When hearts meet

Chapter 24 ~ passions and gifts

The familiar breeze caressed her cheeks and a wild smile spread over her face. As much as she loved the jasmine, citrusy scent that floated through the city of starlight, the pine and snow was her home.
Ciana ran through the Theralis hills, flowers dancing on the wind, the clouds parting to show the soft, watery autumn sun that beamed upon her. Glad to see the princess of Terrasen had returned.

She ran and ran and giggles left her lips as butterflies flew up from the sudden tornado that stormed through the field. Blue and soft yellow and bright red little wings danced through the skies, around her—before they landed on nearby flowers, hoping to drink the sweet nectar they offered. Ciana stopped when she'd reached the end of the hill. She turned around, eyes sparkling like burning flames. "You coming?" She shouted, her voice loud enough for him to hear. She twirled around, before flopping into the high grass.
Normal people made snow angels, but Ciana liked to make grass angels too. She was obsessed with all the seasons her home country had to offer. Spring gave life, little animals and flowers in abundance. A wake up call after the cold, relentless winters that started end November and lasted all the way to half March. But she loved the thick snowflakes and the cold, the warm sweaters and the hot chocolate as much as the searing heat and swimming in lakes the summer provided.

Winter would set in, in a month and a half—at its latest. So it wasn't the warmest weather at the moment, and the flowers were mostly late bloomers and the butterflies were very brave to conquer the frisky autumn breeze. Her nose was a little red and her cheeks flushed, but she felt so alive that none of it bothered her. And with Brion with her, who slowly walked her way as he took in all of Theralis' beauty, she was the happiest, as well.

After their meeting with Bryaxis and the news they'd gained, her parents had decided to go home for a while. Their country needed them and they couldn't stay away forever. Her entire family had gone home too, including Ciana. Brion had joined, hadn't wanted to let go of her. And if she was being very honest—she hadn't been ready to let him go either.
He stopped in front of her nose and caressed a silver string of hair out of her face. "For all your bickering and fierce temperament, deep down you're just a fluff ball who loves running through flower fields." Brion mused, stealing a kiss.
Ciana hummed and leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She tangled a hand in his nightly black hair and pressed her head to his chest. The couple stood like that for what felt like an eternity, just basking in each other's scent and embrace, appreciating the light the sun gave them.

Because after visiting the darkness of the deepest darkest levels of the library, they both could use some light. Brion's deep, rumbling voice reverberated through her chest, her heart.
"I have an idea." He murmured, stroking her back. Ciana raised her brows and pulled back to look him in those bright grey blue eyes. "And what might that be?" She mused, nuzzling her face in his neck once more. She had still no idea what they were—they hadn't attached any labels. But to her, she was his and he was hers. She just hoped he felt the same.
"I was thinking I could paint you, Ana." His lips caressed her jaw line feathery light, his hands squeezing her waist lovingly. "You'd be my most beautiful muse—and my fingers are basically burning and tingling to catch those eyes of yours on canvass. So, will you let me paint you?"

The princess of fire and flames looked up to the Prince of starlight and night skies and smiled.

"It would be an absolute honour to be your most beautiful muse, Brion." He smiled, smiled so bright she thought the sun burned brighter for a moment. And she knew, that if she could be the reason for that smile for centuries more, she'd be blessed.
"Thank you!" He flicked his fingers and a black leather bag appeared. He picked it up and folded her hand in his free one. "I need a place with the perfect light, a place that makes you sparkle and jump off the canvass." He said as he looked around. Ciana thought for a moment before pulling him across the field and into Oakwald forest beyond. The pine trees stood tall and proud, but here and there trees were already covered in autumn jackets, their leaves the most beautiful of shades—from deep red to sunset yellow and chocolate brown. The floor was covered in them as well and the sun sparkled and broke through the canopy above them.