Chapter 15 – WINTER REGION
1280 Words
“TAKE it easy. He won’t bite.” Winzi reassured Eleand after she was satisfied making fun of him.
This witch was lying! The beast ran fast, going to their spot, and Eleand was ready to shoot. But it suddenly transformed into a male fae. Just like everyone, his appearance would make those human male magazine models envious. His pointed ears and tanned skin were impeccable. There was a triangle mark on his forehead. His long red hair smoothly flowed, and his vibrant green eyes somehow looked friendly.
“I guess I have visitors.” The faerie smiled at them, then turned his attention to Winzi and winked, “Hello, Princess. I’m glad you paid a visit.”
Eleand drew a deep breath and relaxed when he heard his welcoming voice. Then he almost laughed when he witnessed how Winzi blushed, and her cheeks turned reddish than normal. Now he got an idea of Winzi’s type—wild faerie beast.
“We are going to Fariyah’s temple, so I dropped a visit here. How are you, Harewyn?” Winzi’s lips curved into a wide silly smile.
“I’m quite bored here, oh—” the red-haired faerie looked at him, “and who are you?”
“My name is Eleand, and I’m—”
Winzi caught his words mid-sentence, “He is the new warrior of the Golden Palace.”
Eleand nodded in agreement. He almost voiced out about his origin.
Harewyn scrutinized him, and he tried to calm himself, especially the abnormal beat of his chest. Aserah’s number one rule was nobody must know about his real mortal origin—that he was a human lost in this realm.
“New warrior? Hmmm.” The fae examined him again, “Which domain you’re from? Argia or Gwiazda?”
Winzi tried to hide her panic as she grabbed his hands. “We are actually in a hurry. I’ll catch up with you when I get back.”
Harewyn shrugged. “I just want to confirm something, hmmm. Dark hair, long enough to cover your faerie ears, deep-set onyx eyes paired with that distinct bridge of the nose, plus your delicate stubbles.” He paused, “You could pass as an alegerian prince.”
Winzi’s eyes went large. “All right, bye!”
They immediately disappeared. Eleand tried not to feel motion sickness, and he did not complain even in his shortness of breath. He closed his eyes, silently wishing that they would arrive at their destination when he opened his eyes.
Eleand sensed they stopped moving. A cold breeze touched his face, and when he opened his eyes, they were on a hill. It was a grassland. There were no trees around the surrounding mountains. He could only see small yellow flowers.
“Where is the temple?” his forehead creased.
“Are you dumb? We are not there yet. Do you see snow around?” her eyes rolled upward and continued, “Two more Vanire, and we’ll be there.”
“I feel dizzy. Let’s rest here for a while.” He massaged his temple to make him feel better.
“Okay, but we can’t stay here for long. This is an open area. Any wild creature might be around.”
Eleand nodded and sat on the ground. The weather was pleasant up there. The sun was up, but the cold air was circulating, damping his skin.
“I will bet my life that you like Harewyn, aren’t you?” he chuckled, “I can’t blame you. That fae is very handsome.”
“I will always adore Harewyn, all the sacrifices he made for her mate, Zydith,” Winzi said, her eyes sparkled dreamily. She seated beside Eleand.
“There is no such thing as forever in love,” he teased. Winzi looked serious this time.
“That’s not true. There is a kind of love that is lasting. Soon, when I meet my mate. I believe I will find him one day, the love like Harewyn and Zydith.”
“With that attitude of yours, I highly doubt it,” he murmured.
“I don’t need your opinion,” her eyes rolled upward.
Eleand lightly shrugged. He contemplated his life as a mortal. He was still lucky that even though his marriage failed, at least he had felt the love he deserved, though short-lived. Unlike Winzi, she was centuries old, but she still did not find her mate.
There was a moment of silence before Eleand asked his companion.
“I heard Harewyn called you Princess. Where did you come from?” He was inquisitive about her heritage. Based on his observation, Winzi looked different from the faeries living in Mirasaen.
“It’s none of your business!” She appeared irritated.
“Mannerless witch,” he whispered.
Her eyes narrowed and glared at him, “Insolence!”
Eleand smirked. “You know, in my world, I never appreciated the beauty of nature like this moment. I was busy at work all the time. But here, everything seems perfect and peaceful.” He deeply exhaled while feasting his eyes on the spellbinding view of the grassland. Some birds were flying in the air.
“It’s not that peaceful as it seems. The situation in Argia is alarming since the High Leader passed away. And especially now that Rieska is back, the tranquility of this realm is threatened.” Winzi said in a humorless tone. She seemed lost in her thoughts and her face void of expression when she looked in the far distance of the mountainous surroundings.
A moment passed, Winzi remained quiet. Eleand just focused on his rest, and he immediately stood when his dizziness faded. He held out his hand to help Winzi.
“I’m fine now. Let’s go.”
Winzi received his hand, and she instantly used the transportation magic.
Eleand estimated the time for how long they held each other’s hand. It was pretty long. Until he felt a whirling sensation again, he fought hard to control himself, or else he’d throw up.
On the spur of the moment, his body reacted to an icy cold when they finally materialized at one unfamiliar spot. His head turned to his shoulders, and snow began to fall.
“This is Velidia, the Winter Region of Noyuh.” Winzi smiled proudly.
“Wow!” he gasped.
He surveyed the surroundings, and everything was covered in ice. Some trees were frozen, and others bathed in snow. A bluish plant spread out around, and their luminous violet flowers gave a bewitching vibe.
“This is magical!” he exclaimed. A particular tree caught his attention, it bears a circular red fruit similar to a cherry, and the branches shielded by snow.
“Come here.” She guided him near a gigantic white tree.
“Is this the place? Where is the temple?” he asked.
“That one,” she pointed out a castle in the distance, “That is Fariyah’s temple.”
“Whoa, that huge?” His eyes blinked in surprise, “But it’s a castle!”
“Whatever, you’ll train there.”
He let out a sigh, “Okay, I’m ready.”
Eleand studied the castle. It settled in front of a frozen mountain. There were several waterfalls in line, and surprisingly, blue water flowed perfectly. Even at his distance, he could clearly see it.
“Are you ready to meet Fariyah?” Winzi asked him as if in doubt.
“As if I have a choice,” his voice low.
“All right, let’s go.”
He held her shoulder, and in just one blink, they abruptly appeared in front of the massive temple.
- Writer
