Chapter 41 #2
While I gazed on in utter amazement, falling deeper in love with Galaythia, Wolfe said nothing. He just let me take it all in, the corners of his mouth occasionally lifting when he caught the awe on my face.
We drifted deeper into the festival, the night stretching around us like a spell I never wanted to break. Each step revealed something new to enchant me, and I loved how Wolfe knew when to offer explanations and when to let me experience the wonder in silence.
We paused near a cluster of vendors, and an elderly merchant called out as we approached, his voice rich and hearty.
“My Lord Nightblade, is that you?”
I turned just as he leaned over the counter lined with glimmering treats and trinkets. A wide grin warmed his weathered face, and his hair was pulled back in a tie. If he were mortal, I'd peg him to be in his mid- to late seventies.
Wolfe tilted his head in acknowledgment, a smile tugging at his mouth as he ushered me over to the merchant. “Thought you retired, Kaem.”
“My Lord.” Kaem gave Wolfe a deep bow.
His reverence caught the attention of those around us. People turned to see what had prompted such respect, then quickly bowed when they spotted Wolfe. This was the first time he'd been recognized.
“Please, rise,” he said quietly, waving his hand to signal that such formality wasn't necessary. The gentle request surprised me. It was softer than I'd expected from him.
They rose with respectful nods, then melted back into the festival crowd.
I glanced at him, and he gave me a sheepish grin before turning back to Kaem, who was already smiling fondly at him.
“It's wonderful to see you, my Lord. I couldn't resist the call of the Luminar. Now I'm glad I came.”
“As am I,” Wolfe replied.
The male looked at me, then, his eyes bright. “And who's this beautiful creature?”
My cheeks warmed, but Wolfe answered before I could. “This is Elariya, and she's not for your matchmaking antics.”
Kaem laughed, undeterred. “Then she must be special.”
“Indeed, she is.” Wolfe glanced at me and winked.
“It's a pleasure to meet you.” I held out my hand to shake Kaem’s.
“And you, my Lady.” He shook my hand and looked at Wolfe again. “How long has it been since I last saw you, my boy? At least sixty years?”
“No, no.” Wolfe squinted. “We saw each other three years ago.”
Kaem waved a dismissive hand. “That was a mere glimpse in passing, son. It hardly counts. You missed the last Luminar. Your mother, bless her soul, would not have liked that one bit.”
There was a slight sag in Wolfe's shoulders at the mention of his mother. It was barely noticeable, but I saw it.
“No, I imagine she wouldn't have.”
“But I'm sure she's happy you're here now.” The old male gave him that fond smile again, then focused on me. “And she would have loved to see you here with your mage.”
Your mage.
The words sent a thrill through me that I couldn't suppress. The way he said it, with such certainty, made my heart race. As if I truly belonged to Wolfe.
“That's good to hear,” I answered, hoping my voice didn’t betray me.
“Leonara Nightblade loved the Ravenwood most of all the mage realms. She adored their love for reading, writing, and crafting unique items.”
“They do truly love all those things.” At least I knew those special things about the people I came from.
Both Grandmother and Mother told me the mages of the Ravenwood Realm either spent their days reading in the grand libraries, writing adventurous stories, or crafting anything they could imagine.
Kaem beamed at me, then pulled out a notebook from a box he kept under his stall. The moment I saw the beaded embroidery on the front, I realized it was similar to the one Wolfe gave me. In fact, it more than likely came from the same place.
“For the lady. I hope it is okay with you.” He glanced at Wolfe.
“Of course.” Wolfe nodded.
Kaem handed it to me.
“Thank you so much.”
“You are welcome. I always pick up a few of these when I visit the Ravenwood Realm. Leonara used to collect them from me.”
Gods, the books were from the Ravenwood Realm. And Wolfe's mother used to collect them?
“I thought you may appreciate the sentiment,” Kaem added with a gentle smile.
“I do. This is very beautiful.”
“I'm glad you like it, my dear. They say in the Ravenwood that if you write down your wishes during the eclipse, your heart's truest desire will come true.”
How interesting. Though Wolfe would have known that when he gave me the notebook on the ship. Prior to that, I'd been looking at his father's enchanted book that told you your greatest desire. The sentiment hit harder now, meaning so much more to me.
“I wish that for you both.” Kaem spread his arms wide, then clasped his hands in prayer.
“Thank you,” I murmured, touched by his pure kindness.
“Go, have fun.” He nodded at Wolfe. “Hope to see you again before the next Phantom Moon, my Lord.”
“I'll come and visit.”
“That would be wonderful.”
“La níyneria, a mun dair,” Wolfe said with that humble bow of his head and his hand pressed to his heart.
“La níyneria, Your Grace.”
Sirril had been the first to address Wolfe as “Your Grace.” Only now did I truly comprehend its significance.
Not just deep respect but recognition of an undeniable truth.
Although Wolfe didn't wear a crown, he was the rightful king of Galaythia.
Those who called him “Your Grace” were pledging their loyalty to him as their king.
For a heartbeat, Wolfe went very still, his eyes holding a kind of reverent surprise, like someone who'd been handed back a piece of themselves they'd thought was lost.
His gaze found mine again, and he said with a soft voice, “Come. Let's make our wishes.”
I nodded, looking forward to spending more time with him.
We walked in silence, away from the liveliness of the festival.
The soft quiet that waited beyond felt sacred and wrapped around us like a blessing, intimate and hushed.
Wolfe didn't speak. As desperate as I'd been to ask him more about his mother, I didn't need him to speak. I could feel the weight of his emotions.
The deeper we went, the quieter it became, until all that was left were the floating lanterns.
The air carried the faint scent of jasmine, and water lapped gently against the shore with soft, musical whispers.
We passed other people along the path. Quiet figures holding glowing orbs.
Some walked alone, clutching their hearts like prayers. Others moved in pairs, shoulders brushing, fingers entwined.
No one laughed here. No one danced. No one broke the sacred silence.
Silence I felt deep in my soul.
A gentle slope brought us to the lantern pools, a shallow mirrored lake that stretched between two flowering trees, the water glowing faintly with the Phantom Moon's light.
Hundreds of lanterns drifted across its surface, illuminating the dark like the stars in the sky. The breeze was slower here. Even the fireflies seemed to move more carefully.
Wolfe guided me toward the edge of the lake, near a bench carved from pale stone. The air shimmered faintly around it, like this small space had been preserved for something more.
He stopped and turned toward me, his eyes catching the glow from the water.
“This is where the wishes begin,” he said, motioning toward the lanterns. “The moon receives the wishes and decides which ones to grant. But it's not the asking that matters most. It's the believing.”
“How does it all work? I thought I'd see people writing on pieces of paper and putting them inside the lanterns.”
“No. Not so much. We don't write. We summon.” He held my gaze, looking deep into my eyes. “You have to summon the wish you want most from your heart. Pull it out then release it.”
There were so many things I wanted. So much I wished for. What did I want most?
“Think of something you need, something you've longed for, something you hope for with every fiber of your being. When you think of that thing, use your magic to move it out of your heart and into the air. Once it's out, a lantern will come to you and carry your wish to the moon.”
“You make it sound so simple.” I sighed thoughtfully, observing him.
“It is. Just watch me.” He grinned, then stepped closer to the water's edge, the moonlight casting silver patterns across his face.
Wolfe closed his eyes and placed his hand over his heart. I watched, mesmerized, as he stood perfectly still for a long moment. Then his lips moved to breathe out a sigh. A moment later, a soft white light floated out of his chest and grew brighter, taking shape into a little orb.
Wolfe opened his eyes, and a lantern floated over to him, lifted into the air once it was near and drew in his wish within the warm glow of its light. Then it hovered before him, waiting. Waiting for a further command of where to go.
I drank in the sight, spellbound. Now that I'd seen him do it, I was captivated and eager to try.
“Wow,” I breathed, stepping closer.
Wolfe turned back to me, his expression gentle. “Now you try, Ziyka. Focus on your wish, then allow your magic to do the rest.”
I gazed at him and knew in an instant what my wish should be.
Wolfe Nightblade made me want to be selfish. He made me desire something just for me. Not because it would fix my life, break my curse, or help my family.
He made me want to be greedy for something that was mine alone.
So, I wished for him.
I wished for him because I wanted him, wholly and completely.
My breath caught, trapped somewhere between my lungs and my throat, as the realization of what I wanted crashed over me.
The thought hardly processed before my chest illuminated with a bright purple light that flowed from my heart and loomed above my hands in a sphere of crackling energy.
Blessed Mother.
Why didn't my wish look like his? Mine was purple. His was pure white.
I searched his face, terrified he might somehow guess what my wish was because of the purple light and crackling energy. I only looked away from him when a lantern drifted over and swallowed my wish into its belly.