Chapter 50 #4
“A fascinating display of magic. When did you develop the powers of light?” Atlas asks without missing a beat.
I think about the gold light of my golden marking in the Warded Hollow, the aurora out in the field, the white light when I went to grab S?las’ hand… The glow when I was first close to him, shrouded in his shadows, in a hallway in a pub outside my room.
It’s been him all along.
The darkness making my light shine brighter.
“When S?las first released his shadows around me, after our first trial,” I admit, accepting what I refused to then. Shock and hope trickle down the bond from S?las.
“Fascinating. It would appear you have more than one Celestial Gift. I would say I am surprised, but I do share the same belief as S?las… You are unlike any other.” Atlas bows with deep reverence. Kivi follows suit as they both make their way to exit.
“Watching your magic complete one another is a sacred honor. The Celestials and Fates without a doubt have blessed you both. Please don’t hesitate if you have any further questions.” Highin bows before taking flight from the balcony.
At last, we’re finally alone. I gaze at S?las, who's taken a seat, staring off into the distance. His umber skin is three shades paler. It’s clear whatever happened drained his life force.
He looks so broken. His mask of effortless perfection and coy flirtation too heavy to wear under the weight of his demons. I sink into his lap, brushing a soft kiss on his arched cheek. My head dips into the curve of his muscular shoulder.
Perhaps I could never fit all my frozen bits back together because I was always missing him. Perhaps our shattered bits will fit just right, finally whole… together.
“Come to bed with me. Even the shadow prick needs rest,” I taunt, swirling a lazy finger down the bare part of his chest.
Without another word, he scoops me up in his arms and lugs me, kicking and giggling, to the canopied bed, where Pip’s already nestled into his spot.
S?las moves to curl around me, but I fuss at him, guiding his head onto my chest, my arms weaving around him. Tonight, he needs to feel safe, and I am strong enough to protect us both.
“My heart only beats for you, too,” I whisper into his raven waves with a kiss.
He weasels his arms around me, dragging me in tight.
My fingers dance through his hair, tracing the shadows that swirl down his neck, curling around my golden twelve-pointed star, like the mark is his precious treasure to hold.
S?las’ breath steadies, sleep claiming his tortured soul. My starlight magic spills out, painting the room in fractals of pastel rays, casting away any looming darkness. Tonight, he needs peace. Tonight, he needs me. Under the dancing lights, I drift into slumber.
Daring to dream in a way I’ve never done before.
Serrated screams rip from S?las’ throat, clawing me from my dream of exploring a mycelium rift.
“I will not kill her. I love her, with all of me. She is mine!” His back arches, body writhing, tormenting pain contorting his limbs.
“I will do your unspeakable biddings, but you will never touch her. Never harm her. Never have her!” His shaking cry guts me.
His shadows needle the air around him, whetted blades lashing out at the darkness of night. My hand lunges for his chest, only to be blasted back by an instinctive shield of erupting Chaos Magic.
I dive deep, summoning my starlight. Pastel rays spill from my soul, drenching him in protective dragon scales, the ones I always pretended to morph my rage into.
But these ones I’ve forged for him out of hopes and dreams. His shadows part for my light, letting my fingers curl around his shoulder.
I shake him again and again to no avail as his shadows morph, pummeling down, sputtering my light.
Howls of agony lacerate the air. Shadows clot into stringy pitch, coiling around my rays, nipping at my light to snuff it out.
“No! Not again. Mother, Father, I am so sorry. Please, no, not her, too. Not her, too! Make it stop!” His rasping pleas whittle at my marrow as my own darkness sinks its claws into his soul, dragging him back from the dark ocean below.
I pour my light into him as I grasp him up into my arms. Drowning him in every happy moment we’ve shared, every hopeful dream of our future. His head whips violently against my shoulder, his trembling body thrashing me with dredging strength.
“Shh. Just follow my light home. I am here, waiting for you. S?las, come back to me,” I hum, repeating the words over and over again. As if they’re a prayer, just for him. Summoning all my strength to keep him close.
Retreating into my mind, I yank open the circular, honey-hewn window.
Happiness floods out as I pull him into a golden sea, floating on crested waves of my memories, only the bright and beautiful ones.
The ones I’ve always been too afraid to feel, fearing they’re too precious for me to hold, becoming lost to ash in my hands.
But I’d gladly lose them all for him. With every intention of making more with him by my side.
Time eddies, carried on the ebbing tide of my focus. My eyes pop open on a rumbling groan from S?las’ chest. His shredded voice cracks, piercing my heart.
“Luxsula, what’s going on?”
“A bad dream is all. You’re safe now. That’s all that matters,” I hum, wiping the cold sweat from his thick brow while resting his head back on the pillow.
“The light… It was so bright. It reminded me of you… Always of you.” His sleepy whispers fraying through the state between twilight and slumber.
Silver weeps from lashes as I trace the edges of his beautiful features, memorizing every line. Even in his nightmares…
He fights for me.