Disclaimer: The characters in this story were created solely by C.L. Wilson. This is pure FanFic.
Lillis Baristani was turning 16. Seven years on, from the time she, her twin sister Lorelle, her adopted sister Ellysetta and her father Sol had been flung into the winds of change. From their humble home in Celieria, thrust into the Faering Mists, plunged deep into the heart of Boura Fell, and finally settling in The Fading Lands, their life had never been the same again. Mama had died that year. But Ellysetta and her truemate Rainier v'En Daris, together with many brave Fey warriors, shei'dalins, Celierians, Elves and all who fought their hearts out against the dark forces of Eld, had made sure that the Dark had not surfaced to the world since then. It was the Time of the Light. The Time where all those who had died had not done so in vain, and those who lived continued perpetuating the values they had all fought so hard to keep those seven years ago. All the brave souls, including not just the Feyreisen Rain Tairen Soul and Feyreisia Ellysetta Tairen Soul, but also others like Gaelen vel Serranis, dahl'reisen restored back to Fey, Belliard vel Jalani, head general of the Fey warriors, and other members of Ellysetta's original primary quintet, including Kiel vel Tomar and Kieran vel Solande. Kieran.
Just thinking about his name made her slender figure tingle. Like the way she always felt when he had come to her rescue, when she had called out to him using the connection their souls had, in that epic adventure which seemed like only yesterday.
Lillis' and Lorelle's birthday was just days away, and though it was a Celierian custom to throw a birthday celebration steeped in grandeur for those who turned 16, the Fey in Dharsa loved them so much that they were carrying out this custom just for the twins, in the Halls of Dharsa themselves.
The night had come. Lillis was 16. That night would be one of the best nights of her life, the night of the royal banquet held in the twins' honour.
Now a pretty maiden herself, she slipped into a soft, flowing gown, studded all over with tiny silver crystals. Simple yet elegant, the gown was a lovely sky blue that matched a certain pair of eyes. Kieran's eyes. Once again, the all-too familiar warmth of him ran through her body.
Meeting Lorelle who was dressed similarly, except that her gown was a fiery red, they laughed at each other's form. Too many a time, when they were young, before they had even met any Fey warrior personally, had they dreamed of wearing such Fey-tale dresses and attending royal dinners. Now that they had one held in their honour, neither sister could be more delighted.
Away in another room of the palace, Kieran vel Solande smiled to himself in front of the mirror as he did the final touch-ups for his suit. The dark grey, which contrasted his bright blue eyes made him look all the more dazzling. Lillis was finally turning 16, and her birthday banquet was that night. No longer the little girl who got scared at every waking moment in those evil times, but a light-hearted, gay maiden with hair light as the wind and, oh, her scent. It followed her wherever she went, sweet as the morning sun, cool like fresh breeze, and simply breathtaking. Looking his best, the honourable warrior exited his room and met his best friend and companion, Kiel.
"Lillis, this is just the best day ever! I wouldn't even have dreamed of it to be so big, back in Celieria!" Lorelle was overjoyed, as she walked with her sister towards the shining banquet hall.
"Thank the gods for this! And Papa and Ellie too. If only Mama were here…" Lillis' voice trailed off as she tried to choke back some tears. But they could not stop spilling over as she imagined herself cradled in Lauriana's arms as a child, being sung a soft lullaby.
"Oh, Lillis," Lorelle hugged her sister as they shared their sorrow for a full chime. "Come on, I'm sure Mama would want us to be happy today," Lorelle said, stroking her sister's hair, coaxing her to stop.
Familiar footsteps approached, and stopped. Lillis looked up, only to meet a pair of bright blue eyes. The only pair outside her family she had ever known to be so warm, so charming, so easing to her eyes. Kieran noticed her tear-stained face and rushed to her side.
"What's the matter, ajiana?" Kieran said softly, thumbing away Lillis' tears in a soft caress across her smooth face.
"She was just thinking about Mama," Lorelle helped her to answer.
After several more comforting words, Kieran managed to soothe Lillis' emotions and led her towards the banquet hall, while Lorelle gave Kiel her hand.
As they entered, more than several courtiers gasped in admiration of the girls' lovely silk gowns and twittered on how much they had changed since they were just innocent children. Now more mature – both physically and emotionally – they were fit to walk beside warriors, as demonstrated so aptly by their walking beside Kieran and Kiel, celebrated young heroes of the time.
"Dearlings!" Ellysetta welcomed them with open arms, with her truemate Rain not far behind, smiling. At his side were a pretty little Fey girl and a no less charming Fey boy. The boy was about seven, the girl about six.
"Eleni vol Daris!" Lorelle greeted her little niece, who had become firm friends, playmates and sometimes enemies with Kieran's little brother, Airell vel Solande, the latest son to be born to the powerful shei'dalin Marrisya v'En Solande and her truemate Dax. Both Eleni, the offspring of the Fey King and Queen, and Airell were Tairen Souls. They had named her Eleni for "Light". This was, after all, one of the most celebrated times in a thousand years.
After Rain, as Feyreisen, had given a brief speech, introducing the occasion to the six hundred guests, the traditional Dancing began. As the two highest males in rule, Rain and Loris v'En Mahr, head of the Massan, had the first honour of dancing with the two stars of the night. As Rain twirled Lillis round, she admired her brother-in-law's stately graces, and was once again sure that her sister had not chosen wrong. In fact, she didn't choose him. They were made for each other. Such was the dream of Fey-love.
When the first dance had ended, Kieran suavely glided up to Lillis' side, took a deep bow, and asked for the honour of being her second dance partner for the night. Lillis couldn't stop herself from blushing, but that only made her look prettier in Kieran's eyes.
"Of course," she whispered softly.
As the slow but enchanting music of the next song started, so did the dance. Holding her hand in his right, and gently grasping the top right of her back with his left, Kieran led his partner using careful, deliberate steps with every beat. Being so close to her felt wonderful. He could see her strands of rich brown hair shimmering in the light, her dainty face blushing under his gaze and lower down, her slender figure wrapped around perfectly by blue silk.
From Lillis' point of view, it was truly a dream come true for girls who lived their childhood days dreaming of knights in shining armour. Here she was, celebrating her birthday in the company of royalty and nobles, with her family save Mama, and being held by strong, familiar hands. Belonging to the person who made her feel joy like it was always morning; the warrior she felt safe with like there was no such thing as war; the one whom she absolutely trusted with her life. And there were his mesmerising bright blue eyes… As they moved around each other, they re-lived the memories they had together and laughed with great blissfulness.
After the dance had ended, Kieran invited Lillis to the outer gardens near the halls. It was a full moon, shining bright, and together they walked down the path leading to a hedge. Behind the hedge was a majestic fountain, and surrounding it were benches, and many plants that took the shapes and forms of important symbols in the Fading Lands, such as the Tairen. The newest addition had been Ellysetta and Rain. The work of the Earth masters were truly amazing. It was in this beautiful place where they stopped.
"Lillis," Kieran started.
Lillis could feel her heartbeat rising. Being alone with Kieran was not something new, but always, Lorelle and Kiel or Papa or some other Fey guard would not be far away. This was the first time they were alone, just the two of them, far away from the bright lights in the halls, far away from everyone else.
The next moment caught her breath. Arm outstretched, Kieran held in his hand, positively the most delicate, stunningly beautiful thing. A little spherical piece, rather like a globe without the glass, mounted on a wooden stand, showed the Baristanis' previous house in Celieria. Overhead, Tairen were flying, and minatures of the Baristani family as well as the Fey closest to them were in the garden. With a little touch of Spirit, what appeared to be twenty-five fold weaves surrounded the whole structure. Delicate yet detailed, the thoughtful Fey warrior with mastery in Earth, Air, Fire, Spirit and a 4th Level Talent in Water, had carefully crafted each piece of the first customary Fey courtship gift.
"Kieran…it's beautiful," she sighed with sheer joy, charmed and touched by Kieran's masterpiece.
"I'd hoped you would like it," Kieran said softly, as his heart surged at the delight in her eyes.
Lillis looked up and found Kieran gazing at her in a way that made her want to blush all over again.
"Lillis, these years have passed so quickly, and, my, you're stunning yourself," he said, a little clumsily. "All those years ago, when you were lost in the Faering Mists, trapped under the rubble of that mountain which collapsed, I thought I'd lost you, and…I'd never seen war before that, but the prospect of war did not strike in me as much fear as when you disappeared from my eyes that day. I don't want to ever have to go through that sort of fear again. I want to protect you forever. And I want to say…what I want to say is…" the usually eloquent warrior who always had something witty at the tip of his tongue stumbled in his words. But before he needed to say anything more, he found that Lillis had moved a whole inch closer.
"No need to say anything. For actions speak louder than words." She placed one finger on his lips.
Shocked but obviously pleased, Kieran bent his head down to close that remaining inch between them. As he moved closer to Lillis, so did she, slowly leaning forward. Their lips met, or rather, brushed against each other for a brief instant. The effect on Lillis was pure wonder. She had never known anything so joyous; so warm; so pleasurable. Kieran was taking it in with a lot more passion. Heat surged through him and rose to his throat.
They moved in closer for a second time, and this time, everything took place a whole lot faster. The instant their lips met, they wanted more, with Kieran drawing in Lillis' essence and giving double of his back. Overwhelmed, Lillis pressed against his hard chest, sliding her arms around his neck at the same time. Their mouths opened in unison and closed in upon each other, each meeting of lips more passionate than the previous.
Kieran's hand slid round Lillis' slender waist, feeling the tingle through her body as he did it. And oh, her scent, he had never had it in such volumes before, nor so close. This was ten times better than when they were dancing. After a full three chimes, they stopped, ragged breathing taking their place.
"Oh, sweet Lillis," Kieran moaned. "Grant me the power to resist you."
"But why would I want that?" Lillis asked coyly, the tip of her tongue curling out from the corner of her mouth.
Pleasantly surprised at Lillis' openness yet again, Kieran eyed her with more than just reverence. As he placed his hand near her hips, she grasped his shoulders, and once more they joined bodies and souls. It started out as a long, sweet kiss. Pure, sweet, light maiden essence flowed from Lillis, while strong, sturdy and fresh essence of a young Fey warrior greeted her. But the slowness only made their hearts pound faster, especially Lillis', when Kieran's hand slid up in a single but slow movement, from where his hand was placed, over her hips, past her waist, and it stopped slightly above. His hand in contact with a tender part of her skyrocketed them into a bubble of their own, high above the world, and the kissing turned into a romantic frenzy.