They’re breathtaking, the way they dance and light up the whole night.
The faerie chuckles. “If you think that’s impressive, then you’ve seen nothing yet. Come here.”
He grips my chin, drawing my eyes away from the pretty lights, and he plants a chaste kiss on my lips. I have no idea what he’s doing. At first, I thought he was just being passionate, but when I look at the night sky again, that single brushstroke of star-kissed paint explodes into a river of sparkling dust.
And the lights… They burn magenta, lime green, and flaming violet now, overlapping as they dance more vividly than ever before, and I try to catch my breath.
Oh…so, this is how the night sky appears to the Fae?
It’s phenomenal.
More stars streak across the now-living canvas, merging with the dancing aurorae high above, and there are no words. With my new gift of faerie sight, they’re simply blinding, and tears gather in my eyes.
So many humans live their entire lives without getting to see a night sky like this, and I just wish everyone got the chance to experience it one day.
I glance at the faerie beside me, and the star-flecked river reflects inside his eyes. “Thank you for bringing me out here tonight. It was worth waking up for.”
He returns my smile. “Don’t mention it, princess.”
The magic soon leaves me, returning to its original proprietor. Does he have to sacrifice a little of his own lifeforce just to share what he did with me tonight?
Now he appears crestfallen, and I step closer, taking his hand. “Tegwyn?”
He sighs, gazing up at the dancing aurorae. “It’s time you finally knew.”
My heart drops at his dire tone. “All right.”
He shut his eyes. “You remember when Bannog and I were talking yesterday?”
A cold shiver rattles down my spine. “Yes.”
“He…informed me of some grave news...”
The Fae sighs, reaching up to run his claws through his hair. He appears to be in pain. What has got into him?
I wet my lips, heart thumping. “It’s okay. You…you can tell me…”
Finally, he looks my way, and I meet those dancing pillars inside his shining eyes.
“I’m sorry...”
I struggle for breath. “S-sorry for what?”
“Your parents. Bannog has contacts at the king’s court. They’re…they’re gone, Ivy...”
The sky shatters like a mirror high above, and the sweet illusion of magic vanishes instantly as a grey cloud takes over. A life without colour.
Nothing.
Just…emptiness.
My head spins, the ground dissolving beneath my feet as I forget how to stand straight.
He captures me in his arms.
“N-no…they…they can’t be…”
My lungs shrink, and I breathe through a narrow passage. The blood rushes through my head, and it’s all too much. I had my suspicions. But I pushed them all aside, clinging to false hope.
