CHAPTER 44
The Academy had offered the finest guest chambers for Sorayael's recovery. The room above the East Tower overlooked the Arcane Gardens, with sheer curtains fluttering gently in the breeze. The afternoon sun bathed everything in soft amber.
Sorayael sat by the window now, a cup of herbal tea resting between her hands, her silver hair still slightly tousled.
She had insisted on some time alone with her brother.
Reinhold and Deimon-after some protest-left the room (though with Deimon grumbling something about not trusting the windows), and now there was only silence and breath between the two siblings.
Krios sat across from her, small hands folded on his lap, trying to act composed but his eyes betrayed the worry that hadn't left him since the day she vanished.
Sorayael stared into her cup for a moment. Then, she reached out and gently brushed back his hair. "I scared myself too."
He looked at her at the faint tiredness in her eyes, the way her shoulders bore an invisible weight. "What happened, Ate?"
She paused. Took a breath. Then another.
Krios furrowed his brows, unsure if he should understand that or just listen.
Sorayael gave a faint smile. "The truth is.. I'm not just Sorayael Elaris. I carry something older inside me. Something ancient. Something... powerful. I was once called Velthira."
Krios blinked. "Velthira? Who..?"
She nodded slowly. "I'm her descendant. Her vessel. Or maybe.. her rebirth. It's still unclear."
'I'm her. I wonder if my mom knew about this?'
Krios tried to speak, but words caught in his throat.
Sorayael leaned forward and touched her forehead to his. "I'm still your sister. No prophecy nor ancient name will ever change that."
His lips trembled. "You could've died."
She closed her eyes. "I almost did."
A silence stretched between them like silk.
Then he whispered, "I prayed. Every night."
She pulled him into a hug, tight and warm. Her voice cracked as she whispered, "I heard you."
Moments Later...
Krios sat cross-legged on her bed, now munching on the pastries he brought from the palace kitchens. Sorayael leaned against the headboard, sipping her tea with a soft chuckle.
Krios nearly choked on his pastry. "He what?"
She smiled faintly, brushing a hand through her hair.
Then, her golden gaze turned to the window once more, distant.
'uncle? looks like they are close now.'
She turned to him, eyes soft but steeled.
............
The door creaked open under the weight of silence and presence.
Grand Duke Zerathiel stepped in, his boots quiet against the polished floor, yet each step held the authority of a man accustomed to command.
His sharp eyes swept over the two young men who stood-well, sat and leaned-in the room meant to be Sorayael's temporary quarters.
Reinhold sat in utter grace on one of the armchairs by the window, posture unshakably upright, as if he were born in a court of kings. His grey-storm eyes met Zerathiel's without defiance, yet without subservience. Elegance clung to him like a second skin.
Across the room, Deimon leaned lazily against a bookshelf, one hand in his coat pocket, his fire-hued eyes gleaming beneath the tousled fall of blue hair. He gave no effort to appear presentable-nor did he care to try.
Zerathiel regarded the two for a long moment. "I was told my niece returned.. escorted."
Reinhold gave a faint nod. "She is safe, Your Grace. That is what matters."
The Duke folded his arms slowly. "And who are you to her?"
Reinhold offered a smooth, diplomatic smile. "Merely those who answered the call when the stars began to weep."
Zerathiel blinked once. "...What?"
Deimon sighed loudly. "Here he goes again."
Reinhold didn't glance at him, continuing in that serene voice, "Her path brushed against the edge of shadow. We intervened, lest the void consume her completely."
Zerathiel's eyes narrowed, slightly unsettled. "You mean to say she was taken?"
Reinhold nodded once. "By those who dwell beyond the veil. The Voidwalkers."
That caught the Grand Duke's full attention. "Voidwalkers... They were thought scattered. Vanished decades ago."
Headmaster Xiaven, who had been quietly listening near the doorway, stepped in then, brows knit. "And how, may I ask, do you know about the Voidwalkers?"
For a moment, Reinhold said nothing. His fingers folded atop one another, gaze distant-like reading verses only he could see.
Deimon gave a dramatic groan. "And here we are again with the star-blessed poetry hour."
Reinhold's brow twitched but remained composed. "Would you rather I be blunt?"
They answered at the same time-Deimon grinning, Reinhold frowning.
Zerathiel raised a brow at the back-and-forth. "You both are... quite the contrast."
Deimon shrugged. "Yeah, well, he's the porcelain statue, I'm the firecracker. Keeps things fun."
Reinhold gave a long-suffering sigh. "We are not here to entertain, Deimon."
Xiaven, amused but trying not to show it, interjected gently, "So you're saying the Voidwalkers are responsible for Sorayael's disappearance."
Zerathiel eyed him carefully. "And the real story?"
Reinhold's lips curled into a faint, unreadable smile. "Ask the stars, Your Grace. They remember."
Deimon scratched the back of his neck. "Translation: he's not gonna tell you."
Zerathiel exhaled. He was no fool-these two were not ordinary, and they certainly knew more than they let on. But Sorayael was unharmed, and that was the most important piece.
For now.
He nodded once. "Very well. I'll accept your presence. But know this, I will be watching."
Deimon smirked. "Can't wait."
Reinhold bowed his head once, hands still folded in grace. "We expected nothing less."
And as the Grand Duke left, Xiaven lingering behind with furrowed thoughts, the two were once again left alone.
'I really hope they can protect Sorayael.' - Xiaven.
Deimon leaned closer to Reinhold and muttered, "You owe me dinner for putting up with that."
Reinhold gave a small exhale. "Then you may have a fruit. One. Not even peeled."
Deimon grinned. "So generous, Your Grace."
Reinhold didn't look at him. "I am not a grace."
But even then, his lips twitched, just barely.
Later that day, the quiet murmur of excitement spread like wildfire across the academy-Sorayael had returned.
It didn't take long before the heirs, one by one, began to gather around her in the courtyard near the old fountain. The evening sun draped golden light across the stones as if to herald her return, the petals of nearby trees swaying gently with the breeze.
Voices tumbled over each other, concern clouding their eyes. But Sorayael only gave a tired smile, calm and whole-despite the strange storm she had passed through.
Then Marie pushed past the others, her steps quick and unsure. "You-" Her voice broke, and then she just hugged her tightly, arms trembling. "I'm sorry... I should've been there. I shouldn't have let you out of my sight-"
Marie sniffled, nodding against her shoulder. Silas just looked away and felt the relievess.
Zarethian stood just a step behind, arms crossed, but his usually intense eyes softened the moment they met hers. "Took your sweet time," he muttered.
Sorayael arched a brow. "Oh? Missed me?"
They stared at each other for a beat before breaking into snickers.
And then, behind them, Azren stood still-no quips, no greetings. Just.. watching her.
His ocean eyes were heavy with everything he couldn't say. Something in his posture, in the tension of his shoulders, told her he hadn't slept well.
Sorayael met his gaze. "You look like you've seen a ghost," she joked lightly, offering a crooked smile.
Azi didn't laugh.
Instead, he stepped forward and without a word, pulled her into a tight embrace. His arms wrapped around her as if to reassure himself she was real, solid, warm.
Her eyes widened just a little, but she smiled again and let her head rest against his shoulder.
And beside them, Krios, who had been standing proudly by her side like her personal guard, suddenly narrowed his eyes at the scene.
Azren blinked and finally looked at Krios fully.
Then paused.
The resemblance struck him-those eyes, the silver in their hair. A mirror in two forms. His expression shifted into amusement.
Azren gave him a grin and promptly hugged him too.
Krios flailed in the unexpected embrace, trying to push him away.
'Like sister, like brother' Azi thought.
Around them, laughter erupted.
Marie wiped her tears while laughing, Zarethian turned away trying to stifle a grin, and even Celene could be seen covering her mouth.