Forty-Eight
CHAPTER
Iwished I had wings. I really loved how those in the Realm of Seasons had wings.
They were so gorgeous. I was jealous of them.
I couldn’t help myself as I stared at the wings of a girl from the Winter District.
The district I should have been born in.
One of a snow-covered tundra that was cold, barren, and filled with ice.
Her wings were blue and white, and oh so pretty. I should have had wings like those.
The Fall, Winter, Summer, and Spring Districts could be seen in the distance, with Calix’s Palazzo located in the center of it all.
Turning my head, I admired a boy from the Summer District. Summer was filled with green grass, and lots of ponds and pools of fresh water. The air was humid and warm with the sun beaming down on one’s skin during the day, and even once the sun settled for the night, it was still warm.
“Aerilyn.” Zathrian sighed against my cheek, peppering my freckles in kisses.
Someone from the Fall District walked past, their wings were orange.
Fall was filled with a vast golden-hued forest with falling leaves, crisp air, and a chilling breeze.
Then there was Spring. Those from the Spring District had pastel wings that were primarily pink.
Spring was lush. Filled with vibrant flowers and abundant wildlife.
I giggled. “I can’t help it! I just really love—”
“Their wings?” Zathrian chuckled.
I smiled bigger. “Their wings.” I turned my attention away from their wings and back to my Mate.
“Stop staring.” He planted yet another kiss against my cheek.
“I can’t help it.” I pouted.
Zathrian lightly rolled his eyes. Pretty things were meant to be admired, and their wings were pretty, therefore I would admire them.
It was so nice. Not having impending doom lingering over our heads. It was almost too good to be true, in a way, but I was thankful all the same. Everyday was a gift, especially when it was a day I would spend by his side.
Zathrian pulled me in for a kiss. His lips were warm and soft, tasting of brown sugar and cocoa powder. I couldn’t get enough of that sweet, sweet taste.
We both wore flower crowns upon our heads—an array of vibrant colors that complimented our features.
Differing shades of pinks and purples and blues with hints of white and sage.
Our attire was that of the Realm of Stars, and while we stood out in comparison to the attire of those from within the different seasons, we didn’t have a care in the world.
The Feast of Flowers was exactly as one would picture it to be.
Everyone wore flower crowns, and flowers covered the entire surrounding area. Despite it being fall, the feast was being held in the Spring District, where it was always spring.
Bright colors of dense flora and fauna filled the surroundings. Tables and tables of food and drink filled the area. Streamers, balloons, lanterns and all sorts of decor filled the event area. It smelled so sweet it was almost sickening, but not quite.
I leaned into Zathrian, turning enough to hug him, swaying with the music. “So, are we going to dance the night away?”
He leaned down and rubbed his nose against mine. “If that is what you wish, then we shall,” he replied.
A giggle left my lips, “I—”
“WHAT’S GROOVY, BABY?” Calix forced himself between Zathrian and I, wrapping his arm around both our shoulders.
Oh, Gods above, I thought to myself.
You can say that again, Zathrian said through the Bond.
I bit down on my bottom lip to prevent myself from giggling.
“Hello, Calix.” The lopsidedness of his stance and the smell of cherry wine on his lips suggested that he was perhaps a little tipsy.
Oh, he is definitely tipsy, Zathrian responded to my thoughts.
I giggled.
“And what’s so funny?” Calix leaned in closer to me, reaching out to poke playfully at my nose.
“Nothing of your concern.” Zathrian gave Calix a gentle nudge.
Truly, it was impressive. The simple art of not having a care in the world the way Calix did. He simply did what he wanted to do, and no one ever told him to do otherwise. He was his own man, I suppose. Flamboyant and full of personality, that’s for sure.
“Baaaaah, you are no fun!” Calix replied. “We would have way more fun in bed—”
“Absolutely not. Stop that, Calix. Stop that right now.” Zathrian cut him off before Calix could even finish that sentence. His finger wagged at Calix, scolding him like a child. It was mildly amusing.
Calix pouted.
I rolled my lips inwards, trying to stifle my laughter. Zathrian patted Calix on the back.
“You’re pretty, but not pretty like Aspen is,” Calix whined.
Zathrian looked confused, gawking at Calix. “Thank you?” he said, unsure if that was meant to be a compliment or an insult. “Uhhhh…” He trailed off, seeming not quite sure what to say.
Calix meant no harm. He was what one would call a middle man. He didn’t pick sides, he just did whatever it was he wanted to do in the moment. He liked to ‘live freely’ as he liked to say.
“WAIT!” Calix gasped, pointing a finger between Zathrian and me. “You two… wait.” He paused again, looking between us. “YOU GUYS ARE MATES?!” He gasped even louder, bouncing up and down enthusiastically.
How did he not realize that until now? You are engulfed in my smell. Zathrian almost growled through the Bond.
He’s a little special, remember… and drunk. That probably plays a part in it. It’s not like he stays up to date with the other Realms, I said, quite amused by Calix’s theatrics.
Touché. Zathrian rubbed my back. Small, steady, aimless little circles. Over and over and over again as I leaned into his touch.
“That we are. We have decided to accept the Mate Bond, officially. Soon, we hope. We started planning the ceremony already, actually,” Zathrian said rather proudly.
“We have,” I affirmed.
“Uhh!” Calix nudged Zathrian. “THIS IS GREAT NEWS!! HOW EXCITING IS THIS? Well, now we have to celebrate. That is quite the big deal, and Zathrian was the last person in Wisteria I thought would ever find their Mate,” Calix chuckled.
“Come, Aerilyn has yet to experience the joys of the feast. Come, come.” He gestured, pulling both Zathrian and me by our wrists.
Just go with it, Zathrian said through the Bond.
Well, I know that. He’s drunk and I don’t want to be responsible for his actions.
Zathrian laughed, and I simply shook my head. Calix led us away from the festivities and toward somewhere quieter. There was a gazebo adorned in pink and white roses. Within it, stood Florence and Aspen, leaning over a table.
Are they… there’s no way.
Zathrian laughed awkwardly. His hands slid to my shoulders, gently rubbing them. Calix closed the distance between him and those of his Court. Florence and Aspen seemed… high on life, if that was even a thing.
What was that sparkly dust on their—
“Oh.” I nearly choked.
Gods above, they were snorting stardust.
Watching them with wide eyes, I was somewhat flabbergasted. I knew the Realm of Seasons hosted parties, feasts, and festivals that went hard, but, even while attending a small handful of said events, I never once saw anyone snort stardust. That was, until now.
“WOOOO!” Calix hollered. Leaning forward, he grabbed Florence’s arm, snorting stardust off her flesh. Turning around, he kissed Aspen rather passionately against the lips.
I blinked.
Absolutely dumbfounded.
I most certainly was not expecting that.
I very slowly turned to look at Zathrian, who was still staring at the three of them.
He seemed as caught off guard as I was. Given the whole Mate Bond and culture of being devoted to one person, it was surprising to see Calix was not only without a Mate, but openly fooling around with not one, but two people.
One being of his Court, the other his own Right Hand.
That was a topic of conversation I would save for another time. It was not my place to judge. If anything, good for him for being so open and free with himself and his morals.
“Come on, Aerilyn,” Calix coaxed, his hand outstretched toward me.
Oh, Gods above.
“I-I don’t know,” I said hesitantly as he stumbled toward me.
“It’s life changing,” Calix hummed.
“Uhmm, thanks but no thanks,” I said, unconvinced by his words.
Zathrian stepped protectively toward me as Calix tugged me forward, teasingly. A playful game of cat and mouse that Zathrian very clearly looked like he did not want to play.
“Commeeee onnnn,” Calix whined, tugging me forward again.
What in the Four Realms?
I looked at Zathrian who shook his head. It wasn’t that I was against the idea, it was more so being under the influence meant lack of control, and truthfully, that concept scared me. Not to mention, I still hadn’t grasped control of my magic.
Aerilyn, don’t, Zathrian said within the Bond.
It was a party. So much had happened lately, and the fact that we lived through it was reason enough to let loose and live a little. Have a little fun. I needed to let loose. Maybe this would be good for me.
Besides, what was the worst that could happen?
It was a terrible idea, really.
The initial snort wasn’t all that bad. It was smooth and smelled of coconuts. It didn’t even hit me right away. I felt fine. But when it did hit me, it hit me hard.
The world around me was vivid and distorted. Shapes and sounds were not what they normally were. I couldn’t even stand straight, let alone tell what was truly going on around me anymore. I was dreaming despite knowing very well that I was awake.
I didn’t have a single worry in the world, feeling the tender embrace of Zathrian’s arms wrapped around me. I fell into his embrace. I knew he was talking to me, but I couldn’t make out a single word he was saying. Nuzzling my face against his, or at least what I thought was his face, I giggled.
Snorting stardust was not an experience that could be described. One could only understand by doing it themselves.
I wobbled, giggling. Everything was so dreamlike, up until the moment everything went black.
When I woke up the next morning, I had no recollection of the night before.
My head was pounding, and a soft groan left my lips, feeling uncomfortable the very moment I woke up.
I kept my eyes closed, draping my arm over my face.
Nauseous and discombobulated, I was comforted by Zathrian’s warm embrace.
The night before was wild, I knew that much.
I didn’t need to remember to know that whatever it entailed was undoubtedly eventful. It had to be, given the copious amounts of stardust involved.
“The stardust got you good, huh?” he whispered, kissing my bare shoulder. His arms wrapped around me from behind as he buried his face into the nook of my shoulder.
“Mmhmm,” I whined.
He planted another kiss against my supple skin. “And this is why I avoid doing reckless things like that anymore.”
“Mmmm…” I rolled to face him, nuzzling against him beneath the sheets as he pulled me closer. His hands shifted, rubbing gentle circles on my back, coaxing me back to sleep, trying to soothe me in my discomfort.
A soft yawn left my lips.
“Go back to sleep, love,” Zathrian whispered.
Nuzzling him, I drifted back to sleep soon after.