± He laughs. ¡°I¡¯d have thought you¡¯d be an expert.¡± ¡°Daydreaming is not the same. I get lost in it. Astral Projection is almost the exact opposite.¡± ¡°Then, would you be terrible at water magic?¡± ¡°I... can¡¯t answer that.¡± ¡°Does it have to do with Fox?¡± ¡°Lucien...¡± ¡°Why are your sisters coming here?¡± He quickly changes the subject. ¡°Is it a special occasion? I thought you saw them on the weekends.¡± ¡°It¡¯s our birthday.¡± ¡°It¡¯s your... Gods, Luna! I¡¯m the worst friend! I completely forgot!¡± ¡°You forgot the past two years, as well, but I¡¯m not going to hold it against you just yet.¡± ¡°Lune! I need to get you a gift.¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t. Drink your tea, finish the task list. I¡¯ll return after lunch.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t rush back.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t. Trust me. I¡¯d have to look at this dreadful paper more.¡± ¡°I can take a look at it for you, if you¡¯d like.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a saint, Luce. You¡¯re right up there with... I don¡¯t know any saint names, but you¡¯d be Saint Lucien.¡± ¡°Stop,¡± he says, rolling his eyes. ¡°Go. I don¡¯t need your cheap flattery.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not cheap. You should feel honored. I don¡¯t freely hand those out.¡± ¡°Mother is going to wonder why you¡¯re the only one that¡¯s not married yet,¡± says Celestia, furrowing her brows, and picking an herb off her plate. ¡°You¡¯re the eldest, Lous,¡± adds Solera, sneaking a bite of Celestia¡¯s food while she looks away. ¡°I¡¯m so glad we can celebrate this wonderful occasion by talking about my pathetic love life. I¡¯m almost sad I got you both gifts.¡± ¡°What are these, anyway?¡± Asks Celestia, admiring her new necklace. ¡°They have a strange aura.¡± ¡°I bought some jewels from the shop, and had them enchanted with a small protection charm and a bit of luck.¡± ¡°That sounds more expensive than what I got for you,¡± groans Solera, her shoulders slumping. ¡°I spent all my coins on my new home on the nicer side of the city. Didn¡¯t we agree on a budget?¡± ¡°I spent all of mine on my wedding,¡± sighs Celestia, not looking too regretful. ¡°Well, I¡¯m still living at the Academy, so I just spend mine on classes, and send money back to our parents.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the favorite now,¡± whines Solera. ¡°Marcellus is their favorite,¡± I inform her. ¡°That¡¯s true,¡± she laughs, and slaps Celestia¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I swear I get more updates from mother regarding Marcellus than about father. Is he even still alive?¡± Celestia cackles, and coughs, choking on her ale. ¡°He¡¯s fine. She quickly changed her tune once he started helping her around the house, and giving father a break. He¡¯s the perfect son. And we did decide on a budget. You spent more than you should have on our gifts.¡± ¡°It¡¯s the thought that counts. I love my new book! I can¡¯t wait to read it. And, Sols, I love this delicate piece you made for me. It¡¯s going to be my most favorite bookmark.¡± ¡°Look at her being all nice,¡± tuts Celestia. ¡°Been spending time with Lucien? How is he, anyway? Why didn¡¯t he greet us?¡± ¡°He couldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Seriously, Celestia is right,¡± comments Solera. ¡°What¡¯s happening to you, Lous? Did you take a potion before you joined us for lunch?¡± ¡°You two are the worst people I¡¯ve ever had the displeasure of knowing.¡± ¡°There she is!¡± They both cry out joyfully. ¡°I¡¯m just happy to be done with my Astral Projection paper. Lucien said he would read it over for me, so I should pass.¡± ¡°You¡¯re still working on that? I finished mine weeks ago,¡± mumbles Solera. ¡°Why is Lucien still in the city, anyway? Shouldn¡¯t he return home? He¡¯d be safer. Is he an idiot?¡± ¡°If you ask me, I¡¯d say he is. He¡¯s staying for his boyfriend.¡± ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous!¡± Cries Celestia. ¡°Why is his boyfriend still here?¡± ¡°I honestly have no idea. They¡¯re a pair of idiots, and perfect for each other.¡± ¡°Hmph,¡± she scoffs. ¡°I thought he was smart. There¡¯s someone out there for everyone. You¡¯ll find him soon, Lous.¡± ¡°Well, Lucien¡¯s certainly not thinking with his brain, that¡¯s for sure,¡± I mutter. Solera snorts into her cup, and spills ale on her shirt. ¡°Lous. Gods, you¡¯re going to make me choke!¡± ¡°Sorry. Anyway, in addition to that awful assignment, I haven¡¯t been getting much sleep. My roommate¡¯s boyfriend snores all night.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t miss sleeping at the Academy,¡± says Celestia, rolling a grape over her plate. ¡°But Edward snores sometimes, and I just want to suffocate him with his pillow. He¡¯ll be sleeping soundly one moment, then suddenly sounds like he¡¯s sawing logs.¡± ¡°Adam is perfect,¡± says Solera, with a dreamy sigh. ¡°We know,¡± Celestia and I say bitterly, rolling our eyes at each other. ¡°Well, I know the three of us have to return to work,¡± I continue. ¡°So I¡¯ll be seeing you in two weeks for dinner, right?¡± ¡°Same time, same place,¡± agrees Celestia. Solera nods. ¡°Send our greetings to Lucien and his boyfriend.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not,¡± I mumble. ¡°But should he ask, I might mention it.¡± ¡°How was your lunch?¡± Calls Lucien, the moment I set foot past the door. I walk through the shop, and enter the back room, where I find Lucien stirring two cauldrons at the same time, and using a wind spell to write labels. ¡°My sisters asked me to send their greetings.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s... nice,¡± he hums. After clearing a spot on the table, I place a wrapped piece of cake in front of Lucien. His ears flicker with excitement, the quill dropping on the table from a lack of focus. ¡°For you,¡± I say, tying up my apron, and reading over the list. ¡°Enjoy.¡± ¡°It¡¯s your birthday, and you¡¯re bringing me gifts?¡± ¡°Stop. It¡¯s just another day. When I get that potion of immortality, they won¡¯t even matter anymore.¡± ¡°Then you should celebrate them while they still matter, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°You¡¯re so sentimental,¡± I tut, reading through the task list. ¡°Goodness, there are many deliveries to make today.¡± ¡°I completed several. I made a small mark by the the-¡± ¡°LUCIEN! You¡¯re not supposed to leave the shop!¡± I scold. He presses his hands to his ears. ¡°I was fine. I¡¯m here, aren¡¯t I? I can shadow jump through the city expertly these days.¡± ¡°What if someone saw you? You¡¯re going to have to leave. What about Cyrus?¡± ¡°Shh,¡± he presses a finger over his lips, and one over mine with a panicked look on his face. ¡°No one must know he¡¯s still here in the city.¡± ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I whisper. ¡°He¡¯s...¡± he steps close to me, and whispers into my ear. ¡°Started a rebellion in the city against those that want to be rid of the dark elves.¡± ¡°Has he? It¡¯s about time something was done about it,¡± I say, slapping his hand away, picking the quill up, and wiping the ink off the table. ¡°Luna! Don¡¯t admit that out loud,¡± he hisses. ¡°You¡¯ll get yourself in trouble.¡± ¡°Gods, no one will even hear us.¡± ¡°Light elves have excellent ears.¡± ¡°Have they joined the opposing force? They¡¯re all fools! You¡¯re practically the same.¡± ¡°Luna!¡± He covers my mouth, furrows his brows and frowns. I kiss his palm, causing him to flinch. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± I laugh. ¡°I thought you were going to bite me.¡± ¡°Your hands smell awful. I¡¯m not about to get any of it in my mouth.¡± He settles down at the table, and opens up the wrapped package. The fruit tart glistens in the light. He swallows hard and licks his lips. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°You behave as if you¡¯ve never seen a fruit tart before,¡± I snicker, putting a fork in his hands. ¡°Use this if you need to. I recommend it over whatever smell is lingering on those fingertips.¡± ¡°I haven¡¯t had one in a long time. Cyrus doesn¡¯t really like sweets. And it¡¯s just a bit of valerian root.¡± ¡°It¡¯s unfortunate he doesn¡¯t like sweets. You¡¯re practically made of sugar.¡± He gives me a puzzled look. ¡°What? That doesn¡¯t make any sense.¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re... very sweet?¡± I explain. ¡°It¡¯s a compliment.¡± His cheeks darken. ¡°Oh, thank you,¡± he smiles sheepishly. I lean over his shoulder, and take a small piece of his fruit tart when he forks a piece into his mouth. He looks up at me with curious eyes as he chews. ¡°Did you not get any?¡± He asks, with his mouth full. ¡°I had no time. My sisters had to return to their work. Neither of them have someone like you to hold down the fort while they¡¯re away,¡± I say, pinching his cheeks. ¡°You still didn¡¯t need to rush back.¡± ¡°What would I do all alone? It¡¯s not fun. Seraphina and Arthur are busy, you¡¯re busy. That¡¯s everyone I know.¡± ¡°You could stop by the enchantment shop, and try to get a free charm from Fox.¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not.¡± ¡°Are the two of you still not talking?¡± ¡°No... we¡¯re talking. I just don¡¯t enjoy it.¡± ¡°Why¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Do you always stay in touch with everyone you¡¯ve been in a relationship with?¡± He laughs, and stuffs the last piece of tart into my mouth before getting up to put his fork into the wash basin. ¡°What would you know about my dating life?¡± He asks. ¡°I don¡¯t, actually. Just that you¡¯re with Cyrus, and he keeps you- uh... physically active.¡± ¡°I remain amicable with all of my past relationships-¡± ¡°Stop talking,¡± I groan, beginning to write labels. ¡°You have something to add?¡± He asks, standing over my shoulder. ¡°Only that you continue to amaze me because you¡¯re so nice. I hate you. I don¡¯t know how you remain so perfect. Go be a princess somewhere else.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not difficult to remain friends with-¡± ¡°Shut up.¡± He walks around the table, and sits in front of me. He begins to wipe down some bottles he¡¯s already prepared and begins to cork them. I watch him, waiting for his mouth to open again. ¡°I was going to add that I¡¯m not around any of them all the time,¡± he says quickly, before I can stop him. ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°If I had to be, I wouldn¡¯t be.¡± ¡°So, what you¡¯re saying is that I need to get as far away from Fox as possible, and we¡¯ll remain on good terms?¡± ¡°Where would you even go first?¡± ¡°Port Quelil! Henry talks about it all the time.¡± ¡°Again with Henry,¡± he sighs. ¡°Of course. He¡¯s living the life I want to live. He¡¯s visiting other places. He paints them. And he does it incredibly well, I might add.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± He asks, resting his arms on the table, and giving me his full attention. ¡°Yes! And I could see all of the big ships in the port. Visit some of the shops with items from all parts of Amith and beyond!¡± ¡°Wow, beyond Amith, huh?¡± He says, with amusement. ¡°Oh, stop it, you,¡± I say, trying to keep a straight face. ¡°You¡¯re making fun of me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not. You should go once you¡¯re done with level six. Go see what¡¯s beyond Ibis Islands.¡± ¡°One day. I¡¯m too much of a coward to do it alone.¡± ¡°Alone? You plan to be alone?¡± ¡°Who would I take with me?¡± ¡°Did you forget about me?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I thought you had a small anchor named...¡± I lean over, and cup my mouth. ¡°Cyrus.¡± ¡°He can come with us.¡± ¡°And you were going to settle down in the Grove or something, if I¡¯m recalling my ancient memories correctly,¡± I say, getting back to my work. ¡°The stars. I¡¯ll go with you if you go to see the stars.¡± ¡°We haven¡¯t gone stargazing in ages.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go, then. For your birthday.¡± ¡°Is that what it takes? In that case, you owe me three stargazing days, since you didn¡¯t get me any gifts.¡± ¡°When should we go?¡± ¡°Tonight.¡± ¡°Tonight?¡± His eyes wander over to the task list sitting on the table. ¡°Yes, tonight. So you should get to work. We have many potions to brew.¡± ¡°It¡¯s impossible. Maybe tomorrow. I have things to do after the shop, anyway.¡± ¡°Like Cyrus?¡± His cheeks darken. ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant.¡± ¡°But I¡¯m right.¡± ¡°You are.¡± I laugh at him, and he nudges me before getting back to wiping the bottles. ¡°Why are you making me cover my eyes?¡± I whine. ¡°I¡¯ve seen this forest before. It¡¯s not going to look any differently than it usually does. I¡¯m going to fall over and break an ankle, and then neither of us will have a fun evening.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll catch you, it¡¯s just a bit further.¡± I take small steps, the blindfold blocking everything but the view of my feet. ¡°Okay, take it off.¡± Lit candles inside glass jars surround me, and there¡¯s a blanket spread across the floor. A woven basket and bottle of wine sits on the blanket. ¡°Are you trying to start a fire?¡± ¡°They¡¯re not real. It¡¯s a spell. I¡¯m not an idiot,¡± he says, flatly. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I ask, sitting on the blanket, and opening up the basket. ¡°You brought food, and wine. What else is in here? Oh, I wonder what this is. It smells of honey.¡± ¡°That¡¯s for you to eat last.¡± ¡°It¡¯s my birthday.¡± ¡°That was yesterday.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not fair.¡± ¡°Lune, don¡¯t make this difficult. I struggled enough hauling all of this out here.¡± ¡°For no reason. I can see in the dark.¡± ¡°It¡¯s for... ambiance.¡± ¡°What sort of ambiance? I feel like I¡¯m on a...¡± ¡°It¡¯s supposed to look... Enchanting.¡± ¡°We¡¯re stargazing. The point is to be in the dark, isn¡¯t it?¡± He frowns. ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I like it-¡± ¡°Liar.¡± ¡°No, really. I feel like a proper lady.¡± ¡°Just eat,¡± he says with a roll of his eyes. ¡°I found a good spot not far from here to go see the sky.¡± ¡°There¡¯s more?¡± ¡°Yes. Now, stop being difficult and cooperate.¡± ¡°Yes, sir!¡± I lick my fingers, staring up at the skies as Lucien finishes his piece of honey cake slowly. He hums with delight as he takes another bite, and despite having already eaten my own slice, my mouth waters. ¡°I brought more, you know,¡± he says. ¡°You can have another piece if you want.¡± ¡°Maybe later? I¡¯m so comfortable. If only there was someone around who could feed it to me like they do in the palaces.¡± ¡°They don¡¯t do that in palaces unless you have no dignity remaining.¡± I sigh dramatically. ¡°I¡¯ve no dignity left, Sir Moonshadow.¡± ¡°I can see that,¡± he says with amusement, as his eyes wander over my face. ¡°I¡¯ll warn you; you¡¯ll feel foolish.¡± I open my mouth, and shut my eyes. Lucien stuffs an oversized piece of cake into my mouth and begins to laugh. ¡°Now my face is all sticky,¡± I complain, taking the remaining cake out of my mouth, and placing it on a plate. ¡°It¡¯s my birthday.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, you¡¯re right.¡± He tosses a damp rag at my face. I wipe the honey off, and lie back again. ¡°Do it properly,¡± I chuckle. ¡°Are you sure this boat is still... good?¡± I ask, my body trembling in fear. ¡°We¡¯re already in the middle of the lake, so it¡¯s a bit late to be asking that. It¡¯s clearly floating¡± ¡°It just feels so small.¡± ¡°It was the only one I could get at the last moment. No one is exactly loaning out boats to dark elves, are they?¡± I gaze up at the night sky, aware of the silence, the cold night air, and the warmth of Lucien at my side. I want to gaze at the stars, but the joy I can see in his eyes as he stares up at them seems to bring me more joy. ¡°Do I have something on my face?¡± He asks. ¡°What are you talking about?¡± I ask, quickly turning away. ¡°You¡¯re staring at me.¡± ¡°Sorry, it¡¯s just.... You¡¯re so...¡± ¡°Yes?¡± I can feel his gaze on me, and I¡¯m drawn to it. ¡°I¡¯m cold.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry.¡± He carefully drapes his cloak over me, and pulls me closer to this side, wrapping an arm around me. ¡°How¡¯s that?¡± ¡°I...¡± I feel like clay perfectly molded to his side. Any tension I might have had before is completely gone, replaced with the feeling of lightness. ¡°Lune?¡± He asks, turning my chin to face him. ¡°Better?¡± I nod, my gaze settling on his lips. I lean into him, and his lips part slightly. ¡°I think that for my second birthday gift, which you still owe me, of course-¡± ¡°Of course,¡± he smirks. ¡°I want to taste... Nothing, it¡¯s stupid.¡± ¡°Try me.¡± I think fast, grasping for any thought to come to mind, my thoughts reflexively returning to honey cake. ¡°Mead.¡± ¡°Mead?¡± ¡°Yes. Mead made of Master Eaimer¡¯s honey.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll have to give me some months, but maybe I could do it. I¡¯m not very familiar with the process.¡± ¡°Good, get started on that immediately. I¡¯m sure we have all the equipment you need at the shop, and you¡¯ll see it as a fun project.¡± He chuckles and returns his gaze to the stars. ¡°Madam Lyra would love that. I might have to make extra.¡± ¡°Possibly, but the first batch is mine.¡± ¡°Of course.¡± ¡°Oh, good morning,¡± I say, taken aback at the sight of Cyrus sitting at the table of the shop. Lucien is nowhere in sight, as I step past the threshold cautiously. ¡°Good morning, Lou,¡± he says, when he hears me. ¡°Did you spend the night with our favorite elf?¡± He looks up at me with a smirk. ¡°I did. Is he your favorite elf? You don¡¯t have a collection of them lying about do you?¡± I chuckle. ¡°Did he send you down to fetch cookies?¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t he always?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know, but I¡¯ve noticed he likes sweets early in the morning. Would you like some tea?¡± ¡°That would be lovely.¡± ¡°Is Lucien awake already? I swear he never sleeps.¡± ¡°Yes, he¡¯s been awake obsessing over some project of his. He sent me down to get cookies, but I couldn¡¯t find them, and didn¡¯t want to return upstairs to listen to him speak endlessly about fermentation for the hundredth time. It¡¯s too early for that. The cookies might help distract him long enough for me to wake up.¡± ¡°Is it the mead? His project?¡± ¡°Yes, how did you guess? Has he been torturing you with it, too?¡± ¡°He has. I don¡¯t know why he¡¯s suddenly possessed.¡± I take my apron off the hook, and replace it with my cloak. Warm sunlight floods the back of the shop when I open the back door to let in some fresh air. ¡°Would you like any particular kind of tea?¡± I ask him. ¡°Anything is fine.¡± ¡°Barley coming up.¡± ¡°Gods, no,¡± he groans. ¡°Lucien hates it, too.¡± ¡°Does he? I didn¡¯t know.¡± ¡°He¡¯s very subtle about things he dislikes. You have to watch him.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± His eyes follow me around the shop as I take mugs off a shelf, and place them near the kettle. ¡°Yes, he always flutters his ears when he¡¯s lying about something. If it¡¯s really bad, he narrows his eyes slightly, and flares his nostrils, but only once and quickly, so you have to watch him closely.¡± ¡°What does he do when he likes something?¡± ¡°If it¡¯s food,¡± I think for a moment. ¡°After his first bite, he smells it, and stares off, over analyzing the flavors, the textures, what have you. He tries to figure out the ingredients.¡± ¡°And if it¡¯s not food?¡± He challenges. ¡°Well, his ears flutter differently...¡± ¡°Right,¡± he murmurs. ¡°They stand more upright. His lips also part slightly, and his eyes light up.¡± ¡°I see.¡± I blush, realizing I¡¯ve said too much, and he¡¯s examining my reactions carefully. The floorboards creak, and Lucien appears before me. ¡°Gods! Lune!¡± He steps back, vanishing before I realize he was half-naked. I clear my throat to keep myself from gasping as I line several mugs on the counter, and place a small bag of peppermint tea in each. ¡°How can you tell if he likes a person?¡± He asks. My hands shake. Does he know? That would be embarrassing. What am I thinking? I¡¯m not even a threat. I¡¯m human, and not even half as good-looking as Lucien¡¯s left eyeball. ¡°You¡¯d know. He likes you, doesn¡¯t he?¡± I ask. ¡°Does he? Lately he¡¯s seemed so distant. I wonder if I¡¯ve upset him.¡± ¡°Lucien¡¯s sentimental. All you have to do is make the most of the small moments. Spend more time with him. Don¡¯t just lie with him and leave. He remembers that sort of thing, just like the rest of us, but he overthinks things, always trying to break them down into the smallest components.¡± ¡°He is sentimental, isn¡¯t he?¡± He chuckles, and becomes lost in thought. The kettle whistles, pulling us both out of our daydreams. I remove its fire enchantment, and pour the water evenly into each cup. My ears ring. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lune. I didn¡¯t realize you were here,¡± comes Lucien¡¯s voice behind me. ¡°That¡¯s alright. I¡¯ll announce myself next time. ¡®Oh, Lucien!¡¯¡± I call. ¡°¡®Oh, lover boy!¡¯¡± ¡°That¡¯s... it¡¯s not necessary,¡± he finches, and turns to Cyrus. ¡°Did you find the cookies?¡± ¡°No,¡± he responds, his eyes trailing over Lucien¡¯s body admiringly. I turn away, feeling an uncomfortable desire to toss hot tea at Cyrus¡¯ face. I walk over to the supply closet to give them a moment alone. On the highest shelf sits a jar of cookies Lucien and I keep out of Madam Lyra¡¯s sight. It¡¯s empty. ¡°Sorry, Luce, we¡¯re all out of cookies!¡± I call out. ¡°What?¡± He cries out in a panic. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have finished them all. Do you think Madam Lyra found them?¡± I step out of the closet, shutting the door behind me. ¡°Or you just forgot you ate all of them, but it¡¯s empty, I¡¯m afraid. I can get some for you during lunch later today, if you survive this tragic ordeal.¡± His face lights up. ¡°You will?¡± ¡°I-I¡¯ll get them!¡± Says Cyrus, getting up from his seat. ¡°I¡¯ll get you cookies, Lucien.¡± Lucien¡¯s eyes light up. ¡°That¡¯s alright, Cyrus. I don¡¯t want to put you through all the trouble.¡± ¡°Well,¡± I say, taking up the list on the table, and looking it over. ¡°According to this list, he might need to. We¡¯ll be working well into the night. I¡¯ll be much too busy.¡± Lucien walks up to my side, and while Lucien is reading the list over, I glance up at Cyrus who quietly thanks me. I wink, and give him a grin. ¡°I¡¯m afraid she¡¯s right. We won¡¯t have time for anything,¡± says Lucien, taking the list from my hands. ¡°I¡¯ll bring you both lunch and dinner as well, then,¡± adds Cyrus. ¡°Thank you, Cyrus. Please let us give you some coins for all of it.¡± ¡°No, I insist. It¡¯s on me. I¡¯ll return later.¡± He does return, but leaves immediately, promising to see Lucien that evening to help us finish off our tasks. ¡°Maybe he¡¯s running a bit late,¡± I suggest. ¡°He is... him... after all, and many of the things he does don¡¯t often go as planned.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. He did have some sort of raid planned against the Guardians.¡± ¡°Guardians?¡± ¡°Yes, there¡¯s some group of maniacs running loose in the city murdering anyone that supports the dark elves, and the city guards aren¡¯t doing anything about it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s sad. How are all of you still anywhere north of the Grove by now,¡± I laugh. ¡°Luna!¡± He scolds. ¡°They¡¯re being forced out of their homes. It¡¯s not easy for those that have built their entire livelihoods here.¡± ¡°Sorry. I just... I wish you¡¯d go home, at least. I wouldn¡¯t have to worry about you every time I hear that another dark elf has had their horns removed.¡± ¡°Still trying to get rid of me?¡± ¡°You know what I mean,¡± I huff. ¡°Is Cyrus really worth all of this trouble?¡± ¡°He is.¡± ¡°It must be true love, then,¡± I scoff, stocking the shelves. ¡°Oh, look at this. This is new. What is it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a perfume... It was something Madam Lyra wanted to try out.¡± I remove the top, and take a deep breath in. A strong smell of rose and lavender hit me, and when it hits the back of my throat, I cough. ¡°It¡¯s strong,¡± I comment, placing it on the shelf. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not for consumption. Speaking of which, the mead is finished, if you want some.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll need some to counteract that sour mood of yours.¡± ¡°Can you blame me?¡± ¡°Yes. It makes you more and more upset each time.¡± He huffs. ¡°I can¡¯t believe he didn¡¯t show!¡± Cries Lucien, completely drunk. ¡°Will you just shut up about him, already? I¡¯m so tired of hearing about him. He¡¯s such a bad boyfriend! Why do you insist on reinforcing my opinion of him?¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m venting!¡± ¡°Can you vent when I¡¯m not drunk, then? I have a headache, and I want to pound his skull in with a cauldron.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t even lift a cauldron.¡± ¡°People have more strength when they¡¯re in a desperate situation. And I could lift it with a wind spell.¡± ¡°For half a second... Are you really drunk?¡± Asks Lucien. ¡°How?¡± ¡°I probably had too much. How much did you make?¡± ¡°Several gallons.¡± ¡°How much have we had?¡± ¡°Barely anything. It¡¯s probably because we never had dinner.¡± ¡°Gods, food sounds amazing right now!¡± I whine. ¡°It really does. I can throw something together for you from the basket of things he brought.¡± ¡°Are we not saying his name, now?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take your offer.¡± I dangle a cookie over Lucien¡¯s mouth, and he angrily chases it until he¡¯s able to take it from my fingers. ¡°How dare you take the last one? He brought them for me,¡± he whines. ¡°Well, you should have moved faster, then. He should have brought more, too. He should know better.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t think you could be so heartless as to take the last cookie. I trusted you.¡± ¡°I can be heartless over sweets. In my family, anything to do with sweets was on par with war.¡± ¡°I can tell that you often lost them.¡± ¡°Possibly.¡± I settle down in bed next to Lucien, and we both stare up at the ceiling as Lucien chews slowly on the last cookie, savoring every bite. ¡°Open the window, it¡¯s too stuffy,¡± I whine. The bed creaks when Lucien stands. He walks slowly across the room, his braid swaying back and forth, the sight of it mesmerizing. He¡¯s lost in his thoughts once he¡¯s at my side again. It¡¯s some minutes later, when I finally feel the first hint of the cool night air on my skin. ¡°I need water,¡± I grumble, getting up. ¡°I¡¯ll get it,¡± he says, pushing me back down into bed. When Lucien returns, his robes are draped over his shoulder, his upper body bare, as he carries two large cups filled to the brim with water. ¡°That fire is still burning strong. I opened the window downstairs to let in some cool air.¡± Lucien hands me a cup, and I take a long drink. ¡°I should return to the Academy. It¡¯s getting late, and I still need to wash up.¡± ¡°Could you stay?¡± My heart begins to race. ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m saying. I¡¯m drunk.¡± ¡°What if Cyrus returns? It would be very awkward. I swear he thinks I have... feelings for you.¡± What was I saying? ¡°We¡¯re friends, aren¡¯t we?¡± He asks, so innocently, I want to pinch his cheeks. ¡°Best friends,¡± I huff out a laugh. ¡°It¡¯s late, anyway. He¡¯s not coming back.¡± I lie back in bed, listening carefully to each sound that he makes. His bare feet padding across the floor. The jewels in his ears tinkling as he walks. The soft sound of his silk robes falling into the chair at his desk. When he sits, the bed bows, and I¡¯m forced to turn to face him. ¡°Sure. I¡¯ll stay.¡± ¡°Get comfortable,¡± he says, reaching at my back and undoing my stays in one swift motion. ¡°I¡¯m impressed,¡± I tease him. ¡°Do you do this often?¡± ¡°You think I¡¯ve only ever dated men?¡± ¡°Angelina?¡± ¡°How on earth did you guess?¡± ¡°She¡¯s very pretty.¡± He buries his face under his pillow. ¡°Oh, Lucien!¡± I say, trying to rip the pillow from his grip. ¡°Tell me more.¡± When I succeed, his face is completely dark. ¡°Oooh, my. What are you thinking about?¡± ¡°Angelina was more lovely when she wasn''t wearing any clothes.¡± I gasp, and blush. When he notices, he clasps his mouth shut with his hand, and looks away embarrassed. ¡°Lucien!¡± I snicker. ¡°You¡¯re a naughty elf.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a man.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯re a gentleman.¡± ¡°It depends.¡± ¡°Oh, does it? On what?¡± A cat-like grin spreads over his lips. ¡°On how much clothing is still being worn.¡± I laugh nervously. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re not the one initiating all your nighttime rendezvous?¡± ¡°Should I walk you back to the Academy?¡± Lucien asks, knowing I¡¯m still wide awake. ¡°Sorry, I just... When Fox and I were... close...¡± I hesitate. ¡°Go on.¡± ¡°It feels strange talking to you about that.¡± ¡°Why? You¡¯ve told Seraphina. Am I not your friend, too? Have I been replaced by her? Should I be worried?¡± ¡°You¡¯re... right. Sometimes I wish we still had that truth serum so I could speak with you more freely.¡± He flinches. ¡°Sorry, we¡¯re absolutely not talking about that time.¡± ¡°Right. I wish we would at least talk about Fox, because I still think of that moment often.¡± ¡°Which one?¡± ¡°What other one would I be talking about? The day you parted ways!¡± ¡°Why would you think about something so miserable?¡± ¡°You were never the same again, Lune. You changed. I feel like some light inside of you blew out.¡± I take a deep breath and shudder as I exhale, fighting back the sadness. ¡°I just didn¡¯t understand how he could claim to love me so much, but left me. I just don¡¯t understand it still. He wouldn¡¯t... change his mind.¡± ¡°We all want different things in life, and we¡¯re willing to make sacrifices to get them.¡± ¡°What would you want so badly that you¡¯d leave Cyrus for? I bet it¡¯s not anything.¡± ¡°I want to-¡± ¡°See the stars?¡± He nods, and buries his face into my back, warming me with his blush. ¡°What about you?¡± ¡°I have nothing to give up, so that¡¯s a useless question.¡± ¡°Alright, what if you had a second chance with Fox. What would make you leave again?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. If he didn¡¯t want to travel, I suppose. But he did. He was... He was perfect. I guess I¡¯m not over it yet,¡± I fight back the tears welling in my eyes. ¡°I know you¡¯re not.¡± ¡°How would you know? Are you a mind reader?¡± ¡°Please, I¡¯ve seen how you look at him. Your heart practically leaps out of your chest each time. Your eyes practically spring out of your skull.¡± ¡°From fright, I guarantee it.¡± ¡°So, tell me why you are thinking of Fox?¡± ¡°When we¡¯d lie together, he¡¯d always...¡± I remember all the nights I¡¯d spent with Fox, and my cheeks burn. ¡°Oh, I see. You¡¯re aroused.¡± ¡°Lucien, stop talking, or you¡¯re taking me back to the Academy.¡± ¡°Sorry, just go to sleep. I promise nothing will happen between us tonight.¡± ¡°Just tonight?¡± ¡°Shut up, you¡¯re drunk. I¡¯m going to take you back to the Academy.¡± ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ll stop.¡± There¡¯s a loud crash downstairs, and the moment I step down from the ladder, Lucien disappears into the night through the back door. He returns with Cyrus in his arms drenched in red and black blood. ¡°How¡¯s he doing? Have you heard any news?¡± I ask. ¡°He¡¯s going to be fine. I¡¯m just not permitted to know where they¡¯re keeping him.¡± ¡°Lucien! That¡¯s not fa-¡± ¡°I refused to join the rebellion. I¡¯m not permitted to know where they¡¯re keeping him.¡± ¡°So join.¡± ¡°Remember how we promised not to tell each other anything life-threatening when we took the truth serum?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t tell you why I can¡¯t join this war.¡± ¡°Do you at least want to?¡± ¡°Of course I do. There¡¯s nothing I want more than to see Cyrus, and be at his side.¡± ¡°And that whole saving the dark elves part, right?¡± ¡°Right.¡± Chapter Twenty-Five ¡°So.. we¡¯re both taking the truth serum,¡± announced Lucien. ¡°And we can both talk, like you wanted. I can sneak one the next time we have to brew some.¡± ¡°Are we really friends if we¡¯re forcing each other to have an actual conversation,¡± I argue, hoping I¡¯ve hidden my feelings of nervousness enough to go undetected. ¡°You trust me, don¡¯t you? That¡¯s why you want to talk to me? I trust you, so I want us to be more honest with each other.¡± ¡°What''s this all of a sudden? You trust me? Are you serious?¡± I laugh, and pour out a large vat of green water used to soak a bitter herb for a scar removing salve. ¡°Have you lost your mind? I¡¯m constantly gossiping with Seraphina and Arthur.¡± ¡°I¡¯m serious. The goal is that we won¡¯t need the serum to speak openly with each other.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we just talk under the condition that anything we say in this room stays between us, and we never talk about it again? And you won¡¯t tell me anything that will get you killed?¡± ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll start. I¡¯m angry with Cyrus. He just returned to his group after almost dying, and is putting himself in harm''s way again!¡± ¡°He¡¯s dedicated. He cares,¡± I say, coming to his defense. I place the vat on the ground with a grunt. ¡°He doesn¡¯t care about me, though,¡± says Lucien, stepping up next to me, and helping me readjust the drum on the cooling rack. ¡°You¡¯re just one person. He¡¯s trying to save many.¡± I wipe my sweat off on my apron, and smile to indicate to Lucien that I no longer require his help. He returns to his place at the table, and continues to grind dragon scales, being careful not to let a single one go to waste. ¡°How dare you take his side,¡± he pouts. ¡°How dare you be so selfish!¡± I scoff. ¡°He¡¯s trying to do something good.¡± ¡°If he¡¯d just return to the Grove-¡± ¡°At least he¡¯s trying to do something!¡± ¡°And he¡¯s going to get himself pointlessly killed.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be pointless if he¡¯s standing up for what he believes in.¡± Lucien huffs. ¡°You¡¯re probably right, but I can¡¯t... I just can¡¯t stop worrying about it all. He almost died. I feel sick with worry.¡± ¡°But he¡¯s still alive, and that¡¯s what matters, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t make it sound like a good thing, when it¡¯s clearly not.¡± ¡°Lucien Moonshadow, I¡¯m surprised at you. ¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to lose him, Luna. I¡¯m terrified,¡± his voice cracks, and he takes a shuddering breath to regain control. I walk over to the table, and take the remaining dragon scales. There are not many left, but they¡¯re difficult to grind with a mortar and pestle. I crack my knuckles and begin to pound away at them. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I say, quietly. ¡°Have you spoken to him about it?¡± ¡°He... no.¡± ¡°You should try that first, then.¡± ¡°I feel ridiculous. These are just... feelings.¡± ¡°Your feelings matter, Luce. Relationships are made up mostly of feelings. Maybe at a smaller ratio between the two of you.¡± ¡°Gods, what would you know? You¡¯ve been single for years now. You haven¡¯t had to worry about anyone except yourself,¡± he smirks. ¡°And your sorry ass!¡± We share a laugh. ¡°You¡¯re right, though,¡± I continue. ¡°I forget you¡¯re the expert on relationships now.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not. You¡¯ve made good friends with Arthur and Seraphina. Mostly Seraphina. What do you and Seraphina talk about all the time, anyway? I¡¯ve always wondered. You always look so cheerful after having lunch with her.¡± ¡°Oh, Lucien, that¡¯s holy ground. Why do you want to tread there?¡± ¡°Because the two of you seem closer lately, and I am nosy.¡± ¡°Hmm...¡± I grumble, trying to recall my last conversation with her. ¡°I think I was talking about Henry, and how much I¡¯d like to...¡± ¡°How much you¡¯d like to...?¡± I blush, and crush my scales with more force. ¡°I won¡¯t force you, but you said you¡¯d open up.¡± ¡°How much damage could I do to my reputation in a single day?¡± I chortle. ¡°I was telling her how badly I¡¯d like to squeeze his buttocks because it looked so firm and plump.¡± He stares at me wide-eyed, and his mouth falls open. ¡°And that¡¯s why I don¡¯t speak to you about these things.¡± ¡°I need to meet this Henry.¡± ¡°Excuse you, you¡¯re already taken. Leave some men for me to fantasize about.¡± ¡°You fantasize about him?¡± ¡°Absolutely. I dream he leaves Rosalina because he¡¯s in love with me, and we run off, and get married in secret. We have a love child, and name her Annabelle.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t even want children.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t.¡± ¡°I never realized you¡¯re more insane than I thought.¡± ¡°You¡¯re judging me,¡± I laugh, sprinkling a bit more diamond dust into the mortar. ¡°I had no idea you were...¡± ¡°Improper?¡± ¡°It suits you. How strange,¡± he says, eyeing me up and down. ¡°Does it? My sisters are embarrassed of me. They always look so scandalized.¡± ¡°They¡¯re clearly not around you enough to witness your other shortcomings.¡± ¡°Ha!¡± I exclaim, startling him. ¡°They¡¯d immediately tell my parents. Could you imagine what my mother would think of me? I¡¯d never be able to look her in the eye.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Well, for one, my best friend is a dark elf, and while she has nothing against dark elves, she definitely wouldn¡¯t want to deal with the consequences of finding out you¡¯re my best friend.¡± ¡°I¡¯m your-¡± ¡°If she knew how badly I wanted to- Oh!¡± I scream, a sharp pain coursing through my wrist. Lucien rushes to my side, and takes my hand. ¡°How badly you what?¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m not saying anything.¡± ¡°It¡¯s about me. I noticed you¡¯re never really honest with your feelings for me.¡± I walk over to the supply closest, and take out a healing salve. ¡°We¡¯re friends.¡± ¡°You say that, but... sometimes I have my doubts.¡± ¡°Sir Lucien Moonshadow, have I been a terrible friend to you? Allow me to right this wrong!¡± I cry out, with a laugh. Lucien steps into the supply closet, and locks the door behind him. ¡°Is someone here?¡± I ask, quietly. ¡°Yes,¡± he whispers He presses himself against the walls to remain hidden in the shadows. The light reflecting off his eyes is all I can see in the darkness. ¡°Should I go out there?¡± I whisper. He presses a finger to his lips. I peek through the keyhole of the closet. There¡¯s a light elf searching the shop, being careful not to disturb any of the objects. I walk through the door, mustering up a fake air of confidence. ¡°Hello,¡± I say, announcing myself loudly. ¡°Can I help you?¡± ¡°O-Oh!¡± The elf jumps back, nearly knocking my mortar. I reflexively reach for it, but she quickly steadies it. ¡°I... just need a healing potion,¡± her voice is small and meek. ¡°If you¡¯d entered through the front of the shop, you would have passed by them on your way in.¡± ¡°My apologies.¡± We leave the back of the shop, and I gather up several healing potions for her. ¡°That¡¯ll be two silver coins.¡± ¡°Right,¡± she hesitates, pulling out her coin purse. ¡°Will that be all?¡± I ask, taking the coins from her hands as they shake. ¡°Does... someone else work here?¡± ¡°The sign does say Madam Treeleaf, does it not? And I¡¯m certainly not her. She had to step out, but she¡¯ll return shortly if you wish to speak with her. Did you have a special request? You can leave it anonymously. I swear not to look at it. A contraceptive? A fertility potion? Most light elves come here in search of fertility potions.¡± ¡°That won¡¯t be necessary. Thank you,¡± she blushes, her cheeks becoming slightly golden. When she exits, I step into the back of the shop, and collapse at the table. Some time passes before Lucien dares exit the supply closet. ¡°Lune, how... Did you do that?¡± ¡°Do what, Luce?¡± I ask, irritably. ¡°You lied expertly.¡± ¡°Well, I had very controlling parents, so I guess I¡¯m still an expert at it.¡± ¡°Did you? You never told me that.¡± Lucien and I lie under the stars after a long day of examinations. Cyrus has once again missed the opportunity to make things up to Lucien. ¡°I¡¯m going to kill him,¡± I grumble. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Lucien¡¯s voice cracks. ¡°He can¡¯t keep doing this to you. Look at you! You¡¯re a mess.¡± ¡°You said so yourself... he¡¯s dedicated to a higher cause.¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°He¡¯s been gone for months!¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine.¡± It¡¯s not fine. I¡¯ve felt the tension between them when Cyrus actually shows up at the shop. I want to punch him each time he makes Lucien a promise, and then makes him cry like this. My heart can¡¯t take much more of it. I feel crushed by the invisible force of helplessness as I witness Lucien take him back over and over again. ¡°Lucien... there¡¯s a relationship, and there¡¯s... whatever you call this thing between the two of you,¡± I complain. ¡°He has time to see you when he¡¯s... needy, and then disappears when he¡¯s satisfied himself. I don¡¯t like it one bit.¡± Lucien keeps his gaze to the stars. I reach out for his hand, and squeeze it lightly. ¡°I don¡¯t think... he loves me. O-Or rather... I think I¡¯m-¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think he does either! If he loved you, he¡¯d be sure to show up every morning at the shop and make you smile. He¡¯d bring you your favorite treats. He¡¯d remember your birthday for once. He¡¯d help you with that awful mess on your head. He¡¯d... polish your horns.¡± ¡°Polish my horns?¡± He laughs. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you do with those things. I¡¯m talking nonsense, and I¡¯m angry! I¡¯m angry, Lucien! On your behalf, if you must know.¡± ¡°Maybe... the two of us need to talk.¡± ¡°Is that what you think?¡± I snark. He turns to me, and laughs. ¡°No, really? Is that what you think? I think you should just lie down on the ground, and let him walk all over you- Oh wait! You¡¯re already doing that!¡± ¡°Luna, drink some water, you''re drunk.¡± ¡°I¡¯m still right!¡± I splutter, just before chugging down a cup of water. Cyrus doesn¡¯t show up at the shop, and I can¡¯t help notice the familiar look of sadness on Lucien¡¯s face. His face doesn¡¯t express it, but I can see it; the slow, heavy movements of his hands, the distant stare in his eyes, the silence between us. ¡°Have you heard?¡± Whispers Seraphina. ¡°There are rumors that Lady Angelina is part dark elf.¡± ¡°It makes sense,¡± I say, absently. ¡°I hear she¡¯s breath-takingly beautiful, and that her soft skin reflects the light of the moon.¡± Lucien and I make brief eye contact, and he turns away quickly, the tips of his ears darkening. ¡°Well, Lord Raiden has been silent about the whole matter. There are rumors he¡¯ll join the Guardians in ridding the City of Lights of dark elves.¡± ¡°Everyone has gone mad!¡± I grumble. ¡°I don¡¯t understand why they¡¯re all against the dark elves. What have they done?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± sighs Arthur, taking a long drink of his ale. ¡°But there are rumors spreading that the dark elves are evil creatures sent to destroy Sol or some nonsense.¡± ¡°Look,¡± I grumble. ¡°Demons or not, Lucien is heart-broken. I¡¯m going to find Cyrus, and kill him.¡± Lucien¡¯s ear twitches, and he gets up suddenly from his seat. Cyrus enters the shop door, being tackled by Lucien who rushes him, and embraces him tightly. ¡°He showed up,¡± whispers Seraphina. ¡°He better have,¡± I mutter. I hide away from the light, and try to catch my breath. Sweat drips from my brow as I clutch my chest, feeling as if my heart might burst. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Asks Lucien, stepping cautiously towards me. ¡°Everything is bright,¡± I pant. ¡°Yes, your pupils are dilated.¡± ¡°I can hardly breathe.¡± ¡°Yes. Your heart rate has been accelerated.¡± ¡°What in Gaia¡¯s name were you brewing? I feel like I¡¯m dying.¡± ¡°I... was trying to brew love.¡± ¡°Lucien!¡± I scold. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Just don¡¯t mention it to Lucien,¡± murmurs Cyrus, uncomfortably, after I¡¯ve begged him to allow me to join the rebellion. ¡°Of course not, but you need help, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Are you sure about this, Lou?¡± He asks, giving me an uneasy look. ¡°Just tell me what to do. I¡¯ll do what I can.¡± ¡°Why the hell are you bleeding all over our work table, Luna?¡± Screams Lucien. ¡°What in Selene¡¯s name were you doing?¡± He presses a rag to my wound, and I scream at the top of my lungs from the stinging pain, gripping his arm tightly, as I struggle to catch my breath. ¡°What were you doing?¡± He asks again, more loudly. ¡°They wanted the truth serum.¡± ¡°Who?¡± He growls. ¡°Nobo- Damn!¡± I scream, when he presses the rag roughly against my wound. ¡°You¡¯re hurting me.¡± ¡°Who, Luna?¡± ¡°Just some thugs.¡± ¡°I better not find out you¡¯re lying to me.¡± ¡°Or what? You¡¯ll stab another knife into my side?¡± Lucien presses his forehead to mine, and inhales sharply. ¡°You¡¯re going to need stitches,¡± he mutters. ¡°Then let¡¯s put the mead to good use.¡± I feel a cold sweat on my brow as I struggle to lift the crate of potions. ¡°Luna, sit,¡± Lucien scolds. ¡°You¡¯re still recovering.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. If I continue to work, I¡¯ll keep my strength up,¡± I say, stubbornly, grimacing the moment I realize that I sound like my mother. ¡°I swear to Selene herself that if you open your stitches, I will watch you bleed out.¡± I place the crate down, and take a seat at the workbench. ¡°It¡¯s nothing but deliveries today, though. You can¡¯t do those things.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve taken care of it, just get some rest. Return to the Academy. Have a good meal, and get some studying done.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a flower,¡± I laugh, taking a heavy crate off the shelf. ¡°Besides, shouldn¡¯t you go off to see your lover boy somewhere? I can handle the shop alone for the day. There¡¯s not much to do.¡± ¡°He had to cancel.¡± I take a deep breath, and let it out slowly. ¡°Right, of course he did.¡± ¡°It was probably something important,¡± he says, sadly. ¡°Most likely.¡± ¡°I need more dragonfly wings, and this glowing plant, whatever it is,¡± I complain to Cyrus, sifting through a box of potion ingredients. ¡°The ones you have are not good. You¡¯re a fool for having paid so much for them.¡± Cyrus grimaces. ¡°That bad?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t pay someone to drink this. You should be more careful with how you spend your coins. These would be in much better shape if you¡¯d picked them yourself, and they¡¯re not uncommon.¡± ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll send some of the others to go and pick some herbs next time.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do the same when I find the time. Why do you need so many healing potions?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a war, Luna. We¡¯re not coming out unscathed.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll create a stronger one for all of you when I find the time.¡± ¡°How¡¯s your wound?¡± ¡°Did you find out which of your people betrayed you?¡± ¡°We took care of it. I¡¯m sorry that happened to you.¡± ¡°Did you get the potions back?¡± ¡°We did.¡± ¡°Good, because that is the only batch you¡¯re ever getting. Lucien is getting suspicious.¡± ¡°Understood. How... How is he?¡± ¡°You¡¯d know if you took the time to see him,¡± I mutter, tapping nervously against the side of the crate with my dagger. ¡°I¡¯m busy,¡± he scoffs. ¡°Then so is he.¡± There¡¯s a moment of silence between us, as I begin to wash the pile of herbs sitting before me, all of them in poor shape. The small room serving as my workroom is cramped, and I barely have any space to do my work properly, but the equipment is some of the best I¡¯ve seen. ¡°You¡¯re a good friend to him, Luna.¡± ¡°You should strive for such greatness,¡± I sigh, getting started on a list of ingredients I was going to need to make higher quality potions. ¡°Unfortunately, I don¡¯t think I could compete with you.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. If you¡¯d just show up when you say you will, it wouldn¡¯t be such a problem. If you stopped making him promises you can¡¯t keep, it¡¯d be much less of a problem. You¡¯re. Causing. Your. Own. Problems!¡± ¡°Shh,¡± he hisses. ¡°Half the city is going to hear you.¡± I blush, having not realized I¡¯d been screaming at him like I do Lucien. ¡°Sorry, I just...¡± ¡°You¡¯re his friend. I understand your frustration with me, but now¡¯s not the time.¡± ¡°You keep hurting him,¡± I say, quietly. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°So stop, you ass,¡± I hiss. ¡°Ass? Did you just call me an ass? Are you trying to get yourself kicked out?¡± ¡°Are you saying you¡¯re going to find someone else to illegally make these potions for your rebel group of dark elves?¡± ¡°Sweet Selene, you are as difficult as Lucien says.¡± ¡°Whatever he said was more tame, because I¡¯m really much more difficult than he thinks. Here,¡± I hand him my list. ¡°I¡¯ve written down some ingredients I need before tomorrow. I¡¯m going to start up some potions that will be more useful to you with those sad things you gave me to work with. In the meantime, I brought some healing salves in my bag. I hope you have clean bandages.¡± ¡°We do.¡± I dismiss him with a wave of my hand. ¡°Get to work, then.¡± ¡°You¡¯re not... going to do it?¡± I turn in my chair, and stare at him with a wide grin. ¡°You want me to brew your potions, and do the healing?¡± ¡°I can prepare the ingredients for you.¡± ¡°Ha, they¡¯re in such poor shape, I don¡¯t think you could even figure out what you¡¯re doing.¡± ¡°You can explain-¡± ¡°Does the sight of blood make you feel uneasy, Cyrus?¡± He stares blankly at me. ¡°You better get used to it. Like you said, this is war. But I suppose for now you can show me where you keep your sewing kit?¡± ¡°Sewing kit?¡± ¡°Never mind, I¡¯ve got one in my bag.¡± As I visit each of the dark elves in need of healing, I explain to Cyrus how I expect each ingredient to be prepared. He listens carefully, and asks many questions, but goes pale each time I¡¯m cleaning and sealing up wounds. ¡°I¡¯m not sure how to set this, so you need to find someone who¡¯s more practiced in healing,¡± I gesture towards a dark elf with a broken arm. ¡°Do we need a healer? You can¡¯t do it yourself?¡± ¡°Yes, you do need one! I just make potions. I don¡¯t know anything else. I can find something to prevent infection, though, while you find a proper healer. There are plenty of Water-Bearers amongst your kind. It shouldn¡¯t be difficult. I might know someone.¡± ¡°Right. And you¡¯ll learn from them?¡± ¡°Absolutely not. I have other things to do, Cyrus. I have to attend my classes, study, and work at the shop.¡± ¡°You asked to join. Why are you getting so upset?¡± ¡°To help any way I can, not become a healer.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a bad skill to have.¡± ¡°Then you¡¯re learning potion making.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°From Luce.¡± ¡°Luna!¡± ¡°Think of it as a bonding experience. A much needed one, at that.¡± ¡°At least,¡± he turns away when I begin to sew closed another wound. ¡°Teach me a few things so I don¡¯t appear to be a complete idiot.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a dark elf. You already know, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I mean... I know, I just don¡¯t make potions, and I didn¡¯t grow up in the Grove. I can recognize most plants from there, but they¡¯re different here.¡± ¡°Right. I have a plant guide in my bag. You can study it. I¡¯ll get a new one, and transfer my notes. Can you read common?¡± ¡°A bit. Thank you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to need much more than potion knowledge to impress him. I recommend bringing him a small treat each time.¡± ¡°Why are you trying to help me?¡± ¡°Why not? You like him. He likes you, though I can¡¯t imagine why. I need him to stop being so gloomy in the shop. It¡¯s tedious enough, most days.¡± ¡°What did you tell Cyrus?¡± Asks Lucien, looking up from my essay paper. ¡°He¡¯s been different lately.¡± ¡°I told him to treat you better. Is he doing that?¡± ¡°He is.¡± ¡°Good,¡± I say. ¡°Now focus. How is my paper?¡± ¡°You¡¯re sort of all over the place in this paragraph. I¡¯ve rearranged it for you, so it sounds more...¡± ¡°Better?¡± ¡°Exactly.¡± Lucien and I are staring up at the stars, but the tension between him and Cyrus is strong, and I want to leave. They¡¯re angry with each other, and I¡¯m not sure I want to know why. I place a bottle of truth serum on the table, and frown at him. ¡°Take it. We need to talk.¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Lucien Moonshadow!¡± ¡°Please, no,¡± he gives me a sad look. ¡°Then tell me what happened, because you look very upset right now,¡± my voice cracks. ¡°We¡¯re no longer in a relationship.¡± ¡°Is that why you¡¯re mad at me? Are you blaming me?¡± ¡°I am.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± I say, curtly. I take up the truth potion, place it back on the shelf, perfectly hidden behind Lucien¡¯s cookie jar. I remove my cloak from the hook, and pull it on as I head out of the shop. ¡°Since we¡¯re all done here, I¡¯ll see you another day.¡± ¡°N- Luna, please don¡¯t... Don¡¯t leave,¡± Lucien says quietly, running after me as I exit the shop. ¡°That¡¯s not the impression you¡¯re giving me. Go inside. You¡¯re not safe out here.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m just...¡± He takes my hand, and we walk back into the shop. He takes a drop of the truth serum, then holds the bottle out to me. ¡°Oh, no,¡± I tell him. ¡°I¡¯m not taking that. I haven¡¯t been lying to you.¡± ¡°Have you? Is that why you¡¯re covered in blood each time you return from your lunch break?¡± I take a drop of the potion, and we take a seat on opposite sides of the work table. ¡°We won¡¯t talk about this tomorrow,¡± I say, this line now well rehearsed. ¡°And we won¡¯t discuss anything life-threatening. Agreed?¡± ¡°Agreed.¡± ¡°Now, explain the blood. You¡¯re not a vampire, are you?¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you know? My heart wouldn¡¯t beat.¡± ¡°Well, some of them are very good at pretending to be human.¡± ¡°Are they? Even with an aversion to sunlight?¡± ¡°In the Grove, it¡¯s easier for them to hide. Everything is always cold and dark.¡± ¡°What do they feed off?¡± ¡°The wildlife. Dark elf blood makes them sick.¡± ¡°Convenient.¡± ¡°You¡¯re very good at changing the subject.¡± ¡°You started. If you must know, I¡¯m learning about healing. I thought it would be useful.¡± ¡°Healing?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Covered in blood, Luna? Are you sure you¡¯re not- Is someone making sure you¡¯re doing things correctly?¡± ¡°Cyrus has asked me to help him. It might have something to do with the rebellion.¡± ¡°What?¡± He slams his palms on the work table. ¡°Is he putting you in danger?¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m perfectly safe. It¡¯s nothing to be worried about.¡± ¡°Are you sure?¡± ¡°The most danger I¡¯m in is losing my voice yelling at him as he learns potion making. He¡¯s not very good at following directions.¡± ¡°He¡¯s... he¡¯s not,¡± he chuckles. ¡°So that time you got stabbed... it had nothing to do with him?¡± ¡°No. The two of you separated? Truly?¡± ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Temporarily, I¡¯m sure.¡± ¡°Probably.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so pathetic sometimes, Lucien,¡± I hiss, looking away from him. ¡°I know,¡± he says, pityingly. We make our way upstairs into the attic room, where things feel more private, and where we¡¯re less likely to be overheard with all the silencing enchantments. We take a seat on a small sofa in his room, and he leans on my shoulder, allowing his hair to fall into my lap. I fiddle with the end of his braid, pulling the hair tie loose. ¡°Such a mess. Why don¡¯t you take care of it?¡± I grumble, disapprovingly. ¡°I¡¯m waiting for you to volunteer. Want a comb?¡± ¡°Yes, please,¡± I say, immediately undoing his braid. It becomes completely undone by the time he returns to me with a comb in his hand. He turns his back to me, and takes a seat. I catch my breath, and try to control my frantically beating heart. ¡°There it is again,¡± he chuckles. ¡°Shut up,¡± I whine. ¡°It doesn¡¯t mean anything.¡± He leans back until he falls into my lap. I reflexively wrap my arms around his face, and rest my forehead against his. ¡°I want you,¡± he whispers, his warm breath sending sparks through my body. ¡°You don¡¯t. You¡¯re just heartbroken,¡± I whisper back. His ears flutter. ¡°I do, though.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not taking Cyrus¡¯ table scraps. Besides, you¡¯ll take him back when he asks, won¡¯t you? The two of you can¡¯t stay away from each other for long.¡± He looks up, and furrows his brows. ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± ¡°You will.¡± ¡°Why would you think that?¡± ¡°Because you always do.¡± ¡°I¡¯m an idiot.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you realized it.¡± ¡°Can you stay the night? I¡¯ll sleep here on the sofa.¡± ¡°Nonsense, it¡¯s too small for you. Your legs would hang off the sides.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to sleep alone. I just can¡¯t,¡± his eyes glisten, tears pooling in the corners of his eyes. ¡°You won¡¯t. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be climbing through that window any moment now, so we should probably fix up your hair. You look like the tail of a hippogriff.¡± He gets up, and locks the window. ¡°No, he won¡¯t.¡± ¡°Lucien, don¡¯t be that way.¡± ¡°Lune, I have such an ache in my chest. I just want to collapse, and sob until there¡¯s nothing left. This isn¡¯t working between us.¡± ¡°That¡¯s called heartbreak. I know it well.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so angry. How could he just end things so abruptly when they were going so well!¡± ¡°Things were going well?¡± I scoff. ¡°Are you sure about that? From what I saw...¡± ¡°We were spending time together. We were laughing, and smiling again like we did in the beginning.¡± ¡°Come on, sit. Talk to me while I comb.¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t have to, Lune. I can do it myself.¡± ¡°You could, but I actually enjoy it, and do it properly.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t understand you. It¡¯s just hair,¡± he huffs. ¡°You don¡¯t have to. It¡¯s beautiful hair. Just enjoy my services free of charge. Besides, I miss doing this with my sisters. It makes me... happy.¡± He takes a seat in front of me, and I begin to untangle the bottom of his locks, and slowly make my way to the top. ¡°Maybe it¡¯ll stay neater for longer this time,¡± I tease him. ¡°Since you won¡¯t go rolling around any grass for a while.¡± ¡°Luna Masters, you¡¯re heartless. You¡¯re making fun of a very serious situation.¡± I begin to braid the sections of his hair, enjoying the way the light reflects off each strand. The tension seeps out of his body, his shoulders falling, and his breath more gentle. ¡°That¡¯s better,¡± I say, quietly. He sighs. ¡°It is.¡± I tie up the end of his braid, and admire my work before getting his feathers back into place. He admires himself in a mirror when I¡¯m done, then points the mirror at me. We stare at each other¡¯s reflections. ¡°Luna, I-¡± There¡¯s a knock at the window, and I slip out the shop unseen by Cyrus. Chapter Twenty-Six Chapter Twenty-Six I walk into the dilapidated structure that once served as a temple for Selene and Sol, now serving as Cyrus¡¯ and his followers¡¯ hideout. The roof has collapsed with age and winter storms. Any furniture remaining has rotted, and been rendered useless. Nature has reclaimed this territory; Wild plants have grown between the gaps in the walls and the cracks in the stone floor, moss covers any surface hidden in the shadows, small rodents roam freely in search of food, and birds nest in the highest corners of the buildings. A room that I assume was a priest¡¯s office has been reserved for me to do my work, and I enter it, taking a rag and bowl of water with me. I set them on the only piece of furniture in the room that looks stable; a desk that takes up half the space, with many drawers, rusty metal knobs, and scratches from nervous fidgeting over the work surface. Why a priest would be so nervous, I had no idea, but I wonder if it had anything to do with the empty vials I found in the desk drawer. ¡°Lou, are you alright?¡± Asks Cyrus. He enters the small room, and struggles to get past me so the door can be forced shut on its rusty hinges. ¡°Did you forget how to knock?¡± I ask, irritably, wiping the blood off my fingernails with a damp rag. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of him... the one that hurt you.¡± ¡°His name is Bastian, in case you¡¯re wondering,¡± I say, curtly. ¡°Right. I¡¯m sorry he did that to you.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I guess to your group, I look just like any other human.¡± I straighten my hair in the silver tray I¡¯m using as a mirror, trying my best to ignore the fresh black eye that adorns my face, quickly giving up. I¡¯d need a mask to hide it. I pull the sleeves of my tunic over my bruised wrists, and the scratched flesh of my arms. ¡°Lucien is going to get upset if he sees any of these marks,¡± he says, taking a small jar off a shelf that¡¯s filled with a strong healing salve. ¡°You can put that down. I¡¯ve already put some on. It¡¯s going to take some days to heal no matter what I do.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have anything to put over it?¡± ¡°Yes, let me get an eye patch, or wrap my whole head and arms in bandages. That won¡¯t look suspicious at all.¡± ¡°How much damage did he do?¡± He asks, suddenly panicked. I turn to face him, and his mouth falls open. I lift my sleeves, and hold out my wrists to him. His eyes open wide. ¡°That looks bad,¡± he whispers. ¡°They didn¡¯t-¡± ¡°No, they didn''t, but these bruises are going to be difficult to hide. What should I tell Lucien this time? I fell? I got mugged again? I was kidnapped?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go with you. I¡¯ll tell him you were trying to protect me.¡± I huff, and turn back towards the silver tray. ¡°And when he asks why I was with you, and why you didn¡¯t protect me, what will you say, then?¡± He falls silent for a moment. ¡°He worries about you.¡± ¡°He worries about you, too, idiot.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll say we ran into each other, doesn¡¯t matter where, and we were taken by surprise by one of the Guardians that recognized me.¡± ¡°Ha! He¡¯s going to be angry with you.¡± ¡°He¡¯s already angry with me,¡± he scoffs.. ¡°He¡¯s always angry with you these days, it seems. Can¡¯t you do anything right for once?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know why he won¡¯t just leave. I keep telling him to return to the Grove, and I¡¯ll find him there.¡± ¡°He¡¯s an idiot, too, and he loves you.¡± Cyrus sighs wearily, and presses a rag to my forehead, which is still covered in dried blood. ¡°Not as much as he loves you.¡± I wince, the wound on my head stinging when he presses a rag to it. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell Bastian you were part of the rebellion?¡± ¡°I thought he, and the rest of his entourage, would recognize me from the numerous times I tended to their wounds, but that didn¡¯t seem to stop them. They didn¡¯t believe me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll talk to them.¡± ¡°Yes, give them a light slap on the wrist, and send them off to bed without dinner. That¡¯ll teach time.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he says, irritably, his lip twitching, struggling to hold back one of his outbursts. ¡°Sorry. In any case, at least your supplies got here faster, though they dropped some valuable potions. It¡¯s going to take me some time to replace them.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t you take several weeks for yourself to recover? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll take care of the potions, and the supplies.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to do it?¡± I say, doubtfully. ¡°How nice and noble of you.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have Terra deal with it,¡± he admits. ¡°That¡¯s what I thought. I¡¯ll leave her a list of supplies. She¡¯s better at brewing than you are, at least.¡± ¡°Thank you, truly. I appreciate everything you¡¯ve done for us.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll believe you when you kick Bastian¡¯s ass. Or let me do it. He¡¯s weak.¡± ¡°He barely broke a sweat doing any of that to you,¡± he scoffs. ¡°Cyrus-¡± ¡°I said I¡¯d deal with him, okay?¡± ¡°You told him who I was, and he laughed, Cyrus! I¡¯m not safe here.¡± He pinches the bridge of his nose, and lets out a weary groan. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯ll find a better place to put you.¡± I glare at him. ¡°You¡¯re their leader, Cyrus. Talk to them. At the very least, set some boundaries. They shouldn¡¯t be roaming the city trying to find their next target. They¡¯re making all of you look like a band of common thieves.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. Of course you¡¯re right.¡± ¡°Flattery will get you nowhere.¡± ¡°Luna, women always want to hear they¡¯re right. Why do you think I only date men?¡± ¡°Because there¡¯s no woman alive who would put up with you like Lucien does!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s get you back to the Academy.¡± ¡°Or really, anyone else. So you really should try harder in your relationship with him, or you¡¯re going to wind up thousands of years old, and alone.¡± He grabs the scruff of my shirt, and pulls me out of my chair. ¡°Now. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Luna, what the hell happened to your face?¡± Screams Lucien. ¡°A small scuffle.¡± He looks me over several times, his face growing with worry. ¡°I ran into Cyrus-¡± ¡°CYRUS?¡± He screams. ¡°What did he do this time?¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t his fault! I was talking to him behind a stall at the market, and one of the Guardians recognized him. I was trying to help him. There were several of them.¡± ¡°Guardians? Luna, what the hell were you thinking trying to fight them off? You should have run!¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t just leave him there. They were going to kill him.¡± Lucien takes my chin, turning me every which way with a look of pity in his eyes. ¡°Did you put anything on it?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s fine. It¡¯ll take a few days to heal, but it¡¯s fine. It hardly hurts.¡± ¡°Seriously, Luna?¡± He tuts. ¡°It looks really painful.¡± He places a finger gingerly on my cheek, making me wince. ¡°I¡¯m serious, Luce. Stop worrying. It¡¯s not a good look on you. You¡¯re going to get wrinkles,¡± I say, rubbing the skin between his eyebrows until his expression softens. He pulls me into his arms, and squeezes me tightly. His body trembles. ¡°Lucien, I¡¯m fine,¡± I coo, rubbing his back, when he breaks out into a sob. ¡°I can¡¯t lose you, Lune. Whatever it is that you¡¯re doing for Cyrus, please stop.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t, Lucien. I don¡¯t want to.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want you to get-¡± ¡°Excuse me,¡± a voice calls from the front of the shop. ¡°Is anyone here?¡± Lucien vanishes in a puff of curling mist. ¡°I¡¯ll be there in just a moment,¡± I call out, quickly putting on my apron, and stepping into the front of the shop. ¡°Did you find everything you needed?¡± A young girl stands shyly at the counter with several potions, and a bottle of perfume. She nods, and nervously plays with the ends of her hair, hardly noticing my offensive appearance. ¡°That¡¯ll be three silver.¡± ¡°O-Oh!¡± She says, nervously, setting aside the bottle of perfume. ¡°I... I¡¯ll leave this one, then.¡± ¡°Since you purchased many other potions, I can give you one of our smaller vials free of charge,¡± I say, with a wink. ¡°Thank you,¡± she murmurs. ¡°Let me fetch it for you from the back.¡± I return with the small vial, and the girl shyly takes her things, and places them in her bag. She gives me a small nod just before exiting, and I can hear her break into a fit of giggles just before the shop door closes behind her. When Lucien doesn¡¯t reappear immediately, I enter the supply closet, finding him curled up in the farthest corner, his head tucked into his knees. ¡°Lucien?¡± I call. ¡°Are you alright?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t... I didn¡¯t hear her.¡± ¡°You were distracted.¡± ¡°Sol¡¯s Light, Luna! I didn¡¯t hear her. What if that had been one of the Guardians? Or a light elf?¡± ¡°You have a safe place prepared for you to travel to in case you ever get caught, don¡¯t you? We¡¯ve prepared for this.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the point, Lune!¡± He shouts, getting to his feet. ¡°Then what¡¯s your point, Luce? Enlighten me!¡± ¡°You and Cyrus are keeping secrets from me, and I¡¯m losing my senses,¡± he says, gripping my shoulders tightly. ¡°Cyrus isn¡¯t keeping any secrets from you,¡± I say, forcing his hands away. ¡°How do you know that? Does he talk to you? He¡¯s certainly not talking to me!¡± ¡°You¡¯re getting paranoid, Luce,¡± I say, my patience waning. ¡°Am I?¡± He asks, his eyes wide. ¡°What are you doing with Cyrus? Just running into him? Getting yourself hurt! You don¡¯t even care about him.¡± ¡°It¡¯s... confidential,¡± I say, hesitantly. ¡°And I do care about him, because you care about him. Who else is going to ruin your life on a regular basis?¡± ¡°You joined them, didn¡¯t you? The rebellion? Those Guardians hurt you while you were doing some sort of task for Cyrus!¡± He cups my face, and his eyes search mine frantically. ¡°No! It wasn¡¯t the Guardians,¡± I say, pushing him away. ¡°Then who, Luna?¡± He says, approaching me again, hesitantly. ¡°I¡¯ll find them, and I¡¯ll make sure they never touch you again!¡± ¡°It was just some idiot thugs. I was distracted, and didn¡¯t see them coming. It won¡¯t happen again,¡± I say, taking his hand. ¡°I swear it. This is nothing compared to what I did to them.They looked worse than I did by the time I got through with them.¡± ¡°Truly?¡± ¡°No, but that¡¯s what you want to hear.¡± ¡°I hate you,¡± he says bitterly. The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°It won¡¯t happen again, I swear.¡± ¡°Damn the both of you,¡± he mutters, swinging the supply closet door open so hard, it slams against the wall, shaking the shelves. Lucien has found peace in the few weeks I¡¯ve taken away from ¡®Selene¡¯s Blessing¡¯, the name Cyrus¡¯ rebel group has taken for themselves. However, I still feel uneasy each time I find Cyrus sitting at the work table of the shop, like now, when I thought he and Lucien were taking time apart again. ¡°Morning,¡± I greet, not awake enough to handle any of their drama yet. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯ll be gone shortly,¡± he responds, his voice gruff. ¡°No, please. Make yourself at home. I¡¯m going to make some tea, would you like some?¡± ¡°No, thank you,¡± he sighs, getting to his feet. ¡°I was just leaving.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t let me chase you away,¡± I say, politely. ¡°I¡¯ve been down here all night. You¡¯ll not be chasing me away. I simply need rest.¡± ¡°Kicked out of bed?¡± He gives me a weary smile. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t even allow me upstairs.¡± I suck air through my teeth, and give him a pained look. ¡°Trouble in paradise?¡± ¡°I told him I wasn¡¯t going to promise to be here for his birthday celebration tonight, because I don¡¯t want to disappoint him.¡± ¡°You¡¯re dumber than you look,¡± I tsk. He scowls. ¡°Thanks for that.¡± ¡°Did you sleep at all?¡± ¡°Does it look like there¡¯s anywhere to sleep down here?¡± He gestures around the room. ¡°Well, for future reference, there¡¯s a sleeping pack in the supply closet. It¡¯s beneath the floorboards. You can use it, if you promise to put it back in its proper place. Tea?¡± ¡°Yes, please,¡± he says, slumping down into a seat. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll come down soon enough to apologize. He always does.¡± ¡°How¡¯s-¡± I turn quickly, and press a finger to my lips, holding my hands out to him so he can see the faded bruises on my wrists. He touches them gently, and searches my face for signs of pain. ¡°Jasmine? Lavender? I think we have some special Red Moon Blossom tea, if you want to try it. Master Eaimer sent some honey as well.¡± ¡°That sounds wonderful. Thank you, Luna.¡± ¡°No problem. You look dreadful, by the way. You should wash up. There¡¯s a washroom outside. We use it to rinse off the cauldrons, but it should be sufficient enough.¡± He runs a hand through his hair. ¡°I¡¯ll take you up on that offer.¡± ¡°Leave your garments outside the door. I¡¯ll wash them.¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t argue with me. You smell like you¡¯ve rolled around cow dung while it was raining. You probably can¡¯t even smell yourself because your nose hairs have burned away. I bet that was why Lucien wouldn¡¯t let you up. He could probably smell you the moment you snuck into the shop.¡± ¡°Okay. I already agreed to bathe. You need not insult me further.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll bring you your tea. Hurry up. I hear Lucien pacing upstairs. Don¡¯t let him see you like this.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± he says, ducking out the door. ¡°Don¡¯t mention it. Ever. I mean it.¡± Lucien appears before me the moment he¡¯s gone. ¡°He¡¯s washing outside,¡± I say. ¡°I don¡¯t care,¡± says Lucien, curtly, crossing his arms over his chest with a pout. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m looking at the splitting image of myself when I was a teenager. Except I was less good-looking, and had much less hair.¡± His arms fall to his sides. ¡°I¡¯m not-¡± ¡°You are behaving quite childishly. Tea?¡± I narrow my eyes on him. ¡°Please.¡± ¡°Whoa!¡± I shout, when Lucien is about to sit in Cyrus¡¯ seat. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t. That chair needs to be deeply sanitized.¡± Lucien looks down at the seat, then backs away from it, and sits in another. ¡°Do you think he¡¯s sleeping outside again?¡± ¡°Outside? In a trash pit? In a stable? Who knows? I just know his clothes need washing, or he¡¯s not coming back inside.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± ¡°Bring lots of soap, and get the sewing kit.¡± ¡°Right.¡± ¡°And a nose plug.¡± ¡°Wha-¡± ¡°And smelling salts.¡± ¡°Look, if I was going to get caught in here with the fumes of a potion, it might as well be the soothing one,¡± I say, feeling lightheaded and inexplicably calm. The room is foggy, and I can barely make out the light pouring in through the window on the far wall. ¡°I agree,¡± says Lucien, with a wide grin on his face. ¡°But we really should open the windows now. I think those people are gone, and I am not feeling very well.¡± ¡°Right,¡± I state, struggling to my feet, my limbs feeling like lead weights. ¡°Help me. I¡¯m probably too relaxed.¡± ¡°Right,¡± he staggers to his feet. ¡°I¡¯ll get the door.¡± He drags his feet across the shop, and when he reaches the door, he slumps over. ¡°Gods, it¡¯s like drunkenness, and having no strength,¡± he says lazily, pretending to sob as he struggles to lift his arms up to the door handle. ¡°It¡¯s all in your head,¡± I say, fighting the heaviness in my limbs, so that I can climb up on a counter. Lucien groans again, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his palms. The world moves in slow motion as I pull open the high windows, and lose my balance, slipping off the counter. As I blink, I realize I¡¯m falling backwards. The window frame slips from my fingers, and I feel weightless. My heart leaps out of my chest in a single beat, followed by the sound of screaming which I realize is coming from my own mouth. My descent then comes to an abrupt stop. I hear the thud as Lucien¡¯s knees hit the stone beneath us. I feel his hand cushion my head¡¯s impact against the ground. He grunts, and bites his lip to hold back a painful cry. I¡¯m stunned, and it takes me several moments to catch up with the regular flow of time. ¡°Are you okay, Lucien?¡± I reflexively reach for his face, and cup his cheek to wipe the stream of tears now forming. ¡°Yes,¡± he strains. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m fine.¡± I get to my feet, and hold out a hand to him. He stumbles forward, knocking me against the table. I cast a quick spell to cushion our fall back to the ground. ¡°Sweet Gaia, that hurts,¡± he clutches his knees. ¡°We need some fresh air to get this potion out of our systems. I¡¯m going to go... crawl to the door and open it.¡± He nods at me from his curled up position on the ground. I make my way across the floor, my skirt getting scuffed and snagged on the rough surface. ¡°We really should get some carpets,¡± I groan. ¡°Didn¡¯t I mention that the first time we came here?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t remember,¡± I grunt, reaching for the door handle, and pushing my weight against the door so that it swings open. The night air fills my lungs, and I take several deep breaths of it. The world stops pulsing, and I can finally stand without having to fight my own body for control. I help Lucien limp to the door, dragging a chair behind me so that he can fall into it. ¡°I think I¡¯d rather get caught in the fumes of a Clairvoyance potion, than go through that again,¡± I comment. He winces, and rearranges himself in the chair. ¡°I¡¯ll get the healing salve.¡± ¡°And a healing potion,¡± he calls out when I rush out of the room. ¡°Yes,¡± I say, returning, then rushing out again to take a health potion off the shelf. When I return a second time, I kneel at his feet, and begin to rub medicine gently over his knees. He grimaces each time I touch him. ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m almost done,¡± I say, softly. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s fine. I¡¯m fine,¡± he hisses. ¡°Thank you... for catching me.¡± ¡°Please don¡¯t do that again, ever. Get the ladder, or a chair, or a stool. Anything. You could even stand on me.¡± ¡°Sorry, you¡¯re right. That was stupid.¡± He falls to the floor, and presses my head to his chest, squeezing me tightly. I take in several deep breaths of his smell; smoke, sage, and healing salve. ¡°Lucien,¡± I laugh, through my tears. ¡°We¡¯re going to have to start over. You¡¯ve got the salve all over your robes.¡± I bury my face in his shoulder. ¡°Gods, I thought I was going to lose you,¡± he says, his face pressed to my shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Lucien. You caught me.¡± He kisses the top of my head several times, then returns to squeezing me, rocking us back and forth in an attempt to smooth me. He repeats this several times until my heart rate has finally calmed, and only then he eases his hold, and I pull away from him slowly. ¡°Oh,¡± I groan, noticing my tears on his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯ve ruined your robes. I¡¯m so sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± he laughs, wiping some of my tears with his sleeve. ¡°It¡¯s just silk.¡± I stand, and help him back into his seat. ¡°I¡¯ll get a clean rag, and wash that up,¡± I point to his knees. ¡°Finish off your healing potion. Every last drop.¡± ¡°Agh, gods, this is awful,¡± cries Lucien, taking a seat. ¡°You should be back to normal in a couple of days... unless you broke something.¡± ¡°They¡¯re black. I certainly broke something.¡± ¡°Not necessarily. Will you be able to teleport upstairs?¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. I can get some work done. You¡¯ll just have to fetch me things.¡± ¡°Right. Let¡¯s see... we have to prepare some jars of moonlit quartz, and fifteen jars of garlic... ginger... rosemary, peppermint and thyme? What on earth?¡± ¡°Let me see that,¡± he says, reaching out. I hand him the list, and he reads it carefully. ¡°It¡¯s actually twenty five jars.¡± ¡°What is she going to do with all of that?¡± ¡°Could it be that there''s an illness spreading?¡± ¡°I hope not.¡± ¡°Well, in any case, let¡¯s get started.¡± ¡°I smell like... if you put me outside in the hot sun, I would make a very tasty dish of slow roasted meat,¡± laughs Lucien, inhaling deeply the smell of his hands. ¡°I¡¯ll get the rag,¡± I laugh. ¡°Just one moment longer.¡± ¡°No, really. Take your time. I¡¯m close to the fire, and my bruised knees have become quite tender and juicy. I toss a rag at his face, and step outside to fetch water, scooping some up with a bowl from a barrel outside, and returning to him. ¡°Thank you,¡± he sings. ¡°You¡¯re such a princess.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not. Can you get me a fresh apron?¡± ¡°Yes, Your Majesty,¡± I curtsy, and fetch another apron for him from the supply closet. When I return, he lifts his arms. I take his dirty apron, toss it into the laundry pile, and work the fresh one over his head. ¡°You¡¯re just going to get this one dirty,¡± I complain. ¡°Tomorrow we¡¯re doing laundry. I¡¯d rather not dull my senses with that smell all day.¡± ¡°Right. Well, I guess I¡¯ll get another. Would you like lunch?¡± ¡°Yes, please. Give me the next task, so we don¡¯t waste any time.¡± I help Lucien into his bed, and tuck him in. My cheeks are burning red, and his are the darkest I¡¯d ever seen. I¡¯d helped him wash, and got more than an eyeful. Not at all unpleasant, but quite awkward. ¡°Will that be all?¡± I ask him, unable to look him in the eye. ¡°I... need to remove my jewel- earrings. There¡¯s a small leather pouch in that drawer,¡± he points. I walk over to his dresser, and reach in. ¡°Ooooh, my! What¡¯s this?¡± I tease, pulling out a piece of paper, along with his pouch. ¡°Lune!¡± He gasps, crawling to the edge of his bed. I keep it just beyond his reach. ¡°Oh, Lucien! Is this a love letter from Cyrus?¡± He slumps. ¡°Sweet Selene, you scared me.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± I ask. ¡°Do you have something more private hiding in this dresser?¡± ¡°I do, but now that I¡¯m thinking clearly, you wouldn¡¯t even be able to read it.¡± ¡°I really should learn. You should teach me.¡± ¡°Right, because you have no ulterior motives.¡± I toss the pouch into his lap, and move a chair to his bedside. He flinches when I reach for him. ¡°I can do this. I only hurt my knees.¡± ¡°I fell on your hand. I have a very big head.¡± ¡°You do, but it doesn¡¯t weigh much, because there¡¯s nothing in it.¡± ¡°You couldn¡¯t even help me with any of the cleaning. You couldn¡¯t cast any spells. I know your hand is hurt.¡± ¡°¡®Thank you for saving my life this morning, Lucien¡¯,¡± he says, in a high pitched voice. ¡°¡®I owe you, but I¡¯m going to complain about a little cleaning, even though you scrubbed all of the cauldrons with your good hand.¡¯¡± ¡°Are you mocking me?¡± ¡°Sounds just like you, doesn¡¯t it? Unappreciative.¡± ¡°¡®I¡¯m Lucien, and I¡¯m going to boss Luna around all day, because I¡¯m a beautiful princess,¡¯¡± I say, with a deep voice, tossing my hair back dramatically. ¡°I am,¡± he huffs, sitting back, and crossing his arms across his chest. ¡°Now, remove my jewels, peasant.¡± I remove his earrings, and place the pouch on his dresser. ¡°How early should I get here tomorrow?¡± I ask, at the doorway after I¡¯ve blown out the candle. ¡°Just a few minutes.¡± ¡°Alright, get some sleep.¡± ¡°Um... Luna,¡± he says, just before I shut the door. ¡°Did you need something?¡± ¡°I... love you. You¡¯re a good f- You¡¯re a good friend, Lune.¡± ¡°I love you, too, Luce. Good night.¡± ¡°I¡¯m awake,¡± calls Lucien, when I step outside his door. ¡°Are you dressed?¡± ¡°No more free shows, I¡¯m afraid,¡± he snickers. ¡°Oh, you!¡± I scold, stepping into his room. ¡°Good. You managed to dress yourself.¡± ¡°Yes, I¡¯m a big boy, but I¡¯m afraid I still need help with my shoes.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got it,¡± I say, hurrying to his side. When his shoes are properly buckled, I help him to his feet. ¡°Dammit, that hurts.¡± We shadow jump downstairs, and he collapses into a chair, the feet of it outlined in temporary markings, so I know where to place it each night before leaving the shop. ¡°I heard you got hurt,¡± says Cyrus, sitting across the table from him. ¡°You hate me, Luna,¡± whispers Lucien, scowling at me. ¡°You didn¡¯t lock the back door,¡± he responds. ¡°Tea?¡± I offer. ¡°Yes,¡± they both reply, irritably. ¡°You can¡¯t walk for how long?¡± Seraphina cries out, staring at Lucien wide-eyed. ¡°Several months,¡± he grumbles. ¡°I thought I was limited before. This is worse.¡± ¡°Arthur and I will help you when we have time,¡± she says, giving me a worried look. ¡°Does Madam Lyra know?¡± ¡°Yes, she¡¯s trying to find someone to help us, but she¡¯s having trouble finding anyone who will work in a shop that¡¯s rumored to have a dark elf working in it.¡± ¡°Speaking of which, we can check up on you in the night, if you need it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± he says, quietly. ¡°That¡¯d be nice, actually,¡± I say. ¡°Cy... Cyrus is away for a while.¡± ¡°Oh, what happened?¡± She asks. ¡°He didn¡¯t get caught, did he?¡± ¡°No, but he almost did. He had to flee after they found his hideout. He didn¡¯t tell us where he went,¡± explains Lucien. ¡°I see. I¡¯m sorry to hear that.¡± I scrub Lucien¡¯s body down with a damp rag as he lies in bed face down. The sight of him no longer makes me blush, but my daydreams of him have become more vivid and detailed. ¡°Luna,¡± he groans into his pillow. ¡°I think that cheek is clean now.¡± I cackle. ¡°Sorry, just being thorough.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to scrub it raw,¡± he laughs. ¡°Well, that means it¡¯s time for lotion,¡± I say, smacking his behind lightly with my rag, making him flinch. He laughs nervously. ¡°I worry about my safety with you around.¡± ¡°As you should. You¡¯re defenseless now.¡± I rub his back with a mixture of scented oils, using some force to work out some knots. ¡°You have strong hands,¡± he moans. ¡°Is that good?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± He sighs into his pillow. ¡°It¡¯s wonderful.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get used to this.¡± ¡°Right,¡± he nods, relaxing beneath my touch. ¡°Tomorrow, I¡¯ll work on your hair.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, I can do it myself,¡± he groans. After a few more minutes of kneading every abnormal lump in his back until it lies flat, I stop, feeling a soreness in my shoulders. He groans, then freezes. ¡°Sorry, did I hurt you?¡± I ask. ¡°No,¡± he says, the tips of his ears becoming dark. ¡°Well, let¡¯s get you dressed for bed.¡± He buries his face into his pillow, remaining perfectly still. ¡°Just... Give me a few minutes.¡± ¡°Fox used to like massages, too,¡± I whisper into his ear, with a giggle. His ears become darker, and twitch. ¡°Just sit up and pull the sheet over yourself. I won¡¯t look.¡± I turn away, and hear him shift. I whistle, and he gasps, frantically piling the covers higher over his waist. ¡°You hate me,¡± he whines. ¡°You can do this yourself, Lucien,¡± I say, handing him his ivory comb. ¡°I know. I just wondered how long it would take for you to realize my hands are fully functional.¡± ¡°I can barely think at all these days,¡± I yawn. ¡°You keep me busy. The shop keeps me busy. My studies keep me busy.¡± ¡°Come, you¡¯re tired,¡± he says, patting the spot next to him in bed. ¡°Just shut your eyes for a few minutes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a terrible idea.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll wake you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not even clean.¡± ¡°Then wash up. I have a spare nightgown in that dresser.¡± I jump when a voice calls out my name, just as I nearly pass out at the work table early in the morning. ¡°Cyrus?¡± I rub my eyes, thinking I¡¯m hallucinating. ¡°Luna, are you okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯m exhausted.¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t sleep?¡± ¡°No, just so much work. I have to tend the shop alone due to Lucien¡¯s injury. Madam Lyra can¡¯t find any help, because no one wants to work here-¡± ¡°Lucien¡¯s still hurt?¡± ¡°Yes, but he¡¯s almost better. He injured his knees badly.¡± ¡°Can I see him?¡± I shrug, and dismiss him with a wave of my hand. ¡°Go, but be mindful, please?¡± ¡°¡®Lord Raiden Tempest has declared Angelina Montclair return to the Dark Grove. Their three children will return with her...¡¯¡± I take a bite of my apple, and stuff a pastry in Lucien¡¯s mouth. ¡°This is getting dangerous.¡± ¡°You¡¯re telling me. And you¡¯re crippled. If someone comes here, you¡¯re going to fall like a pile of bricks upstairs, and they¡¯ll surely hear you.¡± ¡°No one¡¯s going to know I¡¯m here, because I¡¯ve been trapped upstairs,¡± he whines. ¡°I¡¯m happy just to see this damn room.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± I say, finishing off my apple so that I can tend to some people that have been scouring the shop shelves. I wake up to the sound of creaking downstairs. I yelp when glance over at Lucien, and he¡¯s already staring back at me with eyes wide open. His breathing is rapid as he watches the bedroom door. ¡°I¡¯ll check downstairs,¡± I whisper. He pulls me back down. We watch the door inch open. I reach around blindly, wrapping my fingers around the first thing I feel. It¡¯s cold and smooth. A candleholder. ¡°You¡¯ve got a strong swing,¡± Cyrus winces. ¡°I almost died from fright!¡± I scream. ¡°What the hell are you doing here? Did you pick the lock again? I swear to Gaia if-¡± ¡°I could ask you the same thing! What are you doing in Lucien¡¯s room?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been staying here. He¡¯s hurt, and I¡¯m so tired, I can¡¯t even drag myself back to the Academy on weekends,¡± I scream, my voice cracking. ¡°Madam Lyra is having trouble finding us help, while running her new shop on the other side of the city. I tried to help her find someone, but they know Lucien once worked here. Not to mention, you said you¡¯d help me with him, and then disappeared!¡± ¡°Why were you in his bed, Luna?¡± ¡°Do you expect me to sleep on the sofa?¡± ¡°Why were you in his bed?¡± He asks, more sternly. ¡°Now you want to get jealous? After abandoning us for months?¡± I scream. ¡°First you treat Lucien like he¡¯s an inconvenience, then you get caught doing gods know what because you won¡¯t tell us, and now you think you¡¯re entitled to get jealous? Do me a favor, and find a tall cliff to leap from!¡± Cyrus rises slowly from his seat, and glares at me, his breathing ragged. ¡°Are you sleeping with Lucien?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not fucking him, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re asking.¡± ¡°Good. Stay away from him. He¡¯s mine.¡± My vision blurs from the anger bubbling over inside me. ¡°Be a dear, and tell Lucien I¡¯ve gone to the market when you go up to see him. Don¡¯t make any promises to him you have no intention of keeping, or I¡¯ll find you, and I will kill you. If I see you again upon my return, you¡¯re going to regret staying.¡± ¡°He said what?¡± Cries out Lucien. ¡°Nothing, it¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not fine, Lune! He told you to stay away from me? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡± ¡°Go to sleep, Lucien. I¡¯m too tired to talk about this.¡± ¡°What did he think was happening?¡± ¡°He thinks we¡¯re together, obviously.¡± ¡°Why on earth would he think that?¡± ¡°I was in your bed, Lucien! I told you it was a bad idea for me to stay.¡± ¡°My legs are broken. What could I even do?¡± ¡°I could still mount you.¡± He gasps, and clutches his nightgown. ¡°I¡¯m just pointing out that it¡¯s a terrible argument to make.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to ask why you were even thinking about that!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been wondering about how the two of you would... Oop!¡± I clamp my mouth. ¡°We haven¡¯t been-¡° ¡°It¡¯s none of my business. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.¡± I leave quickly before he can see the joy on my face. Chapter Twenty-Seven ¡°How does it feel to finally be in level five?¡± Asks Seraphina. ¡°I¡¯d feel better if Lucien had not beat me to it,¡± I say, taking a drink of my ale. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± ¡°I¡¯m exhausted,¡± she says, placing a hand over her pregnant belly. ¡°I hope Arthur is taking good care of you,¡± says Lucien, giving Arthur a stern look. Lucien sits hidden beneath his cloak, and our table is tucked away in the darkest part of the pub where the light can¡¯t reach him. ¡°He¡¯s been wonderful,¡± she beams. ¡°I hardly need to lift a finger if I can help it, unless he¡¯s gone off to do some work.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s Cyrus? Too busy to join us at the pub?¡± Mutters Arthur into his cup, his face drooping from exhaustion. ¡°He has matters to attend to. He said¡­¡± Lucien begins explaining Cyrus¡¯ absence, and my mind wanders off to the corner where a man is playing a sad song on a violin. Others around him have stopped what they¡¯re doing to listen, caught in a trance. The song reminds me of my days in Mirror Lake and Bellehaven, like a childhood story I could only vaguely recall. Homesickness. ¡®Once upon a time, there was a Mystic named Luna,¡¯ the story begins. ¡®She was going to a Magical Academy far from home in the City of Lights. She was excited to be leaving the small town of Bellehaven behind, and begin her life¡¯s journey to become a well traveled Wind-Caller. On the way she met a prince named Arthur who fell in love with the beautiful Baroness from Phoenix Spire, Seraphina Ainsley. Luna got to know Arthur¡¯s best friend, the half dark, half light elf, Lucien Moonshadow, who she fell madly in love with, but couldn¡¯t pursue because he got an idiot, possessive boyfriend.¡¯ The story ends in tragedy as Luna is forced to keep her distance from Lucien in order to keep the peace between them, and keep his heart from breaking. When the violinist is done playing, exhaustion washes over me, as it dawns on me that 10 years have gone by since I left Bellehaven to study at the Academy, an eternity, and I still have 11 more to go until I get an immortality potion. By the time I finish, I¡¯ll have lived here in the City of Lights longer than anywhere else. ¡°Luna, love,¡± says Seraphina, gently. I look up at her and smile. ¡°Sorry. What did I miss?¡± ¡°You can rest if you need to. I know you had several examinations today, and I¡¯m familiar with the stress that comes along with hearing those results. Gods, I remember how nervous it would make me, praying I passed, not wanting to endure it for another year. I¡¯d go without sleep for days.¡± I¡¯ve become aware of the heaviness and dryness of my eyes. I haven¡¯t stared at anything except spell diagrams and coursework for the past five weeks. ¡°She practically disappeared,¡± comments Lucien. ¡°Left me all alone in the shop, too.¡± ¡°Well,¡± sighs Seraphina. ¡°I¡¯m sure it was nothing compared to her six months caring for you alone.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right. It was the least I could do,¡± he smiles at me. I look away, not wanting to cause any trouble between him and Cyrus anymore. Even when Cyrus isn¡¯t around, I¡¯m afraid to look at Lucien¡¯s face, because his face softens, and his eyes glisten, and it reminds me too much of how he used to look at Cyrus in the beginning. ¡°I¡¯m ready to head home,¡± Seraphina sighs. ¡°I have an early day tomorrow. Arthur and I will be preparing for the grand opening of our shop.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± exclaims Lucien. ¡°I¡¯ll try to stop by. Or I¡¯ll send Luna in my stead.¡± I give Seraphina a weary smile. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to stop by when I¡¯m picking up my new books. Maybe I¡¯ll sleep for several days, first.¡± ¡°No,¡± says Lucien, sternly. ¡°You don¡¯t need to purchase new books. I have an old copy of Wind-Caller level five spells to give you. Master Eaimer sent it to me for you to keep.¡± ¡°Gods, he¡¯s a saint,¡± Seraphina says, cheerfully. ¡°Those texts get expensive.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have to remember to write to him, then,¡± I say. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, anyway.¡± ¡°Well, let¡¯s get going, Arthur, dear,¡± Seraphina sighs, wobbling to her feet. ¡°One moment, my love,¡± says Arthur. ¡°Lucien, can I have a word with you privately?¡± We say our goodbyes outside the pub, and part ways. Arthur and Seraphina going in one direction, to their home in the nicer parts of the city, and Lucien and I in the other. ¡°I know you like to get ahead on your studies,¡± says Lucien, once we¡¯ve made our way to the potions shop. ¡°So I thought you might like the book now, even though I consider it a disgusting habit.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think my head can take much more for once. Maybe I¡¯m finally becoming normal.¡± ¡°Well, I can get it for you, anyway, since you¡¯re already here.¡± We walk quietly through the dark shop, and up the ladder into the attic. I shut the attic door, and replace the rug that prevents light from leaking through the frame. Lucien rifles through his belongings in the meantime. ¡°Found it,¡± he whispers. ¡°Wonderful,¡± I laugh, beginning to lower the ladder just as I¡¯d gotten it up. ¡°You don¡¯t have to rush off, do you?¡± He asks, softly. ¡°Why? Are you going to make me help you prepare some ingredients? Normally, I would, Lucien, but I¡¯m a bit tired-¡± ¡°Well,¡± he says, in a high pitched tone. ¡°You have been slacking off lately.¡± ¡°Rude,¡± I scoff. ¡°I¡¯ve been busy, but I could make it up to you some other time. Besides, I fell behind trying to take care of you, and everything else, and somehow still managed.¡± ¡°I only jest,¡± he says, pulling the ladder back up, and taking my hand. ¡°I just want to spend time with you. You¡¯ve been gone forever.¡± ¡°That¡¯s an exaggeration.¡± ¡°It was five whole weeks, Lune! We¡¯ve never been apart for that long.¡± ¡°Well, I mean¡­ you did take Cyrus to Zelfari that one-¡± ¡°Except that one time. Just stay here a bit longer. At least let me see your face a few more times?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± I frown, and pout my lip. ¡°This face? The one that looks like I¡¯ve been in a battle with fifty goblins, and got part of my soul sucked out by a Striga? That face?¡± ¡°Yes, that face,¡± he says, pinching my cheek. ¡°I told you to summon a simpler creature, but you just had to show off for your exam.¡± ¡°Professor Hawthorne was unimpressed with all the extensions I asked for. I had to show him I knew what I was doing. I even made sure to pass out when I was well out of sight.¡± I follow him past crates I know are filled with potion bottles, and special ingredients imported from other parts of Amith and beyond. Lucien pulls a stack of them away from a wall, exposing a hidden door. I follow him into the room, and pull the crates back into place. ¡°So,¡± I say, walking around his bedroom. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten comfortable¡­¡± Slowly, I wander the room, taking in the various papers he¡¯s pinned to the walls, and the books he¡¯s lined on the shelves. Lucien doesn¡¯t own much but what he does own looks expensive, well used, and cared for. Everything is perfectly neat and tidy, but somehow cozy. I avoid getting too close to his bed, afraid Cyrus will appear at the worst time through the window. ¡°I have,¡± he says, contentedly. ¡°Studying hard?¡± I stand at his desk, and read the spines of the books he has stacked there. All of them are from our level four courses, some in his own language. Small pieces of paper litter his work desk, covered in writing I don¡¯t recognize. ¡°Extremely hard,¡± he says, sarcastically. ¡°Why are you so nosy?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t read any of it,¡± I say, defensively. ¡°Besides, you invited me over. I just wanted to go home. ¡°Come here,¡± he says, placing a bound book on the edge of his bed. I pick it up, and take a seat next to him, looking around at all the windows. I flip through the pages, but can¡¯t take in any of the words. Lazily, I go over some of the newer hand motions, but eventually shut the book when my head begins to throb. I can almost feel the buzzing sound of my exhaustion in the silence. We sit quietly. ¡°Not going to read anymore?¡± He inquires. ¡°I can¡¯t. I¡¯m afraid there¡¯s no room in my head for now. I need several days to discard all that useless information about the history of crystal ball reading, and its inaccuracies or¡­ or¡­¡± He takes the book from my hands, and sets it on a nearby shelf just past me, his arm brushing against my shoulder. ¡°The evolution of the time keepers of Zelfari?¡± ¡°No. I actually enjoyed that,¡± I say, leaning back on my hands against the bed, feeling the heaviness of sleep beginning to take over. ¡°I really should get back to my room at the Academy. I¡¯m going to fall asleep otherwise.¡± ¡°Stay the night,¡± he whispers, almost inaudibly. ¡°Lucien,¡± I laugh. ¡°I¡¯m not sleeping on the sofa.¡± He settles down next to me, grips my hip firmly, and pulls me close. A rush of heat courses through my body. ¡°There¡¯s enough room for us,¡± he whispers in my ear, sending pleasant shivers through my body, and pushing me against the bed, until we both fall back. Gaia, Selene and Sol! I want him. ¡°Lucien, what are you doing?¡± I whisper. ¡°What if Cyrus sees us?¡± ¡°What do you think I¡¯m doing?¡± I turn to look at him, and he remains mere inches away from my face, his fingers trailing along my waist, and over my abdomen. I gasp quietly, and blush fiercely when I realize he¡¯s waiting for my reaction. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. ¡°Have you lost your mind?¡± I say with a smile, turning on my side, to face him. ¡°Cyrus and I are not together anymore. I broke things off.¡± ¡°What a pity. Are you planning on using me to get over it? What happened this time?¡± ¡°No¡­ I¡¯m not sure,¡± he grins. ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ What happened? I think her name is Luna. I couldn¡¯t stop thinking about how she abandoned me for five weeks. It was a nightmare. I missed her so much.¡± I sit up, and stare down at him wide-eyed. He gives me a panicked look. ¡°Are you teasing me? You¡¯re not serious. This happens all the time between the two of you. I''ll give it a week,¡± I think aloud. ¡°Lune, when have I ever not told you the truth?¡± He asks, irritably. ¡°And I did. Permanently, this time. We weren¡¯t exactly getting along. It¡¯s the first time, I don¡¯t¡­ want him. I feel lifted.¡± ¡°It¡¯s about time! What was it? His broken promises? His possessiveness? His unknowing?¡± ¡°Unknowing?¡± ¡°Yes¡­ unknowing. He never bothered to get to know you. He doesn¡¯t know any of your favorite things. He didn¡¯t even notice that awkward time you were wearing your hair differently.¡± ¡°Awkward? You said you liked it.¡± ¡°I did, but it was such a dramatic change-¡± ¡°You¡¯re such a liar!¡± ¡°Did he dislike me?¡± ¡°No, it wasn¡¯t like that at all. He actually really liked you.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± I say, a bit shocked. ¡°I didn¡¯t think he did.¡± ¡°He said you were remarkably stubborn, and always right.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ what¡¯d he say about Arthur?¡± I giggle. ¡°Incredibly handsome, and surprisingly intelligent.¡± ¡°¡®Surprisingly¡¯?¡± ¡°I might have embellished that a bit,¡± he uses me to pull himself up to a sitting position, and smiles. ¡°Lucien, you can talk to me. I know you¡­ loved him.¡± ¡°Maybe some other time. He did say I was dull compared to the rest of you,¡± he hangs his head, and looks down at his feet. ¡°He¡¯s not wrong,¡± I tease him. ¡°Luna, really?¡± He scoffs. ¡°I¡¯m hurting, and you¡¯re going to agree with my ex?¡± ¡°Is that why we haven¡¯t seen him that often for¡­ several months now?¡± ¡°You noticed?¡± ¡°Of course I noticed! You¡¯re a terrible liar, saying he¡¯s been busy. You always do that weird twitchy thing when you lie.¡± ¡°The others haven¡¯t noticed.¡± ¡°They¡¯re not around you all the time.¡± ¡°If you knew, why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡± I roll my eyes. ¡°What was I going to say? ¡®I noticed a lack of cringey flirting between the two of you¡¯? Or perhaps¡­ ¡®I noticed you¡¯re sleeping alone all the time.¡¯ Or what about ¡®I noticed the two of you are awfully quiet¡¯? Or ¡®It¡¯s about time you¡¯ve opened your eyes¡¯?¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­ surprisingly attentive.¡± ¡°Sorry.¡± I stare at an empty corner of the room, the pounding of my heart almost deafening. ¡°I¡¯m sure you made the right decision.¡± I hear the jewels on his ears tingle when his ear twitches. He sighs, and it¡¯s almost too loud in the heavy silence of the room. ¡°There was just¡­ something missing. I don¡¯t know what it was.¡± ¡°Brains?¡± I blurt. He laughs, and drops back into the bed with a soft thud. ¡°Possibly.¡± ¡°You know what it was. Your ear twitching gives you away.¡± ¡°My ear twitching?¡± He laughs. ¡°My ears are always twitching, as you call it. I prefer flutter. It sounds more sophisticated.¡± ¡°Well, they flutter a certain way. Your earrings have little songs they play for your various emotions,¡± I say, lying back, and turning to face him. ¡°A little light tune when you hear something that excites you. A big plunk when you¡¯re afraid. A loud clinking when something surprises you. They practically speak for you.¡± ¡°What does my lying sound like, then?¡± He says, turning to face me, amused to hear of my discovery. ¡°It¡¯s like a quick double flutter. You actually make that sound when you¡¯re happy about something, too. It¡¯s adorable.¡± ¡°Adorable?¡± He tightens his lips, and furrows his brows. ¡°Yes. You¡¯re like a pet bunny I used to have. I could understand her just by looking at her ears. They were so expressive.¡± ¡°A bunny?¡± He sits up, and looks down at me with a pout. ¡°I¡¯m not a cute, fuzzy animal.¡± ¡°You¡¯re cute just like she was, and your hair counts as fuzzy.¡± I reach up, and pinch his cheeks. He pretends to nip at me, and I pull my hands away, cackling. ¡°She liked to do that, too,¡± I laugh. ¡°When she was excited to be getting a snack.¡± ¡°What kind of snack?¡± My cheeks burn when I see a familiar look on his face that I¡¯d only ever seen him give Cyrus. His eyes are narrowed, the corner of his mouth is turned up, and there¡¯s a glint in his eye. ¡°Well,¡± I swallow hard. ¡°I used to give her strawberry tops, like I give you cookies.¡± ¡°Tell me more about your pet,¡± he says. He leans back, and rests his head on his folded arms, while we stare up at the ceiling, at the shadows cast from the lanterns outside. ¡°I used to love listening to the little crunching sounds she made when she nibbled at her food.¡± His cheeks flush a little darker. ¡°I want cookies, now.¡± I sigh, and tiptoe downstairs in the dark. We¡¯re lying down again, enjoying the cookies while they last. I know there¡¯s only one left when Lucien nibbles it slowly to savor every last bite. ¡°When she was done eating, she¡¯d rub her face against my palm, or cuddle with me,¡± I continue. He looks over at me, with his cookie hanging out of his mouth. I lean in, and take it away with my teeth, finishing it in a single bite. ¡°Dammit, Luna,¡± he grumbles. ¡°That was the last one.¡± ¡°I know,¡± I giggle. ¡°You have no idea what you¡¯ve done,¡± he growls. ¡°Oh?¡± I poke his side, making him yelp in pain. ¡°Now you¡¯ve done it.¡± He sits up, and ties his braid up in a bun, an action usually meaning he¡¯s preparing to tackle a difficult task. We chase each other around the small room, casting weak spells at each other; A little gust of wind to cover his face with his hair, and loosen his hair bun, a small mist to blind me, a shadow to draw my attention. He eventually tackles me into his bed, pinning my arms above my head, and locking his fingers around mine, so I can¡¯t cast any spells. I gasp for air as we laugh until we cry; out of breath, our eyes filled with tears, our hearts pounding. It begins to die down, and immediately picks up again when I snort. ¡°Luna!¡± He laughs, and then imitates my snort. ¡°S-Stop!¡± I scream, quickly running out of air. ¡°You¡¯re a rabbit, remember?¡± ¡°You¡¯re a cute little piglet, then. I¡¯ll feed you an endless supply of honey cake.¡± ¡°That sounds like a good life, actually.¡± Lucien snickers, struggling to stop himself from breaking out into more fits of giggles. ¡°What were we talking about?¡± He asks. ¡°What was missing in your relationship with Cyrus?¡± He moves away, and sits at the edge of the bed, more solemn now. ¡°I don¡¯t think I loved him,¡± he murmurs. ¡°Not that way. Not in the way that matters.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± I murmur, sitting next to him, and taking his hand in mine. ¡°I¡¯m actually very sad to hear that.¡± ¡°Are you?¡± ¡°You deserve love.¡± He laughs weakly, and wipes away a tear with the back of his sleeves. ¡°Thank you.¡± I move in close to him, and hold his face in my hands. He backs away, uncomfortably. ¡°Can I help you with something, Miss?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve just always wondered what color your eyes would turn if you cried. Mine get all red, but you¡¯re blue, and get darker when your blood rushes to your cheeks.¡± ¡°My eyes get puffy and dark blue,¡± he snickers, as he leans closer. ¡°See?¡± ¡°Amazing, and oddly terrifying,¡± I say, mere inches from his face. His cheeks darken the longer I stared at him. He pushes me away, and searches his room until he finds a handkerchief he uses to wipe his eyes and nose. ¡°I think you loved him,¡± I chime. ¡°Or you wouldn¡¯t be this sad.¡± ¡°Then, why didn¡¯t I want to be with him?¡± ¡°Maybe he wasn¡¯t what you were searching for. Just because you didn¡¯t want to be with him doesn¡¯t mean you didn¡¯t love him.¡± ¡°Like Marcellus?¡± ¡°Like Fox and Marcellus,¡± I state, matter-of-factly. ¡°How is he doing, anyway? Marcellus, I mean. We both know what Fox is up to.¡± ¡°Well, you know he was getting married to Abigail. They finally had the wedding.¡± ¡°Gods, that happened already? That was fast.¡± he says, dropping his handkerchief into a small basket of dirty laundry. ¡°Did you go?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t, and it was only fast by your standards. Do you honestly think I had time to attend with my schedule the way it is? I had so much work to catch up on.¡± ¡°So you keep saying. I hope you sent a good gift, at least.¡± ¡°My mother sent gifts on my behalf. I just sent her some coins.¡± A knock at Lucien¡¯s door leaves us frozen in place. ¡°Lucien, it¡¯s Arthur,¡± a voice whispers. ¡°I didn¡¯t know where to go, but I need help. It¡¯s Seraphina. Her mother is with her, but¡­¡± I rush to the door, and Lucien hisses out a curse when I open it. ¡°Luna?¡± Asks Arthur, startled. ¡°Why are you-¡± We both fall silent, turning away from each other in embarrassment, when he catches a glimpse at the disheveled sheets on Lucien¡¯s bed. ¡°I came to pick up a book,¡± I say, reaching for the text Lucien placed on the shelf. ¡°It¡¯s not what it looks like, Arthur,¡± Lucien states. ¡°Is Seraphina okay?¡± ¡°R-Right, of course. She¡¯s in labor. I thought you¡¯d like to know. Uh-you¡¯ve saved me a trip to the Aca- demy,¡± he says, turning away awkwardly, and rushing out. ¡°I¡¯ll wait for you downstairs.¡± Lucien falls face first into his bed with his limbs splayed, and lies motionless. ¡°He¡¯s never going to shut up now, Luna,¡± he groans into a pillow. ¡°You should have let me answer it.¡± ¡°And when he didn¡¯t find me at the Academy? It¡¯s fine,¡± I burst into a fit of laughter. ¡°He never shuts up, anyway. Let¡¯s go.¡± ¡°Do I have to? He¡¯s not going to be able to restrain himself, and Seraphina won¡¯t be there to protect me¡­ I mean, she will be, but she¡¯ll be occupied.¡± ¡°We can get Fox to bring Elizabeth. Smooth things over.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, maybe she¡¯ll help, but Fox is also trouble.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not that bad.¡± We all pace nervously around the room, as Seraphina cries out in pain in the upstairs bedroom. Fox and Elizabeth squeeze each other''s hands, as Elizabeth nervously rubs her small pregnant belly. ¡°Well,¡± mutters Fox, looking back and forth between Lucien and I. ¡°At least the two of you have received a fair warning.¡± Elizabeth gasps, and clamps a hand over her mouth. She gives Fox a playful slap, and turns away to hide her laughter. Lucien stiffens, and turns away. ¡°A fair warning?¡± I ask. Elizabeth walks away quickly. ¡°Yes,¡± says Fox. ¡°A warning for you and Lucien to not have children.¡± ¡°I never really wanted children. You, of all people, know that best.¡± ¡°Does Lucien?¡± ¡°Do you want children, Lucien?¡± I ask him, playing dumb. ¡°Y-Yes,¡± Lucien mutters. ¡°I-I do.¡± My stomach sinks, but I don¡¯t let it show. Still, something has changed, and Lucien looks concerned. ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate,¡± Fox murmurs. ¡°Fox, come here,¡± Elizabeth calls out, sensing he¡¯s up to trouble. Lucien and I break out into a fit of nervous laughter, and stop when we hear a baby¡¯s cry. Lucien grasps my hand tightly, and we walk up the stairs together. I stumble through the front door of the shop with Lucien at my side, and we prepare for a long day of all work with no sleep. By lunchtime, we¡¯re like bumbling fools, getting through work by drinking a steady stream of energy potions. The unfortunate side effects are shivers, and the feeling one gets when astral projecting the moment the soul disconnects from the body. We collapse in his bed upstairs during lunch, and let sleep wash over us, knowing Madam Lyra will be coming into the shop to take over for us soon. I wake up sweating and hot, and sit up in bed, my body heavy. I wearily make my way towards the window and open it. The warm breeze does nothing to help cool me off. ¡°What time is it?¡± Lucien grumbles, as he stretches. I settle back into the bed beside him, staring at his skin where his robe parts just above his belt. ¡°I don¡¯t think we slept for too long,¡± I yawn. ¡°Maybe two hours?¡± He yawns, and curls up again. ¡°Wake me in two more hours, then.¡± ¡°Come on, let¡¯s finish up. I don¡¯t want to work too late today. I have an assignment I have to work on.¡± ¡°I¡¯m too tired,¡± he grumbles. ¡°Luuuuce,¡± I sing, lightly poking his sides ¡°Lucien, come on.¡± ¡°Lune,¡± he whines weakly, and his ears flutter. ¡°I would never do this to you.¡± ¡°You would,¡± I say, poking his side. He catches my hand, and pulls me down next to him, wrapping his arm around my body. ¡°Lucien,¡± I whine. ¡°You¡¯re soaked in sweat. It¡¯s disgusting.¡± He wraps his leg around me, keeping me pinned down with his weight ¡°I¡¯ll let you sleep, I swear,¡± I say, struggling to push him off my body. The heat is making me tired, irritable, and weak. He barely budges, and I groan in frustration. ¡°Lucien, get off,¡± I whine, slapping his leg. He rolls over me, and falls limp. ¡°You¡¯re so ridiculous,¡± I laugh, poking his sides. He cries out in pain, then regretfully rolls off me. ¡°Alright,¡± he says, rubbing his sides. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to get violent. Gods, you¡¯re going to leave a permanent scar there.¡± ¡°Blegh! We should have left the window open. I smell like you. Peppermint and,¡± I sniff my tunic and gag. ¡°Valerian root.¡± ¡°You were the one that smelled of Valerian root,¡± he reminds me. ¡°At least I made you smell a bit better.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s right. You left me with the worst tasks today.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been slacking. We exchange glances, and my heart skips a beat. ¡°Dammit,¡± I mutter, when I see him smile. ¡°What is it?¡± He grins. ¡°You know what it is. I happen to know you have excellent hearing.¡± ¡°And what do you think I hear?¡± ¡°Ugh,¡± I groan, burying my face into his chest, and inhaling his smell deeply. ¡°Only the pounding of my heart when we look at each other. Why are we like this? Why are we playing this stupid game?¡± ¡°I¡¯m scared that if I don¡¯t actually know how you feel, I¡¯ll embarrass myself if I act,¡± he mutters, running a hand through my hair. ¡°A pounding heart can mean you¡¯re afraid, too.¡± My lips reflexively form a half smile. I keep it buried in his chest to imprint this moment to memory; the feeling of his silky robes, the smell of him, the way he softly runs his fingers through my hair. ¡°I love you, Luna,¡± he says quietly, over enunciating each syllable, something he does when he¡¯s afraid of a misunderstanding. I move to look up at him. ¡°And so do I.¡± ¡°As a friend?¡± I huff. ¡°I mean, yes, but¡­¡± He sits up, and pulls me under his body. ¡°But?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯m afraid that this could be a disaster.¡± ¡°Do you promise we could still be friends no matter what?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to be friends anymore, Lucien. It¡¯s getting difficult.¡± I reach up to cup his cheeks, and pull him down by his braids, so I can press our lips together. He eagerly accepts my kiss, pressing his lips against mine with equal ferocity. The spark between us ignites my insides. I gasp from the joy of having finally known his taste, and I¡¯m overwhelmed from the feeling of it. A tear runs down my cheek. ¡°Luna?¡± He tuts, giving me a pitying look. ¡°Was my kiss that bad? You look upset.¡± ¡°It was the worst kiss ever,¡± I say, as seriously as I can, though deep down I¡¯m screaming. ¡°We need a great deal of practice.¡± ¡°Sweet Selene, Mother of Gaia,¡± he sighs, resting his head at my side. ¡°I feel¡­ lifted to the heavens.¡± ¡°Over a kiss?¡± I whisper, with a laugh. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see you downstairs,¡± I whisper, making my way to the door. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in a few minutes,¡± he mumbles, his voice muffled as he lies face down in his bed. Chapter Twenty-Eight ¡°What spell distorts time?¡± Lucien quizzes me. ¡°Hmm,¡± I hum. ¡°It¡¯s not Sky¡¯s Dominion, that¡¯s for sure. Let¡¯s see¡­ Which one has the scariest name? Uh¡­ Astral Tempest.¡± ¡°Are you really guessing?¡± ¡°Well, I also remember the hand motions looking something like¡­¡± I make a right angle with my hands, pointing the fingertips of my left hand to the elbow of the other, and moving my right arm down like the ticking hand of a timekeeper. ¡°You¡¯re right. Which one helps to create lightning?¡± ¡°Tempest Wrath.¡± ¡°Good. And the main hand motion for that?¡± ¡°The same as its weaker, appropriately named friend, Tempest. You have to sort of¡­¡± I pull the air from above me down, and pull the air from the ground up, and force it together, forming a small static charge. ¡°You¡¯ve gotten much better at that motion.¡± ¡°I am level five now, thank you very much.¡± I hold the corners of my apron and curtsy. ¡°Next question.¡± ¡°What level is that spell?¡± ¡°Ah¡­ let¡¯s see¡­ Level nine?¡± ¡°Very impressive, Miss Masters.¡± ¡°Thank you, Sir Moonshadow.¡± His ears fall flat, and he vanishes into a shadowy mist. I hear the creaking in the roof as he walks around upstairs. Peeking out the door into the shop, I spot a hooded figure. It turns to face me, then rushes to the door. ¡°Luna?¡± ¡°Hello, Cyrus. What brings you here?¡± ¡°Have you seen Lucien? He hasn¡¯t been responding to my letters.¡± Madam Lyra coughs politely, and shakes her head slightly. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen him lately.¡± ¡°Well, he still works here, doesn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°Yes, but I haven¡¯t seen him for several months. I¡¯ve been busy with my examinations at the Academy. This is the first time I¡¯ve been back in-¡± Madam Treeleaf holds up two fingers, then begins busying herself with the shop. ¡°Two weeks.¡± ¡°Well, if you see him, please give him this letter for me.¡± He pushes an envelope into my hands with a strange symbol on the seal of wax. ¡°Sure,¡± I say, tucking the letter into my apron pocket. ¡°And when he¡¯s ready to stop being such a FUCKING COWARD!¡± He shouts facing the ceiling. ¡°He can send a response to the address inside.¡± ¡°Right. I¡¯ll be sure to let him know the moment I see him.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ angry,¡± he scowls. ¡°Right,¡± I smile nervously. He bows slightly to me and Madam Lyra, and exits the shop. Madam Lyra gives me an irritated look. ¡°Are either of you going to tell me what that¡¯s about?¡± ¡°He¡¯s¡­ an ex-boyfriend of Lucien¡¯s.¡± ¡°I gathered that much already.¡± ¡°That¡¯s all I know, unfortunately.¡± She puts her hands on her hips, and gives me a doubtful look. I feel the shift in the air when Lucien appears at my side, grateful he¡¯s come to my rescue. ¡°I¡¯m not ready to talk to him. Sorry about the trouble, Madam Lyra. I¡¯ll ask him not to come here anymore.¡± ¡°Well, the two of you better not cause any scenes near my shop. I can¡¯t have any more shows like Arthur and Seraphina. Do you understand? This is the most respectable shop in the city. People don¡¯t come here to listen to whatever that whole thing was, unless you¡¯re going to let me in on it.¡± ¡°Yes, Madam Lyra.¡± ¡°Lucien, dear,¡± she says, quickly getting back to her work. ¡°Have you received anything for me from Master Eaimer?¡± ¡°Not yet,¡± he sighs. ¡°You know I give you his letters the moment they arrive.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± she says, returning to reorganizing the bottles on the shelf, and begins to hum. ¡°Get back to work, both of you. We¡¯re almost out of healing potions.¡± Lucien and I glance at each other amused, and return to the back of the shop. ¡°So, what did Cyrus want?¡± I ask, handing Lucien the envelope when he returns downstairs from the attic. ¡°Also, I¡¯ve noticed you¡¯re making me do too much work today. I feel like I¡¯m here by myself.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve been slacking, anyway. Don¡¯t think I haven¡¯t noticed.¡± ¡°My mind is too full of studies, I just get a bit lost in thought.¡± ¡°What thoughts are those?¡± ¡°There was a gentleman here earlier with very attractive features. He looked like your type. What¡¯s in the letter?¡± ¡°He¡­ wants me¡­ back. He keeps apologizing and promising to change, but¡­¡± ¡°But? You don¡¯t miss the soft breathing of him at your back, or the weight of his arms around you in the night? What about the smell of smoke and sage when you¡­¡± I realize I¡¯m talking about him, and blush. ¡°No,¡± he sighs, looking disappointed, having not caught on. ¡°I don¡¯t think about those things anymore.¡± I pour us both a cup of wine, and sit on the table. He sits next to me, pulling my legs over his lap. ¡°You know you can talk to me, Lucien.¡± ¡°I know, I know,¡± he sighs. ¡°I just can¡¯t yet. I¡¯m still trying to figure it out myself. I just¡­ I love him, but¡­¡± ¡°But?¡± ¡°You know already.¡± ¡°Yeah, he has so many other issues.¡± I play with one of the braids that sits at his ears. ¡°Luna, I don¡¯t know, but when I¡¯m with you, I¡­¡± He frowns when I tug both of his braids to keep him from talking, because my heart might burst out of my chest. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± I smile. ¡°Are you? You seem distracted,¡± he says, tugging his braids out of my hands. He moves my cup away from my lap, and sets it down behind us. ¡°Your hair is much nicer at this length. Remember when you cut it? I couldn¡¯t believe he didn¡¯t like your braid.¡± He leans back, and his braids slip out of my hands. ¡°Luna, I mean it when I say that I love you. I can¡¯t even stop thinking about that kiss. It plays over and over in my mind.¡± ¡°We shouldn¡¯t have done that.¡± ¡°What? Don¡¯t say that!¡± He furrows his brows. ¡°I want¡­¡± ¡°You want?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± he blushes. ¡°It probably didn¡¯t help things,¡± I grumble, and stare off into the fire in the corner of the shop. Lucien places an arm around me, and rests his head on my shoulder. ¡°It¡­ helped quite a bit, actually.¡± ¡°Oh, did it?¡± I tug his braid again, and he pulls me forward. A fire has been lit inside me, and I kiss him before I realize it. ¡°What is going on back there?¡± Shouts Madam Lyra. ¡°Stop playing around, Luna!¡± Lucien chuckles, and points to the far corner of the shop. We make our way to the storage closet, and resume where we left off. Lucien lifts me onto one of the shorter shelves, pressing me against the wall. Our kisses grow more passionate and deeper. It¡¯s only when his hand has made its way beneath my tunic that I¡¯m suddenly alert. ¡°What are we doing?¡± I get to my feet. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t be doing this. It¡¯s too soon.¡± ¡°Luna-¡± ¡°No! We can¡¯t do this.¡± ¡°Luna, what¡¯s the matter?¡± I rush out of the closet, to remove my apron, and take up my cloak. ¡°Sorry, I have to go. I¡¯ll see you later. I think I¡¯m still too tired from my studies.¡± ¡°Luna!¡± He pulls at my wrist. I turn to face him, defeated. He pulls me into his embrace, and I can¡¯t escape, feeling weakened by the scent of him. ¡°What do you want, you big idiot?¡± I ask, trying to force out a laugh. He kisses me fiercely, and I¡¯m lost in him; the softness of his lips, and the firm grip of his hands at my waist holding me in place. When he stops, I take a deep breath, and pull him in for another kiss. Moments later, we¡¯re inside the storage closet again, fighting for the same breath of air, panting, with hands roaming freely. A dam has burst inside me, and I¡¯m no longer able to hold back the flood of emotions I feel for him. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ see you tomorrow,¡± he says, shyly, when we¡¯re finally able to pry ourselves off each other. ¡°R-Right,¡± I say, cheeks hot. ¡°Tomorrow.¡± Rosetta, Seraphina¡¯s newborn, coos in my arms, and squirms. ¡°I¡¯m going to drop her,¡± I whine. ¡°She keeps moving.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Seraphina sighs, as she runs around her stationary shop tidying up. ¡°Just hold her head.¡± ¡°You can hold her, and I can tidy up,¡± I suggest, giving her a pitiful smile. ¡°You don¡¯t do that often, do you?¡± She smiles warmly, taking the baby with a warm smile. ¡°Well, no one else I know has one.¡± I straighten journals on the shelf, pulling them just to the edge so they all sit evenly. ¡°These are beautiful, but are definitely not worth so much gold,¡± I comment. ¡°They¡¯re enchanted,¡± she beams. ¡°They¡¯re bigger on the inside. Large enough for a mystic wanting to document a long life of adventures.¡± ¡°Oh? How many pages?¡± ¡°Depends on how long you want it to be. Some are almost endless.¡± ¡°How much is it?¡± ¡°For you, two gold coins,¡± she winks. ¡°I¡¯ll take one,¡± I say, pulling one off the shelf, placing it in my bag, and taking two gold pieces out to place on the counter. ¡°Thank you. This will save space in my bag.¡± ¡°I can throw in a privacy enchantment, if you want one.¡± ¡°Oh! How much for that?¡± Seraphina walks over to the counter, and places a small piece of paper on the counter. She reaches for a quill and begins to write on it several symbols I recognize from my lessons. ¡°We don¡¯t have these available in the shop,¡± she comments, giving me a wink, and reaching out a hand to me. ¡°Give me your journals. I can transfer the words on the pages to the new one.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t,¡± I laugh. ¡°There¡¯s no way.¡± ¡°I specialized in Enchantments. I was the best in my class.¡± ¡°Then why don¡¯t you work in an enchantment shop?¡± ¡°There are too many cheap enchantments to keep simple minds entertained.¡± I reach into my bag and pull out my new and old journals. Seraphina puts on a pair of glasses with a loupe, and many colored lenses. ¡°Should I be concerned?¡± I laugh. ¡°Will you be destroying my journal if you do that wrong?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s safe. It¡¯s just very precise. I want to optimize the enchantment. Only the best for the best, my friend.¡± ¡°You¡¯re too kind,¡± I say, watching her nimble fingers pull invisible strings I cannot see. ¡°Do me a favor, and hold Rosetta for me,¡± she says, putting the child in my arms. ¡°Your mother seems to trust me with you,¡± I coo. ¡°She¡¯s lost her senses.¡± Rosetta looks up at me with her big hazel eyes, and lets out a high pitched laugh that I swear could crack glass. ¡°Lunie,¡± Seraphina cackles. ¡°I¡¯m working.¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± I say, walking away from her, and rocking the child in my arms. ¡°Let¡¯s see. What part of the shop hasn¡¯t your mother organized? Everything is immaculate. Even the floors are dust free. What about¡­¡± I reach up on my toes to the highest shelf, running my fingers over it. My finger returns clean. ¡°Wow, she even dusted,¡± I say, excitedly. Rosetta¡¯s large eyes stare around wildly as she takes in everything around her, and she laughs again. ¡°Oh, look at you,¡± I say, pinching her cheeks lightly. ¡°You¡¯re so cute when you¡¯re not screaming at the top of your lungs.¡± ¡°I¡¯m finished!¡± Seraphina calls out. I return Rosetta to Seraphina, who begins to tickle the small child until she¡¯s laughing. ¡°This looks exactly like my old journal,¡± I say, taking it off the table. ¡°Yes, I merged them. I know it holds sentimental value to you.¡± ¡°Thank you, truly,¡± ¡°So, you¡¯re never here unless something serious is going on. Did Lucien take Cyrus back?¡± ¡°No, but¡­¡± I blush. ¡°You kissed him!¡± She cries out, excitedly. ¡°You finally kissed him!¡± ¡°Finally?¡± Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Oh, Luna, the tension between the two of you is palpable enough to cut with a knife.¡± ¡°Is it?¡± I hide my face behind my journal. ¡°That¡¯s humiliating. Does that mean Arthur knows?¡± ¡°It¡¯s strictly an Earth-Mender¡¯s intuition, though Fox has his suspicions.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a suspicion at this point.¡± ¡°He¡¯s always been smart, but not that smart. You taught him well, though. He picks up on subtle hints these days.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t take all the credit. Elizabeth brought out some of his best qualities. I couldn¡¯t do that for him,¡± I pout. ¡°Sorry, I forget that you still¡­¡± I shake my head, and busy myself with a nearby shelf. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°So¡­¡± she says, with a sing-song voice. ¡°Do you want to talk about Lucien?¡± ¡°If you¡¯re not too busy.¡± Seraphina shuts the curtains, locks the front door, and turns the shop sign to ¡®Closed¡¯. ¡°Not for you, my love.¡± ¡°Why are we hiding here?¡± I whisper to Lucien, after he¡¯s pulled me into a storage closet. ¡°I¡¯m testing out a theory,¡± he whispers, staring out the small glass window of the door. ¡°Which theory?¡± ¡°You know we¡¯ve put an enchantment on the room,¡± he says, pointing towards a small piece of paper adhered to the wall above the door inside the closet. ¡°I¡¯m checking to see if Arthur will be able to hear anything. I was using a similar one at the Academy in the temple for when the thunderstorms were especially¡­ loud.¡± ¡°Are you using it to hide from Arthur?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve noticed this strange thing that happens when I¡¯m in a deep emotional state.¡± I give him a confused look. ¡°I lose my senses.¡± ¡°Like¡­ your hearing?¡± I laugh. ¡°Yes. Everything just¡­ dissolves away, as if it doesn¡¯t even exist.¡± ¡°That¡¯s normal, I think.¡± ¡°Is it? Is that what you experience?¡± I blush and turn away from him. ¡°Yes. Are we hiding from Arthur?¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Then why are we hiding in this closet?¡± ¡°Lune¡­¡± he says, quietly. ¡°Oh, no!¡± I grumble. ¡°We¡¯re not talking about it.¡± ¡°Come on,¡± he says, irritably. ¡°No. We¡¯re not talking about it, because it won¡¯t happen again,¡± I press my lips together, trying to appear stern. ¡°Oh, no!¡± He cries, dramatically throwing his head back, putting a hand to his forehead, and stumbling towards me. ¡°What ever shall I do without the sweet kisses of my maiden?¡± I catch him in my arms, and give him a pat on the back whilst giggling. ¡°What in Gaia¡¯s name are you going on about?¡± I ask him, when he¡¯s recovered from his theatrics, and looks up at me. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m sick,¡± he grins. ¡°You¡¯re sick? Then get away from me.¡± I try to push him away, but he only pulls me in closer, and holds me tightly. ¡°Lucien Moonshadow, what are you up to?¡± ¡°Why are you assuming I¡¯m up to something?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re a sneaky little dark elf.¡± ¡°I am?¡± He smirks. ¡°You are.¡± I¡¯m almost unable to speak, my heart is racing. ¡°I¡¯m sick with longing for you, Luna,¡± he says, pushing me to the far end of the storage closet. ¡°Luuu- Lucien¡­¡± ¡°Yes?¡± He asks, staring at my lips. I swallow hard. ¡°Oh, just hurry up and kiss me already,¡± I groan. ¡°Lou, have you seen the other Lou?¡± Asks Arthur when I step out of the storage closet. ¡°Uh¡­ have you checked upstairs in his room?¡± I ask, straighten out my apron. ¡°No¡­¡± he eyes me suspiciously. ¡°How do you not know where he is?¡± ¡°Well, he was out here a moment ago, and if he¡¯s not here, how would I know where he is? I was looking for something in the closet.¡± ¡°Right¡­ Lucien!¡± He calls, pulling the cord for the ladder leading up to the attic. I peep through the closet window, noticing the remains of a curling mist of black smoke where Lucien stood moments ago. I sit on the work table, and watch Lucien glide across the floor as he sweeps. ¡°I told you that the herb went bad. Why didn¡¯t you listen to me?¡± I scold him, with an air of pride. ¡°You were right for the first time in eleven years,¡± he laughs. ¡°I can¡¯t believe it. Gaia works miracles every day.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± I reach out, and tug at his braid lightly, causing him to lose his balance. ¡°How dare you. Is this why you wanted me to grow my hair long?¡± He asks, turning to face me, and snatching the end of his braid out of my hand. ¡°So you can harass me at work? I¡¯ll tell Madam Lyra.¡± ¡°I got you something.¡± I hop off the table, over the pile of dirt he¡¯s swept, and dig through my bag. ¡°Arthur told me it was a special birthday for you dark elves. How old are you? A hundred? Two hundred? A century?¡± ¡°I¡¯m thirty-three.¡± ¡°Wow, you¡¯re so ancient and wise,¡± I cheer. ¡°Shut up, and give me my present.¡± ¡°Pushy,¡± I say, placing an object into his hand, and closing his hand over it. ¡°Thanks for not wrapping it. Now I feel really special.¡± ¡°Pretend your fingers are the wrapping. They¡¯re colorful enough. Blue is not my favorite color, but it¡¯ll have to do.¡± ¡°Wait, I think some of the wrapping has come loose,¡± he says, holding out his middle finger at me. ¡°You ass,¡± I mutter. ¡°Just look at it already, before we start fighting.¡± He opens his hand, and looks disappointed. ¡°This is much too expensive, Luna. I cannot take this.¡± ¡°Relax, I got a nice discount. My sister made this piece. I designed it just for you, so you cannot refuse it, or you¡¯ll insult the both of us.¡± ¡°Luna, I can¡¯t.¡± ¡°I¡¯m very serious,¡± I say, taking the jewel out of his hand, and fastening it to one of his ears. ¡°You can pick where you prefer to wear it later, but you¡¯re taking it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the worst.¡± ¡°I want to be a part of your collection before you forget about me,¡± I say, taking the broom from his hand, and finishing up the sweeping. ¡°Especially since you¡¯re returning to Dark Grove soon, and leaving me behind. Now, get some water, and a rag. We¡¯re washing the counters today. They¡¯re long overdu-¡± Lucien slams into my back, and squeezes me tightly from behind. ¡°Thank you,¡± he whispers into my shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare stain my tunic with those hands of yours before we have dinner.¡± ¡°Dinner?¡± ¡°I knew we couldn¡¯t go out, so I asked Elizabeth to drop off some of your favorite dishes, a bottle of your favorite wine, and your favorite cookies. Are you going to fight about that?¡± He shakes his head, and buries his face into the crook of my neck. ¡°So, no one will see you?¡± ¡°No. Wash your hands.¡± ¡°So, it won¡¯t matter if I stain your tunic?¡± ¡°Luce, I will kill you. This is the only clean one I have left.¡± ¡°You get one more gift.¡± I hand Lucien a wrapped package. He gives me an irritated look. ¡°This is the last one, I swear.¡± ¡°Fine,¡± he says, pulling the string off the wrapped package. ¡°¡®Dark Elf Fairy Tales¡¯? How exciting.¡± I sit next to him, and take the book from his hands. ¡°¡®Twinkle¡¯s Sweet Enchantment¡¯,¡± I read. Lucien snickers. ¡°Twinkle. What kind of name is Twinkle? He¡¯s certainly not a dark elf.¡± ¡°Lucien, come on now. ¡®In a hidden glen deep inside the enchanted forest, lived a dark elf named Twinkle.¡¯¡± ¡°Oh, gods, Luna. Why are you doing this to me?¡± ¡°You have trouble sleeping, so I got you some bedtime stories. ¡®Twinkle was known for her extraordinary talent-¡¯¡± ¡°Oh, I see. Twinkle is a fair maiden.¡± ¡°I can return it, if you¡¯d like,¡± I say, getting to my feet, and walking with it towards my bag. ¡°No, no!¡± He says, chasing after me, and snatching the book away. ¡°No, it¡¯s perfect when I need to have a good laugh.¡± He takes the book, and opens it to a random page. ¡°Let¡¯s see here. We have the amazing adventure of¡­ ¡®The Mischievous Dark Elf Luna.¡¯¡± ¡°It does not say Luna!¡± I reach out, and try to take the book from his hands, but he holds it over his head. ¡°Calm down, and I¡¯ll show you,¡± he pushes me away, and shows me the page. I¡¯m surprised to see my name is actually written in it. ¡°Fitting title, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡®Luna¡¯s Midnight Adventure¡¯ is the name of the tale, and I smack Lucien¡¯s arm. ¡°It certainly is.¡± ¡°Thank you, Lune,¡± he takes my hand, and pulls me to his side. ¡°You¡¯re welcome, Luce. I think that was the last of it. I¡¯ll see you in the morning.¡± I toss my apron in a basket of dirty rags, and take up my bag and cloak. ¡°Must you go?¡± He asks quietly, when I¡¯ve got my hand on the doorknob. ¡°Lucien,¡± I say, with a lump in my throat. ¡°You¡¯d break my heart.¡± He mutters, and buries his face in his hands. ¡°Sir Moonshadow,¡± I say, sternly, prying his hands off his face. ¡°I do not want to be responsible for your terrible disposition. Especially on your birthday.¡± Lucien pulls me into his lap, and holds me when I slip off backwards onto the table. He keeps a hand at my back, and traces circles at my hip. ¡°Then stay a bit longer, and read to me.¡± I take up the book. He takes it from my hands, and sets it aside. ¡°Upstairs? So no one suspects someone is still in the shop.¡± I tut. ¡°I can see in the dark.¡± ¡°But we can¡¯t sleep on the table.¡± ¡°Sleep?¡± I gasp. ¡°What in Gaia¡¯s name-¡± He kisses me, and we fall suddenly on his bedroom floor with a loud thump. ¡°Sorry, I forgot we should be standing for that,¡± he groans, rubbing the back of his head. I scramble to my feet, feeling an ache on my bottom. ¡°You¡¯re lucky it¡¯s your-¡± I pull him to his feet with a grunt. ¡°Birthday.¡± He presses a shy and gentle kiss on my lips, and I can feel his cheeks become warm against my skin. ¡°You know what the best gift would be?¡± He whispers against my lips. ¡°I swear, if you say something cringey-¡± ¡°I want you.¡± A fire courses through my veins. I tug at the clasp of my cloak, suffocating in this sudden heat. I cover my face in my hands, and bury it into his chest. ¡°And you did it anyway. What makes you think-¡± ¡°I know you feel the same,¡± he presses his forehead against me. He nips at my ear, and a quiet gasp escapes me. ¡°What are you doing?¡± I laugh nervously. ¡°Claiming you as my own, like a rabbit would.¡± ¡°Is that right? Then I get to pet your soft fur,¡± I run my fingers through his hair. ¡°One moment,¡± he says, leading me to his bed. ¡°Sit. I¡¯ll return shortly, then you can wash.¡± He undoes his braids, setting all of his jewels on the nightstand. ¡°I swear,¡± I say, admiring him. ¡°You must come from the direct line of Selene herself.¡± ¡°How did you guess that?¡± He says, crawling beneath his sheets, and lifting them for me to climb in next to him. ¡°You¡¯re breathtaking.¡± He laughs. ¡°How is your nightgown?¡± ¡°It¡¯s very soft, and luxurious.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to wear it to bed, you know.¡± ¡°Lucien, this is very unlike you,¡± I huff, blushing. ¡°What do you mean?¡± He pulls me down into the spot next to him, and pulls the covers over me. ¡°I swear not to let my hands wander much.¡± ¡°When did you get so bold?¡± I run a hand through his hair, and he smiles. ¡°When I was sure you were feeling the same way about me,¡± he says, wrapping a leg around me. ¡°And what feelings are those?¡± ¡°Love, possibly?¡± ¡°Love? I mean, yes¡­ but I also love Seraphina, and Arthur, and I still-¡± ¡°It feels different. I feel like¡­ Well, whenever you¡¯re absent, there¡¯s an ache, and I just want to find you, and just a glimpse of you is all I need to make me feel better.¡± ¡°You¡¯re so unfair,¡± I say, playing with the fingers of his hands. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re saying such nice things, but we can¡¯t be together.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Let me phrase it more properly. I find you incredibly annoying, and I hate you,¡± he laughs. ¡°I knew it. Dark elves are the worst.¡± ¡°We are.¡± He settles down next to me, wraps an arm around my waist, and nuzzles into my chest. I run my hands through his hair, and he repositions my hand to the base of his neck. He sighs contentedly when I begin to lightly scratch it, eventually falling asleep in my arms. In the morning I awake to the soft sound of his gentle breathing at my side. I give Selene a quiet prayer of thanks for making such joy possible in this horrid existence. Gently, I lift Lucien¡¯s arm off me, and slip out of bed. I cast spell after spell on my clothing to wash and dry them. ¡°Good morning,¡± says Lucien, with a yawn. ¡°Need help with that?¡± ¡°Please,¡± I plead. ¡°I¡¯ll look a mess. I left my bag downstairs. If you cover for me, I could slip back to my room at the Academy, and fix my hair.¡± ¡°Go, I¡¯ll take care of the shop.¡± He strips in front of me, and I look away with flushed cheeks. ¡°Lucien!¡± I hiss. ¡°A warning.¡± ¡°Luna, I¡¯m naked. Try not to let your eyes wander too far if you have any intentions of leaving. Not that I¡¯d mind spending the morning being more intimate.¡± ¡°Lucien!¡± I gasp. ¡°Sorry, that slipped out. I¡¯m still tired, not that the lovely sound of your racing heart can deter me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure I like this version of you.¡± ¡°You will,¡± he chuckles. I return to the shop feeling refreshed, with a box of pastries in my arms, in case Madam Lyra gets angry with me for missing the morning rush of travelers that normally stop by on the weekends. ¡°My! My! Luna! Did you finally get a social life?¡± She asks, with a wide grin, reaching for the box. ¡°This is the first time you¡¯ve walked in late not looking a mess.¡± ¡°No pastries for you,¡± I grumble, walking past, keeping the box out of her reach. I hear the sound of her stool sliding away from the counter, followed by the sound of her footsteps close behind me. ¡°I meant no offense, of course. Is that strawberry I smell?¡± ¡°Yes, it is. I got one for you. Some potato pastries for me, and peas and carrots for Lucien.¡± Lucien looks up from his work, and reaches out for the box. I place a vegetable pie into his hand. He happily takes a bite, and sets it down on the table next to him. ¡°Madam Lyra, did you tell her?¡± He asks. ¡°Not yet,¡± she grumbles. ¡°I was getting to it.¡± ¡°Madam Lyra will be gone for several months,¡± begins Lucien, when Madam Lyra doesn¡¯t speak up. ¡°She¡¯s going to the Dark Grove to see Master Eaimer, and we¡¯ll be running the shop for her.¡± ¡°A wedding?¡± I inquire. ¡°No!¡± She cries out. ¡°I¡¯m just going to study some of the rarer herbs in his garden.¡± ¡°A proposal, then?¡± ¡°Luna,¡± she scoffs, her cheeks red. ¡°They¡¯re going to gush over plants, and brag about themselves,¡± he says, with a wink. ¡°You¡¯re lucky I need you,¡± says Madam Lyra, taking a strawberry pastry out of the box, and returning to the front of the shop. ¡°We really are,¡± he whispers. ¡°I don¡¯t think any other employer would keep me in their shop.¡± ¡°¡­ The jewels in Solari are always the most beautiful,¡± the woman at the counter informs us, her bangles jangling as she fans herself. ¡°I simply couldn¡¯t settle for the white gold or silver of the Grove. It¡¯s much too plain, and doesn¡¯t go with my complexion.¡± ¡°Well,¡± says Madam Lyra, with a forced smile. ¡°You have excellent taste. Was there anything more I could get for you?¡± ¡°Well,¡± she sighs dramatically, making Madam Lyra¡¯s shoulders slump. ¡°I need a good invisibility charm to keep my jewels protected. Do you know where I might find one? Price is no issue.¡± ¡°Master Khen has a shop in town. He will gladly swin- sell a charm to protect your treasures. Just tell him Madam Treeleaf has sent you, and he¡¯ll show you his more private collection.¡± The woman looks excited, and Madam Lyra rushes to escort her out of the shop. ¡°Good day, Madam.¡± ¡°Where-¡± ¡°Just follow that road. It¡¯s on the right. It¡¯s a large shop, you won¡¯t miss it.¡± ¡°Tell your friends about us!¡± I call after her. Madam Lyra slaps my arm, with a huff, and walks back to the counter. I laugh as I rub my arm. ¡°I hope she comes back when you¡¯re the only one here.¡± ¡°More business, more coin,¡± I sing, as I dust the upper shelves of the shop floor. ¡°I¡¯ve created a monster. In any case, I must be going. I have to prepare for my trip. If you need anything at all, I will be across town at the cloak shop.¡± ¡°You should take Luna with you,¡± Lucien calls out. ¡°She has a cloak practically made of scraps.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you know if they¡¯re any good. I have to make it to Dark Grove and back.¡± ¡°It¡¯s as good a test as any,¡± I say with a smile. ¡°If it can withstand Dark Grove, I heard it said it could withstand anything.¡± ¡°It¡¯s true!¡± Lucien calls out. ¡°Why don¡¯t the two of you go gossip in the back room together,¡± suggests Madam Lyra. ¡°Since you¡¯ve been dusting the same shelves since that woman left.¡± ¡°Right,¡± I say, with a wide grin. ¡°I should get the taller shelves, though. I can¡¯t have this place covered in dust. Should I pull some of the expired potions off the shelf?¡± ¡°They don¡¯t expire,¡± Madam Lyra and Lucien say at the same time. ¡°I see.¡± ¡°Put them in a box here. I¡¯ll have Lucien sort them out,¡± she commands. ¡°Right.¡± ¡°Have you heard of that group of rebels?¡± She asks, excitedly. ¡°They¡¯re calling themselves Selene¡¯s Blessing.¡± ¡°No,¡± I say, taking down each potion, and rubbing it down with a damp rag as I read the dates on the bottom. Certain potions become more powerful after some time. Others become weaker or poisonous. By default, however, Madam Lyra takes anything older than several months off the shelves for other uses. I take down a potion with black tar like liquid inside, and grimace. ¡°What in Sol¡¯s name is this?¡± I ask, holding out the bottle for her to see. ¡°It doesn¡¯t even look like it can be removed from the bottle easily.¡± Madam Lyra laughs. ¡°Read the label.¡± ¡°I saw squid ink, but what is it for?¡± ¡°It is the best healing ingredient, very rare, and lasts forever on the shelves. It¡¯s not used often, but it¡¯s useful to keep on hand. It¡¯s best ingested, and never to be placed on wounds.¡± ¡°It certainly looks sticky enough to hold a person together.¡± Madam Treeleaf laughs. ¡°I always recommend using gloves when handling it.¡± ¡°And a metal spoon?¡± ¡°A silver spoon, actually.¡± I wipe the bottle down, and place it back on the shelf. ¡°Oooh, this is lovely,¡± I pick a glowing potion off the shelf. ¡°It¡¯s expired, though.¡± ¡°Oh, my Sol! Set that down. Give it to me,¡± she says, reaching up with a panic. Lucien rushes to the front of the shop, and watches on curiously. Madam Lyra takes the potion, and cautiously places a hand on the cork. ¡°Lucien, my dear, cast a barrier spell around the bottle. I have to release some of the pressure.¡± ¡°Will it explode?¡± I ask, backing away. ¡°It might. Get the back door open, quickly now. How many months old is it?¡± ¡°Not sure? When was the last time you tidied up the upper shelves?¡± ¡°Oh, heavens!¡± She screams, rushing to the back door. ¡°If you hear a cry, I¡¯m perfectly fine. Luna!¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t worried!¡± I call out. ¡°Get over here!¡± I sprint after her. When the cork is lifted off the bottle, a putrid smell is released. I gag, casting a spell to change the course of the wind. Several passersby rush away from us pinching their noses, and giving us dirty looks. ¡°Get a bucket of water, quickly now.¡± I do as I¡¯m told, and rush back inside to grab a bucket. When I return, the potion bottle is gone. ¡°Pour it over here,¡± she gestures towards a pile of freshly dug earth. ¡°You buried it?¡± ¡°It¡¯s good for the soil. I just forgot about it.¡± ¡°It smells awful.¡± ¡°The soil doesn¡¯t mind. You¡¯ll see. In a few months we¡¯ll have some fresh crimson berries the two of you can snack on.¡± ¡°Crimson berries?¡± ¡°They¡¯re delightfully sweet,¡± comments Lucien. ¡°Their juices will stain your lips. They¡¯re used for cosmetics by the higher class. A new experiment?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, so don¡¯t eat all of them,¡± she warns. ¡°I have to head out now. I¡¯ll return for lunch. What would you like?¡± ¡°Anything is fine,¡± I say. ¡°Agreed,¡± says Lucien. ¡°Luna, finish up and be thorough. Afterwards, you can help Lucien,¡± she commands. ¡°Of course, Madam Lyra.¡± When Madam Lyra has left the shop, Lucien gives me a playful look. ¡°What?¡± He pulls me to the back of the storage closet. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ making me nervous, what is it?¡± ¡°She¡¯ll be gone for several months.¡± ¡°Yes. We¡¯ll be busier than ever. We¡¯ll have to learn how to manage the shop.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine. She has a list. We just have to note the inventory, and any major celebrations, and examinations at the Academy.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll have to negotiate prices with the herb shop. I¡¯m not very good at that.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be fine. You know what the best part of all this will be?¡± He asks, his eyes soften, and he bites his lip to keep from smiling. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± I ask, nervously. ¡°You can stay a few nights,¡± he grins. ¡°Oh?¡± I ask, placing my hands at his hips. ¡°What if I don¡¯t want to?¡± He steps away from me, and clears his throat. ¡°Of course that¡¯s always your choice, Luna,¡± he says more seriously. ¡°What if I want to stay every night?¡± He turns away, and I can see his ears turn a deep shade of blue. ¡°I won¡¯t stop you.¡± I wound up sleeping in the room above the shop every night while Madam Lyra is away. She did much more than Lucien and I could have ever imagined. Every night, I¡¯d instantly collapse at Lucien¡¯s side from exhaustion after a long day. ¡°Move over a bit,¡± I whine, pushing Lucien over to the opposite side of the bed. ¡°You¡¯re on my side.¡± Lucien pulls me down, causing me to fall over his body. ¡°Both sides are mine,¡± he kisses me. ¡°It¡¯s my bed.¡± He rolls over me, and begins to kiss me passionately. My lips, my neck, my shoulders. I should be used to it, but somehow, it still fills me with excitement. ¡°Lucien,¡± I blush. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°I want more, Luna. Is that alright with you?¡± I nod shyly. His fingers trail down my thighs. He pushes the hem of my nightgown up, and slips his hands beneath it. He pauses, hesitant to go much further. I giggle nervously, and move his hands. He¡¯s paralyzed when I¡¯ve guided them over otherwise forbidden parts of me. ¡°I don¡¯t bite,¡± I whisper. He¡¯s like a child being permitted to explore unhindered, shyly at first, but soon lost in his own world. ¡°Can I¡­¡± I trail my fingers over his chest, and again, he¡¯s frozen in place. ¡°Or not?¡± I pull my hands away quickly. ¡°N-no,¡± he mutters. ¡°It¡¯s fine. You can¡­ I¡¯m just¡­ I¡¯ve not done this in a while.¡± ¡°Haven¡¯t you, though?¡± ¡°Lune, I¡­¡± he blushes. ¡°It¡¯s different with you.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°You¡¯re¡­¡± he hesitates. ¡°You¡¯re very precious to me. I need you to understand that.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re extremely precious to me,¡± I giggle. We touch each other hesitantly and curiously, breaking out into several fits of laughter in our discomfort, which strangely helps to ease our nerves. I trail my finger down the glistening skin on his chest, and he inhales sharply. ¡°Are you hurt?¡± ¡°No, I¡­¡± ¡°Oh, gods,¡± I blush fiercely at his reaction. ¡°Sorry,¡± he moves away, shyly. ¡°I guess we¡¯re both dams about to burst,¡± I laugh nervously. My laugh startles him, then he joins me with the same bout of nervous laughter. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not sure I¡¯m ready for any of that yet,¡± he admits, quietly. ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± I murmur, trying to catch my breath. ¡°Some other time, then?¡± ¡°Definitely.¡± ¡°I should sleep on the couch.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. I¡¯ll sleep in it.¡± ¡°We could still t-touch each other. Maybe get familiar? It might help to ease our nerves for the¡­ for¡­ well, you know.¡± ¡°The sex?¡± He states, bluntly. I nod shyly. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered what you look like under those robes,¡± I smile, tracing my fingers along his forearms, as we lie down facing each other in the late hours of the night. ¡°And?¡± ¡°Much better than I could have ever imagined,¡± I snicker. ¡°But I thought for sure you had some tattoos.¡± ¡°Tattoos? Really?¡± ¡°I mean, look at your forearms. They¡¯re so strong, and firm, and¡­ and¡­¡± ¡°And¡­? ¡°Being human is so unfair.¡± He laughs, and trails a finger along my lower lip. ¡°I¡¯ve always wanted to know what these tasted like.¡± ¡°What did you think they¡¯d taste like?¡± ¡°Like honey cake,¡± he laughs. ¡°And what do they taste like?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± His face softens, and he kisses me gently and deeply, and we¡¯re lost in each other again, as he pulls me closer. ¡°I think you taste like figs.¡± ¡°Do you like the taste of figs?¡± ¡°I love it. You make figs taste wonderful. And¡­ Thank you for understanding.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t easy.¡± ¡°I saw the struggle.¡± ¡°If I looked like you, you¡¯d understand.¡± He chuckles, and pecks kisses along my collar bone. ¡°That¡¯d be too strange.¡± ¡°But you know you¡¯re good-looking, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m too busy looking at you to care about whatever I look like.¡± ¡°Gods, you¡¯re so sweet, it hurts.¡± ¡°Like cookies?¡± ¡°Like pure sugar. So sweet, it¡¯s almost painful.¡± Chapter Twenty-Nine ¡°Good morning, Lune,¡± Lucien whispers at my back. ¡°G¡¯morning, Luce,¡± I yawn. ¡°How are you feeling? Are you alright? Did you sleep well?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± I say quietly, suddenly remembering we¡¯re both bare. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever been this deliriously happy before.¡± He plants a kiss at the base of my neck, and pulls me closer to his warm body. ¡°Relax. You need to save some of that happiness for when we-¡­¡± ¡°When we what?¡± He asks, nipping my ear. ¡°Nothing,¡± I hide my face into a pillow, bashfully. He buries his face into my hair at the nape of my neck, and his cheeks warm. ¡°I¡¯d laugh at your reaction if that thought didn¡¯t just also excite me.¡± ¡°Trust me when I say I can feel your excitement, but there¡¯s plenty of time for disappointments between then and now,¡± I chuckle nervously. ¡°Don¡¯t be so negative,¡± he says cheerfully, sitting up. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We have a shop to run.¡± I watch him glide around the small bedroom dressing himself in his silk robes, and putting jewels in his hair. The gentle sway of his braid at his back, the way his delicate, silk robes glide up his arm as he pulls it on, and the way he pushes his hair effortlessly behind his ear, away from his face, while he pulls on his shoes is all mesmerizing. ¡°You¡¯re staring,¡± he smiles. ¡°Sorry, you¡¯re just so enchanting. Like a wood nymph or¡­ or even an incubus.¡± ¡°An incubus, Lune?¡± He snickers. ¡°I¡¯m already feeling fatigued from fighting against you for so long. I¡¯ll soon succumb to temptation.¡± ¡°You should get dressed, so I can also be enchanted.¡± ¡°What do I look like? A gorgon? A harpy, perhaps?¡± ¡°You¡¯re like a siren.¡± ¡°Am I your doom, sea man?¡± ¡°You are, and I¡¯m enjoying every minute of it as I sink down with my ship.¡± I tiptoe down the ladder, noticing the back door is open. Reaching for the nearest objects, a cast iron pan used to weigh down herbs in order to dry them or extract the juices, I tiptoe toward the front of the shop. ¡°Luna!¡± Cries Madam Treeleaf. I catch myself before I trip over a cauldron. ¡°I see you¡¯ve taken advantage of my hospitality. Had a nice sleep over?¡± She eyes me suspiciously. ¡°We could barely keep up with our studies, and the shop at the same time,¡± I say, immediately on the defensive. ¡°Lucien was nice enough to let me stay the night. I¡¯ll be relieved to finally get back to my bed at the Academy now that you¡¯re here.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re such a good liar,¡± she grins. ¡°Have a pastry. I brought several.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ lying,¡± I mutter. ¡°Good morning, Madam Lyra,¡± Lucien calls down. ¡°I¡¯ll take a pumpkin pastry, if you got one.¡± ¡°Of course, my sweet. How was your evening? I see Miss Luna spent the night here.¡± ¡°She even took my bed, and forced me to sleep on the sofa. If you hear me scream, I¡¯ve got terrible neck pain,¡± he lies expertly. ¡°Running the shop was enough to kill me every evening, but that was the icing on the cake. I¡¯m impressed you do all this alone when you¡¯re between apprentices.¡± ¡°The shop¡¯s never been this busy in the past. The two of you deserve some of the credit. You¡¯ve helped me get it here.¡± ¡°See,¡± he says, climbing down the attic ladder. ¡°We need our names on the sign. Treeleaf, Masters, and Moonshadow. How was Master Eaimer?¡± ¡°He¡¯s so funny.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not,¡± Lucien mutters. ¡°He¡¯s the only one that thinks that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s endearing. Thank you, both of you, for minding the shop. You did a wonderful job keeping it well stocked, and tidy. Luna, I saw you also organized my recipes, Master Eaimer¡¯s recipes, and color coded all of it.¡± ¡°She gets nervous during examinations, and wants to do anything except study. She¡¯s an absolute nightmare,¡± Lucien chuckles. ¡°I had to force her to stop working.¡± ¡°How are Seraphina and the baby?¡± ¡°They¡¯re doing well, the last time I heard¡­ which was just before you left us in this section of hell you call a shop for several months to go on your little adventure with Master Eaimer.¡± ¡°How was the room upstairs?¡± ¡°The bed¡¯s a bit loud.¡± I choke on my pastry, and grab the closest source of water I can find. ¡°Luna tosses and turns all night. I could hardly get any sleep.¡± ¡°That¡¯s unfortunate,¡± says Madam Treeleaf. ¡°I¡¯ve got a potion for restlessness if you need one, and I can get a new frame.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. I just don¡¯t like unfamiliar places,¡± I admit. It¡¯s not the truth, but it¡¯s not a lie. ¡°Nonsense, I don¡¯t need a new frame, I sleep soundly,¡± states Lucien. ¡°I¡¯ll get a new frame anyway. I might rent the room out when you leave, and I don¡¯t need to hear that sound all day. If you do need the potion, Luna, take it free of charge. I¡¯ve got the task list written. You can get started on that. I¡¯ve got some business to take care of outside the shop for now. I need to find a place that will sell me herbs from Dark Grove.¡± ¡°I see Master Eaimer has given you his most prized jewel.¡± Her cheeks redden, and she reaches for her ear where a green stone is fastened. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°I suppose a congratulation is in order? Are you Madam Eaimer, now?¡± ¡°Thank you, but not yet. The City of Lights does not legally recognize our union, as you know. Not that I¡¯m sharing the news with anybody, nor should you.¡± ¡°Of course I won¡¯t. How is his mother? You mentioned the two of you were going to catch up. Has she been well? She¡¯s such a lovely woman.¡± ¡°She¡¯s been wonderful, the sweetest woman I¡¯ve ever met.¡± ¡°Master Eaimer¡¯s mother is still¡­? Right, immortal,¡± I mumble, remembering I should write a letter back home. Madam Treeleaf and Lucien talk to each other for a time, exchanging news from the Grove, while I skim through the checklist on the table. Lucien is happy to hear that it hasn¡¯t changed much, and excitedly talks about his return trip. ¡°It never ends¡­ mugwort leaves¡­¡± I mutter to myself, searching through the shelves to see if we have any in stock. ¡°Fourth shelf down by the door,¡± Lucien informs me, never taking his attention away from Madam Treeleaf. ¡°Powdered obsidian?¡± I read off. ¡°How much?¡± Asks Lucien. ¡°Three tablespoons.¡± ¡°Left side of the cabinet.¡± ¡°How do you know that without looking?¡± ¡°You¡¯re the one that organized it. Why don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°It¡¯s too logical.¡± He laughs. Around noon, Lucien and I are sitting outside beneath the tree in Madam Lyra¡¯s garden, with sweat on our brows, enjoying the cool breeze, and the shade. I almost forgot what it was like to relax after many months of non-stop working and studying. ¡°So, Lune, did you really miss your bed back at the Academy?¡± ¡°I think I¡¯m going to miss the feeling of you at my side more,¡± I mumble. We reach out to each other, and interlock our fingers, our cheeks hot. ¡°Couldn¡¯t you stay here? Just a few more days.¡± ¡°No,¡± I smile, sitting up, and looking down at him, casting a shadow over him. ¡°I don¡¯t think Madam Lyra would appreciate it.¡± ¡°Lune,¡± he reaches up to brush a finger along my cheek. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t get caught.¡± ¡°Lous!¡± Calls a voice. ¡°Arthur,¡± says Lucien, moving away from me. I stand, and dust off my tunic. ¡°We¡¯re here in the garden!¡± Lucien calls out, and waves. Lucien and Arthur speak in hushed, hurried tones over a cup of tea, while I busy myself with some laundry folding. ¡°¡­ A rebellion?¡± Asks Lucien. ¡°Yes, they¡¯re calling themselves-¡± ¡°Selene¡¯s Blessing,¡± I finish, then cover my mouth. ¡°How did you know?¡± ¡°C-Cyrus asked me to join when he first started it. It was a long time ago. I didn¡¯t think anything would come of it¡± ¡°And did you?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± ¡°Seraphina and I did. I think it¡¯s a great idea, seeing as none of the city guards have done anything to help. Or really, anyone.¡± ¡°You¡¯re willing to put yourself in danger for-¡± ¡°I want my children to grow up in a peaceful time, Lucien!¡± Cries Arthur. ¡°Tensions are rising, and there¡¯s a war coming. There are rumors of armies departing Solari for the Dark Grove leaving nothing but destruction in its path for any supporters. I¡¯m not going to just sit on my hands, and do nothing about it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re putting yourself in danger!¡± ¡°Lou! I expected you, of all people, to join us. I thought you cared for Dark Grove.¡± ¡°Yes, but this is ridiculous. The matter will settle itself, if you just wait a bit longer.¡± ¡°Wait for what?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t tell you, but the light elves will step in soon.¡± ¡°Soon in elf time, or human time, Lucien? Because those are drastically different! Your kind are not the only ones dying, Lou! Humans are, too.¡± ¡°Elf¡­ time.¡± He looks down at his feet. ¡°So they¡¯re probably just sitting around, and waiting, like you? Are you even considering yourself a dark elf anymore? Or are you just hiding like the other half-breeds?¡± ¡°Arthur!¡± I shout. ¡°Even Luna was one of the first members of the rebellion.¡± I freeze, dropping the basket of laundry on the ground, and picking it up again when I return to my senses. ¡°Luna? You didn¡¯t,¡± Lucien says sternly. ¡°You lied to me? You said you were helping me. You didn¡¯t tell me you joined! It isn¡¯t safe for you. Tell me he¡¯s lying.¡± ¡°I¡­ did,¡± I say, cowering away from him, forcing the basket of laundry between us. ¡°You can¡¯t be serious!¡± He looks angrier than I¡¯ve ever seen him, and I¡¯m almost afraid. His eyes reflect the light of the fire more intensely than I thought possible. ¡°Lucien, I agree with Arthur,¡± I say, standing my ground. ¡°I don¡¯t want to sit around, and watch all of this happen. I thought you wanted to help the dark elves. If you¡¯re not going to join, why haven¡¯t you returned home to begin studying with Master Eaimer, anyway? You could be level six by now. You could be safe. You could be doing anything else right now.¡± Lucien huffs, and glares at me. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you didn¡¯t tell me about this. You knew how I felt about it!¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, Lucien. It¡¯s fine. Cyrus hasn¡¯t given me any dangerous tasks.¡± ¡°What about that time you came back with a black eye? Was that one of those tasks? Or the knife wound! Were you fine, then?¡± He slaps his hands on the table, startling both Arthur and me. Getting to his feet, he rushes to my side, and there¡¯s that look again; worry. He takes my face in his hands, and presses our foreheads together. I try to subtly remind him Arthur is here by cleaning my throat, but he refuses to take the hint. ¡°Luna, please. You¡¯re almost done with your studies. Don¡¯t throw your life away for this pointless rebellion.¡± ¡°What¡¯s the point of having these abilities if not to help?¡± ¡°Please, Luna, don¡¯t do anything dangerous.¡± ¡°Lucien, don¡¯t you want to do something meaningful with your life? I do.¡± ¡°I am, Luna. I¡¯m living it. I¡¯m not trying to find adventure. I¡¯m just enjoying it, and I really wish you¡¯d do the same.¡± ¡°I bet the other dark elves were doing the same when they got slaughtered.¡± ¡°No. Please,¡± he says quietly, taking a seat at the work table, and burying his face in his hands. ¡°I can¡¯t have this conversation with you right now.¡± Arthur looks over at me with a wide grin, then glances over at Lucien from the corner of his eye, and nods his head towards him. I blush. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Arthur, let Luna alone,¡± says Lucien, exasperated. ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± I comment, continuing my work, eventually finding something at the front of the shop to keep myself busy. The shop door rings loudly when I turn to count the money in the small wooden box at the end of the day. The coins jingle when I jump from fright. A large man with a scar running diagonally across the length of his face stomps in, and approaches me. The shelf behind me rocks slightly when I run into it trying to back away from him. ¡°Where is he?¡± He demands. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°You know who. The dark elf.¡± I recognize his face now. It¡¯s the man who had wanted a love potion. ¡°M-M-Madam Treeleaf will be coming back s-s-¡± My words get caught in my throat when he steps closer, and when I try to force them out, he pushes past me, entering the back of the shop. I rush in behind him, and I¡¯m relieved to find the room is empty. ¡°As you can see, there¡¯s no one here. Now, if you don¡¯t mind, it¡¯s near closing. Madam Treeleaf will be back tomorrow. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see Madam Treeleaf,¡± he spits out, over enunciating each word. ¡°I want to kill that fucking dark elf.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid the dark elf no longer works here with everything happening, as I¡¯m sure you¡¯re aware.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t give me that horseshit,¡± he turns, and approaches me. ¡°I saw him, and his little red-haired friend. That Lynn fellow. So either, you tell me where he is, or I¡¯ll make him come out.¡± ¡°Please, sir, with respect, the shop is not the place for this. Feel free to search for him in the city, but do not seek revenge here. Whatever has happened between you and this dark elf is not Madam Treeleaf¡¯s fault.¡± He pulls a knife out of his belt, and I reflexively reach for mine, but it¡¯s not on me. The man lunges at me, and I just barely dodge him, using a small gust of wind to propel me away from his blade. ¡°Oh, I see. You¡¯re one of those Mystics, huh? That¡¯ll make this more fun, then.¡± ¡°Please, sir, I¡¯ve done you no harm.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not leaving witnesses, sweetheart.¡± He throws his knife, and I duck, barely managing to cast an air blast spell to parry it. I feel the air shift, and not a second later, there¡¯s a loud thud. His body lies on the ground before Lucien, blood pooling at his side. Lucien turns to face me splattered in blood, his eyes mad with rage that quickly becomes concerned when he looks at me. ¡°Luna, are you alright?¡± Lucien¡¯s face spins, and blurs before me. Acid burns the back of my throat, and I fear I might vomit. ¡°Lu-Luce, I¡­¡± My mouth waters as the acid threatens to come up. He pulls me off the ground, and sits me down into a chair, forcing me to tuck my head between my knees. ¡°He didn¡¯t nick you, did he?¡± Lucien tugs on various parts of my clothing, searching me for damage. His fingers trail along my scalp searching for bumps or scratches. ¡°Luna¡­ hurt¡­ Are¡­-Kay?¡± Arthur sounds frightened. ¡°He got ¡­ forehead¡­¡± I manage to say. The room begins to spin again when I shake my head. I shut my eyes, and take several deep breaths, leaning back against the chair, wishing I could just lie down on the ground. ¡°She doesn¡¯t¡­ Luna¡­¡± Lucien cups my face, and slaps it lightly. I open one eye, and he stares at me intently. It¡¯s that look again; the worry. I wish he wouldn¡¯t worry about me, because I¡¯m going to get more worried. ¡°I think she¡¯s in sh¡­¡± ¡°Hello, my love,¡± comes a sweet voice. There¡¯s a smell of lavender in the air. ¡°Madam¡­ Madam Lyra. You¡¯re here,¡± I say, watching the room spin around me. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, he didn¡¯t take anything.¡± ¡°Luna, love, are you alright?¡± She asks sweetly. ¡°Yes. He missed when he threw¡­¡± ¡°Arthur, can you get her back to the Academy?¡± ¡°Absolutely.¡± ¡°Lucien, get me a Tranquility potion. Be quick about it.¡± ¡°We already gave her one.¡± ¡°She could use another.¡± The next morning after a long night of nightmares, I lie in bed staring up at the ceiling. Gathering up the little energy I have left, I make my way back to the shop. ¡°Luna, dear, is that you?¡± A sweet voice asks. I¡¯m not sure how long I stood out there, hesitating to enter the shop. The man won¡¯t be there. Lucien killed him. If he¡¯s gone, why am I still afraid? I wave, and force a smile. ¡°Good morning, Madam Lyra.¡± The shop door rings when she opens it, freezing me in my tracks. ¡°Luna,¡± she says, gently guiding me inside. ¡°You can return to the Academy if you¡¯re not feeling well. I understand yesterday¡¯s events might have left you a bit uneasy.¡± ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t. Lucien needs help.¡± ¡°The two of you ran my shop for months without stopping to take a break. I imagine it wasn¡¯t easy to do that, and maintain your grades at the Academy. You could use a small break. Go¡­ frolicking in the forest or whatever it is that elves do for fun. I can handle the shop for the day. It¡¯s going to be a slow one, anyway.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t frolick,¡± grumbles Lucien, emerging from the back room, rubbing his eyes. ¡°We saunter.¡± ¡°Well, whatever you do, please take Luna with you. I hear there¡¯s a show playing at the theater. Why don¡¯t you go and watch it? I heard great things.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s fine, Madam Lyra,¡± I murmur. ¡°Lucien can¡¯t¡­ he can¡¯t go.¡± ¡°You can go alone,¡± mumbles Lucien. ¡°Uh, well¡­¡± Madam Lyra thinks for a moment.. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go and¡­¡± ¡°You can go visit your sisters,¡± suggests Lucien. ¡°Yes, that sounds like a good idea.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, Madam Lyra,¡± I say, defensively. ¡°Lucien, get her out of here. I don¡¯t care how,¡± she insists. ¡°Yes, Madam Lyra.¡± Where did I go wrong in my life to get here? Did I anger the gods? Did I anger Gaia? Am I an idiot? ¡°Lu-Lucien,¡± I shiver. ¡°This isn¡¯t helping. I¡¯m going to get sick.¡± I¡¯m irritated at how relaxed Lucien is able to look under the rough, freezing waters of the falls cascading over him, but Gods, is he a sight to behold. The only thing keeping me warm is the feeling I get looking at his glistening, nearly naked body under the water. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel refreshed and cleansed?¡± He asks, his eyes shut in meditation. ¡°I feel cold,¡± I splutter. ¡°What would you like to do, then?¡± He asks, opening one eye to look at me. ¡°Can we¡­ watch the stars?¡± He rolls his neck, and sighs. ¡°I should have guessed, but that won¡¯t be for a while.¡± ¡°We could take a nap at the shop.¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we just take a nap in the shade of that lovely tree? There¡¯s a patch of sunlight just for you.¡± Searching across the horizon for the specific tree he was talking about, and my mind wanders to the previous night. A splashing fish pulls me out of my momentary nightmare, startling me just before the man throws his dagger at me. ¡°Sure. Lead the way.¡± I watch the light peeking between the leaves of the tree overhead, while Lucien eyes me carefully, studying me like one of his textbooks. ¡°Luna, are you going to be alright?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­?¡± I look at him, and smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine¡­ I¡¯ll be fine.¡± ¡°Talk to me when you discover you¡¯re really not.¡± ¡°Luce, I was scared.¡± ¡°That¡¯s understandable,¡± he says gently, giving me a sad look. ¡°The man attacked you.¡± ¡°I mean¡­ He could have killed me. I barely reacted. I was useless in helping you.¡± ¡°You were scared. That¡¯s what fear looks like for some.¡± ¡°You dealt with him before I could even figure out I was in danger. How did you do that? How can you do that? I want to learn.¡± ¡°Why? What is this ¡®Selene¡¯s Blessing¡¯ group having you do? Are they putting you in danger?¡± ¡°No, but should the war reach us, I want to be able to fight, or at the very least, defend myself. Could you teach me?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± he says, defeatedly, lying back, and closing his eyes. ¡°Seeing as I probably can¡¯t convince you to just stay away from the battles. I can at least help you stay alive. Just promise me it¡¯ll just be in self-defense. Will that comfort you?¡± ¡°It will. Are you really going to nap?¡± ¡°Promise.¡± ¡°Fine. I promise it¡¯ll be for self-defense.¡± ¡°We¡¯re not starting now, though. I¡¯m not working, and I don¡¯t have anything to study for at the moment. I can do whatever I want. You should do the same.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true, there¡¯s no rush.¡± ¡°Come on, then. Lie back. Let the sunbeams warm your face, and lull you into a deep, comforting sleep, and when we wake, we can watch the beauty of the night sky together. It won¡¯t be as good as it is in the Grove, but it¡¯ll suffice.¡± ¡°Or Bellehaven,¡± I mutter. His ears twitch. ¡°It can¡¯t be just as beautiful as the Grove.¡± ¡°It is. You¡¯ll see.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen the stars from Bellehaven, you¡¯ll have to see them at the Grove.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± ¡°And,¡± he says, taking a peek over at me with one eye. ¡°I bet you¡¯ll never leave.¡± ¡°Oh? Do you really think so?¡± I ask, poking his side. ¡°Lune,¡± he warns. ¡°I swear there¡¯ll be a permanent divot there if you keep poking me. Don¡¯t start a fight you won¡¯t win.¡± ¡°I never start fights I have no intention of winning, Lucien.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± He has me pinned to the ground before I can even react. My body warms instantly, and I can barely catch my breath. ¡°I must admit, I enjoy the feeling of your body beneath my own. And your reaction,¡± he moves away from me. ¡°But now¡¯s not the time for that.¡± ¡°It¡¯ll work better to calm me than those falls.¡± ¡°Lune,¡± he chuckles. ¡°Luce,¡± I pout. ¡°I thought you wanted me.¡± ¡°And when I take you, I¡¯d like you to be a little less traumatized,¡± he says, taking my hand and intertwining our fingers. ¡°I want to share my soul with you, Lune.¡± ¡°Trauma is part of the soul, Lucien.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let it settle down first, then.¡± I try not to look so disappointed. Lucien rushes towards me in the middle of the forest, causing me to flinch. My reaction makes him smirk, and he plants a gentle kiss on my lips, freezing me in place. ¡°I¡¯ve caught you,¡± he declares. ¡°Your reaction time is awful. ¡°I hate you,¡± I grumble, when I¡¯ve finally caught my breath. ¡°You cheated.¡± ¡°How did I cheat?¡± Grabbing hold of the collar of his robe, I pull him close, causing him to trip over the root of a tree, and fall over me. I kiss him over and over, each kiss becoming more deep and slow. He pins my legs beneath his body, and both of my hands above my head. ¡°Lune, what are we doing?¡± He pants, rolling himself off me. ¡°If this is going where I think it is, can we just-?¡± ¡°Can we just¡­ what?¡± I ask. He swallows hard as his hands wander to my belt. My cheeks burn as I puppet his hands in the undoing of the buttons of my shirt. He mutters curses I don¡¯t understand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I didn¡¯t quite catch that.¡± ¡°Lous! Where did you go?¡± Calls Arthur. ¡°Gods, that¡¯s Arthur,¡± Lucien panics. ¡°It¡¯s fine,¡± I say, straightening my shirt. ¡°This is probably not the right time for this, anyway. We should be focused on training.¡± ¡°I¡¯d really appreciate it if Arthur didn¡¯t find out, either.¡± ¡°Why? Think he¡¯ll talk you out of it?¡± I grin. ¡°No. I¡¯ll just owe him several gold coins.¡± ¡°You made a bet?¡± ¡°Yes. I told him you¡¯d never consider a dark elf.¡± ¡°Luci-¡± ¡°This was years ago, when you and I first met.¡± ¡°Gods, I would have taken you then, too.¡± He blushes, making me chuckle. ¡°What is it, Luce? What¡¯s got you all bothered?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± he says, quickly, looking past me. ¡°What the hell are you two doing? Rolling in the grass?¡± Arthur asks, immediately noticing Lucien¡¯s disheveled hair. ¡°I scared her, she tripped, then took me down with her,¡± Lucien responds, matter-of-factly, removing forest debris from his hair. ¡°Lou?¡± He asks, turning to face me. ¡°It was something like that.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a good strategy.¡± ¡°You should try it on Se-¡± ¡°LUNA!¡± Shouts Lucien. ¡°Come on, we¡¯re training.¡± I laugh, and pull Arthur along with me. ¡°You should try it on several other opponents.¡± With the last strand in place, I fasten Lucien¡¯s hair tie. I sigh, take a step back, and admire the work I¡¯ve done on his hair. ¡°It looks much nicer. You really should care for it better, though training makes it difficult.¡± ¡°You promised you¡¯d do it once it grew back. I could always cut it again. It was much less work.¡± ¡°It¡¯s so exhausting,¡± I say, stretching, and lying back. ¡°Come, let¡¯s put on your jewels.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I¡¯ll be going to bed soon enough.¡± ¡°With this, and our training, I don¡¯t know how I¡¯m going to survive my studies and the shop,¡± I fall back on the grass and stare up at the stars. ¡°You could stop your training, and focus on your studies,¡± he suggests, leaning close, and placing a gentle kiss on my lips. ¡°If you keep doing that, we¡¯re going to be washing your hair again,¡± I threaten, pulling him closer by his braids, and kissing him again. His lip forms a half smile. ¡°That¡¯s hardly a threat.¡± ¡°Not for you. It is for me. Come, we still have time to watch the stars.¡± He gets to his feet, and helps me up. The world flashes before us, and the next moment I¡¯m falling onto something soft. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d rather just stare at you tonight,¡± he says, handing me a small bottle. I take in my surroundings, quickly recognizing it as his room above the shop. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± I ask, drinking it, the acidity burning on the way down. ¡°It¡¯s a contraceptive. It should be potent enough to last the whole night.¡± I swallow hard, my heart immediately beginning to race. He takes the bottle from me, and places it on a nearby desk. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Do you have an upset stomach? I read that was one of the side effects,¡± he says, taking my hands, and guiding me to the edge of his bed. ¡°N-No, I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°I hope you know that despite past relationships, I don¡¯t make these decisions lightly. You¡¯re very precious to me. More precious than anyone else I¡¯ve had the pleasure of knowing. I need you to understand that, as I¡¯m¡­ very nervous. Extremely nervous, and a little bit afraid.¡± ¡°The great Lucien Moonshadow gets nervous?¡± ¡°Luna, what sort of picture have you built up in that imaginative head of yours of me?¡± He asks, poking the tip of my nose lightly. ¡°I¡¯ve prepared dinner, and I won¡¯t pressure you to do anything if you don¡¯t want-¡± I crash my lips into his, savoring the sweet taste of them. ¡°We¡¯ll remain friends, if things don¡¯t work out?¡± He asks, when we stop to catch our breaths. ¡°Yes,¡± I sigh into his mouth. I lie back, and wrap my legs around his hips. ¡°We should really- Whoa!¡± I take his hands, and pull him down over my body, enjoying the weight of him. ¡°What were you saying?¡± I ask. I push his robes off his shoulder, and they slide off like water gliding over the edge of a fall. ¡°Pace-¡± he sighs when I begin to kiss his bare chest. ¡°Ourselves, perhaps?¡± ¡°Pace ourselves?¡± I frown, pulling his belt off, and tossing it somewhere behind him. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Lune,¡± he says, gently untying the strings of my corset. ¡°We have all night. I even prepared dinner for us.¡± ¡°Lucien,¡± I whine, pushing him over to mount him, and removing my own corset with haste. ¡°It¡¯s not nearly enough time for me to do everything I dreamed of doing to you.¡± He gives me a nervous grin. ¡°What?¡± I ask, irritably. ¡°You¡¯re scaring me,¡± he chuckles. ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be so¡­ forward.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± I hesitate, my hand hovering over the waistband of his pants. ¡°Should I slow down? Is that preferable?¡± ¡°I thought we¡¯d take our time, and sort of uh¡­ ease our way into this,¡± he says, helping me remove his trousers. ¡°How can I put this?¡± I wonder out loud, hoisting my skirt up my hips. ¡°You¡¯re like a fine wine that has been sitting in a cellar, and I finally have permission to taste it.¡± ¡°A wine, Luna?¡± He asks, looking slightly insulted, fiddling with the exposed ends of my petticoat with his fingertips. ¡°A good cheese?¡± I ask, repositioning myself over him again, feeling him tremble beneath me. ¡°That doesn¡¯t help at all. If I¡¯m a fine wine, you should savor me,¡± he says, crossing his arms, and pouting. ¡°Lucien, you misunderstand,¡± I groan, forcing his arms apart, and holding them at either side of his head. ¡°I¡¯ve been savoring you for the past ten years. I¡¯ve smelled you, admired your color, observed the- the- the veins you leave on the sides of the glass. It¡¯s time to drink!¡± ¡°Lune¡­¡± he blushes. ¡°I¡¯ve watched everyone else have a taste of you, and not appreciate it; Your sweet apple taste, your beautiful, silken hair, the way you glide across the floor as if you¡¯re a wood nymph,¡± I say, kissing the back of his ears. ¡°It¡¯s my turn, and I feel I¡¯ve waited long enough. I took a sip already, and you are delicious.¡± I lick his lips, then steal another kiss from him. ¡°So you¡¯re just going to chug the rest of the bottle down like a cheap ale?¡± He breathes against my mouth. ¡°Lucien, I¡¯m not going to chug you down, but I want to get drunk off you. So, I can¡¯t afford to waste any time on the parts that don¡¯t matter.¡± ¡°Very well, but we¡¯re still having dinner, and you¡¯re going to savor that, at least.¡± I roll my eyes, and grin. ¡°Fine.¡± I nibble on a piece of honey cake, and groan when I feel Lucien¡¯s fingers trail down my legs. ¡°Hurry up,¡± he whines. ¡°We¡¯ve only got a few more hours until the shop opens.¡± ¡°You insisted we have dinner, and I¡¯m going to savor it because you made me, Lucien.¡± ¡°Sweet Selene,¡± he says, eating the rest of the honey cake between my fingers, and licking them clean. ¡°I¡¯ll make you more, I swear.¡± ¡°You better,¡± I give him a playful pout. ¡°You barely ate anything.¡± He lifts me effortlessly, and lays me down softly against his bed. ¡°Right now, you¡¯re all I want to taste,¡± he mutters. ¡°I simply did what you told me.¡± ¡°Forget what I told you! I was wrong.¡± ¡°Splendid Sol, you look terrible, Lucien!¡± Cries Arthur. ¡°Did you even sleep?¡± ¡°Good morning to you, as well, Arthur,¡± I say, cheerfully, trying to make my way across the shop without wincing from the dull ache in my belly. ¡°Would you like some tea?¡± He takes a seat at the work table, and pushes aside some of the baskets I¡¯ve piled with herbs to be dried. ¡°Yes, please. I¡¯m-¡± Lucien vanishes, and reappears moments later, placing several gold coins on the table. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Asks Arthur. ¡°I¡¯m going to make a delivery. I¡¯ll return later,¡± Lucien murmurs, taking up a wrapped box, and his cloak. ¡°Arthur, help Luna. Don¡¯t make it awkward.¡± ¡°Awkward?¡± He watches Lucien leave. ¡°Why did you¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see you later. Don¡¯t bother Luna.¡± Arthur becomes red as realization dawns on him. Lucien walks out, and I¡¯m too stunned to stop him. ¡°Lu-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t,¡± I scold. ¡°I can¡¯t talk about this. Especially not with you.¡± ¡°No, I won¡¯t tease you. Should I get Seraphina over here? Did he¡­ were you both¡­ Was he- Are you both alright?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not you I¡¯m worried about,¡± he cackles. I slap his arm lightly. ¡°He¡¯s clearly fine.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Lou. It looks like you wore him out.¡± ¡°Stop,¡± I blush. ¡°Stop talking.¡± ¡°When will I be hearing wedding bells?¡± ¡°Arthur-¡± ¡°And see little Luciens and Lunas running around the shop?¡± I fall into a seat, lost in my thoughts. ¡°No, that won¡¯t happen. He¡¯s returning to the Grove, and I¡¯ll be¡­ here,¡± I murmur. Arthur reaches across the table, and I place my hand into his open palm. He squeezes my fingertips reassuringly, and smiles. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about what goes on in that horned head of his, but I know Lucien loves you very much, Luna. I know you love him, too.¡± ¡°I do.¡± ¡°Things will work out, and even if they don¡¯t, I think you¡¯re both going to be alright.¡± ¡°Why are you being nice? Is there something you know that I don¡¯t?¡± ¡°Sorry, I left a package,¡± says Lucien, reappearing. ¡°Let me help you with those. I¡¯ll be heading to that part of town myself,¡± says Arthur, quickly getting to his feet. ¡°Luna, I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happening. I can¡¯t get enough of you, lately. You consume my every thought,¡± says Lucien, lying with me, squeezing me tightly. ¡°That sounds like an exaggeration.¡± ¡°About half my thoughts. Possibly three-quarters,¡± he admits, without hesitation. ¡°It''s just natural, I think. When a woman and¡­ an elf?¡± He nods, approving my word choice. ¡°When they love each other very much-¡± He kisses me again. When he chuckles, I can feel the pull of his lips against my own, the soft puffs of air over my cheeks, and the vibration of his chest thrumming. I¡¯ve also suddenly become more aware of the pleasant weight of his body on mine. ¡°Rude,¡± I tease him. ¡°You didn¡¯t even let me finish my thought.¡± ¡°You love me?¡± ¡°Have I not made that clear to you?¡± ¡°Say it again,¡± he whispers, as he trails kisses down my neck. It¡¯s enough to make me feel faint. ¡°Oh, well, I-I do,¡± I shudder when he kisses my collar bone. ¡°You still haven¡¯t said it.¡± I push him away, and hold his face in my hands. His eyes glisten, and he smiles softly. ¡°Lucien Moonshadow, I love you. Is that good enough?¡± I state, matter-of-factly. ¡°And not just love¡­ as friends or lovers. I love you with my whole being. With my whole soul, even! You¡¯re my favorite of all living things in this universe, and I thank Selene for you every day. I thank the universe for creating you and allowing me the pleasure of kissing you, of holding you, of just allowing me to meet you, and getting to know you.¡± He smiles, and leans against my hands, the warmth of his cheeks like the afternoon sun on my skin. Tears well in his eyes, and his lip quivers. ¡°You¡¯re not going to cry, are you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I think I might,¡± he says, pressing his forehead into my palm. ¡°Oh, Luce! You¡¯re so sentimental,¡± I choke back tears of my own. ¡°Sorry,¡± he blushes, wiping away a tear. ¡°That was¡­ thank you.¡± I pull my tunic over my head, then watch Lucien tuck stray strands of hair back into his braid as best as he can. When he notices me watching, he smiles tenderly, and approaches me. With one hand at my waist and the other at the nape of my neck, he embraces me. ¡°We really shouldn¡¯t get into the habit of doing this often, you know,¡± I tease him, combing my hair with my fingers, and patting it, encouraging it to sit flatter. ¡°Of course not,¡± he says, nipping my ear, causing me to shudder. ¡°I¡¯m serious. We¡¯ll get caught, and then what?¡± He shrugs, gets to his feet, and holds out a hand for me. ¡°Then what?¡± ¡°Well, I don¡¯t¡­ really know.¡± ¡°What are you afraid of?¡± ¡°Madam Lyra might fire me for distracting her favorite apprentice, for one,¡± I mutter, smoothing out the wrinkles of my tunic with a simple spell. ¡°That¡¯s all you¡¯re afraid of?¡± He smirks. ¡°It¡¯s mostly that.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I was expecting you to say, honestly,¡± he laughs, lowering the attic ladder for me. ¡°What were you expecting, then?¡± ¡°Nothing. It¡¯s alright. Besides, you¡¯re her favorite. Not me.¡± ¡°I very much doubt that. Are you still afraid because we¡¯re¡­ we shouldn¡¯t?¡± He gives me a sad smile, and nods. ¡°Stop that. It¡¯s not fair. I told you that I love you.¡± Chapter Thirty ¡°Lucien, are you alright?¡± I ask him, setting a steaming cup of tea in front of him. ¡°You seem worried about something.¡± He looks up from his book, which I¡¯m almost certain he wasn¡¯t reading, and gives me a weary smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine. Are you sleeping well? You look tired.¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s been a bit strange sleeping alone when we¡­¡± I assume he knows what I¡¯m implying. ¡°Spend the night, then. I haven¡¯t been getting much sleep either. I keep worrying we¡¯re not spending enough time together.¡± ¡°We see each other all day- almost every day¡­ Unless we¡¯re busy with our studies.¡± He hums thoughtfully, then tuts. ¡°It¡¯s work, though. If I could just go out, we could-¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Luce. We both knew this was doomed from the start.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t say it that way,¡± he scoffs. ¡°It¡¯s not doomed. It¡¯s just postponed.¡± ¡°I could just return with you, and-¡± ¡°No. I need you to complete your studies.¡± ¡°Master Eai-¡± ¡°It¡¯s not safe for you to travel with me, Luna.¡± I sigh, and copy down a recipe of Master Eaimer¡¯s into my journal of a potion suited for traveling. I plan to use it often once I begin my journey to see all of Amith. ¡°Madam Lyra wants us to boil some rose petals, and distill them,¡± I comment absently. ¡°That sounds like a task for her other apprentices in her other shop,¡± he snarks. ¡°Well,¡± I sigh. ¡°One day she¡¯ll just have to face the fact that you and I are her best apprentices.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to do it.¡± ¡°Luce,¡± I chide. ¡°We have no choice. It¡¯s on the list.¡± ¡°Along with hundreds of other things. I mean, look at this¡­ Lavender oil, rose oil, beeswax¡­ wheat starch?¡± ¡°Aww,¡± I coo, stepping up behind him to pinch his cheeks. ¡°Are you cranky?¡± ¡°I just want to spend time with you outside of work,¡± he grumbles irritably. ¡°And it¡¯d be easier if we didn¡¯t get double the amount of work all the time because her other apprentices are incompetent.¡± ¡°They¡¯re new. It¡¯s not their fault. Why don¡¯t we just get started on all our own work, then take a small break, and tackle the rest later?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not magically going to create more time,¡± he huffs. ¡°Well, one of us has to get it done.¡± I give him a pitying look. He groans, gets out of his seat, and puts on an apron. ¡°Fine, but could you please spend the night? We don¡¯t have to be intimate, but I just¡­ want to be with you.¡± ¡°Of course. I¡¯ll return to the Academy and pack my back during lunch, but only if you promise to stop acting so glum.¡± ¡°Fine, but I¡¯m not making any promises. I won¡¯t be glum, but I have every intention of remaining irritated.¡± ¡°That¡¯s alright, I like the way you pout,¡± I tease. He huffs a quiet laugh. ¡°You¡¯re the worst.¡± I return with a packed bag filled with books and other study materials, as well as a change of clothes. Lucien immediately shadow jumps downstairs, and takes me back into the attic with him. I set my hand on a shelf to steady myself. ¡°I can walk,¡± I groan, my stomach doing flips. ¡°Sorry, I just want you to settle down quickly so we can have lunch together.¡± ¡°Lucien, what¡¯s the matter? You¡¯re beginning to worry me. This isn¡¯t like you at all.¡± ¡°I just¡­¡± he slumps his head onto my shoulder, and takes my hand into my lap. ¡°I feel like I¡¯m quickly running out of time.¡± ¡°You¡¯re going to live a long life. You have plenty of time.¡± ¡°But you¡­ You don¡¯t.¡± ¡°I swear I¡¯ll get that potion, and visit so often, you''ll grow weary of me.¡± ¡°I could never,¡± he voice cracks. ¡°Lucien,¡± I say, squeezing his hand. ¡°What is this about?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t tell you.¡± ¡°Are you in danger?¡± ¡°No, I just¡­ It¡¯s so soon, Lune.¡± ¡°We have a few months.¡± ¡°Why aren¡¯t you sad?¡± ¡°Lucien,¡± I say, turning to face him. ¡°I¡¯m going to see you again every day for the next few months, and we¡¯ll see each other all the time once I complete my studies.¡± ¡°How do you know that¡¯s how things will work out?¡± ¡°I just do, and I¡¯ll probably study better knowing you¡¯re safe in the Grove, and get that potion quicker.¡± ¡°Did you know,¡± says Lucien, picking another piece of meat off his plate. ¡°That dark elves marry for life?¡± ¡°Humans do that, too,¡± I tease him. ¡°For life, Lune. Do you understand how long that is?¡± ¡°For you, it¡¯s a very long time.¡± ¡°Do you understand how much you have to like someone for that to happen?¡± ¡°Do dark elves rarely marry?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that it¡¯s rare, it¡¯s just¡­ that level of commitment. They don¡¯t often remarry, either!¡± ¡°Are you afraid of such a commitment, then?¡± He glances up at me, and grins. ¡°I¡¯d marry you, Lune.¡± My heart skips a beat. ¡°I¡¯m flattered.¡± ¡°I¡¯m serious. Even if you remain mortal, I¡¯d marry you, and I could never remarry.¡± ¡°Nonsense. I wouldn¡¯t expect that of you. I want you to be happy.¡± ¡°You make me happy.¡± ¡°Stop being so sweet, you¡¯re making this worse,¡± I scoff. ¡°Go on, say it,¡± he insists. ¡°You make me happy, too,¡± I say, rolling my eyes. ¡°I¡¯m glad.¡± ¡°I hate you, though, for making me say it.¡± ¡°I love you, too.¡± I stare up at the ceiling of Lucien¡¯s room, and at all his shelves. It looks emptier than usual, as he¡¯s slowly packed away his things, or sold them off in preparation for his leave. There¡¯s a knot in my chest I feel the need to ignore, because I don¡¯t think I could bear the sadness when I realize how permanent Lucien¡¯s absence will be. ¡°Are you awake?¡± Whispers Lucien. I nod. ¡°Sometimes I wonder if all of this would have been easier if we¡¯d just remained friends,¡± he groans. ¡°Why¡¯d you have to kiss me? I was already weak.¡± ¡°It took years! You weren¡¯t weak,¡± I snicker. ¡°I was never going to let that happen, anyway, you idiot.¡± He pulls me close, and kisses my cheek. ¡°I know. I fought valiantly against you, and still lost.¡± ¡°You did, but I never fight a battle I can¡¯t win.¡± ¡°Gods,¡± he murmurs. ¡°You¡¯re not even gone, and my heart is already aching. How could you do this to me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s your fault.¡± ¡°My fault?¡± ¡°Yes. You insisted on being so sweet, caring, and attractive.¡± ¡°You¡¯re partially to blame, you realize. I don¡¯t want to go, you know. If I had the chance to remain with you, I would,¡± he says, taking my hand and squeezing it lightly. ¡°I know.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid that you won¡¯t be safe if I remain here, though.¡± ¡°I know.¡± ¡°Sometimes I wonder if the gods even hear my prayers.¡± ¡°I wonder the same.¡± The knot in my chest swells. The rush of sadness is unbearable, but I refuse to cry. It¡¯s cold this morning, and I roll over, expecting to be met with Lucien¡¯s warmth, but he¡¯s not there beside me. Instead, I¡¯m met with a letter written in Lucien¡¯s sloppy scrawls. I¡¯m sorry to be doing this to you, but I have to go, and I couldn¡¯t stand to wake you when you were sleeping so peacefully. I have to deal with a personal matter. ~Lucien Moonshadow In the corner is a list of some sort written in a language I¡¯m still not sure how to read, most likely an ingredient list for a potion of Master Eaimer¡¯s. ¡°Luna, please, I swear he¡¯s alright!¡± Cries Arthur, putting a comforting hand on my shoulder. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°How could you know? He disappeared in the night, and I haven¡¯t heard from him in months! Months, Arthur! Is he alive? Did someone kill him? The last time I saw him, he seemed almost desperate. Where could he have gone?¡± My chest hurts, and swells with gasping sobs I cannot contain. Seraphina and Arthur exchange a knowing glance, and she huffs, pulls out a sheet of paper from her apron pocket, wrestles Arthur for it when he tries to take it from her, and places it on the work table. It¡¯s a letter addressed to her written in Lucien¡¯s familiar scrawl. It¡¯s dated, written several weeks ago. ¡°Sorry,¡± says Seraphina. ¡°I¡¯m not permitted to show you this, but you just want to know he¡¯s alive.¡± ¡°He wrote to you?¡± I gasp, picking up the letter. ¡°He wrote to Arthur through me.¡± ¡°He hasn¡¯t even written to me! Why-?¡± I break down into tears. Seraphina puts a comforting hand on my shoulder, and rubs my back. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, my love,¡± she coos. ¡°There are things he¡¯s not permitted to share with you, but it had to be quite urgent, or he wouldn¡¯t have left you so suddenly.¡± ¡°He could have at least told me he was okay.¡± ¡°He couldn¡¯t,¡± grumbles Arthur. ¡°Seraphina is putting us all in danger just setting that letter on the table.¡± I huff, and stand abruptly, tears spilling from my eyes, as I push away the letter, not wanting to see the words. ¡°Well, if I¡¯m not important enough to know any of this, I best leave.¡± ¡°Lou-¡± ¡°Let her go, Arthur. Luna needs to work,¡± says Seraphina, meekly. ¡°We¡¯ll see you later, Lunie.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll see you later, Sera,¡± I say, feeling defeated. ¡°Stop by for dinner today. That¡¯s an order. Don¡¯t work late, either.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t help how long I work,¡± I grumble. ¡°I¡¯m doing everything alone these days.¡± ¡°Stop by, anyway, no matter how late it is,¡± Arthur insists, quietly. ¡°We¡¯d like to see you.¡± The final patron exits the shop, and I gladly lock the door after them, blow out all the lights, shut all the curtains, and finally take a seat at the back of the shop to catch my breath. Half finished batches of potions lay strewn all over the work spaces, and I nearly cry thinking through all the tasks I have remaining before I can begin cleaning. I understand now why Lucien seemed so upset with Madam Lyra. I¡¯ve only seen her in the mornings when she opens the shop, and in the evenings when she arrives to count the coins in the box, and check that tasks have been completed. With a deep breath, I struggle to my feet, feeling the ache in my knees, and the balls of my feet from having not had a chance to sit all day, and get to work. If I start now, I can get lost in a daydream, and go through the motions of completing each potion. Twenty healing droughts of maximum strength and concentration. Fifty minor healing potions from the remains. Lavender and rose oil for gods know what, because nothing in our shop requires such a thing. Clairvoyance, mana regeneration, a temptingly strong batch of euphoria, and on and on it goes. I sip on a brew of stamina to keep the weariness from catching up, a soothing tonic to keep my crying fit at bay, and a minor healing potion in my cup of water to keep me from falling ill from the over consumption of potions. When the last of them is finally completed and labeled, there¡¯s a soft knock at the door, and I¡¯m immediately angered at the thought of Madam Lyra returning simply to check up on my progress, and count her coins. I swing the door open with such ferocity it slams against the wall, startling Seraphina, who gasps quietly, and flinches away from me when I approach her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± I murmur. ¡°I thought it was someone else.¡± ¡°It¡¯s late. I thought you could use some help,¡± she says, quietly. ¡°I have to clean,¡± I say, turning away from her immediately to get back to my work. Without question, she takes up an apron, and grabs a rag. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Sera,¡± I tell her. ¡°This shop isn¡¯t your responsibility.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not yours either, Lunie. Your name is not on the sign. Does Madam Treeleaf know that Lucien hasn¡¯t been here?¡± ¡°She does. She promises she¡¯s still looking for someone to help me.¡± ¡°And has she done anything else to ease your workload?¡± ¡°She reassures me I don¡¯t have to get all of the tasks done, but the list just gets longer and longer when I don¡¯t.¡± ¡°Are you sleeping well?¡± She asks, sweeping up the remains of a flower into the palm of her hands with a damp rag, and tossing them into a discard pile. ¡°No, I-¡­ I can¡¯t sleep without-¡± My throat tightens, and I clear my throat. ¡°It¡¯s difficult.¡± ¡°Arthur and I have a spare room you can stay in, if you¡¯re ever feeling lonely.¡± I set down my rag and embrace her tightly. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to worry about me, Sera.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll worry about you all I want,¡± she huffs. ¡°You¡¯re not well. I know you¡¯re not.¡± ¡°You really don¡¯t have to do all this, you know. I can handle the shop alone. It¡¯s my job after all.¡± Seraphina pushes me away, and picks up the task list on the work table. ¡°This looks like enough work for five people.¡± ¡°It¡¯s enough for four people, if you ask me,¡± I grumble, collecting some half-filled bottles, and placing them in the half-priced items box. ¡°I wish Madam Lyra would just find other apprentices in her other shop. Or she could just give me their pay. Or she could have me work there, and I could teach them a thing or two.¡± ¡°And what are these?¡± She asks, picking up the empty bottle of potions I¡¯ve been consuming. ¡°Stamina, and soothing? You¡¯re going to get sick again.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯m taking a health potion to counteract it.¡± ¡°Are you eating well?¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t have to go out and¡­ It¡¯s fine.¡± ¡°Have you thought about taking some time away from work?¡± ¡°I do so when examinations are coming up, but then the work piles up, and with¡­ but no one¡¯s around to take care of it for me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll just have to steal you for myself.¡± ¡°Sera, no¡­ it¡¯s alright.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not.¡± ¡°What can I do? It¡¯s a job. It pays well enough. I¡¯m almost done with my studies, and then I can finally go off,r and do what I want.¡± ¡°You can leave! Or at least get your name on the shop sign, and get paid more. If Madam Treeleaf were here, I¡¯d give her a piece of my mind. Where is she right now?¡± ¡°Sera, I swear I¡¯ll take care of it.¡± She tuts, then takes up a crate of potions to restock the shelves. ¡°You¡¯re too nice, Luna.¡± ¡°Without her, I would have never gotten this far in my studies.¡± ¡°If things don¡¯t change soon, I¡¯ll insist you work in my shop. I¡¯ll pay you double.¡± ¡°Sera-¡± ¡°Double, and I¡¯ll give you time off to actually relax.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t-¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t she the one that always told you to never let anyone take advantage of you?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± ¡°I know I am,¡± she huffs. ¡°She could at least clean instead of just counting coins at the end of the night.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right.¡± The city is quiet at night as we walk over the gravel road leading up to Seraphina¡¯s and Arthur¡¯s small cottage. The light emanating through the window is warm and welcoming, and for once, my heart is filled with joy. When we step in, we¡¯re welcomed by the delicious smells of meats and mulled wine. Fox and Elizabeth greet us, while their newborn sleeps in Fox¡¯s arms, and their oldest child plays with Rosetta. ¡°Luna!¡± Greets Elizabeth. ¡°It¡¯s wonderful to see you. I thought you disappeared.¡± ¡°You know how she is,¡± comments Fox. ¡°She gets preoccupied with her studies.¡± ¡°Unfortunately,¡± says Seraphina. ¡°It¡¯s Madam Treeleaf¡¯s fault this time. She gives her more work than one could possibly get done in a single day! It¡¯s completely unfair. If Luna would just accept my offer to work in my shop, I¡¯d hire her for myself.¡± ¡°Sera,¡± I blush. ¡°It¡¯s fine. You¡¯re upsetting yourself for no reason.¡± ¡°Fox is also being overworked in Master Khen¡¯s shop,¡± comments Elizabeth. ¡°It¡¯s a shame, really.¡± ¡°Is that so? I¡¯m sorry,¡± I give him a weary smile. Fox gives me a pitying look. ¡°I¡¯m sorry for your difficult circumstances as well.¡± ¡°Dinner!¡± Calls Arthur. ¡°Everyone get to the table. Rosetta, if you don¡¯t share your toys with Gabriel, you won¡¯t have any toys to play with at all.¡± Rosetta quickly tosses a small ball at Gabriel, who happily tosses it back. ¡°See?¡± Says Arthur. ¡°He just wants to play with you.¡± After a pleasant dinner, I return to the shop, and collapse into Lucien¡¯s bed. There¡¯s an assignment due in two days, and I wanted to study, but my eyes are too heavy, and keeping them open would be too much of a struggle. It¡¯ll be better just to get some sleep, and study in the morning before the shop opens. I bury my face into his pillow and inhale his scent, but it¡¯s not comforting. It fills me with a deep ache, as if my heart is being ripped out of my chest. I hope he¡¯s doing better than I am, and that he¡¯s resting and safe. Several weeks later, Lucien¡¯s sitting at the work table pounding away at herbs with a mortar and pestle, as if he¡¯d never gone. ¡°Lucien?¡± I gasp, dropping the basket of pastries Seraphina gave me after I visited her shop. ¡°Luna, I¡¯m-¡± I rush to him, and throw my arms around him. ¡°You¡¯re alive.¡± ¡°I am,¡± he smiles warmly, holding me tightly. ¡°I¡¯m happy to see you.¡± I punch his upper arm harder than intended, and he winces. ¡°Where the hell were you? Why did you leave me so suddenly? I thought you were in danger!¡± I cry out, tears spilling from my eyes. ¡°I know, I¡¯m sorry. I wasn¡¯t-¡± I squeeze him tightly, and he rubs my back to offer me comfort. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Lune. I really am. I had no intention of leaving so suddenly, or for so long, it¡¯s just¡­ something unexpected happened.¡± ¡°I assume you¡¯re not permitted to speak to me about it.¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid not, and¡­ could you sit down for a moment?¡± He looks serious, and it makes my stomach drop. ¡°What is it?¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ll be returning sooner than I thought.¡± ¡°What?¡± I ask, in disbelief. ¡°When?¡± ¡°A few days.¡± ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Lune-¡± ¡°Luce! Please¡­ I¡¯m not going to tell anyone.¡± He points up at the ceiling, indicating he wants to speak in the privacy of his bedroom. I nod, and he takes my hand for us to shadow jump. He allows me to catch my breath as he shuts the windows, and casts a few sound blocking spells. Satisfied, he takes a seat next to me, and takes my hand into his lap. ¡°I¡¯m sure you know that¡­ I¡¯m-¡± ¡°Royalty of some kind, is my guess,¡± I state. ¡°Seeing as Seraphina is permitted to know your business.¡± ¡°Well, so is Lumaria.¡± ¡°Luma- I thought she was going to marry someone else.¡± ¡°She was denied, or rather¡­ he was? His bloodline was not¡­ good enough for her family. It¡¯s all complicated, but the fact of the matter is that I¡¯m¡­¡± He scrunches his face in frustration, then looks away. That''s when I spot it. ¡°You¡¯re married?¡± I ask, pointing at a new earring where the one I gave him once hung. ¡°Not yet.¡± ¡°You¡¯re engaged, then?¡± I mutter. ¡°It¡¯s pretty. It suits you. She has good taste.¡± He gives me a guilty look. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°What did you do with¡­ the one I gave you? Not that it matters.¡± ¡°I keep it close to my heart,¡± he says, opening his robe slightly to show me the black cord around his neck that holds his protective pendant. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll both be very happy.¡± ¡°Lune-¡± ¡°Don¡¯t. Apologize. Don¡¯t say anything. Just¡­ let¡¯s just be happy for a few days, okay? I don¡¯t want to spend our last few days being angry with each other.¡± He takes my hand, and puts it to his cheek. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare cry, either,¡± I scold him. ¡°Or I¡¯ll punch you, then you¡¯ll really have something to cry about.¡± ¡°Of course not.¡± ¡°Besides, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll give you all the children you want, and all the luxuries of a royal. You deserve to be spoiled.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he says quietly. ¡°Especially after you¡¯ve been locked up in this shop for years. Maybe Madam Lyra can finally hire some real help around here. You¡¯ve been slacking off lately, and I don¡¯t appreciate it one bit.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he says, a bit louder. ¡°Don¡¯t think I haven¡¯t noticed. I¡¯ve been picking up all the slack.¡± ¡°Luna,¡± he tuts. ¡°You can be mad.¡± ¡°How can I be mad, Luce? I knew it was just a matter of time. It¡¯s not as if we were ever going to be permitted to be together. All this sneaking around. Our friends and my family were beginning to get suspicious, anyway. It¡¯s probably for the best. It might even be a relief. I don¡¯t have to keep lying to my sisters. I hate lying to them. Besides, you have the opportunity to return home, and be happy with someone who obviously cares deeply for you, or at the very least, I hope she does.¡± ¡°She does.¡± ¡°Even better, then. I¡¯m happy for you.¡± ¡°Are we still friends? I can understand-¡± ¡°We¡¯re friends whether you like it or not, Luce. We will always be friends. Do you understand that?¡± He presses his forehead to mine, and sighs. ¡°Thank the gods.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a shame I can¡¯t kiss you now,¡± I tease him. ¡°I mean¡­ you could¡­¡± he pouts. ¡°You¡¯re going to be married soon. Could you imagine the scandal?¡± ¡°You¡¯re doing this on purpose.¡± ¡°Am I?¡± ¡°Lune,¡± he smirks. ¡°What else have you been hiding from me?¡± ¡°I went to see my grandmother in Solari. She saw the missing feather, and I think she knows¡­¡± ¡°Is she upset? How is she?¡± ¡°She was happy to see me, and didn¡¯t say anything about it. My sister wasn¡¯t exactly thrilled to see me, but you know how siblings are. She got married.¡± ¡°Congratulations?¡± He winces. ¡°Uh, also arranged, I¡¯m afraid.¡± ¡°I take it it was perfectly arranged so that neither of you had a choice in the matter?¡± ¡°How did you guess?¡± ¡°You said Dark Grove has queens, but I know Solari has always had kings, unless¡­?¡± ¡°You¡¯re not wrong.¡± ¡°What else aren¡¯t you telling me?¡± ¡°Come visit me.¡± ¡°That sounds like a terrible idea.¡± ¡°I think Lumaria would like you.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯d like her, though.¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re jealous?¡± ¡°Extremely.¡± ¡°That¡¯s understandable.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll forgive me if it takes me some time to make my way there, since I¡¯ll be busy with my studies and this damn shop.¡± ¡°Take your time. All the time you need. Just be sure to see me.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not going to cry, either.¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re lying.¡± ¡°I am,¡± I huff. ¡°Will you forgive me?¡± ¡°Not if you don¡¯t let me hold you.¡± I bury my face into his chest, and he wraps his arms around me, and rubs my back. ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you.¡± ¡°Luna Masters, I think I might miss you the most.¡± I chuckle, and a tear runs down my cheek. ¡°Don¡¯t let Arthur hear you say that.¡± ¡°Never.¡± ¡°Luna, I love you,¡± whispers Lucien from the shadows of the shop floor. ¡°Please stay safe, and stay out of trouble.¡± ¡°Gods, Lucien!¡± I scold. ¡°Why are you still here? You should be halfway to the Grove by now! You¡¯re going to get yourself killed!¡± ¡°I thought I was going to have more time to say goodbye.¡± Someone pounds incessantly on the shop door. ¡°We¡¯re closed!¡± I shout. ¡°City guard! You have until the count of three!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think Madam Lyra will appreciate it if we got her shop destroyed,¡± whispers Lucien. ¡°One!¡± ¡°Get the hell out of here, then,¡± I mutter. ¡°They¡¯re not here for me.¡± He kisses my cheek, and picks up his bags. It was not how I imagined our final kiss goodbye. I imagined it would be more passionate. More romantic. I thought we¡¯d have at least made love one more time. I helped him pack his bags, instead, and helped arrange a safe return for him with Cyrus of all people. ¡°Two!¡± ¡°I love you, Luna,¡± he states, matter-of-factly, taking my hand, and squeezing it tightly. ¡°I love you, Lucien.¡± We stare at each other for a time, our hands refusing to separate, as if they were fused. ¡°Get out of here,¡± I whisper, realizing he wants me to ask him to stay. ¡°I don¡¯t want to see your face again, until I visit the Grove.¡± ¡°Right. Goodnight.¡± He vanishes through the back door, and disappears into the night. I make my way slowly to the front door, hiding any evidence of sadness, and open it. ¡°Please explain to me what the hell you¡¯re doing this late at night, waking a poor woman up from her dreams,¡± I say, curtly. ¡°Where is he?¡± Asks the guard, unfazed. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m not sure who you¡¯re referring to.¡± ¡°The damned dark elf!¡± ¡°Sir, I can assure you there¡¯s no dark elf here. There hasn¡¯t been a dark elf here for years! I keep telling you, and all your other comrades that the only person in this shop is me. Do I look like a dark elf to you?¡± He pushes roughly past me, and begins his search through the shop. ¡°Please, sir. This shop is not mine,¡± I say, making myself sound more meek. ¡°I¡¯ll take you through the rooms if you promise not to break anything.¡± ¡°Get on with it, then.¡±