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He dipped below the ravine that split the castle grounds from the rest of the Valley and would hit the water in seconds and surely it wasn’t deep enough. “Hel!” Layala concentrated and drew vines out of the side of the ravine to create a net to catch him below. It would hurt when he hit but at least he wouldn’t be dead.

Massive white wings appeared out of his back and caught the air, lifting him up out of the shadows and into the open. Sunlight shimmered off the pearl feathers with an iridescent hue. Layala slapped her hand over her chest and finally caught her breath. He soared upward, beating his great wings every few moments but also gliding on the lifting air.

Looking at Hel, one would think he’d have chosen black wings or even a deep red, since he favored the colors but somehow, the white wings suited him, a contrast to his dark side. Watching him fly over the backdrop of the Valley, where the roofs of the houses sparkled in gold and the charm of Palenor from this view high on the cliffs, drew her deep into a memory…

The Past

The light blue waters of the Eversent Sea lapped gently into the high rocky cliffs of Amonlee, reddish-orange by nature. This cove made the waters gentle and perfect for swimming. Valeen sat with her legs dangling over the edge, a hundred feet or so from the rocks below, kicking her feet slowly. She used to do this with her sister Katana many years ago. It was still one of her favorite places in all of Runevale, in all the realms. The salt air smelled of driftwood and seaweed and brought back a nostalgia of giggling young ladies who dared each other to jump. Sunlight sparkled off the white-capped waves, calling for her to delight in the warm replenishing water.

“Hello, Hel.” She turned her upper body to watch him approach. Rather than his usual black suit, he wore a loose white button-up top left open to reveal his sun-warmed chest and dark runes. A petal of the new mark created by her peeked out. His sleeves were rolled as well as his dark pants, revealing bare feet and ankles, and showed even more runes. A casual look she didn’t expect of him, and it let her see that perhaps there was more to him than shadows and mischief. She wanted to know what more there was to him.

“The sunlight suits you,” he said with a charming smile. He looked around at the tropical palms and lush green grass that grew to the edge of the rocks. “I’ve never been here. Nice choice. I expected darkness, maybe even a cave with bats.”

She laughed. “I may be the goddess of night, but I love the sunshine and the sea as much as the stars.”

“Noted.”

“And how can you have missed the most beautiful spot in Runevale all these years?”

“Well, perhaps fate was waiting for me to be invited by a certain someone.” He dropped down beside her, leaving enough space they didn’t risk touching but close enough they could.

“Perhaps.” She looked into his beautiful blue-green eyes, much like the water below.

“Are we sure Atlanta won’t come with weapons and threats for trespassing on his territory?” Hel asked, even if he didn’t appear concerned.

“He told me I’m always welcome here. It used to be Katana’s territory, too.”

“I wasn’t really in the mood to fight today, so that’s good news. But I think you and I would make quite a team.” After a moment of silence, he reached over and took hold of her right hand. She almost drew it back but out of curiosity, let him turn her hand over and trace the lines of her palm with his fingertip. The light touch sent a chill through her body despite the warm air. “Hmm, interesting.”

“What are you doing?”

“This is your love line; it’s long and straight, then it splits.”

She smiled but had no clue what that meant. “Alright, what does that mean?”

“You will have two loves, but I think at different times.”

“I think you’re making this up as you go.”

He chuckled. “Palm reading is something my tutors taught, but I’m with you on it being made up.” He moved his finger to another line and his brows furrowed. “Here’s the lifeline. It looks to fracture, which for an immortal that can’t be right. I probably need to brush up on my readings. It was one of those lessons I didn’t take seriously.” He released her hand; part of her wished he wouldn’t have. “We know you’re on your first life but what about loves?”

“Are you asking if I’ve ever been in love?”

“When you put it that way it sounds too personal for our first date.”

“This is a date?”

“Certainly.” With a wave of his hand a bouquet of wildflowers with sprays of baby’s breath and decorative greenery appeared. He leaned it toward her. “See, I even brought flowers.”

Taking them in hand, she smelled the colorful blooms taking in the rich florals. “Have you been in love?”

“No.”

She didn’t know why but she hoped he would say that. “Why? You’re beautiful, charming, powerful, you can’t tell me you haven’t had your fill of ladies.”

He was quiet for a moment, watching the waves roll in. “I’ve never trusted anyone enough to let myself fall in love.”

“Why?”