Page 51 of Chased By the Fairy

Sorrel’s shorn hair spiked around his head like a pixie. The front was far longer than the back and it tipped a little more to the left side due to Cypress cutting it unevenly.

Now his white suit was coated in dirt and dust, as was his face. Sorrel had looked so handsome standing at the altar. Cypress wanted to see this man in a similar outfit, but one that was worn for him.

Now he looked terrible, and Cypress felt for him, for the struggles he knew the man faced.

Sorrel looked over his shoulder in the direction of Burrow City’s entrance.

“So that was you who...” He didn’t finish as he turned back to look at him. He expected Sorrel to smile for him, to run intohis arms, to at least look happy to see him. Instead, he wrung his hands together in front of his torso, his shoulders curving inwards in his anxious state. “What are you doing here?”

What kind of question is that?!

“I’ve been searching for you.” Cypress reached his hand out in hopes he’d hold it, taking a step forward only for Sorrel to step back.

Sorrel’s eyes darted away. “Why, though?”

“Why?” Cypress let out a dark laugh. “I promised I’d take you home. I promised I’d keep you safe.”

“I don’t know why you care.” Sorrel let out his own unsteady laugh as he went to pat his hair. He recoiled at the length of it, then his hands found their way back and shakily twisted a couple of the longer sections before letting go.

“Why wouldn’t I care for you?” Cypress didn’t understand what was going on.

Yes, he’d lost him, but their night at the town had been filled with fun, with closeness. He’d touched him, brought him pleasure, and in doing so showed him just how much he couldn’t resist him. Sorrel had told Cypress he liked him, and Cypress had done the same in his own way.

He hadn’t gotten the chance to confess the extent of his feelings, but he’d been hoping all this time that it had been enough. Knowing Sorrel never wanted to marry Miss Mole was what gave Cypress hope that he may want to be with him.

“Because you’re getting married.” Sorrel’s laugh came out more hysterical this time as his face screwed up. “Shouldn’t that person be your concern? Why would you be searching for me all winter when you flower fairies are supposed to be hibernating now?”

Cypress couldn’t believe that rumour had already started.

He’d told his parents he’d found the one he wanted to marry, but he didn’t know the kingdom had immediately started tellingeveryone. Nothing had been set in stone, despite his parents saying they wanted him to get married in the first week of spring. He’d just been sharing what he wanted with his parents, who grew excited and told everyone.

“Well, I do plan to get married in the first week of spring. It’s the best time for ceremonies of union, as it’s the season of rebirth and prosperity. It means good luck.” Cypress’ lips thinned when Sorrel flinched at his words and took another step back. “However, that depends...”

“Depends on what?” Sorrel wouldn’t meet his eyes, but Cypress still allowed a smile to brighten his features, despite his worry.

“On your answer.”

His head shot up to meet Cypress’ gaze. “P-pardon?”

The icy blue of his eyes was mesmerising, and Cypress’ smile grew at finally being able to see them. To look upon Sorrel and see he was alive and well, even if he wasn’t in the best state.

This was never how Cypress wanted to ask him, but it would do. He’d rather assuage Sorrel’s worries than put it off when he’d already made up his mind.

“I’ve searched all winter for you,” Cyprus started, before he looked down at his open palms as he faced them upwards.

The last time he’d looked at them was with a sense of hopelessness, and now he gazed upon them while reflecting on their time apart.

“You don’t know how I felt when I turned around in Pond Town, only to discover you were gone. I’d promised to protect you, to keep you safe and take you home – and then you were gone. I broke my promise to you. One minute you were with me and the next I was spending months searching for you, all the whilemissingyou.”

Cypress curled his fingers, fisting them, as he battled the remaining tension that lingered in his body from his stress, his anger, his worry.

“All I wanted was to see your face. To hold you in my damn arms again. To touch you and talk to you, and have you tease me like when we were dancing. I wanted to know you were safe, and that you were with me. I ached for you with all of my being, and yet I couldn’t find you. It weighed heavily on my heart every minute... No, everysecondyou weren’t with me. I knew from the moment I first saw you that I wanted you, but it was the night I spent with you that made me know you were the one I wanted to be with.” He turned his face up to see Sorrel’s eyes were welling with unshed tears. “I love you, Sorrel. Will you marry me?”

The first tear that fell was a lone one, and it was heavy as it dripped from Sorrel’s right eye.

Cypress blinked at him, surprised to find Sorrel crying. He didn’t think the man would ever do such a thing.

Then before Cypress knew it, Sorrel ran at him. Sorrel flung himself at Cypress and hugged him tightly, almost forcing Cypress to take all of his weight. Of course, he caught the pretty man.

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