Long-lasting

It was a Saturday evening. My mother had dragged me to one event where all important members of the neighbouring packs, circles and covens were obliged to attend. It was summer, and therefore hosted outside in a garden full of roses, lilies and tulips. The sun was slowly setting, painting the sky red, yellow, violet, and dark blue. A beautiful, colourful picture painted with nature’s brush.

I stirred the champagne in my glass, breathing out a listless breath. My mother had abandoned me at our table the second she saw the first single man her age. I shook my head, writing her off as a lost cause.

My mother was an astonishing woman, one blessed with graceful beauty but the attitude of a commander. I guess that was what most men found fascinating about her. I felt bad for them, though. They were running right on her playfield without even knowing that they were only puppets of the puppeteer.

My very dreadful thoughts were interrupted by a high voice screeching, ‘Trevor, old house! How’s it going?’ I nearly jumped to the non-existent ceiling before exhaling a shuddering breath. Emelia. Why did this not surprise me?

She already turned around the corner, her freckled face beaming like the sun. She wore one of her favourite pink cocktail dresses, paired with high heels I would never be able to walk in and a crown of beautiful roses in her fawn hair.

Before I knew it, she had thrown herself around my neck, nearly bringing me down with her. She had definitely drunk something, there was no doubt. ‘Dearest cousin, what brings you here?’ I asked her once I managed to have her on her feet without toppling over. ‘I can’t remember you telling me you were attending.’

‘But Trevor, you should know me way better than that!’ She laughed, giving me her best smile. ‘I would never miss a good party!’

I shook my head with a mild smile. I knew that already. I was just hoping for her to tell me who she had dragged with her. My cousin never went anywhere alone, which meant someone had to be there to look after her. At least, I hoped someone looked after her. Otherwise, I would need to do that now.

But before I could ask her who she was with, she opened her mouth and said, ‘By the way, Trevor, have I introduced my dear friend Alessia to you? She accompanies me!’

Only then I noticed a young woman who had secretly come closer but stayed in the shadows to avoid interrupting our conversation. She was an elf, her small pointy ears peeking through her thick, curly hair.

‘It’s nice to meet you, Trevor,’ she greeted me with the softest voice I’ve ever heard. ‘Emelia has told me a bit about you. She was very excited to see you again.’

I took the hand she had reached out for me and pressed the back of her hand against my lips. ‘It’s my pleasure, Alessia,’ I agreed before genuinely looking up at her face.

By the Moongoddess, I was sent an angel…

Through her big, dark eyes, she perceived me with this gentle, adoring gaze. And her smile. I’ve never seen such a stunning smile before. Her teeth flashed white as her heart-shaped lips parted, laughter lines showing around her eyes. It was a smile with charm tugging at her mouth, although there was this intense sweetness to it I couldn’t quite wrap my head around.

My gaze swept over her wild, curly hair, which framed her heart-shaped face and fell down her back. She was of petite figure, all her movements a mirror of elegance.

I didn’t know what had happened to me in this moment, but it felt like my heart was struck by lightning. And I knew I was helplessly staring, but she had me ridiculously smitten. She was beyond delightful. And she didn’t even do anything but greet me.

Emelia had the biggest grin I’ve seen so far slapped on her face, wiggling her eyebrows as she looked at Alessia and then at me. ‘Oh, that’s new,’ she commented as she took my glass of champagne out of my hand and took a sip. ‘I’ve never seen you this speechless before, Trevor.’

I cleared my throat, a flush of red creeping up my neck. ‘Must be the champagne,’ I mumbled, knowing it was definitely not the champagne. Emelia started giggling, gulping down another sip of alcohol. Alessia just grinned, silently scrutinizing me beneath her lashes. I took my glass back from Emelia, drinking it down. I needed this weird heart of mine to cool down a bit.

‘Sure,’ my cousin said, stretching the letters on her tongue. She turned to Alessia, grinning at her brightly. ‘Alessia, didn’t you say you enjoy dancing a lot? My cousin never had any lessons. Perhaps you could teach him a bit!’

I shot Emelia a warning glance. I didn’t know anything about dancing. It’s kind of a shame because it was a magicanic tradition to learn dancing, but I kind of never went down that rabbit hole…so…yeah, I’ve got no idea. It’s not like no one offered me to learn dancing. I was just too shy, I guess.

‘Emelia, I’m unsure if that’s a good idea,’ I implied, rubbing my neck sheepishly. I wouldn’t want to be a clumsy toe-stepper.

‘Oh, I don’t mind that,’ Alessia threw in, grinning up at me. ‘But if you don’t want to, that’s fine too. We can just talk as well.’

My eyebrows went up to my hairline. Why did that sound more daring than her giving me the choice to dance with her? But whatever had happened, I definitely wasn’t in the right state of mind or I would have never let the following words escape my lips.  

‘I guess we can try…’ I finally gave in, not knowing that this wouldn’t be the last time I would give in to dance with her.

‘Trevor, my darling, what’s on your mind?’ Alessia asked me as she rearranged a bouquet of flowers on the table. She gave me this big smile again, the one which was only reserved for me. ‘You’ve been staring at me like that for the last twenty minutes.’

I was sitting at the table, my head propped up on my arms as I grinned at her adoring. ‘It’s nothing,’ I sighed with a smile. ‘I’m just appreciating you.’

She laughed, which sounded like little bells. My heart made a jump. How did I get so lucky? ‘You’re a hopeless romantic, darling,’ she then said, winking at me.

‘Yes, and it totally works on you,’ I countered her phrase. Again, she laughed. ‘Do you remember the first time we met?’

Now she turned to me, putting one of her hands on her hips. Well, damnit, now she got my attention. ‘Yes, of course,’ she let me know. ‘Your cousin introduced me to you.’

‘But have I ever told you how smitten I was by you once I saw you?’ I questioned her, reaching my hand out for her.

An embarrassed smile tugged at her lips as she giggled. ‘You’re helpless, darling.’ She came over to me and gave me her hand. I kissed her knuckles and gifted her a cheeky grin.

‘Helpless for you,’ I clarified. ‘I just don’t think I tell you enough how beautiful you are.’

‘You tell me every day, darling,’ she let me know as she smiled down at me.

‘Hmm,’ I hummed, getting lost in thoughts again as I let my thumb draw circles on the back of her hand. Alessia had already been a stunning woman in her twenties, but now…she was absolutely breathtaking.

Her hair had gotten even longer, hanging down to her knees in its wild, dark brown curls. Her appearance was still as youthful as back then, just with more laughter lines showing on her face. She now had this determination in her eyes, this forever-lasting joy no one could rattle. It was fascinating to watch her.

Alessia seemed to have realized that I was elsewhere and started giggling. Slowly, she went behind me, lowering her head to mine, a curl of hers falling to my shoulder. Her arms wrapped around me in a protective gesture as she kissed my cheek. Her lips brushed across my skin, sending a familiar tickling down my spine. I leaned my head against hers, closing my eyes and taking in her sweet scent.

Home. She was my home. From the moment I married her, wherever she was was home. She was the dearest to me, my biggest security. She was my little angel, keeping me safe and sound wherever I went. She taught me what having a soulmate was like, and I would always worship her for that.

‘Don’t forget to pick up Mason and Lincoln from school, darling,’ she murmured into my ear, pressing another kiss to my cheek. Slowly, she rose, gently ruffling my hair before she went off to the drawers to start cooking. I silently watched her, smiling at her every movement and gesture.

If Death was merciful with me, I would like to stay by her side for a lifetime.