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“What do you have there?” Lin Jie looked up to see Fang Shiqian dangling upside down from one of the branches, peering at the lump hidden beneath his teacher’s cloak. “Is it a present? Is it for me?” Lin Jie, as usual found his student’s curiosity endearing, Fang Shiqian found everything from the mortal realm fascinating and Lin Jie hoped the same still held true.
“I suppose in a way it is a gift for him,” Lin Jie thought to himself, smile still on his face as he revealed what was beneath his cloak. Fang Shiqian wrinkled his nose, clearly unimpressed by the mortal child sleeping in Lin Jie’s arms.
“I thought you’d have brought back one of the Hunt’s dogs!” Lin Jie’s laugh was soft and he took in the disgruntled frown on his student’s face.
“I suppose he isn’t as good as a dog,” Fang Shiqian folded his arms across his chest as if Lin Jie had said something overwhelmingly obvious. “But I thought the two of you could be friends.”
“But he’s mortal, isn’t he just going to die tomorrow?” Lin Jie nearly dropped the boy at Fang Shiqian’s question, realising that the younger fae had some misconceptions about the lifespans of humans.
“He’ll age as you do, so long as he lives alongside us, he’ll be just like you.” Fang Shiqian dropped down out of the tree and peered closely at the boy, taking in his hair, his face and then poking his cheek, much in the same way one might poke an uncomfortably slimy slug before scrunching his face up again.
“He’s squishy. He’s going to get broken.” Fang Shiqian declared solemnly to Lin Jie, dismissing the boy from his mind as something that would be gone before a week passed.
Fang Shiqian was mistaken.
“Everyone thinks you’re stupid.” Wang Jiexi startled as the fae who always hung around his teacher addressed him, scowl fixed across his face and he wasn’t sure how to respond. Fortunately, he wasn’t given an opportunity to as the other boy was still talking. “They think you’re stupid and that your face is dumb.” Wang Jiexi had to admit that they may have a point about his face being dumb, with his eyes differing in size and all but he refused to give the other boy the satisfaction of admitting that.
“What’s your name?” Wang Jiexi decided to ask instead and the boy stumbled back, fury dancing in his eyes and he was abruptly reminded that it was impolite to ask so bluntly for someone’s name, even if you weren’t asking for their true Name. Something that the boy seemed to enjoy reminding him of, his tone superior.
“Don’t you know it’s rude to ask someone for their name? You really are stupid, haven’t you learnt anything from Lao Lin?” Wang Jiexi had the urge to smack the other boy and he decided that it was justified and promptly shoved his shoulder.
“You’re the stupid one!” For a long moment they just stared silently at each other before the boy launched himself at Wang Jiexi and they tumbled around in the dirt, tiny fists trying to land a blow on the other. They let out twin yelps of surprise as they were yanked apart and held pointedly apart as Lin Jie stared at them, disappointment colouring his eyes.
“What are you two doing?” He’d barely finished the question before the two started yelling, trying to drown out the other with their shouts.
“He hit me-!”
“He called me stupid-!”
“He called me stupid first-!”
“Enough!” Both boys fell silent, eyes guilty and once Lin Jie was certain they weren’t going to start punching each other again, he put them down. “What do you say to each other?” When the two only offered up vague, antagonistic mumbles, Lin Jie raised one eyebrow, willing to wait.
“I’m sorry I called you stupid.”
“I’m sorry I hit you. May I know what I can call you?” Fang Shiqian brightened at the formal request to learn how to address him and he smiled, wondering if he’d misjudged the human.
“Aweto, you can call me Aweto, may I know what to call you?” The human frowned slightly, glancing up at Lin Jie, question in his eyes and their shared teacher stepped in before Fang Shiqian could grow offended.
“He doesn’t have one yet.” Fang Shiqian’s eyes widened and he felt a stab of sympathy which he hid beneath a scowl.
“That’s stupid, what am I supposed to call him then?”
“What about Plantago?” Fang Shiqian felt the urge to say that the boy’s choice of a name was also stupid but his teacher’s warning look had him shutting up and shrugging.
“Fine, do you want to help me collect ingredients for Lao Lin?” Plantago brightened at the suggestion and Fang Shiqian felt guilty when he remembered that he’d been ignoring the other boy, they’d all been ignoring him and he resolved to include him from now on. Even if he did say stupid things and didn’t know how to pick names.
Lin Jie watched the two run off into the woods, Wang Jiexi giggling as Fang Shiqian tried to teach him to scramble up trees as easily as he could, demonstrating how to sense the right places to put his feet and which branches would support his weight. Wang Jiexi picked it up with ease and Lin Jie smiled at how easily Wang Jiexi had managed to adapt to the fae realm. Despite it being terrible for humans, sapping their energy, feeding on their life, Wang Jiexi had spent five human years with them without a single issue.
The older fae watched as Wang Jiexi drew on the power of the realm with ease, intermingling it with his own magic, as if the two were one and the same and he became more certain of his choice to take the child. Wang Jiexi let out a bright laugh as he reached the top of the tree, Fang Shiqian hot on his heels, and Lin Jie hoped that what he’d seen all those years was true.
“He’ll take my name one day,” Lin Jie thought to himself, feeling a twinge of regret at the thought, he’d been using the moniker of Vaccaria for decades but he knew, even without his visions, that Wang Jiexi would inherit the name in the end. What the boy would do with it, only time would tell.
“Is it fun?” Fang Shiqian startled as he turned to his friend who was fidgeting with his wand and Fang Shiqian glared at the object until Plantago noticed and rolled his eyes. “You still have a problem with my wand?”
“It’s dumb! Why did you make it out of rowan wood anyway?!” Fang Shiqian didn’t like the exasperated look in his friend’s eyes and he crossed his arms sulkily even if, as Lao Lin reminded him, too old to scowl when things didn’t go his way.
“No one here can claim it as their own like this,” Plantago gestured with his wand to make his point, “a fae isn’t going to be able to take my wand. It’s a precaution.” Fang Shiqian was abruptly reminded that his friend was intelligent, but he refused to acknowledge the cunning behind the decision and turned the conversation away from having to admit he was wrong.
“Is what fun?” Plantago’s face twisted into something that could be called longing and Fang Shiqian frowned at the expression, wishing he could wipe it from his face.
“Is the Wild Hunt fun? I’m not allowed to take part because I’m not fae.”
“That doesn’t mean you don’t belong!” The fae wasn’t sure why he felt the urge to protest Plantago’s words so vehemently but the disbelief in Plantago’s eyes made something in his chest twist.
“You don’t have to mislead me Aweto, I know this isn’t really my home, tell me more about the Wild Hunt?” Fang Shiqian wanted to push, wanted to force that idea out of his friend’s head, wanted to chain him to the fae, to Fang Shiqian-
The fae hesitated at his thoughts, unsure of where the urge to kiss Plantago suddenly came from, knowing that doing so would have unimaginable consequences. He pushed the urge aware forcibly, keeping his focus on the present and deciding to sate Plantago’s curiosity about everything he wasn’t allowed to experience.
“It’s exhilarating,” Wang Jiexi felt another sharp burst of longing as he thought about all the things the fae kept from him citing that he didn’t truly belong amongst them. He admired the light of excitement in Aweto’s eyes that sharpened his eyes until he looked near feral in the fading light. “You can taste everything in the air, fear, excitement, bloodlust and desperation, you lose yourself in the hunt, the chase, the thrill of it all.”
“Does it ever get boring?”
“How would it get boring?” Aweto seemed genuinely thrown off by the question and Wang Jiexi ran his fingers up and down the length of his wand, nearly lost in thought.
“Doesn’t the Wild Hunt always catch its prey? Doesn’t it become tedious or repetitive? The lack of a challenge?” Aweto seemed to mull this over in his head for a long moment before tilting his head as if to concede the point.
“Sometimes the Hunt longs for someone worthy enough to escape, someone intelligent enough to make it to the end of the third night without getting caught, without succumbing to the hounds.” Wang Jiexi found himself watching the way a smirk spread across his friend’s face, showing off his pointed teeth and while he knew he should be afraid, or at the very least wary, he was only intrigued. “Some of the Huntsmen say that they will marry whoever escapes the Hunt with their lives.”
“Have you made a similar promise?” Aweto’s laugh is bright and mocking, his teeth gleaming in the low light and Wang Jiexi feels something swoop in his stomach.
“I have not pledged to marry whoever escapes the Hunt, but who knows. Perhaps if they are impressive enough my heart could be won.” Fang Shiqian glances away from his friend, blush high on his cheeks and he hoped it was dim enough that Plantago wouldn’t spot the flush. His friend had picked up on the habit of chewing on his wand recently, sliding the wood between his lips while he mulled things over and Fang Shiqian was hoping that it was a habit that would soon pass. Plantago’s next question pulled his attention away from that entirely as he gaped in shock.
“Who does my life belong to?” Wang Jiexi watched as his question seemed to throw Aweto off, shock painted clearly across his face.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“If I wanted to leave, if I wanted to leave the fae,” Fang Shiqian pushed away the wave of hurt at the prospect of his friend leaving to focus on his words, “if I chose to leave, who must I ask?”
“Lao Lin, unless you were given to the court,” Fang Shiqian felt his chest go cold when he realised that Plantago may belong to the Unseelie, “when were you brought here?”
“July,” Fang Shiqian let out a relieved sigh before remembering that despite the Seelie court being far more benevolent, there was still no guarantee that Plantago would be able to leave with his life and freedom.
“Why would you want to leave anyway?” Even though he tried to hide it, Wang Jiexi could see the sadness flickering across Aweto’s face and he let out a soft sigh.
“I don’t really belong here, Lao Lin has told me that my training will end soon and I don’t wish to become an entertainer at the court, either court.”
“You’ll have to win your freedom.” Fang Shiqian wanted to shake the unconcerned smile off his friend’s face, yell that it wouldn’t be easy to escape the fae’s grasp, that the court would do its best to retain possession of such a talented witch.
“Perhaps I’ll have to face the Wild Hunt,” the laugh that accompanied the statement only incensed Fang Shiqian further, wondering if Plantago had any idea what that would entail but all he could offer was a single piece of help.
“If you have to face the Hunt know this,” Plantago’s eyes were serious as they met his own and Fang Shiqian hid the crushing fear that he felt at the idea of Plantago facing down the Hunt, “my name among them is Wind Guard.”
“Thank you.” Wang Jiexi knew that his friend had just given him something that may save his life later on and he squeezed Aweto’s hand, eyes bright with gratitude before leaning back to watch the light fade from the trees with his friend at his side.
Wang Jiexi knew that running haphazardly through the forest wasn’t a safe thing to do, particularly since the Unseelie court now ruled as the leaves fell from the trees to carpet the floor with vivid oranges, reds, and golds. But Aweto had gone running into the trees once Lao Lin had bestowed his title of Vaccaria onto him, telling him that his training was complete. That hadn’t been what caused Aweto to leave, but when Lao Lin had told them that he was leaving, leaving to travel, Aweto’s face had flushed red with anger and he’d bolted out of the door. Wang Jiexi glanced at his teacher, his mentor and he’d nodded, gestured for him to go and Wang Jiexi took chase after his friend.
It was hours later now, Wang Jiexi knew that if Aweto didn’t want to be found, he’d likely never be able to find where the fae had run off to but he was determined to continue searching, refusing to let the other hide from him.
Wang Jiexi felt a shiver run down his spine at the chill in the air and his hand dropped to his wand at his belt, knowing that as a human, wandering through the fae realm made him vulnerable. He kept his eyes fixed away from the target, preparing himself to attack but the familiar voice stilled his hand.
“What are you doing out here at night?!” Aweto’s voice conveyed incredulity, anger and worry as he chucked a cloak around Wang Jiexi’s shoulders, the witch’s hands clutching at the fabric instinctively. “I really thought you weren’t stupid, Lao Lin told me you weren’t stupid, reassured me that you have a brain but you are wandering at night during the Unseelie court which means that you’re stupid.”
“I thought you were mad at me,” Wang Jiexi barely got the words out before Aweto was dragging him back towards his home, fury radiating off him.
“I am mad at you but if you die all that time Lao Lin put into you will be wasted so I’m going to make sure you’re safe before I continue being mad.”
Wang Jiexi had always liked Aweto’s home, despite the fae choosing to ride with the Wild Hunt, he’d also spent time learning herbalism and the healing arts. An ability he used to use with alarming regularity when they were younger and would race each other up trees before missing a branch and plummeting to the ground. He remembered that Aweto would always act exactly the same when it happened, a mix of anger and worry and it warmed him to be reminded that the fae cared for him.
“Wipe your dumb smile off your face, there’s nothing to be proud of when you endanger yourself.”
“Are you mad because Lao Lin is leaving?”
“No.” Fang Shiqian wanted to curse the fact that fae were unable to lie outright because Plantago- Vaccaria, whatever his friend’s name was now, wasn’t one to just let it go.
“Then why are you upset?”
“It’s none of your business!” Fang Shiqian was proud of himself for avoiding the question with a technicality, it wasn’t any of Plantago’s business if Fang Shiqian didn’t want to tell him. Unfortunately, his friend refused to just give up.
“Why won’t you tell me why you’re upset?”
“Because it’s stupid!”
“Tell me anyway?”
“I’m mad you’re leaving!” Wang Jiexi blinked in surprise, of all the things he expected Aweto to say, that wasn’t one of them.
“Why?”
“You’re my closest friend and you want to leave and I’m angry about that, why can’t you just stay? Is it really so bad here?” Wang Jiexi frowned, head tilted to the side.
“I like it here, but I don’t belong, I’ve never belonged here. I want to go back to humans, see what I can accomplish there.” Fang Shiqian felt the familiar twist in his chest at the prospect of losing his friend. “I’ll come visit, or at least, you could come visit me, and I’m not leaving until the Seelie court is in session once more. Lao Lin said my freedom is in their hands.”
“You might not even get your freedom by the end of it, why not work for the court, you could be safe.”
“I have to try.” Fang Shiqian couldn’t help but want to bind Plantago to him, to keep him at his side and safe. He was highly regarded by the Wild Hunt and therefore had gained the respect of both Seelie and Unseelie, he could protect his friend.
Fang Shiqian sighed slightly as he was abruptly reminded of the true reason Plantago challenging the fae filled him with fear, knowing that his feelings for his friend were interfering, knowing that all he truly wanted was for Plantago to return his feelings.
“You’ll still be able to see me, even after I leave.” Wang Jiexi didn’t like the melancholy silence that had fallen, didn’t like the dark look in Aweto’s eyes and felt the urge to put a smile on his face. His friend could always take his breath away when he smiled.
“I think you’re stupid to go against the fae, even if it is the Seelie court.”
“I’ve spent my life in your world, I believe I’ll be able to win my freedom, or at least, escape intact.” Fang Shiqian wasn’t convinced but when Plantago smiled at him he couldn’t help but smile back, “besides, I’m not human Aweto, I have magic myself.” Fang Shiqian blinked and his friend’s smile widened. “Did you forget?”
“No, I just always thought your magic was too weak to be of any use!” Wang Jiexi was aware that Aweto was lying and from the flush creeping down the back of his neck, his friend was well aware that his assertion was ridiculous but refusing to take it back. Wang Jiexi simply smiled to himself, walking to make a pot of tea, relishing in the time he had left like this.
“I wish to bargain for my freedom.” Wang Jiexi refused to be cowed, despite the pairs of eyes fixed on him, seemingly looking within him to try and find him lacking.
“Vaccaria, saved from death by one of our own. Raised, trained and protected by him and now you wish to leave? Having learnt our secrets, been taught our tricks?” The prince sipped from his goblet as he smiled, teeth bared in a warning. “The price will be high.”
“I am willing to face the challenge.” A whisper ran through the spectators as the prince’s eyes narrowed, perhaps unhappy at how Wang Jiexi’s face remained calm, hands still at his sides and breathing steady, and Aweto would swear that was what led to the challenge being issued.
“Face the Wild Hunt and survive.” An audible gasp rose from the other fae, none expecting such a high price to be asked from the witch. Wang Jiexi fought to keep his composure, warring between trepidation and laughter, remembering the conversation he’d had with Aweto all those years ago.
“If I do so, I will have repaid my debt to the court? I will be free?”
“Of course.” The prince’s wave was casual, dismissive and Wang Jiexi knew that no one watching expected him to survive but he took a breath before speaking.
“Then I agree.” Wang Jiexi can feel the magic binding him once he agrees to the terms, knows that he cannot back out or change his mind and he ignores the panic that threatens to rise.
“The Hunt will begin at sundown and end when the sun rises on the third day. If you win, your freedom, if you lose then your soul belongs to the hounds.” Two days and three nights, the only things standing in the way of his freedom, but Wang Jiexi knew how large the chasm he had to cross was if he wanted to win his freedom. As he left, the spectating fae cheer likely pleased that the Wild Hunt is to be given fresh prey and the doors to the court slam shut behind him.
Aweto was by his side the moment he’s out of the court, his eyes were clouded with worry and before Wang Jiexi could speak, his friend is already yelling at him, a familiar mix of fury and fear colouring his words.
“You’re facing the Wild Hunt!” When Plantago merely nods, Fang Shiqian finds his anger rising, frustration at his friend’s calm demeanour even as he prepared to face the hunters who never failed to catch their prey. The last time someone escaped the Hunt was before he’d ever joined, decades ago.
“It’s the only way to gain my freedom.” Fang Shiqian bit down on the instinctive urge to protest, to argue that Plantago could marry him, could win his freedom that was. But in all the years they’d spent together, Fang Shiqian could never summon the courage to suggest it.
“What if you don’t survive?” Plantago swallows before he answers and Fang Shiqian watched as his friend’s hands trembled slightly.
“I cannot consider that unless I want to be consumed by fear.” Plantago’s next words startle him and he nearly drops the flask he tried to pass. “Will you be riding?”
“I have no choice but to ride. If the Hunt calls for me I’ll have to answer,” Fang Shiqian wondered about revealing the truth before deciding that Plantago deserved to hear it, “besides, the whole realm knows of our closeness, the Hunt will call for me no matter what. The entertainment value increases that way.”
“It’s nearly time.” Fang Shiqian tried to burn the image of his friend into his memory, wanting to remember him if his friend couldn’t escape the hunt. He blinked in surprise when Plantago pulled him into a tight embrace, his next words whispered against his ear. “Ride well.”
“Remember the name I told you.” Was the only help Fang Shiqian could offer his friend and Plantago smiled reassuringly before turning away.
The door shut behind him and soon after Fang Shiqian felt the call of the Hunt in his chest, felt the familiar surge of exhilaration and desire to chase rise within him. And for the first time since he joined the Hunt, for the first time he could remember, he felt the urge to ignore the call, to push it aside and walk away. Because for the first time, he could put a name to the prey being chased, he knew the prey that he was about to hunt for and his chest ached at the thought that he could be responsible for Plantago not only losing his freedom, but his life.
The other Huntsmen could sense his mood, all knew about his friendship with the witch they were to chase and Fang Shiqian could feel their eyes on his back, knew that they’d be watching him closely in case he chose to slip up deliberately to let the prey escape. He ignored the heavy gaze in favour of checking on the hounds, all of whom greeted him eagerly, keen to get started but Fang Shiqian couldn’t get swept up in the energy of the Hunt. Not when he knew the hounds were baying for his friend’s blood.
He swung himself up on his horse and wrapped himself in his cloak, magic wrapping tightly around him, suppressing his aura, hiding his face, making him indistinguishable from the other riders. His horse pawed at the ground impatiently and Fang Shiqian caught sight of his friend, standing only a few meters away from him and he couldn’t help the sinking feeling in his chest, wondering if there was even a chance that Plantago could make it out of this alive.
The sun touched the horizon’s edge and Wang Jiexi threw two flasks of lava at the ground separating him from the Hunt, forcing the riders to pause, to ride back in order to gain enough momentum to be able to clear the obstacle. In the few precious moments, Wang Jiexi bolted towards the woods, vanishing into the trees.
His next trick was to conjure up a thick white fog that filled the air and made it impossible to see more than a few inches in front of you, unless you were the one who cast the spell. Wang Jiexi scrambled up into a tree, balancing easily on the branches and sending a quick and fervent thank you to Aweto for teaching him how to climb and jump from tree to tree with ease. He hoped the hounds would be unable to catch his scent if he was so far off the ground, leaving them confused and forcing the Hunt to split up to find him.
Wang Jiexi smiled when he caught the faint sound of hoofbeats splitting off into different directions, without so many to contend with, he’d have a better chance at picking them off. Of course, they’d soon recover and continue to pursue him but the momentary advantage, the precious few seconds he would be able to eke out would be everything.
He strained to hear the sound of a hound and the approaching hoofbeats forced him to start running once again, weaving through the trees while firing spells over his shoulder. His aim wasn’t the best when running for his life and casting behind him, but Wang Jiexi still managed to blind the Huntsman though the horse was intelligent enough to keep running after him.
The witch fired an explosive blast at a tree, the huge trunk coming crashing down and Wang Jiexi slid under with ease while the horse came to an abrupt stop and the Huntsman’s curse caused a small smirk to slid across Wang Jiexi’s face as he turned on his heel to run in a different direction, vanishing into the trees once more, feet silent as he ran. He had a chance.
Wang Jiexi was exhausted, having been forced to run for his life for two days and two nights and even though the third night was nearing its end, he was running out of tricks and he could sense the Hunt closing in on him. Through trickery, carefully placed spells, Wang Jiexi had managed to avoid getting caught but his legs ached, his mind hazy due to lack of sleep and yet he was so close.
He cursed when he realised the hounds had managed to encircle him and were merely waiting for their masters to give the signal and Wang Jiexi threw out his last trick, condensing his energy into throwing his aura several meters away, causing the hounds to bolt over to where they thought he was, causing a gap to appear in the ranks which Wang Jiexi threw himself through, forcing his legs to keep him moving, the end was in sight.
His gloves were long since shredded but Wang Jiexi threw himself around the trees, knowing the horses were unable to turn as quickly as he could. He stumbled over a root and threw himself into the roll, losing no momentum as he continued to bolt. Wang Jiexi knew it was just his mind, but he could nearly believe he could feel the horses’ breath against his heels.
When he broke the treeline he nearly gave up, knowing he couldn’t outrun the horses in an open plain, knowing that despite how close he came, this was where he lost, was where he surrendered his life to the Hunt. Before he did so, before he gave in to the fatigue weighing down his limbs, he could nearly hear Aweto in his head, berating his intelligence and telling him to use his brain.
“You always say you have a spell for every occasion, prove it!” And somehow, Wang Jiexi threw out multiple casts of frost power behind him and prayed for luck.
To his relief, the horses were forced to slow, and he kept himself running, pushing past the burn of his muscles and the screams of protests. He kept running until his legs gave out from under him and he crumpled into a heap on the ground, a mess of scratches, gashes and bruises, clothes torn to shreds as the Hunt gathered around him.
But they were too late, the first light of dawn had touched the horizon, bathing Wang Jiexi in gold, befitting of his victory, even if the witch gasped for breath on the ground, every part of him aching and begging for a rest. The lead Huntsman swung off her horse to look down at him and Wang Jiexi summoned enough energy to speak.
“I won.” The smile his words got in return sent a chill down his spine, the sharp fangs promising nothing good and when she spoke, this was only confirmed.
“And yet you still lose in the end,” when Wang Jiexi stared up in confusion the fae elaborated, laughter clear in her voice, “anyone who escapes the Wild Hunt is then bound to a Huntsman by marriage.”
“I was promised my freedom-!”
“By the prince, and if this rule did not exist you would have your freedom, but there is nothing you can do to escape this, the courts do not rule the Wild Hunt and you will be bound to one of us today.” Wang Jiexi forced his mind to work, searching for another way to free himself, desperate to get out of being bound in this way.
“If I can name a Huntsman, will you give me your word that I shall be bound to them?” The lead Huntsman laughed out loud, certain that the witch was merely desperate and she shrugged.
“I give you my word.”
“One of the Hunt is called Wind Guard.” The fae’s eyes widen, shock and anger written across her face but Wang Jiexi went limp in relief when he spotted Aweto jumping off his horse and pulling the cloak from his shoulders to wrap around Wang Jiexi and he appreciated the comfort. For a long moment there is nothing but silence before the lead Huntsman begins to laugh, sound nearly as bright as the rising sun.
“You have earned your freedom Vaccaria. Your victory will be remembered and enshrined in our history.”
“Are you certain about this?” Wang Jiexi nodded, leaning up to capture Aweto’s lips, feeling a bond settle between them, tying them together and binding them in marriage. The lead Huntsman pulled herself back onto her horse and the Wild Hunt rides off, leaving the two of them alone.
“Fang Shiqian.” Wang Jiexi startled at the words and finds his friend- his husband, refusing to meet his eyes, blush high on his cheeks. “My Name is Fang Shiqian.”
“Wang Jiexi.” After a few moments of processing the words, Wang Jiexi remembers that he needs to reply and Fang Shiqian’s face lights up with joy at knowing his True Name.
“You were lucky,” his husband says, clutching him to his chest, arms strong and reassuring around him while Wang Jiexi struggles to keep his eyes open, exhausted after his ordeal. “At the end, you were lucky that your last spell slowed us down when it doesn’t always.
“If it’s wrong to be lucky then let me be wrong again and again.” Fang Shiqian barked out a laugh, leaning down to capture Wang Jiexi’s lips once again and he had to agree with his witch. After all, his luck, his final gamble, still brought them here, together, and safe. Wang Jiexi arched into the kiss and they remained there for a long time, basking in each other and the golden light of the rising sun.
When Lin Jie heard the story of the witch who escaped the Wild Hunt only to marry a Huntsman and still retain his freedom he could only smile. The vision that told him that the witch with the uneven eyes and the fae who longed to hunt would belong together had come to pass and Lin Jie was filled with an overwhelming joy for his two students, they were free and in love. It was all he had hoped for when he’d dreamt of their futures. In love and immortalised by the fae in songs, in stories and in history. The witch who challenged the Wild Hunt and the Huntsman who won his heart.