Nightshade: Chapter XVI
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XVI–The Kiss and The Solstice
Noë looked into the mirror as she brushed her hair, recalling her aunt braiding it for her, missing the way the white reflected her eyes.
Still it had not changed back, likely from the extreme changes she felt emotionally within.
She did not know if she was thankful or upset as she fingered the black locs, loneliness creeping through her chest. To stand out anymore than she already did would only bring more prying, hateful eyes. Eyes Dahlia had warned her were not as kind.
And nights were hardest.
When she readied for bed, she craved Dahlia’s company, her mirth, her singing. She felt herself starting to tear at the thought of never seeing her smile again.
She breathed in and out slowly.
Tonight was one of celebration.
She would save those lonely thoughts for
another time.
Though she did not leave her room often, when she did happen upon someone new they put on a facade that shone as if it were their own will.
It did not escape her that Angeana was to thank for that.
Her talk with Lady Gren had been whispered round and round again in the days leading to the solstice celebration, leading to Lady Gren and her daughters venturing to a village to the North to celebrate amongst distant family.
She recalled the pleasure on Angeana’s face when she announced it at dinner the night before, a smirk the size of Midgard on her smooth skin.
Noë was thankful for her malice.
As they spoke about how her dress was coming along, Noë had heard Oncinth snickering with Aolis over the rags she was sure to appear in. And with Orion attending to his duties during many of their meals, she longed for his presence.
Desperately, she wanted to see if he felt the same way.
She felt herself melting at the thought of him touching her waist, lifting her just as he had in the mine and holding her close to protect her in his broad chest.
Knocking disturbed her before she could get too carried away at the thought.
Noë stood, the silver blue silk dress she crafted out of the shopkeep’s material moved with her, its thin straps twisted across her chest and behind her back, draping its loose strands behind her neck.
She left her black hair down, pleased with its tight curls from the bath she had taken this morning in preparation for the gathering.
“One moment!” she called as she pulled on the armband inlaid with mother of pearl with her father’s house sigil branded in silver from the gift box left on her bed.
She allowed her fingers to linger on it and caught Orion’s spiced sweet scent.
Although he had seen her at her worst–reckless and lost to the void–he was still so sweet and kind to her.
With the box's design and embellishment she assumed it had come from Angeana when a servant said the Prince Orion himself had tasked her with bringing it to Noë and Noë alone.
She felt herself smile.
She couldn’t wait to thank him for that and more.
Further knocking broke her smile, pulling her attention back to her door.
Opening it she was surprised to find Oncinth, dressed in the royal family’s blue, tulle and pleats circling her tall frame.
The princess did look pretty. Though the deep scowl on her face only sunk further as she eyed Noë up and down, examining the flattering dress she had made in less than two days. “That’s the material Lillir gave you?”
Noë noted the surprise in her voice. She ran her hand over the intake of her waist and over the flair of her hip. “Yes, I’m really pleased with how it turned out. You look well.”
Oncinth only rolled her eyes as if she had heard it all before. “Right. My mother wanted me to walk you to the courtyard because you’re clearly not capable of finding it on your own.”
Noë shut the chamber door and followed her closely.
She wanted to say something–anything–to bridge the gap between them, but with every step down the polished hallway she felt Oncinth’s disdain poison her eagerness. “Thank you for walking with me. It’s nice to talk to someone, not everyone has been very welcoming.”
Oncinth snorted, “So I’ve heard. Lady Gren’s daughter Telor was a friend of mine.”
“Oh…” Noë said in recognition as Oncinth turned her nose up in the air. “I’m sure she’s very… nice.”
Down the tower steps and into the courtyard at the rear of the palace, Noë could hear the talking and laughter increasing, music filling the air with strings and lutes. Her heart began to skip in excitement as her steps grew quicker.
Exiting the rear into the garden courtyard Noë looked excitedly into the dark night. Lanterns were strung from the tower walls, lowering floating strings of light into the stone centre where tables and room for dancing laid in front of the main gnarled tree, its branches adorned with ornaments and lights zig zagging upwards into the castle walls.
Surrounding the courtyard were covered halls lined with dark wooden pillars, brown and black stone holding each up to contain the area.
This party was small, just about seventy elves from nobility alone speaking with tall glasses inlaid with jewels in their lithe hands.
Noë climbed down the stairs, feeling briefly out of place, but held her head high, adhering to the courage the Queen had encouraged her to have.
She belonged in all places, human, elven, or the like.
As she descended further heads began to turn to her, whispering at first, but then smiling broadly followed by clapping.
Noë looked around and began to clap as well, confused at what they were excited for.
Oncinth groaned and lowered her hands. “They’re clapping for you. My father declared this party one to welcome you. He made it private and all. This isn’t even half as many as we typically host.”
Noë closed her mouth in surprise, and smiled politely, waving here and there to the elves she passed who shook her hand.
She sat next to Oncinth at the closet table to the edge, only to be rushed by a group of young elven women who looked to be Oncinth’s age.
Oncinth smiled briefly to speak to them, but as they passed her by and moved directly to Noë, congratulating her for the battle on the harbour and thanking her for her protection, she sat back down.
Noë thanked them several times over before the horde moved along, leaving Oncinth to pout in her chair.
Slumping down, Noë felt disappointment within her. “Are you alright?”
Oncinth did not respond immediately. She rolled her eyes and sat up straight, her expression one of mild annoyance. “Why wouldn't I be?” she asked.
Noë paused before continuing.
“You seem quite upset. If I have done something, I can give you space?”
Oncinth’s eyes flickered to Noë beside her.
How many times must she be cold until she understood?
Understanding herself suddenly, Oncinth bit back the snarky reply she wanted to give. “You’re all anyone can talk or think about. Especially after what you did for the city. Even my mother finally has the perfect plaything she wanted and not… me.”
Noë scooted in closer to Oncinth, patting the tulle on her pale shoulder. “That’s not true at all. Your mother is crazy for you. Yesterday at the shop she spoke of you and your first dress fitting the entire time.”
Oncinth unfolded her arms.
She remembered that.
Her mother had dragged her there kicking and screaming, but when Oncinth saw all of the beautiful colours and fabrics she had been hooked. “She did?”
“Yes.” Noë saw the hope peeking through. “And Orion is the one that saved the city. I just saw his vision. They should be thanking him, not me.”
Hearing rumour of the booming fire from the combustible plant Orion had made himself, and the way he led their navy on the water and felled the Commander himself had given Noë goosebumps.
He was so capable, controlled, and experienced even in his young age.
Noë looked around the courtyard, hoping to find him amongst the crowd.
He had promised to be here.
How else could she thank him?
Silver grey eyes met polls of ocean blue as she spotted him.
Leaning against a pillar with a flagon of mead in hand, he was dressed in a neat green and brown doublet set, his doublet buttoned up all the way from his hips to the bottom of his Adam’s apple, pale and red, moving as he swallowed.
Around his torso and over his shoulder was a matching muted green fur, soft and tinged with rust colouring, flattering his hair that seemed brighter and shorter, a head of flames fashioned and parted on the side.
Finding her in turn, a smile spread on his lips just as she liked it.
Tall and lean, he was wordlessly breathtaking.
Noë touched her tummy under the table gently as her breath hitched and raised her hand gently, her fingers hardly waving as she signed ‘hello’ to him. The warmth that spread through her whenever he was near fluttered within her.
He gave a silent nod and signed back, admiring her from afar as she conversed with his sister.
‘Having fun?’
She smiled and shrugged.
‘Apparently I saved the city.’
He laughed into his drink.
The gossip had been a surprise to him as well.
‘So I’ve heard. Congratulations.’
She gave him a bitter sweet gaze.
‘Thank you.’
She signed slowly, allowing their connection to linger.
“Why is no one thanking him?” Noë looked back to him as elves seemed to migrate around him, ignoring his presence.
Oncinth shuddered to herself. Her brother was nice enough, but sometimes he could be… creepy. Those blind eyes that came and went, and the ominous things that poured from his mouth when he communed with the fates were… disquieting.
“He prefers his peace, so everyone stays out of his way.”
Saddened by the thought of Orion being outcast on looks and ability, Noë looked back to where he stood to find him gone amongst the crowd.
She felt her shoulders lower in disappointment.
Had he left already?
Oncinth noticed her smile falter. “I know you’re really nice because you’re a village girl or what have you–but you don’t have to feel bad. He would say something if it really bothered him.”
Noë looked at her and the elves laughing and dancing.
Would he?
Or had he suffered in silence so long that there was no point in causing a fuss now?
Oncinth stood as the tune changed.
Her friends ran by the table twirling and beckoning to Noë to join.
Noë lifted a hand and refused, but Oncinth grabbed and pulled her up.
She supposed the young goddess was not too horrible. It was up to her to make her suitable for society. “Come and dance. If you’re going to stay you need to make the right friends. Luckily, you have me.”
✴
Noë caught her breath as she spun away from the floor, promising Oncinth she would return after a brief rest. She searched the courtyard for a spot–any spot where she could flee for just a moment for peace. The loud music, the crowd, even in its limited capacity as it was now, was far more than she was used to.
She spotted a gateway further into the garden circling around the castle towards the sea.
She eagerly passed through the brown archway, where vines wound through and around the neatly piled stone slabs at the edge of the coast. The archway was made of rough-hewn stone, and the vines were a deep green colour. The stone slabs were covered in moss, and the air was filled with the sound of waves crashing against the shore. She could smell the salt in the air, and the wind whipped her hair around her face.
As she stepped through already the music and laughter seemed to dull behind the roar of the dark sea below. She followed the lanterns closer to the edge where shrubbery and a small fence blocked the path from further approaching the cliffside.
The sea breeze moved upwards over the red earth and through her hair, the silver blue of her silk reflecting as it shuffled by her feet, lifted in her palm to avoid tripping.
She sat on a grey rock facing the ocean, closing her eyes briefly as she savoured the salt in the air. She hummed along to the music quietly, crossing her legs and fumbling with the armbands as she breathed deeply.
“It seems I’m not the only one escaping.”
Noë held her chest as she turned around to see Orion leaning against the mountain side, a booted foot propped behind him as he blew a smoke ring into the cold sea air.
Excited but startled, she smiled wide.
“Did I steal your hiding spot?”
Orion reflected her smile and looked to the ground for a moment before sliding his eyes back over her, her black hair blowing in the night, the silver of her eyes shining flattered entirely by the colour of her gown.
He had worried after hearing about what happened at the dress shop that she would be too discouraged to come.
He would stop underestimating her courage from now on.
She possessed more than he could ever hope for himself.
“It looks like you need it more.” He eyed her as her happy eyes flashed blue with despair. Her typically bubbly nature seemed dulled, her spirit pushing itself to be social.
“Something wrong?” He watched her as she debated saying anything. If it was still about Lady Gren, he knew a particularly well trained eagle that could torment them on their way North.
Noë turned back to the sea, holding onto her joy.
She did not want to wash all of her worries onto his shoulders. Surely, he had enough on his mind. But he had been so kind to her. He was owed honesty.
“I think I’m just a little homesick. The noise, the people. It’s more than I’m used to.”
Orion rested his head on the warm mountain back, sensing she wanted him to say nothing at all. Her words for her simply to confide and feel, not to ponder or explain.
He watched her as she closed her eyes, humming again, her ethereal voice moving through him as he felt her loneliness.
That feeling he was familiar with, carrying it everywhere, feeling alone in the world although he should be filled with his family’s love. How could he complain as she sat here, her parents, and now even her aunt gone, possibly one of the last Gods in existence.
Who did she have for comfort?
He looked up at her, her fingers playing with the arm band he bought for her.
He wanted to be that comfort to her.
“You’re wearing it.”
Noë stopped toying with the smooth ridge. “Yes, I can’t thank you enough. The pearl reminds me of the shells I used to find on the beach of our cottage.”
At that he smiled. “It’s from Tarrith Ore. The mines there have pearlescent metal that we use for decoration occasionally. I thought it might remind you of home.”
She watched as he spoke with interest, proving the thought he put into her gift.
He was… exasperatingly sweet.
How could the people here in the capital not see for themselves?
Orion saw her eyes fill with tears as she looked at him.
Panic filled him.
“If you don’t like it–”
“No.” She sniffled. “I love it, I–thank you. You’ve been really kind to me since we met. I appreciate it.”
Looking at her now as she looked back to the sea, thinking privately on her journey he saw the cause of her tears. “What do you see when you think of her?" she hadn’t finished her prayer for Dahlia that night in the kitchen.
He did not forget.
He supposed she was still trying to come to terms with her being gone at all.
Noë looked over her shoulder, wiping away the tear on her cheek. She exhaled slowly, flicking her gaze to the night sky. "Her hugs. I used to hate how long she held me, like she never wanted to let go. I can still feel her arms pulling me in, so close I can hear her heartbeat. Now–" her words faltered and her voice shook. "Now I just hear myself, wishing over and over again that she would just hang onto me another second."
Orion approached and kneeled before her, her knees crossed one over the other as her dress billowed along her calves. At eye level with her now, he cupped the back of her ankle in support.
Noë felt shame in her tears in front of him.
He peered at her, seeing through the mask she had sworn to wear. His touch on her leg felt ginger and sweet as if to remind her that he was here for her.
"No one would think less of you for mourning her." He knew she was withholding her feelings, being brave in this strange new environment. But with him her mask was unnecessary.
His heart pounded for her.
How could he get her to realise that she was safe with him?
Noë smiled and nodded, only saying yes so he would not push for the truth of her feelings.
She shook her hands and wiped the last few tears away.
She had to get the attention off of her.
She looked out onto the dark waters, seeing boards and broken helms still being scavenged by fishermen. "I hear this is your handiwork?"
He looked at the ships and smirked. "I had help."
"Yes, well." She said, smoothing her hair from her face. "How lucky am I to be talking to The Hero of the Salt Sea? The handsome, dangerous Elven Rogue, Orion–Archer of Tiere."
He laughed as she bounced her words, teasing his titles as if it was not she who was the blood of Gods, emphasising the tales he himself had heard whispered of him.
Though no one was ever courageous enough to thank or speak to him directly, at least he knew they thought he was handsome. “I thought it was you who sank the invasion?”
“I had help.” She leaned one palm on the rock beside her. "Did you really kill the Fleet Captain in one shot?"
As her free hand swiped her neck, moving her hair over her bare shoulder he eyed the glistening skin there, the rich creamy chocolate of her body radiating its own sunlight at night.
Her blushed cheeks cleared gently as she moved away from her grief. He had never seen the like of her beauty. Now her sweet innocent lips curled into a sensual side smile as she teased him.
"What do you think?"
Noë looked around them as she briefly licked her lips. If they kept closing this distance, prodding each other to see when the other would cower, she was sure to lose.
His neck tensing as he swallowed, his long pink tongue briefly peeking past his white teeth and shining smile–he was too divine.
"I think you did." She said as she played with the hem of his fur close to his neck, absent-mindedly pulling him closer. His grip on her ankle tightened. "And I think you should be thanked for it."
Unhurriedly he spoke, wanting to be clear with her flirtatious statement. "And are you…going to thank me for it?"
Her eyes flickered up to his own, her fingers on his fur stilling as he pressed his challenge.
The clever answer Noë had formed died on her lips as she heard the suggestive tone to his voice. She wanted to run her finger along the long tip of his nose, down his jaw and around his ear.
She couldn’t help herself.
She leaned forward, pressing her lips to his as his heart rate increased in his palm on her leg. Soft and brief, lingering long enough to feel his pressure she pulled back.
His hair seemed to shine tonight, bright red illuminated by the lantern light. She could see his cut healing well, hardly noticeable and raised pink.
"Thank you." She said as she touched his injury gently, her fingers coaxing chills along his skin.
Silence laid between them as they searched each other’s eyes, the tension and warmth of the air between them pulling them in closer as his thumb stroked the back of her calf.
Orion saw her shiver.
He needed her kiss once more–gentle and afraid.
Her eyes vibrated with recognition as if she was looking directly through him. When had he last been looked at so directly by someone unafraid of what his stare held?
He stood and held a hand out to her as a breeze ripped upwards, the thin dress showed her pert nipples strained against the silk. “It’s warmer by the mountain.”
Noë accepted his hand and stood, their palms slowly drifting over one another. Still dazed by their kiss her voice shook, “Are you sure it’s okay if I stay? If you want to keep your peace–”
“Stay. There’s enough mountain to go around.” He led her to it and leaned against it, withdrawing his pipe.
Noë smiled brightly and gathered her dress, walking through the sweet smelling smoke. His cheeks were reddened from the cold, his hair blowing from the breeze.
She suppressed her nervousness as she joined his side, standing by the mountain. As she came close she felt warmth radiating from the brown rock.
She gasped in surprise as she touched the side of the mountain feeling water within it. As she looked up to him with excitement he spoke. “This mountain has a natural geyser and a spring at the top. It’s warm at night if you’re ever cold and want some privacy.”
“Hmm.” She said in a pleased tone, moving her hair from her neck, revealing the low cut back of the dress to press herself into the mountain for warmth.
Orion felt his breath pause as her soft neck caught the lantern light above him. Small and sweet, the strings of her dress drifted down her brown back, revealing her skin beneath her shoulder blades.
He felt his lips tense and blushed as he thought of kissing her softly there.
He looked away as she moved against the mountain moaning in satisfaction as the warmth hit her skin. “Gods, that is nice.”
She opened her eyes and looked up at him where he was fixated on the shrubs to the side of the mountain. “Thilreed?”
He eyed the mahogany pipe and partially hid it from her view. “Yes. Others tend to avoid me more if I keep my natural eyes while in the city.”
Noë searched his gaze as he looked to her, sensing he did not want to further discuss his connection to the Norns. She only hoped he felt well. “You said you grow your own?”
Orion looked around and rubbed the back of his neck. “Yes… but don’t tell my mother. I may or may not use one of the flooded buildings as a greenhouse.”
Noë’s interest piqued. “Oh, she said several portions of the city are under water now because of the excessive rain. She said not to go near them.”
Orion felt his paranoia crawling up. “Yes, which is why I don’t tell her. She thinks it dangerous. But that’s where I grow everything I find of interest out in the wilderness.”
Noë hummed in understanding.
If it dulled his connection to the Norns, would it lessen the call of the void?
“Can I try?”
Orion laughed loud and brutally. “Now I know you’re trying to get me killed. My mother would hang me.”
She playfully nudged his side with her shoulder, scooting closer to his side. “Come on, please?
He held it up out of her reach, far above her head, using his height against her. “Not on your life–or mine.” he smiled broadly as she giggled, pulling at his doublet playfully to lower his arm.
She finally gave up as she heard his warm brief laugh for the first time.
Her heart fluttered.
She stepped back to the side, folding her arms and making a show of giving up. “Fine, you win.” She returned to the mountain side, but stayed close to him as he lowered his arm. “It’s nice that you’re close to your mom.”
Orion gruffed in response.
Were they close?
“I suppose… It’s better when she stops being upset with me for scouting.” She would always be excited that he returned home, and berate him for staying away.
Noë heard his voice in his chest beside her, deep and penetrating as he thought on his words. “She just worries for you. I can tell your parents are proud of you.”
Orion looked down at her from his shoulder where she inched closer, placing her head on his arm as she tilted it. He savoured her warmth, itching to hold her hand.
This closeness they shared, he felt unworthy of it. Perhaps she was this physical with everyone? He did notice hugging and shaking hands with several elves as she arrived.
He would stop considering himself special.
She was simply glad to not be alone.
Wasn’t she?
Noë leaned further into his arm as he did not move her away, comforted by his smell. She hoped being so forward with him was alright. If it wasn’t or he simply didn’t like it, wouldn’t he tell her to give him space?
She looked up at him, prepared to ask when she found his eyes already trained on her, wondering the same.
It wasn’t a game between them any longer… was it?
Their closeness deathly, their arms firmly pressed together on the side of the mountain as his body turned slowly to hers, hovering over her.
Noë kept herself from speaking.
She craved another kiss, desperate, wet, filled with the innocence and partial challenge that she found in his presence just above her, his firm lips parting in slow motion as the air between them filled with electricity.
Orion settled his hand on the rock above her head as he leaned into her, her intoxicating scent that haunted him in his dreams lingering before her as her breasts rose and fell, her heart beating out of her chest.
She did like him, didn’t she?
He felt his mouth water.
“Can I kiss you again?” he asked unashamedly above her, asking instead of taking, and taking roughly like he craved.
“Yes.” she said quickly.
Gods, yes she wanted to keep kissing.
He didn’t have to ask.
He felt her palms touch just beneath his pec, sliding down his hard stomach as they leaned in closer. Her silver eyes looked up at him filled with hope as her lips parted with her breath.
He squeezed her. “You’ll tell me to stop if you don’t like me touching you, won’t you?”
“Yes.” Noë whispered as he moved her hair from her shoulder, his fingers grazing her skin as he pressed in closer, touching the strings on her uncovered back briefly. She watched his eyes darken as she answered. Either pleased or in pain, she could not tell. “I touched you too, in the hall without asking. And your vision–”
Noë felt his hand lovingly slip over her neck, his large palm holding her cheek and the back of her neck all at once. She moaned lightly as their lips met, his smell like spiced leaves in winter air, the sweet smoke on his lips pushing against her nose as they came close.
She tightened her grip on his doublet as his presence slipped against hers, intensifying their connection as every nerve in her body hummed with warmth.
She could feel his skin, smell his hair tenfold as his lips pressed harder into her own, not yet seeking to part her lips with his tongue.
Orion felt her presence joining with his own. Now he was certain that the bond they were sharing was amplified by their complimentary gifts.
He kissed her again, her sweet lips pressing and closing against his own as he held her neck, her heartbeat racing through his palm. He could hear it thumping in her chest just underneath the peak of flesh the dress showed of the valley of her breasts.
And as she moaned against him, well…
He kept his hips from getting too near her.
Noë felt her eyelashes flutter on her cheeks as he pulled back and looked at her. “Is it because I cried?”
Orion couldn’t help the hearty laugh that poured from him as she spoke, her smile and laughter joining his own as they clung close together. “No, it’s not because you cried.”
“Oh,” She said softly beneath him, his laughter her new favourite sound as his rich chocolatey bellows sounded dual toned. “Because I can do it again?”
He kissed her softly again. “You’re nervous, aren’t you?”
He could feel her pulse racing.
It hadn’t slowed an inch.
She bit her lip as his hand journeyed down her back to her waist, touching her gently where he had in Marrowvault.
Why did her body ache all over?
“In Fjord… It was my first kiss.”
Thinking nothing of her innocent admission, Orion went directly back to her lips, harder this time, pressing her further into the warm mountain keeping them standing.
If these were her first, he would be sure to make them count.
This time when he pulled back, she saw surprise on his face. “Your hair…”
She looked down, the black now white itself again, and closed her eyes thankfully. “I’m not sure why it keeps doing this…”
He held a loc for himself, watching the last of its black end turn white once more.
He was relieved.
“It’s pretty each way, but this is especially so.”
She blushed underneath his gaze as his lips came back to her own.
Just as his tongue was beginning to press against her own slowly, teasing her with the tip with his soft lips she heard footsteps.
“Noë?”
They parted as Oncinth called from the top of the path looking downwards where Noë and Orion were standing far apart. “There you are! Come back and dance this instant.” she said as she paid no attention to Orion’s presence.
Noë stifled a laugh as Oncinth returned to the party. Orion joined her, laughing at his sister’s demand in the midst of their exploration. He nodded to the gateway, “When did Oncinth start speaking to you?” His sister was the pinnacle of snobbishness.
Noë smoothed her dress, “Umm, tonight. When everyone else did. I should probably go before she comes back.”
He nodded and stopped leaning, saddened by her leaving. “Right.”
If she had been accepted by society, would that mean she would no longer need him for comfort even after their kiss?
Noë noticed the disappointment cross his face as his smile fell. “You should come up as well. Or… maybe, if you’re not leaving again any time soon you can show me your greenhouse? I want to hear the tale of the battle of the harbour directly from the hero himself.” she teasingly tugged at the hem of his fur, smoothing it down on his chest and pulling her fingers back.
Orion felt his brows raise and his mind went blank.
Her pretty silver eyes staring up at him, far beneath his nose with her white hair skimming her reddened brown shoulders, the flattering dress falling off her ample hips. “Yes.”
She waited for him to say anything else or clarify.
He did not.
Was he… speechless?
Her smirk spread. “You agreed much more quickly than I anticipated. I could have sworn you were going to make me beg.”
Orion watched as she walked up the path and looked over her shoulder, her fingers fluttering as she waved goodbye.
He held his head.
One moment she was so sweet and innocent, talkative and cute, and quite suddenly she turned the tables, sparking seduction with her hips, or words.
Why was he now thinking of her begging, just as she said?
He stepped away from the mountain, accepting the sea breeze to cool his skin.
Her bated breath, her soft euphonious moans as he touched her, so soft that she was unaware she made them, her chest rising and falling underneath him, golden and red pulsing with her heartbeat; the cold air circulated around him as he exhaled.
Her first kiss.
Before he could stop himself he walked up the path after her, stopping in the archway as he saw the sea of people lining the garden floor.
To be continued...