I couldn't contain my excitement as Raye finally agreed to take me to his hometown. For some odd reason, he always hesitated, thinking his brothers wouldn't approve of me. I couldn't quite pinpoint the exact reason - maybe they thought I was after his money, or maybe it was because I only had my Uncle Charles as family. Perhaps they just didn't like the idea of me whisking Raye away from their small town to the bustling city of Starlight Shores.
"I can't believe you're going through with this madness," read the note from Rhea, my best friend. I could almost hear her voice in my head, speaking in her native tongue accent.
"I gave him an ultimatum, and he agreed. I'll go to his village, bring him back with me, and that'll be that. We don't need his family's money," I scribbled back in purple ink, using my favorite pen.
"He's keeping so many things from you, and I'm worried you're not seeing the whole picture clearly. You've been strange ever since your imaginary cousin," she replied in a flash.
"I'm not crazy, Nirvana is real, Uncle Charles remembers her too," I quickly replied. "Enough of that."
"At least let me come with you," she quickly replied.
"Oh, it'll be fine," I scribbled back with a smile, standing up from my desk after class. Taking a quick glance at myself in the reflection of the classroom window, I smoothed down my hair and checked my dress buttons one last time. The sun was setting on this enchanting Friday, and just as I was lost in thought, Raye appeared and took my hand.
"Where are we off to?" asked my friend Raye, her eyes wide with curiosity as she peered out the car window.
"To the manor," Raye replied, his voice as soft as a lullaby. "Tonight's a special night, my love. I want my family there with us."
"But do tell me more!" I playfully pouted, my heart fluttering like a captured butterfly.
Raye chuckled, his dimples deepening. "Patience, my dear. It will all be worth it." As we drove towards his family manor, I stole glances at Raye. His raven-black hair fell across his forehead, and his blue eyes sparkled with hope. He was more handsome than ever, a rugged prince straight out of my favorite fairy tales. His smile, the one that lit up my world, was a secret shared only between us.
Under the watchful gaze of the moon, Raye would reveal everything - the hidden truths, the promises, and perhaps even a proposal. My heart danced, knowing that tonight, amidst the embrace of the manor's ancient oaks, our love story would unfold like delicate petals at dawn. As the car bumped along the winding path, I held onto his hand tightly, ready to step into our forever.
It was a moon-kissed night, where magic and reality intertwined in an enchanted garden. Under the Grand Tree of Luminescence, its ancient branches stretched wide, adorned with twinkling lights that whispered promises between the stars and the earth. The tree stood as a sentinel, holding the memories of centuries within its bark.
Beneath this celestial canopy, tables draped in white linen awaited guests - Raye's family and our kindred spirits alike. Crystal goblets gleamed, and silverware lay in anticipation. The air was fragrant with jasmine and freshly baked bread, a symphony of flavors waiting to be savored. Laughter echoed through the night, a melody that danced alongside the rustling leaves.
With hands roughened by the touch of adventure, yet as gentle as a whisper, he took hold of my hand and led me to the heart of the setting, bathed in a cascade of starlight. Here, beneath the shimmering sky, two souls found themselves bound by destiny.
Raye, a man of courage and a heart as valiant as a lion, felt the rhythm of his heart quicken like a thousand drums as he approached me, bearing a small velvet box - the key to their shared fate. Within that box, not a ring, but a magnificent Shining Blue gemstone lay gleaming.
The excitement in the air was soon replaced by bewilderment, for this was meant to be the moment when dreams transformed into reality. An event of grand proportions, fit to be written in the annals of fairy tales, yet fate seemed to have other plans.
Just as I was about to voice my confusion, a colossal figure emerged from the shadows, towering over the tallest trees and casting a shadow that blanketed us. Its roar reverberated through the forest, a primal sound that stirred both wonder and fear. My eyes widened as the giant form loomed before us, momentarily shattering the dreamlike moment. I clung to Raye's hand, momentarily forgetting the enchantment that had brought us here. The creature spoke in a language foreign to our ears, its words resonating deep within our bones. A message across time and space, an ancient warning or a prophecy of doom and then, with a sudden descent, the beast landed before us. Flames enveloped the creature, only to reveal not a monster, but a man - a man of towering stature and raw power.
Once dirt-stained skin now shimmered with sweat and determination, eyes that were once amber now pools of darkness brimming with intensity. Tattered clothing clung to his muscular frame, a force of nature in human form.
My heart was racing a mile a minute, questions swirling in my head like a whirlpool. Who was this mysterious stranger who had just crashed our perfect moment? His gaze felt like it could see right through me, leaving the world around us holding its breath in anticipation.
"I seek my kin," the towering figure boomed, his voice echoing like thunder yet strangely clear. The demand seemed to shake the very trees, sending shivers down my spine. Had I heard that voice somewhere before?
Meanwhile, Mia, our loyal observer, stood frozen in place, her whispers barely audible as she turned to Cass, confusion etched on her face. "What in the world is going on?"
The Dragon's attention shifted to me, his movements filled with a grace that was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. His anger simmered beneath the surface, but his focus on me was unwavering. "I suppose this is the sacrifice," he murmured, his words sending chills down my spine.
"What? What does he mean?" I managed to stammer out, my mind racing to keep up with the bizarre turn of events. Raye stood frozen, his father, on the other hand, acted with swift authority. "Take your mate and leave my lands," he commanded, his tone resolute and unwavering.
In a sudden whirl of motion, the Dragon shifted, scales transforming into flesh, and just like that, he was the beast once more. His claws enveloped me, and we were soaring into the night sky, leaving behind Raye's manor and the echoes of destiny in our wake.