Elara was a healer in her small village, known for her skill in crafting remedies from the plants of the forest. One fateful evening, as she ventured deeper into the woods in search of rare herbs, she stumbled upon a strange sight: a young man with glowing golden eyes and iridescent wings lying injured beneath an ancient oak.

Aurelian had been ambushed by rogue fairies seeking to overthrow the royal line. His wings were tattered, his energy drained. When Elara approached, he expected fear or hostility. Instead, she knelt beside him, her gentle hands tending to his wounds.

"You're no ordinary man," she whispered, her voice trembling.

"And you're no ordinary mortal," he replied, sensing the faint aura of magic around her.

The forest was alive with whispers. The wind carried the rustle of leaves and the faint hum of unseen creatures, but Elara paid no mind. Her hands clutched her herb pouch tightly as she moved deeper into the woods, the setting sun painting the world in hues of amber and gold. The elders warned against wandering too far after dusk, yet she couldn’t ignore the pull to venture beyond the familiar paths.

Tonight felt… different.

Beneath the towering oaks, a faint glow caught her eye. At first, she thought it was fireflies, but as she crept closer, the light pulsed, soft and golden. Her breath hitched when she saw him—a man with golden eyes and shimmering wings, sprawled against the roots of an ancient tree.

He was breathtakingly beautiful, his features sharp yet delicate, his skin pale and glowing faintly under the dim light. His wings, once magnificent, now hung limply, their edges frayed as though they had been slashed by unseen blades.

Elara hesitated, torn between instinct and curiosity. “Are you hurt?” she asked softly, her voice barely louder than the whisper of the wind.

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The man stirred, his glowing eyes flickering open to meet hers. “Stay back,” he rasped, his voice laced with a strange, melodic quality.

“I’m not here to hurt you,” she assured him, stepping closer. “You’re injured. Let me help.”

He winced as he tried to move, his body too weak to resist her. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into, mortal.”

Elara knelt beside him, her fingers brushing against his torn wing. The faint shimmer of magic tingled against her skin. “You’re not human,” she murmured, awe and fear mingling in her voice.

“And yet you’re not running,” he replied, his gaze narrowing.

Elara met his eyes, unflinching. “You need help. That’s all that matters right now.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then, reluctantly, he nodded. “My name is Aurelian,” he said, his voice softer now.

“I’m Elara,” she replied, her hands already moving to assess his wounds. “Hold still.”

As she worked, Aurelian studied her. There was something about this mortal—something that drew him in. She carried an aura of quiet strength, her touch gentle yet purposeful. The faint glimmer of magic around her puzzled him. Mortals weren’t supposed to possess such a connection to his world.

“What were you doing so deep in the forest?” he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

“Gathering herbs,” she replied without looking up. “There’s a plant here that can’t be found anywhere else. It helps heal burns.”

“Even when you’re warned of the dangers?”

Elara smiled faintly. “Some things are worth the risk.”

Her words lingered in Aurelian’s mind as he watched her work. He had spent centuries among his own kind, bound by duty and tradition. This mortal, with her courage and compassion, was unlike anyone he had ever known.

When she finished tending to his wounds, Elara leaned back and sighed. “You’ll heal, but you need rest. You shouldn’t be out here alone.”

“Neither should you,” he countered.

“I’m not the one glowing in the dark,” she teased, her smile breaking through her concern.

Despite himself, Aurelian felt the corners of his lips lift. For the first time in years, he felt a spark of something he couldn’t name.

As the night deepened, Elara helped him to a safer spot beneath the trees. Aurelian’s energy was too drained to return to his realm, and Elara refused to leave him. Under the starlit canopy, a fragile bond began to form between the Fairy Prince and the mortal healer, setting in motion a love story that would challenge the very fabric of their worlds.