(Yah-�u Nahkts)
Chapter 10
�What is wrong, querida?� he asked softly, struck by the look of sheer reproach in her brown-green eyes.
�Why?� Diego felt a wave of remorse rush through his body under her stare. �Why did you have to do this? Why risk your life so senselessly? Why this childish �?� Annabelle�s lower lip trembled, and, to hide the tears that welled up in her eyes, she pushed her husband away and ran into the dark, cool waters of Daugava.
�Annabelle!� he ran in after her, catching her by the arm. �Querida, I am sorry. I thought � I knew I could make that jump. I did not ��
�Diego,� she interrupted him quietly, �I have submitted to the fact that you risk your life every time you ride as Zorro. But that does not mean that I do not die a thousand deaths waiting for you to come home safe. �Do not expect me to stand calmly by, watching you play with your life like that.� She felt silent, feeling completely exhausted from the experienced worry.
The young man cursed himself mentally, and, muttering once again �I am sorry�, pulled her gently toward him and embraced her, holding her tightly against his chest. And she sighed and reconciled in turn, throwing her arms around his waist, feeling warm and secure. They stood silent like that for a while, up to their knees in the dark water, illuminated slightly by the distant fires and the faint glow of the moonlight on the pale sky.
Suddenly, something bumped softly against his leg, and Diego looked down in incomprehension at the round object that floated so carelessly against him. Annabelle recognized it almost as soon as he picked it up, and he must have noticed it as soon as he looked at her for explanation. �Yours?�
She shook her head, smiling. �No, actually, it is yours.� Taking the wet wreath from his hand, she squinted slyly at Diego. �I sent this to float into the arms of my Intended One. I guess, I am stuck with you, Se�or de la Vega.� And she placed the wreath carefully on his head. He grinned knowingly, appreciating her humor.
With this wreath crowning his dark, wavy hair, and the silvery moonlight that glistened softly against his tall, perfect figure, reflecting upon the calm waters that flowed around his feet, he resembled a sea deity that had emerged from his aquatic domain to the delight and awe of the human eye. Annabelle held out her hand and traced her fingertips gently down the side of his face, wiping off the moon-colored drops of water that dripped down from the wet leaves of the wreath. And he placed his hand over hers and brought it up to his lips.
�I�ve been told,� he whispered, kissing the inside of her palm, �that the fern blossoms on this night.�
�Fern?� she asked, looking into his warm, smiling eyes. �Fern doesn�t have blossoms.�
�Matiss said, it is believed that this is the special night � a night of magic � when the fern blooms with bright white flowers. And those lucky ones who find this blossom will also find luck, and happiness, and love.�
Annabelle cocked her head slightly. �Mmm. Sounds like a wonderful and very romantic, though highly improbable, belief.�
�Do not scoff at magic, cara mia,� he grinned. �Shall we?� Diego pointed to the dark woods.
�All right,� she nodded and, taking his hand for reassurance, stepped with him into the very heart of the night � the dense, pitch-black woods where even the light of the moon could hardly penetrate.
***
They made their way carefully through the thick grove, Annabelle clinging close to Diego�s side, her heart beating wildly inside her chest like a scared bird at every snapped twig and hoot of an owl. Diego held her tightly, peering into the darkness to which his eyes had quickly grown accustomed. The pale light from the warm June sky broke through the branches above, throwing eerie shadows on their path. The night truly breathed magic, and the air around them seemed permeated with it.
Suddenly, Diego felt Annabelle squeeze his elbow, and he turned, following her motion. He gasped almost imperceptibly, beholding the mesmerizing sight that opened to him. A few feet away from them, half-immersed in the darkness of surrounding tree crowns, grew a small fern bush, its long, delicate leaves bent tenderly over the ground. And just above them in the darkness � that fey of illusions � small white sparks glistened mysteriously, resembling star-like flowers. They seemed unreal, ethereal � an illusion created by the magic of the sorceress Night herself, but the young couple stood motionless on their path, spellbound by this fairy vision and fearful that even a careless breath may break the charms.
But the vision lingered, and they, reassured, turned to each other, finding in each other�s eyes the reflection of that magical feeling that filled their souls. Their arms interwoven, embracing one another, their lips drew closer yet, locking in a sweeping, head-spinning kiss. And the woods grew quiet, as the trees bent over the two lovers, holding their breaths in turn, so as not to disturb the weaving of an ever more powerful magic � the magic of love.