Do You Get Deja Vu?

Do You Get Deja Vu?


Aeron's POV

“Hahaha! This is amazing!” She twirled around with her hands spread wide.

“Be careful!” I yelled, moving towards her. The sea waves splashed against my trousers, dyeing the fabric darker. Naeris stopped twirling and held her head as dizziness washed over her.

“Are you okay?” I asked in concern, holding her. She lifted her head to stare at me and a slow, wide grin stretched across her lips.

“Yes.” She beamed. “The sea is still glowing. It looks like a scene from a painting. So gorgeous.” She cupped some water into her palms and as the water escaped through the gaps of her fingers, they sparkled like little stars.

She bent down again and scooped more into her palms. I used that distraction to my advantage and gave a signal to the maids hiding behind the stone.

They peeked out and tiptoed towards our direction but made sure to keep a good distance. Each one of them was holding round objects covered with black cloth. One by one, they unveiled them and I saw butterflies inside.

They were glowing too. About forty maids stepped forward, each holding two baskets, and one by one they opened them.

The butterflies escaped from their temporary homes and flew freely into the sky. There were too many to be counted.

“Naeris, look!” I pointed at the sky and turned to face her, hoping she was looking.

“This…” Her small mouth fell open as she stood beside me. “Is magical.”

“If that is magical… watch this.” I smugly said and snapped my fingers. One by one, the butterflies lit up in glowing colours.

They flew above us, covering the moon in a veil of shimmering light. I sneaked a glance at Naeris and saw how caught up she was with everything, her eyes reflecting the dancing glow.

Good.

I’m glad she liked everything so far. I had been more worried than I let on.

“Is this a dream, Aeron? How is this possible?” She glanced up at me with teary eyes.

I gently cupped her cheek and wiped the tears away with my thumb. “Only enjoy the moment and ask questions later, Naeris. Can you do that for me?”

She sniffed softly then nodded. “Yes.”

I smiled, my finger stroking her cheek, and her hands rose and gently rubbed my arm. We were distracted by the sound of a horse neighing and we both turned towards it.

“Come with me, my dear.” I stretched my hand forward, and she grabbed it without hesitation.

I led her to the horse. I grabbed the reins and climbed on after positioning myself properly. Then I bent down and assisted her up onto the horse.

“I’m suddenly having a déjà vu, Aeron.” She giggled softly.

I grabbed the reins and struck my hand against the horse’s side. “He yah!”

The horse began to gallop, running beside the glowing sea, and above us, the butterflies glowed brightly against the moon. And as though the moon goddess was watching over us, the sky slowly shifted from deep black into a soft euphoria of dawn.

Naeris’s constant gasps of awe filled my ears even though the whistle of the wind tore past them. Her laughter was carried away by the breeze, yet it remained the only sound I focused on.

We rode for what felt like seconds, but in reality it was an hour. We slowly returned to our original spot where a guard was already waiting.

I caught sight of the seriousness in his eyes and suddenly had a bad feeling settle in my chest. And just as I predicted, he stepped forward, bowed slightly, and raised his hands in greeting.

“Alpha Aeron, I am here to report to—”

“Duty?” I cut in coldly.

Read the room, idiot.

“You can take the horse, we are done,” I added, then paused and leaned down toward Naeris to get off. My breath brushed softly against her skin and she flinched, her shoulder colliding with my jaw, causing my teeth to sink into my tongue.

“Ugh!” My hands slipped off the reins and I crashed rudely onto the floor.

“Oh my goodness, I am so sorry!” She gasped, attempting to climb down, but I quickly got up and held her still.

“It’s okay, I’m alright,” I said, though the metallic taste flooding my mouth said otherwise.

I carried her down and the moment her feet touched the floor, she turned to examine me.

“You’re bleeding.” She pointed at my mouth, worry clouding her eyes. “I’m sorry.”

“Hey, I said it’s okay. It’s just a minor injury. It will heal very soon.” I smiled, then turned my attention to the guard.

“What are you still doing here?” I poured my anger onto him.

“I-I came to report to you—” he stepped forward again and I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.

“If it’s the horse, do not worry. It’s not dead. But it will be very soon if you don’t take it back for treatment.” I half threatened, and his eyes widened when he caught the hidden message.

“Understood, Alpha Aeron.” He bowed again and marched towards the horse, grabbed its reins, and began leading it back to the Pack.

I wondered what was happening in the Palace for him to be here.

No. Let’s not think about that now.

She’s all I should be focusing on right now.

“Aeron…” She called softly.

“Yes?”

“I feel so relieved now. The heaviness in my heart from hours ago has disappeared into thin air.” Her eyes closed slightly as a smile spread across her face. “It’s like I am an empty room after being stuffed with abandoned items…”

“This is a day I will always remember and even pass on to my children.” She paused, then continued. “I can imagine them sitting around a campfire with you…” She stopped and faced me. “…beside me.”

My eyes blinked rapidly. My chest tightened, breath catching halfway up my throat. I wasn’t expecting that.

She stepped forward, tilting her head back as her hands gently held mine and placed it on her face, pressing my palm against her cheek.

“I have realized how much wrong I’ve done to you. I let my anger cloud my judgment. I know this happiness won’t last forever, and I wouldn’t want it to fade without telling you how I truly feel.”

My mind turned chaotic. Words formed but refused to leave my lips.

She snuggled her face into my palm, then looked at me, a light sparkling in her eyes before softening.

Her lips moved slowly and she said, “I love you, Aeron.”

.