xxiv
1200 Words
Freya sat quietly in the corner of a small tavern, hidden from most of the crowd. She pulled her hood down and ordered a mug of ale. Her heart was heavy. More than being disappointed, she was hurt—hurt that all the love she gave wasn’t enough to free Flint from the anger and thirst for revenge that still lived in his heart.
“May I sit here?” a gentle voice asked. Freya looked up and sighed when she saw who it was. She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
“Go away. There are plenty of empty seats around,” she muttered. But Adelaide didn’t leave. Instead, she calmly sat down across from her.
“Frey, let’s talk,” she said softly.
Freya didn’t respond at first. She just stared at her ale, fingers wrapped tightly around the mug.
“I just wanted to say sorry,” Adelaide began. “Sorry for dragging Flint into this,” she add d.
Freya remained silent for a few moments, then finally spoke. Her voice was low, tired.
“That boy… he’s been through a lot," she said.
“He was just a kid when I found him,” she continued, her voice rough. “Alone. Dirty. Skin and bones. If I hadn't bought him that day…” Her words trailed off, and she took a shaky breath.
“They would've killed him,” she whispered. Her ordered arrived and she immediately drink the ale.
Adelaide listened quietly, giving her time, ordering one for herself too.
“I raised him. I taught him how to read, how to mix potions, how to live free. I tried to give him a normal life. A safe life,” Freya said, wiping her eyes quickly. “And now, just like that, he throws himself into danger for revenge,” she added.
Adelaide leaned forward.
“I strongly think he’s not doing this to throw away the life you gave him. He’s doing it because that life gave him the strength to fight for others. He wants justice, Freya. Not just for himself, but for everyone,” she said.
Freya scoffed.
“Justice? Against the Nightmare Wolf and the Abyss Brotherhood? That’s not justice, that’s suicide,” she said. “They’re dangerous, Adelaide, and you know that damn well. So why did you include my boy?” she spat.
Adelaide heaved a sigh.
“I understand your anger. More than you think. I know you’re scared, but do you think we’re going to be safe once the Nightmare Wolf comes back?” Adelaide asked, and Freya fell into silence.
“One thing I can assure you is that Flint isn’t alone in this fight. He has me and the group,” she said.
“The marked one…”
“Yes, she’s fighting too,” Adelaide nodded. “She is kind, strong, and trying to find her way, just like Flint. Maybe they’re not so different,” she added.
Freya sat in silence for a while.
“If anything happens to him…”
“I’ll protect him,” Adelaide said firmly. “As if he were my own,” she added.
Freya finally met her eyes.
“I sure hope you know what you’re promising. He’s all I have, Adelaide. Don’t let him get lost in this,” she said.
“I know. Trust me,” Adelaide said. “But are you sure you’re not joining?” she added.
Freya shook her head.
“Flint is all you need,” she said.
They sat there, two women bound by fear, love, and the heavy weight of the world they were trying to survive in.
Back in Jeremiah’s house, Kieran knocked gently on Celestia’s door.
“Darling, I’m coming in,” he said softly. Celestia quickly sat up straighter on the bed as the door creaked open.
“Hi,” Kieran greeted with a smile.
“Hello,” Celestia replied quietly.
“Let’s go out for a while?” Kieran asked, sitting beside her. Celestia lowered her eyes.
“But… I’m afraid something will happen again. Like what happened with Flint,” she whispered. “That voice… it scared me,” she added. Kieran gently held her hand.
“I know. But you can’t stay locked in here forever,” he said. “You told me you wanted to see the world, remember?” he added.
“Don't let it get to you,” Kieran said. Celestia bit her bottom lip, then slowly nodded. Kieran was right, this journey was for her to see and know the world. “I'm here beside you,” he added.
“Alright… let’s go,” she whispered.
“That’s my woman,” Kieran said proudly. “There’s something special happening later—a festival. I think you’ll love it. It's by the river that we weren't able to go to because of what happened,” he added. .
“Wear something comfortable,” Kieran said. Celestia nodded her head and Kieran went out of the room.
Celestia went out in her beige dress and saw Kieran waiting for her. He offered her his hand as they left the house, hiring a carriage to take them to the river where people had already started to gather. Celestia gasped softly as she looked around. Lanterns were being lit one by one, floating gently into the sky. The water shimmered under the soft evening light, and music played in the distance. Kieran smiled at her reaction. Good thing Jeremiah had told him about the festival.
“It’s the Lantern Flying Festival,” he said. “The people here do this every year to thank the Goddess for the harvest. They also believe that if you make a wish and let the lantern fly, your wish might come true,” he added then bought them two lanterns.
“Here’s yours, darling. Make a wish,” Kieran said, handing her a pen and a small lantern paper.
Celestia’s heart felt lighter. With a deep breath, she began to write her quiet hope on the paper.
“Are you ready?” Kieran asked as he lit both their lanterns. Celestia nodded with a bright smile.
“On the count of three…” Kieran held his lantern and glanced at his mate. He couldn’t help but smile, seeing her that happy. “One… Two… Three!” They both released the lanterns and watched as they slowly floated up into the sky.
“Thank you for bringing me here, Kieran,” Celestia said softly.
“You’re welcome, darling. What did you wish for?” he asked, putting his arm around her shoulders.
“It’s a secret,” Celestia grinned. “What about you?” she added.
“I wished that everything you wish for will come true,” Kieran replied, his eyes locked on hers. Celestia’s heart raced as he leaned a little closer.
“You’re so beautiful,” he whispered. “Can I kiss you?” he added.
Celestia clenched her hands nervously but nodded.
Kieran smiled, brushing his lips against hers in a soft, warm kiss under the star-filled sky, while their lanterns floated higher—carrying their wishes and something new blooming between them.
- Writer
