Two
CHAPTER
My head was pounding. The endless thump, thump, thump against my temples made me nauseous.
Exhaling slowly, I shifted slightly. Feeling the warmth and comfort of…
silk sheets? My eyes shot open, jolting awake, I abruptly sat up.
My breathing rapid, I reached for my abdomen as the last memories of what happened played in my mind. I didn’t understand.
Where was I? What happened? Wh—
“Shhhh, shhhh,” a soothing voice cooed. Strong hands gently coaxed me to lay back down.
Easing me down, I turned to him. Vibrant violet eyes, paled features, short white wavy hair.
He was the most beautiful man I had ever laid eyes upon.
My head landed back against the soft, feathery silk pillow beneath me.
My lips parted, yet no words came of them. Who are you?
“Shhhh.” He pulled the blanket back over me, engulfing me in the comfort of…
his bed? The room was white, with walls of marble, and the curtains were ivory with gold detailing—the same gold detailing of the very blankets I was beneath.
The glass door to the balcony overlooked an abundance of flora, and clouds that stretched into the distance.
Their wispy tendrils reached out like delicate fingers.
Nothing like I had ever seen before. Everything was bathed in pure white light.
“Wh-where am I?” I asked shakily, barely above a whisper.
He smiled at me. He, whoever he was, was actually smiling. “You are in my Realm, Little Dove.” He paused, his eyes scanning my features.
I could feel a blush creeping up my freckled face. “Your… Realm?” I repeated.
He nodded. “Yes.” Carefully, he reached for a cup on the nightstand beside me. “Here, drink. It’ll help,” he cooed, carefully lifting the cup to my parched lips. I took a couple small sips. The water was cool, refreshing, and soothing against my throat.
“Thank you,” I replied. Gods, he is beautiful. And the way he’s looking at me—is this what it feels like to be seen?
“You’re most welcome.” He slid a hand through his hair. “I do not wish to overwhelm you, but I would like to properly introduce myself. I am Neil, the High Lord of the Realm of Clouds.” He leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs. “And you, my dear, are in my bed.”
The budding warmth within my cheeks was one I simply could not ignore, neither was what he was saying to me. “I… uhm… uh—” Realm of Clouds? I swallowed hard. “Was I—”
“Reborn?” The corners of his lips lifted into a wider smile. “Why yes, yes you were.” He scooted his chair closer to my bedside.
Confusion washed over me. I had always been a devoted follower of the Gods, though I never imagined that I would be blessed with…
this. Truthfully, I was unsure if a second chance was something I even wanted.
Being in the Realm of the Passed with my mother seemed more ideal.
Being here meant I was immortal, that I would not see my mother again for a very, very long time, if ever.
In the stories my mother told me, those who died and were chosen to be reborn, were reborn into the Realm of Seasons.
More specifically, within the district of the season they died in.
I should have been reborn in the Winter District of the Realm of Seasons.
Yet, here I was, an anomaly in the Realm of Clouds. It didn’t make any sense at all.
“Shouldn’t I be in—”
“You should, yes. I am afraid I do not have the answers you desire.” He reached out, carefully taking my hand into his, then placing his other hand on top, clasping our hands together.
“I am sorry for what happened to you. I found you a few days ago. There is a field of clouds by the lake that is rather close to the borders of the Wall. I was merely on a stroll to clear my head when I came across you. You were in the field, and when I tried to wake you, you did not stir.” He exhaled slowly.
“I couldn’t leave you there.” Neil tightened his grip on my hand, rubbing his thumb against mine.
“And in that time, I have spoken with the High Lord of the Realm of Seasons. He, too, doesn’t know why you woke here, but I assure you, I am doing what I can to figure out what is going on. ”
Biting down on my bottom lip, I nodded at his words.
“What is your name?” he asked.
“Aerilyn,” I replied softly.
He smiled bigger. “Now that is a rather pretty name,” pausing, he leaned in closer, “for a rather pretty girl.”
My eyes widened, my heart skipping a beat at such sweet words. I was enamored by him; it was almost love at first sight. Not once had I ever been told such sweet things. “Thank you,” I said with the utmost sincerity. He thinks I’m pretty?
“It is the truth,” he replied, placing a hand on my forehead. “How are you feeling?”
All things considered, I suppose I felt alright. I couldn’t recall ever being asked to share my feelings. My eyes watered, unsure of how to respond.
His hand slid from my forehead, cupping my cheek.
His touch was soft, his thumb gliding against my freckled skin.
My eyes met his. “If you don’t want to talk about it yet, we don’t have to.
You’re safe here. I promise you that. You can rest comfortably.
You are in my care now. My Realm is yours to call home. ”
“Thank you,” I replied, hesitating for a moment. “Uhm, has another girl, besides me, been reborn here or in the Winter Realm?”
“A girl?” he questioned.
I nodded.
“Besides you, Little Dove, none that I am aware of.”
I nodded again, his hand still against my cheek.
“I think it would be best for you to get some rest. Your body needs time to adjust.” He shifted his hand, pushing errant curls away from my face.
“You have nothing to fear. I will stay with you while you rest and have something prepared for you to eat when you wake. Okay?”
He was far too kind. Surely, this was too good to be true.
I was not deserving of such kindness, such warmth, such care.
Gelia was gone, and it was she who should have been here, not I.
There must have been a mistake, for she was the one deserving of a second chance.
Not me. Guilt climbed up my throat, and the desire to be selfish for once in my life pushed it back down.
If this was a dream, I really hoped that I would never wake up.
“Okay,” I whispered.
He smiled. “Good girl.” Neil pulled away, carefully tucking me in.
He reached for the book he had on his nightstand.
It looked out of place, in a way. Black binding and aged parchment.
My eyes became heavy as I watched him read, and I could have sworn I saw clouds approaching my face, tickling my features, like I was walking through mist. Closing my eyes, sleep found me at last.