Ray nodded as he breathed again. "That's good... I'm glad to hear that.", he said as Evangeline motioned for him to sit on the stone seat that was in the garden. He did just that as she sat next to him.
Evangeline then asked quietly, "So, you're going with the family wherever they're going?", and Ray sighed softly, "I know I and Naveen are free to go anywhere, do anything we want, but I think it's best to stay in a familiar way, at least until I get a handle on figuring what to do for myself, to give Naveen a childhood I've always dreamed of for him...It's really strange...All my life, I've known how to toil in the fields, cook, chop wood, drove wagons of supplies along with a few other things like swimming and talking in French as it was a lot of English over there in Louisiana...I suppose I could ask some of the others to teach me how to write and read...I always wondered about the stories in those forbidden books.".
She chuckled, "Forbidden in that not for slaves to read?". Ray nodded as she took a deep breath. "Ray... I want to ask you this, but... Naveen will more than likely have a good chance to learn, to gain knowledge, to allow him the freedom to succeed. But you on the other hand have been almost permanently crippled thanks to your upbringing.".
Ray blinked in confusion as he listened to her, "You want to teach me? But what about your job? With the Evening Star and all.", and Evangeline shook her head, "I'm fortunate to have a break tonight as my mother is taking up some things for me, but that is not what I mean...Do you want me to give you a gift, a gift that would give you most things you hadn't learnt apart from lessons given to you from your mother, the community and in real life like socializing and the birds and bees?".
Ray widened his eyes as it clicked in his mind, and he whispered, "You'd give me the ability to read and write without teaching in one shot? To know things I hadn't seen or heard?".
Evangeline gave a radiant smile, "Yes, that's right. And as you are connected to this family, you are a big part of it, and if you want to help them without trouble, you can do anything for them from your new knowledge. So, what do you say?".
Ray glanced away as he thought about it. "Look, I'm not going to make you a new Issac Newton or Gallello. But I am giving you the gift of knowledge, a more equal footing and chance to surpass many of those that take their own knowledge for granted sometimes.", Evangeline explained to him.
Ray pursued his lips in thought...It's true that he could teach Naveen easier if he's on equal footing like the others, and sure, he could have appreciated the others' help if they taught his son, but honestly, Naveen is the only thing of his past, and besides, fathers teach sons, don't they?
Evangeline patiently waited for his answer for a few minutes before Ray looked back at her, giving her a nod, "Okay, have at it. Will this hurt?".
Evangeline smiled and shook her head. "No... not in the slightest...", she promised him as he took a deep breath, "I want you to know... that I'm willing to do this for Naveen... for my friends... they don't need to be burdened by me because I was denied everything.".
Evangeline smiled at him reassuringly, "Ray, your son adores you, and Leila and the others see you as an equal. You will never be a burden to them.", almost biting her lip as she wanted to add, 'and me', with a light blush before taking a deep breath, lifting her wand, "Ready?".
Ray nodded, and closed his eyes as Evangeline gently placed her wand flat against the top of his head, and spoke clearly, "Ray, son of Mama Odie, father of Naveen, I give thyself the gift of knowledge to be on equal footing with other people of the world, and so let it mote be.".
The bright light came for a few moments, and nobody else saw it as they were deep in the shade of a tree on the stone bench, and then the wand dimmed, lifting off Ray's head.
Ray exhaled as new knowledge flowed like water through his head, and he opened his eyes, looking around before grabbing a stick, and tears filled his eyes as he wrote and read out loud in the sand, "Raymond, Naveen, Mama Odie, Evangeline!", laughing happily in joy, "I can read and write! Thank you, thank you!", blindly hugging Evangeline and swiftly pecking her on the cheeks and lips before suddenly freezing in horror and fear, looking in Evangeline's wide eyes and blush on her cheeks, not expecting it.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to! Forgive me!", Ray let go of her, starting to leave in shame, the fear of being caught and the rules of his old masters/mistresses ingrained deeply inside him despite the newly gained gift and his recent freedom. No blacks forbidden with white women.
"Forgive you for what?", Evangeline chuckled. "For holding me? Kissing me? I didn't say anything to make you stop.", with a reassuring smile. "But it's... it's very wrong... me... and you... if others saw...", Ray told her as she sighed.
"I know... the bigotry and punishment of mixing race. Parts of France may be a bit more tolerant than others and even they're more tolerant than some other places on Earth...". Evangeline especially knew just how quick Ray could be strung up from a tree by rope if he was back in Louisiana.
Ray nodded sadly, "Exactly...", and Evangeline reached over to take his hand, "But I'm not a normal woman...My magic can hide us. And I...I never, ever had a suitor, Ray...Oh, sure, many flocked to look at me for my beauty or my magic, but I want to learn love...Watching over people in love...you can imagine how that it's lonely for me. And I especially don't care if you're different to those people, for you are special to me, your son, and our friends.".
Ray was quite stunned to hear her say that. He almost didn't know what to say but the words eventually found him, "You'd... you'd want to try to experience love... with me?".
Evangeline smiled shyly with a nod, "Yes...And I promise that we won't be caught by bigots, though they should mind their own business.", with a huff. Ray gave a little chuckle, "True...I...I might have taken a gander at some young women over the years, but I never actually experienced love either...Sure, I had crushes one time or another, but let's say...the humiliation of being forced to copulate with Rosa who was only my friend, and it wasn't even real...it put me off, through Naveen would never, ever be a mistake as he's part of my heart.".
"I have to confess...I wanted to stop those monstrous men...but upon realizing that in the vision I had of you...Naveen was the salvation that kept you going...But I was...I wanted to comfort you on that horrible night more than what I tried to give you in the feeling that you aren't alone or a brute to Rosa despite the orders from those men...", Evangeline whispered softly.
"It's alright...", Ray told her. "Maybe it was better to wait there and save it for these last few days... if anything, it helped save Ella.", he said.
Evangeline exhaled in relief, "And I'm glad I did, thanks to your wish. And you know, Naveen was such a darling...He loved playing with me for his game, and of course, he really tried to keep awake the whole story I was telling, but he was just so precious when he let me tuck him in...I watched over him that whole hour while you were detained for a bit before you were let go. I had to head back to the star, but luckily, he was safe when you got home.", with a sweet smile.
Ray chuckled, "I know...He couldn't stop talking the next morning...He absolutely adored you. Are we...are we going to tell him...about this...us?", and Evangeline smiled softly, "How about giving him some more time to experience his new freedom and new life for now? Let's not overwhelm him...He's four years old, after all. But we will eventually tell him...that is, if you want to try to experience love, to have it be real, with me?", as she knew she wants this, but she's willing to wait for him.
Ray took a deep breath, "I mean... me? Of all people? There are so many other guys which I'm sure out there that would be more than worthy of you, to be able to give you the same thing you want.".
Evangeline wanted to tell him that she's his significant other, but he's barely starting to pull away from the chains that kept him prisoned for a long time, and he wouldn't want pressure on his shoulders.
But instead, Evangeline smiled, "I am not tied to society or anything like that, and if I must say it again, I will. You are more than you think, and I want to be there with you to see what I see in you. I want a man who sees me as who I am, not for my beauty or my magic...", with an exhale as she looked down for a moment.
She saw Ray's hand in her view, hesitant for a second before gently touching her cheek, lifting her up, and he spoke, "It's true that you are beautiful, and your magic is incredible, but I see your kindness, your empathy, your courage, and your understanding heart.", as they locked eyes; bright blue and dark brown.
"And I see so much of a wonderful man behind your eyes... kind, caring, willing to protect and be gentle with those close to him...", Evangeline smiled. "Practically a true good man... and one that surpasses so many on this planet... that's why...". In reference to his whole previous 'why me?'.
Ray's breath caught, and he knew Evangeline is sincere in her words ever since he was told the stories behind the family, and if she's sincere, then the magic is hiding them even if they are high on a hillside, in the gardens behind a chateau which is even more secluded than anything else.
His eyes flicked to her lips, and Evangeline smiled, putting her wand down on the stone bench, with the star symbol glowing onwards on her silent order to shield her and Ray, and she slowly, gently put her hands across his arms, sending goosebumps to him, and he exhaled, feeling her soft skin on her cheek and hands, never imagining that she is willing to touch him without fear or disgust.
"The choice is yours, Ray... I want to experience love... true love... and I know in my heart that you're the perfect man to help...", Evangeline whispered as their heads got closer to one another as they stared in each other's eyes.
Ray slowly wrapped his arms around her, seeing her smile with a soft shiver as he grazed her wings, and he exhaled deeply as he and she leaned into each other, their breath mixing together, and then he gently pressed his lips to her lips, feeling something new he never imagined feeling.
Evangeline was over the moon as she felt a whole new feeling, her hands moving to gently caress his neck as she kissed him back just as gently, not wanting to scare him, and after a few moments, they had to pull back for fresh air, and Ray whispered, "Yes...I want to experience true love with you, Evangeline...".
She smiled so brightly that Ray realized that he made her the happiest, probably in centuries, and he smiled, feeling his heart beam for the most meaningful gesture he ever did.
The two of them stood there for a moment before they went back for another kiss, once more gently rubbing their hands against each other as they let their feelings take control.
Evangeline moaned softly into the kiss as he touched her wings by the base, and Ray whispered, "Does it hurt?", and she shook her head, "No...I think you found a sensitive spot I never knew...Don't stop...".
He nodded as he kept going, their kisses slowly started to pick up some intensity as they stopped being short gentle ones and longer and more passionate kinds.
Evangeline enjoyed the feel of his skin and shaved hair as her hands roamed over him as she moaned even more in pleasure as she felt his incredible warm hands caress her hair and skin, making her wings twitch pleasurably as he touched them sensually, feeling so safe and loved in his strong and large embrace as he is taller than her, which is rare for her to experience.
"Ray...", Evangeline gave a light moan before the two of them slowly stopped... not wanting to push any further already at the moment. "How... how was that for you?", Ray asked.
Evangeline gave a radiant smile, "Amazingly perfect...I know we're not ready to say those words, as this is new for both of us, but I'm glad it's you...".
Ray whispered, "Evangeline...I'm honored...I can't believe that you chose me out of all the men in the world, but I wouldn't have it any other way now...".
She stroked his cheek tenderly, and then blinked softly as she glanced at her wand, and then sighed softly, "The Star's calling me...I'll come when I'm free between wishes, okay?".
Ray nodded as he took a deep breath. "We'll... we'll find a way to make this work, right?", he asked as she nodded. "I promise... I have a few ideas of what must be done... but I promise... I will do what it takes for us to share a life together...", Evangeline said firmly.
Ray smiled, "With your wit, I have no doubt.", tenderly stroking her cheek, and whispered, "One last kiss for now?", and Evangeline blushed with a delighted smile, and she went in to kiss him warmly and lovingly that he returned with gusto, and after a minute, they pulled back, and Evangeline picked up her wand, and gave him a smile before she departed in her usual spiral of sparkles, heading back to the Evening Star to see to her job.
Touching his lips with a finger, Ray smiled as he saw the Evening Star gleam at him, and he chuckled, heading back to the chateau, to his makeshift bed, falling asleep, dreaming of him, Naveen, and Evangeline laughing and smiling in a meadow.
And so, over the next couple of days and nights, the newlyweds spent their time together, with Ray having tender, wonderful, and passionate moments with Evangeline, and then the last day was spent of packing everything necessary for traveling while having sold the chateau to the King on the agreement of letting newcomers rent the place for a night or two to get a handle on things, and of course, sold the cottage as well.
Major was hitched to a well-furnished cart, with Arnaldo hitched to the family's cart, and upon bidding goodbyes, everyone was surprised when Ella gave Bruno to the young prince, Charles who asked his father if he could have him, and seeing the sweet act, the King, whose name was Louis, happily was fine, telling him that he has to be responsible for Bruno.
Charles was overjoyed, and promised Ella that he would take care of Bruno with love and respect, and to his surprise, Ella kissed him on the cheek, though, of course, he was disgusted for a moment, yet he secretly enjoyed it, as he was five years old, and he was in that stage about cooties, and Ella was just enjoying it, giggling, smiling.
The adults were amused and smiling when they saw it, and on the chance if they visit the kingdom often, who knows what life would bring? They bid each other goodbye, and Louis swore that they are always welcome.
The gang headed out; obviously not knowing exactly where they were heading to, but Jules quickly got the direction in that it was somewhere north where Perla and Juliet informed was those that they were destined for.
Jiminy drove in front, with Ray helping him occasionally, with Perla helping occupying Carlo and Naveen with games that was able to be played in a cart, with Jules driving behind, with Leila at his side, with Juliet and Figaro in the cart, occupying Ella's attention with games as well.
They weren't in any rush once again, not wanting to lose sight of each other's carts, and so, they took half days with stopping for lunch, and for the nights, bonding with each other tighter as they traded stories, with Ray and Jules adding in their part.
On those nights, Ray shared moments with Evangeline after she would tuck Naveen in for bed, as he was happy to have her visiting, and Ray would always watch her sing a lullaby to his son with a content smile.
They spent more tender moments than passionate moments, thanks to the gang who knew of the blooming relationship, and to Ray's shock, they weren't repulsed at all. Of course, there were a few times when one cart was available for lovemaking, with one of the compasses soundproofing the cart, for either Perla and Juliet, or Jules and Leila, as soon as the children were exhausted for bed in the other cart.