Ling Yue's eyes widened as the rustling in the bushes grew louder, and then, with a burst of movement, the silver-maned unicorn they had spared earlier stepped into the clearing. But it wasn't alone.
A second unicorn—slightly smaller, with a shimmering golden coat—emerged beside it. The larger one nuzzled its companion before turning its bright, intelligent gaze toward them.
She let out an excited squeal and promptly dropped everything. "You came back!"
The larger mystical creature snorted softly and the smaller one stepped forward, nudging her playfully with its nose.
Shui Yi watched in fascination, glad she didn't shoot an arrow at it. "It remembers you."
"Of course, it does! I'm amazing!" Ling Yue grinned, reaching out to stroke its shimmering mane and it leaned into her touch, clearly enjoying the attention. Then, as if inviting her to ride, it pranced in a small circle before bowing slightly.
She excitedly swung herself onto its golden back without hesitation. "Catch me if you can!"
She gave her new friend a light tap. With that, she was off, a streak of gold disappearing into the trees.
The larger mystical creature trotted forward, tossing its mane before lowering itself gracefully before them.
Shui Yi hesitated. "It wants me to…?"
Long Fei stepped forward and casually cupped the creature's muzzle, resting his forehead gently against its head, as though it were his pet. It leaned into him, nuzzling his neck softly, and quietly neighed, savoring the affection.
His gaze met hers, then flicked to the beast's back, silently inviting her to ride. She took a step back, baffled at how he easily tamed a wild beast.
"I… I don't know how to ride! What if I fall?"
"Well, now is a good time to learn. You're probably the only one that can claim you had your first riding lesson on a unicorn."
The mermaid gulped, then nodded. She gingerly approached the mystical beast, which gave a huff. Despite her efforts, she struggled to mount it. He held her by the waist and lifted her onto the noble creature. She trembled, wrapping her arms around its neck. But as soon as she settled, it shifted beneath her, and panic flooded her. She let out a startled yelp as she wobbled, gripping its mane tightly.
"Oh no—no!"
Sensing fear, the beast started to buck, its hooves tapping the ground. Seeing her swaying, he hopped behind her onto the creature, his arms steadying both her and the beast.
"It's going to be okay," he hushed the steed.
"It can sense your mood."
Her heart quickened at the warmth from him behind her.
"I'm not panicking."
"Your grip says otherwise. This magnificent creature is not an enemy. Steady your breath. Embrace it, it will not hurt you."
She exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself. His presence behind her was grounding, and the warmth of his hands at her sides reassured her more than she cared to admit.
After a few moments, she loosened her death grip, feeling the steed's steady breaths beneath her. The creature let out a soft huff, approving her newfound confidence.
He leaned into her, his hands gripping the mane. "Good. You're getting it."
"I… am?"
"You are."
Then he leaned in slightly, his breath warmed her ear. She could feel her face burn.
"Hold on tight. We're going to catch up to my adventurous guardian."
Before she could utter a word, they surged forward. "Ahh!" she squealed, her laughter ringing as he took charge.
The magnificent creature launched into a gallop, propelling them through the enchanted forest at a breathtaking speed. The trees blurred past them, while the wind hummed in their ears and her heart pounded with both exhilaration and the magic of the moment as she gripped its mane, feeling the world dissolve into a blur of color and stardust. Each gallop their mount took carried them effortlessly, it seemed to know exactly where their companion would be.
She laughed freely, the sound mingling with the rhythmic thud of the hooves beneath them. The wind tugged at her hair, whipping it into a wild tangle, but she didn't mind. For the first time in what felt like forever, she felt free. There was no crown to bear, no duties to fulfill, no burdens pressing down on her shoulders. There was only the wind. The unicorn. And the vast world ahead.
They raced through the forest, the trees unveiled to reveal endless meadows stretching before them. Its hooves left trails of stardust behind them, the earth vibrating with their speed as if reality itself were bending to its will.
The trees gave way to a clearing, and there, in the center, stood Ling Yue—her silver-blue hair flowing in the breeze, laughter ringing like music. Barefoot, she splashed through a sparkling stream that wound through the clearing. The water shimmered in the fading light, sparkling like diamonds as she danced among it, carefree. Beside her, her golden unicorn pranced through the stream, rippling the water with each trot. Her eyes brightened as she heard them approach.
"Master!" she called joyfully as she waded through the water to greet them. "It took you long enough! I thought I'd have to keep playing alone!"
The mermaid pulled her mystical steed to a halt, her heart swelling with joy at the sight. The tranquility of the glade was like balm to her spirit—a stark contrast to the world of duty and politics they had just left behind. Here, there were no schemes, no burdens. Only peace, and the sweet hum of nature surrounding them.
Long Fei dismounted, stepping into the stream. He extended a hand to help the mermaid down, but she stumbled and fell into his chest, their legs tangling as they both collapsed into the cool water.
Ling Yue helped Shui Yi up, their magical steeds grazing nearby while Long Fei remained seated in the stream, still dazed from the fall.
The world softened around them. The fading sunlight bathed the clearing in a golden glow, and the trees leaned in closer, their branches swaying gently as if they were protecting them. The water reflected the last rays of the sun, and the air smelled of fresh earth and blooming flowers—an ethereal scent that seemed to come from the very soul of the forest.
Ling Yue tilted her head toward the unicorns.
"Aren't they beautiful?" she asked softly, a dreamy look in her eyes. "I think this might be my favorite place."
Shui Yi nodded, her gaze drifting over to them. Their movements were mesmerizing, majestic and serene. "Everything here feels so surreal."
Ling Yue flashed her a sly smile and splashed her with a swipe through the water. "Well, let's enjoy it while we can. Come on. The water's perfect!"
As the two women laughed and played, the peaceful sound of nature serenaded them. The unicorns grazed lazily beside the stream, their soft whinnies blending with the sound of flowing water.
A faint hum filled the air—a low, almost imperceptible sound. The breeze shifted, and Shui Yi paused, her smile fading as her senses sharpened. She turned toward the trees, her gaze sweeping across the shadowed woods, but saw nothing amiss.
Suddenly, the ground rumbled beneath their feet, and Ling Yue stopped splashing in the water, her carefree laughter cut off. The unicorns' ears flicked back, and they snorted in alarm, galloping off into the trees. Birds erupted from the branches in a frenzy, their wings beating frantically, their screeches rising in a cacophony as the land quaked.
Shui Yi's breath caught in her throat, the peaceful moment shattered, replaced by an overwhelming sense of dread. Long Fei's expression darkened, his gaze sharpened, his jaws tightening. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the stream.
The rumbling intensified, and the trees groaned, their roots tearing free as they toppled into the widening cracks in the ground.