Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Senara
I pressed my palms against the cool earth beneath me, grounding myself in the reality of the Twilight Gardens. Thorn's steady breathing next to me helped chase away the remnants of that terrible vision. But doubt still gnawed at my insides, an insidious whisper reminding me of the Empress's words.
"Eclipse Child," I muttered under my breath, trying to shake off her haunting voice. It felt like a curse more than a blessing. The weight of expectations bore down on me heavier than any sword.
Wyn stirred beside me, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked sleepily, but when she caught sight of me, concern flooded her expression. "Senara? What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I lied too quickly. My heart raced as I forced a smile, but I could see the doubt in her gaze.
"You don't look alright," she said softly, pushing herself up on one elbow. "Did you dream?"
I nodded slowly, my throat tight as I tried to articulate the swirling dread that clung to my thoughts like fog.
"The Empress?" Wyn ventured gently.
"Yeah." My voice cracked. "She showed me... things." I hesitated, not wanting to burden her with visions that twisted and corrupted everything we fought for.
Wyn reached out and took my hand, her touch warm and reassuring. "You're stronger than she thinks. We all are."
Her faith stoked a flicker of warmth within me, but it felt fragile against the chilling memories of my dream. Thorn shifted beside us and blinked awake, his gaze sharpening as he took in our worried expressions.
"What happened?" he asked hoarsely, sitting up straighter. His protective instinct kicked in immediately.
"I just," I started, but then stopped myself again; it didn't feel right to drag him into my fears when he had already fought so fiercely for us.
"Just bad dreams," Wyn interjected quickly. "Nothing we can't handle."
Thorn narrowed his eyes slightly, unconvinced, but choosing not to press further. Instead, he turned his attention outward into the garden's beauty, the surreal colors and floating islands bathed in an ethereal light that contrasted sharply with our earlier chaos.
"Whatever happens next," he said finally, his tone steady and unwavering, "we face it together."
That declaration washed over me like a balm, a reminder that no matter how daunting our path ahead seemed, I didn't have to bear it alone. The weight on my shoulders lightened ever so slightly as hope crept back into my heart; perhaps together we could resist whatever darkness loomed over us.
I sat up straighter, taking a moment to shake off the remnants of the Empress's haunting words. Thorn's unwavering gaze steadied me as he studied my face, concern etched in his features.
"Are you sure you're alright?" he asked, his voice a low rumble that sent warmth through me despite my lingering fears.
"I will be," I replied, trying to inject confidence into my tone. "We have the Diadem, and it's strong."
Wyn squeezed my hand tighter. "And we have each other. Remember what we've accomplished so far. You are not alone in this fight."
I nodded, though doubt still gnawed at my insides like a feral creature. The darkness I had faced in my dream felt closer than ever, whispering lies that clawed at my resolve. Yet, the support from Thorn and Wyn anchored me.
"What's our next move?" Thorn shifted slightly, his posture becoming more assertive as he rose to his feet. The sunlight filtering through the trees highlighted the determination in his eyes.
"We need to prepare for whatever is coming," I said, glancing at Van and Volker, who were waking up nearby.
I pushed myself up, brushing the cool grass off my legs as I surveyed our surroundings. The gardens, with their breathtaking beauty, felt like a dream, too serene to be real. But I couldn't let that fool me. Danger lurked just beyond the trees.
"Van," I called, my voice stronger than I felt. He looked up from where he had been stretching, a hint of mischief in his eyes that faded as he caught my serious tone.
"We need to plan," I continued, glancing at Thorn and Wyn. "The feral fae are still hunting us."
Van nodded, stepping closer. "The Crescent Diadem has awakened ancient powers within you, Senara. But we need to understand its limits."
Thorn's jaw tightened as he listened intently. "What do you mean by limits?"
"Artifacts like the Diadem often come with a cost," Van explained, running a hand through his unruly hair. "The balance you've found might attract even more dangerous forces."
A knot twisted in my stomach at his words. "So, what should we do? Just sit here and wait for trouble?"
"No," Thorn interjected, determination igniting in his gaze. "We prepare ourselves and confront whatever comes next."
I felt a rush of gratitude for his unwavering resolve. With him by my side, I could face anything, even the darkness threatening to consume me.
I turned to Volker, our ally, who had been listening quietly and seemed to barely ever speak. "Do you or Wyn know how to enhance the Diadem's power? We need to ensure it can protect us. I had to reforge it to claim it, but something isn't quite right. When I used it, the power felt like it was oscillating between the light of the sun and the light of the moon when it should combine the two."
Volker stepped forward, his brow furrowing in thought. "There are rituals that can strengthen its magic, but they require focus and intent." He glanced around the clearing as if assessing our surroundings for safety.
"What do we need for it?" I asked, all too eager to jump on the chance to give myself an edge over the Empress.
Volker glanced at Wyn and she nodded him on encouragingly, which caused a slight flush to rise on his cheeks. "Something representing each element. Fire, water, air, earth, spirit, sun, moon."
"Then we'll find what we need to represent everything and perform the ritual here," I declared, surprising even myself with the conviction in my voice.
"Here?" Wyn echoed softly.
"It's secluded enough," I replied firmly. "If we're going to stand against the Empress and her minions, we need every advantage we can muster."
As I spoke those words, energy surged within me, a sense of purpose swelling alongside my fears and doubts.
"Let's gather what we need," Thorn said decisively. He moved toward the center of the clearing where soft light pooled like liquid silver.
With renewed determination sparking in my chest, I joined him and began collecting elements from around us, twigs that shimmered like stars and petals that glowed with an otherworldly light as they gently cupped the dew that had gathered in their centers, feathers that seemed to be made of darkness and shadow, and anything else I thought could work, while keeping one eye on our surroundings for any signs of danger lurking in the shadows.
Thorn crouched nearby, inspecting a small brook that trickled with shimmering water. "This should work," he said, filling a small empty potion vial with the liquid that somehow made me think of the stars dancing with each other. I watched him, marveling at his determination despite the exhaustion that clung to him like a second skin. He cast me a sidelong glance and smirked, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "You sure you're up for this?"
I wanted to change that, to have him smile at me again and have it reach his eyes. For his fingers to touch me with the passion they once had. I didn't know if it was just my imagination or not, but it seemed like ever since I'd been pronounced the Eclipse Child, he'd been hesitant to touch me.
I was his soul bonded. His touch was like taking a deep relaxing breath and before I knew what I was doing, I was reaching for him.
My hand found his arm, fingers wrapping around the firm muscle. He turned to me, surprise flickering in his eyes, but he didn't pull away. Instead, his gaze softened, the hard lines of his face easing into something gentler.
"Senara," he murmured, his voice a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. He stepped closer, his hand covering mine, the warmth of his touch seeping into my skin. "What's wrong?"
I swallowed hard, trying to find the words to express the turmoil inside me. "I just... I need you, Thorn. I need to feel grounded, to know that we're in this together."
His eyes searched mine, a mix of concern and understanding, all of which echoed through our bond straight into my heart. He lifted his hand, cupping my cheek, his thumb brushing softly against my skin. "We are," he said, his voice steady and sure. "I'm right here with you, Senara."
I leaned into his touch, closing my eyes briefly as I drew strength from his presence. When I opened them again, I saw the reflection of my own fears and hopes mirrored in his gaze. I stepped closer, my body pressing against his, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my chest.
"I'm afraid," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Afraid of what's coming, of what I might have to do."
Thorn's arms wrapped around me, pulling me tight against him. "We'll face it together," he said, his breath warm against my ear. "Whatever comes, we'll stand side by side."
I tilted my head up, my eyes meeting his. The intensity of his gaze sent a wave of heat through me, igniting a spark deep within. I reached up, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw, feeling the rough stubble beneath my touch. His breath hitched, and I felt a tremor run through him.
"Senara," he whispered, his voice rough with emotion. "The others…"
"Have wandered off," I murmured as his hand slid down my back, pressing me closer, and I could feel the tension in his body, the restraint he was exercising.
I rose onto my toes, my lips brushing against his, a soft, tentative touch that sent a jolt of electricity through me. Thorn's arms tightened around me, his lips parting as he deepened the kiss, his tongue meeting mine in a dance that was both fierce and tender.
In that moment, everything else faded away, the fear, the doubts, the looming darkness. There was only Thorn and me, our bodies pressed together, our hearts beating as one. I clung to him, my fingers tangling in his hair, my breath mingling with his as we lost ourselves in each other.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathless, our chests heaving as we stared into each other's eyes. Thorn's gaze filled with a mix of desire and something deeper, something that spoke of a bond that went beyond mere physical attraction. Our soul bond. It was right there, shimmering in his gaze like I could reach out and touch the connection that had forged between us.
I leaned into Thorn, my fingers tracing the firm line of his jaw, feeling the heat of his skin beneath my touch. His eyes, fierce and intense, held mine with a depth that sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine. The world around us faded, leaving only the two of us, our breaths mingling, our hearts pounding in sync.
Thorn's arms tightened around me as he kissed me again, his tongue meeting mine in a dance that was both fierce and tender. I clung to him, my fingers tangling in his hair, my breath hitching as our bodies pressed together. His hands roamed over my back, down to my hips, pulling me against him. I could feel the hard length of him, the evidence of his desire, and it sent a surge of heat through me, pooling low in my belly.
"Senara," he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with need. His hands moved to the hem of my shirt, sliding underneath to caress the bare skin of my back. I shivered at his touch, my body aching for more, wishing we had more time, more privacy, but we both knew that this would be hot and quick.
His mouth moved from my lips to my neck, kissing and nipping at the sensitive skin. I gasped, my hips grinding against his, seeking more friction. He groaned, one hand moving to the front of my pants, deftly unfastening them and slipping inside.
His fingers found my heat, stroking and teasing until I was writhing against him. "Thorn," I breathed, my voice a plea. He captured my mouth again, his tongue mimicking the movements of his fingers.
I reached between us, fumbling with the fastenings of his pants. He helped me, pushing them down just enough to free himself. I wrapped my hand around him, marveling again at the silken heat, the rigid strength. He growled into my mouth, his hips jerking forward.
He pushed my own pants down just enough that when he grabbed me and lifted me, pressing me against a nearby tree, I was exposed to him. My wet heat aching for one thing and one thing only. Him.
"Now, Thorn," I urged.
He didn't hesitate, pushing into me with a single, powerful thrust. I cried out, muffling the sound in his shoulder as my nails dug into his back as he filled me completely.
He stilled for a moment, his forehead resting against mine, our breaths mingling. Then he moved, his hips driving into me with a fierce intensity. I met each thrust as best as I could, given the restriction of my pants and our position. Our bodies moved in a desperate, passionate rhythm, one that I would never tire of.
The pleasure built quickly, a coiling heat in my core that threatened to consume me. Thorn's grip on me tightened, his movements becoming more urgent. "Senara," he groaned, his voice a low rumble that sent vibrations through my chest.
"Bite down when you come," he panted in my ear. "We aren't alone, remember?"
I could feel the edge approaching, the precipice of release. My body tensed, my breath coming in quick gasps. Thorn's thrusts became faster, harder, pushing me closer and closer to the edge.
"Thorn, I'm, I'm going to," I couldn't finish the sentence, the words lost in a moan as the pleasure crested and I did as he asked, biting down on his shoulder as my body surrendered to his completely. Thorn followed me over the edge, his body shuddering against mine as he found his own release.
We stayed like that for a moment, our bodies still joined, our breaths slowly returning to normal. Thorn's lips found mine again, this time in a soft, gentle kiss. I smiled against his mouth, feeling a sense of completeness, of rightness, that I hadn't felt in a long time.
In those few moments of us being together, everything else had faded away. The fears, the doubts, the looming darkness, none of it mattered. There was only Thorn and me, our love, a beacon of light amid the storm.
"I love you, Senara," he said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "No matter what happens, no matter what we have to face or what we have to do, I love you."
I felt a lump form in my throat, tears stinging my eyes as relief washed through me at his words. Why, how had I ever doubted him?
"I love you too, Thorn," I whispered as I looked up at him. "More than anything." But the moment was shattered by a sudden, sharp crack echoing through the gardens. Thorn tensed, his head whipping around to scan our surroundings. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest as I listened for any further signs of danger.
"What was that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible. Thorn didn't answer, his eyes narrowing as he focused on something in the distance. I followed his gaze, my heart sinking as I saw what had caught his attention.
A figure was moving through the gardens, their form shadowy and indistinct. Thorn withdrew from me as gently and quickly as he could before he stepped back, fastening his pants, and shielding me as I did the same and found my stability once more. His face was a mask of determination, all traces of our shared passion replaced by a fierce, protective intensity.
I held my breath, heart racing as I strained to catch any sound that would reveal the identity of the approaching figure. Thorn stood tense beside me, his protective presence a shield against whatever danger lurked in the shadows.
Then, to my horror, Van stumbled into view. His eyes widened as he took in the scene before him, Thorn and me, still catching our breath from a moment of intimacy that had felt both exhilarating and grounding.
"Uh... wow," Van stammered, his cheeks flushing a deep crimson. "I-I'll just, uh, let you two be." He turned abruptly, taking a few awkward steps back before quickly heading down the path he had come from.
I felt a rush of embarrassment wash over me, but Thorn's hand found mine again, squeezing it gently. "He didn't see anything important," he reassured me quietly, though his eyes still flickered with amusement.
"Maybe not important to him," I muttered, my cheeks burning. "But it certainly was for us."
"One that we've been neglecting a little too much for my liking," Thorn said, as his lips curved into a teasing smile.
I wanted to ask him to stay, to put off returning to the others, but the moment of reprieve had passed and the ritual awaited us. Time pressed against our shoulders like an invisible weight.
Before any words made it past my lips, Thorn spoke again, his tone shifting to one of determination. "Let's get back. We can't keep them waiting."
Together, we made our way through the gardens, weaving between vibrant flora that shimmered in the moonlight. The beauty of this place almost felt surreal after what had just happened between us.
As we approached where we'd left the others, my pulse quickened with anticipation, and dread. Would this ritual really help? Or was I just delaying us because the thought of going after the second artifact made me nauseous? Each one felt like the weight of the world rested on me and if I failed, then I would doom us all to darkness. To say it was stressful would be the understatement of the era.
"Everything will be okay," Thorn murmured as we stepped into a small clearing where Wyn, Van, and Volker waited expectantly.
Their faces lit up at our arrival, but there was an underlying tension that pulsed through the air, the kind that suggested they had been preparing for something significant.
"Finally! We thought you'd gotten lost! I was just about to come looking for you!" Wyn exclaimed, her voice brightening the atmosphere slightly despite her nervousness.
"No time for jokes," Thorn said sharply yet kindly as he nodded toward Van, who had clearly not shared what he'd stumbled across.
Volker glanced between us, a knowing gleam in his eyes that I ignored as he said, "Let's begin."