Truly Immortal (On Hold)

Once Upon a Time

Chapter 3- Once Upon a Time

The nearby villages bustled with life, the sounds of cups clinking together echoed as people were sat around a blazing fire enjoying the festivities. It's my eighteenth birthday. A celebration was well underway and everyone seemed to be enjoying the food and conversation as much as I was.

My eyes were searching for her. The only girl I was desperately hoping would come, and to my surprise, she showed. I couldn't stop the smile that played on my lips at just knowing that she came... for me. As I made my way towards her I felt my stomach flutter with anticipation, my legs weakened with each step as I advanced closer towards her. Just at the mere sight of her, my heart leapt in my chest.

I smiled warmly. The warmth she gave off was all-consuming; it wrapped you in its peaceful embrace and took you to a place you never thought could exist. As I was making my way towards the fair skinned girl, I couldn't help but admire her true beauty, one that cannot fully be described but only felt with the heart. Her honey golden eyes shone brightly in the light of the fire accenting the specks of light gold. Her hair was so light it was if God himself shined down from the heavens above, and features that had every villager seeking her hand in marriage.

She was tiny, five foot. Her lips, a luscious pink and cheekbones that would make any woman envious of her. She was truly a sight to behold and I was under her spell as much as the rest of the male villagers, more so.

"Hello, Annette Hearth, I'm so glad you graced us with your presence tonight on such an occasion." My voice was shaking and judging by the smile on Annette's face I knew she had noticed my nervousness.

"Hello, Caen Tomes, it is an honor to be here. I thank you for your invitation to be apart of such a celebration as ones birth, especially one as yours." The compliment had me even weaker than I was before and her underlying flirtation did not escape my ears nor my heart. It was a custom to address one another by first and last name at a celebration, it showed respect and honor towards one another... and the way she had said my name was like silk caressing my skin.

"I would not have it any other way, M'lady." I spoke sincerely, and for once my voice came out smooth and confident. Every time I spoke to Annette my throat would squeeze and feel like as dry as sand, and my voice would sound so childishly nervous. I couldn't help it, I had no control over the way she made me feel by being in her presence.

She smiled softly, a smile that could brighten up the dark sky and on this night, that thought seemed true. It was as if the stars above brightened tremendously, and the heavens sang their joyful cries.

"Your too kind, Caen. Where are my manners? I'm terribly sorry, I haven't even wished you a wonderful birth day."

"With you being here it makes it a wonderful birth day." I smiled shyly before continuing,"No need for wishing, it has already come true." I added boldly. I have no Idea where the confidence nor the words were coming from, but I was thankful I had finally said what I was feeling. Annette blushed, her cheeks tinted a rosy pink that I found quite adorable. I looked down towards the ground, trying to keep my own embarrassment from reddening my cheeks.

"Would you like to take a walk, Caen? I do have a gift to give you but I will only give you the gift in private." Annette's voice held a nervous tremor. I could relate. We have never been alone together as it was frowned upon by our fellow villagers. Some women were persecuted and called a harlot and jezebel, but where we were now eighteen (legal age), Annette's reputation would not be destroyed in any way.

At the age of eighteen you are considered an adult according to our culture and even though I was considered an adult, it didn't stop the feelings that tugged at my heart strings and settled into my stomach... especially when Annette had asked for a walk; alone. I graciously accepted, and when she stood up her skirt flowed delicately to her feet where it swished around her feet leaving a snake-like pattern in the dirt.