Aldric stepped out of the council chamber, the heavy wooden doors creaking shut behind him as he let out a sigh. The weight of diplomacy and politics pressed hard on his shoulders. He had never been fond of councils or their endless chatter, preferring the simplicity of action over words. His leather boots echoed against the stone hallway as he loosened the collar of his tunic, his scarred hands flexing as if to shake off the tension.
Outside, his soldiers were waiting, standing at attention, but Aldric raised a hand to dismiss them for now. "Take a break," he said gruffly. "I need a moment." The men nodded, dispersing quickly, leaving Aldric alone in the courtyard.
He leaned against a stone pillar, gazing out at the training grounds where young recruits sparred under the midday sun. Their laughter and shouts of exertion felt like a distant world compared to the suffocating formality of the council chambers.
"Socializing isn't your strong suit, is it?"
The familiar voice startled him, though he hid it well. Rylan stood a few feet away, a faint smile on his lips. The elf's long hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his emerald-green robes swayed gently in the breeze. He looked calm, as though the meeting hadn't drained him in the slightest.
Aldric snorted. "Not in the slightest. I'd rather face an army than sit through another round of their prattling."
Aldric's sharp gaze fell on Rylan's attire. The shimmering gold veil draped over his shoulders glinted in the sunlight, giving him an almost ethereal glow. The intricate moon insignia on his forehead, painted in delicate golden ink, caught Aldric's attention. He smirked, his voice dropping to a low, teasing tone.
"You know, Rylan, you make it quite difficult for a man to focus on anything else when you look like that. The gold suits you... makes you look otherworldly. Or maybe you just have that effect naturally."
Rylan glanced at him, unimpressed, though a faint pink dusted his cheeks. "Is that your attempt at a compliment, Aldric? You could work on your delivery."
Aldric chuckled, clearly amused. "I thought I delivered it just fine. It's not every day I see you looking this... divine."
Rylan rolled his eyes but chose to ignore the flirtation. "This is ceremonial attire," he explained, adjusting the veil slightly. "Tonight is the Moon Goddess Ceremony. Every full moon, elves gather by the lake to pray to the moon goddess, offering her thanks for her guidance and blessings."
"Sounds... spiritual," Aldric replied, though his tone wasn't mocking, just curious.
"It's tradition," Rylan continued. "We set up candles around the lake and offer food as a gesture of gratitude. It's a time for reflection and unity among our kind."
Aldric tilted his head, intrigued. "And what happens if someone who's not an elf attends? Say, a curious human?"
Rylan glanced at him, a hint of amusement flickering in his emerald eyes. "Humans aren't forbidden, but they rarely show interest. It's a sacred ritual, and we don't expect outsiders to understand its significance."
"Are you inviting me?" Aldric asked, his smirk returning.
"I wasn't planning to," Rylan said with a teasing lilt, "but if you're genuinely interested, I don't see why not. Just don't expect to drink or make jokes during the ceremony. It's a solemn occasion."
Aldric raised an eyebrow, clearly entertained. "No drinks, no jokes? You're really asking me to suffer, aren't you?"
Rylan laughed softly, the sound light and melodic. "You could use some peace and introspection, Aldric. It might do you some good."
Aldric shrugged, his smirk softening into something gentler. "Maybe I'll join. Who knows? Could be an interesting night."
Rylan didn't respond immediately, but the thought of Aldric, a human warrior, standing among the elves under the moonlight brought an uncharacteristic warmth to his chest. Perhaps it wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.
The soft chime of bells echoed in the room as Kaelen stirred, opening his crimson eyes. The golden hues of the setting sun filtered through the window, casting a warm glow across the room. His gaze fell on Aelor, who was standing near the dresser. Draped in a flowing, white, shimmering veil that caught the light like moonlit water, Aelor looked ethereal. His golden hair framed his face, glowing like a halo, and the freshly drawn moon mark on his forehead completed the otherworldly image.
Kaelen blinked slowly, momentarily mesmerized. The blanket slid slightly as he adjusted himself, his bare chest still warm from the cocoon of their shared bed.
Aelor turned, catching Kaelen's gaze. A soft smile spread across his lips. "You're awake." His voice was gentle, like a soft breeze. "I thought vampires didn't sleep."
Kaelen leaned back on the pillows, his tone light with a hint of teasing. "I wasn't really asleep. I was... pretending."
"Pretending?" Aelor raised a delicate eyebrow, his hands adjusting the veil draped over his shoulders.
Kaelen's lips curled into a rare, genuine smile. "Because it was peaceful. The warmth, your scent lingering on the bed, the sound of those bells... it's all so calming. I wanted to hold on to that moment a little longer."
Aelor flushed at the honesty, his hands nervously tugging at the fabric of his veil. "You're quite good at saying things like that, Kaelen."
Kaelen chuckled softly, sitting up, the blanket pooling around his waist. "I'm only honest when it comes to you." His eyes trailed over Aelor's figure, noting the moon mark on his forehead. "Are you preparing for something? You look... celestial."
Aelor nodded, still slightly flustered. "It's the Moon Goddess Ceremony tonight. It's important for my people. The moon mark is symbolic of our connection to her guidance."
Kaelen tilted his head, studying the mark with curiosity. "And does she only guide elves, or does she spare a moment for brooding vampires too?"
Aelor laughed softly, the sound warm and musical. "I think the Moon Goddess is kind to all creatures. Maybe she'll guide you too if you join us."
Kaelen's smirk softened as he reached out, brushing a strand of Aelor's golden hair behind his ear. "If she's anything like you, I think I could trust her."
Aelor's cheeks deepened in color, and he glanced away, adjusting the veil nervously. "You can't say things like that right before a sacred ceremony, Kaelen."
Kaelen leaned closer, his voice low and filled with warmth. "Why not? Isn't honesty sacred too?"
Aelor shook his head with a laugh, his heart racing. "You're impossible."
Kaelen's smile lingered as he watched Aelor finish preparing, the glow of the setting sun framing him perfectly. To Kaelen, Aelor wasn't just beautiful; he was his light in the darkness.
Kaelen slowly slid out of bed, his body moving with fluid grace, completely unaware of the effect his naked form had on Aelor. The warmth of their shared intimacy from the night before lingered in the air, and despite the tender calm, Aelor couldn't help but feel his heart race at the sight of Kaelen standing, his body lit by the soft glow of the setting sun.
Aelor quickly looked away, cheeks flushing. He was still adjusting to the closeness they'd shared, the vulnerability of their connection. His voice came out in a soft, embarrassed whisper. "Kaelen... could you... put some clothes on?"
Kaelen raised an eyebrow, amused, and glanced down at himself. He chuckled, clearly teasing. "You're shy now? After everything last night?"
Aelor's face deepened in color, his heart beating faster. "I— I just don't know why you're walking around like that," he stammered. "We— we should be decent, at least."
Kaelen couldn't help but grin, sensing the shy, flustered energy radiating from Aelor. He walked over with slow, purposeful steps, his eyes locking with Aelor's, making it hard for him to look away. When he was close enough, he reached out and gently rubbed his hand down Aelor's bare shoulder, sending a shiver through him. "You're so cute when you're shy."
Aelor's breath hitched at the touch, but he didn't pull away. Kaelen's fingers found their way to Aelor's hands, gently catching them, guiding them up to his lips. He pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to the back of Aelor's hand, holding it there as his gaze softened, a warmth that made Aelor's heart flutter. "If I ever marry you, I'll ask you to wear this again," Kaelen joked softly, his lips brushing against Aelor's skin. "You'd make a beautiful bride."
Aelor's eyes widened at the playful comment, his cheeks now as red as his heart felt. "W-what?" he stammered, struggling to hide his smile. "Kaelen, I—"
"Why not?" Kaelen murmured, still holding his hand gently. "You'd look even more stunning with the moonlight shining down on you in a dress."
Aelor swallowed, trying to compose himself, but the tenderness in Kaelen's voice made it impossible to keep his composure. "Stop teasing me," he said, but his voice betrayed him, a soft laugh slipping out.
Kaelen's expression softened, and he leaned in closer, his lips hovering just above Aelor's. "I'm not teasing, Aelor. I'm serious." His gaze was intense, his smile tender. "I'll always find a way to make you smile, no matter how shy you are."
Aelor's heart thumped loudly in his chest, but he smiled back, his hands still in Kaelen's gentle grasp. "I… I think I'd like that," he whispered.
Kaelen leaned forward, pressing a soft kiss to Aelor's forehead. "Good, because I'm never going to let you go, not ever again."
Aelor's eyes closed at the kiss, his heart swelling with emotion. Kaelen's words, the sincerity in his touch, made everything feel like it was falling perfectly into place. "I'm not going anywhere, Kaelen," Aelor whispered in return.