There was a lot of joy in the village of Eirian Vale. The cobblestone streets were illuminated by the soft glow of lantern strings hanging between the stone homes. As the townspeople assembled for the yearly Mating Ceremony, a celebration rich in custom and legend, the aroma of roasted chestnuts and wildflower honey permeated the air. It was a time for couples to strengthen their ties and for new couples to develop, and for the villages, it was a celebration of love and togetherness.
With her fists clenched around a mug of mulled wine, Ana stood close to the square's edge. The twins had pleaded to witness the celebrations, so she had come for them, but now she wished she had stayed at home. The air was too heavy with memories she didn't want to revisit, and the gathering was too big.
"Mom!" She was startled out of her reverie by Isolde's animated voice. The young girl yanked on Ana's skirt while darting through the crowd with her wild locks bouncing. "Observe! A dance is taking place!
With a little grin, Ana looked toward the middle of the square, where couples were starting to go out together, their steps accompanied by the upbeat music of a small string quartet.
"How about you and Alaric watch for a bit?" Smoothing a lock of Isolde's hair, Ana made a suggestion.
"All right!" With a smile on her face, Isolde hurried to join her brother, who was busy looking at a collection of carved wooden sculptures.
From behind her, a deep voice remarked, "You seem like you could use a break."
Ana tensed, her heart pounding. She knew who it was without turning.
She murmured, "Dorian," without glancing at him.
He stepped into her field of sight and murmured softly, "Good to see you too." Even though he was dressed more casually than she was used to seeing him, he still exuded authority.
"What are you looking for?" Her tone was rougher than she meant when she inquired.
He answered calmly, "I came to see the festival." "And the twins." To be honest, though, I was hoping to see you as well.
Ana's chest constricted. She averted her gaze and concentrated on the lamps that flickered overhead. "This is not what I'm feeling like doing tonight."
"Then allow me to simplify," Dorian murmured, taking a step forward. Ana, you are important to me. I always have. And I'm not going to give up.
The sound of her sour laughter pierced the joyous atmosphere. "Are you okay? Do you call what you did to me that?
Although his expression wavered, he remained firm. "I acknowledge my faults. Now that I'm here, though, I'm working to correct them. Doesn't that make a difference?
A recognizable voice sliced through the air like a razor before And could reply.
"Well, isn't this comfortable?"
Dorian and Ana both turned to find Lila standing a few steps away, her red clothing glowing as if it were on fire. Her eyes glinted with hatred, and she smiled sharply.
"Lila, what are you doing here?" Dorian inquired in a menacingly low voice.
Lila said, "I could ask you the same thing," as she turned to look at Ana. However, I believe I already know. Are we chasing ghosts, Dorian? Attempting to reconstruct a life that no longer desires you?
"Go," Ana urged in a shaky but forceful voice.
"Why?" Lila tilted her head in question. "Are you scared I'll be honest with him?"
Dorian's forehead wrinkled. "What is the truth?"
Ana's gut twisted in fear as her heart fell. "She's lying," she blurted out.
Lila grinned more broadly. "Am I?"
Dorian stepped between the two women and said, "Enough." "Lila, I'm not playing this game."
Lila circled them like a predator and murmured gently, "Oh, but you've been playing it for years." "You just were unaware of it. Or perhaps you did, but you didn't give a damn.
Ana's rage boiled over and she tightened her fists. "Lila, you have no right to be here. You have no place in our life, and you have no place in this community.
Lila's eyes narrowed and her grin vanished. "Don't you think you've won?" she replied quietly. "You believe that you have evaded me because you fled and went into hiding. However, you haven't. And you won't.
With a puzzled and worried look on his face, Dorian turned to face Ana. "What is she discussing?"
"Nothin'," Ana snapped, her voice breaking.
"It doesn't sound like nothing," Dorian said, looking into her eyes.
Lila's chuckle was empty and frigid. "Oh, Dorian. You remain completely blind. Never stopping to see the reality, always pursuing her.
Ana said, "Stop it," her voice shaking with rage.
"Or what?" Lila took a step closer and challenged. "Ana, what are your plans? Run away once more? Keep your falsehoods to yourself.
Tears of fury and rage clouded Ana's eyes. Dorian moved nearer, his voice low and menacing, before she could reply.
"Lila, you're done here," he remarked. "Go now."
Lila's smile faltered, but it returned swiftly. With hatred in her voice, she said, "This isn't over." "Dorian, you can't keep her safe forever."
She then turned and vanished into the throng, leaving behind her a deafening quiet.
---
Ana started to walk away, but Dorian grabbed her arm and held on to it gently. "Ana," he said softly.
She trembled as she pleaded, "Let me go."
"Not until you explain the situation to me," he responded. "What is she discussing? What's the truth?
She pulled away and said, "I don't owe you an explanation."
His voice hardened as he added, "If it involves our children, you do."
Ana's chest constricted as she froze. "They are not the focus of this."
"So, what's it about?" he insisted. "What's preventing me from entering? Why do you continue to exclude me?
She yelled, "Because I can't trust you!" and the plaza echoed with her words.
All eyes were turned to the altercation taking place in the middle of the fair, and the surrounding throng had become quiet.
Dorian's voice lowered and his face softened. "I'm trying, Ana. I want to be with you, which is why I am here. alongside them. However, I can't do it by myself.
The honesty in his speech made Ana's heart hurt, but she was held back by her dread and grief. She said, "I'm not sure if I can forgive you, Dorian."
With a firm voice, he responded, "Then let me earn it." "Whatever it takes."
The music started up again before she could reply, the upbeat melody piercing the tense atmosphere. With an uncontrollable emotional tempest, Ana turned and left.
With his fists gripped at his sides, Dorian watched her leave. He would never give up, not now. However, he couldn't get rid of the impression that the fight that lay ahead would be riskier than he had ever thought as he surveyed the plaza.
"This is only the beginning," Lila muttered as she stared in the shadows, her grin returning.