Fighting Dark [The Sixteen Realms: Book 1]

Chapter 22

Gosh. Quinn is beautiful. Even I, the unimaginable Inigo, the single child, the one with no place for love, has fallen in love. I'm such a hothead. Soren tells me that. A lot. Here comes Quinn now. I mustn't screw up. I can't afford it. I don't have the budget! ( I really don't!) I still don't believe she likes me. It's been two years since I got a girl to like me. I love her. I'm going to take her somewhere special tomorrow...

I got up this morning to find Inigo outside my door.

"Fabulous outfit, my lady. Sizzling, as always."

"Shut up, Inigo," I replied as I ruffled his brown hair.

"Inigo, I see the bag behind your back."

"What bag? I don't see a bag."

"Come on, Inigo. I see it, don't play dumb with me."

"Alright, you got me, I suppose, red-handed."

He took his hands out of his pockets. They were flaming red.

"Oh my gosh, Inigo. How do you prepare that?"

"I didn't, my lady. I just soaked them in red marker."

"Wow, Inigo. Wow."

"Come. I must show you the wonders of our destination that we will arriving at this fine morning. It is very beautiful. We will stay the night I ho-"

"Don't tell me any more, Inigo. It sounds wonderful."

We began to climb the steep hill. As we worked our way up, Inigo pointed out shapes in the clouds and made torches with his hands when we were in the forest. He had brought a backpack which he said was full of camping stuff. When we got to the top, he unpacked his large bag, (he had a large bag and a little bag), and we set up camp.

"Ah." Inigo sighed. "Hollow's Point. Nice and quiet."

"Oh, shut up. You're nothing quiet."

"What are you talking about, my lady? I'm more quiet than you."

"Oh, really! Look who's talking, Mr. Loud Mouth."

"I feel the burn." Inigo said as he burst into flames.

"Why, Inigo? Why?!"

"Relax, my lady. We shall wait till sunset."

We waited a few hours. That was really awkward. Really, really awkward. I was outside for a few hours watching the clouds when Inigo went to "change". When sunset came around, Inigo emerged from his tent. He was wearing a blue V-neck shirt, ( my favourite kind), black shorts, sneakers, and in his hand, a Love Rose. Those flowers are only found in the Underworld, and can only be found if true love is present. Inigo must have died getting this for me. He really loves me. We sat next to each other, his hand in mine, looking out at the sunset.

"A lovely sunset, isn't it, Inigo?" I said sheepishly.

"Sizzling, my lady."

As the sky turned to summer orange, rose pink, and crimson red, Inigo turned to me and pulled out the bag. He handed it to me sheepishly. I opened it. In the bag were three things, a blue-red-black sweater, a note, and a sapphire necklace. As I held up the necklace, Inigo went into his shirt pocket and pulled out another charm, a ring, that had a rose red ruby.

"A symbol of our love. I got them handcrafted in the Fire Chamber."

"Oh, Inigo. It's beautiful. Why did you do this, for me?"

"Because, Quinn, I told you already, I love you, more than a thousand stars."

With that, we kissed. It was amazing. Inigo was flaming. The sky behind us was bright. The night was young. It was... perfect.

And yet, we never saw the gryphon...