As Aideen neared the creek, she clutched the small handkerchief filled with sweetbread tighter to her chest, drawing her light green shawl tighter over her small shoulders. The sun had just started its final descent, and the familiar layout of the woods was slightly ominous. Hearing the snap of a branch, she whipped around in fear, long hair swinging out in a strawberry tinted fan as she turned.
"Aideen, where are you?" I whisper-shouted, squinting through the shadows of the forest. I heard an airy sigh, and turned to my left. After breaking through a few more low branches, I came to face my love, who looked like she was about to faint. I rushed to her and took her face in my hands, looking at her and behind her, but seeing no danger.
"What is it, love?" I asked, confused. She just shook her head and laughed, assuring me that there was no danger. "I thought you were a wolf or a mountain cat," she chuckled, handing me a warm bundle. I looked at her quizzically before untying the kerchief, eyes softening as I looked at the beautifully crafted bread. Some were braided rolls, and some were round cakes with edible flowers pressed into the edges. I smiled, completely awestruck at her ability to create such wonderful art, and coiled an arm around her waist, bringing her to me as she smiled at my reaction. "Thank you, my love, my sisters will adore these. I don't know how you manage to craft such beautiful things," I said, shaking my head in amazement. She giggled and pressed her lips to my jaw, smiling. "What was it you wanted to show me?" she said, pulling back slightly to gaze at me with wide, excited eyes. I looked around, gauging our position near the creek and getting my bearings. I listened for the small drop off that always made a gurgling sound as the water cascaded over the stones. I closed my eyes and opened my senses, loving the feeling of being so close to nature. Aideen watched in appreciation, knowing that she could never be so connected to the earth like that.
After a few seconds, I recognized the small trickling of the fall, and opening my eyes, grabbed her hand and took off, ducking under branches and skirting around elm trees. When the fall came into view, I turned to the right, saying, "Alright Aideen, close your eyes, we're nearly there. It's a surprise," I led her further into the woods eagerly, almost bouncing with anticipation. The trail I had worn into the woods from my months of construction was easy to follow, and I knew the curves by memory. Aideen stumbled behind me, giggling like a child as she tripped over her feet, biting her lip in excitement. Finally, we reached the small meadow I had cleared, and I dropped her hand, replacing it around her waist. She giggled, now bouncing on the balls of her feet as she swung her arms around. I pressed a kiss to her cheek and whispered, "Open your eyes." I watched as her eyes slowly opened, squinting in the golden light that was contrary to the dark woods. My cabin stood nestled between two oak trees, the setting sun turning the front face of it deep orange, and lighting up the white flower boxes that stood under the windows. Her eyes danced with shock before she gazed up at me with her jaw hanging slack, speechless. I giggled down at her humbly as I led her closer, stopping to open the front door. When I did, her hand shot to her mouth as her eyes filled with wonder. She pointed to the flower boxes, which held the most stunning blue flowers you had ever seen. She whispered, "are those..." "The flowers I gave you this morning? Yes," I said, incredibly pleased with her reaction. She laughed, the sound just as ethereal as the water cascading down the waterfall, and her arms were suddenly wrapped around my neck, her blonde hair fluttering around my face. I laid my head down on top of hers, humming contentedly as I wrapped my arms around her waist.
"This is amazing Lukai, thank you," she whispered. I simply sighed and said, "I knew you would like it. I thought since you're always creating some sort of art for me, I could create something for you." She pulled back and smiled at me through teary eyes, the green somehow becoming brighter when she cried. She stretched her neck up and softly pressed her lips to mine, cupping one hand around my cheek. I smiled into the kiss and craned my neck a bit so she wouldn't have to reach so far, my arm tightening around her waist.
YOU ARE READING
Sunlight Through Unveiled Eyes
Roman d'amour"Lukai, I swear to you one day someone is going to catch you!" She chastised me, but her face was flushed and she was smiling. "Yeah, well if they catch me they're going to catch you too, and then we'll both find ourselves hanging from the willow t...
