Two Stars in the Sky (A Magneo Fanfiction)

Part 2: Magnus

Magnus watched her spin around to face him, her long hair, shining even in the dim torchlight, twirling around her arms. The dress she wore was a fitting marine blue to match her eyes, short, sleeveless, and low-cut to comply with the scorching Auranian sun, yet still exquisite all the same with the pure white pearls sown into the fabric to lend it a sparkling effect. What was even more exquisite was the smile that spread across her face when her eyes met his.

She looked just as beautiful as he remembered.

He returned her smile, hoping it actually looked like a smile. "Greetings." His low voice rang out into the silent air, cutting through it and effortlessly reaching his beloved wife. He watched as Cleo slowly began walking toward him, her pace soon turning into a run until she was upon him, throwing her arms tightly around him and pushing her face into his chest. The feeling of her finally hugging him again sent an amorous shiver up his spine. He lifted his arms to embrace her deeply.

But before he secured his arms, as if to protect her, around her body, Cleo pushed away from him, her hands gently shoving his chest. The sudden gesture shocked him enough after her seemingly happy behavior that he took a step back in retaliation. The sight of her aquamarine eyes like blue fire boring into his own made him hold his breath.

Oh, goddess. What now? Though his thought seemed sarcastic, he was greatly concerned about her. Was she feigning her ecstatic act? She had become an excellent actress over the recent years, after all. Yet she had just practically clung to him like a child would to his mother. He scrambled his mind to figure out what he could have done wrong to displease her this much, this time.

"What do you think you are doing?" Her eyes flicked back and forth, alternating between his. Her voice was the way she spoke to a crowd, with the royal authority she possessed instead of the usual gentle and casual tone she spoke to Magnus with. "When did you arrive at the palace today?"

"Early this morning, your highness." He hid any amusement he felt at this moment. She was merely only frustrated by his unannounced presence. "Did I go against your plans?"

"You most certainly did. Why had I not been told earlier, and only by a small note before I fell asleep? I am lucky I noticed it before I blew my candle out."

"I thought it would be more... sentimental. Your guards are skilled in keeping secrets, are they not?"

Cleo's furious eyes softened as amusement crept within them to douse the fire. "Only because they took orders from their king to hide this great revelation to me. I thought the palace seemed less gloomy than usual."

"Says the Golden Queen." Magnus couldn't help but smirk.

Any frustration remaining in Cleo's eyes dissipated. His heart ached as he noticed her tearing up, not wanting her to be sad. However, he soon learned she was not crying from melancholy at all as, before he detected her reappearing smile, the queen rushed upon him again. They embraced each other passionately, Magnus resting his chin on her head, a finger twirling a strand of her sumptuous hair. Her shoulders shook as she sobbed into his shoulder.

"I've missed you so much, Magnus," she whispered through her tears.

"I've longed for you, as well, Cleiona."

She looked up at him in reaction to his words, at him calling her by her full name. Magnus took the invitation to caress her face, wiping away her straying tears with his thumbs. Slowly, he leaned forward, and Cleo instinctively lifted her chin, slightly parting her cherry lips in anticipation of the long-awaited kiss. However, as much as the king desired to do just that, he brought his lips up to her forehead and kissed her brow.

She looked up at him as he pulled away, his lips tingling from where they had grazed her flawless, warm skin. He barely heard her words.

"How dare you tease me so." She blew out a puff of air through her nose to show her indignation, yet her eyes gleamed with longing.

"I am only waiting for a more exclusive place."

Cleo's eyes lit up, excitement flashing through them. She brought up a hand and grabbed one of Magnus's, intertwining their fingers. A smile had appeared on her precious face. "Then we shall go as you wish." She turned away from him, starting to lead him by their grasped hands to the door into the palace, but he remained where he was. He gently pulled Cleo back to him, a confused - and slightly hurt, Magnus realized painfully - look on her face.

"Are you attempting to go against my plans now?"

The queen's lips - her gorgeous, perfect lips - parted briefly as if she was preparing to protest. However, they closed again, and she looked at Magnus expectantly.

Squeezing her hand in reassurance, Magnus turned around and guided her down the pathway, deeper into the gardens. The torches lining the paths had been put out, as requested, but the nearly-full moon granted enough light to see where they were putting their feet.

Soon the two lovers came upon a path leading directly into the center of the gardens, and essentially the very palace itself. Magnus led Cleo around a bend and underneath a floral hedge archway, stepping to the side to allow her the perfect view.

Cleo gasped.