The first thing I noticed when I woke up was the light.Soft morning sunlight filtered through the branches above us, painting pale gold patterns across the blankets spread around Lumina Lake.For a moment I simply stared at the sky, still half asleep.
Then I felt it.Warm fingers intertwined with mine.
I looked down.Zane's hand was resting over mine beneath the blanket.A slow smile tugged at my lips.
Memories from the night before rushed back all at once—the ritual, the cave, the kiss.
My face immediately warmed.
I turned my head slightly.
Zane was still asleep beside me, his dark hair messy from the night. One arm was tucked beneath his head, his breathing slow and steady.
I watched him for a moment longer than I probably should have.
"Good morning."
The voice startled me.
I turned quickly.
Mira was sitting a few feet away, cross-legged, watching us with a grin that could only mean trouble. Lila sat beside her, clearly trying—and failing—not to laugh.
"Oh no…" I muttered.
"Did you sleep well?" Mira asked innocently.
Lila leaned forward.
"Very well, I hope."
Then Mira pointed dramatically at our hands.
"You two were holding hands all night."
I pulled my hand away so fast it nearly hit my face.
"We were not—"
"Yes you were," Mira said immediately.
"Absolutely," Lila confirmed.
My ears burned.Before I could protest again, the person beside me shifted.
"…What's going on?"
Zane opened his eyes slowly.
Mira didn't hesitate.
"You were holding hands."
Zane blinked.
Then he looked at me.My entire face must have been bright red by then.
He chuckled softly.
"That's the problem?"
Mira stared at him.
"That's the problem?"
Lila shook her head.
"You two are impossible."
Just then Isabella's calm voice came from behind them."If you girls are done teasing them, breakfast would be appreciated."
Mira jumped to her feet.
"Yes, commander."
Lila followed, giggling.
As Isabella passed us, she glanced briefly at our hands before looking at me.There was a quiet smile in her eyes.
She said nothing.
But the message was clear enough.
The lakeshore slowly filled with movement as the villagers began their morning routines.
Some people prepared breakfast over small fires, while others carried baskets of clothing toward the lake.
I sat up, stretching slightly.
"So today is laundry day."
Zane nodded.
"Every year after the ceremony."
We walked toward the water where Mira and Lila had already rolled up their sleeves.
Mira slapped a wet shirt against a smooth rock.
Lila rinsed another piece of clothing beside her.
"You two look like you're enjoying this," I said.
Mira splashed water at Lila.
"She started it!"
Lila gasped and splashed her back.
"You splashed me first!"
I laughed as they continued their childish battle.Zane shook his head.
"They've been doing this since they were little."
Nearby, Isabella was carefully washing a folded tunic.When she finished, she wrung the fabric and placed it in a basket to dry later.
Once all the clothes had been washed, everyone gathered again near the blankets to eat.
Breakfast was simple—bread, cheese, dried fruits, and a warm herbal drink.
After eating, Zane picked up several hollow gourds stacked near the edge of the clearing.
"Time for the important part."
I raised an eyebrow.
"The water?"
He nodded.
"Lumina Lake water for the journey."
Villagers lined up along the cascade, filling their containers carefully.
Lila handed one to me.
"You should fill one too."
I crouched near the lake and dipped the gourd into the water.The surface shimmered faintly in the sunlight.
"People really drink this all the way to Luminas and is it safe to drink? You just did laundry in it" I asked.
"Every year," Mira said. "It's tradition."
" It's 's good luck and no it's not dirty, the lake doesn't retain impurities," Lila added.
I nodded remembering the black puddle that disappeared after coming out of our bodies. "Make sense"
Once the gourds were filled, preparations around the lake slowly came to an end.
People packed their things, folded blankets, and began preparing for the walk back to the village.
"We're heading back already?" I asked.
Zane slung a bag over his shoulder.
"We won't stay here all day."
He nodded toward the forest path.
"We still have preparations to finish before the trip."
The walk back to village was quiet and relaxed. Sunlight filtered through the trees as villagers chatted along the trail.
When the village finally came into view, people immediately began spreading the freshly washed clothes across wooden racks and ropes stretched between houses. Colorful fabrics swayed gently in the wind under the bright afternoon sun.
Mira stretched her arms.
"That's the worst chore done."
"You say that every year," Lila replied.
"And I mean it every year."
The following days passed quickly.
Everyone in the village was busy preparing for the journey to the Kingdom. Our house was cleaned from top to bottom. Shelves were dusted, floors swept, and every corner of the kitchen scrubbed until it shone.
Isabella organized supplies.
Mira and Lila sorted clothes and travel packs.
Zane repaired tools and checked equipment for the road.
As for me, I spent most of my time in the kitchen.
I prepared several ingredients that could be useful during the journey—dried herbs, spices, preserved fruits, and a few mixtures I could easily cook with while traveling.
All of it went into a small travel bag I had prepared for myself.
"If we're going to be on the road for weeks," I explained one evening, "I refuse to survive on nothing but dried meat."
Zane laughed.
"I should have guessed."
Nine days passed like this.
Small tasks.
Final preparations.
Quiet excitement growing with each passing day.
Until finally…
The morning of departure arrived.