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🌬️ New World
The wind shrieked past Jade's ears, a frigid, exhilarating symphony. She was a leaf, held fast in a current only Justin controlled, plummeting through the sky with reckless speed. The descent ended not with a jarring crash, but a landing so impossibly gentle, it felt as though they had floated onto a cloud.
Justin's grip on her waist loosened, and he shifted, lowering her until her feet found solid, dew-kissed ground. Her knees felt weak, not just from the flight, but from the sudden, profound quiet that followed.
She stood still for a long moment, simply breathing, before her eyes darted up. What she saw stole the breath she had just claimed.
They were in a hidden valley, a bowl of unimaginable beauty carved between impossibly tall, moss-covered trees whose crowns touched the sky. A massive, crystalline waterfall thundered down a cliff face, feeding a river that wound like a silver ribbon through emerald-green meadows. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and blooming, unknown flowers.
"Oh," she whispered, the sound a mere puff of air. A genuine, unbidden smile stretched her lips. It was a place of myth, a secret the world had forgotten.
But then, her gaze snagged on something unnatural, something that marred the organic perfection. A shimmer, like heat rising from a desert road, encircled a quaint, sprawling village nestled near the forest line. It was a faint, pulsating barrier, a veil between this perfect pocket and whatever lay beyond.
Her smile evaporated, the familiar knot of dread tightening in her stomach. "This isn't the Mortal Realm, is it?" she asked, the lightness gone from her voice.
Before she could turn to face him, she felt a sudden, electric heat against the back of her neck. Justin had moved silently, placing his head on her shoulder, his proximity an instantaneous invasion of her personal space.
She froze. The sensation was overwhelming: the firm pressure of his head, the clean, earthy scent of him, and the brush of his startlingly red hair. A few rebellious strands, like crimson silk, tickled her cheekbone. A slow, almost imperceptible breeze whispered past them, yet she felt a tremor pass through her.
Why is he so close?
She spun around, the movement jerky, yet she did not fully escape him. His face was mere inches from hers. His lips, full and pale, were a breath away. In the dim, filtered light of the valley, his eyes, usually a cold, piercing gold, seemed to narrow, glinting with a dangerous calculation.
A primal fear, cold and sharp, shot through her. Is this it? Is he bringing me here to eat me? To finish what he started? She swallowed hard, her throat painfully dry.
"What are you thinking?" he asked, his voice low and cunning, vibrating with a tone she couldn't decipher—part question, part veiled threat.
She forced a bright, desperate smile. "N-nothing!" she stammered, placing a single, trembling finger against his chest and pushing him gently, a meaningless gesture of defiance.
Justin didn't budge, only tilting his head slightly. "You're right," he finally conceded, his expression unreadable. "It is not the Mortal Realm. It is my place."
Jade's eyes widened in sheer horror, the manufactured smile dissolving. She turned away again, her mind screaming a panicked internal monologue: Oh, no! I am trapped again! First the Heaven Realm, now the Fox Realm! I'm a fugitive in the hands of my captor!
A strong, warm hand clamped down on her wrist, and before she could protest, he was pulling her towards the shimmering barrier. "Come," he commanded.
He stopped directly before the invisible curtain, raised his free hand, and simply waved it. The air rippled, and the barrier peeled open like a silk curtain being drawn, revealing a pathway into the village. He pulled her through, and the barrier snapped shut behind them with a nearly silent thwumph.
Jade's hand began to tremble uncontrollably in his iron grip. She could feel the fear pooling in her core. He paused, lifting their joined hands, and looked down at her shaking fingers.
"What happened?" he asked, his voice laced with an unnerving curiosity.
She snatched her hand back. "Nothing," she said, her smile more of a pained grimace now. "Just… the long flight."
She scanned the village, trying to look past her fear. That's when she saw her—a girl approaching from a distance, her movements light and graceful. The girl was undeniably beautiful, and for a fleeting second, Jade saw something flicker above her head—a pair of pointed fox ears.
Suddenly, Justin whispered a word under his breath, a rush of sound that was gone before she could truly register it as magic. The moment the sound died, the girl's ears vanished, replaced by smooth human temples. Jade pretended she hadn't noticed, her eyes fixed forward.
The girl arrived, bowing low with a respectful but casual air. "My Lord."
Justin's voice was the cold, hard edge of a winter blade. "Arrange a room for her. The best. She is staying here now."
The girl, who looked to be in her early twenties, stood up straight, a curious glance aimed at Jade. "Yes, My Lord."
"What?!" Jade exploded, whirling on Justin, her fear instantly morphing into furious indignation. "You said you would bring me to the Mortal Realm! I refuse to stay here!"
Justin scoffed, a dry, dismissive sound. His face was a straight, unyielding mask. "But you have no choice. Can't you see? The Heaven Realm people are chasing you. I still don't know why they are chasing a mere mortal girl," his eyes narrowed, lingering on her face. Then, his voice dropped to a cold, non-negotiable order. "You cannot escape them. If you wish to live, you must stay by my side. That is the only way you can escape."
Jade hesitated, the truth of his words a bitter pill. She looked past him at the impenetrable barrier. He's right. "But…"
Justin dismissed her. "Go." He gestured to the fox girl. "Bring her to the palace. I have business."
The girl immediately took Jade's arm, her touch light but firm. "Come."
Jade took one last, desperate look back. Justin stood like a statue, watching them. His gaze followed her until she disappeared around a bend.
"Hi," the girl said brightly, though there was a hint of mockery in her tone. "My name is Daisy. What's yours?"
"Jade," she replied curtly, still reeling.
Daisy chuckled, a melodic, mocking sound. "Jade. How did you know our Prince?"
Jade hesitated, trying to calculate the safest answer. "I… I met him three days ago."
Daisy stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide with genuine shock. "What?! I can't believe it! He hasn't brought a single girl here before. Ever. Something…" she trailed off, her smile returning, but this time it was knowing, teasing.
"What do you mean?" Jade asked, panicking internally.
"Nothing," Daisy said, waving a hand dismissively.
What does that mean? Jade's mind raced. He brought me here for what? If not to eat me, then what? Is he really trying to help me? She looked around at the villagers they passed, noticing their relaxed, happy demeanor. She whispered under her breath, a habit she couldn't break, Why haven't they got ears? Oh… he hid everyone's form, just for me. But why? Is he planning something like the Heaven Realm? No, I have to escape from here.
Daisy, walking beside her, smiled faintly. She had heard every whispered word. He definitely likes her. Why else would the Lord hide our identity?
"Don't worry," Daisy said, her tone casually reassuring. "He's not like other realm lords. He is a man of his world; he won't go against his words."
Jade's eyes widened. "Did you… did you hear that?"
Daisy smiled sweetly. "You were a little loud. But don't worry, I won't tell him."
"Thanks," Jade said, her forced tension easing slightly.
I think they can hear my low whispers too! Jade scolded herself silently. Stop whispering, Jade!
A few minutes later, they reached the palace. Jade stopped, gazing up at the structure. It was gigantic, a breathtaking masterpiece of carved white jade and dark wood, with roofs that swept up into graceful points like the wings of a mythical bird. She was mesmerized.
Daisy led her through grand halls and quiet corridors to her room. It was massive, a chamber fit for a queen, decorated in rich silks and dark, polished furniture.
"You have everything here," Daisy said. "If you want anything, feel free to ask me. And one more thing…" she leaned closer, her smile gone, replaced by a stern warning. "Don't think you can go out from this realm. You can't."
Jade blinked, confirming her worst fear—Daisy had heard her. I'll definitely go out from here! she vowed, but kept the thought firmly locked in her mind.
Daisy walked away. Soon after, several maids entered, arranging an overwhelming spread of food on a low table: different varieties of Mortal Realm cuisine, all steaming and delicious-looking.
"Enjoy your meal, Princess," one of the maids said before bowing and leaving.
Princess? Jade thought, bewildered. She looked at the food, the delicious aroma torturing her. Don't, Jade. What if they've poisoned it? But it looked too tempting. She shook her head, turning away.
She walked over to the closet and pulled open the large, lacquered doors. Inside hung dozens of stunning Hanfu sets in every shade imaginable. She reached out, touching the fabric—it was smooth, incredibly soft, and luxurious. She took a deep emerald-green gown and went into the adjoining bath chamber.
When she emerged a few minutes later, wearing the Hanfu, she looked into the full-length mirror. The gown flowed around her, cinching at her waist, making her look elegant and ethereal. She smiled; it was beautiful.
A soft knock came at the door. "Come in."
A maid entered, holding a plate laden with exquisite jewelry. "What kind of jewelry do you prefer?" she asked, showing hairpins, wrist bracelets, and necklaces.
"I don't want these," Jade said, shaking her head.
"But you must wear something, Princess. Fine, I will choose." The maid deftly selected a simple silver hairpin shaped like a flowing cloud, winding it into her hair to hold a partial updo, letting the rest of her dark hair cascade down. She added a delicate, matching wrist cuff.
Jade, unable to deny her, simply watched. In the mirror, she couldn't believe her own reflection. She looked like a princess.
"You look stunning, Princess," the maid confirmed, bowing deeply before leaving.
Feeling a little less like a captive and more like a pampered prisoner, Jade ventured out of her room. Everyone who passed her—a few maids, guards, and servants—immediately bowed low. She felt profoundly uncomfortable and even instinctively bowed back at one point, before realizing her mistake.
Her feet carried her until she reached a magnificent, sprawling garden. The air here was even sweeter. She saw two people talking near a secluded stone gazebo and, on impulse, hid behind a tall flowering shrub to listen.
One person turned slightly. It was Justin.
The girl with him was stunning, with a bearing that spoke of eternal beauty and power. Who is she? Jade thinks, creeping closer, staying low.
She could hear them now.
"Why didn't you come to visit me after receiving my letter? Didn't you receive it? I gave it to my sister, Merida," the girl asked, her voice melodious but edged with irritation.
"I have," Justin replied, his voice colder than ever, devoid of warmth. "But I didn't want to. I have already made everything clear to you, haven't I, Merin?"
The girl, Merin, chuckled, a breathy, confident sound. She stepped closer to him. "But I still like you." She held up a small, square, white object. "Look, did you forget? You gave me this. What does that mean, then? Do you still deny that you don't like me?"
"I gave you this," Justin stated, his face utterly flat, "because you rescued me before. It was a token of my gratitude."
"Oh, so I'm coming here whenever I want to visit you! Otherwise, I can't easily come inside the barriers in your realm," Merin said, leaning in. "Accept it, Justin. You like me, so you gave it."
Justin's brown eyes met hers, utterly straight-faced. "Now I am wondering why I gave it to you."
Merin just smiled, undeterred.
In her hiding place, Jade whispered again. So, I was right. A Heaven Realm girl likes him. But she is beautiful, though. How could he reject her? If I was in his place, I would definitely say yes.
She was about to move, to circle the garden and find another way out, when she looked up.
Justin was standing above her.
He had moved soundlessly, appearing at the edge of the shrub. His eyes, now fiercely narrowed, were fixed directly on her. She gasped, a small, choked sound, stepping back in terror. Her foot slipped on a loose stone, and she felt herself falling backward, bracing for the hard impact.
Justin's hand shot out, catching her around the waist, pulling her back and holding her suspended. She was pressed against his solid front, her panic skyrocketing. He set her on her feet, his face still cold and hard.
Before she could form a word, he spoke.
"Really?"
Jade's eyes flew wide. Did I whisper again?! Did he listen?! her mind screaming. She clamped her mouth shut,
" Is every fox capable of hearing my whispers?" She whishpered again.
Justin's hand, still on her waist, tightened and pulled her flush against him, their bodies touching along the length of their fronts. He smirked, a sliver of cruel amusement crossing his lips.
"So," he drawled, his voice a silky danger. "You knew about me before?"
Jade offered a pathetic, awkward smile.
Merin watched the entire exchange, her beautiful face becoming a mask of cold fury. She stepped forward, her eyes utterly devoid of emotion as she stared at the mortal girl clasped in Justin's embrace.
"Who is she?" Merin demanded, her voice cutting through the garden air.
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To be Continued....
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Feel free to tell any suggestion for story line....😅...did you guys liked soo far...?