Book of Fate: Enchanted Origins

Chapter 2

Esmera actually led us to our rooms. Zale transformed and disappeared into the spring we saw at the entrance. The rooms were very similar to the entrance in terms of an open concept. She explained to me that even though it looks open from where we were standing, there is a glamour on the outside to make it look just like an ordinary tree. And any rooms that were near each other were also glamoured so that we couldn't peek into each other’s rooms. Thank gods for that.

Much like the safe spot we stayed in, the tree is imbued with magic to take care of our basic needs. I looked at Alaric with a knowing look, and he responded back with a smile. “Kresla, this is the room you and Alaric will be staying in.”

The entrance was decorated with a curtain of flowers hanging from the willow tree branches. The curtain parted when I got closer to the entrance. “We’ll leave you two alone to rest. There’s going to be a party at sunset to welcome you to our home. That way you have all day to rest and relax. After all, it is your honeymoon.”

I turned around and said,” Thank you, Esmera. I can’t thank you enough for all the preparations you and your people have made for us.”

She nodded and then led the others to their rooms. Alaric linked his fingers with mine, and led me into the room. It was much bigger compared to the one in the Rainbow Glass City. The bed was also much bigger. Big enough for a couple to actually sleep together without worrying about knocking each other off.

To the left was a doorway that led to the outside balcony, looking over a sea of trees below us and a sea of clouds above us. I was so busy taking in the view that Alaric nearly surprised me when he wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder. I leaned back into his warmth.

“Let’s get some rest, Kres,” he whispered in my ear. “You can bathe first. I’ll wait out here until you’re done.”

I blinked in surprise. “You don’t want to join me?” I whispered back.

“If I do, I might not be able to hold myself back,” he said.

That’s a fair point. I don’t know if I will be able to hold him back. “I’ll bathe as quickly as possible, so I won’t keep you waiting for too long.” I ran back into the room and bathed as fast as I could. It feels so good to be clean after a week-long hike in the forest.

With a wave of my hand, I dried myself by gathering the water into a ball and sending it back into the spring. There was a thin, green nightgown laid out on the bed with thin straps and a sheer robe to cover my shoulders. I quickly put it on, went into the bed, and called out,“ You can come in now.”

“Are you in bed?” he calls from the balcony.

“Yes,” I called back with a giggle.

He strides into the room naked and goes straight into the spring. I watched him as he bathed, only seeing his back as he does so. There were some points when he would look back and make eye contact with me, but I didn’t look away whenever he did. Unlike the last few times he’s done this.

Whenever he turned around, I could sense that he was happy that I didn’t look away from him. When he finished, a robe appeared by the edge of the spring. After quickly drying himself, he pulls back the sheets and joins me.

We woke up when the various flower lamps that were around the room lit up. I didn’t want to wake up, so I snuggled into Alaric’s warmth. I could feel Alaric’s lips peck my cheek. “It’s time to get up,” he then whispered into my ear. “We did promise Esmera that we’d go.”

As if we hadn’t partied enough in the Rainbow Glass City. I’m all partied out, to be honest, but a promise is a promise. I stretched and said,” I’m up. Besides, it’ll only take me a few minutes to get ready.”

He pulled back the sheets, but I was far from cold. “Oh, I remember. You make everything more exquisite. From what you wore on Siren Salt to the night of Blue Moon. I don’t think there’s anything in this world that doesn’t suit you. Seems like the Origin Tree has prepared matching outfits for us.”

Of course, it did. They were black embroidered with the moon resting above the Origin Tree in silver thread on the back. The skirt of my dress looked like one of the flowers we saw in the forest. They were black and they bloomed only at night.

We walked out of the room at the same time as everybody. Helia wore a loose button-up shirt with silver wings embroidered on the back of his shirt with white pants that complimented the figure of his legs. He rolled up his sleeves to show off the moving flame tattoo on his arms. Esmera is definitely going to enjoy seeing that, as they have gotten closer on the way here.

Skye was wearing something similar to Helia, but his style was more laid back. He did not button the few top buttons, exposing the tattoo that was on his neck. I can only imagine Eiress and Sirene wanting to fight over him. “Aw, you two are matching, and look at that Helia, we don’t have to actually drag Alaric to another party,” Skye teased.

Helia calmly added,” Well, would you say no to taking your mate to a party?”

“Hell no,” Skye replied with a laugh,” I have a feeling my mate would ignore me for weeks if I did that. That is, if I get one or have one.”

Helia rolled his eyes,” Everyone has a mate, Skye. You just haven’t met yours yet.”

“Oh, and you have?” Skye mocks.

Helia gives him a cold glare. “And if I have?”

No way. I look at Alaric with a surprised glance. Alaric puts a finger to his mouth as if to keep it a secret. Why?

Esmera comes in wearing a light pink high-low dress, with Zale and Straya trailing behind her. “All of you look great! The Origin Tree certainly has great taste for all of you.”

Zale was still in his human form, wearing a navy blue button-up and a pair of black skinny jeans. For once, he wasn’t complaining about human clothes. Straya was wearing a dress that complemented his outfit. “Well, everyone is waiting for us, and I’m sure you guys are starving.”

As the tree transported us to the village below its canopy, I could see the lanterns and festivities they had set up. Everyone was dancing to lively music with a table of food for everyone to grab whenever they wanted to and what looked to be a bar where their drinks were sparkling under the lantern’s lights.

Esmera showed us around and then took Helia’s hand, leading him to the dance floor. Everyone cheered when the crowd saw Esmera joining them. Everyone was dancing along to a fast beat. Helia was gracefully dancing in sync with everyone, as if he had danced to this song many times.

Alaric and Skye came back with drinks. Skye followed my gaze to Helia and Esmera, and said," When we were growing up, Alaric and his family made frequent visits to the Enchanted Forest. Helia and I would tag along as a courtesy. Esmera taught us all the dances they do at parties. She wouldn’t let us go until we memorized the steps perfectly. With no surprise, Helia was able to get it on the first try.”

I looked at Alaric while I took a sip of the drink Alaric got me. “I got it down in a few tries after Helia. Mr. Bushy-tail over here actually couldn’t get it down for so long that she actually gave up.”

Skye choked on his drink. “Hey, I was actually trying to praise you and Helia.”

“What goes up, must come down,” Alaric replied before finishing his drink. Before Skye could get another word in, Alaric turns to me and offers me a hand to dance. I set my drink down and took his hand.

The music slowed down, and he pulled me close, similar to that night on the ship. I felt a little stiff about being so close and having to move with unfamiliar music at the same time. “Don’t worry too much about the steps, just follow my lead.”

I nodded my head. And I looked down at his feet to follow his steps. After a few minutes, I started to get the flow of the music and the steps. “There you go. Now look into my eyes and repeat the steps.”

I look into his midnight purple eyes, sparkling under the floating flower lanterns. I don’t know how long we have been dancing, but it felt like a long time. To be honest, it felt like they were repeating the song after hearing the same part of the song a few times already. Finally, the music died down and Alaric said, “Just to let you know, everyone is looking at us.”

I looked in every direction and saw everyone looking at us in awe. “The two of you danced beautifully, like a match made in heaven.” Then the crowd parted ways for the Elder and Alaric’s father.

“Let us all make a toast to the Celestial Vassals.” Everyone raised a glass to Esmera and I. With a wave of his hand, two glasses appeared filled with wine. Everyone downed the drinks in one sip. “Everyone, please enjoy yourselves tonight.”

After a few hours of dancing and drinking, I sat down at a table a little tipsy, nearly missing the seat. Alaric went to get me a cup of water. While he was away, there was a touch of darkness against the shields I carefully placed around my mind.

A chill went down my spine as it was whispering something that I did not understand. I turned back to see a shadow near the tree trunk that looked like a shadowy creature.