The Girl and The Gift

Chapter Three

FAE

Fae wandered aimlessly around the ballroom of her family's estate. The room was bustling, full of excitement. Though truthfully, Fae couldn't tell if the guests were more excited for her or the prospect of spending an evening in the company of the tribune. She rolled her eyes instinctively, it seemed right that even her birthday would be about the tribune. 

Fae watched as women fawned over the youngest tribune members, and took note as many eligible suitors approached Amethyst for a dance. It would be nice, she thought, to be wanted in that way. Genuinely, and not for the promise of status or position. Fae sighed, she was already becoming quite exhausted from this birthday party, if you could even call it that. To make matters worse, she hadn't been able to shake Milo from her mind, even though she had yet to see him again. 

"Miss Loch, may I have a moment of your time?"

An elder whose name Fae couldn't quite recall at the moment approached her, a young man with black hair and elegant clothes tailed just behind him. 

"This is Sir Deidrick Aspin, he comes from an Alchemy family of the utmost prestige. I trust you will take some time to get to know him, the tribune favors him quite heavily."

The elder gave Fae a raised eyebrow, and the insinuation was made quite clear. This is the man they planned to have her marry, figures his family is in Alchemy. Fae was sure the motivation was far less for political stability and much more for the gold they could create. Fae extended a graceful hand.

"A pleasure to meet you, Sir Aspin."

"The pleasure is all mine Miss Loch, and please, call me Deidrick."

Fae smiled, well at least he was polite. 

"Well, in any case, you may call me Fae. I'm not fond of formalities."

The elder rolled his eyes curtly and excused himself with a wave of his hand. Deidrick took a few steps closer, looking less formal now and more concerned. He cast a quick look over his shoulder before leaning in. 

"I trust you know why I'm here?"

Fae shrugged, it hadn't crossed her mind that Deidrick might be just as displeased with this arrangement as she was. 

"I do. I suppose you know too?"

Deidrick smiled weakly, and let out a puff of air. He was quite conventionally attractive, medium muscular build, and a charming smile. His deep ebony hair framed his light hazel eyes quite nicely. Fae looked on, slightly bemused. Perhaps if she weren't being forced to marry this man, she could have found herself interested. 

"Fae listen, I think you're an incredible witch, an incredible woman at that, but..." 

He trailed off nervously, but Fae was patient. She kept her composure and waited for him to finish. 

"I never wanted this. A marriage, to be involved with politics or anything of the sort. I mean, I would much rather study medicine across the region. Hell, even across the realm..."

Fae lifted one finger curtly, as a warning. Fae was always under the watchful eye of the tribune, and it was reckless to say such things out loud in her presence. She raised her other hand and waved for Deidrick to follow her as she made a swift exit from the ballroom and down the corridor. Once they reached the end of the hallway, Fae took a sharp turn into what appeared to be a solid wall. Deidrick followed cautiously. 

Once inside, a beautiful office expanded before them. Light pink curtains and tapestries adorned the walls, soft white carpet beneath their feet, and soft pink rays of artificial sunlight bathed Fae in an ethereal glow. For a split second Deidrick was mesmerized, not by the magic, but by Fae herself. She was her own kind of magic. Fae giggled, and twirled in the lights. It was rare that she had an opportunity to shed the façade of head witch. 

"Deidrick, are you okay? I'm sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you. I felt we should talk more freely since we're going to be married. This room is specially designed to allow me a drop of freedom in this strict magical world. It's protected, nothing to fear here."

The sound of Fae's voice snapped Deidrick from his stupor and he began to make his way towards her. 

"No, no, my apologies. I'm not worried, just a little in awe of how carefree you are. It's refreshing actually."

Fae smiled softly. 

"Now, what were you saying about studying across the realm? Hmm?" 

The twinkle in Fae's eyes reassured Deidrick that she was in fact interested in getting to know him. Maybe this won't be so bad after all, he thought. Anyone who wasn't attracted to Fae would have to be blind anyway. 

"Uh, right. Yeah, I was hoping to apply for permission to travel the magic realm. It's hard to discover new medicine in just one region, and I've heard there are some rare herbs near the forest of pixies."

Deidrick blushed, he was always embarrassed when he discussed his interest in medicine. His spoiled siblings picked on him for having such nerdy applications of their craft. Nonetheless, he stayed truly interested throughout the years. He looked up through his hair to find Fae peering at him with earnest interest. 

"Well that's a fantastic idea!"

Fae clapped her hands together in admiration. 

"You should apply, certainly the tribune would have no qualms with such a noble request!"

Deidrick was startled by her support, but hung his head for a moment before responding. 

"No, I can't. My family is against it, sure, but that's not the only issue. Once we're married, well...the tribune won't allow me to travel outside the region. It's forbidden. The royals are expected to stay in the region, you know that."

Fae furrowed her brows and frowned. She knew that was true, though it had slipped her mind for a moment. Deidrick studied her serious expression before moving closer to her. He hesitated, and then reached a timid hand out to rest under her chin.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin the mood, I'm sure you'd rather talk about something else on your birthday."

Fae blinked back a single tear and turned her face towards his. He really was quite handsome, and charming, after all. The air between them hung thick with anticipation for a moment. Deidrick looked at her with a mix of awe and pity. This shouldn't feel so strange, Fae thought to herself. This man was supposed to be her husband. It should be simple, a simple kiss, nothing more or less. Deidrick inched closer, and Fae squeezed eyes shut tight. She felt strange suddenly, as a warm tingling filled her stomach. Then an image appeared in her mind. 

Milo.

Fae jumped backwards, flinging her eyes open and backing away from Deidrick. 

"I'm sorry Deidrick, but I need to be alone now. It really isn't you, I promise. I'm just a little shaken, and it's been a long day. Let's talk tomorrow, okay?"

Deidrick nodded solemnly, forced a soft smile, and slipped back out the door they came through. Fae took a deep breath and shuddered. 

What the hell was that?

Fae poured herself a cup of witch's wine and sat down atop her desk. Why in the world would she be seeing Milo at a time like this. That was a stupid question, and she knew that. She was seeing him because he was her soulmate and she was trying to kiss another man. Of course, nothing could be simple in her life. She sighed and swung her feet. Amethyst was taking way too long to find a cure for this. Well, not a cure, rather a band aid. Maybe she should just accept this as her new reality. She would be married to a man she could never be affectionate with and have images of a man she could never be intimate with. A celibate life as the head of all witches, a lonely life. Fae closed her eyes again, and willed herself to see Milo. Even if she couldn't be with her soulmate, she would take Amethyst's advice and enjoy this for now. 

"Fae!?"

Startled, Fae almost opened her eyes, but instead she continued to focus. She couldn't see him but she could clearly hear his voice. 

"Milo?"

Fae grew nervous as the silent seconds ticked by. 

"I'm so glad  it's you, Fae. I've been wanting to talk ever since that dream."

Fae smiled to herself. She had wanted to talk to him as well, but it was good to hear him say that too. 

"I'm just glad you can hear me! I think this is somehow related to my communication magic...but I've never been able to use it over such a distance."

In her mind, she heard Milo laugh. It was hearty and full of life, passion, excitement. She felt herself blush.

"Uh, well, Milo...I don't know how long this will last and we need to talk. It's important."

"Right, I agree. It's about the dream, isn't it?"

Fae caught herself nodding before realizing he couldn't see her. 

"Yes, it is. I found out some interesting news regarding that dream...and what it means for us."

There was a moment of silence before Milo responded.

"Yeah, me too, so I guess you know already. We're soulmates."

Fae gasped aloud. It was one thing to hear it from Amethyst, and another to be the one to tell Milo about it, but to hear it from him was something entirely different. Her heart fluttered in her chest and she felt vaguely nauseous. 

"Well, yes. It would seem so."

Fae was just barely able to mutter the words, even in her mind, confirming it to him was almost unbearable. 

"Look, I need to go, Milo, this was a mistake."

Just before Fae opened her eyes, she heard his voice faintly in her mind asking her to wait. It almost seemed like he was begging. Too bad, Fae thought. This was a mistake and for all she knew, he was playing some kind of cruel trick on her. Good riddance she thought, she wouldn't reach out to him anymore. Not if it made her feel like this. And with that, she fixed her hair and set out to return to her party.