Aliya spun effortlessly with Nex in her arms, twirling intricately among the lights and couples in the Harvest Dance.

Nex laughed as the wings of Aliya's family, dressed in their fantastical costumes, brushed by him. They'd accepted him, a Mugwort, without hesitation.

"I never knew fairies partied like this!" he said loudly in Aliya's ear to be heard over the musicians playing from a platform on the ground.

"I told you my family gets a bit Halloween crazy. It's the relief of being ready for winter. Woooo!"

She twisted him away from her parents who whipped by, but flashed a welcoming smile that warmed Nex's heart.

He threw back his head to laugh - and felt the first twinge of stiffness take effect. His heart plummeted. For a few glorious minutes he'd forgotten why he was here.

"What's wrong, Nex? If you think you've seen a ghost, don't worry. That's just Uncle Caz." Her violet eyes twinkled merrily.

Aliya slowed their rotations until her slightly fluttering wings suspended them in one spot amidst a sea of airborne jubilant chaos.

She pushed his half-mask up to cup his cheek. "You look like you would cry if you could. What has disturbed you?"

Desperation tensed his muscles. They'd be here soon.

Her eyes popped in surprise when he pressed his lips to hers in a brief, but fierce, kiss.

"Aliya, we don't have much time and there's so much I want to say. Need to say."

Aliya smiled gently. "Nex, we have all night."

"Please listen. First, I'm sorry. So, so sorry. You are the mate I've been searching for, so you can at least be at peace that this is the last time I do this."

"I know it's Halloween and all, but you're really scaring me, Nex. I feel...funny."

"Those are the effects of the Milkstorm tree. It only grows deep in Mugwort swamps, so fairies aren't familiar with it. I spiked the punch when we were preparing it."

"What does it do, Nex?" she asked. But she already knew. He could see in how she tried to flex her frozen wings and cast anxious glances at her family who were slowly coming to the ground alongside them. All no longer able to fly.

"It immobilizes the body, but leaves the mind alert, so the brain chemicals flow. Adrenaline in particular. You see, my dearest love," Nex whispered, voice cracking, as the first Mugworts broke through the toadstool walls, "It's Harvest time for us, too. You are my heart, Aliya. I am here with you."

He yearned to wipe away the tears streaking down her cheeks, tears that would mix with blood soon enough, but paralysis claimed him then. He tumbled to the floor, tangled with Aliya. He wouldn't have let her go even if he hadn't drunk the punch. It eased his heart minutely that his fellow Mugworts would have to cut his body away from hers. It would mar this Harvest for them, and he was glad of it.

Her terror-filled eyes wouldn't meet his. Instead they wheeled around at the approaching Mugworts and their gleaming blades.

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