The Archfae's Bride

ride until she was closer to the Moonlite Maiden's Forest, cutting her travel time significantly. What would have t

ood to us. It's no trouble at all," he

he deeper she went, the more the trees seemed to shift around her as if alive, their trunks twisting a

elf standing before her, though something about him felt... different. His long white hair shimmered in the dappled light, reminding her of moonbe

e," the stranger offered, his voice sweet

g with caution. She'd heard enough stories from her fathe

until you give me yours,"

clever girl," he purred, his golden eyes twinkling with a

't an elf standing before her. The playful mannerisms, the almost preda

rping as if reality itself twisted to accommodate his true shape. The illusion of an elf fell away

arcelia noticed that delicate blossoms were blooming from the branches. The flowers seemed

wers swayed gently with the motion. "I'm no elf, my dear. And now, by fae

ed. "Wait-what? That

," he said softly, "but the words have been spoken. You should be more c

swood," she rep

d, but with a fae, she supposed nothing should be too surprising. Yet, explaining her feelings, especially when it came to something so deep

I meant was... we don't have to... you know, do the

t? Court each other like humans? Learn one another's favorite colors, deepest fears,

er head, feeling her words slipping out faster than her mind could

adn't even realized were there until the glamour dropped, cast subtle shadows over his pale g

ey were so new to her life and came from an entirely different world. "It means..." she began, then faltered as her voice wavered. "It means I can't be se

round, hoping she hadn't

light shade of red, a stark contrast to the light gray of his complexion. His lips parted, but for once, no

" Rayner's question was quiet, tinged with something

"Y-yes," she stammered, n

neck as if he processed her words. "Th

r imagined possible. Gone was his usual air of unshakabl

t him. "I just... want to take things slow. I didn't mean to... propose or anything." She caught his

tand what you're trying to say." His expression softened, a hint of his usual playfulness returning as his li

ous chuckle escaping her

asing glint returned, but now there was something gentler in his tone. "Well, Marcelia Raveswood," he mur

r confusion. It was the start of something else-a sense of anticipation. Though Rayner's mischiev

" she said softly, the tension between th

ps. "Then let's begin, shall we? The village awaits, and I'm sure they could use your

her lips. Despite the awkwardness and the teasing, she was beginning to feel a spa

know that? she thought. She was sure she haddn't mentioned anything about why she had come to the village. She

face. A mischievous smile tugged at the corner

he asked, casually leaning against a tree.

with a cautious stare. "I never told

nfused look, he continued, "Whenever they brought me home-cooked meals, they would chat about the goin

an eyebrow. "Bro

g," he said, placing air quotes around the word victim. "I'd take their names and only give them back

ore bursting into laughter. "Wait, so

ats. And honestly, it's become something of a rite of passage around here. They act like losing their names to me

k, shaking her head in disbelie

about the Daughter of Baron Ravenswood is coming to deliver Lucillia's twins. They've been gushing ab

but hearing that the villagers spoke so fondly of her brought a warmth to her chest

ning to all their storie

ers. "But no, I wasn't watching you before we met. That would be impolite, don't you think?" He gave her a cheeky wink, his mischievous natu