chapter thirty-two
elysia
My bare feet sink into the cool grass, damp with evening dew.
The air is humming with the familiar scent of roses, moonlillies and rain; my mother's flowers always fill the garden with a calming aroma.
Above me, the moon hangs low and full, its glow spilling across the garden, ribbons of silver light casting down and reflecting on my mother's collected ornaments and trinkets.
“Come, Moonfire,” she calls, laughter threading through the night. Her white nightdress elegantly swirls around her as she spins, blonde hair catching the light until she looks almost made of it.
My father watches her from the edge of the cottage, arms folded and eyes soft.
“Don’t let her dance alone, Elysia,” he says, voice deep and gentle.
A smile spreads onto my face, excitement welling up in my chest as I watch my mother sway and beckon us toward her.
My father takes my small hand, his palm warm and rough, grounding me against the cool night air.
Together we walk deeper into the garden, into the circle of moonlight where my mother waits, and soon the three of us are turning beneath the stars.
Slowly at first, then faster, until the night itself feels alive… breathing with us, around us.
My father hums a low tune as he spins us both beneath the moon, fireflies flicker between the trees like drifting stars, and my mother’s voice rises in song…soft, lilting, full of a love that hums deep in my bones.
“There is a thread that binds the night to you, soft and quiet, silver-blue. It hums beneath your heartbeat’s tune and wakes beneath the silver moon.”
Her fingers brush a loose strand of hair from my face.
I giggle, stepping on my father’s foot, he only laughs, steadying me with a hand to my back as my mother continues.
“She knows your laugh, she knows your cries, she sees her light within your eyes. And when her glow finds you anew, she’ll know her light still shines in you. ”
The words float through the air like silk as father lifts me high into his arms, spinning us both until laughter spills from my lips, bright and unrestrained. When my father finally lowers me to the ground, he kneels so we’re face to face.
Moonlight catches on his dark hair, silver threading through it like the promise of age.
“Do you know why we call you Moonfire?” He asks, slightly out of breath.
I smile, nodding my head, “because I have the moon in my eyes?”
He laughs softly, nodding his head. “Yes, but not just because you carry a piece of her in your eyes. The moon sees herself in you; she is part of you, Elysia.”
My mother hums softly behind him, that same haunting melody. It winds through the air like a spell, familiar and old. She leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead.
“Your blood runs with her light, my heart,” she whispers. “Always let it guide you.”
“Is that why we always dance under the moon?”
She chuckles, soft and comforting as she sweeps me into her arms “That, and it’s so very fun.”
Her nose nuzzles against mine as we spin, warmth spreading through me under my mother's embrace—
“Earth to Elysia.” Odette chimes, waving a hand in front of my face.
I clear my throat, shaking my head slightly as I suppress the resurfaced memory. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
Her eyes roam around the table, eyebrows pinched. “Gods, I wish I could space out as easily as you.”
I poke absently at my food, chasing a piece of bread around the plate. “Sorry, Odette. I haven’t been sleeping well. I think I’m just a little tired.”
Sirena chuckles, eyes filled with mischief. “Maybe you and Kaden should try a little more sleeping and a little less fucking—”
“Sirena!” I snap, though a small laugh bubbles up my throat.
Odette’s grin is wide, slapping her hand against the wood “Yes! I knew it! You two were much too nice to each other during combat training today”
“And he constantly looked about two seconds away from dragging you off the mat,” Brynn adds, biting into an apple.
“Gods, it is not that obvious… is it?”
Brynn hums thoughtfully, the corners of her mouth twitching. “Mmm… I’d say ‘obvious’ is generous. More like… painfully self-evident.”
Odette waves a dismissive hand. “It doesn’t really matter, honestly, it’s no one's business what you two do. I have to say though, I am jealous… I haven’t had anyone look at me like that in ages.”
My brow rises slightly. “You and Enzo haven’t…” I trail off as she shakes her head.
“He’s not really my type. Physically, sure… he’s built like sin, but personality-wise?” She shudders. “I much prefer a man who is confident and calm, not hot-headed, clumsy and loud. Also, he’s greedy. It’s hard enough having to compete with women, let alone men too.”
A smile tilts at my lips “So, you’d prefer someone like Ronan then?”
“Oh, absolutely,” Odette agrees instantly. “He’s handsome, kind… and funny too.”
We all turn our heads to Brynn, as if simultaneously thinking the same thing.
Brynn looks up, blinking. “What?”
Sirena grins. “You’ve known Ronan for years, and you’re telling us you’ve never—”
“not even once imagined what it would be like?” Odette chimes in.
Brynn groans, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Gods, no! He’s like my brother. That’s disgusting. You might as well ask Elysia if she’d ever sleep with Cole.”
A shudder runs through me, slight nausea beginning to coil in my stomach at the thought. “Ugh, agreed. That would be weird… very, very weird.”
Sirena leans forward, perching her chin in the palm of her hand. “Speaking of Cole…”
Brynn looks up, raising a brow. “What about him?”
Sirena smirks, her eyes meeting mine knowingly.
“He’ll probably be visiting again soon, given we are all still here during his next break.” I state.
A faint blush creeps up her cheeks as she shrugs, trying for nonchalance. “It would be cool to see him again, he’s nice… easy to get on with.”
Odette elbows her. “Come on, Brynn. You like him.”
Brynn groans, burying her face in her hands. “He’s just… he’s annoyingly charming, okay? Maybe I wouldn’t hate seeing him again.”
Sirena wiggles her eyebrows. “Annoyingly charming and drool-worthy. Don’t forget that part,” she finishes with a wink.
I grin, enjoying the sight of Brynn seemingly giddy when she is usually so serious.
“He is a bit of a flirt but he’s harmless, mostly. Big heart under all the nonchalance.” I say, sipping my tea.
Odette leans on her hand. “Oh, the classic flirt with everyone but actually cares too much type.”
“Exactly, he jokes around constantly but when it matters, he’s serious. Thoughtful, even. For what it's worth, he also seems really interested in you.”
Brynn’s smile is subtle, but there all the same. “Really?”
“Mhm, pretty sure his next visit is just so he can see you.” I tease.
“And if you don’t see him again while here, you can always see him at the border.” Sirena adds, “Maybe you could personally train him.”
Brynn’s eyes roll “I’m a squad leader now, I don’t train anymore… but that’s not a bad idea.”
Laughter ripples across the table, and my heart swells at the sound. If anything good came from my sanctioned soulbond, it’s this… these girls. I don’t think I’d have made it through without them.
“Ah, speak of the devils,” Sirena says with a grin, waving Thane over. A gust of cool air trails behind him and Kaden as they approach.
Thane crosses the room in long and fluid strides, the faintest smile on his lips as he leans down to press a kiss to Sirena’s temple. “You all sound like you’re up to no good,” he murmurs, settling beside her and pulling her effortlessly against his chest.
Sirena beams, utterly unashamed. “Always.”
Kaden lingers a beat longer before moving toward the empty seat beside me. He says nothing, but when his shoulder brushes mine, the bond hums to life, quiet and steady, threaded with something that almost feels like peace.
Thane looks around the table, brow raised. “So, what were you all laughing about?”
Brynn straightens immediately. “Nothing important. Just… talking about whether I’d take a post training recruits at the inner border again, instead of staying on as a squad leader.”
I glance at her sidelong, biting back a smile. Smooth deflection. Thane doesn’t seem convinced, but he lets it go with a thoughtful hum.
“Speaking of the border,” Odette chimes in, “do you know when you’re being sent back?”
Brynn shakes her head, exhaling. “No word yet, but I imagine soon. There’s been more ossaryn reported near the northern line and a few sightings of lacwyvern.”
Thane leans back in his chair, thoughtful. “We spoke about that in the last Council meeting, actually. The increase isn’t localised anymore. They’re spreading along the eastern line as well, and have managed to breach a couple times.”
A strange tension ripples down the bond… sharp, then immediately smothered. I glance at Kaden, feeling the echo of his unease in my chest.
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” he answers, the words sounding too smooth and practised.
Sirena’s voice breaks through my thoughts, her voice lighter but edged with memory. “Gods, lacwyvern are a nightmare. It’s surprising that they’ve managed to breach, though. We haven’t had a breach since the war started.”
Odette grimaces. “That’s… comforting. Do we know why the wards are failing?”
Sirena shakes her head, “No, The Council told us they were looking into it, and in the meantime, we just have to focus on defending the border, and of course, focus on training.”
I toy with the rim of my cup, curiosity tugging at me. “I’ve never seen one, the border creatures, I mean. How do you all cope with it? Seeing them, fighting them… killing them?”
Thane speaks first, shrugging. “You get used to it. After a while, they stop feeling like monsters and more like pests. Just part of the job.”
Kaden nods, his tone quiet, almost detached. “We grew up fighting them. Do it for long enough, and the fear becomes… dull. Eventually, routine and duty outweigh it.”
Sirena scoffs softly. “Maybe for you two, but the fear has never really left me. I still get that spike in my stomach every time I step onto the field.”
Thane glances at her, brow raised. “You? Afraid? You could have fooled me, Angel.”
She grins. “Every damn time. But I always remind myself— I am Sirena Ashvyn, and I will not be afraid.”
Brynn smiles faintly. “Beautiful mantra… does it work?”
Sirena shrugs, smiling softly. “Works most of the time.”
“Well, if I ever join you on the field, I may just have to use it myself.” I chime, sipping the last of my tea.
Unease simmers through the bond again, subtle and quick before he stamps it down. My brow furrows slightly as Brynn’s voice slices through the air.
“Personally, I don’t think about it too much anymore. If anything, the creatures should be afraid of me.”
“Absolutely,” Sirena says at once.
Odette nods. “No argument there.”
Thane chuckles. “You terrify half your squad, Brynn.”
Brynn arches a brow, pretending to preen. “Finally, some recognition.”
The laughter that follows is soft and grounded. And for a brief, fragile moment, everything feels right. The warmth of friendship, the steady rhythm of Kaden’s presence beside me, the flicker of something almost like hope.
But beneath it all, through the bond, I still feel it… that quiet hum of unease thrumming low in his chest.
And I can’t shake the feeling that something is coming.