Bloom exits the Archive with a smirk on her face. As soon as she's out, the cold of the snow returns and the magical doors vanish as if Baretlby made them disappear. Bloom takes a deep breath, pushing the cold air through and into her lungs, trying to calm herself down. She pins the mask back onto her face and once again all of Domino erupts into colour.
The way back to the palace only fills her with more questions. Why isn't there anything more? Her parents weren't just royalty, they were leaders of the most powerful planet in the dimension, their daughters keepers of the essence of the Dragon Flame. How was it possible that absolutely no one but Valtor knew what had happened to them and that no one else was there when they disappeared? It made no sense for them to face him alone.
And why, why would they do it?
Why hadn't any of the witches ever come for her by now? Were they unable to leave Obsidian, or were they weakened by the battle?
Bloom couldn't fathom it and it didn't help that she was no closer to answers. She walked back into what used to be the courtyard, pushing the big doors open and hiding herself within the inside walls. She traced the edge of the mask, debating whether to take it off.
But music, one she never heard before drew her eyes forward to what was hidden in the darkness. Music . Actual music. The melody echoes against the stone, the entire empty space bursting with it, calling for her. Bloom doesn't dwell before she starts walking. It sounds like it's coming from inside the walls until it simply stops, lost to the grand space that Bloom finds herself in. It reminds her of a ballroom. Not that she would know how those looked, the closest thing she was in, was their high school's gym during dances. And sometimes the hall in Alfea.
"Who's there?" she asks into the void, looking the room over, the mask still on her face. It's everything a princess would want, Bloom thinks. The stones have colour to them, a rose gold shade shimmering on each one, flowers strapped over the ceiling and big vases all around. And there are what seem to be magical orbs glittering in the air. To her left is some sort of podium, probably where her birth parents held their speeches. She can almost imagine them now, together with Daphne as they look over their people. Bloom's heart aches again, for this simple version of normality.
She shakes her head, remembering why she was there. The weird music. Just as she turns it begins again, the same melody from before. A figure catches her eyes, hidden in the shadow but leaning on one of the pillars. And the music is coming from him, no matter how ridiculous it seems.
"What are you doing here?" she tries again, but the figure doesn't move, not at first. They extend a hand into the air, straightening their bent fingers. The melody increases, blasting from everywhere now. Her eyes follow the sounds as they spread over the space and then back to the stranger. Then they move, pushing against the wall.
"Daphne's mask is doing wonders for you."
Of course . Of course, it has to be him. Why would he leave her on her own for more than a day? Annoyance rises within her chest at the sight of his grey eyes.
Valtor smiles at her, closing his hand and the music instantly stops. "Fun little trick I stole from the planet of Melody."
Bloom's blood goes cold. Melody, that was Musa's home planet. No , there was no way he managed to attack it without her knowing. He was with her on Domino not more than 10 hours ago. "What did you do?" she barks at him and Valtor just chuckles.
"Nothing horrible, for once. Their magic is pretty useless to me, but that doesn't mean I can't make a fun game out of it," he answers, stopping in the middle of the room, opposite to Bloom. She doesn't move, only preparing to attack if needed.
"Just like it will be for my next destination. Though the place might be in shambles once I leave it."
Bloom's brow goes up immediately, and she crosses her arms, fixing her posture as if to appear more confident than she really was. "Not if I stop you."
"You could try and fail. Or, you could come with me."
She flinches, more confused than anything. She must have heard him wrong because there was no way he said something so... she couldn't even find a word for it. Go with him, even thinking it over in her mind she could see how ridiculous it sounded.
Valtor raises an eyebrow, waiting for a reaction that Bloom doesn't know how to give. "Well? What shall it be Princess?" he whispers, the air from his exhale brushing the crease of her neck, sending her shivering. Bloom steps back. "You can't be serious. Why would you offer that?" she says, calming her voice the best she can.
"Just a proposition, if you're going to fail anyway, why not add a twist to it? Come and see the doomed planet, maybe that will actually motivate you to succeed."
Again , he was taunting her again. Bloom was having none of it.
"You want me to play into your game," she responds, slight curiosity appearing in her head. He was going to attack someone and was offering her a chance to prevent it? It didn't make sense.
"The question is why."
Valtor takes a step forward, brushing her hair away from her shoulders. She does her best not to tremble beneath his fingers. So she focuses on her face, lifting her head, holding her gaze firmly on him.
"I must admit, you've gotten better at playing into my games. But today," he breathes out and Bloom tries to ignore the breath on her skin, the wish to send a fireball directly into his smug face. She inhales sharply when his fingers close around the edge of Daphne's mask, lifting it slowly away. She blinks and the room around them goes dead and colourless.
"Today you are my star player Princess."
The air seems to tighten around them as his eyes burry into her, questioning even the smallest of her motions. He is waiting for her to say yes, she realizes. He won't move otherwise. And she won't move either.
And still, she can't tell if that's the right thing to do. Play along. She could very well attack him right now, but Bloom had a feeling she'd lose. That she might lose control. Though would it be so terrible if it backfired on someone like Valtor? He was a far better option than Diaspro for sure.
She bit her tongue, she should have never shot at Diaspro in the first place. But if she went with Valtor- Maybe there was a chance she could warn the people, or help protect their magic. Save them like someone should have done with Domino.
Maybe wasn't 100 per cent, but it was better than nothing.
She leans closer and notices the way suspicion enters Valtor's gaze. They're only a few centimetres apart now and Bloom doesn't back down.
"Lead the way," she answers, taking an abrupt step back. She notices the way he stands there, inching closer to her for a second too long. Long enough to raise new questions in her head. What was that?
But soon Valtor smiles, opening his palm and positioning it in the empty space in the room. A similar sphere to the one he summoned before appears. She pulls out Stella's ring, ready to follow up. "You can't travel with that," he says with a grin.
"They don't allow magical objects on Paxesion, you'll get yourself trapped in the void."
Bloom huffs, "And you mention it only now? How else am I supposed to get there?" Valtor looks at her, then at the portal he created and then back at her as if the answer is completely obvious. "No," Bloom freezes instantly.
A memory as fresh to her as yesterday.
Avalon.
The yellow bubble she so willingly entered. Impenetrable energy that began to close around her chest, lack of air as her body began to shake. Realizing that she was trapped. Avalon's hand across her mouth a moment too late, abling a scream to escape her. And then- Darkar.
When she snaps her thoughts away, Valtor is observing her, like he knows, like he saw exactly what she saw. One hand extended for her to take it. "Get out of my head," she barks.
"I wish it were that simple," he says in response but doesn't move.
"If I wanted to trap you, I had plenty of chances for it, don't you think?"
It was true, but still, she couldn't get herself to move.
He could take her everywhere.
Eraklyon, Alfea, Omega.
Anywhere.
Leave her there.
Alone .
"I can't," she whispers quietly, the soft truth slipping out.
"I could sign that I promise not to abduct you, but I think that won't help, will it?" he tries to joke, she figures. Valtor. Joking. It all felt like she was in a fever dream.
"Darkar. He um-" she stumbles at her words, willing herself to speak further. "A teacher I trusted was working for Darkar. He kidnapped me and let Darkar use me as a slave."
It was almost the first time she had spoken about it. The only other 'person' was Bartelby. Many had asked, nurses, reporters, even Alfea faculty, but Bloom could never tell them how it felt. Never reach into that part of her memories without going into shock or rage or shut down. Now the truth was spilling out of her, followed only by silent tears.
She wasn't sure, but it looked like Valtor's eyes softened. He lowered his hand, but the portal remained. "Darkar's dead. You killed him," Valtor replies, making some space between them, and letting her breathing settle down. "You won Princess. Not him, you . You are winning every second you stay alive."
Stay alive.
If it weren't for him, she would have been dead a long time ago. The thought of it makes her heart flip. He was right, she just couldn't see it clear enough. There was too much of what Darkar had ruined within her that scared her.
"You're not ruined," immediately he draws back as if struck surprised by his own choice of words. She simply stares, thinking it over. What was the alternative anyway? She stays at Domino until someone comes looking for her and probably overpowers her. No, she couldn't let it go that way. The other option stood before her, an offer to do something good, to try and mend her dirty track record. All she had to do was take his hand.
The hand of the person she hated the most, the one who made her life the way it was. Her head threw whispers at her, that Valtor had saved her life a couple of times, that there was a chance she could break into his mind as he did with hers.
"I will do it," she says before she changes her mind, taking a few additional steps toward Valtor. He extends his hand back towards her and this time Bloom dares to take it. She half expected to be thrown into the world between their minds, but notices the glove which stopped the skin contact. Slight relief settles over her worries. She gulps down air, unable to steady the very rapid beat of her heart, anxiety overflowing as they stepped closer to the portal.
"After you," he whispers into her ear which would usually send her shivering but now only causes the uneasy feeling to increase. Bloom tosses another look back at the palace halls, straightens her back and steps through, Valtor right behind her.
Instantly she feels a massive wave of regret. For all his talk, he could still trap her and she'd probably end up being done for. Her breathing quickens and she can't tell where to look as darkness surrounds them. It takes her a second to realize it isn't from the portal but that she had closed her eyes. When she opens them Valtor is curiously studying her, as millions of colours flash around them. It lasts for not more than a few seconds but it feels like infinity.
They step into what Bloom can only describe as wonder. The place she thought of when people talked about fantasy worlds. Everywhere around them is the sky covered with billions of shining stars of all colours. Like if she extended her hand she could touch them. They swirled across, so close and yet so far away. She exhales, from both shock and relief.
In front of them stood what seemed to be a small town covered in fairy lights and plants at each corner. "This looks incredible," she breathes out, turning around in a circle, unable to get enough of its beauty.
"One of the many things Paxesion is famous for. The other might be that it rests outside of Magix," Valtor says, still in the same place. Bloom stops spinning, and looks at him in surprise.
"Yes, that means you're entirely free here."
So he did hear about her exile it seemed.
"Welcome travellers," a new voice breaks her thoughts away. She looks towards the town and now sees an older woman approaching them. Her attire is at the same time formal and completely casual. The laces, were light and almost seamless while still covering pretty much every inch of her skin.
"Mr Valtor, it's an honour," the woman slightly bowed which made Bloom's stomach turn. Why was she worshipping him? Didn't these people know who he was?
"And you must be Bloom," her eyes set on the fire fairy and she can't tell if it's genuine or threatening, but she shivers nonetheless. The woman offers her hand first to Valtor and then to her and Bloom reluctantly shakes it. This day was getting weirder by the second.
"My name is Lyrion and I am the last living founder of Paxesion. And during your stay here, your official guide," she says and Bloom can't jerk the feeling like they were here on nothing more than a vacation. Which certainly wasn't the case. Lyrion waves her hand toward the city, signalling for them to follow. Bloom catches up to her and Valtor, tossing curious glances at the houses lining the street. There weren't many of them so she guessed the planet itself was smaller. What power could Valtor possibly want to take here?
Lyrion stops at what appears to be a square, a big fountain placed at the centre. "You came just in time actually. Today is our annual celebration, like a party of sorts. I would be delighted if you could attend."
And before Bloom can even begin to list all the reasons why that wouldn't be possible Valtor replies: "It's an honour, of course, we will be there."
And when Bloom looks over at him, he seems like a completely different person, not at all like a wizard who conquered half of Magix. "This is our traveller inn," she gestures over to a slightly bigger building with purple windows. "Your reservations are all checked so feel free to rest and get ready. The celebration starts around midnight, here at the square. Would you like a tour now or tomorrow?"
This time Bloom cuts in before Valtor can speak: "Tomorrow is more than fine, thank you for your hospitality Lyrion," she masters the best smile she can, calming down the irritation and anger at Valtor which already started to build. The woman nods and waves before heading to a neighbouring house and closing the door.
"You seem amused by all this," Bloom says the second she's gone, turning to Valtor who simply smiles, same as always. "Not at all, I'm only pleased that you didn't ruin a fun night. Yet ." Bloom pushes back the urge to roll her eyes. This was supposed to be one of his conquering missions, not a fun little outing and certainly not a party.
"How did you know I'd say yes?" she asks before he slips into the inn. He had to have made the reservations at least a day before. And he asked her to come only half an hour ago.
"You fairies are predictable, I doubted you'd say no to saving an innocent planet. And I figured you could use a save," he answers calmly and reaches for the front door, stopping once again to add. "First floor, second room to the right, be downstairs in forty-five minutes. Abby will help you get ready," and then he closes them behind him. Bloom only stood, blinking and confused. Could it be that he was here before? This Abby person he mentioned like they're an old friend and Lyrion too seemed charmed by him. What had she gotten herself into?
She waited for a few minutes before making her way through the inn. All the other rooms were closed, and the lobby was empty save for the doorman. She smiled politely and followed Valtor's instructions. In front of the room, she figured was hers stood a person, grinning from ear to ear. "You're Bloom, right? I'm Abby," they extended a hand and Bloom took it, more surely than Lyrion's.
"I'm a designer from Solaria, here to help with your clothes. What would you like? A suite, a dress, something else?" Bloom can barely wrap her head around all the words as Abby continues to list all the fabrics, shoes and jewellery she can provide for her. It immediately made her think of Stella. She probably knew Abby if they were from the same planet. Though, she didn't want to make herself sad by thinking of her best friend. So Bloom nods as if listening as she steps around them and into the room. The best word for it was definitely cosy. It was smaller, but in gorgeous yellow shades and had a bookshelf right by the bed. A clock chimed on the nightstand, showing the time to be 23:07.
Not nearly enough time for her to set her thoughts straight.
Valtor stood at the end of the stairs, safely dressed in the traditional Domino clothes he still had memorized. He even got rid of his beloved coat for tonight and switched it for a deep red blazer. Bloom would be there at any moment now, he had to act the calmest he could manage. This night had to go smoothly, and luckily there was so little to worry about. But slight anxiety still crept around his soul. Winx were somehow always messing up his plans, even though he was sure this time they didn't even know where he was. Hopefully the same went for Bloom too.
He looked up at the first floor and sucked in his breath as his eyes fell on the Princess of Domino. Her flaming hair was combed but left to fall over her shoulders, traces of light makeup visible on her face. But her dress-
Valtor could barely look away.
She went toward him down the stairs and every step she took had him trying to look at anything else. The dress was strikingly red, and started at the choker at her neck and continued over her shoulders, spilling down and hiding her feet. There was a cutout going from her neckline down to her waist, exposing the area in the middle of her chest. And two slits that were mirrored at both sides of her legs as well. A golden belt rested around her hips, made out of golden sphere-like objects.
"You look splendid," he said with an exhale and cursed himself for admitting that it was true. Her arms were covered with twin white gloves, similar to his own. But even though she looked like a true queen he couldn't help but feel that there was something missing from her attire. As she approached him, walking carefully down the stairs the realization of it hit him and he made a mental note to fix it by the end of the night. He pretended not to notice when her own eyes travelled up and down, eyeing him suspiciously.
But whatever she saw seemed to ease her because she smiled, genuinely smiled at him. Eased might have been the wrong word because she still seemed very much on alert as if he would reveal that this was coy and that she will get attacked if she didn't watch out. Valtor couldn't even fake his surprise when she thanked him with a nod. He decided on a bold move and placed a hand on her back, noticing that she went utterly still.
"Come on, we wouldn't want Lyrion to wait," he added and put slight pressure on the touch as if suggesting she starts walking. Bloom stepped away but kept the masked smile on. "Of course," she said and there was such resentment in it that he wondered if she might spiral right there.
He opened the door for them and watched Bloom's eyes widen at the decorations placed over the square. Lanterns with a symbol of intertwined hands were placed on strings over the lamps and houses, big yellow roses circled around the fountain and something like fireflies flew around the guests. There were around two hundred people there, all dressed similarly. He knew they would stand out, Bloom even more so than him. She seemed to notice it too, self-consciously looking down at her dress, crossing her hands over her chest. "I don't know if I should go there," she said at last.
"You would be missing quite a party," he said and shrugged, noticing Lyrion amid the crowd. He waved her over and she appeared, thrilled to be seeing them. "You're both wonderfully dressed. Come, Bloom dear, let's get you an appetizer," Bloom seemed to hesitate a little, but still followed Lyrion to the banquet tables. He mingled among the guests, making small talk with residents, but always keeping an eye on Bloom.
She took a glass of what must have been wine and drank it in two gulps. He chuckled, watching as it was followed by one more glass. Something on her features seemed to easily relax, the tense set of her jaw letting loose. He watched her as she went over to Abby and started to dance along with the music. They danced until Abby's feet soared and they apologized in length for having to sit down. Valtor dared to brush against her mind and was welcomed by a sense of calmness and something he hadn't felt from her in a while.
Life.
Bloom was happy.
Happy to be here, in this free space, away from trauma that shadowed her, away from her petty school and overbearing friends. Just happy to be existing, to be alive. It almost brought a smile to his face.
He went over, appearing over her shoulder. "It was easy, wasn't it?" she all but leaned into him at that point so his words travelled along the slope of her neck and into her ear. She almost dropped her drink in surprise but didn't back away as quickly as she would otherwise. "All you had to do was relax," Valtor finished and watched as her cheeks blushed as she turned toward him.
Before she got to find a response, the music changed to a slow melody. People calmed down, aiming to find a partner to dance with. Bloom realized it just in time because in the next second Valtor's hand stood extended.
"Would you like to dance?"
