The Archfae's Bride

as crisp with the scent of pine and the lingering warmth of a spring day. Marcelia stood beside Rayner, her eyes scanning the crowd. It was as if the ent

ather-bound book in her hands, her wrinkled face soft with a bittersweet smile. Rayner, for the

this village for so long that we can hardly imagine the days before you arrived. You'v

a could see Rayner's jaw tighten, the way his gaze dropped slightly to the ground.

all the meals you've loved the most. You may not have been born here, but you've been our child no

the worn leather cover. "I... didn't expect this," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, betrayi

we know. But humor an old woman. And one more thing-we expec

the Elder to Rayner. "You can count

e little girl that asked Marcelia when they first ente

n his usual mischievous smirks. "I wouldn't dream of it. Besides," he

f the moment, the depth of Rayner's connection to these people who had taken him in when he had been lost and alone. As t

e, flowed freely down his cheeks. His voice cracked as he whispered, "Thank you all... for everything." Elda's frail hand reached up to pat his back gently, her smile kind and understanding. But Rayner, ever the fae, tried to inject some of his old mischief into th

ad of laughing, smiled with warmth and understanding. The love and care in t

sensing how much this moment meant to him. She didn'

but knowing, in some way, these people would always be with him. As he and Marcelia walked into the

ng as if whispering a soft goodbye to Rayner. The sunlight filtered through the canopy in golden patches, bu

amily. "My father, Cedric, runs a bard school in the capital. It's not just for magic

A school that teaches more than just magic? That's uncommon. Y

with healing magic. I want to help others, ease pain... It feels like my purpose." Rayner remained quiet, his golden eyes flickering

e Willow married into royalty." She chuckled, "She's much more serious than I am, but I admire her strength. Then there's Ju

family... it's all blended together? Humans don't usual

t it works for us. My stepmother, Rellia, has been in my life since I was little, and we all l

forting, I think." His voice trailed off, and for a brief moment, the sadness returned to his eyes. But he quickly shook i

h warmth. "It's a world you're part of now,

ul mischief returning. "Well, I suppose if I

they continued their walk home, a word Ra

he manor, the smell of junipers and cedar trees fill t

, who had seemed a familiar and comforting presence before, now circled overhead with a somber heaviness.

h mortal hands have unleashed the past!" Another flapped its wings, adding to t

re he could deepher their meaning, they spotted the manor up ahead, engulfed in flames. Mar

ed Theo's sword tightly, ready to fight a

ce. He rushed to her side, gasping her arm tightly to ho

ide with desperation. "I have to go! They

's laments. "This fire-it's magical in origin. It was caused by a magical burst due to an

ds sank in. "Julius... he... his translations... no.

cry, trying to figure out what could have been unsealed. Her screams of pain and sorrow made it hard for him to

warnings lost in the chaos, leaving Rayner with a forebodi

rnful wail that pierced through the crackling flames, echoing like a tragic bell tolling for the lost. Rayner

n danger-everyone in danger!" Rayner held her tightly, feeling the tremors of her anguish ripple through him. "I know, my Tyngan," he wh

ts of her home, the flames dancin like malevolen

ear igniting her spirit once more. She struggled to rise, d

r her pain. "We have to think this through. If the seal was broken, there might be m

f their dire situation. The ravens circled overhead, their cries still echoing the sorr