Chapter 40: chapter 40

Ivar landed gracefully near a cascading waterfall hidden deep within the forest. The sound of rushing water filled the air, mingling with the rustle of leaves. Amelia stumbled slightly as her feet met the solid ground. Her breath was ragged, and her chest heaved as she gasped for air. She hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath the entire time they were in the air—her first experience flying had left her both exhilarated and terrified.Ivar released his hold on her waist, stepping back to give her space. Amelia instinctively took a few steps away, her legs unsteady. The cool mist from the waterfall clung to her skin, but it did little to calm the storm raging inside her.Her wide eyes locked onto Ivar’s pale blue gaze. "In my dream..." she whispered, her voice faltering. "It was you."Ivar's expression remained unreadable, but his posture stiffened.Amelia’s voice grew steadier, though tinged with disbelief. "I kept having these dreams about a man with black wings. I never understood what it meant... but it was you." She swallowed hard, her heart racing. "You have wings."The weight of realization crashed down on her. All the tales whispered in her village about a guardian living deep in the forest suddenly made sense. Those stories weren’t just folklore—they were about Ivar. And he wasn’t human.Her breathing quickened as panic set in. "You’re not... you’re not human." Her words trembled, fear creeping into her voice.Ivar’s voice was calm but firm. "Yes, I have wings. Yes, I’m not entirely human. Are you scared of me now?"Amelia’s lips quivered, but she shook her head. "No," she managed to say, though her voice was fragile. "You saved me. I’m thankful for that." Anxiety flickering in her eyes. "But I want to go home."Ivar’s expression darkened. "You can’t go home, Amelia."Her brows knitted in confusion. "Why not?""The king’s men will be searching for you. They’ll use you against me. Staying hidden is the only way to keep you safe. And if you go home, your family will be in danger too. The king won’t hesitate to hurt them to draw you out."Amelia’s frustration bubbled to the surface. "But why? I don’t understand any of this! Why is the king after me? I have nothing to do with him—or with you!"Ivar exhaled, a hint of weariness creeping into his tone. "It’s not as simple as you think. There’s more going on than you know. But I’ll explain everything—if you come with me."Amelia's eyes narrowed. "Come where?""You’ll see. But you have to trust me."She hesitated, doubt flickering in her eyes. "How can I trust you? You lied to me.""I didn’t lie," Ivar said, his voice steady. "I just didn’t tell you the whole truth. Because you weren’t ready for it." He took a step closer, his gaze unwavering. "But now it’s time, Amelia."The sincerity in his voice cut through her confusion, but trust was not something easily given. Still, a part of her knew that returning to the village was no longer an option.Amelia’s thoughts swirled in confusion, but one truth stood firm—Ivar had never harmed her. In fact, he had saved her more than once. That was enough to make her decide to trust him, at least for now. She exhaled sharply and asked, "Where are we going, then?"Ivar's expression remained calm. "For now, you’ll stay where I live. It’s safe. After that, it will depend on the situation."Amelia hesitated but nodded reluctantly. "Okay."Ivar extended his hand toward her. "Hold my hand."She frowned, crossing her arms stubbornly. "No, thank you. I can walk perfectly fine on my own."A faint smile tugged at Ivar’s lips. "You can’t enter my world without touching me."Her eyes narrowed skeptically. "Is that so?""Yes." His voice was steady, with a hint of amusement.Rolling her eyes, she sighed in defeat. "Fine." She reached out and clasped his hand, his touch warm and reassuring despite the odd circumstances.They walked toward the thundering waterfall, its mist swirling around them like shimmering veils. As they stood at the edge of the cascading water, Ivar raised his free hand. In an instant, the water split in two, revealing a dark, yawning tunnel that led into the unknown. Amelia’s mouth fell open in shock."How...?" she whispered."Trust me," Ivar said softly, guiding her forward.The tunnel was pitch-black, the sound of rushing water fading behind them. Amelia’s grip tightened on Ivar’s hand as they ventured deeper into the darkness. Her heart raced, her senses overwhelmed by the eerie silence."I can’t see anything," she muttered nervously."You don’t need to," Ivar reassured her. "Just hold on."After what felt like an eternity, a faint glow appeared ahead, growing brighter with each step. When they emerged from the tunnel, Amelia’s breath caught in her throat.It was as though she had stepped into a dream. The landscape before her was vibrant and lush, a world untouched by the cold grip of winter. Towering trees stretched toward a cerulean sky, their leaves shimmering in hues of emerald and gold. Tiny pixies flitted through the air, their iridescent wings catching the sunlight. Fairies hovered gracefully, tending to glowing flowers and shimmering streams.On the ground, tall and elegant elves strode gracefully through the fields, their movements fluid and regal. As they spotted Ivar, they bowed their heads respectfully, their expressions filled with reverence.Amelia’s wide eyes darted from one fantastical sight to another. Her breath hitched. "Is this real?" she whispered, disbelief thick in her voice."Very real," Ivar said, his tone filled with quiet pride."But... I only heard about these things in stories," she stammered, still unable to comprehend what she was seeing. "Pixies, fairies, elves... They can’t be real."Ivar looked at her with a knowing smile. "What people call stories are often fragments of forgotten truths."The air was warm, fragrant with the scent of wildflowers and fresh earth. Unlike the snow-covered lands they had left behind, this place was alive and vibrant, untouched by winter's chill. The temperature was perfect, neither too warm nor too cold—a part of heaven on earth.Amelia shook her head in disbelief. "This is... unbelievable.""You’ll get used to it," Ivar said, his gaze steady. "This is just the beginning."Her heart raced as she took it all in. She had crossed the threshold into a world she never imagined could exist—and there was no turning back.