The next morning, the sun was soft, filtering through the windows, golden and gentle.
Alison dressed carefully. She brushed her hair, put on a soft lavender coloured dress, her silver bracelet always on her wrist and light makeup. Her heart was still haunted by the dream and what she saw by the window. Was it still a dream or was it real? She looked at the mirror, smiled her heart nervous but excited.
She went down the stairs gracefully, Mr Fisher looked up and froze.
"Sweetheart, you look like a painting."
Alison blushed. "Dad…"
"Wow," he breathed when he saw her.
Mr. Fisher raised a brow. "Bring her back before the moon rises."
"Yes sir," Damian said, offering his hand to her
....
They rode to the edge of Cold Valley, where a quiet hidden lake shimmered beneath the morning sun.
A picnic wooden table sat beneath a flowery tree, flowers surrounded the spot like a fairy painting, set with a basket filled with fruits, food and drinks. The breeze smelled like honeysuckle.
Alison's eyes widened as she smiled. "Did you do all this?"
"I had help," he smiled back. "But yes."
"Kai?" She asked
"Yes and two fiery girls who nearly beat me up yesterday" He laughed as he remembered how Kira and Sara were ready to jump on him
"They helped too!" Alison shocked to hear that her besties helped arrange this date
"Yes they did" He replied and they sat on the bench across each other.
Damian laid out the food and drinks, serving her first. Then they talked, laughed. Damian watched her like she was made of stars.
"Your silver eyes," he whispered. "They always shine like they're carrying the moonlight. The stars are jealous"
She rolled her eyes. "Stop flirting. And why do you have this moonlight obsession."
"I'm not flirting just stating out facts"
He grinned and reached into his pocket. A silver ring with a small crystal heart. Alison's eyes wide, blinking.
"I don't have anything figured out yet but I want to give you a promise," he said softly. "That I'm not going anywhere. That you have my heart, life and my loyalty."
Her hands trembled as he slid it on. A promise ring, a beautiful one to signify his promise to her.
She looked at him, then hugged him tightly. "You're so cheesy."
"Only for you."
Alison pressed her lip together trying not to cry because of the happiness that overwhelmed her at the moment. He meant everything to her and she had not confessed yet, she will, she just needs to prepare herself.
They sat in silence for a while, now side by side. Damian leaned his head on her shoulder.
"You're like a baby, so clingy" she said, teasing.
"Only for you, and I like being close to you " he said again.
"Don't think this means you're forgiven completely."
"Then let me keep working on it. Tomorrow, movie date?"
She smiled. "You're going all out, huh?"
"Yes, only for you. Only for.."
"I know, I know. Only for me."
The sun began its descent, casting gold over the lake as they walked back, her hand in his. She didn't say much. She didn't have to. The ring on her finger said enough.
Not far from the lake, Kevin was lounging on a bench near the town square with Sara and Kira, the three of them enjoying cold sodas and sun-drenched smiles.
"I still can't believe you two helped that guy plan a whole fairy tale date," Kevin said, grinning.
Kira popped a grape into her mouth. "Hey, we're not heartless. He begged."
"He didn't beg," Sara cut in. "He grovelled. It was actually kind of satisfying to watch."
Kira laughed, then leaned forward, eyes playful. "So, Kai... do you have a girlfriend?"
Kevin choked on his drink.
Sara turned, eyes wide. "Kira! Why are you on the poor guy since yesterday"
"What? It's just a question, as I said I'm just curious" Kira said with a smirk. "He's cute. Maybe he's taken."
Kevin turned red. "Uh—I—what?"
"Yep. That's a yes or a stutter," Kira teased.
Sara groaned dramatically, stood up, and dragged Kira away by the sleeve. "Let's go, flirt machine. Leave the poor boy alone before he combusts."
Kevin was still blushing as he watched them go. "Why are your friends so scary Alison?" he muttered, smiling. Following them from behind,
....
Back in Arvendale, in the royal palace. King Varkas stood alone in the highest tower.
The sun shone bright, lighting all of Arvendale. Making it look extremely beautiful, advanced and magical.
He looked at it long and hard, Castiel's words echoing in his mind.
"You'll lose him forever." He remembered his words
But he was the heir. The next king. All he is doing is to shape him to be a great alpha king.
"He has to return," Varkas whispered to the night. "Whether he wants to or not."
He closed his eyes, letting the wind wrap around him.
...…
Back at the Fisher household...
The sun dipped lower, casting the diner in golden orange light. Damian and Alison returned hand in hand, smiling like love-struck fools.
Mr. Fisher stood at the door, arms crossed but a grin fighting its way through.
"Brought her back before dark. Impressive," he said.
"I keep my promises," Damian replied with a salute.
Then he leaned in, eyes on Alison's lips but before he got close…
"Ah-ah!" Mr. Fisher said, stepping between them and nudging Damian's forehead back gently. "No touching, especially kissing"
Alison flushed red. Damian laughed awkwardly, hands up in surrender.
"Okay okay" he surrendered
Kevin, who'd just walked in, whistled. "Dad reflexes on point."
Everyone laughed. Even Mr. Fisher cracked a smile. Damian and Alison said their goodbyes, Damian informing Mr Fisher if another date tomorrow.
"You know the drill, home before the moon rises" Mr Fisher reminded
"Okay sir, goodnight moonlight, goodnight Mr Fisher"
"Goodnight Damon" Alison said as she climbed to her room
"Drive safely kido"
Later that night after Alison had dinner with her father, she went to her room to get some sleep.
Alison brushed her hair, still wearing the silver ring, now turning it around her finger with a dreamy expression. She wasn't sure if it was the dream from the night before or the one she'd lived today that felt more unreal.
"Pretty," she said sounding so happy
She turned off her lamp and slid beneath the sheets. And then thud. She jolted up. Her window creaked open, and a figure climbed through quiet, graceful. There he was her dreamy guy,
"Damon?!"
He pressed a finger to his lips. "Shhh… I didn't get to do this earlier."
He leaned in and kissed her, gentle, warm, full of everything unsaid.
Alison's breath hitched, her cheeks burning.
"You are crazy!" she whispered
"You are the reason, now go to sleep. Goodnight moonlight, I love you"
Then he winked and climbed right back out the way he came.
She stared at the window long after he was gone, touching her lips with her fingers.
"I love you too stream boy " she whispered, smiled and went back to her bed.
...…..
In Arvendale, inside the house of Castiel. Duchess Lilith slept, but she turned in her sleep, breath hitching as a vision swept over her.
She stood in a silver field under a crimson moon. There at the edge of the light, a girl, a beautiful girl with long, flowing hair stood crying.
"Help me… Mama" she said, but her voice was muffled, her face hidden in blur and shadow.
Lilith tried to reach out. "My child? Althea, my Althea"
But the dream pulled away, like sand slipping through fingers. She awoke with tears on her cheeks and whispered to the night,
"Althea!"
Duke Castiel got up and hugged his wife, he knew how miserable and hurt she has been all these years and he too wants to find his daughter soon.
"We will get her my love," He assured her