Her hand reached for the handkerchief in her pocket, still feeling the remnants of the wine on her face.
“Such a strange feeling.” She wiped the corners of her lips. And as soon as Dante placed the cup back on the pedestal she threw another question, “So, what now?”
“Ever wanted to travel?”
“Let's say ‘yes’.” She pursed her lips, a look of distrust crossing her face.
“We'll be going to a slightly different placethan this.” The corners of his eyes raised cryptically.
“To the south?”
His eyes narrowed and she felt like he wanted to say ‘Are you stupid?’ but instead he simply voiced, “More different.”
This only made her more confused.
“If you've ever thought about traveling, then you're probably familiar with the Valley of Enchanted Stories,” he uttered.
“We called this way the continent over the ocean,” she noted thoughtfully.
A smirk wrapped his lips.
“Wait. You are not serious, right? It will be a very long trip.”
“We live in a magical world, I think we are able to make it there much quicker,” he waved.
Violette got lost in her thoughts. In fact, the news of traveling to the lands she had read and heard so much about was incredibly tempting. Life on the continent had promised to be very different from the one she'd known. The magic that she used, the magic that lived in her, which was weaved in the air, came precisely from those lands. No one remembered a time when the world was not surrounded by magic, but everyone knew that its source was theValley of Enchanted Stories. The place where princesses were enchanted into birds, cursed by evil sorceresses, knights were fighting with dragons, and enchantresses blessed heroes for their great exploits. The place where the great lovestories were born and were fighting for their existence.
“Don't worry, Little Witch, it won't take long.”
“I'm not worrying,” she confessed. “I’ve heard a lot of stories about these lands. In truth, I'm quite curious to finally see the homeland of the old fairytales.”
“I would not say it's an exciting place, but as you wish,” he said, his voice devoid of any enthusiasm before he headed to the exit.
Such strange words to say about the place that breathes magic and legendary stories. How could it not be exciting? While Violette was absolutely happy to live with wizards, she would never pass up the opportunity to see the great kingdoms and their inhabitants. She already saw plenty of newcomers from the Valley of Enchanted Stories, it was no secret that some of them moved here, as it's been known the Magic Lands were a more progressive place and much more modern compared to the old towns and castles on another continent. And yet, Violette wanted, at least, to see a glimpse of it. How could she believe someone's words when she didn't see it with her own eyes to make up her own mind about it?
The only question that came to her mind after Dante's statement was, “Have you been there before?”
“Let's say I'm quite familiar with it,” he said vaguely.
“That’s not an informative answer.”
“It's still an answer, though,” he insisted.
She rolledher eyes but wasn't about to give up on her curiosity. “And where exactly are we going?”
“Not far. There's a little place on the west of the lands where we are likely to find a clue to how to break the spell.”
“Fine. And yet, I still don't understand my role in it,” she remarked.
“I said I want you to break the spell. Do I look like a wizard to you?” He side-eyed her like this suggestion could have offended him.
“Not even close,” she said, waving him off.
“Then put two and two together.”
Her forehead creased in a frown. She had too many questions, especially about the place they are going to. Dante distinctly didn't enjoy her questions but could he blame her? It’s not everyday something like this happens.
She quickly caught up with him as he voiced, “We are pretty lucky. It's not far from the portal here. We can get there on foot.”
