She sighs as she rises from her seat, back facing them. “None of that for now. I would like to end this night on a positive note. I would like to see my Jean.”
A single, strong voice speaks from behind her, belonging to a tall, slender gentleman, dressed in a fine suit adorned with a pure white handkerchief, “I am here, my Ellie.”
She turns around, a loving smile decorating her face, and gazes on the man before her. “Only on the solstice, when the stars align,” She begins, before the man continues.
“For just a moment, away from seeing eyes.”
“We join in a dance, just one, where I am yours and you are mine.” They say in unison. The man takes Lady Eloise in his arms, a soft melody plays throughout the library, as they dance a dance meant just for them. Their faces come close together, barely a breath apart.
“My dearest, Jean.”
“My lovely, Ellie.”
Their lips join in a tender kiss, a moment made only for them. The story of Lady Eloise and her Jean, one of love, loss and perseverance, is one meant for another day.
For now, it’s theirs alone.
Chapter 28
Hakeem had made his way to the gardens; he knew not how, his legs simply took him there. The eternal light of dawn that bathes the Spring Realm coats every flower in a soft glow, making delicate petals appear more fragile and beautiful than ever before. He finds a stone bench on which to rest, he hadn’t realized the speed at which he departed from the library. Nothing Lady Eloise told him was necessarily bad, in fact it seemed their future held significantly less turmoil than it was supposed to. His mind is just racing from all the new knowledge it had learned, for once unsure what to do with it.
A new spell had a place in his mind, a function to serve in one way or another. Something as grand as knowing fate was changed by the circumstances of your birth, and further by the emotions held for you by two men you’ve come to adore, makes one’s head spin. Hakeem just needs a moment to think, to sort through his thoughts. He just needs-
“Hakeem?”
“Jackson,” Hakeem sighs with relief as he looks up to see Jackson making his way towards the bench in the garden, tucking his mask into a jacket pocket. “What are you doing out here?”
“I just needed some air. Weren’t you with my grandmother? Eddie went over to the library to see if you were alright. I’ll shoot him a text to let him know.” Hakeem chuckles dryly to himself, patting the seat next to him,gesturing for Jackson to join him. He does as he puts his phone away after messaging Eddie, and Hakeem promptly leans in closer, resting his head on Jackson’s shoulder.
“Hey,” Jackson brushes some curls from Hakeem’s forehead, “are you alright? I hope my grandmother didn’t say anything weird.”
Hakeem looks up at Jackson, an awkward smile emerging on his lips, “I just needed some air too. Your grandmother was lovely, we had a very informative talk.”
Jackson rolls his eyes as he pulls in Hakeem closer by looping an arm around his shoulder. “Do I even want to know?”
“Maybe later, if that’s okay?”
Jackson looks down at Hakeem’s pleading eyes, the exhaustion in them apparent but his amused smile shows he had a good time regardless. He takes a risk and plants a tender kiss on the top of Hakeem’s head, who nuzzles closer. “You can tell me all about it at your own pace.”
“Thank you, Jackson.”
The music from within the castle carries through the air that it even reaches the garden. An orchestral version of ‘Rewrite the Stars’ begins to play, another song from that same musical Hakeem and Eddie danced to earlier. Hakeem sits up straight, his head turned towards the music. “For such a beautiful song, it has such a sad ending.”
Jackson gets up to stretch, “There is a beauty in it though. Against all odds and tragedy they do end up together in the musical, even with the song’s somber ending. Just because it seems the world is against you, doesn’t mean your story is doomed to end in sorrow.”
Hakeem chuckles at that, if only Jackson knew. “I suppose it doesn’t. Fate truly is fickle that way.”
Jackson turns towards the music, face grimacing at the mention of fate. “If karma is a bitch, fate is a petty bastard. It always seems to pull the rug out from under you just before a happy ending.”
“At times like that we must simply pull ourselves up and get there ourselves.”
Hakeem stands and taps Jackson thrice on his shoulder. When he turnsaround he finds Hakeem bowing at a slight angle, hand extended with his palm facing upwards. Before he can react Hakeem takes his chance, “Jackson Nocturne, may I have this dance?”
Jackson smirks, delighted to oblige, as he takes Hakeem’s hand in his. Hakeem giggles as he pulls him close, hand on Jackson’s hip. “Unlike with lessons, this time I’ll lead.”
Jackson throws his head back in a stark laugh. “Oh really? Well then, Mr. Al-Najim” the name is sweet, rolling off Jackson’s tongue, “I leave myself in your capable hands.” Jackson’s places a hand on Hakeem’s shoulder. They both share a loving look as they begin to dance to the music, just like they have all week.
They let their bodies be guided by the sound of strings and woodwinds flowing out from the castle into the lush garden plaza. Jackson leans in close, his breath tickling against Hakeem’s ear, “I told you I’d never get sick of dancing with you.”
