The vigil was held in the village hall and the arena was large enough to contain everyone. All of the villagers were on black and thoroughly covered up because of the cold. As if the weather wanted to honor the chief as well, the sun had come out towards evening, even though it had been brief.
However, the cold was not Islinda's problem because she had a lot on her mind and they revolved around Eli and Valerie. She still couldn't accept the fact that the child had taken a liking to her evil stepsister after what she had done to him yesterday.
It seemed odd and didn't make sense. Just what did Remy win him over with? It wasn't with her food because that alone was poison. But then, Islinda had to admit it was nice knowing someone would watch over Eli while she waited for Valerie to arrive.
It would have been difficult seeing the Fae with the boy by her side and Islinda wasn't sure she wanted Eli privy to their interaction. Islinda had no idea what kind of relationship she had with Valerie now, but one thing was for sure, it was not suitable for a child like Eli.
That was why Islinda sat at the back of the hall and was close to one of the entrances. Although she worried about how Valerie would find her through this mass of people, he was confident and she believed his word.
It was dark but the hall was illuminated enough to see where one walked. Everyone came with a candle or lantern of their own. Seated on blankets spread on the floor, Islinda was attentively listening to the personal short stories told about the chief by selected villagers when she felt a shift in the air and someone occupied the space beside her.
She turned and the breath was knocked out of her lungs. The first thing Islinda noticed was his unnatural yet beautiful yellowish-amber eyes. He truly found her.
It was Valerie and he indeed took her advice of dressing in a black cloak with a hood that covered his pointed Fae ears. Her heart went out to the villager he stole that from, it was simply not going to happen again. In order not to draw attention since the vigil was completely silent, Islinda faced forward and concentrated on the speeches.
Who was she kidding?
Islinda was not able to concentrate at all, especially when Valerie reached between them and took her hand in his, intertwining them together. Her throat dried up and she found it actually hard to swallow. It was just holding hands but a thousand butterflies seemed to flutter in her belly and Islinda felt desire for a man for the first time.
Hence it was not surprising that when it was time to honor the chief by playing and dancing to his favorite song, Valerie and Islinda snuck away.
"Where are you going? The dance seemed interesting," Valerie's laughter echoed in the air even as she dragged him away from the village's presence.
"Hush, Valerie," She turned and pressed her finger against his lips only for her cheeks to burn and she removed her hand with a jerk, having realized what she did.
Valerie smirked at her, as if realizing the kind of effect he had on her. Islinda's cheek grew hotter and she fanned her face with her palm. Why was she feeling heat in the cold?
"I'm just saying it could have been fun or don't you love dancing?" He stared at her in amusement.
"Of course, I love dancing!" She said loudly, realizing a little too late she was worked up over nothing. It was simply a dance - which she was horrible at.
Islinda cleared her throat, "I'm just saying it might not be safe for you. What if you get lost in the dance and your hood falls off, then everyone realizes what you are…." Her chest constricted at the thought. It was shocking to Islinda how she cared too much for this Fae. If she wasn't careful, she would dare say he was her soul mate.
He reached out and squeezed her shoulder, "You don't have to worry about me, I'm more powerful than you think."
Valerie knew he should tell her about his royal heritage but he enjoyed the way things were between them and wouldn't want her to treat him otherwise. He was just a simple Fae now enamored by a lovely human.
"If you say so then," Islinda let out a deep breath and they were back staring at each other. Dear gods, he was beautiful.
Valerie must have noticed the sexual tension between them because he asked, "Is there a place where we can be alone?"
Those words spoke volumes and she swallowed hard. Islinda was not a kid and knew what he was offering even if she had not done it before. But she has read books, heard stories and she was all but a lady. As a lady who hunts amongst men, she has had offers from several males, and while some were romantic, the others crude. Not to mention men made a lot of dirty jokes.
Of course, she had declined them because none of them held her attention and Islinda was a romanticist. She wanted a man who would love her and together they would have a family and a happily ever after. Yeah, a fairytale love. Perhaps, the reason she hasn't been interested in any man so far was because she had been waiting for Valerie to come along.
Suddenly, her eyes hardened with resolve but even as strong as she appeared to be, her voice still shook.
"F-follow me."
It was a good thing they were not holding hands anymore because she was jittery with nerves and gave space for doubt to come in. Was she doing the right thing? What if Valerie doesn't like what he sees? She was a virgin, would it hurt as much as they say? Also, Valerie was a Fae, would his thing be different from a human male? Where would their relationship head after this? Why does this sound like a mistake?
However, Valerie took her hand in his and smiled at her and her anxieties vanished at once. He filled her with strength and Islinda found herself smiling back at him. Perhaps, she was thinking too much and sex was supposed to be done without constant worrying.
They arrived at the old mill which was through a small meadow where the villagers like to relax, but with everyone gone to the vigil, no one would dare to bother them there. But as soon as she locked the door and turned, Valerie's lips were on hers and Islinda forgot how to breathe.
It was really happening.