Princess of Faerl
47. Only a Day

*Hephaestus*

I woke up the next morning and she was gone. There was a note next to the bed, a necklace, and a lock of hair. My fingers trembled as I opened the note.

My Fated,

I am so sorry. She stole you from me and I cannot live with the void. I need our bond, and maybe in my next lifetime, we will have it. I’m sorry I couldn’t be stronger. You will meet me again. Wait for me to come back to you. I love you.

Your Destined,

Elentari

I didn’t understand. I left the room and the place was almost a ghost town. Most of the patrons were gone, a few were there holding the women close to them, but then I felt it. A sharp stab through my soul. She was gone. It hit so hard I fell over, trying so hard to stand back up, needing to replace her. A young girl stopped me, motioning for me to follow her. I entered a room and dropped to the floor again. My Destined was on a bed, her hair done, and a beautiful purple dress hung perfectly on her body. I cried. For the first time, I cried tears of true sorrow. I moved to the bed, pulling myself up a little to kiss her forehead. That’s when I saw the bottles and the letters sitting next to her. One was addressed to Selene, another to her parents. The bottles didn’t have much of an odor to them, so I couldn’t figure out what they were just yet.

“I will return her to her family.” My declaration boomed through the room. I went back to where my clothes were, dressing myself somberly. Yes, I ran through a brothel naked. I didn’t care. Once I was proper, I returned to her. I put the bottles, now tightly sealed, in my pouch, as well as the two letters. I picked her up, still weeping. One day, one measly day, I was able to feel loved and love freely. Only one day out of my immortal life.

I closed my eyes and envisioned the castle of Faerl. The tears had not stopped. I portaled to the throne room. The king and queen had the court assembled. They were trying to figure out another reconnaissance mission to replace their long lost daughter. She had been missing since she was three.

My appearance stopped everything. They looked at me and the beauty in my arms. “Your Majesties. I… I couldn’t save her. I’m so sorry.” My voice cracked. They rushed forward, realizing their child was in my arms. She looked so peaceful. It was almost as if she was sleeping, not dead. But I had felt the bond snap. I knew she was gone.

The queen started screaming hysterically, “My baby!! What happened to my baby??” She glared at me with murderous intent. The king removed her from my arms and I handed his attendant the letters and the bottles. My eyes were fixed on the floor. I lost my love. I didn’t protect her. My family killed her.

“What happened?” His stare felt like fire. I reached out to touch his forehead, and the queens, letting them see what happened. I couldn’t bear to say the words or look them in the eye. I felt it was all my fault.

“Aphrodite will pay,” I vowed, wiping my tears away.

“I’ll hold you to that.” King Tirisil now matched his wife’s murderous glare, but at least I wasn’t the target any longer. Suddenly, the doors flew open and a woman with stark white, knee-length long hair, pale skin, and eyes like the moon hurried forward. She had a crown of the triple moon. The king handed her a letter.

The queen was holding my love’s hand, crying. I wished I could take away her pain. “Selene, I’m sorry. I couldn’t save her, I’m so sorry.” I groveled at my aunt’s feet. She lifted my head by my chin to look at her, eyes filled with compassion.

“Hep, do not blame yourself. You brought her back. I must beg of you until I return again. Do not look for this soul, no matter what you hear or feel. Can you promise me this?” I nodded, feeling pain in my heart. She was asking me to never search for my Destined until I knew she had returned to this mortal plane, even if I felt her existence. Even if I looked her in the eye, I had to remove myself immediately. “Now, I need you to make good on your vow, make her pay.”

Anger flowed through me, “If you ever have need of me, I am at the service of the Kingdom of Faerl.” I bowed to their Majesties, leaning forward to kiss my love one last time. “Until we meet again, I love you.” Without another word, I disappeared.

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*Author’s Note:

Sorry for the short chapter, but there was no other way to nicely chop this section into pieces. I hope you enjoyed reading about the first meeting of Hep and Elentari! I might make this into its own spin off but I’m not sure yet. Let me know what you think! Facebook @AuthorSkyeHill and Skye Hill Books. Thank you for reading!

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