Chapter 55
Chapter Fifty-Five
Eclipsisian Mates
HAEL
“Are you ready?” I asked, opening Nollie’s door.
Two weeks had passed since the Solstice, and I was surprised by how well both kingdoms were taking it.
Aside from a few Wielders, we didn’t meet much resistance.
We weren’t the only ones who hated the kings, but I knew cooperation would only last as long as they liked what was happening.
It was why we hadn’t stopped working since everything happened.
It was all one big fucking headache, and I needed a break—needed this.
My eyes flicked up to her, standing over a bed. Five trunks were spread out before her, some still half open. Frills and laces were packed on top of one another.
“Yes,” Nollie said, crossing her arms. She walked around the bed, completely ignoring the exorbitant amount of clothing. “Let’s go.”
I arched a brow. “Are you bringing anything with you?”
Nollie shook her head. “No.”
“Absolutely not,” a male voice rasped, and I looked up to find Bran tapping his foot against the floor. “You need to bring a pack with you. You can’t be seen wearing the same thing two days in a row.”
The morning after the Solstice, he made it a point to tell us that he was staying as Nollie’s personal assistant, claiming if she was going to be queen, she needed to look the part.
It took me a moment to realize that he was completely serious. We were discussing what to do with all the civilians, and he waltzed in like Nollie’s fashion choices were the most important thing to exist.
I didn’t regret it as I eyed the black outfit she was now wearing. The loose pants and top almost passed for a dress, hugging her in all the right places, but it would also make flying on Aura easier.
“Then we won’t be seen, Bran. We’re only leaving for one night.”
Bran’s hands went to his hips as he glared at her. “You’re going into Moriann tomorrow. If you don’t bring these, you won’t have anything new to wear.”
Nollie tensed. I only noticed because I realized I’d been staring at her.
Jaxs and I had gone into Moriann twice, but Nollie hadn’t yet.
Tomorrow was going to be her first time returning.
I knew she was nervous. I told her if she never wanted to go there again, that it was fine.
I could handle the kingdom and whatever she wanted to do with it.
But she just shook her head and told me there were two things she needed to do there.
I didn’t ask her about it, didn’t want to force her to elaborate if she wasn’t ready.
I’d find out tomorrow what she wanted to do, and I’d be there for her whatever it was.
But going to Moriann was going to be hard for her. Even with Dahes and Elion dead, this was far from over for either of us. Our traumas would continue to haunt us, creeping out from the shadows when we least expected it, and her going into Moriann was opening the door to everything she’d buried.
It was one of the reasons I was making us do this tonight. She needed a night away, needed a distraction.
We’d barely been able to talk about anything privately since the Solstice, and I selfishly wanted the night alone with her.
“Does this mean I get to control the monsters?” Jaxs asked, as the main reason for our lack of alone time together burst through the door. Nollie and I both named him second, and I was starting to regret it.
Nollie looked up to find Jaxs grinning broadly, popping some grapes into his mouth. “W-what?”
“You know, since you control the monsters, and you’re going to be busy getting fucked tonight, so if I’m in charge, do I get to control the monsters while you’re gone? I’d been thinking about what I’d want to do with—”
“No,” I growled at Jaxs, cutting off whatever the hell it was he wanted to say. “You don’t get to do anything to or with any of them. Ever.”
I loved Jaxs, but I had never wanted to punch him more than I did right now. Nollie’s cheeks heated, but she looked down at her feet, not saying anything. Fuck. I didn’t want her to think that I was only getting her out of the castle to sleep with her.
After I found out about her past, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she never wanted to have sex, and I was fine with it. I’d take as much of her as she was willing to give me, and I’d never pressure her for more.
I still couldn’t believe it was the Dead King that hurt her, and I’d never been more relieved in my life than knowing she was finally free from the fucking bastard.
“Let’s go,” I said to Nollie, ushering her to the door, then turning back to face Jaxs. “If you do anything stupid while we’re gone, I’m revoking your title.”
Nollie was quiet as we rode on Aura to the safe haven. Everything was a blur from the moment I realized she had left the cabin weeks ago, and it felt surreal going back now.
I had told her what happened with Elion in between the chaos, but we hadn’t fully been able to talk about it. I hadn’t even been able to process it myself.
I was part Wielder, part drakin. Nollie and I both said that we were banning the Imassura. It was one of the first things we did. Anyone could be with anyone. No forced breeding, no sterilization, no more rules against Wielders and drakins.
I had to take my necklace off to prove to everyone that someone born from both could exist. I knew it would take time for change, but I was happy with our decisions so far.
After my demonstration to prove I had a Token, I hadn’t taken my necklace off.
It was a comfort. I’d worn it my whole life, the metal felt grounding against my chest, and I wasn’t ready to give that up.
But I also wore it around Nollie. I didn’t trust my own strength without it—not until I trained, until I knew my limits.
“Do you want a drink?” I asked, making my way to the kitchen when we arrived. The cabin was exactly as I left it.
She nodded, and I watched her take a seat on the sofa before I grabbed a bottle and sat down next to her.
I passed her the bottle, giving her the first sip. Moons knew she needed it. She took a long pull, wincing slightly as it slid down her throat before handing it back to me.
“Are you okay?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Neither of us were okay.
She let out a laugh, but there was no warmth to it. “I’m happy he’s dead, but I kinda wish he wasn’t just so I could kill him again.”
I took a sip from the bottle because I knew exactly what she meant. Hell, I wanted to bring Dahes back just so I could be the one to do it. But I’m glad it was her, glad she was able to get a sliver of relief, even though it’d never be enough.
“Hael,” Nollie said, drawing back my attention. “I think I know who your mother is.”
I didn’t say anything, just waited for her to continue.
“I knew her,” she started, her voice was soft.
“She was the only kind person to me while I was his slave. You said Dahes took her right after your birth and there was this…” she paused, looking up into my eyes, and I could already tell by her expression what she was going to say.
“There was a ghost who had a swollen belly.” She swallowed.
“I think your mother passed away right after. I think that’s why Dahes had her. ”
I nodded. “I figured.”
“I can try to find her if she hasn’t moved on yet. She hadn’t while Dahes was alive so there’s still a chance that she’s—”
“I’m okay with it, Nollie,” I said, cutting her off. “If we find her, great, but I’ve made my peace with not knowing my mother.”
I pulled her against me. “I don’t want to have any more hard conversations tonight,” I said. “I just want to enjoy this. Right now. With you. You’re the only family I care about.”
Nollie’s shoulders didn’t relax and she paused long enough to make me realize she wasn’t done talking.
“You have a question, don’t you?” I laughed.
“Yes. I-uh… I swore Aura could read my mind when I was in MonClem.”
I was silent for a moment. I knew I needed to tell her this, I’d been wanting to, we just never had the opportunity.
“She can,” I said, waiting to gauge her reaction.
Nollie reeled back. “What?”
“We’re Eclipsisian mates,” I explained. “Aura is as much your dragon as she is mine.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again before pulling back more. “Eclipse—what?”
I stood, gently pushing her the rest of the way off my lap as I walked over to the kitchen. I kept the ripped paper I found on Eclipsis Bonds just in case I had the opportunity to tell her.
Nollie’s eyes were wide as she stared back at me, tracking the crumpled up piece of paper in my hand.
“Here,” I said, extending it out to her. “This is all I could find on it. They’re rare. Blessed by the Suns and Moons, but it’s why Aura can read your thoughts. Eventually, if you want to, you’ll be able to sense her too.”
“If I want to…” she repeated, her eyes still downcast on the paper. “And if I don’t?”
“We don’t ever have to complete the bond,” I said, and I meant it. Even if it’d kill me, if she didn’t want it, I’d walk away.
She met my gaze for a moment before skimming the paper again, and I knew she was reading exactly what I had. The bond was for life, once we accepted it, we couldn’t take it back.
A small gasp left her lips as she read what it meant to accept it, what we’d have to do.
Her eyes met mine again and it felt like an eternity waiting for her answer.
“How long have you known?” she asked.
“A while,” I admitted. “Although Aura knew before me.”
“It’s why she let me on her back.”
She didn’t ask it like a question, but I answered anyway. “Yes. It’s why I kept trying to convince you to run. I think even before I confirmed it, I already knew. I couldn’t explain it, but I always had this urge to protect you, and I didn’t want you anywhere near Elion.”
She nodded softly, her lips smacking together.
“We don’t have to, Nollie,” I added. “I can wait if you want to think on it for years, and if you decide you never want to, I’ll understand.”