Eternal Starlight: Celestial City

Chapter 11

Elowen awoke to the soft glow of the sun just beginning to rise over the ocean, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the previous night. The argument with Xander had escalated, particularly when he brought up Rowan, and while she regretted her reaction of slapping him, she couldn’t shake the feeling that he had crossed a line. With a heavy sigh, she threw off the covers and began preparing for the mission that awaited the four of them later that day, donning her familiar fighting leathers and lacing up her boots, all while tying her hair back into a practical ponytail braid.

As she stepped out of her room, she caught sight of Xander in the midst of putting on his own fighting gear. The sight of his muscular back and the intricate tattoos that adorned it left her momentarily breathless, her heart racing as she realized she had been staring. Xander, sensing her gaze, turned to face her with a playful half-smile, igniting a desire within her to reach out and touch him. He stood at the threshold of his room, shirtless, and without a second thought, she stepped closer, her hands instinctively gliding over his chest, sending shivers through him at the contact.

Their eyes locked, and as he tenderly caressed her cheek, the air between them crackled with unspoken tension. She bit her lip, feeling a magnetic pull as he leaned down, whispering, "Do you like what you see, kitten?" Elowen nodded slowly, her heart racing as he captured her lips in a kiss that felt both exhilarating and dangerous. She wrapped her arms around his neck, surrendering to the moment as he pulled her into his room, pressing her against the door. A fire ignited within her, but as their kiss broke and she gasped for breath, reality crashed back in. "I'm sorry," she murmured, pushing him away gently before hastily retreating from his room, her mind racing with the implications of what had just transpired.

As Elowen entered the Sunroom to collect her thoughts, Xander followed closely behind her. She turned to face him, and in a swift motion, he wrapped his arms around her waist, drawing her closer. Their lips brushed together, igniting a spark that made her heart race, and she instinctively responded by encircling him with her arms, deepening the kiss. "Elowen," he murmured softly against her lips, intensifying the magnetic pull she felt, leaving her bewildered by the depth of her emotions. Just then, Tauriel and Thorin descended the stairs, halting in their tracks as they witnessed the intimate moment unfolding before them. Thorin scratched his head in, unsure of what to do, while Tauriel's eyes sparkled with joy as she danced in place, reveling in the scene.

The house seemed to vibrate with excitement, abruptly interrupting Xander and Elowen's kiss. Tauriel and Thorin exchanged alarmed glances and hurriedly retreated upstairs, only to reappear moments later as if they had just come down. Elowen stepped back slightly, her gaze shifting to Tauriel and Thorin, who wore neutral expressions. "Good morning," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper. Xander turned away, remaining silent. "Is everyone prepared for today's mission?" she asked, her nerves still tinged with the earlier encounter, hoping they hadn’t noticed anything amiss. "I am," Tauriel replied with enthusiasm, followed by Thorin echoing her sentiment. Elowen met Xander's gaze, a longing to kiss him again bubbling within her, but she hesitated. "I am," Xander finally responded, breaking the tension. "All right then, I’ll fetch the maps from the library, and we can head out," Elowen declared, leaving the room.

As she walked away, Tauriel shot a knowing smile at her brother. Xander, puzzled, raised an eyebrow. "What?" he asked defensively. Tauriel's expression turned pointed. "Don't play coy; we saw everything!" she insisted. Frustrated, Xander pinched the bridge of his nose and exclaimed, "Shush!"

"Lower your voice, Tauriel," Xander urged in a hushed tone, trying to maintain a sense of calm amidst the excitement.

"I can't help it! I'm just so thrilled!" Tauriel replied, her voice still barely contained.

Thorin exchanged a knowing glance with Xander, a playful smirk dancing on his lips as he raised his eyebrows in a teasing manner.

Xander suppressed a chuckle, rolling his eyes in mock exasperation. "Alright, alright," he said, pausing for emphasis, "but remember, she’s still in the dark about everything, so let’s keep this just between the three of us."

At that moment, Elowen re-entered the living room, maps in hand, where Tauriel, Thorin, and Xander were gathered. "I’ve got the maps," she announced, her tone brisk and purposeful.

"Let’s take a quick look; we know the dullahans originated from the southern borders of the city," Elowen stated as she spread the maps across the coffee table. All four of them knelt down, their attention riveted on the intricate details laid out before them.

Thorin and Tauriel were deeply focused on the map, while Xander’s gaze drifted to Elowen, their eyes locking for a brief moment. He flashed her a half-smile, a silent acknowledgment of their shared moments, causing her cheeks to flush with warmth.

"We have a serious issue," Thorin interjected, his expression turning grave, prompting Xander and Elowen to snap back to reality, concern etched on their faces.

"What’s wrong, Thorin?" Xander inquired, his voice laced with urgency.

"They’ve come from the Shadowlands," Thorin replied, his tone heavy with worry.

Xander cursed under his breath, the weight of the revelation settling in.

"Shadowlands?" Elowen echoed, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Xander met her gaze, his concern palpable. "The Shadowlands are no trivial matter; they are home to advanced shadow-fae. What happened yesterday was merely a test to gauge your abilities. The Lord of Shadows was observing you throughout it all," he explained, his voice steady yet filled with apprehension.

Elowen surveyed the worried expressions of her companions before turning back to Xander. "If we don’t intervene, he’ll target the other Courts," she warned.

"It's not the other Courts that matter, Elowen; it's you that he desires something from," Xander said, his tone heavy with worry.

Elowen let out a weary breath. "We should keep an eye on him to uncover his intentions, then devise a strategy to deal with him once and for all."

With that, the four of them emerged into the open air, spreading their wings wide as they took flight, soaring toward the ominous expanse of the Shadowlands.

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