Chapter Sixty-Three
Aelia
Moonlight spilled through the windows like a whisper, soft and silver as it traced the edge of Reign’s jaw. He lay beside me, one arm folded behind his head, eyes half-lidded but restless. His shadows pulsed gently along the sheets, reacting to every flicker of thought he refused to speak aloud.
But I could hear every single one now. Much like I’d felt every ounce of agonizing pain he had endured to overcome his father’s hold. It still echoed through my bones, sending a chill up my spine. Blinking quickly, I banished the dark memories, choosing to focus on the here and now instead.
I propped myself up on one elbow, dragging my fingers through the tousled strands of obsidian hair at Reign’s temple. “You should be sleeping.”
“I can’t,” he murmured, voice rough with fatigue. “Not yet.”
“You should at least try. Ruhl’s already gone to reinforce the border. The Kin are safe for now.”
He turned toward me, brows pinched. “I can’t stop thinking about it. Replaying it. How close I came to hurting—”
“But you didn’t,” I interjected. “That blood vow has ruled your life for years. And you broke it. Without the Shard. You did that.” I traced the line of his collarbone, grounding him with my touch when words felt too overwhelming.
His throat worked around the lump I could practically feel there. “But it wasn’t me. I didn’t break it. You did.”
I frowned. “Reign…”
“You, Phantom, Solanthus. Our bond. The dragons. All of it.” His eyes flickered to mine, dark and endless and brimming with something I couldn’t name. “I reached for power, and I found you.”
A slow, aching smile curved my lips. “Then maybe we don’t need the Moirai Shard anymore.”
He huffed a dry laugh. “We’re not just going to return it.”
I raised a brow. “Why not?”
“It’s too dangerous.”
“Then smash it to bits. Feed it to Phantom. Drop it in a molten river.” I shrugged, grinning.
“If it can sever blood vows, who knows what else it could do? It has the power to break bonds created by the gods, Aelia. It might be the only bargaining chip we have left.” He glanced at me sidelong. “Or the only weapon.”
“You always ruin my dramatic ideas with logic.”
“I know. It’s a curse.”
I leaned in closer, my mouth brushing the edge of his. “Maybe you need a different kind of curse. The kind that erupts from your mouth when I’m—”
His eyes darkened. “Aelia…”
“Hmm?”
His hand slid to my waist, pulling me across the sheets until I was half draped over him. “You’re dangerous when you’re like this.”
“Like what?”
“Teasing. Smirking. Wearing absolutely nothing but that smug look on your face.”
“I’m not smirking,” I replied, fully smirking.
He growled softly, the sound vibrating between us, and then his lips were on mine. Not soft. Not hesitant. But hungry, claiming, as if he needed to remind himself that I was real. That we were both still here, still breathing, and still alive.
I answered with equal fire, threading my fingers into his hair and pressing my body against the hard lines of his. His shadows flared, curling around us like smoke and silk. My rais sparked in response, a bright warmth kissing every place our skin met.
The bond between us hummed, hot and full of need. And I felt him, not just physically, but everywhere. In my blood. My breath. My soul.
His lips moved to my throat, teeth grazing skin that flushed at the mere promise of his mouth.
“I love you,” I whispered into the darkness.
“I’d burn the world for you,” he whispered back. “But right now, I just want to worship you.”
“Well then, who am I to stop you?”
He was slow and thorough, as if time had paused just for us. His words echoed in my chest long after his mouth found mine again.
This would be our first time together since that soul-rending ritual.
Everything between us had grown sharper, deeper, more consuming since then, and I was certain this would be no different.
Reign moved slowly at first, as if relearning me.
Mapping me with hands that were both reverent and rough, his touch trailed over my ribs, hips, thighs like I was made of something sacred.
And maybe I was. Maybe we both were now.
We’d been changed by dragonfire, bonded by starlight and shadow.
I arched into him, gasping when his mouth found the swell of my breast, teeth grazing, tongue soothing.
The way his shadows moved with him made it impossible to tell where he ended and I began.
They curled around my limbs, brushing over bare skin like velvet.
My rais responded with golden heat, dancing along the curve of his spine, pulsing between us until the air shimmered with our power.
“I feel you,” I whispered, breathless. “Everywhere.”
“Good.” His voice was gravel and sin. “Because I never want you to forget who you belong to.”
“Then maybe you should remind me.”
A slow, wicked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “With pleasure, love.”
His fingers slipped between my thighs, and I cried out, the sound swallowed by his kiss as he slammed his lips to mine. I clung to him as his touch coaxed stars from my skin, the tension building like a crescendo in my veins. My back arched, hips rising, seeking more.
Moving his hand, he shifted above me. Bracing himself on his forearms, eyes locked on mine, he slid into me in one slow, devastating thrust.
The bond flared.
And gods, it was so much more than only physical. I felt him. Not just inside me but through me. His pain. His pleasure. His awe. All of it crashed into my senses like a tidal wave of raw, aching love.
He moved slowly at first, as if savoring each moment, each sound I made.
But the pace built with every breath and every whispered name until we were chasing something wild and ancient together.
The sheets tangled. Our powers surged, heat and dark, light and shadow, crashing and twining in waves until I was unraveling beneath him.
“Aelia,” he rasped, voice barely a sound, but I heard it, felt it. “I’m yours. I’ll always be yours.”
We shattered together.
Energy bloomed around us, stars sparking across the ceiling and shadows curling like smoke caught in a breeze.
His name tore from my lips as I came apart in his arms, the world narrowing to only him.
He followed with a groan against my throat, collapsing against me.
Our bodies were tangled and slick with sweat, our hearts beating in perfect rhythm.
For a long time, neither of us moved. Because we both knew that tomorrow, the war would come. But tonight, we were smoke and starlight. And nothing else existed.
The inner courtyard of the Shadow Fortress buzzed with motion, soldiers fitting on leathers and armor, their weapons clashing in practice strokes as the sun grew ever brighter across the river.
Our dragons preened restlessly atop the outer cliffs, the same nervous energy zipping through all four of us.
The air crackled with tension and anticipation, but also something else.
Resolve. Determination. As if we might actually win this. Word of the sacred bonding had already spread like wildfire across the fortress. And unlike the last time we faced the Night King, today we would fight together. The entire force of Light and Shadow.
Even with the battle on the horizon, something about this morning felt different.
Lighter. Sharper. I had just cinched the last of my plated bracers at my wrist when Rue strolled over.
My best friend was clad in gilded armor that shimmered faintly beneath the twinkling starlight.
Her hair was braided down her back in a long, gleaming rope, and she wore a broadsword across her back.
“Well, don’t you look terrifyingly regal,” she said, bumping her shoulder into mine.
“Hardly,” I huffed, adjusting the strap that kept sliding down my arm. “This thing was not designed for actual breathing.”
“Beauty is pain, little Kin,” Symon added as he approached, swinging his luminescent war hammer onto his shoulder with exaggerated flair. “And in your case, legendary beauty requires a bit of struggle.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re ridiculous.”
“Yes, but charming.” He winked, then glanced toward Reign, who stood across the courtyard speaking with General Arven.
Still, every other moment, his gaze drifted toward me.
“Besides, you’ve got the brooding death prince practically vibrating to get you out of that armor already. I don’t blame him.”
“Symon,” Rue groaned. “Please. Some of us are trying to keep our breakfast down.”
“As if you and Devin are any less obnoxious.”
“We are not!” She rolled her eyes, but her cheeks rosied all the same. With everything going on, I’d barely had time to check on her relationship status, but from what little I’d heard, she and Devin were solid. Which made me beyond happy.
Symon bowed dramatically, tossing an apple at Windy who devoured it in one massive chomp. “Fine, fine. Let’s all behave for now.”
Before I could reply, a gentle voice floated across the courtyard.
“Aelia,” Vaelora called, approaching beside Kaelith. Her stark white hair was braided and pinned into a crown, navy eyes glowing softly. Despite the armor covering her robes, she still moved with the grace of a goddess.
She paused beside me, then turned to Reign as he strode over. Her hand reached for his, gently cupping it between both of hers. “I wanted to wish you both luck today.” Then her gaze settled on her grandson. “You have become something more than I ever dared hope for.”
Reign blinked, clearly stunned, and tried to mask it with a half-smile. “You haven’t seen me in battle yet.”
“I’ve seen enough to know.” Her voice trembled.
“You carry the fire of your grandfather, and your mother’s relentless spirit.
But what truly sets you apart from the ruthless Night Fae, Reign, is your heart.
Karnax would’ve been proud of you. “And one day”—she brushed her hand over his cheek—“you will be a great king.”
Emotion flickered behind Reign’s eyes. “Thank you, Vaelora.”
She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his forehead. “Return to us whole, both of you.”
A thick silence descended across the courtyard, the weight of her words pressing into my mate and ricocheting through our bond.
She’s right. I sent the thought across the shimmering strands that bound us.
You’re both too kind.
A familiar voice rang out, drawing me from our mental conversation.
“Hope I’m not too late.”
I turned, heart lurching as Heaton emerged from the lower hall with his staff slung across his back and a determined glint in his eyes. He moved toward us slowly, the pounds of muscle lost while he remained bedridden evident, but still he marched with purpose.
“Heaton, no.” I crossed the courtyard in three long strides. “You’re not ready—”
“I’m not staying behind again, Aelia.” His jaw was set, stubborn in the way only he could be. “My family is out there, you and Rue and my team. Not to mention our brother Lawson, who is still fighting for the wrong monarch. I won’t hide while everyone fights.”
“You could get killed,” Rue said softly, stepping beside me. “Or worse, captured again.”
“So could any of us,” he replied without hesitation. “And if today is my day to fall, then I’ll fall protecting the people I love.”
My throat tightened. “You’re too brave for your own good.”
He smiled faintly. “I learned from one of the best on my team.”
I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around his shoulders and holding him tightly. “Just promise me you’ll stay close to us.”
He chuckled against my shoulder. “Now, that I can do.”
Behind us, the horns sounded, deep and solemn, shaking the stones beneath our feet.
The time had come.
I turned, finding Reign already waiting for me, shadows curling at his feet. Phantom stood over him, wings pounding the earth and ready for flight. Solanthus loomed just behind her. His talons scraped the earth and plumes of smoke rose from his flared nostrils.
Reign reached for my hand and squeezed.
As we mounted our dragons and rose toward the clouds, I glanced down once more at the fortress below. And prayed the next time we returned, we’d still be whole.