Chapter 3

In less than a minute a high-pitched scream could be heard in half of the house. 

Stupid pup.

Grumbling to myself I followed him.

Meanwhile, the entrance to her room was already crowded. Sure thing.

Approaching the door, I was met by Tamor’s smile. Looking at the source I exploded in laughs.

Jade was on his knees, waving his tail like crazy, I was sure there’ll be a hole in the floor later. Whining, and making puppy eyes at the shaking, panicked girl, who most likely scared to death, was holding for her life onto the curtains from the windowsill where she climbed.

The situation was hilarious. And he’s one of the best assassins of this kingdom?

“You won’t let him forget that, will you?” Tamor asked amused.

“Kidding me? I’ll mock him for the rest of his life.” 

“Good.” he smiled and left after dismissing the crowd.

I entered the room, but when Jo looked at me, she shrieked slightly.

“Should I put this as a compliment?” I tried to joke to calm her.

“You’re beautiful,” she whispered lowly. Making me laugh when she blushed furiously upon realizing her words.

“Thank you.”

But Jade’s low growl made her shake again.

“Stop it, Jade. You’re scaring her.” I scolded him, yanking him by the collar and pushing away from her. “It’s fine, he is just too enthusiastic sometimes.”

Exhausted, she collapsed on the windowsill, bracing her knees. I sat beside her. 

“Well, I guess you did as I told.”

Jo nodded, still inspecting us from head to toe. Now that she was able to differentiate every detail it must be quite a sight. 

“Good, now then we can talk about your future.” the affirmation made her shrink. “It’s useless to say that you’re not in the human world anymore. Um- well-” fuck we should’ve waited for Rosalind. “Look, I don’t know how to say it easier for you to take, so- from what we know you made a contract with a fairy, a gnome to be exact, in exchange for a wish. Jade killed the gnome and rescued you and many others.” I told motioning to my friend. The look in her eyes warming instantly, filling with fresh tears.

Jade continued in his soft voice:

“The gnome was enslaving creatures and selling them afterward. But the contracts he made with humans didn’t bind them to him but to this world. Unless a new master takes you to your world, you can’t go back. But this is also tricky, you shall stay by your master's side forever. The gnome ensured the slaves he sells won’t escape their masters.”

“Now, we told you this for you to understand that this is your realm from now on, and you shall learn how to survive. It’s full of miracles but it’s nothing like Lewis Carols's wonderland, got it?” I concluded her.

Jocelyn nodded lost in her thoughts.

“Here you’re safe, but you’re not a prisoner.” I got up ready to leave, “Jade will explain you the rest.” 

I hurried out, before they could stop me.

I also had an idea about the girl, but wasn’t sure yet.

*

It was time to clear my mind. And I had a perfect place for this. 

Ten minutes later I climbed the roof with a bottle of wine, and taking a comfortable position I let a long sigh of satisfaction.

Ah, Celirium. 

The most magnificent view expanded before my eyes. This is what I call home.

Maybe it’s vibrant energy or the diversity of creatures coexisting and prospering despite of their unique features; or maybe the feeling that you’re not weird among them; or the possibility to get lost in here so no one can find you; or-

I don’t know what attracts me this much. There are over a dozen of reasons. 

Our mansion was in the south, built in a spiral manner around the trunk of a giant tree. In this part of the city most houses are like this. Here live mostly winged creatures so it is only normal. The trees and houses are connected with bridges and aerial tunnels.

The east part is for water creatures. There, the buildings are half under the water, the parts above it are connected in the same way as ours.

The west is rockier, with mostly underground constructions. Connected through tunnels, a few stretches through the entire valley. 

In the center are living most of the high society representants. It is the most contrasting and confusing part. Because each creature needs a different environment and one mansion is half underwater another almost in the air and so on.

Also, there are the majority of shops, restaurants, theatres, etc.

But in the north is the colossal Moon Palace, proudly throning over Celirium. It can be easily a city itself. 

Built with white and light blue stones in the finest gothic architecture it is majestic. Twirled towers, arches, ribbed vaults, stained glass windows, airy bridges, balconies, and all of this adorned with rich ornaments, ivy, climbing flowers. Waterfalls, fountains, and rich vegetation create a masterpiece of natural and artificially build beauty.

A big part of the palace is under the hill which is formed mostly of the roots of the sacred tree. Its gnarled, black with silver gold veins trunk sustains an equally huge crown of everlasting white flowers. Legend says this is where the gods laid the first couple of fairies. Seelie and Unseelie. Male and female. Shadow and light. Just as similar as the trunk and crown.

Some of the gods were happy watching their fights creating more and more creatures to add each army.

One led by a beautiful queen, her hair and eyes as dark as her powers.

Another by a powerful king, long golden hair, matching his eyes and skills.

The war was long and bloody. But the king won the right to establish a kingdom here. 

Ilisterion- named by his name. 

Celirium- his eternal love, the queen of shadows.

They equally loved and hated each other. When the war stopped some of the dark gods got bored and killed the queen after she gave birth to the only heir. Ilisterion begged and cursed.

Eventually, he sacrificed himself as a part of a spell, and killed the dark gods who stole Celirium. 

Little he knew. The Unseelie Court, which once formed the dark army, revived the gods from ashes. 

Surprised by Ilisterion’s bravery and powers they let him reunite with Celirium in the afterlife. 

Their daughter ruled the kingdom wise. In the memory of her parents, she made Celirium a place where both Seelie and Unseelie Courts can prosper and live as one. 

This legend is my favorite. Of course, every culture has its own gods and legends. Some believed in the great cauldron, another in the rainbow bridge, mother earth, and so on. I was born in a culture with a bunch of gods.

The main ones are

Detryx and Laykara, the gods of equilibrium. 

Only logic to choose them if it is to follow the legend.

There are temples and prays, but also the talk that the gods are long gone to create other worlds. And maybe someday we’ll visit them just as we do with the human world. Though we may be visited as well by creatures just like us, who can blend into the crowd. Logic again.

Uh. My restless mind and the nice wine won't let me relax for a minute.

Feeling someone who flew above, made me look into the stary sky. 

A soft breeze ruffled my hair and I closed my eyes deepening the feeling.

I used to wish that I had wings. Big and strong. With silver feathers. And I wished so hard about them that I could feel their heaviness hanging from my back. I spread them wide and shot into the night.

*sigh*

But it’s time to stop thinking nonsense and go to sleep while I still can walk.

*

Unknown POV

Making myself comfortable, I could look at her from under the cover of leaves and darkness.

Splendid indeed. She changed.

I wanted so bad to touch her. 

Sending a light breeze I ruffled her wavy hair, which instantly brought a smile to her face. But too soon it turned into a bitter one. And after a heavy sigh, she disappeared into the house, leaving me a shadow of her scent carried by the breeze.

“Just a little more.”