Chapter 117: Just Kiss Already!

HELENA. As we continued along the path, my thoughts drifted back to Veronica. I wondered how she was doing. Veronica was always so headstrong, always pushing the boundaries with her experiments. I couldn't help but worry about what she might get herself into. The wolfsbane experiment alone had been enough to raise my concern. What if something went wrong? What if she accidentally hurt herself—or worse, Luna and Aaron? I sighed softly, and Aaron glanced over at me. "What's on your mind?" he asked, his tone gentle. "Veronica," I admitted. "I just… I haven't heard from her in a while, and I'm worried. She's so determined with her experiments, but sometimes I think she doesn't realize how dangerous they can be." Aaron nodded. 'Veronica's tough. She knows what she's doing. But I get it. She's your best friend—you're bound to worry." Luna, who was walking ahead of us, turned around and gave a small smile. 'Veronica can handle herself. Besides, she's probably too busy cooking up some new crazy potion to think about anything else." I chuckled. 'That sounds like her," I agreed. 'But still… I wish I knew she was okay." Aaron gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. 'Once we get to LunaVille and sort things out, we'll find a way to check on her," he promised. 'I'm sure she's fine, though. She's stronger than you think." I nodded, taking some comfort in his words. 'Thanks, Aaron," I said softly. We continued walking in companionable silence for a while. I found myself stealing glances at Aaron every now and then. There was something about him—something steady and reliable. He had this way of making me feel safe, even when everything around us seemed so uncertain. I didn't know what I would have done without him on this journey. As if sensing my gaze, Aaron looked over and caught me staring. I quickly looked away, feeling my cheeks warm. But Aaron just smiled. 'What's with that look?" he teased. I shook my head, embarrassed. 'Nothing," I said quickly. 'Just… thinking." 'About how incredibly handsome I am?" Aaron suggested with a playful wink. I laughed. 'Don't flatter yourself," I said, but I couldn't help the smile that tugged at my lips. Luna, who had been listening to our banter, rolled her eyes. 'Will you two just kiss already?" she said with a dramatic sigh. Aaron and I both turned red, our eyes widening. 'Luna!" I exclaimed, mortified. I mean, we technically already have kissed… But still! 'What?" Luna said, grinning. 'It's so obvious. You're both totally into each other." I opened my mouth to protest, but Aaron just laughed. 'Let her have her fun," he said, giving Luna a mock glare. 'She's just jealous because she's not getting any attention." Luna gasped in mock offense. 'Excuse me! I get plenty of attention, thank you very much!" 'From who?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. 'Tyrus doesn't count." Luna huffed, crossing her arms. 'You two are insufferable," she muttered, but there was a playful glint in her eyes. We continued to tease each other as we walked, the tension from the night before gradually melting away. I found myself relaxing more and more, enjoying the easy camaraderie between us. It was moments like this that made the journey bearable, despite the unknown dangers that lay ahead. After another hour of walking, the forest began to thin out, and the path widened. I guessed were getting closer to LunaVille. My heart started to beat a little faster. I knew we were almost there, but I wasn't sure if I was ready. Aaron must have sensed my unease because he reached over and took my hand, squeezing softly and planting a kiss on my knuckles. 'You're going to be fine," he said quietly. 'Remember, you've got me and Luna. We won't let anything happen to you. I won't let anything happen to you." I squeezed his hand back, grateful for his support. 'I know," I said, managing a small smile. 'Thanks, Aaron." Just as I was starting to feel a bit more confident, a strange sound echoed through the trees—a low, melodic hum that sent a shiver down my spine. I froze, my eyes widening. 'What… what is that?" Aaron and Luna both stopped, their expressions suddenly serious. 'Stay close," Aaron murmured, his hand tightening around mine. The sound grew louder, and a moment later, a figure emerged from the shadows—a creature that looked almost identical to Luna's pet, Tyrus, but with bright, violet eyes and a set of wings that shimmered with an ethereal glow. My heart leapt into my throat. 'What… what is that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. Luna's eyes widened in recognition, and she let out a soft laugh. 'Oh, it's just a Sylph," she said, relaxing visibly. 'They're another set of harmless creatures. Just curious little things." I stared at the creature, my fear slowly giving way to fascination. The Sylph hovered in the air, its wings fluttering rapidly, and it let out another melodic hum. It was strangely beautiful, in a way—its skin a deep, iridescent blue, its eyes bright and intelligent. 'It won't hurt you," Aaron said softly, his voice gentle. 'They're actually quite friendly, once they get to know you." I took a tentative step forward, still holding Aaron's hand. The Sylph tilted its head, watching me with its bright violet eyes. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, but I took another step, and then another, until I was standing right in front of it. For a moment, we just stared at each other, and then the Sylph reached out with one tiny hand, touching my cheek. I felt a strange warmth spread through me, and I couldn't help but smile. 'It's… it's kind of cute," I admitted. Aaron chuckled. 'Told you." The Sylph let out a soft chirp, then fluttered away, disappearing back into the trees. I watched it go, a feeling of awe settling over me. I turned to Aaron, my eyes wide. 'That was… incredible." Aaron smiled. 'Welcome to LunaVille," he said softly. 'Well, almost." Luna grinned. 'See? Not everything in LunaVille is scary." I laughed. 'Yeah, but I'm guessing not everything is as friendly as that Sylph, either." 'True," Luna agreed. 'But that's why you've got us." We continued on our way, the forest around us becoming denser once more. I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness bubbling up inside me. I didn't know what awaited us in LunaVille, but I felt ready to face it. With Aaron and Luna by my side, I knew I could handle whatever came our way. As we walked, I couldn't help but steal another glance at Aaron. He was looking ahead, his expression focused, but there was a softness in his eyes that I hadn't noticed before. I felt my heart flutter in my chest, and I quickly looked away, my cheeks warming. Luna glanced back at us and grinned. 'You two," she said, shaking her head. 'Please, I'm begging. Just kiss already." I rolled my eyes. 'Luna, please." But Aaron just laughed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. 'Maybe later," he said, with his signature smirk. I felt my face flush, but I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face. Maybe later, I thought. Maybe later. Hold it, Helena. You can have raunchy thoughts later. We continued down the path, the forest growing darker and denser around us. I felt a shiver of anticipation run down my spine. I didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, I felt ready to face it—whatever it might be. With Aaron and Luna by my side, I knew I could face anything.