Ten
CHAPTER
The past three weeks had truly felt like a dream. The days blurred together, but not in a bad way. If I wasn’t with Neil, I occupied myself by painting, playing the piano, or reading. If I wasn’t painting, playing the piano, or reading, I was with Neil.
Or I was with Acheron, learning about the Realm or how to become more skilled at the piano.
Speaking of Acheron, the letter he placed on my desk three weeks ago remained unopened until last night.
I stared at it for hours, only to abruptly stuff it in my drawer to hide it from Neil.
Not because I had anything to hide but more so because I didn’t want to burden him.
He had so much weight on his shoulders. I truly did not want to add another thing, for fear that he might break.
What is it that Zathrian knows that I don’t? How am I to trust him when he lied to me the entire time I knew him in the Mortal Realm? I didn’t know what to think, despite the many times I re-read that letter.
Dear Aerilyn,
As much as I detest you, I ask you to please read this letter in its entirety.
You cannot trust Neil. There are things you do not understand or know about.
He is not the person you think he is. He is hiding things from you.
The secrets he has will break your heart to the point of no return.
Do not let yourself be blinded by a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Not everything is what it seems. You are not safe with him.
You are in terrible danger. Be careful of those you trust. You can confide in Acheron if you do not wish to confide in me.
I will explain at the Celestial Festival if you allow me to.
Sincerely,
Ζ.
I read it one last time, tucking it between the pages of my diary and stuffing it into the bottom drawer of my desk.
The Celestial Festival was tonight and for the past few weeks, I didn’t know what to think.
Every time I had my thoughts organized, they were scrambled again.
Nothing made sense. Whenever I asked Neil if he had discovered anything about how or why I woke up in his Realm instead of that of the Seasons, he always brushed it aside, telling me that he would tell me when he knew anything.
But it had been weeks, and nothing had changed in that regard.
So many questions I could not seem to find the answers to.
I couldn’t make sense of why Zathrian sent the letter.
What was the purpose behind it? If he truly detested me the way he said he did, why did he send that letter in the first place?
Did he know why I woke up in the Realm of Clouds?
I rolled my eyes, unsure if I wanted to hear him out or if I even would. I had yet to decide, but time was unfortunately running out.
I sighed, noticing the grandfather clock. I read the time. Any minute now, Aradia would barge into my room and begin primping me. I tilted my head to the side, watching the second hand tick by.
5… 4… 3… 2… 1…
Aradia opened the door with the biggest smile on her face. “Aerilyn!!” she chirped excitedly, wearing a pastel green dress with shimmering stardust and flowers sewn into the fabric. “I HAVE A SPECIAL SURPRISE FROM NEIL!” She held up the dress.
“Gods above.” I approached her, reaching out to touch the fabric, feeling the soft, silky texture.
“It’s even more beautiful than the last!” she exclaimed.
“It really is,” I muttered. It was breathtaking.
Aradia pulled away to hang up the dress. “Let’s get you ready then. I have a vision, and I know exactly how I am going to do your hair and makeup. You are going to be the most beautiful girl at the festival, besides me, obviously.”
I smiled. “Let’s get to it then,” I replied, though having my hair pulled by Neil was far more pleasant than when Aradia did it as she styled my hair. Perhaps she would be gentler this time; one could only hope.
The Realm of Stars took my breath away from the moment we arrived.
I hadn’t said a single word, remaining at Neil’s side.
I didn’t know what to say. All this time, I thought the Realm of Clouds to be the most breathtaking place in Wisteria, but now that I had seen the Realm of Stars with my own two eyes, I couldn’t help but feel differently.
There was no comparison of the two. Not that I would ever say it out loud.
I had always loved the stars, and being able to see them like this, with such clarity—I couldn’t help but smile wide, admiring the view.
The sky was filled with glittering stars and shimmering constellations, a vast expanse of twinkling lights and majestic galaxies swirled above in a dazzling display of color and light.
The nearby mountains were illuminated by enchanting bioluminescent flora and fauna.
The buildings were exquisite, built with shimmering moonstones.
The sand on the edge of the nearby lake was silver, sparkling beneath the diamonds that filled the sky. I wish I could stay here forever.
So moonstruck by my surroundings, Neil gently nudged me forward to keep us walking side-by-side.
Neil wrapped his arm around my waist and leaned over, planting a kiss just above my ear. “Gods above, you are gorgeous,” he whispered.
I smiled, my eyes still on the stars above us. “You have good taste in dresses.”
“I do, though I much prefer you without it,” he replied huskily against my ear.
I nudged my elbow into him. “Neil!” My eyes met his under the moonlight with a smile.
He laughed, and I did, too.
“My Lord.” Acheron came up from behind, and both of us turned to look at him. I simply glanced in his direction before turning back to face the railing, admiring the landscape laid out before me.
“What is it?” Neil asked.
I remained silent.
“Viotto and Nevan wish to have a word with you,” he replied.
I raised a brow; neither name was one I recognized. Neil seemed less than enthused to hear those names leave Acheron’s lips. Who are they?
“Of course they do.” He huffed in annoyance, turning back to me. “I will be back soon. Enjoy yourself, and don’t wander too far,” Neil instructed.
“Asking or—”
“Ordering,” he replied with a cheeky smile, lifting his pointer finger to poke at the dimple on my cheek.
Before I could get another word in, he was already gone. I sighed, my hands sliding to the moonstone railing in front of me.
“Aerilyn.” Acheron’s tone was hushed. “I know you’re still conflicted.”
I rolled my eyes, unamused. “Aren’t festivals meant to be fun? Because this, whatever this is, is not. Why must everything be so political?” I crossed my arms, turning to face him. “Shouldn’t you be off with Mateo, anyway?”
Acheron’s face went pale. Quickly, he lunged forward and slid his hand to cover my mouth, standing so close to me that his lips almost touched my earlobe when he whispered, “Shh. Don’t say anything out in the open like that.
You don’t know who could be listening. Neil would not take kindly to such information. ”
I rolled my eyes and pushed him off me. “Okay, don’t be so dramatic. No one is around.”
Mateo joined Acheron, standing by his side as the two shared a knowing glance. I didn’t need to ask. I could already sense the Bond between them. I sensed it even before Acheron told me.
They were Mates.
I cleared my throat. Neither of them said a word. Mateo knew I knew, presumably by the ghastly look on my face.
Mateo stood tall, his expression as hard to read as ever. Whereas Acheron slouched.
Undoubtedly a case of opposites attract. At least, in my opinion.
I understood his pain, the sense of longing he felt.
“You told her then?” Mateo asked.
Acheron nodded. “I did.”
“Does anyone else know?” I asked in a hushed tone, not knowing whose unwanted ears might be listening.
Mateo and Acheron looked at each other, and then at me.
“Us, you, and—” My eyes followed where Mateo’s finger pointed.
“Zathrian,” I said more to myself than to them, cursing his name under my breath. “Ah, I see.” I nodded, watching Zathrian with a drink in hand, chatting with faces I did not recognize. Despite knowing him for most of my life, he was a complete stranger.
There that buzz was again. Was Neil somewhere nearby?
My eyes caught a glance of Zathrian, and I quickly turned back to Mateo and Acheron, pretending as if I hadn’t just been staring from across the balcony. “I want nothing to do with whatever it is you are conspiring.”
“Conspiring?” Mateo tilted his head. “Quite the big word for a pet. An interesting reaction, too.”
I felt my face go red. I shoved him, gently, but still hard enough for him to be forced to take a couple of steps back.
“Aerilyn!” Acheron called out. He reached for me but with how small I was, I slipped past him before he could grab hold of me.
I would keep Acheron’s secret, but that didn’t mean I had to like it, or Mateo, either. He was pretty, but as the right hand of Zathrian, he was an extension of him.
“Asshole,” I muttered. Not looking where I was going, I backed straight into something hard and warm, nearly falling flat on my ass if it wasn’t for him catching me.
“Asshole?” he repeated. “Well, hello to you, too.” Zathrian helped me regain my balance, his calloused hand gripped my forearm even when I attempted to pull away.
“Let go of me,” I demanded.
“I need to talk to you,” he replied, his voice soft.
“About?” I raised a brow. Pretending I didn’t remember that letter Acheron gave me in his stead.
“Not here.” He yanked me down the bioluminescent path, toward a quieter part of the festival where the music was muffled by the laughter of surrounding attendees.
We weren’t too far away, but the only light around us was the stars above instead of the lanterns that lit up the surrounding area of the festival.
We didn’t stop until no one else was around. Then, and only then did he let go of my arm.
“What? For someone who ‘detests me’, you seem to care an awful lot about me,” I said, teasing him.