Waiting For Apricity

Chapter 6

Something fuzzy

Karlaious's eyes, usually a mirror of mischief and challenge, now burned with an unyielding resolve. He spread his majestic wings, their black feathers shimmering like obsidian in the dappled moonlight, an ethereal glow casting fleeting shadows on the forest floor beneath us. The wind stirred, a sharp whisper that seemed to carry with it the very weight of the night. "Hold on tight, love!" His voice, once playful, now laced with urgency, broke through the chaos of my racing thoughts. "We need to get out of here!"

I grasped at him, my hands trembling, torn between the safety of his embrace and the aching pull of my heart. The image of Lunaria, my Fae mother, flickered in my mind, the woman who had raised me, the one whose gentle ways had shaped the very core of who I was. "But what about Lunaria?" The words spilled from my lips in a frantic rush, my voice quivering with desperation. "She's back there, alone!"

Karlaious shot me a pained look, his eyes darkened with regret, his jaw set like granite. The regret in his gaze twisted something inside me, but his words came quick, steady. "We can't go back now, Apricity. It's too dangerous. We must protect ourselves first."

His words pierced through my fear, but they didn't ease it. We were leaving everything behind—the very roots of who I was, the only home I'd ever known. The distance between us and Lunaria seemed to widen with each passing second, an invisible gulf of fear and uncertainty.

Then, with a sudden movement, we were airborne. The wind rushed past us, a torrent that pulled the breath from my lungs and whipped through my hair, tangling it around my face. My heart pounded like a wild drum in my chest as I clung to Karlaious, my grip tight and desperate, as if my life depended on it. And in some ways, it did.

His wings beat with a powerful rhythm, sending us higher, faster, cutting through the air as if the very sky belonged to him. The muscles beneath my hands flexed with every beat, a steady thrum of power and strength that reassured me in the chaos. I could feel the steady rhythm of his heart, beating against my back—a pulse of life and certainty that anchored me even as the world below us blurred.

The forest of Moanae unfolded beneath us, a living tapestry of deep greens and shadowed mysteries, its secrets hidden in the vastness of the trees that stretched for miles below. The ancient boughs whispered their eternal song, a sound that was both haunting and comforting. Moonlight had long since faded, but the first rays of dawn began to break through the canopy, painting the world in a soft golden light. The once dark shadows of the forest now shimmered with life, the sunlight casting an ethereal glow across the foliage, turning everything below into a dreamscape of colour.

As we soared higher, the creatures of Moanae stirred beneath us, their eyes gleaming with a mixture of awe and wariness. Their movements seemed to ripple through the forest, like a wave of silent understanding. The whispers of our departure spread through the trees, a quiet tremor in the air, and I could feel the tension building, an anticipation that seemed to thrum through the forest like the pulse of the earth itself.

Karlaious's voice broke through the rushing wind, soft yet strong, carrying an edge of concern that made my heart twist. "I'll take you too the king, I'll get him to agree in my protection of you." His words reverberated through me, not just as a command, but as a promise, a reassurance that the danger ahead was something we could face together. His voice was a melody amidst the chaos, a soothing balm to the jagged nerves that threatened to unravel me.

As we cut through the sky, the creatures below—the fey, the shadowed beasts, and the hidden entities of the forest—watched us with quiet reverence, their eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and hostility. They knew who Karlaious was, and with that knowledge came both awe and fear. His presence in Moanae was no small thing. Whispers of our departure spread like wildfire, passing from one creature to the next, weaving through the trees, growing into a ripple of anticipation that seemed to pulse with every beat of the wings that carried us.

The wind tore at my skin, and I had to close my eyes for a moment, the rush of it overwhelming, the sensations of flight both exhilarating and terrifying.

With each powerful beat of Karlaious's wings, the land beneath us begins to shift, transforming before my eyes. The lush expanse of the forest gives way to something far grander, a towering castle that emerges from the depths of the ancient trees, its spires reaching toward the heavens like dark fingers clawing at the sky—a testament to the unimaginable power and majesty of King Amorphous.

As we descend toward the castle grounds, an ethereal aura envelops us, the air shimmering with a mystical energy. The stone walls of the castle rise before us, bathed in the first light of dawn, casting long shadows that seem to stretch across the earth. Karlaious's voice, low and commanding, breaks through the stillness, laced with both respect and urgency. "Take us to my father immediately. Our journey has brought us here seeking his guidance."

The moment my feet touch the ground, I feel the weight of the earth beneath me, but my legs betray me, trembling from the journey, the altitude, and the uncertainty ahead. Karlaious is there in an instant, his strong arms catching me with an effortless grace. His touch is firm yet gentle, grounding me, and I feel a wave of emotions crash over me—tension, excitement, and an overwhelming sense of safety, knowing he's there.

His eyes lock with mine, searching for any signs of distress, his expression softening with concern. "Are you okay?" His voice is low, filled with genuine care. "That was quite a journey."

I swallow, my voice trembling slightly as I answer, "I'm alright, just a little shaken. Thank you for catching me, Karlaious." The words are simple, but they carry the weight of my gratitude. My chest flutters with something deeper, something unspoken, as I realise just how much he's been shielding me—protecting me, without hesitation.

Karlaious's gaze lingers on me, his empathy clear in the depths of his silver eyes. "Maybe you should rest before we meet my father, King Amorphous," he suggests, his voice a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves. "You've been through so much, and you deserve a moment to recover."

I offer him a grateful smile, my heart swelling with affection for him. "That sounds like a wonderful idea. Your concern means the world to me, Karlaious. Resting for a while would give me a chance to gather my thoughts before meeting your father." My words are soft, but they carry the weight of my emotions, and I feel a warmth flood my chest, making everything feel a little less daunting.

As we step into the castle, I am in awe. The grandeur of the place overwhelms me, the sheer scale of it almost impossible to comprehend. The walls are adorned with intricate tapestries, their vibrant colours and designs telling stories of forgotten battles and ancient victories. The ceilings stretch impossibly high, disappearing into the shadows above, and the soft glow of candlelight dances off the polished marble floors, casting flickering golden light that creates an inviting, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

Karlaious, ever the playful one, casts a sidelong glance at me, his mischievous grin returning. "Well, Apricity," he says, his voice laced with teasing warmth, "since we've made it this far, maybe we should share a bedchamber. Just to make sure you're safe, of course." His wink is unmistakable, his playful tone a welcome contrast to the tension that still lingers between us.

I can't help but laugh, the sound lifting the weight from my shoulders. "Oh... you know how to make jokes too!" I tease, my smile brightening. "I was starting to think you were all wax and no honey." I flash him a playful grin, my heart lighter for the moment. "But I think I'll be just fine on my own for now. We can save the bedchamber adventures for another time." I whisper, returning his wink with a mischievous glint in my eyes.

His laughter joins mine, rich and free, and for a brief moment, the weight of the world seems to melt away. In the midst of the grandeur of this magical castle, surrounded by beauty and the ease of playful banter, I can almost forget—almost—but not entirely, the truth that looms over us all. A false peace settles over me, delicate and fleeting, because deep down, I know it's only temporary. The calm before the storm.

As I make my way toward my room, my body heavy with a mix of excitement and exhaustion, a strong hand suddenly grasps my arm, pulling me to a halt. Startled, I turn to find Karlaious standing before me, his expression soft, filled with something tender that sends a flutter through my chest.

Before I can say a word, he steps closer. My breath catches as warmth spreads through my entire being, I feel as if I could look into his gaze forever. My heart skips a beat, my mind spinning with a whirl of emotions that I can hardly begin to untangle. Blushing, I look down at his hand clasped around my arm, feeling dizzy at his touch.