“Lous,” whispers Celestia.

Before opening my eyes, I memorize the last of the fading details of my dream where I am a princess in a beautiful palace. Celestia’s outline slowly appears before me, as my vision focuses, the bright morning rays obstructing my view of her face. I rub my eyes, grumble incoherently, and stretch. There are a few unpleasant aches in my body; upper back, legs, and the joints of my right hand due to holding my spell for so long during yesterday’s exam.

The words Marcellus spoke the night before; the words ‘I love you’, begin to bounce around in my head, chipping away at my excitement for this day’s journey. The events of last night had kept me from resting peacefully, but I’ve decided I can’t stay angry with Marcellus. I can’t, because I’m going to miss him too much, and I’m afraid that I might love him, too, even though he behaved like an idiot to that dark elf. It’s a flaw in his otherwise shining personality.

“Where were you last night?” Celestia whispers to me. “Were you with him?”

I bolt upright to a sitting position in a panic. My cheeks instantly warm up, betraying me.

“I guess I wasn’t as quiet as I thought I was,” I groan, feeling certain she’s going to threaten to tell my parents.

“I could feel the shift in the air,” she says dreamily, taking a seat next to me in bed. “It’s fine. I won’t tell mother and father. I thought it was strange you didn’t spend more time with him when you knew you were leaving soon.”

Strong magic does not run in our family, but the Master’s have always had an affinity for wind magic. Solera can summon a gentle breeze on a sweltering summer day. Celestia cannot be snuck up on, claiming she can feel the vibrations in the air. My mother is able to predict what the weather will be like two weeks in advance. My grandmother walks unusually fast, and has very light steps (she always enjoyed scaring us when we misbehaved as children). My great grandmother could hear anything from several miles away. My great great grandmother could fall from a great height, and always land safely on the ground. On and on it goes to the very first Wind-Caller of Amith. My sisters and I have trained to go to the Academy, but neither of them possess the ability to become stronger… yet. I’m hopeful they will soon, or our abilities will just fizzle out of the family line completely, because what’s the use, otherwise?

I’ve failed my training before, and thought I was never going to be a Mystic, until the fateful day I saved a boy with a gush of wind. My family was filled with such pride that day, theorizing that not only did the Masters finally have a Mystic in the family, but that I will be the strongest in a long line of Wind-Callers. My theory is that I will probably only reach level one, and maybe several generations from now, the Masters family will have a member that could possibly reach level two, if we continue at our current pace.

“Yeah,” I sigh, feeling it was useless to lie to my sister about my visit with Marcellus. “I was with him. We haven’t really had much time to talk lately, I’ve been so busy studying.”

“Studying, sleeping, neglecting your chores.”

“Gods,” I laugh. “You sound just like our mother. Are you feeling alright?”

“I couldn’t even keep track of the number of times I’ve had to do laundry because mom said you were too tired from your studies to do it yourself,” the corner of her mouth twitches in irritation.

“Have I mentioned that I’m very bad at potions, and that using magic is physically exhausting?” I smile, and she rolls her eyes at me. “I’ll probably never reach level two at the Academy, so I’ll be back soon enough to make it up to you.”

“What?” She gasps, startling me. “Luna! Don’t say that! You’re amazing at it! You’ve learned so much this past year. I know you’ll reach level five in record time, and I intend to be right behind you!”

“Cels…I didn’t know you believed in me,” I chuckle, and slap her upper arm lightly.

“Lous, Sols and I are rooting for you. If you can make it, then when it’s our turn, mother and father won’t be so concerned.”

“What if I can’t do it?” I hug my legs, and bury my face into my knees, trying to keep the warmth encased in my chest. “You’re going to have a rough time.”

“And you can come back and open a potions shop,” she cackles.

“Miss Eisley would love that!” I laugh. “I’ll miss you, Cels.”

“We’ll be here, and the Academy soon,” she rolls her eyes. “Let’s get downstairs, and celebrate your going away breakfast. I’ve been looking forward to getting half of this bedroom for a long time.”

“Ha. Ha,” I laugh, dryly. “Mom’s not going to let you rearrange our room. When I visit, I’ll need a place to stay.”

“Well, don’t visit then. I thought you were trying to leave, anyway. I came up here to tell you that Marcellus is here,” she sings, leaving the room.

My mind goes blank for a moment as I recall the previous night once more. I rush around the room tidying my hair, straightening out my clothing, and applying some powder to my cheeks so I can look somewhat alive at this ungodly hour.

When I finally walk downstairs, after getting lost in my frantic morning daze, I’m surprised to find Miss Eisley and Marcellus sitting at the table enjoying bread, cheese and fruits.

“Good morning, Luna,” greets Miss Eisley, politely. “I’ve brought your letters. Your mother insists you’d want me to see you off this morning.”

“My mother is correct. I hope you don’t mind,” I give my mother a grateful smile, which she returns with a knowing wink.

“I can walk with you to the edge of town,” Miss Eisley says, with a warm smile.

“Thank you, Miss Eisley.”

“I was going to walk with you until you made it to the main road,” Marcellus informs me.

“Thank you, Marc. I appreciate that.”

“From there, the roads will be safe enough for you to travel alone,” adds my mother. “That doesn’t mean you can go day-dreaming, like you always do.”

“Yes, mother,” I mumble.

After a long breakfast, everyone seems reluctant to begin saying their final goodbyes. My father eventually sighs heavily, and stands up from his seat at the table.

“It’s time, Luna,” he says, with a sad smile.

I nod, and look around the room into all of their faces, carefully burning each of them to memory.

It’s a tearful goodbye as we all walk to the edge of town where the sign for Bellehaven has been sitting for as long as I can remember, touched up every few years with a fresh coat of paint for the letters. I wave at everyone, until they’re no longer visible around the bend.

“Lou,” Marcellus places a hand on my shoulder to comfort me. “Hey, you’ll be back in no time. We’ll all be here, and you can see us whenever you want.”

“I swear to visit on holidays l-like Night of Shadows and Harmony Day.”

“I’m holding you to that,” he says, with forced cheerfulness.

His face sinks into the same look from the night before. It’s a look of hopelessness, deep sadness, and maybe heartbreak? I know I’m feeling heartbroken.

Marcellus and I reminisce for hours while we walk, laughing, crying, and teasing each other about the foolish things we did in the past. We share resurfaced memories I’ve long forgotten, but deeply treasure. Memories that make me smile so long, my jaw and cheeks begin to hurt, or memories that make my eyes tear up with laughter. Memories so sad, my heart is in knots, or so upsetting, my heart races as I recall them.

“You remember that time when you were at the festival, and you confused me for my sisters?” I ask, with a teasing wink.

“You all dressed exactly the same!” He whines, defensively. “Besides, the moment you spoke, I knew it was you.”

“I know. You could always tell the difference between us even though no one else could.”

“Well, some of their friends could.”

“That’s true. Gods, you were my only friend.”

“You should have made more.”

“You’re right, I’ll have to work on that. I could have been walking out here with a whole crowd of people, instead of just you. You’d have someone to… walk back with…” I trail off.

“You remember that one time when we were on the bridge-”

“After I’d fallen in because Solera scared the lights out of me?” I guess.

“Yep, that was the only time you’ve fallen off a bridge.”

“That’s true.”

“We spent hours looking for that ridiculous bracelet you dropped that you insisted on taking everywhere with you! We missed the entire lighting of the lanterns, and had to watch them from a distance as they floated off without ours. Then you took both of our lanterns, lit them, and let them float down the river without everyone else’s. I thought I was going to live alone for the rest of my life.”

“I liked that bracelet. It was my favorite.”

“It was a stupid bracelet. You could have gotten another easily.”

“No, because it was the first gift I received from someone in Bellehaven.”

“Was it?”

“Yes! You got it for me, remember?”

“No… I don’t.”

“We weren’t alone, either,” I murmur, shyly. “We would have had each other. That’s what I thought, anyway.”

“You and me, for the rest of our lives? Nobody else? That sounds lonely.”

“!ell, the following year, we made it to the lighting ceremony,” I inform him, remembering it was the same day I was certain I wanted to leave Bellehaven, and for Marcellus to remain happy. “We’d have our families with us.”

“It didn’t matter,” he sighs. “I knew that even if I didn’t make it that year, I’d at least get to be with you for the rest of my life. And now you’re missing this year's lighting.”

“I’ll make it, Marcellus, to every single one after my time at the Academy, I swear.”

“Lou, I love you,” he states, matter-of-factly.

My heart plummets to my stomach, followed by a heaviness in my chest where it once was. It spreads through me, making me feel like I’m about to crumble from the inside out.

“Right… I thought about that,” I mumble, sadly. “I thought about it all night, the day before this journey, thanks to your terrible timing, in fact. I think it’s all this touchy feely thing of me leaving. You’re just sad, so it’s making everything more…”

It’s making everything too real and permanent, but I can’t admit that out loud to him, or I will never leave. Escape is within my reach, but each time he says those words to me, I’m being pulled back into a place of doubt. Would life with him make me happier?

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Last year, when you started your studies, I saw this amazing side of you I’d never seen before. You weren’t this sad, bored girl that saw no beauty in life, and became this happy, excited woman that had a new passion for living. I was gobsmacked, Luna. I learned so much about you, and suddenly, I couldn’t imagine a life without you.”

“Marcellus, you…”

Why does he have to say all of this as I’m finally leaving? If he’d said it sooner, I wouldn’t have fought so hard to leave. I would have stayed. I know I would have.

“It’s alright, you don’t have to say anything. I realized then that the woman I’d grown to love would be gone if she stayed here. I just… need you to know that I’m going to miss you, and I wish only the best for you. And please come back when you can.”

“Thank you, Marcellus, but for your information, I’d always been that woman.”

“Have you?”

“Yes, you just had a blindfold on.”

Marcellus and I are sitting by a fire eating some bread and meats we’d packed for the journey. They compliment each other well; soft, chewy bread and salty, savory, dry smoked meat. I’ll grow sick of it soon, as it was all I’d been able to pack for the trip that would keep.

“So, Novice Luna Masters, what will you do once you become the most powerful Wind-Caller in all of Amith?”

“I wouldn’t be the most powerful,” I grumble in embarrassment. “I bet I couldn’t even make it past level two.”

“Luna, you’re going to. I know you. When you’ve got your mind set on something, you go at it full force. I… actually had never noticed that about you before…” he trails off.

“My mother calls it the Master’s stubbornness. She said my father has it, and I inherited an extra helping from both of them.”

“It suits you. You’re going to be amazing, you know.”

“What if I’m not?” I chuckle.

“You never turn down a challenge, and you will always be amazing, no matter what you choose to do, as long as it makes you happy.”

“Now you’re just being too nice,” I turn away from him, shyly. “Are you sure you’re the same Marcellus I knew in Bellehaven?”

“Heh,” he laughs nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “Sorry.”

“I heard Abigail is even more stubborn than I am,” I put forth.

“Gods, Luna, at least let me finish feeling sad about this, before telling me what my options are,” he grins. “You can’t just keep tossing me at other girls.”

“I heard Aurora is very good at being a complete pain in the ass, too. I’m leaving big shoes to fill, but I’m sure she could take my place.”

“Aurora!” He exclaims with some discomfort. “I don’t like her. She’s so insufferable.”

“I don’t knoooooow,” I tease him. “I really like her, she reminds me of myself.”

“Trust me, Luna. No one can deal with someone just like you, especially you. I bet if you did meet someone just like you, you wouldn’t like them.”

“Remember when we played that trick on her? I gave her that sleeping potion, saying it would give her a good night’s rest, and she overslept for that birthday party.”

“Her mother got so angry when she was late! Served her right for making fun of me.”

“But then I got in trouble,” I roll my eyes, remembering my punishment of extra chores I’d received. “I guess I did deserve it. I certainly wasn’t building up a good reputation for my future potions shop.”

“I remember sneaking into your room, after nearly killing your mother’s flower bushes, and keeping you company as we missed all of the music and the good food that night.”

“And you brought me that soggy pastry,” I choke back my laughter.

My eyes instantly fill with tears of laughter as I picture the damp pastry that looked like a thick soup in its paper wrappings, and an equally soggy Marcellus dripping water all over my bedroom floor.

“It rained!” He cries out, defensively.

“And then you gave me yours, and lied that you’d already had one, like a fool.”

“You knew?” His cheeks blush.

“I knew. You’re a terrible liar.”

“And you didn’t share?”

“You would have fought me all night, and it would have gotten cold by the time you took some.”

“You’re probably right. I was an idiot.”

I look towards the night sky at Selene, as she smiles down upon us. How can she bless me with powers, but also curse me by forcing me to go through the pain of leaving everything I know behind? Why did she take so long to give me this pain of leaving after I fought so hard to escape?

“You’re so ridiculous, Marc.”

“I know. That was the day I realized you cared about me, though.”

“Of course I care about you. You’re my friend.”

“You cared for me more than any friend, Luna. I was just too blind to see it.”

“No,” I scoff, feeling my cheeks burning. “I didn’t.”

“Luna, admit it. I’ve… noticed your feelings changed, too.”

“Well,” I turn to face him, so I can gaze directly into his eyes. “They didn’t change, according to you. You just removed your blindfold, and I stopped hiding my feelings.”

The green tint in his eyes shimmers in the firelight, stealing my breath away. His eyes fall on my mouth, and his lips part slightly.

“It’s not like it would stop me, anyway,” I turn away from him, in order catch my breath.

“I know,” he sighs. “Let’s get to bed.”

“Morning, Lou,” Marcellus whispers, lifting the flap of my tent.

I stretch uncomfortably, feeling every ache in my body from the rough ground I slept on. The air is freezing, but I’ve sweat through the night.

“You were toasty last night, weren’t you?” he asks, handing me a packet of food wrapped in some leaves. “I found a stream, so I filled up your waterskin, and your canteen.”

“Thanks, but I’m going to change,” I shiver. “Or I’m going to freeze.”

“Sure. Hurry back.”

Marcellus and I are walking quietly down the muddy road, the cloudy skies making the forest dark, and the faint glow of the flower spirits visible. They glint when the raindrops pass through them. The sight of them mesmerizes me, and transports me to a fantastical world where I’ve become a spirit of the forest. I live carelessly, without burdens and expectations weighing down on me. I am happy with all of my other spirit friends and family. I am able to leave Bellehaven and see all the forests of Amith, traveling swiftly to any location in the blink of an eye. Would it be a life worth living?

“I’m going to miss seeing this,” I admit, sadly. “The darkest parts of the forests near the City of Lights are too far away. I also heard they never get light showers like this. Just a deluge of water.”

“You’ll have to make sure to visit this time of year, then,” Marcellus says cheerfully.

“Miss Eisley was telling me that there are small winged creatures in those forests, though. I can’t wait to see them. They take offerings of seeds, and sweet things. She said there are also little moving balls of moss that can be found there.”

”You’ll certainly be keeping yourself busy trying to familiarize yourself with the local wildlife, I suppose.”

”Well, they’re mostly in the northern forests where it’s warmer. Maybe I can visit Zelfari if I take up an interest in learning how to make enchanted devices. I do have to study enchantments as part of my coursework.”

”Wow, Zelfari!” He looks scared for a moment, then puts on a mask of happiness. “That’d be such a long trip!”

“It’s not as long if I take a horse. Just… three weeks. I heard they have vehicles now that work without horses, too! They run off heated water, enchantments, and other miraculous things.”

“I hope you can go there one day, then. You’ll have to tell me all about it.”

“I hope so, too. I’ll have to travel with a wagon for all the gifts I’ll have to carry back.”

I remember the day Miss Eisley described, with glistening eyes, all the magical objects she’d seen being sold as trinkets in every corner of Zelfari. Her eyes were wide with excitement, and I hung on her every word in disbelief at the objects she described. Trinkets like the Chronosphere she keeps in her office that became incredibly valuable to a place as small as Bellehaven. Miss Eisley had described many other objects, too, that could emit light without fire, or measure the temperature of air with floating glass spheres of various liquids, and even metal limbs to replace those lost in accidents or war.

“If I’d known I was going to get soaked again, I wouldn’t have bothered changing. I hope this shower stops soon,” I step into another mud puddle which was deeper than it looked, and let out a groan when it splashes my trousers.

“You heard your mother, it’ll be nice and cool after this. It’s just autumn coming, and we’re expecting two short weeks of rain. You’ll get to see the leaves change colors once you get to the academy.”

“If I could even see it. The trees will be so far from the city.”

“Maybe you’ll have a beautiful room in a tall tower where you can see for miles and miles away. And maybe you even could see the mountains of Castin from there.”

”I’d need incredibly good eyesight, and not a cloud in the sky to see that far, Marc.”

“Gods, you remember that time we tried to cross the Misthaven River?”

I grimace. “Those were not mists. More like rapids.”

“I thought for sure we were going to drown that day!” He laughs.

“Then Solera and Celestia came to save us, knowing we were up to something foolish again. That was so embarrassing.”

“You looked so funny walking up the bank with your hair plastered to your face.”

“You’re one to talk. You looked like a wet mutt. Ugh, mom was so angry, I didn’t think I’d ever stop doing chores.”

“My hands were raw from all the plowing my dad had me do,” he glances at me, and gives me a pained look.

“I remember that. Every time we met up together, you’d stick your hands in the river while I stuffed you full of apples.”

“And healing draughts.”

“You were the perfect person to test them on.”

I grin widely, remembering Marcellus’ eagerness to drink my potions, and how much Miss Eisley had scolded me because Marcellus was supposed to learn some sort of lesson from his punishment. I remember being near tears every night from the full day of labor, and how Marcellus went out of his way to make me laugh when we could finally sit down. We’d enjoy a late dinner together in the barn, and chat for hours despite his injuries and his eagerness to have his wounds healed.

Marcellus hums quietly as I remember other times with him, until we finally stop for a rest, and a quick snack of nuts and berries. I sit under a large tree, and watch the rain, and staring up at the leaves of the trees, their veins made more visible through the sunlight. How can something I’ve seen my whole life still look so beautiful? A few shadows dart around us from tree to tree, visible from the corners of my eyes. They are most likely shadowstalkers, protectors of the forests. They’re harmless, but always make me feel uneasy. They look like a cluster of nothingness, ready to swallow everything around them. Marcellus never seems bothered by them, but they’ve always filled me with a feeling of dread.

“Hey, don’t eat all the berries. Leave some for me,” he whines, taking a seat next to me.

I hand the small pouch over to him, and struggle to keep up with the shadowstalkers dashing through the trees. They stop at a single spot, something having caught their attention. It sends a shiver down my spine.

“Ahh,” sighs Marcellus, satisfyingly. “The rain has finally stopped. Did you want to change?”

“Gladly,” I say, placing my bag down, and pulling out a dry set of clothing.

I eye Marcellus suspiciously, and he laughs nervously.

“Sorry, I’m not looking,” he says, turning his gaze away from me.

I change, struggling to remain hidden beneath my cloak, and afraid I’ll trip over. I trust Marcellus not to peek, but is he actually trustworthy? I know I’d take a peek at him, given the opportunity to do so.

“Done!” I announce, turning to face him.

I quickly look away when I see he has also begun to change, and is shirtless.

“Sorry! I didn’t know!” I say, shyly walking away.

“It’s fine, Lou. I’ve got pants on.”

The night is unusually cold. I toss and turn, unable to find a position that will keep me warm. I can hear Marcellus shivering some distance away in his own tent.

“I’m still cold, and I’ve even got my cloak over me,” I whimper pathetically.

“It should warm up tomorrow,” he responds, his voice shaking.

A shiver courses through me, causing my teeth to chatter. This is miserable. The cold has already reached my bones.

“I’m going to freeze to death before then,” I grumble.

“I’m not giving you my blankets,” he grumbles.

“Can we just share a bed?”

There’s a long pause, and he doesn’t respond. Should I feel embarrassed about making such a suggestion to him? On the other hand, is that fair given this is a life or death situation?

“Very well,” he murmurs at last.

Marcellus mutters curses under his breath as he takes down his tent, packs it away, and enters mine. He tosses his cloak and blanket over me before he slips into my sleeping pack, and wraps his arms around me. His touch makes me flinch, and I laugh nervously, as he gets comfortable at my back

“Better?” He whispers, his warm breath blowing on my lower neck, sending pleasant, unfamiliar shivers through my body.

“Yes,” I whisper back, feeling my heart fluttering. “Much better.”

“Luna…” He says, his tone serious, which catches me by surprise.

“Yes, Marc?”

“Can I kiss you? I’m afraid I’ll regret it if I don’t.”

I feel heat rush my body, and my breath catches. This will be wrong. This is wrong. I will be stealing his first kiss, and breaking his heart. Or this could be the final trap, and I’ve doomed myself. What if I like it? What if I don’t? What if this seals my fate?

“Why would you regret it?” I tease him, laughing nervously.

“Lou,” he says, moving closer to me. “I just will.”

Still, I can’t imagine kissing anyone else at the moment. Should I have my first kiss before I reach the city? It might be embarrassing to be this old, and having never had my first kiss, anyway.

“I guess it’ll be alright.”

He cups my cheek, and I shut my eyes, afraid I’ll do something stupid if I watch him. He presses his lips against mine gently, and they’re sweet and soft, just like I’ve always imagined they would be.

A twig snaps somewhere in the forest nearby, and our bodies tense. My heart begins pounding, and I swear if anyone is out there, they could hear it. I search blindly for my bag, feeling the familiar straps at my fingertips, and pulling back the flap that covers the side pocket. The pocket is filled with Nightshade Lumina. I place a single leaf in my mouth, and chew it thoroughly. Cautiously stepping outside the tent with my dagger held firmly in one hand, I scan the surrounding forest for any movement. The cold now seeps into my blood, and my remaining warmth is sent up into the air in small, white puffs. A bush rustles in the distance, and a deer steps out from amongst the treeline, drawing my attention. I sigh with relief, re-enter the tent, and collapse from the sudden feeling of exhaustion that overcomes me.

“Just a deer. Gods, I was terrified.”

“We should get some sleep, or we might not be alert enough in the morning.”

“Right.”