Chương 37: Incompatible

Felicity held the horse's reins as she let it drink from the clear waters of a stream. The steady murmur of the current was one of the few moments of peace she could still allow herself. Xia approached her, gazing toward the horizon.

"A week, perhaps less, and we'll reach the capital". Felicity nodded.

"I've never been there".

"You haven't missed anything", Xia replied coldly.

"It's a chaotic, filthy city, full of criminals and people willing to sell you out for a handful of crowns". Not far from them, Leah continued her training. Her staff sliced through the air with sharp strikes, each one more precise and more determined than the last. She paused for a moment, wiped the sweat from her brow, took two deep breaths, and resumed without hesitation. In the council chamber, Oscar sat at the head of the table, surrounded by his advisers.

Declan the Spider was the first to speak, his voice calm and measured.

"Your Majesty, thanks to your decrees, we have managed to halt the advance of the coalition from the southern and central lands. The arrival of the magical creatures has completely turned the tide of the war. We may even hope to reclaim the territories we have lost". Serjey regarded him suspiciously.

"And where exactly do these reports come from, Lord Declan?" A faint smile touched Declan's lips.

"I have friends in every corner of the kingdom". This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Friends or spies?" Serjey shot back. Oscar brought his hand down on the table.

"That's enough. I don't care where the information comes from, so long as it is accurate and timely. Is that understood?"

"Yes, Your Majesty", they both replied, bowing their heads. Oscar rose slowly.

"There is one thing about this war that continues to trouble me. Our enemies do not appear to have any visible leadership. No king, no general. Someone is guiding them from the shadows and I doubt it is an ordinary human". Karl studied him carefully.

"You suspect a magical creature is leading them, Your Majesty?"

"It is a possibility we can no longer ignore", Oscar answered confidently.

"In fact, it may be the most likely explanation". Ethan lay inside his tent, staring into the void. He was about to close his eyes when he heard footsteps approaching.

"Ethan…it's me. May I come in?" Renlin asked.

"Yes, of course". Renlin entered and sat across from him. She remained silent for a few moments, as though gathering her courage.

"I'm tired of pretending", she finally said.

"Tired of acting as though none of this matters". Ethan tried to speak, but she stopped him with a raised hand.

"Let me finish. I can't ignore what I feel for you. You are all I think about and I haven't felt this way in decades". Her voice trembled slightly.

"But you are human, Ethan. I am an elf. Our races have never been compatible. We live for centuries, you do not even live for one. We wander the world while your people put down roots. We are magical beings and you are not. We are…too different". Ethan met her gaze.

"I know", he said calmly.

"You're right. We are incompatible". Renlin stood, her eyes glistening, and turned toward the exit. But Ethan rose abruptly and caught her by the arm.

"But I don't care".

"You don't care?"

"No". She lowered her eyes.

"You don't understand. I could watch you grow old. I could watch you leave this world while only a few decades had passed for me. Doesn't that frighten you?"

"The thought of losing you now frightens me far more". Renlin's lips quivered slightly.

"Are you always this stubborn?"

"Most of the time". Unable to hold back a smile, Renlin shook her head.

"I shouldn't do this".

"Probably not".

"And I may regret it".

"Maybe".

"You're not helping".

"I'm not trying to". This time, Renlin truly laughed. Then she took a step forward. Ethan gently brushed a hand against her cheek. Renlin looked into his eyes. Then, without a word, she leaned in and kissed him. Ethan returned the kiss, pulling her into his embrace. In that moment, every difference, every fear and every barrier seemed to fade away. There was only the two of them, united by a bond that was intense, sincere and filled with passion.