Alianna burst out laughing, picking up the pitcher and looking at the orange fluid within. “Mimosas. Wow. It seems some of my human customs have infiltrated Xanthia, after all.”
“It does indeed,” Rionan leant in and nuzzled at her neck, pressing gentle kisses to her skin, as she poured them both a mimosa. “Don’t forget the strawberries.” His eyes were closed against her, as he slowly breathed in her scent, wrapping an arm around her and holding her close.
“Are you alright?” she asked, turning to him and cupping his cheek in her hand. He opened his eyes, staring down at her. They sparkled now, with quiet joy. It was wonderful to see, and her heart began pounding in her chest. He looked like a god made flesh in this light. His iridescent glow shimmered around him, while his skin shone,made even more graceful-looking than usual by the sun that warmed his complexion. His usual silver-grey now had a strange mix of opalescence to it, which seemed to glow from within Rionan.
Alianna reached a hand up and pushed his dark hair away from his forehead, out of his eyes.
“I still have to remind myself that this is real. That you are here. That you are safe. To have moments like this together…I did not believe it would happen for us again.”
Alianna pulled his face towards hers and pressed a kiss to his lips.
Rionan’s lips moved over hers slowly, affectionately, as he brought his hand up to hold the back of her head. His fingers ran through her hair. A familiar static hummed through the air, and once again, Alianna felt as though she was being surrounded by that golden glow. It pressed in on them both in a sensual embrace, warming her body, her heart, her soul. She felt something deep inside of her light up, entwining with Rionan’s very essence, the bridge between them shining bright and radiant.
As they parted, Rionan’s face was alight with pure happiness. “You felt it that time, didn’t you? The bridge between us? The soul-bond?”
“Does it feel like that for you, all the time?”
“More or less,” he said, stroking the back of his index finger along her face tenderly. He reached out for a strand of her hair, twirling it in his fingers. “It will feel different for you, now, because you are in Xanthia. The magic of the bond is stronger here. If you were Xanthian, it would consume you, like I am consumed by it. It is my honour, Ali, to be bonded to you.”
Alianna smiled, closing her eyes and letting the sun warm her skin. For a while, she would enjoy this peace with Rionan, before he no doubt had to return to the politics of his realm.
For a while, she would enjoy the simplicity of lunch on the balcony and sipping mimosas. Before the nightmares returned to her.
She thought of her friend, back at home, caring for her dog. Unaware of any of this.
How simple their lives had been.
So simple, and so small.
A small feeling of satisfaction crept over Alianna.
She had succeeded in being the girl in the red dress.
48
Birdsong
Ykava was pleased with Alianna’s recovery over the next two weeks. So much so that she permitted Rionan to take Alianna out of the palace.
He had taken her to the stables, introducing her to his stablehands and his horses. She fondly remembered them discussing his stables back in Porthan. How long had it been since that conversation – a matter of weeks?
How had her life changed so quickly, in so little time?
She reflected on that small-town girl and how sheltered she had been.
That small-town girl was gone.
Rionan had settled Alianna atop a pearl white mare who went by Keeva, climbing above his own huge, dark stallion. He wore an equally dark outfit – fine trousers, and a shirt unbuttoned to his chest. His attire reminded her of one of their dates back at home.
Rionan had led Alianna through the forests surrounding Savangrad, Keeva following without command. The forests were beginning to flourish with greenery and life once more, although the healing process was slow, as Rionan kept highlighting.
“There is one area that seems to have returned to its normal state much more quickly than others. A place very dear to me,” he smiled. “I wish for you to see it.”
They rode together in comfortable silence for what felt like two hours. As her muscles were beginning to ache and she was fighting the urge to request they stop for a break, Keeva slowed.
“Where are we?” Alianna asked, looking around at the thinning trees. They followed a path that had been carved through the woods, and the sound of water crashing could be heard faintly in the near distance.
“You’ll see,” Rionan smiled, as the horses padded slowly onwards. When they finally stopped, Rionan lifted Alianna off of Keeva, setting her gently on the floor before taking her hand. He guided her through the last few trees, winding between them like he had travelled this path a thousand times. The clearing opened up, and the sight stole the breath from Alianna’s lungs.
