Page 14 of Accidentally Ever After (Wings & Whispers #1)

“Indeed,” Melronna agreed. “These patterns will be the envy of the court. We should proceed—the ceremonial lighting begins at moonrise.”

We followed her through the palace corridors, which were unusually empty. “Where is everyone?” I asked.

“Already at the festival grounds,” Caelen explained. “The royal family traditionally arrives last, just before the ceremony begins.”

The “festival grounds” turned out to be the vast gardens behind the palace, transformed beyond recognition.

Luminescent flowers that I’d never seen before bloomed along the pathways, their petals slowly opening and closing like breathing things.

Gauzy fabrics in jewel tones hung from trees and floating platforms, creating intimate spaces between more open gathering areas.

And everywhere, fairies in festival attire similar to ours, their skin adorned with glowing patterns unique to each individual.

As we approached, a hush fell over the gathered crowd.

I recognized many of the court nobles, though they looked dramatically different in their festival paint and revealing attire.

Even the normally severe Lady Ellaria appeared transformed, her skin covered in crystalline patterns that refracted light like prisms.

King Orion awaited us on a raised dais, his own festival paint reminiscent of Caelen’s but more elaborate, incorporating metallic silvers that gave his patterns a sharp, almost weapon-like appearance.

His massive wings were fully extended behind him, a display of power that seemed unnecessary but very on-brand.

“The hour approaches,” the king announced as we took our places beside him. “The stars align for our celebration.”

A group of fairy musicians began to play—those otherworldly instruments creating harmonies that seemed to resonate with the patterns on my skin, making them tingle and glow more brightly. The sensation was pleasant but disorienting, like my body was becoming an instrument itself.

“What’s happening?” I whispered to Caelen, watching as my painted patterns pulsed in time with the music.

“The paint responds to the ceremonial tones,” he explained, his own patterns similarly animated. “It connects all participants, creating a shared experience.”

As the music built in intensity, I became aware of a strange sensation—as if I could feel not just my own body but echoes of others around me.

Emotions that weren’t mine washed through me in waves: excitement, anticipation, wonder, desire.

A glance at Caelen confirmed he was experiencing something similar, his eyes wide with the shared consciousness.

“The Harmony,” he said, seeing my expression. “Don’t fight it. Let it flow through you.”

I tried to relax into the sensation, allowing the collective emotions to wash over me without resistance. As I did, the experience shifted from overwhelming to exhilarating—a connection to the gathered fairies that transcended language or cultural barriers.

At some unseen signal, the music reached a crescendo, and King Orion raised his hands toward the night sky. “We call to the stars, our ancient kin,” he intoned, his voice carrying easily over the music. “Join us in celebration of light and life.”

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, one by one, stars began to fall from the sky—not crashing to earth, but gently floating downward like luminous snowflakes. As they descended, they grew in size until each was about the size of a tennis ball, glowing with internal light in various colors.

The gathered fairies raised their hands, and to my astonishment, the falling stars responded, drifting toward outstretched fingers like sentient beings.

When the first star reached a fairy’s hand, it didn’t stop but continued directly into their body, passing through skin to merge with the painted patterns, which flared brilliantly at the contact.

“Holy shit,” I breathed, watching the phenomenon with wide eyes.

“Hold out your hand,” Caelen encouraged, already extending his own.

I hesitantly raised my palm, and almost immediately, a star detached from the descending group and drifted toward me. It was smaller than those approaching the fairies, and glowed with a warm golden light that reminded me of sunrise.

“It’s choosing you,” Caelen said, sounding pleased.

The star hovered above my palm for a moment, as if assessing me, then gently lowered until it touched my skin.

Instead of the burning sensation I half-expected, there was only a pleasant warmth that spread up my arm and throughout my body.

The star seemed to melt into me, its light joining with my painted patterns, which suddenly glowed much more brilliantly.

The sensation was indescribable—a rush of energy, information, and emotion that wasn’t exactly thought but wasn’t purely physical either. I gasped, overwhelmed by the input, my painted skin now shimmering with a golden undertone that hadn’t been there before.

“What… what was that?” I managed, looking to Caelen for explanation.

His own patterns now glowed with deep violet light, presumably from the star that had joined with him. “A fragment of stellar consciousness,” he explained, his voice rich with the shared experience. “For this night, we carry a piece of the cosmos within us.”

Around us, all the gathered fairies were similarly transformed, their painted patterns now glowing with various colors—some blue, some green, some red or purple or gold. The effect was breathtaking, hundreds of glowing beings moving through the gardens like constellations come to life.

“Now,” King Orion announced, “let the Festival of Lights truly begin!”

The music changed, becoming more rhythmic and primal. Fairies began to dance, their movements fluid and hypnotic, painted bodies flowing together in ways that blurred the line between dancing and more intimate activities.

“Is this about to become an orgy?” I whispered to Caelen, only half-joking.

He laughed, the sound musical and freer than usual—affected by the star essence, I realized. “Not precisely. The initial celebration is communal, yes, but most will seek privacy for deeper connections.” His eyes, now ringed with starlight, held mine. “As I intend to do with you.”

The directness of his gaze sent heat through me that had nothing to do with the paint or star essence. “Lead the way,” I invited.