CHAPTER 109: CHAPTER 109: HAUNTED BY OUR PAST.

Seraphine materialized back on the moon with a soft ripple of light, her bare feet touching the smooth, pearlescent ground.

The crystalline air of her realm carried a faint hum of energy, but even its serenity could not soothe the trembling inside her chest. Her heartbeat raced, hammering against her ribs in a rhythm that felt unwelcome, and far too intense for the goddess of serenity.

She held a hand over her chest, her fingers splayed delicately across the soft, glowing fabric of her dress as she walked slowly toward the bridge that arched over the silver river. Despite her calm appearance, her breath was unsteady. Every few seconds, her mind flashed back to the image of him: his eyes, his voice, the way his fingers had brushed her chin with such dangerous familiarity.

Xavriel.

No matter how many centuries had passed, his presence still unsettled her in a way she despised. It was as though every part of her remembered him intimately, even after she had sworn to erase him from her heart.

She reached the center of the shimmering bridge and stopped. The throne room lay ahead, but she could not bring herself to enter. She felt too raw, too shaken, too alive with emotions she should not have allowed herself to feel. Entering there with a troubled heart could disrupt the flow of things in the realm and that was a case on its own.

Instead, Seraphine turned gently in the opposite direction. She needed space. She needed clarity. She needed the quiet embrace of the sanctuary that had always been her refuge.

As she walked through the moonlit pathways, the creatures of her realm sensed her presence. Tiny fairies with wings made of stardust zipped around her, chirping like the tinkling of crystal bells. They bowed, curtsied, chirped, and greeted her with radiant eyes full of devotion.

Behind them followed the Lunaris sprites; glowing creatures with soft fur the color of baby blue flame. They had tails flicked like ribbons made of moonlight. A few fluttered around her ankles while others perched on nearby branches, watching her with gentle curiosity.

Further ahead, a group of Elowen nymphs stepped out from the tall flowering trees. They were slender beings with translucent skin that shimmered like dew on glass.

Their hair floated as though submerged underwater, and their eyes glowed softly whenever Seraphine neared. They bowed respectfully and placed their palms over their hearts, a symbol of love, purity and servitude.

Seraphine smiled weakly at them as she passed. Even in her turmoil, her love for her realm and its inhabitants never dimmed. Their affection soothed her, even if only slightly at this point.

The path led her to the lake, a vast expanse of glowing water that stretched several meters across, its surface swirling with iridescent hues of lavender, silver, and pale blue. Soft mist drifted above it, carrying the aroma of night-blooming flowers.

She stopped at the edge of the water, breathing out shakily.

The lake had always been her place of solace. Every time the weight of her responsibility pressed too hard on her shoulders, she came here. And now that her heart trembled with emotions she could not bind, she sought this sanctuary. And today, her heart had been shaken up violently by the one man who had done it effortlessly.

Without hesitation, Seraphine raised her hands and began removing her clothing piece by piece. The soft, silk, one piece, slipped from her shoulders, falling silently onto the grass. As each layer left her skin, she felt the tension inside her unravel just a little. The cool air kissed her bare flesh, sending gentle shivers through her.

When she was completely undressed, her body glowed faintly under the lunar light. Her skin was milky white, smooth as moon petals. Her waist-length, shimmering, silver hair, flowed freely down her back.

She stepped into the lake.

Warmth enveloped her instantly, rising from her toes to her knees, then to her waist. She sank slowly, settling into a kneeling position. The water shimmered around her like glowing ribbons, wrapping her in comfort.

At once, the creatures hurried toward her.

The fairies arrived first, fluttering above her in excited circles. Each carried small blossoms, petals, or oils in miniature cups crafted from seashells. Aquillien, tiny fish-like spirits with transparent fins that like floating lace swam around Seraphine, brushing against her skin with gentle touches just like soft kisses.

Next came the Fae-Luminas, rabbit-sized creatures with crescent shaped wings. Their fur sparkled with tiny white lights, and in their hands they held small bundles of fragrant herbs.

Those without wings, such as the Moonglints, waded into the shallow water with leaf-shaped scoops. They dipped the shimmering liquid and poured it over her arms, her shoulders, her back. Their small hands worked delicately, spreading the water evenly as though performing a sacred ritual.

The fairies untangled her long hair and tied it into a smooth bun, careful not to pull or tug too hard. Then they began washing her with petals infused with celestial oils. The scents of crushed moon blossom, silver leaf mint, and starlit jasmine filled the air.

Seraphine closed her eyes.

Her breathing slowed as the warmth seeped into her bones. The soothing hum of the lake eased the fast rhythm of her heart. She felt the tension melt away as the creatures worked on her, their comforting presence wrapping around her like a lullaby.

Her mind drifted.

She saw Xavriel’s face again. The way he had looked at her. The way his fingers had slid under her chin so easily, so intimately. The way his voice had dipped when he whispered her name.

Sera. The one name only he called her.

No one had called her that in centuries.

And no one should. Not anymore.

Yet the moment he said it, she felt something inside her chest flicker painfully. As though her heart remembered an old language it had tried to forget.

The memories returned like waves crashing against a crumbling shore.

Years ago, when they were still one heart, one soul, one burning pair of destinies intertwined. When he would look at her as though she were the only light in existence. When she had believed he was the part of her she had been created to meet.

Back then, her heart had begged for his.

And his had yearned for hers.

Seraphine inhaled sharply, overwhelmed by the unwanted memory. She submerged herself deeper into the water as though trying to drown out the emotions. But even in the warm, fragrant lake, she could still feel him.

She could still feel the ghost of his touch on her skin. She could still hear his laugh. She could still feel the heat of his breath near her lips...

Her stomach tightened. Her throat burned.

She swam toward the edge of the lake and floated on her back for a long moment, allowing the warm water to cradle her body.

The moonlight painted her skin, making her glow like a fallen star. The herbs and oils dissolved around her, turning the water into a pool of shimmering healing light.

She closed her eyes and saw him again.

His smirk. His arrogance. His boldness. His maddening charm. His intoxicating presence.

And the way her heart had betrayed her by pounding for him after all this time.

Suddenly she sat upright, water splashing around her with sudden force. The creatures gasped, startled by her abrupt movement. They hovered nervously, unsure of what had upset their goddess.

Seraphine caught herself and softened immediately.

She smiled at them gently, lowering her head.

"I am sorry," she whispered. "I did not mean to frighten you."

Her voice was soft, filled with warmth and apology. The creatures buzzed and hummed quietly, accepting her words.

One fairy placed a glowing petal on her shoulder. A Moonglint pressed its tiny forehead against her knee. The Fae-Lumina circled her in gentle patterns, trying to soothe her further.

She exhaled slowly.

Her heart felt a little lighter.

Yet a part of her still vibrated with lingering heat from his touch, stubborn and cruel. His large, veiny palms and....

Stop it! He’s in your past and that’s where he should be! You’re a goddess now!

Seraphine sighed for the umpteenth time that day.

She hated that she felt anything at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On the other side of the realms, in the human world, Calithar was pushed backward as Elena’s blast hit him squarely in the chest. He slid across the polished floor. Shock flickered across his gaze only for a moment before he exhaled and straightened.

He dusted his clothes casually, as though she had flicked water at him rather than releasing raw power.

"You are scared," Calithar said softly, almost sympathetically. "I understand. But I can help you. I can teach you how to control what you have inside you."

Elena trembled.

She backed away, holding her robe tightly around her body. Her lips parted, but no words came out at first. Her chest heaved, rising and falling as panic warred with confusion.

Calithar stepped toward her slowly.

His presence was overwhelming, towering, powerful. It only made it worse when he looked at her as though she was the only thing in existence worth kneeling for.

Elena shook her head violently.

"I cannot go with you," she whispered.

Calithar’s expression darkened. A shadow swept across his face, swallowing the tenderness there. "Are you refusing me?" His voice dropped lower. "Or is something forcing you to stay?"

She looked down at the ground, unable to meet his eyes.

Her silence was too loud.

He moved closer.

"Elena," he said quietly. "Tell me."

She inhaled shakily. Her voice broke before she could form the first word.

Calithar reached for her hand

gently, his fingers brushing hers.

Just as she finally found the courage to speak, the door creaked open.

A small figure stepped inside.

Mama?