Only You

Anastasia and Sorin trudged through the dense foliage, intent on making ‘some’ headway to their destination. It felt like hours since they had last stopped, but they knew that wasn't the case.

Finding a nice covered -yet open- grove, they settled in for the night. Ana on one side, Sorin on the other - a respectable distance from each other. They'd had a long day trekking through Waridu's beautiful land, but needed to hunker down before they dared continue.

“It is supposed to get cold tonight,” Sorin sighed, “but I believe it to be most unwise to start a fire lest we be found out.”

“If you think that is best,” Anastasia murmured to her companion, not caring what happened this late evening. “To be honest with you, I am not ready to go back home yet. I have too much to discover about my family.”

“Aye, you're right, Highness,” the elf responded, a smirk on his face. He knew he wasn't supposed to hear that, but still did nonetheless. “I would love to go back home, but alas, they have rendered me an outcast - going back would cause an uproar for sure.”

He couldn't help but steal a glance at the fiery princess. She was the epitome of beauty, at least in his eyes. The way her eyes shone in the light of the moon, her smile as she laughed at a joke said only moments before, and even her laugh - everything about her was sheer perfection.

Sorin was so lost in thought that he had not realized how close he had gotten to the princess. She didn’t seem to notice, though. Instead, she was busy scribbling away on some parchment, concentration highlighting her fair face.

“Hmm?” Anastasia hummed, noticing Sorin staring at her from her peripheral vision.

“Oh, nothing,” the white-haired boy mused, "iring your beauty is all.”

Ana’s face broke out into a brilliant shade of red, embarrassed beyond recognition. She turned away from the boy and tried to concentrate on her writing once more.

“What are you writing?” Sorin asked the girl.

“A story of my life,” she responded. “Right now, I am writing about a celebration we have back at the palace for everyone to in and be a part of.” The girl sighed as she ed her previous life. “Would you like to hear it?”

“I would love to.” Sorin smiled.

“Okay,” Anastasia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She wanted to prepare herself for what she was about to divulge to the elf outcast next to her. It was nothing to be embarrassed about, but, she did not want Sorin to think her to be some prissy princess.

“Today, we celebrate Ioek!” King Orion shouted over the large crowd below him. “It is a day where we all come together to honor those who have fought with great valor in the protection of our wonderful kingdom.”

Applause broke out amongst the masses as Anastasia scanned their smiling faces. This was one of the many reasons she loved being a part of this amazing kingdom. One might guess it was a perk of being the princess.

“Let us head to the feasting hall in celebration!” her dad motioned for the crowd to follow him, and they all, with great obedience,  filed through the streets to the hall.

The large white maple doors, opened in one swing. The hall spanned at least four Aûøl Biech fields and was stark white. Lined up on either side of the hall were long grey tables piled high with food of every color, shape, and size. It was breathtaking.

“You outdid yourself this year, father,” Anastasia beamed at him.

“Thank you, my dear," he said, grinning. “Now, go enjoy yourself. You deserve a break from all you do.”

“That was a beautiful story,” Sorin gushed after Anastasia had finished up her story. It sounded like she’d had a great time with her family. It was something he ired about his shy companion. “You might think I am crazy but. . .” Sorin crept closer to the rogue princess, as he hoped to execute his idea without a problem.

Anastasia had tears well up in her eyes at the reminiscence of Ioek. It had been a few weeks since she had left her home in Kåïl, but the thought of her parents getting on well without her there, perturbed her so. She could not believe she had left the city in the first place. She was thankful to have run across Sorin, or else she might not have returned home.

Sorin reached his hand out and wiped away a few of her falling tears. After a moment, he cupped her chin and leaned forward. This was the moment he had been waiting for. Ever since he saw her for the first time in the Bøm Çaø, he knew he wanted to do this.

Their lips touched - the lightest of gestures. Brushed against one another, their breaths formed wispy puffs in the chill of the nighttime air. Anastasia, taken by surprise, leaned into the kiss and deepened it. She wrapped her arms around Sorin’s neck and ran her fingers through his snow-white hair.

She was taken aback. Never had she felt this much pleasure before. From one touch, she perceived all of the emotions Sorin was trying to convey to her. Fear, love, embarrassment, commitment; all these set electrifying jolts tingling throughout her being. Her heart beat in her chest cavity and threatened to leap from her body. With it, came a pulse that raced far beyond what seemed normal. She hoped he felt it, too.

Their time spent together flashed by in an instant. No sooner than their lips had touched, were they gone - separated by their mingled breath.

“That was. . .” Sorin panted out.

“Exhilarating?” Anastasia finished, out of breath.

“Indeed,” Sorin agreed, exhausted from what had transpired.

Since neither of the duo wanted to sleep at this time, they snuggled up next to each other and talked all night long. It seemed to be the start of something new.

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Translations:

•Waridu [War-eye-du], meaning Fae Realm

•Ioek [Eye-o-ee-kay], meaning Veteran’s Day

•Aûøl [Aye-uh-ool], meaning Moon

•Biech [Beye-eech], meaning Ball

•Kåïl [Kai-l], meaning Kingdom

•Bøm [Boom], meaning Explore

•Çaø [Sa-aye-oo], meaning Forest

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This is an excerpt from my #cwclub (№5 and №10). The language, Feaque, belongs to me. Please do not steal, copy, or reproduce any part of it. Please let me know what you think and constructive criticism is always welcome.