The Witch's Candelabra

Chapter 10 - Melodies

Braids:

As I settled into my seat at the concert hall, the anticipation of Damian's performance hung in the air. The atmosphere was charged with excitement, and I could feel the collective energy of the audience humming around me. The music was about to transport us all to another world.

Once again, as Damian's fingers gracefully glided over the piano keys, I felt myself being swept away by the enchanting melodies. It was as if the very notes he played had a life of their own, reaching out to embrace each one of us in the audience.

I couldn't help but be drawn to his side once more, invisible to the rest of the world, my eyes fixated on his hands as they danced across the keys. The music swirled around me, enveloping me in a whirlwind of emotions. Each note resonated within me, stirring feelings I had long buried.

It was a sensation unlike any other, a feeling of being both grounded and weightless, as if I were floating on a sea of melodies. I was caught in a rapture, a beautiful cacophony of emotions and sensations that filled every corner of my being.

As the performance continued, I couldn't help but wonder what had brought this magic into my life. What had changed? The answers remained elusive, hidden in the depths of the music that now surrounded me, wrapping me in its ethereal embrace.

The concert ended, and as the lights came on, I knew I had to rejoin the crowd to find Damian in the post-concert chaos. Something inside me compelled me to see him, to be acknowledged by him. I couldn't deny that there was an excitement building within me, an anticipation I had never experienced before. My heart raced, and my teeth chattered with nervous energy, an unusual sensation for someone like me who usually kept her emotions tightly under control.

I wove my way through the colorful sea of people spilling out of the concert hall, a mixture of ladies in extravagant dresses and gentlemen in sleek black suits. It was a whirl of scents and sights, and I couldn't help but feel a strange sense of urgency to find him.

"Adelia!" A voice called out above the din, and I turned my head to locate its source. There he was, a head taller than most in the crowd. We closed the distance between us, our hands locking in the crooks of each other's arms as if we were old friends. It was a formal gesture, meant to convey a sense of politeness, but the warm pulsing waves that shot up my arm at his touch took me by surprise. No, I told myself, someone like him could not possibly make me feel this way.

"Adelia, I'm so glad you came! You're my special guest of honor," Damian exclaimed with a smile that was both charming and corny. I scowled inwardly, my heart fluttering in a way I couldn't control. Despite my inner turmoil, I managed to put on a polite smile.

The scene continued to unfold as Damian introduced me to his girlfriend, and a pang of jealousy surged through me. I tried to hide it, but it gnawed at me from within, and I couldn't help but wonder why I felt this way. Damian's girlfriend was lovely, and yet, I couldn't shake the feeling of possessiveness that had taken hold of me.

As Damian introduced me to his girlfriend, Rosalie, I felt a sharp pang of jealousy bubbling up inside me. I couldn't quite put my finger on why I felt this way, but it gnawed at me from within, like a persistent itch I couldn't scratch. Damian's girlfriend, Rosalie, was undeniably lovely, with her radiant smile and graceful demeanor.

"Adelia, this is Rosalie," Damian said, his voice warm and welcoming. "Rosalie, this is Adelia, a friend of mine from town."

Rosalie extended her hand toward me with a friendly smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Adelia. Damian has told me so much about you."

I shook her hand, my own smile feeling forced. "Likewise, Rosalie. Damian has mentioned you as well."

The conversation flowed on, with Damian and Rosalie sharing stories about their recent travels and experiences. They seemed so genuinely happy together, and the contrast between their easy camaraderie and my own sense of jealousy only intensified my inner turmoil.

I couldn't help but glance at Damian when he wasn't looking, my eyes studying the way he looked at Rosalie, the fondness in his gaze. It was as if they were in their own little world, and I felt like an intruder.

As the evening wore on, I realized that I needed to get a grip on my emotions. This was foolish, I thought, as I tried to push aside the possessiveness that had taken hold of me. Damian was not mine to claim, and I had no right to feel this way about his relationship with Rosalie. Yet, the more I tried to suppress my jealousy, the more it seemed to consume me.

***

Perhaps my life was mundane before, but there was a certain contentment in its simplicity. My needs were met, my days predictable. However, everything changed when I stumbled upon this new, hidden realm. It was as if a torch had been thrown into an ancient tomb, illuminating the darkness, revealing secrets and histories I never knew existed. Now, I find myself unable to live without that light, that revelation of a world beyond the ordinary.

This place, this hidden corner of existence, is not one many know of, let alone enter. It has become my secret sanctuary, a place I escape to whenever the opportunity arises. My everyday life pales in comparison to the call of this wondrous realm. I find myself willing to drop everything at a moment's notice, summoned by its allure.

But I was wrong about the outside world; it's even more decrepit than I had initially thought. In a moment of spite, I burnt all the flowers in the park, so he couldn't enjoy them. Why did I do it? I suppose it was a reaction to what happened next.

I attended his play, this time as an invited guest. The theater was bustling, more crowded than before. His performance was enchanting, just as it had been the first time. After the show, amidst the throng of people, I spotted him. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, everything else faded away.

I approached him, heart pounding, ready to express my admiration for his music. But as I poured out my feelings, making myself vulnerable, he introduced me to a redheaded woman by his side — his fiancée. The shock, the embarrassment of that moment was overwhelming. I struggled to maintain my composure, playing along just long enough to make a graceful exit.

Fleeing the theater, I dashed into the streets, finding solace in a dark alleyway. There, I allowed my true self to emerge. My wings, usually hidden, unfurled in the darkness, their ashen black feathers a stark contrast to the night sky. I took to the air, soaring back to the safety of my rooftop.

In that flight, there was a release, a freedom from the constraints of the world below. But it was also an escape from the pain of unrequited feelings and the harsh reality of human relationships. The world I had once found dull yet comforting now seemed harsh and unforgiving. And yet, the hidden realm I had discovered, with its magical allure, remained a constant, a place where I could find solace and a sense of belonging.