Bent But Not Broken

Sixteen

Nyxia sat in the carriage, grimacing as it bounced down the dirt road. The wheels hit a rock, and she winced, turning to Asael. "Tell me why we're taking this suffocating thing instead of going on horseback?" She grumbled.

Asael chuckled, giving her a comforting pat on the shoulder. "Its safer to take the carriage. I promise Kalix I'd keep you safe."

Nyxia rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Safer for who? I feel like I'm more liable to hurt myself in this carriage than outside on a horse, but that's just me."

It was easy to say that she hated carriages, they were so damnn stuffy and bumpy. Nyxia was going to have bruises by the time she came back to the palace.

"We're almost there, Nyxia. Just be patient." Asael soothed her. It was an unsuccessful attempt and it made her even more fidgety.

Finally, after what seemed like a million years, the carriage came to a halt. Nyxia breathed a sigh of relief and waited impatiently for the driver to open the door before hastily stepping out, nearly falling over her face.

Asael kept her balance, and she shot him a grateful glance before turning to look at the village.

She let out a gasp of awe. The sun was going down, and there were lights strung up everywhere. Lights and paper decorations. And the people! There were so many people bustling around, chattering excitedly and eating snacks that were sold at the festival.

Nyxia could see a jester in the crowd, making a small crowd of children happy. She smiled at the sight.

"So what do you think?" Asael asked, sidling up to her.

She faced him, her face lit up with pure, undiluted happiness. "This is so cool. I love it! And you're telling me this festival happens every year" Asael nodded.

"Yeah, this festival marks the day where the fae won the first war against the humans. This festival is also like a mockery to them." Nyxia could hear the laugh in his voice.

"Aren't we scared that they'll retaliate again?" Nyxia asked uncertainly. "Humans can be pretty volatile sometimes."

"Oh, they tried a few times before. But they never succeeded. We have nothing to worry about."

Nyxia could feel a frown appearing on her face, troubled by his way of thinking. That thinking would make the fae sloppy, slow. She wondered how many other fae shared the view. Judging by how many fae were celebrating here, she figured quite a lot.

Asael noticed her frown and linked his arm arm with hers. "Its okay, my lady. No need to think of such dark things on a magical night like this. Focus on having fun, on enjoying yourself. The rest can come later."

Asael was right. Nyxia's crown softened into a smile, and she rushed into the crowd, dragging Asael after her.

After that, it was a blur. Nyxia enjoyed simply watching the other people laugh, joke around, and generally enjoy themselves. She watched fae males buy these little cute stuffies and pet fish and various other things for their wives, mates, children, family in general.

She tried some of the food—a corn dog, a fluffy pink cloud that was apparently called cotton candy, and popcorn—and liked them all. Asael bought her a little festive bat stuffy, which she kept on insisting that he didn't have to, but he did, and now she clung to the little bat, not wanting to lose it.

The time past in a blur, and soon the sky was completely dark. "Come here." Asael murmured to Nyxia softly. She nodded, glancing anxiously at the sky. "Alright, but I do want to watch the fireworks."

He nodded and led her away, slipping down a little alley in between two houses.

She followed him, a bit puzzled. "Asael, what-?" He cut her off by whirling around to face her and, cupping her face in his hands, pressed his lips down onto hers gently.

Nyxia's eyes flew wide open in shock, her heart ratcheting up several paces. She quickly melted into the kiss, shutting her eyes and letting him take the lead, since he was clearly experienced.

He backed her against the wall, and she laid her hands on his shoulders, shivering slightly.

His lips were so so soft. And warm. And wonderful. His hands slid from her face to cup the back of her neck.

She could hear her heart pounding in her ears, and Nyxia couldn't shake the feeling that there was something very wrong.

At that exact moment, she felt a tiny prick on the back of her neck. Nyxia shoved Asael off, who backed away without a fight, a confused expression on her face.

"Asael, what—" she tried to say, but her words were slowed, and the world spun around her.

"I'm sorry, I wish it wasn't you." Asael said softly to her, a hint of regret in his voice. "You're so kind and lovely."

She opened her mouth, but the darkness quickly closed in on her. Just before it took her, she heard the loud booms.

The fireworks, she presumed.