All Hallow's Dance

 

Kaelia walked through the forest, smiling at all the colors and whimsy that surrounded her. It was Halloween, and the otherworldly inhabitants had decorated the woods in celebration. Shades of orange, green, purple, and black shimmered in the ethereal ribbons that draped from the trees. The jack-o’-lanterns wore cheerful faces—some openly friendly, others comically mischievous—each one making Kaelia laugh. The light radiating from them was warm and inviting.

As she continued her walk, Kaelia lifted her gaze to the moon. It shone brilliantly, its glow enhancing the radiance of the lanterns below.

Many of the forest’s whimsical inhabitants smiled and greeted her as she passed. One of them, a male pixie, offered her a compliment. Kaelia smiled and thanked him.

She was beautifully dressed. Her ankle-length white gown had sheer, billowy sleeves that perfectly flattered her full, curvaceous figure. Her normally shoulder-length dark brown hair had been magically recolored for the night in streaks of Pumpkin Cream, Twilight Plum, Mossy Whimsy, Cider Blush, Spiced Mauve, and Golden Fog. These hues harmonized beautifully with her brown eyes and medium golden-brown complexion.

Suddenly, a gentle breeze blew through the forest, and Kaelia shivered.

The air wasn’t cold—but it whispered that something, or someone, else was near.

In a small clearing stood a man.

He was tall and broad-chested. When he turned his head, Kaelia saw his face. He was handsome, with a warm tan complexion, long black hair streaked white at the front, and green eyes that sparkled like distant stars. His goatee mirrored the streak in his hair. He wore a black, untucked button-down shirt, loose black trousers—and no shoes.

He smiled at Kaelia, and she blushed.

“My name is Cian,” he said, his Scottish accent distinct and musical.

Kaelia returned the smile. “I’m Kaelia,” she replied, her voice touched with a lovely Creole lilt.

Suddenly, an ethereal tune began to play—a melody both whimsical and haunting.

Cian and Kaelia exchanged glances.

Cian extended his hand. “May I have this dance?”

“Yes,” she said softly, placing her hand in his.

They began to dance beneath the moonlight as the strange, beautiful song drifted through the air.

Translucent beings soon appeared, floating gracefully around them.

As they danced, Cian and Kaelia lost themselves in each other’s eyes. Cian drew her closer.

“I dreamed of you,” he whispered.

“And I… I feel that I dreamed of you as well,” Kaelia replied.

When the song reached its end, they stopped dancing and simply gazed at one another.

A sudden breeze swept through the clearing, revealing Kaelia’s slightly pointed ears—and Cian’s matched hers.

They both smiled knowingly.

“From what part of Ezinada do you come?” Kaelia asked.

“Northern—near the Terran country of Scotland,” he answered. “And you?”

“Southern, near the Terran country of America—mostly within the state of Louisiana.”

Cian smiled. “And here we are, dancing on this Halloween night in the In-Between sub-realm of Valealle.”

Kaelia looked up at the starry sky and smiled. “I feel the Divinity had a hand in our meeting,” she said, then turned her gaze back to him.

“As do I,” Cian murmured, pulling her closer.

Soon, an ethereal clock began to chime.

“Would you spend the rest of this All Hallow’s Eve with me?” he asked.

“I would love to,” Kaelia said.

For the rest of the night, they were inseparable. And when daylight came, they did not part. Hand in hand, they stepped through the shimmering doorway that led them back to their ethereal home of Ezinada.

Love had found them—and it would never let go.