Page 210 of Cursed Evermore

“I'm not so sure I'll get used to it.” I chuckled.

“You will. Just give it time.”

He stepped back first, releasing me. I found my balance and looked around at the magnificence surrounding us.

The hillside unfolded like a fantasy sculpted from dreams. From where we stood, we could see everything spread below us.

Music drifted on the breeze, haunting and lovely, while lanterns floated across the sky in silent procession. Hundreds of them, maybe thousands. Each one glowing with a different hue. Some shimmered with deep violet fire, others with gold or green or a soft blue.

I watched one lift from a Fae child's small hands and drift upward, the parchment trailing from its base curling like aribbon in the breeze. The child laughed, a melodious sound that added to the reverie.

Farther down the hill, robed priests walked in pairs, each carrying a long bronze torch. People stepped into their paths and whispered things into the flame, then drew back with their hands pressed to their hearts.

There were food vendors tucked into glowing alcoves carved from stone. Couples danced in rings of firelight while children ran barefoot, chasing floating lights that scattered into petals when caught.

I turned slowly, taking it all in, and stopped when my gaze landed on the slopes behind us. Silver glowing blossoms, the same color as the Phantom Moon, bloomed along the hillside. The flowers opened and closed slowly in a reverent dance, then released sparkling dust that shimmered against the dark.

“They only bloom for a few hours,” Wolfe leaned in and explained.

“Really? But they're so beautiful.”

“They are. We call them soul flowers. They bloom from the residual energy from the moon, so they're only around during the Luminar. By tomorrow, they will have disappeared.” Something in his voice told me the sight of the flowers held some deeper meaning for him. I wanted to ask but thought better of it. Maybe he'd tell me eventually.

“Let's look around.” He stepped forward, and I followed, trying to contain my excitement for being here with him.

Wolfe led me down the slope, his steps unhurried but purposeful, as though he already knew which parts of the festival would captivate me most.

Just ahead, fire jugglers performed in a wide ring of onlookers, tossing flames back and forth with impossible precision. Each blaze streaked with amethyst, emerald, and gold, flickering like stars before spinning through the air to becaught again. One performer blew a stream of violet fire into the sky, and the crowd gasped as it bloomed into the shape of a phoenix, wings outstretched and lustrous.

Beyond them, market stalls shimmered under brightly colored canopies with vendors selling things I'd never seen before. There were moon-spun scarves that were supposed to change color with emotion, tiny glass bottles that captured a single laugh or whispered blessing, jewelry shaped from petrified stardust.

In a nearby alcove, a group of Fae sculptors shaped molten light into art that floated midair. Luminous wolves, cascading rivers, birds and butterflies shimmered alive before dissolving into silver sparks, then re-formed again as something new.

While I gazed on in utter amazement, falling deeper in love with Galaythia, Wolfe said nothing. He just let me take it all in, the corners of his mouth occasionally lifting when he caught the awe on my face.

We drifted deeper into the festival, the night stretching around us like a spell I never wanted to break. Each step revealed something new to enchant me, and I loved how Wolfe knew when to offer explanations and when to let me experience the wonder in silence.

We paused near a cluster of vendors, and an elderly merchant called out as we approached, his voice rich and hearty.

“My Lord Nightblade, is that you?”

I turned just as he leaned over the counter lined with glimmering treats and trinkets. A wide grin warmed his weathered face, and his hair was pulled back in a tie. If he were mortal, I'd peg him to be in his mid- to late seventies.

Wolfe tilted his head in acknowledgment, a smile tugging at his mouth as he ushered me over to the merchant. “Thought you retired, Kaem.”

“My Lord.” Kaem gave Wolfe a deep bow.

His reverence caught the attention of those around us. People turned to see what had prompted such respect, then quickly bowed when they spotted Wolfe. This was the first time he'd been recognized.

“Please, rise,” he said quietly, waving his hand to signal that such formality wasn't necessary. The gentle request surprised me. It was softer than I'd expected from him.

They rose with respectful nods, then melted back into the festival crowd.

I glanced at him, and he gave me a sheepish grin before turning back to Kaem, who was already smiling fondly at him.

“It's wonderful to see you, my Lord. I couldn't resist the call of the Luminar. Now I'm glad I came.”

“As am I,” Wolfe replied.