“Tell me about… that one.”

I point at a random cluster of stars. Lucien leans his head on my shoulder as he attempts to figure out what I’m pointing at, and I reposition myself closer to him, so he can rest his head against me more comfortably.

“The six clustered stars, I’m assuming.”

“Yes, good guess,” I giggle.

He gives me a suspicious look, then takes my hand, and moves it to the correct group of stars.

“It’s supposed to be a gateway to the other worlds.”

“Go on. Don’t make me ask.”

“Well,” he sighs, lying back, resting his head on his arms. “It’s how Selene and Sol got here. When they’ve regained all their power, they will get to travel back through it, and continue their life with the other gods.”

“They’d leave Gaia?”

“I don’t think Gaia would need them anymore.”

“It sounds like a lonely life.”

“We could never understand. We are not gods. Maybe they don’t feel loneliness like we do. Or love, or sadness, or anger like us. They live for eternity, so there’s always a chance of seeing each other again. We live drastically shorter lives in comparison, so we feel the isolation more intensely. I think.”

“That sounds possible. You’re an elf, and you live a long time. Do you not miss others like humans do?”

“Maybe not quite the same way, but we’re not heartless. I just… don’t notice the passing of time as much.”

“Really? And what about if you actually did miss someone?”

“The time will feel endless, and immensely painful.”

I can feel his eyes on me. After several attempts at trying to catch him staring, he smiles widely, takes my hand, and interlocks our fingers.

“Hmm… you never finished telling me about the lovers,” I mention.

“Funny you should mention that now, of all times,” he says, his eyes flickering for a moment over my lips.

My cheeks get warm. “Funny, that.”

“Well, there isn’t much about them. The dark elf maidens always think it’s so romantic, and make up tales about them. How they were friends with Gaia, and she granted them god-like powers, but betrayed her, to join the other gods. Others believe that Gaia was in love with a human, and to make him happy, she allowed him to live forever with the elf woman he loved by granting him immortality, and that he was the first Mystic to live a very long life. Some say they are the reincarnations of Selene and Sol.”

“Selene and Sol… Selene would make a most beautiful dark elf. I’ve witnessed it myself.”

“Did you, now?” He teases me.

“Yes!” I laugh. “I told you.”

“There are depictions of her in the temple of Shadow Haven with what appears to be horns. Not to mention a statue. I’ve always wondered if it is the same in the temple of Anar. If Sol was a light elf, and if Gaia simply created the elves in her parents’ image. It could be why your tale for the lovers is different from ours, and it’s really just another retelling of their tales.”

“Which story do you believe is true?”

“Hmm, I think there was an elf that just fell in love with a human, and Gaia knew them well, and so she placed their likeness in the heavens so she could remember them when they passed.”

“They passed? Even the elf?”

“Are you so shocked? We live long lives, but we’re still vulnerable to blades and illnesses.”

“Unless you’re part light elf and have stone skin, then you’re only vulnerable to illnesses, so you’ll be safe.”

He laughs. “I guess the gods really did make me perfectly.”

“They did. It’s such an injustice.”

I lie back next to him, and point at the stars again.

“What about those?”

“I don’t remember that one. It was something like a flower… I think Master Eaimer said it’s a moonrose.”

“Now you’re just making things up. I’ve never heard of a moonrose.”

“It’s… a pale white rose that glows with the same soft light of the moon. They’re rare, but you can still find them in some of the finest gardens of Dark Grove. They don’t grow quite as big in the wild, being a fine delicacy for most of the animals in the Grove. They’re also quite fragile, it’s a wonder they ever survived. You’ll never see them outside of the Grove. They prefer the dark.”

“You must be lying. Such a beautiful thing cannot possibly exist.”

“I’m not lying,” he laughs, nudging me. “I’ll have Master Eaimer send you some notes. They don’t have any useful properties for making potions, so they’re not mentioned in most texts, but they’re nice to look at. I think Master Eaimer has many of them. He never shuts up about it, either, but has yet to show them to me. He thinks I’ll damage them somehow. I’m certain he’d show it to you, though. I can tell from the way he writes about you that he admires you very much.”

“I hope so… Lucien, how do you choose between two different loves? Loving someone, and doing what you love most?”

“If it’s something you truly love, you wouldn’t have to make a choice. You’d know instinctively you couldn’t live without it.”

“Hmm,” I grumble, feeling tears prickling the corners of my eyes.

“Is this about Marcellus again? I hate to see you hurting over him.”

“It hurts to think about him sometimes, but I can’t help myself. It feels like too much, and this feeling is just going to consume me.”

“You have years to think about it, don’t you? The worst thing you could do is make a rash decision because you feel pressed for time. Be honest, and tell him you’re not making a decision just yet. If he can’t wait for your answer, then maybe it’s not meant to be.”

“Very forward and honest, huh?”

“Humans enjoy over-complicating matters.”

“How is your particular complication?”

“You mean Arthur? Or my supposed fiancée?” He gives me a sidelong glance.

“Your fiancée. I can guess about Arthur.”

“Oh, can you?” He asks, poking my side. “She has moved into a bigger home deeper in the Grove. It’s more private and secluded, and she said it will be a great place to raise children.”

“Oh, my, she’s ready for you,” I slap his upper arm playfully.

“We’re not engaged yet, Luna,” he says, with an eye roll, and I see evidence of a blush on his cheeks.

“I know, but you’re fond of her, aren’t you?”

“She’s a nice elf maiden…”

“Is this about Arthur, then?”

He tuts, and gives me a disappointed look. “No.”

“Then what is it about?”

“It’s not about anything. I just thought that being in love would be different. I thought I’d feel something different. I care for her deeply, I’m just not feeling…”

“The heart flutters? The butterflies in your stomach? The feeling of your heart pounding in your chest? The… sparks?”

“Yes. I don’t feel that way at all. I’m waiting for it to happen, and then maybe we will be engaged. Your tales of Marcellus give me hope.”

“It shouldn’t. Does she know you’re not…?”

“She… does, and she’s trying, even though it’s an attempted arrangement, and she has the final say. I just think she’d rather be in love before we’re forced to be married. I begged her to find someone else, but…”

“She’s an acquired taste, too?” I laugh.

“No. She’s wonderful. Leagues and bounds better than Arthur. Something must be wrong with me. She doesn’t fall in love easily, either, so the whole thing has been equally difficult for her.”

“I spent ten years with Marcellus pining, and dying for him to fall in love with me like I did with him. He couldn’t see what was in front of him! So stupid, and infuriating… Well, I thought he was. I made it so obvious, and I’m so tired. I just want to move on now that I have this new life. I guess you should be flattered that she at least considered you, since she doesn’t… easily fall in love. She must see something special in you. I’ve had friends fall in love at first sight. I gave up on Marcellus after some time, thinking it’d at least be nice to have a good friend, and all of a sudden, he noticed me.”

Lucien traces my palm with his finger. “How inconvenient.”

“I think it could happen,” I mumble. “I think you could fall in love. It’s not hard to fall in love when you already like someone.”

“What if it’s the wrong kind of love?”

I grimace. “That would be difficult for everyone, wouldn’t it?”

“Exactly. Sometimes, I’m not even sure if I’d know if it was love.”

“You’ll know. One day, I just looked at Marcellus, and I knew! I knew I was in love with him. I knew I could never love anyone the same.”

Lucien lets go of my hand. “But… You don’t want to be.”

“Not lately… I think my love for adventure has surpassed that love I thought I had for him. I long for a lengthy and full life outside of Bellehaven. But what if that changes, and I miss out on the greatest love of my life? I’m just afraid, and I really hate thinking about it.”

“Just tend to your life first. Love can always be found.”

“You’re the worst. You just told me you’re not sure what it is. I told you I do, and now you’re telling me you think it’s easy to find?”

“It’s not easy, obviously,” he blushes. “But what would I know? I’m just a dark elf. According to everyone these days, we’re evil creatures set on destroying all that is good and right in this world. We know nothing of love, or complicated human emotions.”

I laugh, and roll over to look at him, propping myself up on an elbow.

“Lucien, you should never give advice. You’re too agreeable.”

He looks up at me, and cups my cheek. “Sometimes someone just needs to hear someone else say whatever they’re thinking out loud from another person’s mouth.”

I lean against his hand, and kiss his palm.

“In the end, just pick the life with the least regrets. That’s what my grandmother has always advised me to do,” he gives me a sad smile.

“Your grandmother sounds like a very wise woman.”

“You’d like her as much as you’d like Master Eaimer, I’m sure.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

“Do you write to your grandmother?”

“I write to her and my sister once in a while, but I don’t say much. I never want them to worry. But lately…”

He traces along the tips of my ears with his thumbs.

“If you’re going to do that, you better let me touch your ears then,” I say playfully.

He sits up, and leans towards me. I sit up next to him, and lean towards him. I hesitate a moment, thinking maybe I’ve finally crossed the line, and that I should back off before we get too close. I wonder briefly what Lucien’s kisses taste like, how his embrace feels, how it feels to be desired by him, or if he could love me, or if he is just a small footnote in the life of my adventures that have yet to begin. Maybe we’re just footnotes in each other’s life.

“Luna, are you alright?” Lucien laughs, prying my fingers off his ears. “Are you trying to create another hole by rubbing one in with your fingers?”

“Oh, sorry. I got… lost in thought.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“About?”

“Is it a crime to steal someone’s first kiss?”

“Marcellus?” His eyes light up.

“No, I… was thinking of Arthur.”

He furrows his brows. “What did he do?”

“N-No! He didn’t do anything. I just wondered… how he felt when… I was thinking about my kiss with Marc, and just… Oh, God. Where was my mind? I can’t even follow my own line of thinking.”

“He wasn’t the first person I’d ever kissed, if that’s what you were curious about.”

“He wasn’t?”

For some reason, the fact that Arthur wasn’t the first to kiss him is reassuring.

“No. I actually kissed some girl in Mirror Lake when I was only seven years old or so. Well, she kissed me. It was the day before I met Arthur, actually. We were watching all the lanterns flow down the river, and all of the couples were kissing. She didn’t have anybody else around that was her age, and just chose me, thinking she had to do what the adults did. I didn’t know what to think of it, but I never saw her again. I have no idea who she was, where she’s from or anything. Complete strangers.”

“Oh, my. That’s not very romantic at all.”

He chuckles. “First kisses rarely are, I think. Arthur’s first kiss was some princess who was engaged to someone else, and just wanted to make sure her first kiss wasn’t special so she wouldn’t be so afraid during her marriage ceremony.”

“Poor Arthur.”

“Well, hopefully the kiss with Isabella will go well.”

“I hope so, and now, I’d very much like to stop talking about him kissing people, because it makes me feel ill.”

“What about kissing in general?”

I blush. “Uh…”

“Would you like to head back into town, then? It’s getting late.”

“That’s probably a good idea.”

I push myself to my feet, dust off the back of my dress, and hold out a hand for Lucien to take.

The city is dark, and crowded with people celebrating the Mystic Masquerade. At the back of the potions shop, I’m searching for a vial of healing potion made specifically for this night by Madam Treeleaf that was meant to cure hangovers.

“There was one more box, I know there was!” I shout, as Lucien and I search frantically through the shelves at the back of the shop.

“Maybe you miscounted?” Arthur calls back from the front of the shop. “In any case, there’s regular healing potions still in stock.”

“Those are not easily replaceable! Just allow me one more moment, please. I swear they’re here.”

“I found them!” Shouts Lucien, running to the front of the shop.

“Thank Gaia!”

Lucien walks the last person out of the shop, then shuts the door, and locks it. He turns off all the lights, and the three of us collapse at the table at the back of the shop, while Madam Treeleaf hums away at the front, sweeping and straightening up the shelves.

“The three of you should go out. You’ve worked hard, and you deserve to enjoy the festivities with everyone else. You’ve already stayed too long.”

“Well, I’d like to leave, but not to join the festivities,” mumbles Lucien. “I don’t think I have the energy to enjoy anything after tonight’s chaos.”

“A drink will do you some good. I implore you to get out of here. You’ve been here all day,” she waves him off.

“I’ll go, too,” says Arthur, leaving before Madam Treeleaf can say another word.

“Are you sure there’s nothing more I can help you with?” I ask her.

“Get out. Get out,” she pushes me towards the door, and waves me off with a smile and a wink. “Go enjoy yourselves. You’re still young.”

I wander the streets lost in the darkness that has transformed the city into another world. The candles that line the shop windows and streets appear to float, and they guide me down some unknown paths I’ve yet to explore. The masks on the faces of the passersby take me to the depths of the underworld in search of my beloved, and I will soon join them in the quiet peace of death.

A black mask with horns is displayed on a stall I pass, and I join the residents of the underworld in their darkness, the mask now concealing my face. Elation fills me, as I revel in the feeling of being unknown and unseen, like the feeling of a freedom I’ll never know in this life. Is being unknown the same as freedom?

“Luna, over here!” Cries Arthur, motioning towards me.

I’m tempted to ignore him, but I notice the masked figure next to him is Lucien.

“Hello, Arthur,” I say, as cheerfully as I can. “Hello, Lucien, I thought you weren’t joining the festivities.”

“I had no intentions to do so,” he says, moving his mask aside for a brief moment. “I like your horns, by the way. Are those new?”

“They are,” I giggle. “Do they suit me?”

Lucien pulls his mask back over his face. “They do. Would you like some wine? I can fetch some for you.”

“Yes, please. After the day we’ve all had, I’m surprised I’m not already holding a cup.”

“I’ll return shortly. Keep Arthur out of trouble for me, won’t you? Unlike most people, he doesn’t need alcohol to find it.”

“I’ll… keep track of him while he’s within eyesight.”

“Good enough.”

I watch him walk off, then turn to stare up at the skies. I’ve never seen the stars so bright in this city before. If I didn’t go herb picking with Madam Treeleaf, I’d forget they could look so beautiful.

“Lucien is taken with you,” Arthur whispers, amused.

My eyes roll before he can even finish speaking.

“Arthur, please. We’re just friends.”

“You might want to tell him that, then.”

“I won’t, because he also knows we’re just friends.”

“He doesn’t. He speaks very fondly of you with a bright smile on his face. He gushes every time the two of you have studied together. He incessantly whines about Marcellus when he hurts you.”

“All very friendly actions.”

“Very well. Have it your way.”

“Elves and humans can-”

“Are you hungry? I can get us something to eat.”

“You have to stay within sight. You can go get us some…” I look around at the nearby vendors. “Ah… whatever they’re selling.”

“Fine. It looks like meat pies and something made of honey.”

“Sounds perfect. Lucien is getting us wine, so it should taste delicious together.”

We sit around the bank of the river, away from most of the crowds. Arthur scarfs down his food, eager to return to the music and the dancing. He gives Lucien an intense stare.

“You don’t need me, right? You’re here with Luna.”

He runs off before Lucien can even respond.

“Not as good as the honey from Master Eaimer’s garden,” I say, through my bites of a honey pastry. “But still quite delicious, and it feels like a rare treat.”

“It is. I have some place I wish to be, but you can find Arthur, or return to the Academy.”

“You’re leaving already?”

“Just for a moment.”

“Couldn’t I come with you?”

“I’m… afraid it won’t be nearly as exciting as you might believe.”

“What do you think I’m thinking?”

“I haven’t the slightest idea, honestly, but give it your best shot.”

“Secret dark elf rituals.”

He gives me a contemplative look.

I look back towards the dancers at a nearby inn, and see Arthur with a woman I’ve never seen before. I look back towards Lucien, and he smiles hopefully.

“If you’re uncomfortable, however, I’ll have no trouble remaining here, and keeping an eye on Arthur for you until you return.”

“I’m… going to say a sad and mournful prayer for my parents outside the city, if you’re curious, and are still interested in going.”

“So… Secret dark elf rituals. I was right. I’m always curious about you. You’re still quite a mystery to me.”

He rolls his eyes, and smiles, holding his hand out for me to take. “Really?”

“Lucien, I’d like to get to know every part of you.”

He blushes, and laughs. “You should really be careful with the words you choose, Luna. I know what you mean, but Arthur would get the wrong idea.”

It’s my turn to blush.

“You know what I meant,” I tut.

“Let’s go, then. We can let Arthur fend for himself.”

Outside the city, Lucien now stands in the middle of a forest clearing, away from the lights and the sounds. He holds his hands up and out at either side, having draped himself with a thin, black silk fabric that falls over him like water. It’s the same shroud he used in the Temple of Selene at the Academy, and I wonder if he’s always shrouded for every ceremony. He recites a practiced prayer to his ancestors, and it sounds like a song.

The king of death confesses his love to the queen of the heavens, their love doomed for all eternity. His shroud is the waters of the night that run through the underworld, carrying souls to their final resting place. His long braid, the chain that keeps him just out of reach from his beloved.

Lucien’s feathers blow gently in the breeze, and I wonder if they tickle his cheeks at all, or if he is just too focused on his task to notice. I stare up at the stars, feeling at peace in the silence, and in my drunken stupor, creating a narrative for their reunion.

When his murmured prayers come to an abrupt end, I turn to look at him, sensing the change in his routine. He gets to his knees and bows. When he stands again, he heaves a sigh of relief, and turns to face me.

“Would you like to try?” He offers.

“Um… I wouldn’t know what to do. I don’t want to look ridiculous.”

He holds his arms out in a grand gesture. “For your audience?”

“You know what I mean,” I smack his shoulder.

“There are no set rules. You simply thank your ancestors, and the gods. You can speak with your loved ones if you think they will listen.”

“I don’t think they will, since this is the first I’m hearing of such a thing. I don’t believe they would have received that notice.”

“You can thank Selene, then, for… whatever you’d like to thank her for.”

“Just Selene?” I eye him curiously.

“Well, I am from the Grove. We focus our worship more heavily on Selene, the light elves on Sol, and humans on Gaia.”

“I didn’t realize. Though I do remember seeing so many beautiful shrouds in Mirror Lake. I always wanted one, but my parents said those were not for me.”

“Come, stand next to me,” he says, holding out a hand.

When I stand up next to him, he pulls his shroud over my head, and around my neck. It feels incredibly soft, and I can’t resist running my fingers over it.

“What’s this for?”

“In case you cry, you can hide your tears, and keep the ancestors and the gods happy.”

“That’s… quite the challenge.”

He nods and smiles warmly at me. “But you can just go through Selene’s prayers.”

Lucien feeds me line by line the prayers of Selene, and the entire ceremony until I am face down on the grass bowing to her. The words feel strange on my tongue, and he stifles his laughs each time I mispronounce them. When the final line is butchered by my twisted tongue, I get to my feet after he instructs me to do so.

“Excellent. I’m sure Selene will bless you for the remainder of the year.”

“Wonderful,” I say, gently pulling the shroud off me, and handing it to Lucien.

Lucien folds it, and tucks it away gingerly into a velvet bag with drawstrings, which he stuffs into the pocket of his cloak.

“Do all your ceremonies require fancy shrouds?”

“Selene was the goddess of the night. The night is mysterious, hidden, secret, and beautiful.”

“Most people might think you’re a bit biased about that last one, even if you’re right.”

He smiles. “We can return to the festivities now. Thank you for coming with me. I know it was almost too exciting to bear.”

“I was day-dreaming through most of that, I admit.”

“Oh? Of course you were. What sort of ritual was I performing?”

“Oh, you were… vanquishing evil.”

“You’re lying. I can tell.”

“How can you tell?”

“You’re terrible at it.”

“I am. I dreamed you were king of the underworld, confessing your love to the queen of the heavens! Doomed love, and all of that.”

“How very like you,” he says, taking my hand to lead us back into the city. “You’re very attracted to that idea, aren’t you? Or is it something else you’re attracted to?”

“Would you really like to know?” I ask, grinning.

He gives me a knowing look. “Would you like several more hours of that ritual, then? I could go on. I cut it short for your benefit.”

“I hope you didn’t. I wished not to interrupt.”

“Well, we can remain here until sunrise.”

He turns to walk back to the clearing, but I take his arm, and pull him towards the city again.

“No thank you, though it was educational. I was never allowed to watch the dark elves do that whole… thing,” I’m embarrassed I might have used the wrong words, and even more embarrassed I’ve used the word ‘thing’ to replace them. “Uh, sorry…”

“Well, you were my guest of honor,” he heaves a heavy sigh. “The whole ordeal is meant to be a most personal affair for close family only.”

“Then I am even more honored that you would trust me with something so intimate. Have you ever invited Arthur?”

“He’s always stealing my shroud before I finish my prayers, and makes me chase him. He’s a nuisance sometimes. I think he gets bored.”

“I don’t blame him,” I stifle a laugh.

“I know it’s not a very interesting thing to watch, which is why I encouraged you to stay with Arthur in the first place, but you insisted.”

“Sorry…” I murmur.

“Master Eaimer wrote back to me, by the way. Since you seemed so interested in the lovers’ stars, I inquired about it, and he, being ever eager to please, did some in-depth research about it. They were simply meant to represent Selene and Sol. Sol worshiped Selene, and he had the heavens rearranged in their image, declaring his love for her before everyone.”

“He worshiped her?” I gasp.

“Indeed.”

“A woman?”

“The humans worship Gaia.”

“And Sol.”

“Unlike the rest of Amith, the dark elves have women who’ve ruled. We have one now, in fact. A queen.”

“You’re definitely lying, now. Everyone knows you’ve always had a king.”

He laughs. “Of course we do. However, he’s not the one in charge. Amith would be deeply offended to be dealing with a queen about important affairs, wouldn’t they? Just like with Nien and Zelfari. So we send our king in her stead. You know her best as my fiancée, which she isn’t.”

“I’ll have to see this for myself.”

“Should I have Master Eaimer backup my claims?”

“No, I believe you, it’s just so… strange.”

“Why?”

“You know why. If everyone just knows… and they still tolerate it… And the fact that you have a queen in the first place.”

“It’s strange that we’re all equal there? They respect each other, but it’s frowned upon. I’d think you’d appreciate such a thing.”

“I see,” I say, staring at my feet. “And I do. All the more reason to visit you when you leave.”

Lucien leans over to look into my face more closely.

“How else can I satiate your curiosity?” He smiles.

“So, that’s why you and Lumaria… won’t be forced to marry, but she still has the final say?”

“Yes. She is free to choose whomever she wishes.”

“Then, what is the problem? You should write to her. Get to know each other. Try to fall in love with the person you’ll one day be engaged to.”

“I was not expecting that response from you.”

“Sorry, it’s none of my business, but what other response should I give? You have a queen that wants you, and you cannot deny her.”

“I could write to her more often, I suppose,” he says, turning away, as we continue our journey back to the city. “In fact, I promise to do so. For you, and your burning curiosity.”

“And I’ll be more honest with Marcellus, because… it would be the right thing to do.”

“As you should be, by default, Luna,” he scolds me. “You shouldn’t really lie to others. Surely you’ve been raised better than that. You don’t strike me as a liar.”

“You’re mostly right about that. I lie to you all the time, and you never take offense.”

“You do? You… are you lying now? What do you lie about?”

“See? How would you know? You don’t know me as well as you think.”

“I want to.”