~

                      The sun slowly climbs all the way to the top of the Silver Mountains, just like a determined soldier protected by a golden armor, and lingers there for a few good hours, keeping watch over Yarrin Village which seems to be waking up from a deep sleep.

                            Opening his eyes slowly, Hyunjin smiles as the warm morning light washes his face and he feels the weight on his chest becoming clearer within every second. He always likes to open his eyes and feel Felix sleeping on his chest, the sweet presence making his every morning delightful and worth to wake up. Felix seems to sense that he became the center of attention in this warm morning. He yawns and lifts his head, the sting he feels when his cheek parts from Hyunjin's chest makes him wonder if he stood there for a few hours... or a few good years. Hyunjin chuckles as Felix's hair brushes his nose tip and is thankful that he has been blessed with this lucky star. Slowly, as Felix presses his chest on Hyunjin's and his hand moves away a few strands of blonde hair that fell in front of Hyunjin's eyes, the blonde thief can't suppress a sigh. Felix's deep voice resounds in Hyunjin's ears like an alarm, announcing a morning drowned in sweat and moans. "Did you sleep well?"

                           Hyunjin bites his lip and thinks about how well he didn't sleep, the soreness of his throat making it hard to speak when he thinks about how they went to sleep last night. How Felix told Adhara that he takes Hyunjin with him in a trip through the mountains and if he is at it he would also bring forest fruits home. How the sun rotated on the sky in a dizzying dance and by the time it prepared to go to sleep Hyunjin and Felix reached a wonderful lake, situated in a serene glade. How the empty basket was left on the ground together with their clothes while they entered the cold water, bathing in the sunset rosy light. How Hyunjin’s hands tangled in Felix's wet hair and how their bodies collided, their lips crashing into each other like angry waves in a stormy sea. How, without holding back, they filled the glade with the purest of sins, the heaviest of breaths, the most authentic feelings. How they poured love onto each other and how everytime Hyunjin closed his eyes and opened his mouth he understood that he is right where he should be.

                              Hyunjin and Felix intertwine their hands, Hyunjin’s thumb brushing on Felix's wounded hand. "Does it still hurt?" Felix hisses when Hyunjin's finger tip brushes against the cut on his hand. He scratched his hand when he tried to reach a bunch of forest fruits hidden under a thorny wreath. "It does." As soon as Hyunjin's lips touch the red mark, Felix shivers. "I'm sorry." Hyunjin whispers on Felix's skin. He places a kiss on Felix's hand again and holds his hand tightly pressed against his bare chest. "I will think about making an ointment to help it heal quickly." Felix's smirk makes Hyunjin feel weak in the knees. "Maybe I know a kind of ointmeint you can make." Hyunjin rolls his eyes and traces his fingers on Felix's freckles, knowing exactly where every single one is placed. He effortlessly managed to learn them by heart, especially the ones on Felix's nose, the darker spots sprinkled on his cheeks serving as a map of a realm only Hyunjin could enter.

                                "The process of making that ointment. Is it tough?" Hyunjin asks, absolutely loving to play Felix's dirty games while Felix traces his hand down Hyunjin's chest. The usual feeling that builds up in Hyunjin’s stomach makes him become impatient, already longing for what is about to come in a few minutes. Felix kisses Hyunjin's jawline as his hand finds the sculped abdomen covered in scars and the blonde thief writhes under his touch. Hyunjin’s hands tremble and when Felix starts the process of making the ointment Hyunjin can't help but feel thankful for the matching gold rings that light up the room with a morning golden spark. Those rings which represent and seal their unwavering love.

                                In the morning fog that surrounds the house, Elara walks like a phantasm. Her bare feet press on the soft grass and the morning dew feels refreshing on her ankles as she walks towards the place where her every morning ritual takes place. It's June again and the sun starts to shine brightly, breaking through the clouds and bathing the world in an infernal heat. She sighs and approaches the tall oak tree that she used as an anchor of reality for the past two years. The tree which serves as a bridge between a lost hope and a burning desire. Two years have passed and ever since she sat in the forest alone, wishing to see a tall man with white hair appear on the log near her and talk about everything they missed: talk about her new school where she learns how to sew clothes and ask him about how things are going in the camp, she feels like time has stopped. She sees lovers come and go, she hears people gossiping in her class about new and old couples and she goes to sleep alone at night despite the bunch of men who offered her various gifts to show her their love. Elara approaches the oak tree while holding the pendant tightly in her hand, the metal warming up in her hold. Since they managed to save Adhara, every day ever since then, in every morning she felt thankful for opening her eyes, she would go near this oak tree, close her eyes, place her head on her arm and continue playing hide-and-seek with Ackon. Every morning she would count to 10, hoping from the bottom of her heart for a tall, muscular silhouette to jump from behind the tree with a triumphant smile on his face and tell her with joy in his voice 'I finally found you!'

                                   She gulps and picks up the last crumble of hope that is buried deep within her heart. While holding that fragile crumble of hope, she keeps her eyes closed and starts counting. 1... 2... 3... 4... 5... 6... 7... 8... she starts sobbing ... 9... 10... by the last number, tears are already running down her cheeks. It's stupid. She should just give it up. Take off the necklace and throw in the box with her other jewelry. "It's either way pointless." She talks through sobs as her nails dig in the rough wood. The pain she feels as her nails break and blood stain her fingertips is something she got used to. She lifts her head from her arm and with a wave of anger sweeping over her, she grabs the necklace and takes it off, squeezes it in her palm until the complicated models impregnate on her skin and she throws it as far as she can, breaking down into tears. The heavy breathing makes her look like a toddler throwing a fit. But it's much more than that. It's much more than throwing a fit. It's a simple act of defiance against her destiny. She knows that most probably in a few seconds she will run and search for the necklace in the tall grass, the place where the necklace was a while ago already feeling heavier in its absence. She hates this. She hates that she can't look at another man without unconsciously grabbing the warm metal of Ackon's necklace. She hates going at a party and seeking for a tall man with long white hair. She hates being considered and called a "philophobic" [Philophobia = fear of falling in love] or a "tits lover" due to her lack of interest in men. Her light blue dress feels as heavy as an armor as her feelings mix up and battle inside her being.

                                     She hears horse hooves pressing the green grass and thinks that most probably Akasha felt sorry for her owner again. She waits for her mare to approach her, let its head down and wait for her to caress its soft nose. She loves Akasha and Akasha loves her. They created a strong bond while walking through the forest, galloping through the barren hills and occasionally startling the neighbour's chickens. But when her beautiful white horse doesn't neigh near her ear and she hears someone dismounting she wipes her tears and slowly lifts her gaze.

                                     A man. Tall and muscular. A man wearing a warm coat even in the hottest of summer. A man with long white hair and a black tattoo painted on his sun kissed skin starting from his forehead and trailing all down his chest. A man with pointed ears and keen eyes of a turquoise color. A man she's been missing for two years. A man who accepted the challenge and came looking for her. Ackon Wiafe.

                                        Elara feels the tears gather up in her eyes and as Ackon crouches down to pick up the necklace she threw earlier, she can't believe it's for real. She can't believe that he actually found her. Ackon scoffs and looks at her while standing up, his presence simply making her lose her mind. The white haired Fae smiles and lifts the necklace on two fingers, letting it swing in the air while asking a question that makes Elara cry tears of joy. "Did I arrive too late?" Elara's feet bang against the soft grass as she runs into Ackon's direction. Her vision is blurry because of the tears, but she approaches the tall man and throws her hands around his neck, pulling him into a tight hug. His arms wrap around her waist and the tight grip he holds only makes her cry more. His touch is more heartwarming than she anticipated in the long nights when she couldn't sleep. In the long nights when this very moment was just a helpless dream. They stay like that for seconds, maybe minutes and as she stares into his turquoise eyes,  she understands that it is worth waiting, if you wait for the right person. Her hands remain placed on the fur on his coat and when she slowly stands on her tippy toes, he doesn't show any sign of protest, the sweet contact of their lips making them both smile. The kiss is shy and short, but serves as a warm welcome. His lips are soft and the enormous hand placed on her hip keeps her steady.

                                  Ackon places the necklace back around Elara's neck and smiles sincerely while wiping the tears that were staining her cheek. Words aren't needed as he slides his hand on the back of her neck and pulls her closer once again. Her heart beats faster than she ever thinks it did when his other hand slides on her lower back, pulling her body even closer to his. This moment. She never knew that she needed this moment the way she needs it. Their lips almost meet and... suddenly Ackon stops, the clapping and cheering of someone in the background putting their world back on playing. Elara turns around and notices Felix and Hyunjin approaching them with smiles on their faces while clapping and cheering, either for Ackon's arrival, either for the fact that they were right. Elara is in love with Ackon. 

                               Hyunjin rustles his hand through Elara's ginger hair which now reaches her chest. He chuckles and pinches her nose. "So you're not a tits lover afterall." Elara rolls her eyes and hits Hyunjin’s arm pretty hard. "Very funny Hyunjin!" She looks at Ackon who has his eyebrows furrowed. His confused expression makes her chuckle and what he says next makes them all burst into laughter. "Again, did I arrive too late?"

                              They all laugh and even the sun shines brighter, celebrating this happy reunion. Happiness is a choice and if you know how to wait for it, you will be surprised of how you find it in the smallest things.
.
.
.

                        The author closes the book and looks into the reader's eyes which sparkle with joy. "And did they live happily ever after?" The reader asks excitedly while the author shows a heartwarming smile and places a hand on the reader's shoulder. "They lived in a world of fairytales. What do you think?"