An awful drabble of all my feelings.
Rayla felt herself go weak at the knees.
Every night, every single cold, lonely night for two years, as she found herself shivering amongst the branches or roots of a gnarled tree, vainly chasing sleep, she would think about him. Think about his boyish smile, his gentle hands, his kind green eyes. How she never felt more loved in her entire life than in the months she was with him. She would take his scarf, the one tangible reminder she had of him, and wrap it tightly around herself, letting the memories keep her warm, because certainly memories were all she’d ever have. It was a childhood romance, she told herself, sweet and stupid and fleeting. And after two years, he would’ve moved on. She’d broken his heart after all, leaving him in the dead of night without so much as a proper goodbye, and he was the crown prince now. He was probably betrothed to some elegant, wealthy princess by now. Someone deserving of a boy as wonderful and brave as him. She would imagine how regal he would look at his wedding, the joy in his eyes when he saw his lovely bride. And she would force herself to be content. No, she wouldn’t dare ruin whatever happiness he had found in the time since she abandoned him by showing up and ripping open the old wounds she’d inflicted on his heart. No, she would cherish the precious memory of his love, and let him go.
And yet here he was. Callum. Staring at her with those eyes, now flickering with disbelief. He was even more handsome than she could’ve imagined. He was so much taller than before, and his hair was now longer, windswept, framing his attractive jaw. He took a step toward her, and she shuddered, glancing down. She felt so small in front of him. The boy she’d loved was no more, and a man had taken his place. And yet here she was, though some months older, still a girl. A girl who was so afraid of failure that she left the boy who’d thrown himself off a cliff to rescue her to chase after a dead man.
“Callum…” Rayla whispered, voice catching in her throat. “I—I don’t… Callum, I’m so—”
She gasped softly as she was suddenly drawn into his arms, cradled against his broad chest, breath leaving her as his strong hands caressed her face and his lips found hers.
“Oh Rayla…” Callum pressed his forehead to the girl’s, tears streaming from his eyes. “Rayla, I’ve missed you so much…”
She was so beautiful, even more beautiful than she was in his dreams, strong and lithe and graceful. The most gorgeous being he’d ever seen. He ran his fingers through her silvery cascades of hair and gently brushed the tears from her cheeks. “Rayla, please don’t cry…”
“You’re—you’re cryin,’ too…” she hiccuped, clinging to his arm. Callum couldn’t tell if she was trembling or if he was. “Callum, I’m so sorry, please, I’m so—“
“No, no, not right now…” Callum silenced her with another kiss. “You don’t have to apologize right now. I just… I can’t believe it’s really you. Oh look at you, you’re so…. so beautiful,” he gushed, afraid to let go of her, afraid she’d disappear again if he dared do so. In that moment, it didn’t matter where she’d been or what she’d done. All that mattered was she was here, really here, the love of his life, safe and wrapped in his arms. And he silently swore to himself, he would never let anything take her from him again.
From beyond the veil, Aaravos smiled. Here at last, was the key to the heart of the young human mage. And once she was in his grasp, the boy would belong to him.
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