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Lexi quietly slipped out of her sister’s estate, dressed in clothes instead of her usual fancy outfits. She had traded silk and jewels for a soft cotton dress and a light cloak, her hair braided loosely to hide its usual polished shine. Even the simple leather boots she wore were scuffed just enough to blend in with the townsfolk. The night air was crisp, carrying the scent of autumn leaves mixed with smoke from distant hearths. The village festival was already crowded, full of laughter, bright lanterns, and the smell of sweet treats and roasted chestnuts. Music drifted through the evening air, fiddles and drums weaving together beneath a sky painted in deep violet and gold, streaked with the last rays of sunset and the first hints of stars blinking awake.
Savanna, her loyal guard, followed close behind, arms crossed. Even out of uniform, there was no disguising the way she carried herself. Alert, watchful, and protective, she scanned the crowd with a practiced eye, noting any sharp edges of danger in the throng of smiling faces. “Your Grace… what are you doing out here? People could recognize you.”
Lexi waved her off with a grin, tossing her head back slightly as if the idea of being discovered only added to the fun. “Relax. I just want to have some fun. You’re coming too.” Her eyes gleamed with mischief, the kind that usually meant trouble for anyone assigned to keep her safe. Even in the dim lantern light, Savanna could see the sparkle dancing in them, bright as the fireworks she had promised herself she would watch tonight.
Savanna sighed, a low, reluctant sound, but followed anyway. She knew there was no stopping Lexi once she got an idea in her head. And if Lexi insisted on slipping into a crowd of strangers, Savanna would rather be at her side than trailing helplessly behind, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly as she fell into step with the duchess.
They walked through the festival, stopping to watch a juggler toss flaming torches. The firelight reflected in Lexi’s eyes as she clapped in delight, leaning forward like a child seeing magic for the first time. The flames painted their faces with flickering shadows, and the scent of smoke mingled with the sweet tang of candied apples nearby. Lexi leaned close to whisper something funny, and Savanna felt a small smile tug at the corner of her mouth. Her shoulder brushed Lexi’s for just a second longer than necessary, a warmth spreading up her arm she tried not to acknowledge.
“Try the ring toss!” Lexi tugged at Savanna’s sleeve. “I know you’ll miss every time, but it’ll be fun.”
“I don’t care if I win,” Savanna muttered, but let herself be guided anyway, her fingers brushing the rough wood of the stall as she took the worn rings. The stall owner raised an amused brow at her serious expression, but Lexi’s laughter bubbled like sunlight over water when Savanna’s ring bounced off the post. The sound made the world around them feel lighter, brighter, as if the festival itself leaned in to watch their little game.
“See? That’s why I love coming here with you!” Lexi grinned. Her laughter rang brighter than the festival bells overhead, and even the nearby children paused mid-chase to giggle at the duchess’s delight.
They wandered past food stalls, Lexi daring Savanna to try sticky caramel apples and spicy roasted meat. Sugar dusted Lexi’s fingers at one point, and she licked it off absentmindedly, completely unaware of the way Savanna’s gaze lingered. At one point, Lexi reached to grab a skewer of sweet dumplings, and Savanna’s hand almost brushed hers. Lexi just grinned, nudging her lightly. The contact was brief, but Savanna felt it like a spark, small and electric, as if the universe had paused just to let that moment breathe.
Suddenly, a small child ran past, screaming and giggling. The child’s ribboned hat flew off as they darted between festivalgoers, chased by an exasperated parent. Lexi tripped over the child’s little foot and started to fall. Her balance tipped backward, a startled gasp leaving her lips. Without thinking, Savanna grabbed her arm to steady her.
The moment their skin touched, both their soulmarks bloomed into rainbow colors. Light burst between them like captured starlight finally set free, flickering across their faces and spilling onto the cobblestones at their feet. On Lexi’s arm, Savanna’s handprint appeared perfectly. On Savanna’s hand, Lexi’s arm left a matching mark. The glow pulsed softly, warm but not burning, undeniable and bright even beneath the lantern light. Every sound, the music, laughter, shouting children, faded to a distant hum as if the world had shrunk around them.
Savanna froze, staring at the glowing marks. “My Lady… what—”
Lexi’s grin grew wider, eyes sparkling like the stars overhead. “Looks like… we’re soulmates.” Her voice was breathless, but not surprised, more delighted than anything else, carrying a mixture of awe and certainty.
Savanna blinked, speechless. “Soulmates?”
“Yes!” Lexi said, tugging Savanna’s arm gently. “See? I knew today would be perfect. And now… we have a reason to enjoy the evening together.” She held Savanna’s hand a little tighter, as if daring the universe to argue. Savanna could feel the pulse of warmth radiating from Lexi’s palm, mingling with her own, and for a moment, it felt like the world itself was holding its breath.
Savanna felt her heart race, but also a strange calm. The festival lights, the laughter around them, and Lexi’s hand still holding hers felt right, grounding. The noise of the crowd faded into a soft hum, distant and unimportant compared to the warmth between their palms. Slowly, she allowed herself to relax, letting a small smile creep onto her face, the first in what felt like a lifetime.
“Guess this means I can’t complain about your terrible ring toss skills anymore,” Lexi teased, the grin never leaving her face.
Savanna rolled her eyes, but couldn’t stop a laugh. The sound came easier than she expected, lighter than she had felt in years. “You’re impossible.”
“And you love it,” Lexi shot back with a wink, her thumb brushing over Savanna’s knuckles.
And Savanna didn’t respond, because it was true. Instead, she intertwined their fingers properly this time, no longer pretending it was accidental, and let Lexi pull her back into the glow of the festival lights, where the scent of caramel and smoke, the flicker of lanterns, and the soft pulse of their joined hands made everything else fade into the background.