Chapter 25

**Odette’s point of view: The welcoming of a new family me**mber.

A week has passed since the night of the ball. Slowly but surely everything had calmed down in the village and everyone finally started acting normal, around me again. While all the girls were gathering one early morning; out of the blue, a large, magical, flying creature just suddenly showed up in the village square!

When it recognized my face out of the crowd of girls, it turned in my direction and flew directly at me. Somewhat caught off guard, with my eyes still fixed on the creature coming my way, I slowly started to move backwards, away from the rest of the crowd. To secure everyone else’s safety, just in case the creature meant us any harm…

When it was just above my head, it hovered in front of me for a few seconds, before it slowly started to descend with its broad wings, flapping in a downwards motion. With its large, sharp, yellow claws, it landed right in front of my feet, then I noticed something peculiar, clutched in between one of its claws. But before I did any further inspection, lifted up my head to the level of its face.

The creature has a sharp, large, yellow beak, with beautiful, large, golden eyes located just a little further back from the beak. It has a large white feathery head, the rest of its large body is covered with beautiful, large gold and white feathers, its broad wings also have mixed colours of gold and white shaded feathers that sparkles brightly in the rays of the sun, whenever the creature decides to move its wings around.

As if it was aware of my inspection of it, it slowly nodded its head and pointed its beak downwards, at the thing still clutched in between one of its claws.

Now certain, that the creature means no harm, I lowered myself to its level and then slowly reached out my hand and carefully took hold of the object. I looked into its eyes, to make sure that what I’m doing is the correct thing it wants me to do, it just nodded its head up and down as a sign saying yes, for me to proceed. I then slowly removed the object from its claw, without moving an inch the creature calmly waited for me to open the object and see what’s inside.

The object was a dark blue colour, shaped in a long cylinder type of glass bottle, with a cork stuffed in the topside, sealing something inside. I then pulled out the cork and reached inside with my fingers, before tugging out a nicely rolled up letter, marked with a wax seal stamp on top. The impression seal had a snowflake decoration on top, known as the family crest of the Emperor!

My heart skipped a beat, from the happiness that suddenly overwhelmed me; when I realised from whom the letter came from. I carefully broke the seal and rolled open the letter, while my eyes slowly filled with tears and a large smile spread across my face.

The contents of the letter:

My Dearest Odette

I hope this letter finds you well, my love?!

Let me first start with explaining a few things, ok darling. Firstly, the creature your beholding in front of you is called an eagle, she is a very rare bird species, born out of very old mystical magic. Only the royal fae family is known to possess that kind of power.

My friend the fae king, was kind enough to have bestowed upon us this precious gift, as a congratulatory gift, celebrating the discovery of my immortal mate.
The eagle has magical properties in her blood, connecting her with the three realms and the rivers that lead to each realm. This unique connection enables her to freely travel to and from each realm, without ever getting lost during her travels.

Eagles are also known to be very intelligent and intuitive to their caretaker’s needs and feelings. I only had to show her a drawing of your face and a map of where your village is located, then I handed her the letter and told her to safely deliver it to my immortal mate, her other caretaker.

I leave the honour of naming her in your capable hands, my love. I trust that you will give her a befitting name and that you will take good care of her, while she is spending time with you. Be assured my darling, that she is also well fed and cared for, whenever she is staying with me, at the castle.

No matter how much I long to be with you in person, it saddens me to say, but unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to visit you in the fairy realm for quite some time. Because of unforeseen circumstances that urgently needs investigating, I have a duty as Emperor to lead the investigation myself.

Until we can reunite in person, we will at least be able to communicate with each other through our shared letters.

So, for the time being, I will eagerly await our eagle’s return, whenever you are ready with a responding letter.

Just know, that no matter how long we stay apart, I will always be with you in spirit, my beloved Odette.

With both love and anguish, yours.

Alex

By now, I was sobbing softly with tears freely flowing over my cheeks. I felt torn in two, I was happy to hear from Alex, but at the same time, I also felt saddened by the fact that we will still be apart for an unknown amount of time.

At least, I have something to look forward to. For now, I have this beautiful creature to care for and keep me company, whenever she returns with a new letter from Alex.

After placing the letter back in the bottle, I stood up and excitedly glanced at the beautiful eagle, that was still patiently standing in front of me.

While softly smiling down at her and making direct eye contact with her, I spoke to her in a soft tone voice.

Odette: “Please allow me to formally introduce myself to you. My name is Odette Alex’s immortal mate. You have officially joined our family today, I’m sure we will take good care of each other from now on.”

The eagle nodded her head in agreement with my words. Happy with her response, I continued with my speech.

Odette: “Alex intrusted me with the task of naming you. After giving it some thought, I feel that the name Aurelia, meaning “the golden one” will suit you beautifully. What do you think, do you agree with my choice?”

In return, the eagle nodded her head before proudly spreading out her beautiful, broad wings and displaying her beauty for all to see.

All I could do is stare at her proud display of acceptance, in awe.

Odette: “Aurelia, welcome to the family.”