Five #2
I wasn’t sure I would ever get used to traveling by stardust. Stardust was used for so many things here. Clothes, crowns, food, art, even travel too.
I clenched my eyes shut, my face pressing against his chest as the smell of citrus and cinnamon filled my nose. One moment we were within the confines of his Manor, and the next we were in High Lord Calix’s Palazzo in the Realm of Seasons.
A few moments passed before I dared to open my eyes.
“Aerilyn,” Neil said.
“Aerilyn,” he repeated, his voice growing firmer.
“Aerilyn.” Louder this time.
“Huh…?” I muttered.
“You can open your eyes now, my Darling Dove.” There was a moment of silence as I realized we had arrived.
“Oh… oh right.” I opened my eyes, peering at my surroundings.
I didn’t think I would ever get used to it. Traveling by stardust, that is. Going from one place to another in a blink of an eye. Such a remarkable thing.
“Wow…” My voice was filled with wonder. The first thing that caught my attention was the different seasons I could see from the window across from me, all existing simultaneously.
Intricate ribbons and flowers surrounded the Palazzo.
The mahogany furniture and the crispness of the air reminded me of freshly picked apples.
The Realm of Seasons reminded me more of her. It reminded me of home.
Neil stood beside me, already looking down at me with a smile. I smiled back as something iridescent caught the corner of my eye.
Oh my Gods, they have WINGS! Actual wings!
Just like in the stories! I couldn’t help but stare.
They were everything I could dream of and more.
Far more beautiful than any of the history books described, or the picture books illustrated.
They were large but dainty. Elegant. It took everything in me not to squeak and squeal with pure delight.
It was remarkable in a way I simply could not put into words.
Neil’s eyes followed mine, trying to figure out what I was gawking at. It took a moment, eyeing those on the other side of the event space.
“Ah, the wings?” he asked.
I nodded, whispering to him, “The wings.”
Neil chuckled, his arm sliding around my back, his palm resting upon the middle of it.
“Those from the Realm of Seasons have wings, and those from the Realm of Nightmares have red eyes. The Realm of Stars has pointed ears, and the Realm of Clouds… well, you already know,” he explained calmly, taking a breath.
“The color of their wings tells you which part of the Realm they reside in, look…”
Neil leaned his head closer to mine, lifting his free hand to point. “Those with white are from Winter. Orange, Fall. Pink, Spring. Green, Summer. And iridescent, the Court of Seasons.”
“As much as I would love to stand here and explain to you the inner workings of the Realm of Seasons, I would much rather enjoy tonight’s festivities in your good company.” He smirked.
The butterflies in my stomach fluttered about, and I felt the sudden warmth in my face. I was blushing and there wasn’t anything I could do to hide it.
“Come, let me introduce you to High Lord Calix.” Before I could protest, Neil was pushing me through the crowd, apparently toward this Calix he spoke of.
With iridescent wings, and a golden crown atop his head, he certainly looked like a High Lord.
A happy one at that. His smile alone could light up an entire room, let alone that golden aura that emanated from his very being. He reminded me of a Golden Retriever.
As overwhelming as everything was, I held my head high. We were guests, and this was my first time leaving the Realm of Clouds. But I still felt like a fish out of water, struggling to breathe.
I took in my surroundings as Neil pushed me forward, and my eyes met someone else’s. Someone unexpected. Someone who caused all the blood to drain from my face.
It didn’t make any sense. What was he doing here? How was he even here to begin with? The stories, and… I just didn’t understand. The world was spinning, and I felt as if at any moment, I would faint from the dizziness. This couldn’t be real. This couldn’t be happening. How is this even possible?
My chest felt tight like all the air in my lungs had been stolen. I couldn’t breathe.
“Aerilyn, this is High Lord Calix. Lord Calix, this is Aerilyn,” Neil announced.
By the grace of the Gods themselves, I snapped back into the moment.
My eyes broke from his for a moment, but when I glanced back, he was gone.
Nowhere to be seen. Perhaps I was just tired and imagining things.
I shook that thought aside and tried to focus on the moment at hand.
A feat that seemed far easier said than done, for I was much too distracted.
Gods. High Lord Calix was beautiful, he almost looked feminine. Girls flocked to him. I could see how Aradia was so smitten with him. I couldn’t blame her. He had an aura that simply could not be ignored. He was golden, the embodiment of sunshine.
I forced a smile, turning to High Lord Calix once more.
His jawline was sharp, and his dimples were adorable.
Perfect blond hair and sparkling blue eyes.
His shirt was open and flowy, exposing his bare chest. He wore several gold necklaces and gold pants to match.
A golden crown remained atop his head, one adorned with leaves and butterflies, and he had gold rings on almost every finger.
He truly was a thing of beauty, much like Lord Neil.
But his beauty wasn’t the same. His beauty was warm like sunshine, whereas High Lord Neil’s was…
like a river. Crystal clear and refreshing.
“Pleasure is mine, my Lord,” I said. He reached out his hand and planted a single sweet kiss against the top of my knuckles before letting go.
“I have heard many things about you, and none of them compare to what my eyes see before me. You truly are exquisite, Aerilyn,” he purred.
Calix paused, turning toward Neil. “How dare you hide such a pretty thing from me!” he scolded, swatting at Neil playfully and catching me entirely off guard. I nearly jumped.
Neil laughed, attempting to push Calix away. “I did no such thing. We are here, aren’t we?” he replied with a toothy grin.
“That you are, but still! You should have visited sooner. Unfair of you to keep this pretty little thing all to yourself. She is meant to be in my Realm a—” Calix outstretched his hand, attempting to reach me, but Neil stood in front of me, blocking him and swatting his hand away.
Gently, Neil grabbed my side to push me behind him.
My cheeks flushed pink.
Calix pouted.
“Ah, ah, look, but don’t touch,” Neil warned.
I peered from behind Neil, tilting my head slightly, causing my curls to hang into my face. I wasn’t quite sure what was going on.
Calix’s lips formed a line, then slowly forced a smile.
“Now, now, Neil.” Calix tutted.
“I mean it, don’t touch her.” Neil’s eyes narrowed.
“And what if I do?” Calix questioned playfully.
“You wouldn’t dare,” Neil warned.
“Oh, but wouldn’t I?” Calix quipped.
I could feel the tension rise between them. I bit my bottom lip.
Where is Aradia when I need her? I looked around, hoping to spot her, but she wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Surely, she was off enjoying the celebration somewhere.
Gods, the music. Wisterian music was far better than that of the Mortal Realm. I loved it. Social events were growing on me solely for the music alone. That, and the chance to explore the change of scenery.
My thoughts drifted. Neil and Calix went back and forth, having a contest on whose dick was bigger.
With the way they were going at it, they might as well whip it out just to compare.
Now to think of it, my mind wandered to what it would be like to bed either of them.
I traced a single finger down my neckline, aimlessly toying with the necklace Neil gave me.
I lowered my eyes to their lips as their conversation continued.
I could feel the heat spread across my face, envisioning them both without any clothes on.
My vivid imagination was getting the best of me.
The moment I pictured such a sight, I tried to think of anything else.
Anything at all. Anything that was far more appropriate than envisioning Calix and Neil naked in a room full of Divine beings such as themselves.
I swallowed hard, shifting my footing, and standing closer to Neil’s side. Anything to ground myself.
“Please, enjoy yourselves, let loose. Have a little fun,” I heard Calix say as I tuned back into the conversation.
“You should try the wine, Aerilyn.” His eyes met mine with a mischievous look. I couldn’t tell if it was playful or flirtatious, or perhaps both. Based on the way Neil pulled me closer to his side, I presumed it was both. I hope that it is both.
Curious about the sudden protectiveness in Neil’s stature, I pondered the reason why. I turned back to Calix with the sweetest of smiles, accepting Neil’s embrace by leaning into his touch.
“I shall. Thank you for allowing us to partake in such a beautiful celebration, Lord Calix,” I said softly.
Calix smiled. “I like her.” A girl with blonde hair and golden eyes approached him with a glass of wine for each of them. A man with brown hair and the same golden eyes as hers joined us.
Calix took the glass and drew it to his lips, taking a sip. “Thank you, Florence,” he cooed, leaning over to nibble at her ear.
“Aspen,” Neil said to the man, his tone was friendly.
“Where have you been?” Calix asked Aspen.
I remained silent, listening.
“Ah, dealing with something, actually,” Aspen spoke hesitantly, turning to Calix. “He is here, my Lord.”
“He? He who?” Calix questioned.
I raised a subtle brow. Was the he they spoke of the same he I thought I saw? That couldn’t be, could it?
Neil tipped his chin. He watched the look exchanged between Aspen and Calix. Calix’s eyes went wide. “Oh.” He cleared his throat. “Oooh,” he repeated.