A Dance Of Twilight: (A Fae Dark Fantasy Romance Stand-Alone )

53. Memory

More flowers bloomed within the field than I thought possible. So many wildflowers bursting with colours and each barefooted step brought me closer to him. My sweet, stable boy, Nicholas. He was laying down looking up at the blue sky and pointed out the different shapes the clouds made.

I’d snuck out after my lessons with Hector, carrying a picnic basket filled to the brim with fresh fruits, bread, and cakes. He met me behind the stable house once no one was looking and we ran off into the woods and found this open field.

I played with the petals of a daisy as I looped the ends together to create a flower crown. One already placed neatly on my head. I was going to get him to wear this one as soon as he sat up.

“Do you think anyone will notice you’ve disappeared, again?”

His voice was carefree and relaxed. His head resting on his arms as he shifted his grey eyes towards me.

“Doubtful. They are all too busy planning Norok’s birthday.”

“Does it bother you how your parents only pay attention to him and your sister?”

“Nope. It means I can hide out like this and spend time with you.”

He hummed at me and turned away to stare back at the sky. Laying on my front, my face only a few inches away from his, I could feel my heart race in my chest as I looked at him. My mother would have lost her mind if she found out I was sneaking around with the stable boy, someone below my station she would point out. But Nicholas and I were friends, and I trusted him with everything. He knew everything about me and I knew everything about him.

“Sit up.”

“I am not wearing that ridiculous crown.”

“Tough. Sit up. Your princess commands it.”

He eyed me again and I could see a slight hint of annoyance roll across his face. Soon it was replaced with acceptance as he sat up and I placed the flower crown onto his black locks.

“Oh my gosh, you make a beautiful princess!” I jested.

He threw me a glance that would have stopped me dead, if it wasn’t for the laughter that fell shortly afterwards.

“Would I give those lords a run for their gold?”

“Oh, you most certainly would, Princess Nicholas. Even I would be replaced,” I laughed.

“No one could replace you.”

Cupping my cheek, we stared at one another for a brief second before he cleared his throat and dropped his hand quickly.

“We should head back.”

“Not yet, wait a while longer.”

Sensing the awkwardness, I laid down on my back and stared up at the sky. When he joined me, our shoulders brushed against each other. I began to feel the bouncing of butterflies at the pit of my stomach.

For years now, we”ve been creating this friendship. Both growing up to become young adults, and with Norok’s birthday right around the corner, it only meant my sixteenth would soon arrive. I wouldn’t be a child anymore and perhaps I could finally do the things I wanted to do.

“That one looks like a bird.”

I pointed at the clouds. I spotted one that seemed to be in the shape of a bird, almost as clear as a painting.

“I shall make it a raven. They are such misunderstood creatures, but incredibly smart and loyal to their folk.”

Nicholas stayed silent next to me and as I turned my head to look at him, he was staring at me.

“Everything alright?” I asked, nervously.

He looked away quickly. Something was on his mind, and I wondered when he was going to tell me. It was rare of him to not speak his truth or tell me what was going on.

“I have to go away for a while in a week’s time. My mother…eh…she’s not well and I should be at her side,” he confessed and a sense of dread ran through my body. He was leaving me.

“How…how long would you be away for?”

“I am unsure. Hopefully not too long as I know”—he turned back to face me—“I know I’m needed here.”

He was needed. Not just as a stableboy, but by me. I needed him as he kept the shadows away.

Opening the palm of his hand, he held up a beautiful lilac bundle as he always did when we were readying ourselves to say goodbye. But this time, I didn’t know for how long or if I’d ever see him again. My heart broke at the thought of not seeing him every day.

“Please send your mother my warmest wishes to get well. Before you leave, come find me as I’d like to make sure you are equipped for your journey.”

He’d always told me he lived close to the valley borders. It would take him at least a week’s journey on foot. I’d have liked to pay a man to take him home. I possibly would if he allowed me to, but at least I could supply him with enough food and water for his trip.

“Of course, I will find you before I set off.”

Taking my hand as we laid next to each other, he placed the lilac in my palm. As he closed my fingers around it and placed a gentle kiss on the top of my hand, my heart sang.