Chapter 1
The room was bathed in the soft glow of candlelight, shadows flickering against the walls as the night outside grew deeper. Liang Xiuying lay on the bed, her gaze steady and unwavering as she watched Nianhua. The pixie, usually so confident and full of energy, was now hesitating, her wings fluttering nervously as she stood at the foot of the bed.
She had told Xiuying earlier that she was ready to take their relationship to the next level, to finally give in to the desire that had been simmering between them for sometime now. But now, faced with the reality of her decision, she was frozen in place, unsure of her next move.
Sensing her hesitation, Xiuying couldn’t help but tease her. A playful smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she propped herself up on one elbow, her dark eyes gleaming with mischief. “I’m waiting, my love,” she said, her voice a low, sultry murmur. “I have all the time in the world, but do you have the patience with your short temper?”
Nianhua’s cheeks flushed a deep pink, her natural fiery spirit struggling with the vulnerability she rarely showed to anyone. She took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she undressed. But the moment she made eye contact with Xiuying, who was looking at her with such intensity, such raw desire, she faltered.
Her heart pounded in her chest, the heat of Xiuying’s gaze almost too much to bear. She quickly averted her eyes, her fingers fumbling with the fabric as she pulled her clothes back on with a huff. With a sharp flap of her wings, she flew away from the bed, the air shimmering in her wake as she disappeared out the window.
Xiuying was left alone on the bed, her amusement mixed with a trace of annoyance. She let out a soft sigh, leaning back against the pillows as she stared up at the ceiling. The night was still young, and she knew Nianhua would return when she was ready.
*
Morning sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees, casting a warm, golden glow over the clearing where Nianhua’s garden flourished. Dew clung to the vibrant petals of flowers, and the soft rustle of leaves accompanied the gentle hum of life all around. Nianhua knelt beside a patch of herbs, her delicate fingers carefully tending to the plants she had nurtured from mere seedlings.
Nearby, a group of beast cubs frolicked, their small forms darting through the underbrush as they played. Nianhua paused in her work, reaching into a pouch to pull out a handful of dried meat. The cubs scampered over to her, eagerly nipping at her fingers as she fed them, her smile soft and content.
Xiuying watched from the edge of the clearing, her gaze thoughtful as she took in the scene before her. She approached quietly, her steps barely disturbing the peaceful atmosphere. When she reached Nianhua’s side, she crouched down beside her, brushing a strand of Nianhua’s hair behind her ear.
“You’re up early,” she said, her voice gentle. “Why didn’t you go through with what we planned last night?”
Nianhua stiffened slightly at the question, her hand hovering over the last piece of dried meat she was about to offer to a particularly eager cub. She didn’t look at Xiuying; her gaze focused on the ground as she spoke, her voice a quiet mumble. “I never really thought about being intimate with you… because we were always so busy. There was always something more important to do, something that demanded our attention.”
Xiuying remained silent, letting Nianhua gather her thoughts.
“But now,” she continued, her tone tinged with a hint of hurt, “Now that you have a wife, I… I feel betrayed.” Her eyes finally lifted to meet Xiuying’s, filled with an emotion that was a mix of sadness and frustration. “Shouldn’t I be your first wife?”
Xiuying’s expression softened, and she reached out, gathering the pixie in her hands and hugged her. “Ah-Hua,” she began, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity, “Your place in my heart has always been solid. You were with me before anyone else, and that will never change. I’ve never thought of changing your appearance just to be physically connected with you because our connection goes far beyond the physical.”
Her eyes searched Xiuying’s, trying to find the truth in her words.
“If it’s a title that you want,” she continued, “Then you can have the title of my first wife. But know this—no matter what title you hold, you will always be my favourite.” She nuzzled her nose against the pixie’s cheek. “We are connected in more ways than needed, and nothing, not even a marriage, can take that away from us.”
Nianhua’s breath hitched slightly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She had always known that her bond with Xiuying was unique, but hearing these words from Xiuying herself eased the ache in her heart. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and she leaned into Xiuying’s touch, feeling a sense of reassurance that she hadn’t felt before.
“I don’t need a title,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “As long as I’m your favourite… that’s all that matters to me.”
Xiuying’s smile widened, and she pulled Nianhua into a gentle embrace. “You’ll always be my favourite,” she promised.
The two remained in the hug for a while longer, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the garden and the playful antics of the beast cubs.
Xiuying sat beneath a tree. She watched as Nianhua busied herself in the garden, her wings catching the sunlight as she moved among the plants and beast cubs. The serene expression on Xiuying’s face showed the curiosity swirling in her mind, memories of their past lingering just beneath the surface.
“Nianhua,” she called out softly. The pixie glanced over her shoulder, pausing in her work as she met Xiuying’s gaze. “Do you remember how we met?”
A shadow flickered in Nianhua’s eyes, but she nodded, turning back to the cubs with a thoughtful expression. As she fed them, her mind began to drift, the memories of their first encounter unfurling like the petals of a long-forgotten flower.
The peace of the Pixie Realm was shattered by the sudden piercing sound of the warning bell. Its echoes reverberated through the trees, the alarm spreading panic among the inhabitants of the enchanted forest. Nianhua’s heart raced as the bell tolled, the urgency of the situation sinking in immediately.
As the guardian of the Pixie Realm, Nianhua knew what needed to be done. She took a deep breath, pushing aside her fear, and sprang into action. Her wings fluttered rapidly as she zipped through the air, her voice strong and commanding as she called out to the others. “Everyone, gather at the sanctuary! Elders, children, magical beasts—everyone, follow me!”
The pixies, their wings beating frantically, hurried to obey her orders. She led the way through the twisting paths of the forest. Her senses heightened as she kept a watchful eye on the surroundings. The ancient trees of the Pixie Realm, normally a haven of safety, now felt ominous, their shadows stretching long and dark across the ground.
She glanced back, ensuring that the elders and the young ones were keeping up. She spotted the magical cubs—beast companions to the pixies—huddled close to their caretakers, their eyes wide with fear. Her heart clenched at the sight, but she knew there was no time to dwell on emotions. She had to get everyone to safety.
“Don’t look back!” she urged them, her voice firm yet soothing. “Keep moving, we’re almost there!”
Finally, they reached the sanctuary, a hidden grove deep within the forest, protected by ancient magic that only the guardians knew how to access. Nianhua hovered at the entrance, waiting as the last of the pixies and cubs filled inside. She nodded to the elders, who began weaving protective spells around the sanctuary’s perimeter.
Just as the last spell was cast, the ground trembled, and Nianhua’s instincts screamed danger. She turned, her eyes narrowing as she spotted shadows moving through the trees—a group of figures, large and menacing, making their way toward them. The bandits had arrived.
Her blood ran cold. She knew she had to act quickly. She turned to the elders, her voice low and urgent. “Seal the sanctuary. Don’t open it until it’s safe. I’ll hold them off.”
Before anyone could protest, she took off, her wings a blur as she flew to meet the intruders. Her magic surged within her, a fierce and protective energy that she had honed over centuries. She was the guardian of this realm, and she would protect it with everything she had.
But the bandits were ready for her. As she launched her first attack, a searing bolt of magic aimed at the lead figure, they scattered, dodging her strike with practised ease. They were prepared for a fight, and they brought enchanted weapons—tools designed to capture and bind magical beings like herself.
She fought with all her strength, her movements swift and precise as she dodged their attacks and struck back with lethal accuracy. But for every bandit she brought down, another seemed to take his place. They were relentless, their numbers overwhelming.
The relentless pace of the battle took its toll. Her wings ached, her magic beginning to weaken. The bandits were closing in, their net tightening around her. Desperation clawed at her chest, but she refused to give up.
In a final, desperate attempt , she gathered the last of her magic, channelling it into a powerful escape spell. The air around her shimmered with energy as she prepared to teleport herself away, far from the grasp of her captors.
But just as she activated the spell, one of the bandits hurled a binding charm at her. The charm struck her mid-flight, disrupting her magic and sending her crashing to the ground. Pain lanced through her body as she landed hard, her wings crumpled beneath her. She could feel her magic slipping away, the energy she had poured into the escape spell draining her completely.
As darkness edged into her vision, her thoughts turned to the sanctuary. At least the others were safe. She had done her duty. And if this was to be her end, then at least she would die in freedom, not in captivity.
Her breath came in ragged gasps as she lay there, the bandits closing in around her. She could hear their voices, muffled and distant, as they argued over her fate. But she no longer cared. The pain was fading, replaced by a strange, calm acceptance.
As her eyes fluttered shut, her last thought was of the Pixie Realm, the home she had protected for so long. A faint smile touched her lips, and then everything went dark.
