Alexandria stood at the threshold of Pipsqueak's home, anticipation bubbling in her chest as she waited for his partners to arrive. She had heard stories about Vlad and Nightingale, but nothing could prepare her for the moment they stepped through the portal.
As the shimmering light faded, her breath caught in her throat. Vlad emerged first, and he was every bit as striking as Pipsqueak had described. Towering at least six foot two, he had long, pure white hair styled in intricate braids that he had pinned up, each strand shimmering like spun silver. His skin was alabaster, as pale as the driven snow, giving him an ethereal quality that reminded Alexandria of the elegant marble flooring in her old apartment. She wondered if it felt as cold as it looked.
His eyes were a vibrant shade of pale green, captivating and almost otherworldly, reminiscent of sunlight filtering through leaves on a warm summer day. He had high cheekbones and thin lips that curved into a welcoming smile, complemented by a tall, elegant nose bridge. Alexandria noticed that his eyes seemed slightly wider than those of an average human, further enhancing his otherworldly allure.
Vlad wore a flowing tunic made from the thinnest, most translucent silk she had ever seen, its golden hue allowing glimpses of his skin beneath. The fabric caught the light beautifully, draping over his slim build and broad shoulders, tapering down to a small waist that seemed almost fragile.
Standing beside him was Nightingale, a striking contrast to his ethereal presence. She was around 5'8", with a warm blush-colored skin that seemed to glow in the soft light of the room. Alexandria couldn't help but admire her rounded hips, thick thighs, and muscular calves that hinted at strength. Her arms were toned but not overly muscular, creating a harmonious balance with her shapely form.
What caught Alexandria's attention the most was Nightingale's face. It was captivating, with large, inky black eyes that took up nearly two-thirds of her visage. The pupils sparkled with white flecks, resembling stars scattered across the night sky. Her small, almost nonexistent nose gave her an air of whimsy, while her lips were full and luscious, a deeper shade of pink than the rest of her skin.
Nightingale's long, straight hair cascaded down to her knees, complementing the graceful cat-like tail that flicked behind her, the same color as her skin. As she moved, her presence exuded warmth and confidence, a stark contrast to Vlad's cold, marble-like demeanor.
Alexandria watched in awe as the two embraced Pipsqueak, their laughter and affection radiating an inviting energy. When Pipsqueak finally turned to introduce her, she felt a flutter of nerves and excitement.
"Alexandria, this is Vlad and Nightingale," he said, his voice brimming with pride.
Vlad's smile widened, and he stepped forward, extending a cool hand to her. "It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, his voice smooth and melodic.
Nightingale followed suit, her warm embrace enveloping Alexandria in a comforting hug. "Welcome to our little circle!" she exclaimed, her tone cheerful and genuine.
The four of them made their way to the dining room, where they settled around the table, ready to enjoy the meal Pipsqueak had prepared. As they began to eat, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and chatter. Pipsqueak took the lead, sharing stories about Alexandria's first days in their world and her experiences in college. Vlad and Nightingale chimed in with questions, genuinely interested in her life and the differences she had noticed between the human and fae realms.
At one point, Nightingale leaned forward, a teasing smile on her lips. "So, Alexandria, are you seeing anyone? I have a few cousins who wouldn't mind going on a date with you."
Vlad nodded, his expression playful. "Many of the fae are quite taken by your unique beauty. You remind us of Earth's nature," he added, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Some even wonder if you have a bit of fae blood in you."
Alexandria couldn't help but chuckle at their compliments, but she felt a flush of embarrassment. "I'm not sure about any fae lineage," she replied, a hint of curiosity in her voice. "I've never looked into my genealogy."
The conversation flowed effortlessly, and they found themselves engrossed in a discussion about human courtship traditions. Alexandria shared her own experiences, explaining how relationships develop, the significance of dating, and the institution of marriage. Vlad and Nightingale listened with rapt attention, their eyes wide with curiosity.
"Marriage for us is a bond of souls intertwining," Vlad remarked thoughtfully. "How does that differ for humans?"
Alexandria explained the intricacies of human relationships, including the potential for divorce and how it puzzled many fae. Nightingale seemed particularly interested in the concept of a human marriage, where love could be severed through legal means, a stark contrast to the fae perspective where bonds were often seen as eternal unless marked by a blood ceremony.
"That's fascinating," Nightingale said, her tone contemplative. "So, love isn't always a forever thing in your world?"
"No," Alexandria said, shaking her head. "It can be, but there are many variables in human relationships."
As the evening wore on, they shared insights about love and the connections that bound them, leading to a valuable revelation about fae relationships. Alexandria learned that when fae fell in love, they could become blinded to their partner's flaws, a fact that weighed heavily on her mind given her purpose with Snow White.
"Fae love is intoxicating," Vlad explained, his voice serious. "But it can lead to misunderstandings if one partner is unworthy. The only way to truly bind a fae to a partner is through a blood ceremony."
Nightingale chimed in, "And once that bond is made, it's nearly impossible to break. Unless blood is shared, one can leave at any time, but those who ingest the other's blood are tied for life."
Alexandria's mind raced as she considered the implications for Snow White. She felt a sense of urgency to prepare the young girl for the reality of her situation with Prince Florian.
Eventually, the evening drew to a close. Vlad and Nightingale decided to stay the night with Pipsqueak, while Alexandria excused herself to head home. Pipsqueak walked her to her door, their earlier conversation still fresh in her mind.
"Thanks for dinner," she said, offering him a warm smile. "It was lovely meeting them."
Pipsqueak grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "They'll probably drop by the café more often now. I think you'll like having them around."
"Sounds great!" Alexandria replied, giving him a hug before they parted ways.
As she entered her apartment, a chill ran down her spine. She froze in place, her heart racing when she spotted her fairy godmother perched on her bed, grooming itself with an air of nonchalance.
"Wow, you scared me!" Alexandria exclaimed, her voice trembling slightly.
Her fairy godmother, a fluffy creature with a mischievous glint in its eye, let out a soft, melodic laugh. "You'll have exactly two days to talk to Snow White before her husband arrives," it said, its tone almost teasing.
Alexandria's heart raced at the implications of those words. "What do you mean? Is Prince Florian lost at sea?"
The fairy godmother's eyes twinkled with mischief. "He may have been slightly delayed, giving you just enough time to chat with the girl."
"Great," Alexandria muttered, her thoughts racing. She needed to ensure that Snow White understood her situation and was aware of the realities of fae relationships.
"By the way," the fairy godmother continued, "Snow White is only 19 so she is quite easily lead . But Prince Florian is a ruler and the youngest captain of a royal fleet at 26. So I may be harder to get Snow away from him."
A frown creased Alexandria's brow as she absorbed this information. The fact that they had met when Snow was just 14 unsettled her. "That's not okay," she murmured, a sense of determination rising within her. "I need to help her escape this messed-up version of happily ever after."
With renewed purpose, Alexandria began to plot her course of action for the next two days, determined to give Snow White the guidance she needed before her life took a turn she might not be ready for.
YOU ARE READING
Rewritten Fates: Alexandria's Tale
Fantasy(Read to find out) Ever wondered what could happen sometimes after happily ever after? Or maybe when your time has come a little too soon. where do you go? These are questions that Alexandria never had yet ends up finding out.
