surprise took over clarion's fair features as he said her name ⸻ so informally, so intimately. she hadn't heard him say her name in so long, it almost made her knees buckle from underneath her, or perhaps that was just herself growing weaker in this encroaching cold. his words, however, did not surprise her. the queen knew that was how he felt, that he would trade his wings for her over and over and over again with no remorse. that was the entire reason she made the choice all those years ago to separate their worlds ⸻ because he was never going to be safe if he was willing to lay down his life for her and truly losing him would be something she could not survive.
" milori, " the queen of pixie hollow breathed out, daring to say his name out loud for what felt like the first time all over again. she felt the rush of cool air hit her warm skin, the feeling of winter's frozen embrace hitting the pixie dust tree and for a moment, clarion prayed the tree was going to survive ⸻ because something had to change in pixie hollow.
" if we cannot keep them apart, " clarion began, referring to the troublemaking sisters they seemed to have be given by fate as she took one step closer again, despite the chill in the air, " then maybe it's time. " the border rule was there for a reason, but just like tinkerbell had figured out ⸻ warm faeries could cross, with help. it was not impossible, simply dangerous if not thought out. back then, clarion had let her fear of losing milori, of being unable to rule fairly under such fear control her decisions; but she was younger then, inexperienced under her crown. she was wiser now, and seeing him again made her realize she could not live with a broken heart forever.
