Ethereal Night

It was a beautiful summer night, with a clear sky and bright stars showering the empty streets with a tender light. Beatrice was sitting on the windowsill of her chamber, waiting for midnight. She turned off the lights and was looking up at the sky, counting stars until she reached 20, the birthday she was so eager to celebrate for herself in a few minutes.

She has already dressed in her nightgown and was hugging a pillow, thinking of how she could spend the next day. She looked on the wall opposite her at the clock: five more minutes until midnight.

But suddenly she saw movement outside with the corner of her eye. A shadow appeared at the end of the road, growing as it approached. The trees started rustling, covering up the sounds that the newcomer made. She glanced back at the clock. Three more minutes left. When she looked back at the street, she saw that the figure was getting closer and closer to her home. But then she realized what it was.

A man dismounted from the most beautiful stallion she has ever seen and, without breaking eye contact with her, he climbed the wall easily and reached her window. She looked in dismay as her boyfriend, Matthew, started grinning and gestured for her to open up.

She tried to regain her composure quickly, jumped off the windowsill into the dark chamber, and let him in.

“Hope you didn’t really think I wouldn’t show up with a surprise for you, my dear,” he said while closing the distance between them and kissing her hand courteously.

“And I hope you didn’t really think you could possibly win me over with a stallion,” she said giggling.

He looked deeply into her eyes. “No,” he said slowly, “I know better than to offer my girl material presents. I’m here to offer you an experience.” He glanced at the clock, then leaned in to kiss her, whispering “Happy birthday, Betty.”

No more than a few minutes ago, the girl was thinking that she would wait until midnight, then go to sleep. But now her entire body sang with energy, with the prospect of adventure.

“Well then, mister Robin Hood, I must appreciate your timing. And your dedication,” she said after a while. “Now, are you going to tell me why exactly did you come here in the middle of the night? And with a horse?”

A charming, wicked smile was beginning to enlighten his face as he backed away, turning to the window. “Don’t worry, my lady, you will find out soon enough. But as the princess you are, I believe that this little excursion of ours would advocate for one of your ethereal dresses,” he said with a wink. “I’ll wait for you outside.” he stepped on the sill, ready to jump, but then he turned around looking thoughtful, “You should also get your cape. The night breeze is colder than expected tonight.” Then he disappeared in a whirl of black material from his own cloak.

Ten minutes later, the girl jumped off her window into the dark night. She had chosen a burgundy chiffon dress and her turquoise cloak. If Matthew didn’t tell her what to expect, then why not go for the most exquisite pieces of her garderobe? It was her birthday after all.

She hit the ground lightly, straightening herself in a second and starting to pace towards the stallion.

When he caught sight of her, Matthew’s eyes widened and he bowed deeply. “Your enchanting presence surprises me as always, young beauty.”

“Since when did you start behaving like a knight?” She teased him.

“Since I understood I would do anything to deserve a gorgeous, intelligent lady like yourself,” he said, taking her hand into his. Then he continued, a mischievous smile flourishing at the edge of his mouth, “Now, shall we go?”

He helped her get on the horse, then mounted beside her and took the reins. One swift move and they were racing into the darkness, the wind at their sides.

Beatrice let herself get lost in the delight of it. She settled her back against Matthew’s chest, feeling his steady heartbeat and closing her eyes. After a while, her courage and adrenaline prodded her into spreading her arms like wings. She heard the boy giggle, but she didn’t mind. She knew that this was about to become one of the happiest memories in her life, so she wanted to make the most of it.

They arrived at an old barn north of her home, but it was not as she remembered it from the times when she played hide and seek here with her childhood best friend. The ceiling was lined up with strings of coloured light and the air was filled with wildflowers perfume.

Matthew jumped to the floor, then help her down carefully. Beatrice couldn’t help but go in front of the horse to caress his mane. The boy took some carrots out of a bag hanging on the barn’s wall and gave them to her for the stallion.

“He is so beautiful,” she whispered. “What’s his name?”

“Wayfarer,” he said, clearing his throat.

After a moment, she turned to look again around the barn, amazed by all that Matthew has done with the place for her. The boy took Wayfarer to the edge of the barn to tie his reins and let him rest. Then he came close to her and, without warning, took her hand and spun her around in an ample pirouette.

She didn’t realise when exactly, but a wonderful song started from somewhere, and she saw Matthew smile lovingly at her.

“You told me once you loved dancing but couldn’t do so often enough. Therefore, I thought this would be a great opportunity to show you I’ve learned all your favourite dances.” He blushed and lowered his head shyly. “And that was the reason I thought you should wear this dress. It recreates the bohemian atmosphere you so much crave for,” he said looking into her eyes, love and adoration imprinted on his face, in his every gesture and every smile.

“Matthew,” she began, trying to find her words, feeling her heart beating faster and faster as if at some point it would explode with happiness and gratitude, wrapping him in the greatest love one could feel on this earth.

She gave up, went up on her toes and kiss him as if that was the first time, not wanting this night to fade away, for her heart was full of him and her soul was lighter than ever.

They danced for hours on end, waltzing and doing ballet and tango, and so many other types of dances they couldn’t remember the name for or invented on the spot for their amusement.

At some point, Matthew pulled out his guitar from one corner of the barn and gave her a small cake from a freezer, then started to sing some indie songs he claimed to have composed himself.

Right before 5 a.m., he told Beatrice he had one more place to show her before returning home. They rode on Wayfarer’s back for nearly half an hour until they reached the seaside cliffs.

The air was filled with salt and their cloaks fluttered in the morning breeze. Just as they arrived, the clouds began to get delicate gold and pink shades.

Matthew took pictures of Betty when she wasn’t looking, for she looked truthfully like a princess from a fairytale story. What he didn’t know, though, was that she had also taken pictures of him all night: stroking Wayfarer’s nose, riding, playing his guitar, and even now, looking at the waves crashing on the cliffs, his ample cloak flying around him. Her prince with a horse, coming to save her from a life of monotony and dullness and bringing joy at every step of their journey.

They watched in silence as the sun rose from the water, showering them in the warm light of a new day, preparing them for a new adventure. They closed their eyes, considering the rays their very own blessing from the king of skies, to live like that forever, to be whomever they want to be and to love the world with their entire soul and spirit.