“Luna!” Whispers Lucien, patting my cheeks light, in an attempt to wake me. “Luna, wake up. We need to get going.”

“I’m awake,” I grumble, feeling as if I’d fallen from the skies, and hit my head against a stone. “What happened?”

“You’ve been out for hours. Sol has just about begun to rise.”

“Hours? What happened?”

“You ate the petal and collapsed.”

“Gods,” I grumble, getting to my feet, feeling the sticky dampness of my cloak. “I told you it was dangerous. Why am I all wet? Did it rain?”

“Briefly.”

I curse internally, missing the comforts of my home and bed. I push past Lucien, but he takes me by the arm and tugs me backward. I pull back my arm irritably, and glare at him.

“Yes, Lucien?”

“Our camp is… this way,” he says, shyly, walking in the opposite direction I’d been headed.

I huff, embarrassed, and follow him, pulling my cloak low over my face to hide my shame.

This morning is no different than the previous, except Arthur has realized Lucien can’t be bothered to even entertain the idea of light banter.

“I heard of a wonderful uh… inn that’s nearby, where we could possibly get some much-needed rest in a bed. I can… pay, of course,” he says, hesitantly.

“No,” I mutter.

My parents have always discouraged me from accepting favors from others to avoid ever having the displeasure of repaying them. I definitely don’t want to owe someone like Arthur some money.

“Nonsense, as our traveling companion, you also deserve a rest. I have the coin for it.”

“I have my own coin,” I hold my head high, and speed ahead of him. “I don’t need yours.”

The inn is lively with music, dancing, and plenty of other travelers that are already drunk.

“I’m sorry, my cheapest room is already occupied,” the woman at the counter says apologetically. “I’ll need more coins for the last available room. It’s a busy season with the Academy, I’m afraid, so we’re not bargaining.”

“Put it on my tab,” Arthur places coins on the counter, and gives the woman a wink.

She takes the coins, bites her lip when she looks up at his face, and walks away backwards, not breaking eye contact with him until she runs into a wall.

“I don’t need your help. I can just camp outside,” I complain.

“Are you Lucien now?”

“Not that I care, but what on earth do you mean?”

“He’s always sleeping outside, despite having plenty of coins for many comforts.”

“He hates the noise, and I don’t have coins. I can’t accept this. I can’t repay you.”

“Don’t. Consider it a gift or a favor.”

“No! That’s even worse,” I turn back towards the counter in search of the woman. “Madam! Please! I don’t need a room.”

The woman reappears with a key in her hand.

“You don’t?” She asks, puzzled.

“Sorry, my friend is just… uh… a little drunk. I’ll be walking her up to her room, thank you,” he takes the key from her hand, spins me around, and begins to push me towards the flight of stairs.

“An actual favor?” I ask, inquiringly. “Or would I have to sleep with you or something? Cause I’m not going to do that. The very thought of it-”

“- An actual favor.” “- Will make me vomit.”

“Thanks,” he mutters, with a grimace. “Enjoy your room. You’re sharing with Lucien.”

“Sharing?”

“Unless you want to listen to the sounds of-”

“Got it. Good luck to your vic-… good luck on your endeavors.”

“There’s a hot bath coming to your room. Try to enjoy it.”

“I can’t accept-”

“Then, let Lucien have it to himself. I don’t care.”

I plunge my head beneath the hot water until I can no longer breathe, then rush up to the surface, gasping for air. The hot water is relieving all the aches and pains in my legs, and cleansing me of my travels.

“What the hell are you doing?” Asks Lucien, peeking through the entry of the washroom.

I reflexively hide beneath the water, even though there’s a screen standing between us, and I’m well hidden from his sight.

“I’m fine. I’m just washing,” I grumble.

“It’s a bath, not a river. Stop splashing all over the floor.”

I look around me. The dim candle light reflects off many puddles of water on the floor.

“It’s not that bad,” I try to say convincingly.

I can almost hear the roll of his eyes when he sighs deeply. He must think I’m childish.

“I’m sure it’ll dry up before I’m done,” I say, defensively.

“I don’t care if it does. I’d just like to still have a functioning washroom when it’s my turn.”

I sit at the edge of my bed, fiddling with my wooden toy horse. There’s a tightness in my chest, making me want to implode. How can I possibly miss all the people in my life I’d been dying to get away from? How can I miss them, while being so excited to finally leave them?

Lucien exits the washroom, and an herbal steam flows out across the floor, flooding my senses. I look up at him, and give him a sad smile.

“Would you like to get dinner downstairs? We could put it on Arthur’s tab,” he gives me a pitying smile.

“It’s fine. I have food left in my pack.”

“I’ll tell him it was all me.”

“Very well.”

I follow him out, and we share quiet giggles as we discuss the foods we’ll indulge in.

At the table, we wait for our order to arrive as we drink our second cup of ale for the evening. I laugh at Lucien’s dark blue flushed cheeks. He’s already drunk, and I’m trying to stop him from ordering another ale, hardly able to resist the endearing look on his face as he questions why I won’t indulge him. I wonder if he’s the type of drunk to let down his defenses. I wish he could, because I’m curious about him.

“Is there something on my face?” He asks, wiping his cheeks. “Please, madam- oh, why won’t she stop?”

“No,” someone behind me responds, tickling my ear, making me flinch. “There’s nothing on your face.”

While I glare at Arthur for standing so close, he walks around the table with an amused smile, and takes a seat next to Lucien.

“You seem rather entertained by Lucien's embarrassing state.”

“Embarrassing?” Lucien asks, timidly, wiping at his cheeks again.

“Entertained?” I ask.

“You’re already incredibly drunk,” he informs Lucien, then turns to me. “Lucien cannot handle his alcohol- My dear lady, some bread, cheese, and stew. Fresh fruit if you have it.”

“And some-” begins Lucien.

“Yes, sir,” a woman replies quickly, being called away by several other patrons.

“Did you enjoy your bath?” Arthur asks me, after giving a woman behind me a flirtatious smile.

I turn around to face her, and mouth out the words ‘He’s engaged.’ She points at me. I shake my head in horror. She’s undeterred. I roll my eyes, and return my attention to Arthur.

“It… was nice. Thank you,” I murmur.

“Have you ever even experienced such a thing, living in the middle of nowhere?”

“I live in Bellehaven, not a cave.”

“Probably not since you left Mirror Lake, then?”

“Arthur,” Lucien scolds him, slurring. “For goodness’ sake, let her be. She already thanked you.”

“So irritable. What’s the matter, Lucien?” He says, poking his cheek. “You’re supposed to be a fun drunk.”

Lucien slaps his hand away, and moves away from him.

“Stop being purposely difficult,” he mutters.

“I agree with Lucien, stop being purposely difficult,” I repeat.

“You’re both in a mood. What happened, Lucien? Was the bath not cold enough?”

Lucien tries to frown at Arthur, but the fake pout Arthur’s is now wearing on his face causes him to smile instead.

“I saw a vision of you married to a light elf,” he says, turning to face me and giving me a playful wink.

I hide my smile behind my cup.

“You’re such a cruel liar. Don’t do that to me.”

“You’re right, you didn’t marry one. You become King Arthur of Castin and Mirror Lake, and Isabella gives you five beautiful children, all of them ruling their own kingdoms, becoming powerful Fire-Wielders, and Earth-Menders, but never stronger than you. A true legendary Mystic.”

Arthur scoffs. “Luna! Tell me more about yourself and your quaint little upbringing.”

“Why should I?” I ask, taking a long drink of water.

“Well, Lucien seems to like you, so now I’m wondering what the attraction is.”

“It’s because she’s practically your opposite,” mutters Lucien, taking my cup of ale from me, and taking a long drink. “Polite, respectful, and she minds her own.”

“That can’t be it,” Arthur presses his lips together, stifling a laugh.

I wonder if he always torments poor Lucien. I raise a hand, drawing the attention of the server. I mouth out the word ‘ale’, and she nods. Lucien raises a hand, but she turns away before he can say anything.

“I… uh…” I try to think of something insignificant to mention that will distract him sufficiently enough. “I like to… write.”

“You… like to write,” he repeats drolly. “You write, but you’re poor?”

“Uh- yes,” I say, spotting a tray of food heading towards our table. “Just because I’m poor doesn’t mean I’m… uneducated…”

Arthur excitedly takes up his utensils, and digs right in. I ask for another cup of ale, planning to give it to poor Lucien. I’m grateful for the distraction eating brings, as he’s dropped the conversation in order to stuff food into his mouth.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“What do you write about?” He asks with his mouth full.

“You’re disgusting,” I say, repulsed.

“What?” He asks.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Your Majesty,” mutters Lucien.

Arthur drops his utensils on the table, and presses a finger to Lucien’s mouth, startling him.

“Stop your nonsense,” he hisses. “We can eat in silence, if that’s what you wish.”

When Arthur frowns, I almost feel bad for him. I know I’ll regret continuing our conversation, but I’d really like not to spend another day not talking.

“I just like writing… anything. My dull life, made up tales, notes on my studies, drawings of plants. Everything. It’s comforting. My parents got me a book to fill while I study at the Academy.”

“That sounds very nice. Have you written anything in it?”

Lucien looks up at full attention, almost surprised he doesn’t have to shout at him again, but prepared to do so, anyway.

“Not yet. I haven’t had time to fill it.”

“You said you had sisters, right? Are your sisters nice? My brothers hate me.”

Lucien laughs bitterly. “You make fun of them all the time. Of course they hate you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he winks at me, taking another bite of food, excited to get a negative reaction out of Lucien.

“Of course you don’t,” Lucien says, turning to face me with a look of concern. “If you’d wanted to write, you could have just informed us. We have plenty of time.”

“I don’t want to slow us down over something I’ll have plenty of time for later.”

“She’s not about to write about Marcellus with the two of us around, either,” Arthur chuckles.

Lucien and I roll our eyes.

“That’s not what I’d write about. I want to write down what Lucien told me of the love story between Selene and Sol. And- And other things. Like the plants and the animals in these parts of the forests.”

“A love story? They’re gods. How much love could there be?”

“Forbidden love sounds romantic,” I muse, catching Lucien eyeing Arthur.

“Romantic? Do you hear this nonsense, Lucien?” He says, slapping Lucien’s back hard enough to wake him from his daydream. “She thinks forbidden love is romantic. It’s stupid if you ask me. Why risk it? They’re idiots for getting themselves excommunicated, becoming weak and powerless. For love, no less. I’d have never done that.”

“Then you’ve never loved, I’m sure,” I say, my thoughts on Marcellus.

“I’ve loved,” he laughs. “I’ve loved plenty of times. You seem the most inexperienced.”

“She means real love,” sighs Lucien. “Not whatever it is you do.”

“What’s real love?”

Lucien and I look at each other, unable to come up with an answer.

“Seriously? Is it like my father, blinded and taken advantage of by that woman? Or like my political arrangements to marry other royalty for power and land?”

“It’s like my parents,” I say, hesitantly. “Putting up with each other’s flaws, secretly taking admiring glances at one another, and willing to sacrifice anything for each other. A-Amongst other things.”

Lucien peeks a glance at me then acts as if he’s distracted with his food.

“You’re poor, of course that’s how you think it works.”

Lucien chokes, then slaps his hand on the table, stands to his feet, and pulls me up with him. He takes up our plates, and pushes me towards the stairs.

“Let’s enjoy dinner in our room,” he sighs heavily, and I can hear the anger in his tone.

I follow him, taking a backward glance at Arthur with a pitying look. He looks away, almost embarrassed, but still quite smug.

We sit at the edges of our bed, Lucien and I, quietly finishing our dinners, sneaking shy glances at each other. I don’t know what it means to be doing this with someone I don’t know, but it’s fun, and it makes my heart race.

I return our plates downstairs, knowing Lucien would prefer not to risk catching a glimpse of Arthur, still seething with anger I can’t quite understand.

As I head back up the stairs with two additional cups of ale for us, I spot Arthur on the landing kissing a pretty girl with long, golden hair, and pale skin. I rush past him, unnoticed, slip inside my room, and shut the door behind me quietly. I hand a cup to Lucien, and set the other on a table, where I’ve set up my book, pen and ink bottle. With my pen dipped in ink, I begin scratching away the image of the shadowstalker, flower petal, and spirit-filled forest during the light rain shower.

“You’ve captured everything almost perfectly.”

I jump away, having not heard Lucien approach behind me.

“Thank you,” I say, leaning back so he could view it better. “But I’m not a great artist. I do enjoy it, though. It calms me.”

“What’s this plant?” He points. “The sleeping herb?”

“Yes, I thought it would be useful to remember… since I have trouble sleeping.”

“I see,” he says, then quickly adds. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry. Your journal is probably very private, and it’s rude of me to stand over your shoulder like this.”

“It’s alright. My writing used to annoy Miss Eisley because I would be sketching other things, but it’s hard to focus when there’s so many things you don’t want to forget. She was especially annoyed that it was never in any particular order, but how else was I to take notes, sketch, and write down my inner thoughts at the same time? It is private in a way, though.”

“Master Eaimer would keep you as a scribe,” he pauses, deep in thought, before he continues speaking. “Well, except that chronological order problem would have to be fixed. Luna, I’m sorry that… this trip has been uncomfortable for you. I’ll try to be in better spirits tomorrow.”

I look up at him, his face outlined by the light of the moon through the window. His appearance is enchanting, and all I can do is stare at him while I try to find a voice to speak.

“Thank you,” I finally reply.

“I’m going to bed. Arthur won’t be awake until noon, I’m sure, so you need not rush with your writing.”

“Alright, but I’ll be finished soon enough. I’m growing tired.”

After I spend some time updating my journal with all the notes of my journey, I leave it open to allow the ink to dry on the desk, and my pen and ink are nestled back inside my bag.

In the night, I hear Lucien stir. The sound sends adrenaline rushing through me. I’m immediately alert, and sitting upright in my bed.

“You need not fret, I’m just going downstairs,” he reassures me.

“It’s the middle of the night,” I whisper, rubbing my eyes.

“I know, I’m sorry. I can’t sleep. I think I just need to take a short walk through the forest.”

“One moment,” I say, bleary-eyed.

I get out of bed, pull my cloak around my body, and fasten my belt around my waist. I search my pack for my dagger, and attach it to my belt.

“Let’s go,” I yawn.

“Luna, please. I’m fine.”

“Look, if you run into thieves, and get attacked, or whatever, I don’t want to be the one to inform Arthur I let you go out at night alone. He might never shut up.”

“The roads are protected by the city guards.”

“But you’re not going to remain on the road, are you?”

“Very well, but there’s not much you can do for me, is there? I’ve yet to see you use that thing, except to skin a rabbit.”

“Even better, then. I’m safer with you in the forest than I am here alone. I could use a breath of cold, crisp evening air, anyway.”

“I’m flattered you’d think such a thing.”

“But it’s true. I’m safe with you.”

The grass crunches beneath my boots as we wander away from the inn in search of a place from which we can view the stars. I glance over at Lucien, who seems sure he’s spotted a clearing in the distance. Like a ghost Lucien moves soundlessly and effortlessly, as if he were gliding across the forest floor. The night air chills me as I struggle to keep up with him, with sweat beading on my brow and my breathing heavy.

The wind picks up when we reach the edge of a forest clearing. It blows my hair up, which obscures my view of Lucien standing before me. He glances at me for a brief moment before running towards the center of the clearing, expecting me to chase him, and I do, because I’m inexplicably drawn to him.

The light of the inn and the road is no longer visible from this distance. He places his cloak over a spot on the ground, lies down, and leans back on his arms to watch the stars.

I stand over him, our eyes meeting for a moment too long just before I join him. As I lie back on the soft grass, I pull my cloak tightly around me. The stars are brighter out here so far from the main road, and my thoughts return to Bellehaven.

“You’re missing home?” He asks, trying to read my face.

“I’m not going to survive long, am I?” I sigh, feeling disappointed, and somewhat amused.

“Try to imagine the alternative.”

“I could be with Marc. We’d be miserably cold, warming ourselves up together by a small campfire.”

“Sounds wonderful to me.”

“You’re teasing me.”

“I’m not capable. I mean it, it sounds nice to be with someone you care about.”

“What would you be doing?” I inquire.

“Preparing for the Celestial Alignment,” his gaze turns towards the stars. “Lanterns, festivities, and everything else. Master Eaimer would be scolding me for not being completely focused on my studies. ‘You’ll have time for all of that later,’ he’d say. He always made sure I enjoyed myself between my studies, though. So long as it didn’t interfere.”

“You light the lanterns, too?”

“Hundreds of them! We paddle boats out onto the water, then release them into the skies and the river. It’s like being surrounded by the stars,” his voice trails off, and he wears a dreamy smile.

I could almost picture it, and I’m probably grinning like an idiot. Lucien looks at me, and laughs.

“You like to get lost in the stars, too, I see.”

“The thought that they could be other worlds has made them more appealing, I must admit. I’ve been having dreams where I can sail through them on a ship, and I’d find so many new plants and animals.”

“Would you like to explore the stars with me, Luna?” He asks, making a small orb of light, as dim as a candle, shine in the palm of his hand.

“Sure, whenever you figure out how to travel to them.”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for cheap magic tricks.”

He sends out many of the small orbs of light from his palm, and they float gracefully all around us, bobbing in the night breezes. I almost can’t distinguish the ground from the skies in the darkness.

I jump to my feet, wanting to burn this moment in my memory, definitely grinning like an idiot this time. I am a traveler, exploring the universe in search of the other gods. I want to see their worlds. I want to meet their people. I want to live their lives. They spin, and blink as I weave through them, and one by one, they begin to flicker out, until there are only the stars above us in the night sky. The soft grass beneath my feet cushions my fall back to reality.

“Lucien!” I cheer, when sadness fades away like the lights. “That was beautiful!”

“Well, I had to make it up to you for keeping you up so late.”

“Ah, yes… We should probably get back.”

“We should.”

“In several more minutes?”

He smiles warmly at me and nods.

The next morning, Lucien and I check out of our room, and wait downstairs for Arthur to make an appearance. Lucien picks absently at a bowl of roasted nuts, and I am nibbling away at a fresh loaf of bread, and sipping a cup of coffee.

“How did you sleep?” I ask, taking a drink of water.

Movement on the landing draws my attention. It’s the woman I’d seen Arthur kissing the previous night making her way out of the inn. I try not to stare for long, but Lucien spots her immediately, and gives her a sad smile as she walks out, her teary eyes red and puffy.

“I slept well,” he grumbles, looking away from me.

“Good.”

“Thank you for the sleeping draught.”

“You really should just keep those on you at all times.”

“I should, but then I’d have no room for the rest of my things,” he laughs.

“You should try a method that extracts the juices, and it could be especially concentrated. A single drop could be enough, if you make it correctly. Evaporation or-”

“I’ll work on that.”

“You claim to be good at potions. It shouldn’t be too difficult for you.”

“Morning!” Shouts Arthur from the top of the staircase. “Lou. Other Lou. The Lous?”

I flinch at the sound of his voice. He’s embarrassingly loud and obnoxious, drawing attention to himself from the other patrons.

“Absolutely not,” I mutter.

“Good morning, Arthur,” says Lucien with a warm smile, pulling out a chair at his side for him to sit.

“I didn’t know we would be getting such an early start, I would have gone to bed sooner.”

He takes a few handfuls of nuts from the bowl in front of Lucien, then eyes my tray of food. I push it towards him, having had my fill. He pulls off a hunk of bread for himself, and slathers it with butter. He takes a drink from my cup, and when I refuse to take it back, he finishes it off.

“I’ll be quick, then,” he says, getting to his feet, and heading back up the stairs, with bread hanging from his mouth.

On the road once again, Lucien and I listen to Arthur speak of a strange woman he’d met one night on his way back to Mirror Lake from Nien.

“She said she possessed death magic. Reanimated corpses, and such. She sounded absolutely ridiculous. Death magic. I mean, imagine such a thing!”

“Such a thing exists, but it is not common. It’s a lesser form of dark magic,” states Lucien.

“Oh? Are you going to tell me that some form of life magic exists, too? She was human!”

“I met someone passing through Bellehaven that could bring plants back to life!” I chime in. “He said he was hiding, and trying to make his way to Mirror Lake.”

“I’m sure it was just an Earth-Mender. It’s what they do.”

I shrug, having never met a Light-Weaver in my life to compare the man to.

“He had… a strange appearance. His eyes were the lightest blue I’d ever seen, and he wore a large hat to keep the sun off his face. He refused to remove it.”

“Or even a Water-Bearer! How gullible you must be!”

“I guess I am. I fully believed him,” I say, feeling a tinge of irritation.

“It’s fine,” Lucien chuckles. “Arthur used to believe that nightstalkers were evil spirits that steal children’s souls if they misbehaved.”

My irritation subsides, realizing he’s trying to comfort me.

“I was a child. Those are the tales they tell children to get them to sleep at night,” he scoffs. “It’s natural to believe such things.”

“You believed it to be true until just a few years ago.”

“Goodness, Lucien,” he says, exasperated, with a wide grin.

“Yes, Arthur?” Lucien asks, annoyed.

“You know what,” he says, giving me a sideways glance.

Lucien glares at him.

“What the hell are you both going on about?” I ask.

“He’s absolutely s-”

Lucien flicks his fingers towards Arthur, and he is suddenly spitting up water in the middle of the road.

“Arthur!” I cry out, running to his side. “Are you alright, what happened?”

“I’m fine,” he grumbles, glaring at Lucien, continuing to cough.

“Why’d you do that?” I scold Lucien with a whining tone.

“Don’t trust him with secrets, he can’t keep his mouth shut. Sometimes I’m forced to keep it shut for him.”

“I wasn’t going to say anything,” he says, with another cough.

“You know that wasn’t very nice, Lucien,” I scold.

Lucien huffs, and stops down the path ahead of us.

Several more days have passed, and we are just a day’s walk away from the City of Lights. The lanterns of the city are clearly visible from our position. Lucien and Arthur walk in silence, and I am afraid of saying anything that will make matters worse. I can’t wait for this journey to come to an end, feeling desperate to be rid of both of them.