The Untold Fairytale, The Enchanted Realms, Part 1

Chapter 1: The Unexpected Discovery

Eloise’s POV

Turning the corner down the narrow alleyway, I felt the magic pulsing in the shadows, but back then, I was unaware of the power weaving its way into my life. Had I understood the signs and the choices I’d face, the heartbreak intertwined with a bittersweet love, I’m certain I would not have erased a single word that set this tale into motion.

Jack took my hand, and we bravely walked down the street lined with small shops. The rooftops were tiled in shades of gray, and as the gloaming surrounded us, an eerie aura lingered in the air.

I squeezed his hand and smiled as I looked into his eyes. “I can’t believe you found this place. I think this street is one of the oldest in London.”

”Eloise, it looks picture perfect. Let’s get a picture before we explore the shops,” Jack suggested.

I clapped and said, “Oh, that’s a wonderful idea! I don’t ever want to forget this moment!” The lighting was perfect as the shadows from the buildings danced in the lamplight.

Laughing, Jack dragged me a few feet down the lane and whispered, “Let’s take the picture here before we go into the shop.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I felt giddy as I looked into the shop window. The soft yellow glow from the shop’s lighting highlighted the leather-bound books like an angel’s halo. From where we stood, you could hear the hum of the electric lighting overhead, and the shopkeeper softly sang a haunting tune.

”One! Two! Smile!” Jack’s countdown brought me back to reality, and I looked into the camera, trying to make my rushed smile look authentic.

“Let me see,” I begged.

Rolling his eyes at me, my carrot top, brown-eyed lover teased me before relenting. Unlocking his phone, he playfully demanded, “If you want to see this photo, I’ll need a kiss.”

”Oh, You!” I muttered, but my heart wasn’t in the mood to play hard to get, knowing that Jack was my soulmate. I refused to play games with his heart. Leaning in, I teased, “Let’s get this over with.”

Without saying a word, Jack placed his hands on my waist and slowly moved his lips towards mine, but before he kissed my lips, he tickled me. As I squealed like a little schoolgirl, he muttered, “Now, I won’t show you the photo.”

When I settled down from his tickle attack, I stuck out my tongue, folded my arms, and asked, “Will you ever forgive me?” The insincerity was in full force.

Shaking his head, he mused, “What should I do with you?”

”Show me the picture!”

”So, so bossy!”

I waited as he unlocked his phone and found the photo. He studied it for several seconds while making weird faces. Finally, he locked his phone and tucked it away in his back pocket. Looking up at me, he said, “I looked awful, so I deleted it.”

”Oh, please! Stop being so dramatic!”

Shrugging his shoulders, he leaned in and kissed me. I closed my eyes and gave in to his touch, forgetting the ancient alleyway and all the magic hidden in the shadows. Lost in his touch, I didn’t want the moment to end.

When he pulled away, he looked smug, like he’d won the battle. Grabbing his hand, I ignored the look and declared, “Let’s start exploring this bookstore! It has my name written in a thousand books.”

It was damn near impossible to ignore the butterflies racing around my stomach and pounding in my chest. Part of me wanted to race back home to spend the rest of the evening in his arms, but... I was standing outside of a rare bookstore with its leather-bound books and fragile pages waiting to take me to realms unknown.

Placing my hand on the doorknob, I felt a tingling sensation run up my arm. I glanced at Jack and asked, “Are you ready for an adventure.”

Tussling my hair, he said, “Life is always an adventure with you.”

Before my foot crossed the threshold, I turned to him and muttered, “Stop being so cliche!” Then I stepped into the bookshop, and I felt like I was transported into another world. The smell of the decaying pages mixed with leather and glue overpowered all other senses. Standing as still as a proverbial church mouse, my eyes tried to comprehend the piles of books scattered throughout the store.

There wasn’t enough time to explore the massive collection, so I walked straight to the back of the store and started my hunt for the books that called my name. I was certain that I’d know them when I saw them.

Within mere minutes of entering the shop, I misplaced Jack and found a thousand new friends. Suddenly, I saw the most magnificent book, with its brown leather jacket and leather tassels. Golden threads bound its blank pages, and a tattered ribbon was glued to the inside of the binding to use as a bookmark. I knew instantly that this belonged to me as I stared at the intricate design of an ancient dragon burned into the front cover. Untying the leather tassels, I cracked open the book and gazed longingly at the pages waiting for me to write my story.

Tracing my name across the first page, I felt the magic jumping off the pages and luring me into the story waiting to be written. Closing my eyes, I imagined Jack and I standing on the balcony of a magnificent castle in our medieval costumes.

If I'd only known the magic, I unleashed when I traced our names on its pages.

NOTE: This story was originally published under my penname, KA Mooney. The site I posted it on is closing, and I've decided to bring it under my KA Stefana penname.