Page 80 of Fated

Mid-conversation, his eyes found mine. Even as he continued speaking, his eyes roamed over me, making my breath catch and my pulse suddenly quicken. I had to remind myself to keep moving, though my feet suddenly felt heavy, making my way over to the table.

Seeing me approach, both Lilly and Madam Pearl turned their eyes toward me, offering me warm smiles. “Areya, how positively radiant you look this afternoon,” Madam Pearl said, her eyes sweeping over me in approval. “Divinity suits you, my dear.” With that, she reached into her pocket and produced a small black box, offering it to me. “Happy birthday, Areya.”

Her gesture touched me. “Madam Pearl, you really didn’t need to get me anything.”

“Of course I did,” she insisted with a smile. “It’s not every day that one turns twenty-one and makes such a powerful step into the divine.”

I accepted the box from her hands.

“Well, go on then, open it,” she urged, her eyes twinkling.

Grinning, I carefully lifted the lid to find a shiny silver locket nestled inside.

As I picked it up, the locket fell open to reveal a delicate, beautifully crafted compass.

A sparkling arrow whirled over a turquoise face, and inscribed in the inside lid were the words:You always have a home in Cresinthia.

“It’s enchanted,” Madam Pearl explained. “Wherever you are in the world above, the compass will always point you to the nearest entrance to Cresinthia. Let it remind you that you always have a home and a family down here.”

The weight of her words settled heavily in me, and I clutched the compass tightly against my chest. Tears pricked at my eyes. “I … I don’t have words for what this gift means to me,” I said, wiping away a tear that had escaped. “Thank you so much.”

Madam Pearl stood, pulling me into a hug before also dabbing at her eyes.

“Your mother would be so proud of you. I feel it right here.” She tapped her chest over her heart. “You are going to do wonderful things, my dear. I can sense it.”

I held onto her words, offering her a grateful smile as she sat back down. I glanced at Ash, watching quietly with a smile of his own. I stepped closer to him, standing by his side. “Let me walk you to get something to eat,” he offered, taking my hand in his.

As we approached the buffet, Ash leaned in close, his breath warm against my ear.

“You have no idea, do you?” His voice was low, almost reverent. “How utterly breathtaking you look tonight. That dress … I didn’t think it was possible, but it’s even more stunning on you than I imagined.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I bit my lip lightly, lowering my head to hide the blush that came so quickly. Ash noticed, his lips curving into a knowing smile as the corner of his mouth tugged upward.

He grabbed a tray and helped me fill it with food before returning to the table.

Once I had finished eating, Ash didn’t waste a moment.

He took my hand again, leading me out of the cafeteria,guiding me through the manor doors and out into the crisp evening air.

The sun was hanging low in the sky, casting the first hints of twilight. I looked toward the street, expecting to see some type of transportation waiting for us, but there was nothing. Instead, Ash extended his hand, palm open. Without hesitation, I slipped my hand in his, and wordlessly, we began walking toward the street.

We walked until we reached the entrance of the beach we had discovered on our first day.

The sandy stone path eventually gave way to soft sand, and Ash came to a sudden stop, turning to face me.

“You told me you’ve waited your entire life to visit the ocean on your twenty-first birthday,” he said, his voice soft and sincere. “I know it’s not the same as being here with your mom, but if you’ll have me, then I’d love to spend this evening here with you.”

I smiled. “I would love that, Ash.”

Relief flashed across his face as he returned my smile, and we continued heading hand in hand toward the water, where gentle waves lapped the shore.

The beach was nearly deserted except for a few people packing up. Whatever enchantment was controlling the sky now portrayed the beginning of a glorious sunset of many hues.

Ash led us to a quiet spot just beyond the water’s reach, and he sat down, patting the sand beside him. I joined him, slipping off my sandals and digging my toes into the warm sand. The rhythm of the waves was soothing, each one sending a light mist of saltwater our way.

The setting sun bathed the world in a golden glow, castingits light across the horizon and transforming the sky into a masterpiece of vibrant oranges, soft pinks, and deep purples.

It was mesmerizing and I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

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