Rune’s breath turned shallow. His lashes lowered and he leaned into her touch as though it were the first warmth he had felt in years. “You should not promise such things, songbird.”
“I do,” she said, unwavering. “I promise.”
His hands found her waist, trembling before tightening as he drew her close. Rune folded around her, face buried against her shoulder, arms sliding up her back. He held her as though she might vanish into mist if he loosened his grip.
“Then I will never let you go.”
And the vow settled deep in her bones.
The days that followed were filled with laughter, with quiet moments beneath ancient trees. They danced beneath the stars, flowers crowning their hair, bare feet skimming moss. Told stories in meadows with only the night for company.
“Why do you never step into the sun?” she asked.
Rune’s smile wavered only for a moment, then he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, “The light doesn’t agree with my fair complexion.”
Which Alora didn’t understand, for his skin would almost glow in the moonlight.
He twirled her around in a dance, tipping her back. “Where I once lived, there is hardly any sunlight. The mountain peaks rise high and the clouds are too thick to let any light reach us.”
She arched a brow playfully. “How peculiar. Tell me more about this strange land with no sun.”
“Hmm…” Rune held her closer as they swayed, his heart beating against hers. “My people live to revel. We drink. We dance.” His nose brushed her cheek, mouth hovering over hers. “And when we love, we love fiercely.”
Alora’s pulse fluttered. “Is that so?”
He nodded in all seriousness, smiling against her lips. “And it turns us into complete, utter fools.”
She laughed as he spun her around.
The stars shone above as Rune tipped her back. “Though it is said, we will only know love when we find the heart meant to love us back.”
Her breath caught as his mouth drew close again, hovering there.
“And have you?” she whispered.
“Perhaps.” Rune whispered back. “Do you choose me, Alora Lark or Argyle?”
She looked up at him, radiant and free and knew she had chosen him many nights before this.
“Yes,” Alora breathed and their lips met in a soft kiss.
The night bore witness as they wed beneath the starlit trees. Their bodies joined among flowers, on a bed of moss, and something older than either of them shifted in the earth as if binding them eternally.
“You bring life,” Rune murmured in the dark, voice raw, “even to me.”
The words were magic, for light flickered in his dark eyes as a spell had sealed over them both.
They had a beautiful marriage, but Alora always woke alone every morning. She’d hope that would change over time, but her husband always had a reason to leave.
After five months of the same, a part of her began to worry Rune was hiding something.
What if… what if he had another he visited during the day?
The startling thought made Alora slice her finger while in the middle of making dinner.
She yelped, blood flowing free. Droplets spilled on the floor and the atmosphere hummed. Wind rattled the window, making the cottage shake. Then vivid crimson flowers bloomed at her feet.
Alora stared at the spindly red petals, her heart drumming with shock.
