Tales Of Corinthia

Not entirely sure what I was doing with this one but I wanted to try old people reminiscing. This is a no beta we die like (insert something funny).

EXTRA NOTE: Bold writing is flashback.

Want to listen instead: Here

If you had told me ten years ago, I would be dancing in the last wisps of sunlight with the love of my life. I would have called you a liar. And if you told me that the love of my life would be Tahlia Dermont the great witch of Talidor, well I would have laughed you out of the room. That is before swiftly ending your life for daring to even speak her name in my presence.  

However, as the soft orange hues filled our lounge and Beethoven played around us, I struggled to think of a reality where that wasn’t true. My once mortal enemy becoming my lover and only family. Years of anger and hatred behind us as we swayed gently to a symphony.  

Soon enough that song ended making way for the next a tune that was engrained into my mind. Each note reminding me of the night my life changed. The night I realised I was in love with my mortal enemy.  

Extravagant chandeliers lit the overcrowded ballroom a warm glow filling the space. The low hum of conversation echoed throughout however my attention never left the dancefloor. Where a familiar figure danced calmly relaxing into the arms of a man I’d never met.  

Auburn hair braided intrinsically around her head glowing in the candlelight. Her hands rested around his neck clasped gently a smirk gracing her lips. Lace ran across the edges of her scarlet red ball-gown turning the modest attire into a priest’s nightmare.  

“Are you alright love?” My wife asked gently tugging on the hair at the nape of my neck to pull me back into reality, “You zoned out.”  

My breathing faltered as I stared into the emerald eyes of the goddess before me. Over the years her hair had begun to gray but she never changed. Always caring even when I thought I didn’t want it, “Yes, thank you dear.”  

“What were you thinking about?” Her voice was soft but commanded a reply.  

“This song,” I didn’t need to explain it she knew. We had discussed the songs importance before.  

Tahlia pulled away from the man, as another song began to play, making her way over to the buffet table. I was quick to follow her dodging through the crowd. By the time I made it to where she should have been she was gone. I looked around frantically for her clenched fists shaking at my sides. How could I lose her she was just here.  

As I turned to go back to the dance floor to search for her someone walked into me knocking down. Or at least as far as they could before I crashed into a body. Smoke and roses filled my senses mixing with the stench of wine sinking into my shirt. A shirt now ruined by a fearful looking man.  

Gentle hands held me up off the ground my head spinning from the sudden impact. My head rested on the persons arm my view of them obscured by a glare of light. Their breath was even and grip firm helping to settle my disorientation.  

Steadying myself I turned to thank the person who caught me stopping in my tracks as my prey stood glaring past me. Glancing back at the terrified man who knocked me over his eyes wide and hands shaking. I shooed him away watching him quickly run from us before I turned back quickly. The realisation slamming into me that not only had she caught me, but she was defending me.  

“Do you remember that night?” I asked as we swayed to a cacophony of instruments. A small yet positive hum my only response.  

My hands were clammy on her waist tangling into her dress as I pulled her closer. Her soft giggles warming my chest my heart fluttering and stomach knotting. The soft orange light casting shadows on her face highlighting her laugh lines and wrinkles.  

Soft skin met calloused hands heels squeaking on the dance floor as I struggled to dance. My breath struggled to come out as I glared at the cocky woman. Her cheeky smirk enraging me as she forced me to dance with her. Payment for catching me or something.  

Deep red stained my previously white shirt, buttoned blazer barely hiding it. Her idea which I had initially wanted to ignore. The thought of doing something she suggested disgusting to me. A few odd looks were enough to shake off my reservations though and I quickly fixed it.  

Our dance was slow the small orchestra playing the surprisingly long ballad perfectly. Bodies moving in sync in a crowd of a thousand she was my only focus. “Do stop glaring darling people will speak,” She leaned closer to me her breath brushing against my cheek, “And I’m certain that wouldn’t look good for you.”  

“You never know they may agree with me,” I responded spitefully but silently schooled my features. Even if I despised the woman rumours could destroy me, “Why are you even here.?”  

“I am hurt, do you not want to see me?” She asked with a laugh spinning me around without warning.  

People spun around me their chatter getting louder and I tried to re-orient myself, “Just answer the question!”  

I regretted being so loud within seconds, the crowd around us turning to stare. Tahlia covering her mouth to hide her grin. Bowing apologetically toward the crowd I turn back to her pulling her closer to me.  

“When are you going to relax?” The question echoed in my head for the rest of the night wrapping around my lungs and stealing my breath. Even when we finished dancing and went our separate ways.  

Ginger fur brushed against my leg, the small kitten we adopted staring up at us. My love quickly breaking away from my embrace muttering something lowly. Small meows following her to the kitchen my feet compelling me to follow them.  

“Would you change it?” She asked as she filled the cats bowl shooing it off the counter. 

Sliding in beside her to start on some tea I thought for a moment, “No not for anything.”