The sun had set by the time Aelion reached her home, a weary traveler returning from a long and arduous journey. As she opened the door, the weight of her exhaustion settled upon her, her arms sore and her legs crying out for rest. The house loomed dark and silent, a stark contrast to the warmth and life that usually greeted her. Lysandre, ever the faithful companion, brought her things inside, a gentle smile playing upon his lips.
"Welcome home, Aelion. I've missed you," he said, his voice soft and comforting in the quiet house."I've missed being here," she murmured, inhaling the familiar scent of home. A hint of something sweet tickled her nostrils, and she looked at Lysandre, a spark of curiosity lighting up her weary eyes. "Do I smell cookies?"
Lysandre chuckled, a warm and inviting sound. "Hmm, maybe. You'll have to search for them."Aelion held up her arms, the casts a stark reminder of her recent trials. "Broken, remember? I can't exactly go hunting for cookies." With a fond sigh, Lysandre relented. "Very well. Follow me."
As they made their way to the kitchen, the aroma of freshly baked cookies enveloped them, causing Aelion's mouth to water. The warmth of the oven and the homely scent wrapped around her like a comforting blanket."Ooh, can I have one?" she asked, leaning forward eagerly, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Or ten?"Lysandre laughed, a rich, hearty sound that filled the room. "You can have two, but no overindulging. We don't want to spoil your dinner." Aelion pouted playfully, but her heart was light as she accepted the plate with two cookies, their warmth a comfort in her palms. She sank back into the couch, a contented moan escaping her lips as she took her first bite. "Mmm, thank you. This is exactly what I needed."
Lysandre's smile grew as he watched Aelion relax, her mood lifting like the sun breaking through the clouds. Yet, there were moments when a shadow seemed to pass over her, and her light would dim, as if a cloud had obscured the sun. He knew she was keeping something from him, something about the baby, but he respected her privacy and waited patiently for her to confide in him.
After a moment of quiet contentment, Aelion spoke up, holding out her now-empty plate. "Hey, Ly? Could we go to the market? I'm craving some fruit." Concern creased Lysandre's brow, but he nodded. "Of course. Are you sure you're up for it, though? You've been through so much already."Aelion offered him a brave smile, her eyes shining with determination. "I'm sure. I feel stronger already, and I could use the fresh air."
As they stepped out, the warm air caressed their skin, and the rain gently let up, as if the very elements conspired to grant Aelion her heart's desire. She breathed in the damp, earthy scent, her eyes drifting to the swaying tree branches, their graceful dance a soothing sight. Lysandre, ever the gentleman, opened the car door for her, his gaze softening as he took in her appearance.
Aelion was dressed in a long-sleeved cotton dress, its soft fabric flowing gracefully to her ankles, carefully chosen to conceal the marks and bruises that marred her skin. A light scarf, sheer and delicate, was wrapped around her neck, hiding the bruises that threatened to betray her recent trauma. Her hair, braided with care, fell down her back, and her boots, with their low, flat heels, gave her a sense of stability. Yet, despite her efforts at concealment, Lysandre could see the glow of her aura, stronger than ever, a beacon of light in the darkness.With a gentle hand, he helped her into the car, his heart aching at the sight of her fragility. He buckled himself in and turned to her, his eyes warm with concern. "Ready?" Aelion nodded, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Yes, I want to get a few things. Let's go."
As Lysandre started the car and drove down the road toward the market, the clouds began to part, revealing the sun's radiant glow. The market bustled with life, a stark contrast to the quiet of Aelion's home. She breathed in the vibrant energy, her eyes alight with curiosity as she wandered down the produce aisle, taking in the vibrant colors and fragrant scents of the apples and peaches.
A handsome man caught her eye, his silver hair and tanned skin a striking combination. His eyes, a captivating mix of green and gold, held a fierce intensity as he reached for some apples, his suit straining against his muscular frame. Their eyes met, and a spark passed between them, an unspoken acknowledgment. "Hello," his deep voice rumbled. "Do you need some help?"
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Aelion's heart stuttered in her chest at his words, and she felt a flush rise to her cheeks. "Um, no, sorry. I'm just looking."A warm smile curved his lips, revealing sharp teeth that sent a shiver down Aelion's spine. "All right, but let me know if you need anything."As Aelion took a step back, her foot slipped on a puddle of water, and she found herself falling. Strong arms caught her, steadying her with ease. “Easy there," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin. His shoulder-length hair fell forward, framing his face, and his golden eyes gleamed with concern.
Aelion's heart hammered in her chest as she righted herself, her cheeks flaming with embarrassment. "Oh, sorry. I'm so clumsy. Thank you for catching me."His smile was warm and genuine, and Aelion found herself transfixed by the sharp points of his teeth. *That's so hot*, she thought, her cheeks burning even hotter as she looked away, chastising herself for her wayward thoughts.
"Are you all right?" he asked, his voice deep and velvety. "You look flushed."Aelion nodded, her heart fluttering like a caged bird. "Yes, I'm just tired. It's been a long day."His golden eyes narrowed, concern creasing his brow. "Did you walk here, Miss?""No," Aelion stammered, her heart pounding in her chest. "I mean, yes, I walked, but I rode here in a car with a friend. He's, um, somewhere in the store. I wanted to look at the fruits and vegetables. They smell so good."
As she reached for a few apples, her cast-encased hand unable to manage the simple task, the man gently took the bag from her and held it open as she placed the fruit inside."Thank you," she murmured, her cheeks still flushed. "What did you say your name was?""Cadmus," he replied, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down her spine. "I'm Aelion," she said, holding out the bag of apples, her broken finger a painful reminder of her recent ordeal.
"Nice to meet you, Aelion." Cadmus's gaze was dark and intense, and Aelion felt as if he could see right through her, piercing the walls she had carefully constructed around herself. "Do you need any more help?" Aelion shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. "No, thank you. I think I have everything I need."
As she turned to go, Lysandre's voice called out to her, his gaze darkening as he spotted her with Cadmus. "Hey, Aelion! Why did you wander off? Are you all right?" Aelion's heart skipped a beat as she turned to face Lysandre, her cheeks still flushed from her encounter with Cadmus. "I'm fine, thank you," she said, offering him a small smile. "This is Cadmus. He helped me when I slipped." Cadmus held out his hand to Lysandre, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of anger and concern. "A pleasure to meet you, Lysandre."
Lysandre's gaze flickered between Aelion and Cadmus, his eyes narrowing as he took in their closeness. He shook Cadmus's hand, his grip firm, before pulling Aelion into his arms, his protective nature on full display. "We should go, we have things to do," Lysandre said, his voice brooking no argument. Aelion nodded, her heart torn between the comfort of Lysandre's embrace and the intriguing pull she felt toward Cadmus. "Yes, we should. Goodbye, Cadmus. It was nice meeting you."
As they turned to leave, Cadmus called out to her, his brow furrowed with concern. "Aelion, may I ask you something?" Aelion paused, her heart pounding in her chest as she turned to face him, Lysandre's arm tightening protectively around her. "Yes, of course," she said, her eyes searching his face. Cadmus glanced at Lysandre, his eyes dark and unreadable, before leaning close to Aelion's ear, his breath warm against her skin. "Do you need help? Are you safe with him?"
Aelion's eyes widened at his words, and she laughed, a nervous sound that held a hint of sadness. "Oh, no, I mean, yes, I'm safe. This was something else, an accident." She bit her lip, her eyes darting away from his intense gaze. "I'm truly all right. Thank you for your concern." Cadmus studied her for a moment longer, his eyes searching for the truth in her words. "Very well. I wish you the best, Aelion. Perhaps we shall meet again."
Aelion's heart skipped a beat at his words, her cheeks flushing with a mixture of embarrassment and something else, something she couldn't quite name. "Perhaps," she murmured, her eyes holding his for a moment longer before she turned away, Lysandre's arm guiding her toward the exit.
As they walked back to the car, Lysandre's eyes never left Cadmus, his gaze dark and suspicious. "I thought you said you knew him." Aelion shook her head, her heart heavy. "No, I don't really know him. He's a stranger." She paused, her hand tightening around Lysandre's arm. "I'm tired, let's go home."
Without another word, they returned to the car and drove back to the sanctuary of their home, Aelion's heart filled with a tumult of emotions, her mind a whirl of thoughts and questions. Lysandre, ever attentive, watched her with concern, his heart heavy with the knowledge that Aelion was keeping secrets, secrets he feared could tear them apart.