Whispers of Love

Above her, the heavens gleamed crystal-clear, as though the gods had polished the firmament until it shone. The fields below glowed with living green, whispering with magic—each blade of grass humming softly, alive with ancient light.

The kingdom of Dravaryn stood tall and strong for thousands of years. Some say, ancient beings had built the kingdom, but those were just whispers. And yet, myths lived on as legends do.

In the borderlands, hid a village. Small and peaceful— under the surface, but the villagers had a myth that ran for generations to the next.

Dragons.

Beings that were feared amongst the villagers. They had believed in the cruel nature of dragons—thieves that stole gold.

And in the heart of the village, lived a girl. She had hair that danced around her like flames, eyes that resembled a jade—green and pure. Her smile innocent as a new-born, as the world has not tainted her soul and her name was Odessa.

Ironically, her name had not resembled her life, because Odessa lived a life of no pain. She grew up in a loving home, helping her mother tend the gardens while her father worked the seas.

She lived a life of safety but Odessa was a dreamer. She dreamed of a live beyond the mountains. Beyond tending the garden.

"Odessa!" Strands of her hair fluttered around her face, wild and beautiful, catching the light like threads of living fire, as she turned her head to her mother's call.

Standing up, she placed her hand onto her forehead as the wind picked up.

"Make sure that the berries don't fly away!" Her mother yelled again, causing Odessa to look down at the basket.

She placed her hand onto the basket, before walking into the small cottage.

"Mother, when is father coming?" Odessa asked as she placed the basket onto the dinning table.

"Don't worry about him, he knows the sea better than anyone." Her mother said as she picked up the basket filled with berries. "These look great for jam." She added in excitement while Odessa had turned her head to the open window.

Watching the curtains sway in slow, graceful waves as the breeze drifted into the room.

"Do you ever think of the dragons?" She asked her mother as her eyes never left the window—staring out as if she were in a trance.

"There are myths." Her mother said, voice drifting off as she walked off.

"I do." She whispered as the wind carried her voice.

There was many reasons why the village was peaceful. One of the many reasons was the fact that they were no nobles around. They had only showed up to collect tax or conscripting soldiers.

That was why the young ladies were able to spend their time in the forest. Some drenched in water, while the others laid on the grass, dreaming.

"What if a prince just came and took me home." One of the girls, dreamily said.

"The only prince that would sweep you off you feet would be Fred." A black haired girl said, causing the others to giggle.

"Oh, Fred." The blonde said, "But my father does not approve of him." She added causing the girls to sigh.

"Then fight for his approve." Odessa suddenly spoke and the girls laughed.

"I do not love him that much." The blonde said as she laughed. "But...he sure knows how to use his tongue." She added, giggling as Odessa gasped.

The other girls laughed at Odessa's reaction as heat crept up her face. "I really did not have to know that, Sky." Odessa groaned out.

"Well, I can tell you how his finger fit perfectly in my—"

"Sky!" Odessa yelled, cutting her off, causing Sky to throw her head back as she laughed.

"So, 18 and untouched?" The blacked haired girl from before spoke.

"Don't worry, Naomi, I saw a certain brown-eyed boy staring at her like she was his world." Sky said which caused Odessa to playfully roll her eyes.

"I do not feel for him like he feels for me." Odessa said, causing Sky to raise her eyebrows.

"Says the girl who brought him fresh jam." Sky said, in which Naomi laughed at.

"You know that was my mother's idea." Odessa defended herself as the two girls smiled at her.

"It's because she sees what I see." Sky said, "And that is young-sweet-love."

Odessa sighed in defeat as no amount of defending herself would work.

Sky suddenly stood up, grabbing the ends of her dress up to her thighs before pulling it off in one swift move— leaving her in her undergarments.

"Join me for a swim, Odessa." Sky said, "Who knows what would happen tomorrow."

"Like, rain." Odessa said which caused Sky to laugh.

"I hope you stay as innocent as this." Sky said before pulling her up, then dragging her to the lake.

"Wait!" Odessa yelled but was too late as the cold water seeped into her dress— shivering as the cold bit into her skin.

Instead of walking out, she laughed before splashing water at Sky who repeated after her.