The Stars

 

“The days have all gone, Coral, gone with both yours and my own aspiration”, said the dark figure in the shadow of the hollow, oil-lit lamp that hung from his lanky limb. “And the hours that our love would hang high have melted, melted like your poor, rich father’s candle that burned while we watched the stars so long ago,” He whipped the evergreen cape from his back, placing it gingerly onto the sunken maiden’s shoulders.

 

The world gave a turn, the wind lobbing about bits of yellow hair that lay prominently down the back of the girl’s back. The trees, just feet away, growled in vex, seemingly turning the moon red. The stars rained cosmic fervor onto the woods, carrying something bottomless to the two people that stood bellow. The gleaming speckles were in millions, up there in the sky that smoldered so intensely that day.

 

“Neigh”, said the girl in despair, holding up the depths of her pale eyes so that her face shone in the light of the lantern.

 

“Coral”, he said, touching the curve of her shin, “Go back now; go find your place beneath your father’s throne, for your place with me is lost.” He turned toward the dusty path that led to the forest, breaking the light from her eyes.

 

“But the moon”, said Coral, her fragile, ivory hand outstretched. “Oh, the moon… and the stars are witness…”  

 

 “… to love,” said the lad, willingly finishing her words, placing the lantern to his chin so that the faded gray feather glittered from its place at the top of his hat. “That time is finished. You must go now. The wind has taken toll on my lantern, and my voyage is untimely.” He turned away once more, the lantern squeaking in the rapid movement.

 

“But the candles… the candles haven’t burnt out, they burn still. The ones in my garden are as yellow as ever, just as you saw them last!! The rose that you touched not so long ago still burns red with my love!!” She stepped toward him with willow-like structure, her dresses flying like mourning doves behind her. She stroked the cape on her back, feeling the garment that now belonged to her, a forever reminder.

 

The lad came near to the emerald of Coral’s dress, wrapping the cape snuggly around her delicate shoulders once more. “Hurry back now. Find your place.” He placed the lantern in her fingers, turning toward the woods.

 

The yearning lass put her breath into a whisper as her love walked into the trees.

“But the stars…” she said.

Reviews

[deliriousgirl]

Very Harlequin romancy.

[The Hatter Girl]

Poor Coral, I just want to cry for her. You write with such feeling ^^