Violet gazed at the sleeping Alicia, who hovered mid-air, her serene expression glowing faintly in the dim light. Her attention shifted to Lucian, standing at the base of the mountain. Before Violet could blink, Lucian vanished and reappeared at the summit, his presence commanding and enigmatic.
Clutching Snowflake the playful bunny now sounds asleep Violet gently stroked its soft fur one last time. She used her free hand to weave a symbol into the air, her fingers moving with precision and purpose. A faint purple and pink light shimmered, revealing the intricate design she had drawn. Placing her hand against the glowing sigil, she closed her eyes, and in an instant, she disappeared, reappearing moments later atop the mountain.
Lucian stood by the treeline, his gaze fixed on a distant point, lost in thought. Violet broke the silence, her voice soft but firm.
"Lucian, shouldn't you bring Alicia down properly? She'll wake in pain if she stays suspended like this all night."
Lucian turned to face her, his expression unreadable. Violet stretched out her hand, summoning a flurry of flower petals that poured forth like a delicate waterfall. The petals swirled through the air, arranging themselves into a soft, fragrant bed on the ground. Satisfied, Violet stepped back and gave Lucian a nod, signaling him to lower Alicia.
But what happened next made Violet's breath catch in her throat.
Instead of gently guiding Alicia down with his telekinesis, Lucian abruptly released his hold on her. Alicia's sleeping form plummeted through the air, hurtling toward the ground at a terrifying speed.
"Lucian!" Violet cried out, horror gripping her.
Before her panic could escalate, Lucian moved. With supernatural speed and precision, he stepped forward, arms outstretched, catching Alicia effortlessly just before she could hit the ground. He cradled her gently, as though she were the most fragile thing in the world. Without a word, he laid her down on the petal bed Violet had created.
Violet's heart still raced as she watched him disappear for a brief moment, only to return with a soft blanket in his hands. He spread it over Alicia, ensuring she was warm and comfortable. Then, in a surprising act of tenderness, Lucian placed Snowflake beside Alicia, tucking both the girl and the bunny under the blanket.
He straightened and turned to face Violet, his eyes calm, as if nothing unusual had happened. Violet, however, remained rooted in place, speechless at the whirlwind of emotions the scene had evoked fear, awe, and a flicker of something she couldn't quite name.
★★★
Selina stood outside the royal dining hall, her steps faltering as Jake lingered beside her. The ornate doors loomed before them, but it wasn't their grandeur that made her hesitate; it was what she had to do next. She hated it, despised the charade she was about to play, but she had no choice.
Taking a steadying breath, Selina extended her hand toward Jake. The gesture felt unnatural, foreign even, but she forced herself to keep it steady. Jake, however, glanced at her outstretched hand and ignored it entirely, as if it didn't exist.
Her lips twitched, and she fought the urge to seize his hand and drag him in herself, her patience wearing thin. Instead, she plastered on a soft, radiant smile, her voice slipping into an uncharacteristically sweet tone.
"Honey," she said, the word tasting bitter on her tongue, "would you please hold my hand and lead me inside?"
Jake tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. He could barely contain his grin at this unusual display of politeness from Selina. She could tell he was enjoying her discomfort. After a moment, he relented, taking her hand with a deliberate slowness that only added to her irritation.
Still smiling, Selina allowed him to lead her forward as Jake pushed open the massive doors. The room greeted them with a golden glow from the sunlight streaming through the tall windows, illuminating the grand dining hall. The aroma of freshly baked bread and spiced tea filled the air, making her stomach stir despite her nerves.
Selina's gaze swept over the long, polished dining table at the center of the room. Her father sat in the grand chair at the head of the table, his commanding presence as imposing as ever. Beside him sat her mother, elegant and composed, her posture a mirror of royal perfection. To their left sat Rebel, her cousin, whose playful smirk betrayed his usual mischievous nature.
Her eyes moved to her father's right side, the seat where her sister Alicia always sat. It was empty. A faint unease crept into her chest, but she brushed it aside, hoping Alicia had simply chosen to eat in her quarters.
Jake led her to the left side of her father's seat and pulled out her chair with exaggerated courtesy, his playful smirk still lingering. Selina sat gracefully, smoothing her gown as Jake settled into his own seat beside her.
She turned to face her family, her expression warm and composed. "Good morning, Mother. Good morning, Father," she greeted with a polite smile. Then her eyes shifted to Rebel. "Good morning, Rebel."
Rebel raised his glass in a mock salute, his grin widening. "Morning, Selina."
Jake echoed her greeting, bowing his head slightly before the servants began placing platters of food before them. The table was soon laden with an assortment of dishes, from steaming soups to freshly baked pastries.
Selina waited until the first plates were served before breaking the silence. Her tone remained casual, but the concern in her eyes was evident. "Father, Mother," she began, her gaze shifting between them, "have you seen Alicia this morning? I couldn't help but notice she's not here."
Her parents exchanged a brief glance, their expressions unreadable, before her father spoke.
"I believe she may be having breakfast in her room," he said with a nod. Her mother quickly followed with a similar response. "Yes, that's likely it. She often prefers solitude in the mornings."
Selina nodded politely at their explanation, but it did little to quell the strange unease growing in her chest. Alicia's absence felt off somehow, as though something wasn't quite right. She stole a glance at Jake, who was silently observing her, his expression neutral but his eyes sharp.
The feeling lingered, gnawing at her as she tried to focus on the meal before her. Something was amiss; she just didn't know what yet.