A Dance Between Worlds

Chapter Eight

The night air was cool against Luxia's skin as she wandered deeper into the enchanted forest surrounding the gardens. The soft glow of the plants lit her path, casting a gentle light that danced across the ground with each step. She found her thoughts still tangled with the brief encounter with Ametrine. Lost in her thoughts, Luxia didn't notice she was approaching one of the waterfalls until she heard the gentle sound of water cascading over rocks. Glowing faintly in the twilight, was the most beautiful waterfall she could have ever imagined. The sight of it took her breath away, she stood there, mesmerized by the shimmering waters. The last ray of sunlight filtered through the falling water, like liquid gold. Dragonflies and butterflies fluttered around dancing to the music, their own celebration well underway. Luxia heard hushed whispers and giggles, as she approached, realization and wonder struck her. Some of the lights fluttering through the air were people. Fae to be exact. No more than 4 inches tall, with wings they danced above the water sometimes kicking into it to add flare to the spins. Another step forward and Luxia was suddenly aware of another presence. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Aelir standing by the edge of the waterfall, a goblet of wine in his hand. He looked every bit royal, with his sharp features highlighted by the soft light of the falls, his green eyes reflecting the glow, two emeralds in the dark. He seemed lost in thought, his expression distant and contemplative. Hesitating, unsure if she should interrupt him, Luxia paused. But before she could decide, Aelir turned, his gaze locking onto hers. For a breath, neither moved, the world around them again fading into the background. Aelir's expression softened as he saw her, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "Lux," he said, his voice low and warm, "I didn't expect to see you here." Luxia felt her cheeks flush under his gaze, but she managed a small smile in return. "I didn't mean to disturb you. I'll go..." "No!" Aelir took a step forward, just as Luxia started to turn away. "You're not disturbing me." Luxia's heart raced as he closed the distance between them. There was something in his eyes, something intense and captivating, that made it impossible for her to look away. She felt the air around them grow warmer, the atmosphere charged with an unspoken tension. "Beautiful, isn't it?" Aelir said, gesturing toward the waterfall with his wine. "Crystal Falls; one of my favorite places to escape to. Its beauty is easy to get lost in, especially being surrounded by all of the forest around it." Luxia nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's stunning. I have never seen anything like it." Aelir studied her for a moment, his gaze searching her face as if trying to decipher a puzzle. "There's something different about you. I could smell it the moment I saw you." Luxia's breath caught in her throat. She felt a strange connection with Aelir, something she couldn't explain, but she wasn't ready to reveal everything about herself, not yet. She chose her words carefully. "I am new to the area. I've been staying with Rowynn, she's helping me... adjust." "She's close to the court, and her family has always been trusted advisors. I'm curious, though, what brought you here Luxia." Aelir said thoughtfully, his expression softening. "And how are you liking it so far?" Luxia hesitated, careful not to reveal much. "Rowynn... well she offered me a place to stay when I needed it most. I was tired of living the same predictable life before, and coming here was a last-minute decision. Everything happened so fast, and I wasn't sure if I was making the right choice, but Rowynn's kindness made it easier." Aelir's expression softened, his green eyes reflecting genuine curiosity and concern. "That must have been difficult, leaving behind everything familiar. But sometimes, the most unexpected decisions lead to the greatest of adventures." Luxia managed a small smile, her heart fluttering as she felt the sincerity in his words. "I suppose you're right. It's been... overwhelming, to say the least, but I'm trying to adjust. Rowynn has been incredibly supportive, almost too supportive. And being here has opened my eyes to so many new things." Aelir nodded, his gaze leaving hers. "Rowynn has a way of bringing out the best in people. She's always had a gift for making others feel welcome and at ease. I'm glad you found your way to her." Luxia felt a warmth spread through her at his words. She appreciated how he seemed to understand her without prying too deeply into her past. There was something about him that made her want to open up, to share more, but she knew she had to be cautious. "Thank you," Luxia said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry if I got you in trouble with your fiancé earlier." Aelir's expression softened further, and a faint smile appeared on his plump lips. "You didn't me in trouble. Nimue... she's just very particular about how things should be. But you didn't do anything wrong." Luxia nodded, though a part of her still felt uneasy. "Still, I should probably go. Then you might actually be in trouble. Two times in one night..." Before she could turn to leave, Aelir reached out, his hand closing around her arm with surprising strength. He pulled her back toward him, the force of his movement causing Luxia to lose her balance. She stumbled forward, colliding with his chest. The suddenness of the contact made her breath catch, and for a millisecond, they both froze, the energy electric between them. Aelir looked down at her, his green eyes darkened with something she couldn't quite place. "Don't." Luxia's heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing to catch up with the situation. She was acutely aware of the warmth of his body, the way his arm had wrapped around her to steady her. It felt both thrilling and terrifying, and she couldn't bring herself to move away. "Aelir, I..." she began, her voice trembling slightly. "Stay," he murmured, his gaze locked on hers. "Please. I don't want you to leave." The sincerity in his voice, and the rawness of his plea, made it impossible for Luxia to refuse. She nodded slowly, her breath still uneven as she tried to grasp the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. Aelir's hand remained on her arm, his touch both grounding and electrifying. For a moment, neither of them spoke, the sounds of the waterfall and the distant music from the ball filling the silence that engulfed them. "I shouldn't have pulled you like that." Aelir finally said, his voice softer now, almost apologetic. "It's just... well, how do I put this?" "There's something about you," Aelir continued, his hand gently sliding down her arm until it rested on her hand. "It's like this unexplainable pull towards you. When you are near, it's like my body just knows. I don't understand it, but it's there, and impossible to ignore." Luxia's heart skipped a beat, her eyes widening as she looked up at him. The vulnerability in his gaze, the way his voice trembled with uncertainty, made her chest tighten with a mix of emotions she couldn't quite name. Aelir continued, his hand gently sliding down her arm until it rested on her hand. "There's something between us, something I've never felt before. It's like... a living energy, coursing through me whenever you're near. You feel it too, don't you?" Luxia's breath hitched at his words, the air around them seeming to crackle with an unseen energy. She felt the pull he described that strange magnetic force that had drawn her to him from the moment their eyes met. It was undeniable, and it scared her as much as it thrilled her. Without thinking, she nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes... I feel it." Aelir's eyes darkened with something intense, something almost primal, as he gently raised their joined hands, bringing their palms together, skin to skin. The contact sent shockwaves through Luxia, a sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced. It was as if their very souls were connecting through that simple touch, the raw energy between them igniting in a terrifyingly exhilarating way. "Do you feel that?" Aelir asked, his voice hushed, filled with awe. Luxia nodded again, unable to tear her gaze away from their hands, the way their fingers intertwined almost instinctively. "It's like... we're connected," she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of the realization. Aelir gently traced his thumb over the lines of her palm. "I don't know what this means," he admitted, his voice laced with wonder, "but I know I don't want it to stop." The intensity of his words, and the emotion in his eyes, sent a wave of conflicting emotions through Luxia. She struggled to find the right words, unsure how to process the overwhelming sensations coursing through her. But one thing was clear: she wasn't ready to let go either. Luxia's heart raced, every beat echoing the uncertainty and desire swirling within her. The connection she felt with Aelir was unlike anything she had ever experienced, and as they stood there, hands pressed together, it wasn't just the world that faded away. The heaviness she had felt since realizing she couldn't go home faded into nothingness. At this moment, under the fauna's soft glow and the waterfalls' gentle rush, everything seemed possible. Aelir's gaze was locked onto hers, his eyes searching her face for answers she wasn't sure she could give. "It's strange," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the distant sound of the falls. "Being with you, it's like I've found something I didn't even know I was looking for." Luxia's breath hitched, the sincerity in his words tugging at her heart. She felt the same pull, the same inexplicable connection that seemed to bind them together in ways she couldn't yet imagine. Her fingers tightened around his, their hands still joined, a fragile lifeline in the sea of uncertainty surrounding them. "Aelir, this... connection," She began, her voice steady but soft, "I don't know what it means either. I don't think I can ignore it either." Aelir stroked his thumb gently over her knuckles, his touch sending another ripple of warmth through her. "I don't want to ignore it, Luxia," he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. "I've never felt this way, it's like I've known you forever, even though we've just met." Luxia felt her heart flutter at his confession. There was a tenderness in his voice that matched her own swirling emotions, a raw honesty that made her chest tighten with longing and fear. She wanted to stay in this moment, to lose herself in the depth of his gaze and the warmth of his touch. Aelir slowly leaned in closer, his breath warm against her skin as he whispered, "I want to know more about you, Luxia... I want to-" Before he could finish, his lips hovered near hers, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. Luxia's eyes fluttered shut as she felt the magnetic pull between them, an undeniable force drawing them closer together. But just as his lips were about to brush against hers, reality crashed back in with the weight of a thousand stones. Her eyes snapped open, and she pulled back abruptly, her heart racing for an entirely different reason now. "No," Luxia whispered, her voice trembling. "We... we can't do this." Aelir froze, his face inches from hers, confusion and hurt flashing across his features. "Why not?" he asked softly. His voice laced with a mix of longing and disappointment. Luxia took a shaky step back, breaking their physical connection, though the emotional pull between them still lingered in the air. "You're engaged to Nimue," she said, her voice firmer now, though pain echoed in each word. "You have a commitment to her, a promise. I don't want to start on a lie." Aelir's brows furrowed, and he reached for her hand again, but Luxia pulled away, taking another step back. "Lux, it's not that simple. My engagement to Nimue... it's not-" "I'm sorry, Aelir," Luxia interrupted, shaking her head as she tried to steady her breath and emotions. "I can't do this. I won't come between you two. It's... it's not right." She turned quickly, her heart aching with every step as she moved away from him. Tears welled in her eyes, but she blinked them away, focusing on the path ahead as she made her way back to Rowynn. "Luxia, wait," Aelir called after her, his voice thick with emotion, but she didn't stop. She couldn't. If she stayed, if she let herself be swept up in his presence again, she knew she wouldn't have the strength to walk away a second time. "I'm sorry," she whispered to herself, her voice lost in the sound of the rushing waterfalls and the distant hum of the ball. "I'm so sorry." As she disappeared into the shadows, Aelir stood there, watching her go, a mixture of frustration, confusion, and something deeper swirling within him. He wanted to follow her, to pull her back into his arms and demand to know why she felt this way, why she felt so... right. But he knew he couldn't. Not now, not like this. He was bound by his duties, by the promises he had made, even if they no longer aligned with the desires of his heart. Taking a deep breath, he turned back turned the waterfall, his heart heavy with unspoken words and unanswered questions. He knew this wasn't the last time he'd see Luxia, and he wasn't sure if that thought comforted him or terrified him. Luxia, meanwhile, made her way back to Rowynn, her heart aching with every steo. As she spotted Rowynn in the distance, she felt a wave of relief wash over her, grounding her amidst the storm of emotions raging within her. She needed to regain her composure, to figure out what this connection with Aelir meant and what she was going to do about it. Rowynn noticed Luxia approaching and offered her a warm smile. "There you are, Lux! We were wondering where you'd wandered off to." Luxia returned the smile, though it felt a little forced. She couldn't stop thinking about Aelir, about the pull she felt toward him and what it could possibly mean. "Sorry, I just got a little lost by the falls." Ametrine stepped forward, her presence calming and composed. "I am sorry. This place can be overwhelming, especially for someone who's new to our world," she said kindly, her voice soft like a gentle breeze. Rowynn nodded, then exchanged a glance with Ametrine before turning her attention back to Luxia. "Actually, Ametrine and I were just talking, and she had an idea that I think could be really helpful for you." Luxia tilted her head, curious. "Oh? What kind of idea?" Ametrine's eyes twinkled with a mix of wisdom and mystery as she spoke. "I'd like to offer you a reading, Luxia. It could help provide some clarity about the changes you're experiencing and maybe even offer some insight into your path ahead." Luxia blinked, feeling a mix of apprehension and intrigue. "A reading? Like... seeing into my future?" Ametrine nodded gently. "Yes, something like that. I can't promise specific answers, but I can guide you, help you understand the energies around you and what they mean for your journey." Rowynn added, "Ametrine is one of the best seers in the realm. Her insights have helped many people, including myself. I think it could be really beneficial for you, especially now." Luxia considered the offer, a part of her was curious about what a reading might be like and what it might reveal. "That's really helpful, thank you Ametrine," she admitted. "When do you want to do this?" Ametrine smiled warmly. "Whenever you feel ready. I can host you and Rowynn in my quarters at the castle. I have my things there if we want to try a few different things while we're at it." Rowynn's face lit up. "That's a great idea! Ametrine's quarters are lovely, and it would give you a chance to see more of this new world you're a part of now." Luxia felt a wave of warmth wash over her from both women. She nodded, a tentative smile forming on her lips. "Alright, I'd like that. Thank you again, Ametrine." Ametrine inclined her head graciously. "It's my pleasure, Luxia. Just let me know when you're ready, and we'll arrange everything." "I will," Luxia said as they made their way back to the main area. As much as she tried to forget and ignore it, she felt Aelir's presence. She knew when he was watching her, and where he was without needing to see him. The one time she let herself peek, he was laughing with Nimue and some other fae. She knew she made the right move but damn, if it didn't hurt like hell.