Whispers of the wild
Aurelia sat inside the carriage, her delicate fingers toying with the embroidered hem of her sleeve as her pale blue eyes flickered between the passing trees and Lysara, who had remained mostly silent since their departure. Her curiosity only grew when she noticed the tension in Lysara's posture, the way she seemed determined to avoid her gaze.
"I must say, Lysara," Aurelia finally broke the silence, her voice laced with teasing amusement, "this secrecy is rather thrilling. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were planning to kidnap me."
Lysara rolled her eyes but didn't take the bait. "I'd hardly go through this much trouble if I were kidnapping you," she responded dryly, though a faint smirk ghosted her lips.
The carriage rolled to a halt. Without another word, Lysara gracefully stepped out, the flowing fabric of her tunic catching the breeze as she extended a hand towards Aurelia. The princess accepted it, stepping out into the embrace of the wild.
Aurelia gasped softly, momentarily caught off guard by the breathtaking sight before her. A lush meadow stretched out, a vibrant sea of wildflowers swaying in the gentle wind. A crystalline river wound through the clearing, its waters glimmering under the sun's caress. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their plumage displaying iridescent hues, while small, luminescent butterflies hovered like living fragments of light.
Lysara observed Aurelia's reaction, a flicker of satisfaction lighting her usually composed expression. When Aurelia turned to face her with wide, delighted eyes, she quickly averted her gaze, suddenly self-conscious.
"Do you like it?" she asked, keeping her voice casual.
Aurelia's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Oh, I love it," she murmured, her voice carrying genuine warmth. "Did you plan all this for me?"
Lysara hesitated. "It was my father's suggestion—to strengthen our ties."
Aurelia let out a soft laugh, tilting her head slightly. "You don't seem like someone who simply follows orders."
Lysara had no retort for that, and instead, motioned toward the center of the meadow where a carefully arranged picnic awaited them. A woven basket sat atop a richly embroidered blanket, its contents a delightful spread of both Ravenshade delicacies and foreign treats from Aurelia's homeland.
As they walked forward, Aurelia trailed her fingers along the petals of a flower, briefly losing herself in the tranquility. She paused by the river's edge, crouching to dip her fingers into the cool water. Her reflection rippled across the surface, her golden hair catching the sunlight like spun silk. Lysara found herself watching her—admiring the way the breeze carried strands of her hair, the way her pale lashes kissed her cheeks when she blinked.
Realizing she was staring, Lysara cleared her throat. "Come and eat before the food gets cold."
Aurelia turned to her, an amused glint in her eyes, but she obeyed, settling herself onto the blanket beside Lysara. They ate in relative peace, Aurelia savoring the foreign dishes while Lysara remained quietly pleased with the success of the outing.
A rustling in the distance drew their attention. Emerging from the foliage was a fantastical creature, no larger than a fawn, its body covered in soft, pearlescent fur that shimmered with hints of lavender and silver. Large, luminous eyes regarded them with cautious curiosity, its delicate antlers adorned with tiny, glowing spores that pulsed with faint bioluminescence.
Aurelia gasped in delight, but when the creature took a hesitant step closer, she instinctively leaned back. "It's beautiful," she whispered, though there was a nervous tremor in her voice.
Lysara chuckled, extending a small bun from their basket toward the creature. "It's harmless," she reassured her. "They're called Lunafawns. They drink from the rivers of Ravenshade, especially in untouched places like this."
The Lunafawn stepped forward, accepting the offered treat from Lysara's palm before flicking its ears and retreating gracefully back into the trees. Aurelia sighed, disappointment flickering in her eyes. "The animals in Icevire are nothing like this. Most of them are cold or dangerous. The Frost Serpents that slither through our tundras would have swallowed that poor thing whole."
Lysara arched an eyebrow. "And yet, you make it sound as if you miss them."
Aurelia smiled wryly. "Perhaps I do. They remind me of home."
Silence settled between them, not uncomfortable, but filled with an unspoken understanding. They finished their meal, Aurelia stretching before turning to Lysara expectantly. "Shall we explore a little before heading back?"
Lysara hesitated, then nodded. "Alright."
As they wandered through the meadow, Aurelia's laughter echoed, mingling with the whisper of the wind through the trees. Lysara felt something unfamiliar yet undeniably warm bloom in her chest grow stronger.