Days turned into weeks, and Aurelian and Elara’s bond grew stronger, yet so did the risks. Aurelian knew that his prolonged absence would not go unnoticed in the Fairy Kingdom. Each moment he spent in the mortal realm brought him closer to danger, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave her.

For Elara, the risks were different. The villagers were wary of outsiders, and whispers of her frequent trips into the forest had begun to spread. The elders questioned her absences, warning her about the dangers of straying too far from the village.

Still, neither could resist the pull that drew them together.

---

One evening, as the sky blazed with the fiery hues of sunset, Elara met Aurelian at their usual spot by the stream. She carried a bundle of herbs and a small loaf of bread, which she handed to him with a smile.

“You’re spoiling me,” Aurelian teased, breaking off a piece of the bread.

“Consider it thanks for all the flowers you’ve been growing around my cottage,” she said, arching a brow. “You know people are starting to ask questions, right?”

Aurelian chuckled, his wings shimmering faintly in the fading light. “Let them wonder. I’d rather see you smile.”

Elara shook her head, but her cheeks flushed. She sat beside him, letting the cool breeze play with her hair. “I wish things were simpler,” she said after a moment.

Aurelian’s expression grew serious. “What do you mean?”

“I mean… this,” she said, gesturing between them. “You’re a prince from a world of magic, and I’m just a mortal. We’re from different worlds, Aurelian. If anyone finds out…”

He reached for her hand, his touch gentle. “I know the risks, Elara. But I also know what my heart tells me. You’ve shown me a kindness I’ve never known, a love I never thought I’d feel. How can I walk away from that?”

Her eyes glistened, but she shook her head. “Your people need you, Aurelian. Your family—”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

“My family would never understand this,” he interrupted, his voice tinged with frustration. “They believe in rules and duty, but they’ve forgotten what it means to truly live.”

Elara looked down, her fingers tightening around his. “And if they find out about us?”

“They won’t,” he said firmly. “I won’t let them. But even if they did… I would fight for you, Elara. For us.”

Her heart swelled at his words, but fear lingered in the back of her mind. She leaned into him, resting her head against his shoulder. “I don’t want you to lose everything because of me.”

“And I don’t want to lose you,” he whispered, pressing a kiss to her hair.

---

As the days passed, their meetings became more secretive. Aurelian used his magic to cloak them from prying eyes, creating illusions and barriers to hide their presence. But the strain of maintaining the spells was evident, and Elara worried about the toll it was taking on him.

One night, as they sat under the starlit sky, Aurelian showed her a piece of his world. With a wave of his hand, he conjured a tiny orb of light, which danced around them like a firefly.

“This is a fragment of my realm,” he said, his voice soft. “A piece of magic that connects us to the world around us.”

Elara reached out, her fingers brushing against the light. It felt warm, alive. “It’s beautiful,” she whispered.

“So are you,” he said, his gaze fixed on her.

Their connection deepened, but so did the danger. The Fairy Kingdom had begun to stir. Rumors of Aurelian’s absence spread, and Queen Lysandra grew suspicious. She sent scouts to search for her son, their orders clear: bring him back at all costs.

---

One evening, as Aurelian and Elara shared a quiet moment by the stream, the air grew tense. A sudden chill swept through the forest, and Aurelian’s wings twitched in alarm.

“What is it?” Elara asked, her voice tinged with worry.

“We’re not alone,” he said, rising to his feet.

From the shadows, a figure emerged—a fairy scout, his armor glinting in the moonlight. His gaze flicked between Aurelian and Elara, his expression unreadable.

“Prince Aurelian,” the scout said, his tone formal. “Your mother demands your return.”

Elara stepped closer to Aurelian, her heart pounding. “What does this mean?”

“It means our time is running out,” Aurelian said, his jaw tightening.

The scout’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve broken the law, my prince. Consorting with a mortal—”

“Enough,” Aurelian snapped, his voice commanding. “Tell my mother I will return when I’m ready.”

The scout hesitated, his gaze lingering on Elara. Then, with a bow, he disappeared into the shadows.

Elara turned to Aurelian, fear and sorrow etched on her face. “What are we going to do?”

Aurelian took her hands in his, his expression fierce. “We’ll fight this together, Elara. I won’t let them take you from me.”

But as the stars glittered overhead, both knew their love would soon be tested in ways they couldn’t imagine.