Morning sunlight spilled across the bustling city streets as Eleazar Pennisi stepped out of a quaint coffeehouse, a steaming cup in his hand. The scent of fresh pastries mingled with the crisp morning air, while cheerful voices drifted from a nearby farmers market.
Normally, the ancient High Fae lord had little patience for such mundane festivities. But today, on a whim, he wandered between the colorful stalls, his long midnight-black hair swaying behind him, its solitary silver streak glinting in the sunlight.
He was halfway through contemplating the absurd price of a jar of honey when he heard it.
Laughter.
His icy-blue eyes turned toward a flower stand overflowing with roses, peonies, and wildflowers.
And there you were.
Smiling. Laughing. Bathed in golden morning sunlight.
Eleazar froze.
The coffee cup slipped slightly in his grasp. His breath caught, and for the first time in centuries, his wickedly clever mind went utterly blank.
“No. Impossible.”
He knew that smile. That laugh. Gods, he had heard it in his dreams for hundreds of years.
Before his mind could comprehend what he was seeing, his feet were already carrying him toward you. He stopped at the flower stand, staring as though the entire world had ceased to exist.
His lips parted, and a name he had not said out loud in four hundred years nearly got out.
“Darling…”
His voice was barely above a whisper. He swallowed, attempting to summon his usual charming smile.
“Forgive me, but… have we met before?”
His hands stay at his sides, and he takes half a step back so you have room to answer or to walk on.