Chapter 23 - Feather (1)
Fear those with black feathers emerge from their back. Fear those with powerful wings flutter in the night. For those who possessed black wings is the one who had turned into darkness for the sake of relishing in hatred and menace.
-Excerpt from 'The Essential Book of Human Survival'.
Jonathan Lorth.
• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •
The sun has set beyond the horizon, blue and red hue painted across the sky creating an art worth million catheon, the highest value within the entire land.
The chirps of birds began to diminish and the light above had dim slowly waiting to be engulfed by the night. Yet, there's nothing she can do besides staring at him, eyes fixated on his black majestic feathery wings.
It had been her hidden desire to encounter creatures with wings, this desire of hers had been kept from anyone and only lingers within her mind. The expectation of meeting another creature with identical wings emerging from their back had been too surreal for Raiene to truly believe that one day she could meet one.
Books inside Ruby's hut had once stated that creatures with wings are reluctant to show theirs to other creatures. It had also stated that fairy has different kinds of wings, those who resemble butterflies or bats, but those with soft feathers like birds are the rare kind and most nobles among fairy and nymph alike.
Is he some kind of noble guard?
Despite its dark colour that contrasts entirely with her wings, it still manages to shine within the large field of flowers, shining with its glamour and grace. Raiene wanted nothing but to trace her finger upon it. She noticed the wing flinched upon her thought, as if it could hear her mind very clearly.
Raiene smiled sheepishly up at him, feeling embarrassed. She cleared her throat and took a step back and was about to inform him that she could also fly when a sudden thought appeared inside her mind.
Don't fly. You have a witch scent around you. Remember, witch can't fly. They don't have wings.
Damn it!
Raiene stomps her feet in annoyance, feeling frustrated once again.
Why did she have to run off that day?
Oh right, I'm stupid.
Raiene opened her eyes to find a hand outstretched towards her, waiting for her palm to engulf within those big and warm hands. Despite its slightly pale feature. Looking up she found Artha staring back at her. Raiene reached for his hand.
Artha tries to convince himself. This is all repayment, nothing more.
Why else is he trying so hard to please the girl?
Why did he offer a ride from this forest down to the village?
Why else did he show his wings, the wings that took almost an entire year before he was able to take courage and stand before his parents.
Another thing that he wanted to hide.
The wings that had turned black.
Why?
But her awestruck gaze amused him, it's the first time Artha shows his wings to other creatures ever since the colour of his wings turned dark. When his mother was still awake, Artha loved to fly around the forest and proudly show off his wings to his twin siblings who always felt envious of his flock of feathers.
However, once the colour had turned dark, the moment when his mother was asleep, Artha had hidden the existence of his wings. Despite Elrin pleading to be whisked away and fly within the forest with him.
Raen is adorable.
Artha furrows his eyebrow in confusion, not believing the single word that pops up inside his mind. Shaking his head, he turns and tightens his hold on Raen's soft hand, her name though sounds peculiar still manages to make Artha wonder.
The life of the said girl, the life of the girl that seems clueless to the civilians of common creatures which roam each road of Qye.
Despite the tight grip, Raiene could feel the caress of his touch, the way his eyes seemed to be reluctant for a while. He put both of her hands on his shoulders, eyes never breaking off from her own, slightly trembling hand circling his neck and securely grabbing hold of his back. Artha grabs hold of her waist tight, hugging her small and fragile body secure within his hold, close and warm.
Raiene breath hitched upon her cheek touching his shoulder, the sound of his heartbeat managed to slip into her ear, her heart palpitating had entirely consumed her mind, bringing forth heat into her face.
"Hold tight," he whispered.
Raiene nodded and tightened her hand around his neck, unconsciously drew closer to his cheek. Taking a sharp intake of breath, forest and wood fragrant hitting her nose instantly, but it felt nice, almost right. She could feel his ticklish breath at the back of her neck, startled, Raiene froze within his hold, she became a little bit wary of her own scent.
How did it all come to this?
Why do I agree with this?
Raiene, are you this desperate to visit Qye's market?
Well, I am. Perhaps going with this guard was not a mistake at all.
Raiene closed her eyes and tried to calm her pounding heartbeat to no avail. Silence passed by for a few seconds before the sound of rippling muscle taking over her ear. Peeking through her black lashes, she stared at his twitching limb as it suddenly flipped and they began to fly ascend. Shrieking in fear, Raiene hid deeper within his embrace.
She had never flown like this before, despite the countless times of effortless flutters of her own wings within Tirren Forest high up in the sky, she never flew within 'anyone's embrace'.
This foreign feeling of putting her entire life on a stranger's palm felt surreal, it flows her mind and nerves. However, everything felt 'right' at the same time and it baffled her greatly. But nothing could prepare her for the scene beholding right before her eyes.
The magnificent horizon of red hue twirling with harmony within speckles of colours, with the synchronised sway of the trees from the soft wind blowing from the sea. Taking a glance of little creatures thumb sizes away from trees flying towards the sky, gathering the last minute of power exudes from the sun.
Raiene gasps in shock, her eyes widened in amazement. She took a glance at Artha to find him staring right at her cinnamon orbs, she could've sworn upon her precious life that he was smiling at her. However, that tiny smile had managed to hide itself swiftly.
"It's beautiful."
Artha nodded, once again thinking the words weren't meant for the magnificent view from above the forest.
Raiene's smile becomes wider, before a soft whisper reminds her.
Every memory of the four days that you spent while using this potion will vanish at the end.
Her smiles falter.
• • ⊱∘────·☽༓☾·────∘⊰ • •
Elrin's gaze up to the sky, inspecting the colours that turn slightly red, the breathtaking sight taking place before her sight, swirling and flowing in slow pace.
Blinking, she averted her stare and focused her eyes on her step. Light and careful upon leaving the palace, step by step without a single sound so that Yoani or anyone wouldn't notice her disappearance.
Her white dress flutters in the night, her light white flocks swaying from side to side, adjusting to each step she takes further into the forest. Biting her lips she manages to advance further and brace herself for the sight of Eyions Lake, the glittering light blue reflecting from the wide and deep lake.
Elrin let out her breath, witnessing the fog coming out of her pink lips, her eyes lit up with expectation as she smiled and whispered into the night.
"Mother."