Between Christmas Lights and Shadows

5

I closed the book. The sun was rising from behind the mountain that was beyond the town. The golden rays peeking into my window, through the rich, dark curtains. I’d spent hours, quite literally head first into this book. Along with three others that helped me with translation of some of the language inside.

Whispering Pines was a magical realm brought to life by the power and magic of Good Spirit that is spread amongst all realms. St. Nicholas -hoping it’s not the Nick I’m thinking of in my child heart- had fell fated to the fae queen. Poor Mrs. Claus… St. Nicholas and the fae queen had a son together. A strong specimen of the Good Spirit and even more incredible magic that was legendary of a young fae prince. Elion. However, with Good Spirit came Bad Spirit. Dark magic, that fed off the souls of any being that lacked Good Spirit by draining it further. Until they were nothing but the shells of their body that eventually go on to just hunt and take souls and drain Good Spirit by bringing Bad Spirit upon them. Good Spirit was really known as Light and Bad Spirit as Shade… I’d learned so much. I’d wished I had a pen and paper for notes. To go back and look and reel over them.

I sighed, pushing the comforter of the bed back and kicking my long stockings that Missus had made off. I snuggled in, closing my tired eyes to rest some before who-knew what was next for me. I couldn’t lie and say I didn’t pray that I’d finally wake up….

Boom boom boom! I heard, causing me to sit up abruptly! The booms sounded again coming from my door. “Is he serious?” I asked myself, getting up and heaving the hefty door open. I looked out, looking down to see that Marvis stood, arms crossed, waiting. “May I help you?” I asked with a monotoned-ness to keep from sounding like a whiny kid. “The prince request ye join him for an early lunch.” I watched him. He did the same to me, although his patience much shorter than he was. “So do I tell’em you will be down, las, or not?” I huffed, rolling my eyes, which made him very much apparently mad. “Yes, I’ll be down in a second.” I said about to close the door. “A second, ay?” He snorted, turning on his feet and walking off and speaking in that mysterious language!

I closed the door, feeling as if my head was pounding. I’m still here. I thought, starting to really feel stressed and scared.

I hurried up with getting ready in another dress made by Missus. It was thicker and was a rich, dark apple red with yellow weavings and designs. Very similar to some I’d saw in one of the books last night. After hauling my boots on I threw my hair in a ponytail, grabbing my shaw and heading down to Elion.

I came down to the first floor. The house looked so much more with the beauty of the sun shining in. The hanging items he had with crystals and glass, all glimmered when the rays of sun that snuck through caught them. I heard faint bells jingling. I walked about the large first level until I found Elion in the library.

He looked up from his book and roused papers on the small table. His golden hair was combed back nicely, he had on a white shirt that was fitted to his body. Geez, talk about a fae prince. He was the heart of Good Spirit. Of Light. But he looked like a really hot guy you’d let mess with your head a little in the real world a few times. Elion smiled a big one, pearly white teeth shining, “Your thoughts are interesting.” He chuckled. I felt my face go hot all over! “You can- oh my gosh, I’m sorry.” Was all I could say. “Don’t feel invaded. I try not to listen out of respect. I can hear all thoughts in my realm. Yours only come in waves, when you are thinking many thoughts at once. Like now.” Suddenly another woman like Missus walked in with a tray of food. Her presence helped with the heavy awkwardness I felt from his words. “Thank you, Tia.” Elion said, taking the mug from the tray and sipping it. His icy eyes found mine, raising his mug, “I hope you like hot chocolate.” I loved hot chocolate. Tia handed me a petite mug on a plate, “Mind your lips and tongue, it may be hot, Miss.” I nodded, thanking her, smelling the rich, sweet aroma that came from the cup. I could melt and my mouth watered. I took a few careful sips. It was hot! But after another couple of sips, it was so delicious. I lowered it from my lips. I looked up to see Elion watching me. “Excuse me.” I said. Licking the layer of hot chocolate that I felt on my lips. He shook his head slightly, “No, no. Here.” He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket. “It’s clean.” Coming around the table and to me to hand it. I took it. Dabbing at my lips. “Thank you.” He nodded and went back to his place.

Elon cleared his throat, “I figured we could take a ride into the town. Get some more answers to questions and try to get you home.” He paused, “I know you just want to go home.” His eyes apologetic. Ugh, so beginning stages of Stockholm’s is defending a suspected summoner. Interesting. “Thank you for understanding. I’m sorry for kind of throwing a little fit toward the end of our chat… I’m starving now.” That made Elion smile. He set out both our bowls of porridge and toast. It was so warm and sweet. The toast was so fresh! I hadn’t realized I was hogging out on the food until I looked up. Elion was smiling at me. I became self conscious.

“Hungry? I can have more made for you.” I shook my head no. “Thank you but no. This is more than enough. It’s just been hard to get a home cooked meal.” I said. His eyebrows furrowed together in question. “Why?” I felt almost compelled to spill my guts. But I didn’t want even an inkling of leverage over me, aside from having me in this realm of his. “Let’s just say it can be a little more… Difficult to live as lavishly - or blessed as you do.” I finished, taking another bite. He watched me, that same questioning look on his face. “But you have a home?” I stared at him. He was so sheltered or a hot dummy. So much for all these books if it’s the second one…

I shook my head no. Elion watched me for a moment. Then gave a curt nod. After some silence and me eating, I finished and began to now watch him. He read over some papers and had multiple open books. “What are you reading?” I asked. “More research on our … Realms, yours and mine.” I tilted my head in fake confusion. He stood, placing his hands on his hips. Elion really was a good looking guy. In my world, women would flock. He had a pencil between his teeth as he read something in the book closest to him. I had to think of other questions because for some reason I was finding things ‘hot’ about him. He finally set the pencil in the book, closing it, and looking at me. “Ready?” I nodded, not even sure what I was ‘ready’ for. I rose and he came around, offering me a crooked arm. I hesitated unsure what he was doing. “Are you courting me?” I scoffed a laugh. He smiled a triumphant one, “Well, I understand chivalry is not only scarce but practically nonexistent in your realm. Here, it is not.” I couldn’t help but laugh again. Gosh, my laugh was far from cute or dainty. But he kept smiling at me. So I took his arm, his very strong and firm arm under his clothes and let him lead me to the door.

Once at his glass door he shrugged on his cloak, then grabbed mine off of the wooden coat stand they hung on. Elion draped it from behind me, and came around, making sure it was snug. Tying it into a sweet bow. I couldn’t help but watch his gaze as he maneuvered the ribbon. He was so focused, his blue eyes almost felt like they were cooling me but heating me up at the same time. He stood back to check his work then pulled gloves from his pocket, “I didn’t know if Missus had knitted you some so I made some.” I took them. Amazed at the thoughtfulness, “You knitted these?” That charming grin spread again, a little cocky this time, “Well… Magic - My magic did, yes.” I nodded, “Thank you.”

We walked out and down the steps of the porch to the snow trail that just at the end of, that large majestic horse waited. “That thing is huge!” I spoke out loud. Elion laughed, “Emerald? She is a strong girl. As a youngling, she was actually the smallest of her siblings, for being a second born.” I looked her over again. She sure was strong. “She’s bigger than horses back home.” I looked at him. “She should be. She’s a Kelpie. She’s a water and land spirit that can shift. Horses are some of their main shifts - when they’re more docile.” More docile? “Oh.”

“May I?” Elion said, placing himself behind me and placing his hands on my hips. “Um- with what!” I about hollered when he, with ease, hoisted me up on Emerald’s saddle. “My apolgies,” he grunted, hoisting himself up and settling behind me like before. “No, no. It’s all good.” That same flush and rush of warmth in my belly returned with him behind me. He was like a radiator. “You can relax, Miss Gia.” He said, “A stiff rider can cause soreness.” I relaxed into him. Elion placed his hand on my hip again and whistled, making Emerald whinny, and launch into speed! And we were off.