Forever Entwined

The Escape

"Father, please don't make me do this," Nixie begged, her voice thin with desperation as she faced her bone-weary father.

"Nix," he sighed, the sound heavy with resignation. "Your mother bled me dry, child. All I have left is your dowry. You need to marry, there are no other options." His old voice crackled, the coldness of their small, beaten-down hut clinging to the words.

"Father, please, I can find work!" she pleaded, her young, smooth hands clasping his old, leathery ones.

"The only work for a girl like you around here is at a brothel. I'll not have it!" he growled, pulling his hands away as if her touch burned him.

"Please, I can't marry Orion. He's so much older than me, and I've heard… things. That he often… sleeps around. He would shame me as a husband."

Nix's father turned away, his gaze fixed on the empty hearth. "The wedding is tomorrow. No excuses."

That night, leaving a hastily scribbled note on the rough wooden table, Nixie silently packed her few precious possessions into a worn bag. Her mother's ancient spell book, her spare dress – kept for the rarest of occasions – and a few woven containers holding dried berries and salted meats.

Her heart ached with a mixture of fear and burgeoning hope. She was going to head north, towards the warmth and rumored opportunities of the capital city. To the Summer Solstice, where, just maybe, she would have a chance to find her true mate, her true love.

Slinging the heavy, velvet bag over her shoulder, she slipped out of the window, the familiar creak of the front door a risk she couldn't take.

The bright blue moonlight bathed the woods in an ethereal glow as she ran swiftly between the trees, her bare feet silent on the soft earth. She prayed she would reach the neighboring farming village before their carts, laden with produce, departed for the castle.

The Solstice was a sacred time, a beacon for fae from all corners of the realm, drawn by the ancient promise of finding their destined mate. Yet, as the decades drifted by, fewer and fewer bonds were formed. More often, fae chose their partners based on practicality or desire, rather than the mythical pull of true connection.

Finally, her feet aching and her lungs burning, Nixie arrived as the first rays of dawn painted the sky. The village square buzzed with activity – waiting carriages, carts overflowing with vibrant flowers, ripe fruits, and earthy vegetables. Children darted through the throng, their excited squeals filling the air, while their parents happily loaded their wares.

Nixie scanned the dozen or so carts, her gaze settling on one where a woman with kind green eyes and three small children worked alone.

"Excuse me, Ma'am?" Nixie approached her hesitantly.

"Yes, dear?" The woman turned, her hands on her hips, a warm smile gracing her middle-aged face.

"I was hoping… I was wondering if I could possibly get a ride to the city with you and your family? I have six silver pieces to pay," Nixie offered the coins in her trembling hand.

The woman's smile softened. "Keep your coin, child. You clearly don't have much, it wouldn't be right to take it. Of course, you can join us." She handed Nixie a small sack of potatoes. "Hop up in the cart and take these with you."

Around them, the other families began their journey.

Nixie gratefully accepted the sack and climbed into the back of the covered cart. The earthy scent of potatoes filled the air, mingling with the sleepy warmth of the three fae children nestled amongst the crates. A small oil lamp swung gently between them.

"What's your name?" the youngest girl asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Nixie. And what's yours?"

"I'm River," she announced proudly. "My sister here is Daisy, and my brother sitting with Ma is Spruce." She beamed, delighted to have a new companion.

"We don't meet many new people," the older sister, Daisy, added shyly, her gaze lingering on Nixie. "Or anyone so pretty."

"Oh," Nixie murmured, a blush creeping up her neck. Compliments still made her feel awkward.

"Are you going to find your mate?" River's bright blue eyes looked up at Nixie with innocent hope.

"I… I hope so," Nixie admitted, a small smile touching her lips.

They journeyed through the long night and the following day, their conversations weaving a tapestry of simple joys – tales of mischievous nymphs in River's garden, the girls' opinions on their brother's new girlfriend, and the endless amusement of finding potatoes shaped like faces or fantastical creatures.

On the fourth day, the towering white crystal walls of the city finally came into view.

Their mother's face appeared at the back of the cart. "Come on out, girls. The guards need to see everyone entering."

Nixie, the two girls, their brother, and Mira stood in a line. A large, broad-shouldered man in gleaming golden armor scrutinized them, his gaze assessing, while his comrade methodically searched the cart.

Nixie craned her neck, trying to take in the sheer height of the glittering wall, its crystalline bricks shimmering in the sunlight.

"All clear in here!" the guard in the cart called out.

"You're all welcome to continue on," the armored guard waved them through.

While Spruce drove the cart, Nixie walked beside Mira and the girls. "Would you like to stay with us tonight, or would you prefer to find your own way to the Solstice celebration?" Mira offered kindly.

"I'll be fine on my own from here," Nixie replied, giving the little girls a warm hug. She turned to their mother. "I never got your name."

"Mira," the woman smiled, her green eyes twinkling.

"Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Mira." Nixie pressed a hand to her chest, her gratitude sincere.

"I hope you have luck finding a mate, dear." Mira nodded goodbye as Nixie turned towards the vibrant sounds of the market.

Following the boisterous calls of vendors and the lively chatter of the crowd, Nixie soon found herself amidst the bustling marketplace. She wandered from stall to stall, her fingers brushing against bolts of colorful fabrics until she reached one displaying exquisite gowns.

Silks, velvets, and gossamer sheers in every imaginable hue shimmered before her eyes.

"You're looking for a gown for the Solstice, no?" the seamstress asked, her gaze shrewd but friendly.

"Yes," Nixie admitted, her excitement tinged with practicality. "But I don't have a lot of money. Only about four or five silver pieces." She looked wistfully at the luxurious fabrics.

"How old are you, child?" the woman inquired.

"I just turned seventeen last month," Nixie smiled, a fleeting memory of the simple cake her father had given her warming her heart.

"Ah, 'tis your first Solstice," the seamstress declared with a knowing smile. "You can have half off the price."

She led Nixie into the dimly lit stall to a rack displaying gowns made of sheer, soft fabrics. "These are most popular with the fae girls hoping to find their mate, or even just looking for a bit of fun."

The seamstress studied Nixie, her dark eyes and hair. "I think a pale blue will suit you beautifully."

She selected a gown and gestured towards a small curtained alcove. "Try this on, dear."

When Nixie emerged and looked at her reflection in the small, tarnished mirror, the fae staring back seemed like a grown woman, not a girl. The sheer fabric was breathtakingly delicate, strategically pleated to hint at her form without revealing too much. It flowed to the floor, a graceful cascade of pale blue, and wrapped around her shoulders, leaving her back bare. Delicate jewels and mother-of-pearl beads adorned the neckline and traced a shimmering line down the center of her bust to her navel.

"Magnificent!" the stall owner clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling.

"It's too beautiful," Nixie shook her head, a sense of unworthiness washing over her. "I can't possibly afford it."

"Nonsense!" the seamstress insisted, her voice firm. "I have a good feeling about you, child. You must have this dress."

"Okay," Nixie relented, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and trepidation. She handed over the four silver pieces.

The owner pressed one back into her hand with a wink. "Go now, and may the Solstice bring you happiness."

For the rest of the afternoon, Nixie wandered through the city, drawn by the growing energy towards the south side, where the sprawling meadow lay.

The meadow was vast, a sea of vibrant energy as hundreds of young fae gathered, their hopes shimmering in the air. The official ceremony had not yet begun. As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in fiery hues, a figure emerged on a raised stage at the edge of the meadow.

"Greetings, my hopeful subjects!" the voice boomed across the crowd, but Nixie was too far away to discern the speaker's features. All she could see was a tall, powerfully built fae with a golden crown atop his head, catching the last rays of sunlight.

"Tonight marks the beginning of Summer! The renewal of our powers!" He raised a gleaming cup. "Tonight, the magic of our realm will heighten, and I pray that many true bonds will be revealed!" A cheer erupted from the crowd as they raised their own cups in response.

"I ask all participants of the Mating Ritual to form a circle around the meadow!" the king commanded. Within moments, a vast ring formed. Beside Nixie stood a stunning woman with long, flowing blonde hair and a crimson gown in a similar style to her own. On her other side was a man with weathered war scars etched across his chest and worn leather trousers.

"Is this your first time?" he asked, his gaze sweeping over her appraisingly.

"Yes," Nixie replied, a touch of defensiveness in her tone. "I'm only looking for my mate though." She wanted to make her intentions clear; casual encounters were not what she sought. She hoped her mate would value her virtue.

As the sun dipped further towards the horizon, soft music drifted through the air – the gentle melodies of flutes and violins, interwoven with hushed voices. The crowd swayed in time with the enchanting rhythm until the last sliver of sunlight vanished.

Nixie gasped as a brilliant green flash of light erupted in the sky, a wave of energy washing over the meadow, seemingly releasing the fae from their carefully formed circle.

An undeniable pull, a magnetic force, tugged at Nixie, drawing her towards the other side of the meadow. At first, she walked, weaving through the dispersing crowd, but then a primal instinct surged within her, a voice screaming Run!

She began to sprint, her pale blue gown flowing behind her like water, navigating the sea of slowly pairing off fae, their hushed whispers and stolen kisses filling the air. Her heart pounded in her chest, the insistent command to Run! echoing in her mind until she was blind with instinct.

Then, she collided with a warm, hard chest.

"Mate!" a husky voice rasped, the sound sending shivers down her spine.

"Mate?" Nixie breathed, tilting her head back to stare up at the magnificent male before her, completely awestruck and filled with a sense of profound disbelief.

He stood tall and broad, clad only in loose linen shorts. His eyes were a deep, mesmerizing blue, his wavy blonde hair, long enough to brush his shoulders, was tied loosely at the nape of his neck.

An irresistible force compelled Nixie to reach out, her hands tracing the smooth, sculpted muscles of his chest. They flexed and heated beneath her touch.

"Come," he murmured, his hand finding hers, his grip firm and possessive. He led her through the woods, past other entwined couples, deeper and deeper until they reached a secluded cabin.

"Is this yours?" Nixie asked, her gaze taking in the beautiful log cabin, its walls covered in thriving moss and glowing fungi, blending seamlessly with the surrounding forest.

"It's where I come for a little peace," he replied, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps, his eyes burning with a fierce need. He opened the door and followed his mate inside, locking it firmly behind them.