“Are you telling me that you don’t have your own tent?” I ask meekly, having grown more concerned as the night breezes send shivers through me.

“I’m an elf,” he smiles. “I don’t really need a tent. Just a nice mossy patch under a tree.”

“Don’t lie to me. I know all of you enjoy your comforts. And what if you don’t find a mossy patch? Or it starts to rain? Or the temperatures drop?”

“The ground has grass, the trees have leaves, and I’m a dark elf, immune to the cold. Why are you worrying yourself about me? Get some rest. I’ll be fine.”

“At least take a blanket,” I whine. “In case it gets too cold.”

He laughs heartily, making me feel ridiculous.

“I’m from the Grove, Luna. The nights there are much colder than this. You’ll be colder than me, even with your blankets. You’re already shivering, and I still feel warm.”

“Well, if you’re sure,” I pout, feeling defeated. “But do let me know if you need it. Do not hesitate to wake me.”

“I won’t wake you at all, but thank you for your thoughtful concern.”

I’m lying in my tent tossing and turning, unfamiliar with the quiet of this part of the world. The insects chirp, frogs croak, and there are other sounds I don’t recognize. I almost miss the gentle breathing of my sisters, the loud snoring of my father, and the faint music of the inn down the road from the Masters’ household. It is too deafeningly quiet. We’ve camped further from the road than I would have expected because Lucien also has sensitive hearing. More sensitive than my own, it turns out. I begin to wonder if I should be worried that I’m possibly too far from everyone, and in some sort of danger for being too trusting of him. He’d insisted I camp by the road, and meet up with him in the morning, but I was afraid of being left alone with more strangers, and no one to protect me.

“In a realm where heavens align,” sings Lucien, not well, but trying. “There lived a love, divine. Sol, the radiant sun, shining high, and Selene, the moon, adorning the sky…”

“What’s… the rest?” I whisper, when he stops.

“The words I’ve forgotten, though I know someone who would probably know all of the verses. I’ll be sure to send him a letter, and inquire about it when we reach the Academy.”

Happiness floods me. A small hint that he wants to stay in touch. Have I made my first friend outside of Bellehaven? What a momentous occasion. This could be the start of my grand journey.

I hesitate to speak, still feeling like we’re strangers. What if he’s not attending the Academy to make friends, and I’ve read too much into his politeness.

“Lucien…?”

“Yes, Luna?” He sounds alert.

“Can you describe Dark Grove for me? And the night sky?”

He chuckles, and the sound of it further eases me. It warms me inside knowing that he doesn’t mind my endless babble yet, instead finding it mildly entertaining.

“The trees in Dark Grove are taller and larger than any you’d probably ever seen or imagined, unless you’ve been there. One tree is as large as a city block, and the cities are built into them, or on the branches wider than the main road. The roads lead over rope bridges suspended between the trunks and branches.”

I gasp in awe imagining a tiny tree city small enough for fairies that in my mind’s eye have been replaced with dark elves, the prettiest of them looking like Lucien.

“At night, the light of Selene is as bright as Sol,” he says, dreamily. “And when Selene is absent from the heavens to take her rest, it’s so dark, you cannot even see the tip of your nose in front of you.”

“That sounds terrifyingly wonderful!”

“That’s when you can see all the stars in the sky, and Eclipsa and Ombra are at their brightest. Sometimes, stars that are not normally seen become plainly visible.”

“Truly?” I exclaim in disbelief. “I would love to see that! That sounds magnificent!”

“Well, if you’re ever in Dark Grove, I’ll be sure to show you around.”

“I once went on a boat when Selene was taking her rest. The lake was like the surface of a looking glass. I saw all the stars that night, and I don’t think I’d ever been happier. I’d also never felt so incredibly small and insignificant. It almost brought a tear to my eye. It was such a comforting feeling, filling me with an overwhelming sense of happiness and warmth, spilling out of me, and seeping into the earth- Well, the boat, below my feet,” I realize I’m speaking nonsense, and should stop speaking. “I… must sound silly.”

“You’d love Dark Grove. It'll magnify that feeling.”

“I hope one day I really can see it.”

“You’re a Mystic, you’ll have time.”

“I don’t think I’ll make it to level six to get the immortality potion, if I’m being perfectly honest. It already seems impossible for most Mystics from what I’ve heard. I’d be incredibly lucky to make it to level three. I could make a career of doing heavy lifting, or protecting Bellehaven from intruders. I don’t know. I could find something.”

“Why would you think that you couldn’t make it?”

“I come from a long line of failed Wind-Callers that never got more than a single ability.”

“What was yours?”

“It’s kind of silly. I can remember anyone’s voice, and even if the speaker is trying to conceal it, I’ll know instinctively who it is. Incredibly useless compared to my family’s abilities. One day, I saved a boy by catching him with a gust of wind, and my family thought that there was finally a Wind-Caller in the family. I prayed to Selene that my sisters would also develop abilities, but they haven’t yet.”

“Sisters?”

“Yes, we were all born on the same day; Solera, Celestia, and myself. My parents said it was a blessing from the heavens, hence our names. If it truly is, then they will also become Mystics.”

“It is indeed a blessing. Do you think they will?”

“I’ve lived with them my whole life. I certainly hope they will, otherwise I’ll be heartbroken. Eternity sounds too long without my sisters, and I refuse to live an eternal life without them.”

“What love you have for them,” he says, in a soothing tone. “That even eternity would not tempt you to a life without them. It must be true love indeed. If only siblings knew how much we truly love them, they wouldn’t give us such a hard time.”

“If only I wasn't always trying to do the same to them.”

He chuckles, and my heart skips a beat.

We remain quiet for a while, as sadness creeps over me the longer I think of family. I’ve decided we should change the topic or stop talking, because I’m moments from turning around and walking home.

“Do you…” I hesitate, wondering if he’s grown weary.

“Do I…?”

“Have to learn spells before you make it to the Academy, or do they just let you join assuming you’ll be naturally gifted?”

“Both. Once my powers manifest, which they inevitably will, the moment I can master another, I’ll be permitted into the academy. Once one spell is mastered, the rest of the level one spells are learned with more ease.”

“Gods, do you have to suffer through potions, too?”

“Most don’t, but Master Eaimer, my instructor, insisted I learn. I thought it was useless.”

“I don’t understand it either. When will I ever use potions over magic?”

“You misunderstand,” he laughs, and I blush thinking I’ve missed something. “Potion making is taught to all elves when they begin to get curious about the world around them. We live with Gaia, which is why I sleep outside on a mossy patch or in the trees of the Grove with ease.”

“Don’t lie. You have your comforts.”

“It’s true, recently, but it’s no trouble for us to be without. It’s our way. When you grow up in the Grove, you’re surrounded by many plants that can harm or heal. We know much about herbs and their properties because we wouldn’t survive, otherwise.”

“So that just comes naturally to you, too?” I cackle loudly at the unfairness of it, remembering how much I struggled with potions, despite growing up on a farm.

“In a way.”

“Gods, the elves were a bit unfair when they created us. Gaia made all of you perfectly, and all of you failed to do the same for us! Even placed you in the correct places of the world to help you learn potions,” I joke. “I want to be an elf!”

Lucien laughs, and it’s contagious.

“S-Sorry,” I murmur, wiping a tear from my eye. “I meant no personal offense.”

“Luna, I dare say you might be onto something! Maybe the elves were too afraid of creating something that would one day rule over them, so they made humans lesser beings. It’s been working so far.”

“Hey!” I cry out, half-jokingly. “I didn’t mean offense, though you seem to be doing it on purpose.”

“I think it’s backfiring. Your short lives make you forces to be reckoned with.”

“Like tiny dogs?”

“I, personally, know I’m not responsible for the creation of humans. I also believe the elves were unfair to all of you. They could at least have made all of you better-looking.”

I snicker, having never realized all the elves I’ve ever met have been strikingly beautiful. “Completely unfair, I agree.”

“Though your Marcellus seemed fairly attractive.”

I gasp quietly at the mention of his name, and blush.

“He’s not mine in any way. He’s just a childhood friend. There’s nothing serious between us,” I mutter.

“Oh, I thought he was your lover for some… reasons.”

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

I choke on a gasp that gets caught in my throat, and cough until it’s cleared.

“Gods, Lucien!” I blush, burying myself under a blanket. “No. Why would you think such a thing?”

“I didn’t think I needed to state the obvious, but if I must…” He waits for me to reply, and I remain silent. “I’ve caught the two of you alone on two separate occasions, by accident. The first time he was speaking of love, and the second time, you were sharing a tent. I won’t say anything about it to anyone, so you need not worry and need not lie, but can you blame me for thinking so?”

I grumble incoherently, unable to find words to defend myself. He’s certainly met us at the worst times.

“Pardon?” He chuckles quietly, and I struggle to lower the defenses I’ve put up. “Did you say something in another language?”

“Tell me about Master Eaimer. Is he very strict?”

“That wasn’t the worst part about him,” he says, allowing me to lead the conversation away to another topic. “He had an entire garden dedicated to herbs, and always complained about how there was one plant he could never grow.”

“Which was?”

“Some rare herb from the brightest parts of Solari. I told him it needed more sun, but he never believed me. He also always emphasized that magic was not what was going to save us, just potions, because everyone can create and use them. So, I learned every single potion, and I dread coming back to learn more. He’ll make me redo each potion until it is absolutely perfect, all of them, every single time. He says it’s to keep my memory fresh.”

“Miss Eisley just wanted me to pass so I’d stop blowing holes through the roof of the schoolhouse,” I yawn, and smile with amusement remembering the look on her face when I did it the first time. “I think I’d go mad if Master Eaimer was my instructor. I’d go mad, and he’d go mad trying to teach me.”

“Master Eaimer is very patient. He somehow survived having me as a student, and I’d purposely given him a hard time.”

I shut my eyes, seeing colors flashing beneath my eyelids. They slowly become the figures of Sol and Selene dancing amongst the stars.

“Do you think Selene and Sol will ever get to be together again?” I ask, feeling weary, and yawning. “All the time, I mean?”

“I think they will, otherwise, the gods are unfair.”

“Are they capable of being unfair? I suppose they must be, to force them away,” I settle into my pillow, and wrap my blanket tighter over my shoulder. “Though I don’t know if I’ve ever been so in love that I’d face such a punishment. I don’t like the quiet. I don’t even like being alone. What about you?”

I groan quietly the second I speak the last word. It’s too personal.

“Sorry, you don’t have to answer that.”

“I thought I was in love once,” he sighs.

“You thought?” I almost scoff, and stop myself, knowing I’ve been rude enough already. “What makes one unsure about such things?”

“It’s confusing. Sometimes even your eyes can make you mistake beauty for love.”

“Then how could you ever be sure?”

“Sometimes you can’t. Are you concerned about Marcellus?”

“No!” I say, irritably and defensively. “Enough about him.”

“I’m sorry, it was just a joke. You’re supposed to be getting sleepy, not riled up. I promise I won't bring it up again.”

“Please don’t.”

“Luna?” Lucien calls. “Are you awake? It’s quite late.”

I rub my eyes, and groan when the light of the morning sun blinds me through the open flap of my tent.

“What time is it?”

“It’ll be noon in about an hour or two.”

“It’s so late! Why didn’t you wake me sooner?” I crawl out of my tent, and pack up my things in a panicked rush. “I’m usually wide awake in the morning,” I apologize. “I just struggled to get to sleep.”

“I’m not concerned,” he says, watching me rush around gathering my things. “We have plenty of time to make it into the city. I’d like to hear about Bellehaven today, if you don’t mind. I was only passing through, and didn’t get to see much of it, though it looked very peaceful.”

“It’s very small compared to most places you normally hear about. Everybody knows each other. We’ve all grown up together. We’ve seen many people come and go. We’re trapped in some strange distant past, unable to catch up with the rest of Amith. There’s not much to say about it. It’s a little village, where nothing ever happens.”

“So… you love it there?”

“I can’t say that I love it,” I admit aloud, feeling a heaviness in my chest. “I've wanted to leave since the day my family arrived.”

“But you miss your home, and your sisters.”

“I do, but I also want adventure!” I exclaim. “I want something more in my life. I also want to be with my family.”

“You’re conflicted,” he hums, amused.

“Maybe. Marcellus used to tease me for it, but then it began to make him sad. I wish I could just take them all with me, but I don’t think my parents could afford to live in the City of Lights. They would also miss Bellehaven, after wanting to get away from a big city in the first place.”

“Do your sisters like it there?

“I think they want to leave, like I did. I hope they get the opportunity. I don’t think we were born with the desire to settle down like the rest of the Masters family. They all eventually settle down in small towns I’ve never even heard of.”

“I don’t think I’m made for adventures, either, so I understand your family. I’ll be going straight home once I’ve finished at the Academy, and settle down, myself.”

”What a waste,” I scoff. “Don’t you want to help others, and see the world out there?”

“I’ll help the elves of the Grove. They could always use more Mystics, especially since more and more elves have been returning from the west, and many of them don’t have the powers of healing. It’s not safe for me to travel, anyway, and it’ll only get worse”

“That’s true,” I mumble, remembering the droves of dark elves that had passed through Bellehaven earlier this year, claiming to be returning to the Grove after being chased away from their homes. “I hope Solari is able to help stop all that foolishness.”

“Well, tensions are high, unfortunately, and the light elves don’t want to step on anyone’s feet.”

“Sorry,” I sigh. “We can move on to more cheerful topics, if you’d like.”

“Tell me more about Bellehaven, and how you happened upon that cave.”

“Well, one day, I was with Marc, and we went out fishing, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a violent storm rolled in! The boat began to rock wildly, nearly toppling over. Marc rowed us back to shore as quickly as possible while I stupidly held onto the fish we’d caught, afraid they’d fall back into the water. I was so hungry, I just wanted to eat… my priorities were a bit skewed. We found that cave, blindly running through the forest for shelter, and made a small fire to dry us while the storm passed. Marc and I remained warm and safe, eating the best meal of fish with some fresh- well, mostly fresh bread, herbs, and sweet potatoes.”

“And you kept returning?”

“We… spent much time alone just talking, and being with each other. It was the only time we could act like ourselves, away from the eyes of those who would judge us. It’s… sad the conclusions people come to when they see a man and a woman together,” I say, staring at him with narrowed eyes. “It was nice to be away from eyes that would make assumptions about our relationship.”

“Well, fresh bread and fish sounds delicious. You’re making me hungry.”

I’m grateful he knows not to ask any more questions, but I wonder if my discomfort is plainly visible on my face.

“I’m making myself hungry. I’ve had nothing but stale bread and salted meats for weeks now.”

“I’ll trade you some of my fruits, berries and nuts for some of that.”

“If I were better at hunting, I’d make a rabbit stew.”

“I’m an excellent hunter. I can catch one for us, if you’d like.”

“Oh? I’d like that very much.”

We sit around the campfire as the stew boils away. I poke the potatoes again, and sigh when they are still rock hard. I’m starving, and I feel as if I’ve been waiting hours for the stew to finish cooking.

“If you keep watching them, they’ll never finish,” Lucien informs me.

“I’m so hungry! I should have cut them smaller. Is the rabbit at least done yet?”

“Not quite,” he says, before bowing his head low, and closing his eyes. “Oh Selene, divine, we offer this prayer with grateful hearts, to thank you for the bounty we receive.”

He glances up at me expectantly.

“Oh, a prayer… uh… Thank you, Gaia, for the delicious rabbit stew. I was… quite tired of surviving off bread and meats,” I peeked through one eye at Lucien, wondering if my prayer was sufficient enough for him.

He looks up at me with an amused smile. “Not the praying type?”

“I am… just not so formally.”

“I understand.”

I scarf down my first bowl of stew when it is finally ready, and then slowly work on the second, waiting for Lucien to catch up to me. He eats slowly, savoring every bite.

“So, if there are other worlds, how do we get to them?” I ask him as casually as I can, in an attempt to make small talk.

Lucien raises his eyebrows as he swallows another spoonful of soup, and reaches into his bowl to pick out a bone with a small piece of meat still attached. He tears the meat off with his front teeth, and tosses the bones into the fire.

“I don’t think we can get anywhere until Selene and Sol are reunited,” he replies, when he’s done chewing. “And have been restored to their full power.”

“Imagine what those other worlds would look like! It could be Amith but filled with only magical creatures and spirits!”

“A world with a completely different system of magic!”

“Oh, yes! That sounds amazing! Or a world filled with dogs.”

“That sounds dreadful. Imagine how loud it would be.”

“So what? They’re so friendly, and helpful.”

“I suppose.”

“They’d talk!”

“They’d make endless demands for belly rubs and scratches behind the ear.”

“I could make a career out of it!”

“What would they pay you with?”

“Unconditional love and affection, of course! What else would one need?” I eat another spoonful of soup, and take a sip of water from my canteen.

“Stimulating conversation?”

“They’d talk. Imagine the wisdom they could share. They could reveal the secrets to happiness.”

He smiles. “That does sound nice. When you’re finished, I have a piece of honey cake we can share,” he says, serving himself a second bowl.

“Honey cake!” I exclaim, grinning widely at the thought. “I haven’t had any in a long time. Are you sure you want to share it?”

“Well, the honey is straight from Master Eaimer’s garden. You will not be disappointed, and I wouldn’t have offered it to you otherwise.”

The stew is finished off, and Lucien and I are lying against a slope on the ground staring up at the night sky, digesting our food, and happily licking honey off our fingertips. Lucien is humming happily next to me as he wipes his hands clean on a damp rag, while his twitching ears play out a little tune with his earrings.

“That one is the twin witch and wizard,” I say, pointing at a cluster of stars. “The brightest stars are the gems at the tips of their staff. My sisters and I made up a story that they defeated a dragon.”

“What about there?” Lucien asks, leaning close to me.

I can feel the warmth radiating from his body, and I’m suddenly aware of how close we are to each other. I lean further into him, feeling the need to be closer, and follow the tip of his finger towards a cluster of stars.

“The one next to the other three? Those are the spirits of the elements of magic. I think if you look closely enough, they’re all different colors. Red, blue, yellow-blue and a white-black.”

“I never noticed their colors before. What about those?”

“Oh, those are the lovers. One was a dark elf, and the other a light elf.”

“You mean an elf, and a human.”

“A human? No. Those are not the tales I’ve heard in Bellehaven.”

“I see. Well, I guess there’s not a very romantic story behind it then, is there?”

“I mean, they’re lovers, it’d have to be romantic.”

“Dark elves and light elves enter marriages, and have children all the time.”

“It’s like the tale of Selene and Sol! It was once forbidden love! Their families were displeased!” I suggest.

“But it’s not even for-… Have you ever seen a human with an elf?”

“Yes…?”

“Publicly?”

“No.”

“Have you seen a dark elf with a light elf?”

“I have…?”

“Why do you think that is?”

“Well, it might have something to do with your similarities, I’d suppose. Among other things… like compatibility… o-or… something?” I fight the urge to look down at his belt. “You’re all so… different from humans… Aren’t you?”

“No, but a human and an elf would make for a much better type of forbidden love. It’s more taboo.”

“Do dark elves hate humans?” I ask, feeling relief it doesn’t lead down the path I’d anticipated, then cursing myself for asking such a question.

“Not nearly as much as all of you hate us. Especially lately.”

“I’m sorry,” I murmur apologetically, with nothing to add.

“N-No, it’s fine. I know… it’s not your fault. My sincerest apologies. I didn’t mean to bring up such an unpleasant topic.”

“It’s fine, I just… don’t know what to say.”