One by one, couples start to pull each other up towards the temple, sharing a kiss to the cheers of the people. When Svanna and Iryth head up, Svanna turns back to me and yells.
"To Teo and Estela!”
When our mouths meet, it is to seal a promise. I am shocked when her voice enters my mind.
You are mine.
I pull back and grin, helping her stand.
"Your people seem... intrigued by me," she remarks, her voice tinged with something that might have been amusement.
"Can you blame them?" I reply, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth. "You have been a rare sight until the last week."
"Perhaps," she agrees, her lips curving into a grin. "But I think they find our entwined hands even more fascinating."
"Let them stare," I say, squeezing her hand gently. "For tonight, we are simply two souls lost in the enchantment of the festival."
Her laughter rings out like a bell, bright and clear, cutting through the gloom that has hung over me since I first saw her. "Lost, indeed," she murmurs, her brown eyes dancing with mirth.
King Arion approaches slowly, bowing in front of us. “My congratulations to the new sovereigns. All of this is very enlightening,” he says.
I nod. “How are you finding your conversation with Arlet?” I ask.
He glances back at Arlet, and his expression shifts. “I understand the appeal of the humans.”
He doesn’t seem antagonistic, just genuinely curious. “Enjoy yourself this evening. Please don’t hesitate to send someone to notify me if you need something.”
He nods as I move Estela forward. As the cacophony of vibrant laughter and lively music surrounded us, I became acutely aware of Estela's proximity. Her warmth is a beacon in the stifling darkness of my world. Leading her through the labyrinthine paths, I revel in the opportunity to showcase our kingdom's rich culture.
“What is he doing?” Estela asks, stopping in front one of the miners who is contorting his limbs into unnatural positions.
"Ah, that's Eshar," I explain. "He's a stone-bender, with a talent for dancing."
"Unique indeed," she replies, her eyes wide with a mixture of fascination and horror. We continue on, our path illuminated by the glow of countless lanterns, each one casting its own shadow.
"Over here," I beckon, guiding her toward a smoky stall where a woman prepared skewers of spiced meat. As the aroma wafts through the air, it speaks of life's transient pleasures, enjoyed only fleetingly before the inexorable march of time claimed them.
"Try one," I urge, handing her a skewer. "They're a festival favorite."
"Thank you," she murmurs, taking a cautious bite. A smile spreads across her face as the flavors meld together on her tongue.
"Delicious, isn't it?" I ask, my heart swelling at the sight of her enjoyment.
"Absolutely," she agrees, her eyes sparkling with appreciation. “And almost the same as every other night.”
We laugh, and I lead her further still, back to the palace, until we reach the entrance to the water cavern. The air is thick with the scent of damp stone.
She looks up at me, surprised. "What is this?"
"These were private caves for the royal family. I grew up swimming here—the water is warm, like the ones in our bathing tubs." I say.
She steps forward. "Why have you brought me?"
"Because," I reply, taking her hand in mine and leading her down the steps into the shimmering water, "I want to share every part of my kingdom with you."
As we cross the threshold, the caverns unveil their hidden beauty. Estela's eyes widen, her breath catching in her throat as she takes in the ethereal glow of the bioluminescent plants that clung to the walls and ceiling. Their soft light reflects off the shimmering pools, painting the cavern with an otherworldly radiance. It is a sight I had beheld many times before, but seeing it anew through her eyes fills me with a renewed sense of wonder.
"I thought there weren't any plants under the mountain," she breathes, voice barely above a whisper.