Chapter 20
M aking my way to the cafeteria, my steps were light and swift, as if gravity had lost its hold on me. The ease with which my body moved felt almost surreal, akin to gliding down the stairs rather than walking; it was the kind of sweet, exciting sensation every child knew when they imagined they could fly, their mind filled with wonder that an adult would have long forgotten.
Though I hadn’t been to this part of the manor before, the signs guided me clearly until I found myself on the basement level, standing in front of two double doors.
With a slight push, I stepped into the large open room in which the polished tile floors gleamed under warm overhead lights.
Long rows of tables stretched across the space, neatly aligned, their surfaces reflecting the soft light. At the far end, a buffet bar stood, piled high with food, the enticing aromas of freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and sweet pastries wafting through the air. The room was mostly empty, save for a few servants and teachers quietly enjoying their dinner.
Scanning the room, I soon spotted Ash, almost not recognizing him for a moment. He looked different, relaxed. Breaking away from his usual black attire, he wore khaki cargo shorts, a white tee, and—were those sandals? Yes, Ash was actually wearing sandals.
He stood at the far end of a table, arms casually crossed as he chatted with Madam Pearl and Lilly, who were seated, eating their dinner.
There was something about the way he moved, the way he smiled as he spoke. It was effortless, almost unguarded. He had said something that made Lilly cover her mouth to stifle a laugh, while Madam Pearl chuckled. It was as if, with each passing day, the darkness once clinging to him like a shadow was slowly peeling away, revealing the real Ash underneath.
Mid-conversation, his eyes found mine. Even as he continued speaking, his eyes roamed over me, making my breath catch and my pulse suddenly quicken. I had to remind myself to keep moving, though my feet suddenly felt heavy, making my way over to the table.
Seeing me approach, both Lilly and Madam Pearl turned their eyes toward me, offering me warm smiles. “Areya, how positively radiant you look this afternoon,” Madam Pearl said, her eyes sweeping over me in approval. “Divinity suits you, my dear.” With that, she reached into her pocket and produced a small black box, offering it to me. “Happy birthday, Areya.”
Her gesture touched me. “Madam Pearl, you really didn’t need to get me anything.”
“Of course I did,” she insisted with a smile. “It’s not every day that one turns twenty-one and makes such a powerful step into the divine.”
I accepted the box from her hands.
“Well, go on then, open it,” she urged, her eyes twinkling.
Grinning, I carefully lifted the lid to find a shiny silver locket nestled inside.
As I picked it up, the locket fell open to reveal a delicate, beautifully crafted compass.
A sparkling arrow whirled over a turquoise face, and inscribed in the inside lid were the words: You always have a home in Cresinthia.
“It’s enchanted,” Madam Pearl explained. “Wherever you are in the world above, the compass will always point you to the nearest entrance to Cresinthia. Let it remind you that you always have a home and a family down here.”
The weight of her words settled heavily in me, and I clutched the compass tightly against my chest. Tears pricked at my eyes. “I … I don’t have words for what this gift means to me,” I said, wiping away a tear that had escaped. “Thank you so much.”
Madam Pearl stood, pulling me into a hug before also dabbing at her eyes.
“Your mother would be so proud of you. I feel it right here.” She tapped her chest over her heart. “You are going to do wonderful things, my dear. I can sense it.”
I held onto her words, offering her a grateful smile as she sat back down. I glanced at Ash, watching quietly with a smile of his own. I stepped closer to him, standing by his side. “Let me walk you to get something to eat,” he offered, taking my hand in his.
As we approached the buffet, Ash leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear.
“You have no idea, do you?” His voice was low, almost reverent. “How utterly breathtaking you look tonight. That dress … I didn’t think it was possible, but it’s even more stunning on you than I imagined.”
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I bit my lip lightly, lowering my head to hide the blush that came so quickly. Ash noticed, his lips curving into a knowing smile as the corner of his mouth tugged upward.
He grabbed a tray and helped me fill it with food before returning to the table.
Once I had finished eating, Ash didn’t waste a moment.
He took my hand again, leading me out of the cafeteria, guiding me through the manor doors and out into the crisp evening air.
The sun was hanging low in the sky, casting the first hints of twilight. I looked toward the street, expecting to see some type of transportation waiting for us, but there was nothing. Instead, Ash extended his hand, palm open. Without hesitation, I slipped my hand in his, and wordlessly, we began walking toward the street.
We walked until we reached the entrance of the beach we had discovered on our first day.
The sandy stone path eventually gave way to soft sand, and Ash came to a sudden stop, turning to face me.
“You told me you’ve waited your entire life to visit the ocean on your twenty-first birthday,” he said, his voice soft and sincere. “I know it’s not the same as being here with your mom, but if you’ll have me, then I’d love to spend this evening here with you.”
I smiled. “I would love that, Ash.”
Relief flashed across his face as he returned my smile, and we continued heading hand in hand toward the water, where gentle waves lapped the shore.
The beach was nearly deserted except for a few people packing up. Whatever enchantment was controlling the sky now portrayed the beginning of a glorious sunset of many hues.
Ash led us to a quiet spot just beyond the water’s reach, and he sat down, patting the sand beside him. I joined him, slipping off my sandals and digging my toes into the warm sand. The rhythm of the waves was soothing, each one sending a light mist of saltwater our way.
The setting sun bathed the world in a golden glow, casting its light across the horizon and transforming the sky into a masterpiece of vibrant oranges, soft pinks, and deep purples.
It was mesmerizing and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.
“It’s so beautiful,” I whispered.
“The most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
His voice was low, and I could feel the weight of his gaze on me as he said it.
I glanced at him, our eyes meeting with an intensity that had me dropping my head as a shy smile formed. He leaned in, closing the space between us, resting his arm behind my back. Together, we watched in silence as the sun slipped beneath the horizon, leaving only the faintest sliver of light beneath an emerging star-speckled sky.
Once the sun had completely disappeared, Ash jumped to his feet, grabbing my hand, and pulling me up with him. His grin was downright devilish as he yanked his shirt over his head and tossed it carelessly into the sand.
“What are you doing?” I laughed.
“Swim with me, Areya,” he said, before darting out toward the water.
A knot of nerves twisted in my stomach, but wasn’t I tired of holding back? Tired of fear ruling me?
Before I could second-guess myself, I pulled the coral sundress over my head, letting it fall beside his shirt in the sand.
Underneath, I wore a hot pink bra and matching lace underwear. Apparently, the new magical river inside me also came with a newfound sense of courage because never in a million years would I have imagined stripping down to my underwear to follow a guy into the ocean.
But that’s exactly what I did. And as I was beginning to learn, I’d follow Ash to the end of the world and beyond.
He had already waded into the water but when he turned, his expression shifted. Surprise flickered in his eyes as he watched me approach.
Fighting the urge to run and hide, I kept walking, closing the distance between us. His eyes darkened, becoming as deep and intense as the night sky, brimming with unrestrained hunger as they roamed over every inch of my body. A thrill coursed through me at the realization of the effect I had on Ash—this beautiful, dangerous predator, utterly captivated and completely at my mercy.
“Fuck, Areya,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair as he paused waist-deep in the water.
A wicked smile curled on my lips.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he warned.
“Or what, Ash?” I challenged, feeling a surge of boldness I couldn’t quite explain.
All I knew was that I wanted him to need me as much as I needed him. Taking a single, teasing step closer, I fluttered my eyelashes innocently.
“You’re playing with fire,” he warned again.
My smile only grew wider, accompanied by a giggle.
“You really wanna play games, Areya?” A feral gleam lit his features as he locked eyes with me, his gaze sharp and possessive like that of a predator stalking its prey.
My body tensed, and my pulse raced under the weight of his gaze.
“You better run, Areya,” he growled, his voice low and dripping with promise. “You better fucking run because when I catch you …”
Before I could process his words, he lunged.
I shrieked, splashing water in his face before I ran like hell.
But he was on me in an instant, his arms wrapping around me from behind. My giggles morphed into breathless squeals as I tried—and failed—to wiggle free from his grip.
“Not so brave now, are you?” he whispered into my ear, his breath sending electricity down my spine, making every tiny hair on my body prickle to life. His tongue flicked playfully against my ear, igniting sensations that made me freeze in his arms. Slowly, he lowered his mouth to my neck, his fangs grazing my skin in a way that made my breath hitch.
“I don’t think you know what you want, Areya,” he purred, his lips brushing my skin, sending heat racing through me. His fingertip traced a slow deliberate path down the curve of my body, making me arch instinctively against him.
“Don’t …” he murmured, pressing soft kisses to my neck.
“Tempt …” Another kiss landed on my chin.
“Me …” His lips brushed the corner of my mouth.
“Again …” He whispered in my ear before his hands slid down and playfully tickled my sides, making me shriek and jerk away from his touch.
But before I could escape, he scooped me up effortlessly, cradling me to his chest just as massive black wings erupted from his back. With a few powerful flaps, we soared into the air, both of us unable to hold back our laughter as we flew over the beach.
After a few laps, he smoothly descended, landing in the soft sand near our clothes. He picked up my dress and tossed it to me with a grin that was equal parts playful and smug.
I caught it, slipping it over my head as the fabric clung to my soaked skin.
Ash bent to retrieve his shirt, and my eyes were immediately drawn to the wings extending behind him. They were magnificent, their massive expanse casting faint shadows in the moonlight. The leathery surface seemed alive, catching the silvery glow and shimmering faintly. Delicate veins, like intricate river patterns, pulsed faintly with life, and I felt an almost magnetic pull toward them.
I stepped closer, tentatively reaching out to let my fingers brush against the surface. The texture surprised me—cool and impossibly smooth, with an almost unnatural softness. A faint shiver ran through me at the touch.
“They’re beautiful,” I murmured, the words spilling from me unbidden.
Ash’s expression softened, his teasing grin replaced by something quieter, more vulnerable. “You think so?”
I nodded, my gaze fixed on the mesmerizing wings as my fingers traced along one of the ridges. “Do you feel that?”
He shifted slightly, his wings rippling in response to my touch. “Do you feel this?” His voice was low as he trailed a finger down the length of my arm, his touch feather-light.
A laugh escaped me. “Yeah, but… how does it work?” I gestured behind him. “The wings? How can you summon them without, you know, ripping through your clothes?”
Ash chuckled. “It’s part of the transformation magic tied to the curse. When the wings manifest, the magic reshapes my form—my body and my clothing—like a seamless transition. No tearing fabric, no awkward adjustments. It’s … efficient, I guess.”
I tilted my head, intrigued. “So, it’s not just the wings that transform? The magic reshapes everything about you?”
“Pretty much,” Ash said, flexing one wing slightly, the movement fluid and controlled. “The curse rewrites the rules for what’s possible. The wings don’t just sprout out of nowhere—they phase in, like the magic is bridging the gap between what’s real and what isn’t. Once they solidify, the transformation is already complete. It all happens so fast, but it’s precise. Like it’s been … perfected.”
I ran my fingers lightly over the edge of one wing, marveling at the detail. “So, the curse was thoughtful enough to spare your wardrobe?” A teasing grin tugged at my lips.
Ash laughed softly, the sound low and warm.
He hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing. “If I had to guess, it’s tied to Cynthia. From what Madam Pearl said, she created the original curse, so it makes sense that this kind of magic would be part of her design. Transformative magic is controlled, deliberate—she wouldn’t have left anything to chance. Cynthia might’ve been a monster, but at least she didn’t want me walking around like a shredded scarecrow every time the wings came out. I guess even curses have standards.”
I laughed with him, but his humor quickly gave way to a quieter, more contemplative tone. “But … the wings—they’ve become a part of me. Losing them feels like losing something that’s intrinsically … mine.”
I swallowed hard, my gaze drifting to the wings behind him. Although they were part of a curse, they were beautiful. The thought of him losing them—of losing any part of himself—made my chest ache.
“I’m so sorry, Ash.”
“Don’t be sorry, Areya,” he said, his voice gentle yet firm. “I’ve come to terms with it. If losing my wings is the price I pay to remember who I am”—he reached out, his fingers brushing my cheek—“then I’ll pay it. You make me want to be free of this curse.”
“Me?” My voice wavered as I stared into his eyes, the depth of emotion there stealing my breath.
“Yeah,” he whispered, his gaze unwavering. “You make me want to be good, Areya. You make me believe that I can be.”
A blush crept up my neck as a small smile slipped out. He smiled in return, and just like that, the wings vanished as he pulled his shirt over his head.
We walked back to the manor, hand in hand, under the light of the moon. As we approached the front door, I paused, looking up at him. “Out of all the birthdays I can remember, this one is by far my favorite,” I said, quickly kissing his cheek before dashing into the manor.