"Sir Jinx."
Amilys' voice echoed across the street.
Jinx looked up from the book he had been reading, distracted moments earlier. Fiona realized she had been drawn back into the dream world, to the same place where she had once seen visions of the mysterious man.
"Amilys?" Jinx asked, confusion flickering across his face as she crossed the street toward him, wearing a gentle smile.
"Yes, Jinx. Why do you look so shocked?" she teased, twirling a strand of her hair.
"I thought you said you'd be busy today," he said, slipping the book into his white cloak, the hood resting loosely behind his head.
"Well," she replied lightly, "I suppose I'm free now."
Jinx studied her with quiet care. Over the months, they had grown close, closer than he ever intended, and the thought of losing that frightened him more than he liked to admit.
"I'm heading home," he said. "Why don't you come with me?"
"I'd like that."
They walked together toward the outskirts of the town, where houses thinned and silence settled.
When they reached a small hut, Jinx opened the door easily and ushered her inside. Books lay scattered everywhere, some stacked, others abandoned where they had been read.
"The mess is embarrassing," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't expect company."
"It's fine," Amilys said warmly. "I'm family, remember?" She smiled. "Why don't you arrange these while I cook something?"
"You're my guest. You shouldn't," he protested, but she was already heading toward the small outdoor kitchen.
When he finished cleaning, Jinx placed his cloak on a rack near the entrance and went to check on her. She was already done.
"Food's ready," she said, carrying the pot carefully. She set it on the table and fetched a metal plate. "Let me serve you."
He watched her quietly, amused by her ease. A few strands of her hair had escaped their place, framing her face softly.
"Thank you," he said. "You didn't have to go through all this."
"As family, it's no trouble," she replied. "Now eat. It's the best broth you'll ever have."
She giggled, and Jinx found himself smiling more than he meant to.
Afterward, he helped wash the dishes despite her protests. When they finished, they returned to the living area.
"So," Amilys said, settling onto the wooden floor, "what trick will you show me today?"
Jinx retrieved a golden spell book from the shelf. "How about a conjuring spell?"
"That sounds dangerous," she said, intrigued.
"Only if you summon the wrong thing." He flipped through the pages and stopped. "We'll conjure a butterfly. Safe enough."
He chanted softly and snapped his fingers. Butterflies appeared, glowing faintly as they fluttered around them.
"They're beautiful," Amilys whispered as one landed on her finger.
"Conjured things don't last forever," Jinx said gently.
As quickly as they appeared, the butterflies vanished.
"Where did they go?" she asked.
"Back to where they came from."
Disappointment flickered across her face.
"I can conjure something else tomorrow," he offered, touching her cheek.
She blushed. "I'd like that."
"I should go," she said after a moment. "My aunt hates when I'm late."
As she turned, Jinx stopped her.
"Your hair," he said, fixing the loose strands before cupping her cheeks.
"Thank you."
Something shifted between them. Jinx leaned closer before he could stop himself and pressed his lips to hers.
Amilys froze in surprise, then melted into the kiss. His warmth, his hesitation, everything felt dangerously right.
When he pulled away, guilt flooded his expression.
"I'm sorry," he said quietly.
Her cheeks burned. "I should go."
She left before either of them could say more.
Jinx stood alone, brushing his white hair back, unsure whether what he felt was regret or fear.
"Fiona!"
Aviva shook her awake. Fiona stirred, wiping drool from her mouth.
"Do you plan to sleep through school?" Aviva asked.
"Where am I?" Fiona mumbled.
"In school," Aviva snapped. "Obviously."
They gathered their things and left the building together.
---
Later that night, Fiona lay awake in her room.
If these people were connected to her, why had she never heard of them?
Why did Jinx and Amilys feel so close, yet so unreachable?
She searched for them, digging through history, records, anything she could find.
Nothing.
It was as if they had never existed.
Her temples throbbed. Confusion weighed heavily on her chest.
Eventually, exhaustion claimed her, and she drifted back into sleep.
A knock echoed.
Amilys opened the door to find Jinx standing there, holding a bouquet of white carnations.
"I came to apologize," he said. "For yesterday."
"You don't need to," she replied softly. "Some things are simply destined."
He handed her the flowers. She smiled, inviting him inside.
As Fiona watched, the world tugged her away once more.
She was dragged into the forest, where the mysterious woman in white awaited her.
"Why do I keep coming here?" Fiona demanded.
The woman lifted her hood.
Fiona gasped.