Golden

Chapter Twelve: Memorable Shadows

After asking around, we'd heard exactly where the guard called "Shadow" would most likely be stationed. We were now heading there and I felt as if something was pulling me towards the area, closer and closer. It felt...familiar, almost like with Anwyl. Like our soul's knew each other. As we walked on a moonflower lit path towards his stationed area, Castor stayed close to me. He sighed as he looked around.

"You know...this kingdom isn't so bad. It's quite....homely. Comfortable, actually,"Castor commented. I looked around and nodded in agreement. "It's too bad we couldn't stay here forever." I glanced at him and stopped walking. "Don't get me wrong, I miss Kalpana." He told me, stopping and turning around. He reached out and touched my cheek ever so gently. His eyes were sad. "But if you think about it....we could've been planning our wedding by now." I gave him a smile and placed my hand over his.

"You never asked me. But you never got the chance. Anyways,"I replied, closing my eyes. I breathed in about for a minute, before opening my eyes again and gazing into his golden pools deeply. "When we make it back home and beat your brother, you can ask me then." His face seemed to fall.

"Are you saying if I asked you right now you would say no?"Castor asked me. I was taken aback.

"No, no, I'm just saying you haven't asked me,"I quickly told him. His eyes brightened (if possible) and he dropped his hand. "Besides. If you did ask me, we do have bigger things to worry about right now. I just didn't think you would until we fixed our problems." He hummed and stared at my face. His eyes trailed to my lips slightly before he took a breath and laced his fingers through mine.

"Well, I'll keep that in mind,"he told me. He lead me down the path again. Eventually we made it to a tall wooden guard tower. Someone from above poked their head out over a railing and gazed down at us.

"Who are you?"They called out. It was a male voice.

"Are you the one they call "Shadow"?"I called back up. There was a small silence and the person's head disappeared. Suddenly they climbed down from the ladder, stopping in front of our group. The person's gaze slipped over myself and Anwyl, eying us confusedly. I stared at him. He was a tall male, then again as I was short it would seem almost everyone was taller. He had electric blue hair, and his face was very beautiful, almost like a cartoon character. His eyes were silver, and he was muscularly built. He was holding a spear, and had planted the end of it on the ground. He rested his other hand on his hip, gazing at us all suspiciously.

"Who wants to know?"the guy asked. His voice when he wasn't shouting was soft, and sounded like a babbling brook. Something I liked hearing. I noticed that his long hair wasn't actually midnight blue upon closer inspection. It started black at the top....faded to midnight blue....and then the tips were silver. Almost like a lake at nighttime...interesting.

"We mean you no harm. Do not fret,"I spoke calmly. He stared.

"Logically speaking, those who have to reassure someone of that are usually lying,"the guy replied. I snorted. He's not wrong....

"I am Isla. Isla Ange,"I introduced. I stuck my hand out and his eyes trailed to it. He slowly accepted it and we shook hands. As soon as our hands touched he flinched and jerked back, dropping my hand mid shake. His eyes were wide. Anwyl made a noise.

"That's it! He felt what I felt when you and I first made eye contact that day,"Anwyl whispered over my shoulder. I glanced back at him and placed my hand back inside my cloak. The fairy stood tall, staring into me with his direct eye contact

"Are you Shadow?"I asked. He shrugged and stared at me.

"What do you need? I am on duty, I ask that whatever it is be hurried,"the guy spoke. He seemed bored, but a little on edge.