Chapter 6

Hector had realised that the night had reached its conclusion as well. He let go of Florina, looking around him as the tables were tidied and the torches were put out.

"Looks like everything's finishing up" he said. "Man...I'm tired"

Florina felt it too; all the dancing she had done finally caught up to her. Her eyes drooped, her legs felt heavy and she no longer felt disappointed about the night ending. It was time for bed.

"I'm tired too…" Florina said quietly.

Out of nowhere, Hector quickly grabbed Florina and hoisted her up into his arms effortlessly. Florina yelped as she was lifted, her mind flashed back to when Hector had lifted her upon his shoulder after the defeat of Nergal.

"What are you doing?" she called, echoing the very same words she spoke in that past moment. Hector was giggling as he adjusted the seemingly weightless Florina in his arms, putting her in a more comfortable position.

"I'm gonna carry you to your room" he said, his voice deep. The faint smell of ale coming from his breath was strangely pleasant. Florina started to giggle alongside Hector as she saw his face next to hers. Hector then held her in a way that allowed her to nuzzle her head underneath his neck. Her soft hair rested against Hector's chin; Florina fought hard not to fall asleep in Hector's arms. The feeling in her heart was indescribable. But still, her lips tingled. Why hasn't it happened yet?

"Florina?" Hector asked as they navigated the halls of Castle Pherae.

"Yes, Lord Hector?" Florina muttered, still battling her sleepiness.

"I had a great night tonight. I've seen a completely new side to you; you can dance!"

"You can talk, you're an amazing dancer!"

"You flatter me"

"I mean it, Lord Hector. You are an amazing dancer. I felt as light as a feather all night in your arms"

"Ah, Florina…well, you're pretty good when I'm not holding on to you. I never thought you had it in you"

"…I know. I guess tonight just brought out the best in me, hm?"

"Yeah…everyone was alive tonight. I'm comin' back next year to this festival. Ositia holds festivals too though, you should come"

"Is that an invitation?"

They had reached the room, and Florina felt taken aback by Hector's request. Did he mean what he said? As she found the ground again, she turned around and looked up at Hector. He gazed back down at her with tired but calming eyes.

"Florina…" Hector started. He was blushing slightly, and in a rare reversal of fortunes, Florina found herself to be the one with more confidence.

"Hector, what's wrong?" Florina asked. Hector remained silent for a while, humming and muttering to himself. His gaze fell to the floor and his brow furrowed. Florina watched as he mused to himself, thinking out loud and negotiating with his inner self. After a short deliberation, Florina watched as Hector stood up straight and took Florina's hands.

"Okay, I know what I'm gonna say" he said.

"And what's that?" Florina asked.

"…Nothing"

Florina suddenly found Hector's lips pressed against hers. Instinctively, her arms reached out for his to hold on to as her legs shut down from the emotional overload. His lips were soft as they brushed across hers gently. Unable to keep them open anymore, Florina let her eyes shut and her heart melt. Hector slid a hand across Florina's back to support her and broke this kiss, leaving just an inch between their faces.

"Florina, I want you to come to Ositia one day" he whispered quietly. "I want that day to be soon"

"But…b-but why me?" Florina said quietly in disbelief. Despite all the love and happiness she felt in that moment in time, she just had to know why Hector had chosen her. Through the closeness of their faces, Florina could just make out a smile from Hector's mouth.

"…My brother always told me not to question love" Hector said quietly. "He said it strikes from nowhere. One day, you're being attacked by a pegasus. The next minute, you fall in love. I've never forgotten your face, despite all these weeks we've been apart since the end of the conflict. I've always been thinking of you, Florina"

Like sweet music to her ears, Florina drunk in every sound and syllable Hector made.

"Oh Hector…" she sighed, looking into his eyes. "I…I always wanted you"

Hector gently pulled Florina in and kissed her again. This time, Florina kissed Hector back and the two were embroiled in a passionate kiss with each other. Their lips and tongues dances with each other lightly, exploring the feeling and sensations of a kiss, experiencing all there was to be found inside and around each other's mouths. It lasted seconds, but in that moment, it felt like hours. Eventually, they parted, and without another word, Hector stood back, his face flushed red from what had transpired. Florina's face pulsed with the blood that was rushing to it.

"Good night, Florina" Hector whispered, ware that others were sleeping. "…Please come and visit me soon in Ositia"

"Yes, Hector…good night" Florina whispered. She wanted so much to kiss him again, but this was always what it was like in the stories that she read back at Ilia. The happy couple would have to wait a little before they were fully united. Florina had no qualms and was fully ready to accept the fairytale burden of a short wait before she would see Hector again. Watching him disappear around the corner of the corridor was the final moment that ended one of Florina's greatest nights.

And as Florina laid her head on the pillow within her great bed, she wondered whether her fairytale would have a 'happy-ever-after' ending. But it didn't matter. What mattered was that for the first time in a very long while, Florina felt completely happy. And that was good enough for her.

Thanks for reading, please check out my other material if you enjoyed this story :)