Brew 9

After finishing the letter, Blaise folded the parchment and slid it into an envelope. He let out a breathy, tapping it against his palm.

How was he meant to deliver it?

Should he go into the forest himself? No-that would defeat the purpose of the letter. He still wanted to give Aria space. He groaned, frustrated he hadn’t thought this part through.

Leaning back in his chair, the letter still in his grasp, Blaise let his thoughts spin. Countless methods came into mind, but none felt right.

Lost in thought, he didn’t notice the three mischievous fairies fluttering in through the open window. Their wings buzzed as they hovered above him, grinning. One landed square on Blaise’s forehead, tapping it like a drum with his tiny hands.

“Ah!” Blaise yelped, jerking up right. The fairy tumbled off and landed in the ink pot with a splash, the other fairies bursting out in laughter as their friend flailed.

Blaise blinked, then let out a chuckle. “Serves you right,” he muttered, reaching for his handkerchief to clean up the soggy fairy. “Karma’s a quick one today.”

As he dabbed the fairy, a thought clicked into place.

Blaise smiled, pulling back from the fairy and holding up the letter. “Think you three can do something very important for me?”

The fairies exchanged glances, their grins slowly returning. A moment later they looked to Blaise, nodding eagerly.

Blaise smiled, knowing full well though mischievous, these tiny fairies cared about Aria. “I thought you might.”

He watched as the tiny trio clutched the envelope and fluttered off, weaving through the trees. He closed the window behind them, the setting sun casting long shadows over the room.

Blaise’s stomach churned. Would Aria read it? Would she even care?

He sat for a long time, eyes on the horizon as his mind stayed on thoughts of Aria.

Maybe my words can reach you, he though, glancing at his acceptance letter from Aethera’s Magic Council. Somehow, they worked on the council. Maybe they’ll work on you too.

The first night after sending the letter, Blaise slept well. The second night, too. But each night after the weight of worry grew stronger. Sleep slipping further out of reach.

He kept thinking of Aria. About the letter. About whether she had reach it and what she must have felt. Had he said the wrong things again? Have his words failed him, like they had so many times before?

Tomorrow, he was leaving for Aetheris Vale. His new life awaited him in the capital, but it felt hollow without closure.

So he walked.

Leaves crunched beneath his boots as he made his way back through the forest, to Aria’s glade. The trees greeted him in silence, familiar but distance. The he saw it, the table set with fresh tea. The wind carrying the sweet scent of fruity smelling steam.

“Aria,” he called out, scanning the tree line. “Aria please.”

Stepping out from the shadows, Aria’s face was blank. In her hands, she clutched the letter.

Relief flooded Blaise, not only was Aria greeting him, but she had received the letter. “You have it – you got the letter. I was so worried-”

“I got it,” Aria said flatly, no warmth to her voice. “The fairies delivered it.”

Blaise relief faltered. His mouth opened, trying desperately to find the words to explain. “I want you to understand-”

“Enough Blaise,” Aria slammed her hand onto the table, startling Blaise. “Stop playing around.”

Blaise blinked, his heart racing, threatening to jump out of his chest. “Aria…didn’t the letter explain everything?”

“It explained enough,” Aria’s stare cut through Blaise. “I thought you were like m. A lost soul, wandering, feeling like they didn’t belong.” She took a step forward, her stance firm. “But you -you want to play human. You pretend to be one of them!”

Blaise let out a low growl, his fists clenched at his sides. Yet again, his words had failed him. “Aria, that’s not-”

A porcelain cup shattered against the tree beside him, a shard cutting at Blaise’s cheek making him flinch. “Leave Blaise,” Aria demanded, tears pouring down her face. “Just go.” She turned away for a moment before looking back up to meet Blaise’s eyes. “And don’t look back!”

Blaise’s heart sunk, seeing the tears fall from beautiful eyes and hearing the pain in her voice. The pain Aria held, was stronger than any spell.

Blaise desperately wanted to reach out, to fight her words but instead, he turned and with one last breath-

“Goodbye Aria.”

He walked away; his body being swallowed by the trees. Forcing himself not to look back.