Moongrace

Part 12

Their kiss was interrupted by the moonlight. The cloud had finally uncovered the moon. She moved down from him and sat up. She looked like she was reaching for the moon, Evan thought.

Eleeza felt the moonlight on her like a gentle touch. She rose from Evan and tried to find the moon with her eyes, but only darkness surrounded her. Still, she somehow knew where the moon was and felt magic and strength rise in her. She was filled with joy, joy to be able to feel the moon, joy not to be lost in darkness, joy of the magic filling her. She raised, the moon leading her and lifted her hands towards it. With all her thoughts focused on it, she wished to be released from the darkness, to be again able to feel beauty in her mind. She concentrated on how the stars glowed on the night sky, how the park looked like, on beautiful sight... she evoked every memory of beautiful sight she held.

The magic responded almost immediately, whirling upwards to her eyes. She closed them and let the magic do its work, hoping so very much to see the moon, to see Evan again. Then she could run off with him and live a happy life. The magic left her eyes with a rush, caring for her wounds and strengthening her body.

"Evan? I do not dare to open my eyes..." she whispered. He got up and took his arms around her. "Okay, so I put my face directly in front of yours. Alright, you open your eyes when I tell you. If it worked, you will see me right away. If it didn't work I will hold you in my arms. Now, are you ready?"

"Yes", she said taking a deep breath.

"So, then open your eyes now!" he said, gripping her shoulders even harder.

And she opened them, very fast, afraid and tensed of what she would see, or not see. First thing she felt was shock as brightness flashed her. She blinked several times; silver and white were around her. But there was no Evan, only light.

But then, she did not feel lost anymore, there was no blackness absorbing her, only joyful silver light. And what was that beat? Was that, could that be Evans heart beating in his chest? And this, his hair rustling? She recognized the sound of the grass bending in the wind, the distant noise of the castle and loudest of all she heard the steady breath of Evan. And she could smell him like never before. The fragrance of earth on his skin and of all the flowers he'd cut. It was overwhelming! Her prior shock had turned to awe and joy. She understood now what the magic had given her: Beauty!

The sounds got more and more. A bird, a mouse, a leave on the floor... suddenly it got too much. She couldn't focus on one single sound; her ears were overloaded by a flood of noises. She turned her head and tried to get back control.

Evan watched her blink, turn her head and saw the surprise on her face: "Eleeza, what is it? Did it work?" he asked excitedly.

His voice startled her, it was so loud. But it gave her something to focus, although she still couldn't blend out the other sounds. She pulled herself together and tried to turn her attention only on Evan.

"No, Evan, I can't see you. But, there is light around me again! And... well, I can hear now, better than ever! Like the rustling of your cloths, and the movement of your hair and the beating of your heart! And I smell so much, it's fantastic. Oh, Evan! I feel way better!" she laughed and turned her head up to kiss him. At the sight of her eyes he gasped: "Eleeza, your eyes. They..."

"What?" she interrupted him, suddenly serious again.

"They ... they, I mean, your pupils turned, well they turned silver. They took the colour of the moon and there is absolutely nothing blue or black about them anymore. It looks quite... like mercury!", he admitted.

"Is it? Oh..." she started, not knowing what to say, her prior joy still filling her.

She did not really understand what Evan was saying, that was just not possible! And there was so much more to comprehend, all her senses gave her information she had not been able to sense before.

Evan was shocked. He had never seen such a thing. Her eyes did not look human anymore. But even though they were strange and shocking, they were some of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.

Both stood in silence for some time, lost in thoughts and trying to comprehend what had happened.

Suddenly Eleeza asked: "You say the whole pupil is filled with silver?"

He nodded and realized at the same time, that she could not see his gesture. He quickly added: "Uh... yes, it is."

"So, even if the spell was taken from me and I could theoretically see again, this silver would still be in my eyes, would it not? I would still be blind. And ..." Evan fell in: "This would mean that you are not dependent on the Queen anymore!"

"Yes! So we can run off and live together far away from this horrible place." she smiled.

Evan was thoughtful: "Now was your magic a good thing or not?" he wondered. Her facial expression turned thoughtful again. She did not answer his question, not yet.

They lay back on theblanket, face turned to the moon. It was a wonderful clear night and thousandsof stars were blinking. Evan was watching Eleeza as she lay there in the dark.Her skin was glowing in the moonlight and her almost silver hair lay around herlike a halo. She was too beautiful to be real!

As if she had noticed that he was watching her, she turned her head and lookedat him with her silver eyes. He reached for her cheek, caressed it and thenpulled her face to his. Their kiss was gentle first, but deepened. Eleezakissed Evan carefully and was surprised how much more romantic it was, when shecould feel him so much more intense. His lips, his tongue, his hands and theaccelerated beating of his heart. She enjoyed every moment, not once regrettingthe loss of her sight. And so, they kissed and loved each other under themoonlight.