Chapter 55
Thorne
I could hear their laughter and joy from here. A year ago, it would have angered me, maybe even hurt me.
Now it made me both grateful and sad.
She had found them. And they her. Like it was always meant to be.
And one day I would prove myself worthy of her again.
I sat at my post outside the door. I wouldn’t leave, not for anything. I heard footsteps approaching and stood. The prince—Caelen, I thought his name was.
He stopped a few feet away, his expression cautious.
“Hello,” he said warily.
I nodded, retaking my post.
“Is she up?” he asked me. I heard a giggle coming from inside the room.
“She is, but I wouldn’t go in right now.” I said, my voice calm and detached.
He glanced toward the room and snorted. “Right. Phoenix’s bare ass isn’t something I need burned into my memory.”
A flicker of a smile ghosted across my mouth. “Not just his.”
Caelen blinked. “Gods. Good to know.”
“Is there something I can help you with?” I asked, already half-turning back to the door.
“A message has come. From her mother – from Queen Syrena. She has asked that we meet her.”
My jaw tightened. “Where?”
Caelen grimaced. “I probably should just talk to Ellie or Phoenix.”
I winced—internally. I didn’t let it show.
I knocked. Once. Then again. I wasn’t sure they would open—not to me.
After a beat, the door swung open.
Phoenix stood there, a towel slung low around his hips, hair dripping from the shower, expression stormy enough to curdle blood.
Behind him, I caught a flash of Elira—bare shoulders, short dark curls damp and wild as she towelled them dry.
The glimpse was brief, but enough to make my jaw clench as I looked away, heat creeping up my neck.
Phoenix shut the door behind him with a sharp click, body angled like a wall between me and everything inside. “What?”
“You don’t even answer the door dressed now? Who raised you?” Caelen said dryly, arms crossed.
Phoenix sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “There better be a good reason you’re bothering me right now, Caelen.”
Caelen held up the rolled parchment. “Message from the Queen.”
Phoenix raised a brow. “Since when are you the help?”
“Most of the servants have fled,” Caelen said with a shrug. “Ghost town, remember?”
Phoenix snorted. “Right.”
Then his gaze drifted to me. For a second, the storm in his eyes didn’t ease.
I straightened, meeting it with calm detachment—even as something inside me twisted. “I stayed outside. I didn’t mean to disturb anything.”
“You didn’t,” he said flatly. But his voice didn’t soften. Not yet.
Caelen cleared his throat. “The Queen wants a meeting. I figured it was best delivered to someone who isn’t currently…” he glanced toward the door, “otherwise occupied.”
Phoenix’s mouth twitched like he wanted to smile but couldn’t quite make himself. “Right. Give us ten.”
He turned to go, paused, then looked over his shoulder. “Thorne.”
“Yes?”
“Thanks… for keeping watch.” His tone was neutral. But there was something beneath it. Something not yet forgiveness—but not hatred, either.
I inclined my head. “Always.”
He shut the door again, and I returned to my post—silent, steady.
Waiting.
**
There she was. Elira.
She wore form-fitting black trousers and a soft grey tunic that brought out the silver-blue in her eyes. Her hair was still damp from the shower, curling slightly at the ends.
She saw me and smiled—warm, but tentative. “Hey.”
“Good morning.”
She stepped toward me, instinctively reaching out. I flinched. Just a fraction.
Her hand paused midair. “Sorry. Habit.”
I swallowed the lump in my throat. “It’s okay.”
Her gaze held mine—steady, kind, unflinching. “Is it?”
I nodded, but I wasn’t sure she believed me.
Still, she let it go. Just offered a small smile, and didn’t try to touch me again.
It hurt more than I wanted to admit.
Slade stepped out next, already dressed in dark leathers.
He moved between us without a word, shoulder checking me hard enough to make a point.
I met his eyes.
He didn’t speak.
Just glared—like I was something he hadn’t decided whether to tolerate or crush.
Downstairs, Maddie and Lacey were in the kitchen, cooking.
Lacey leaned in as she chopped fruit, her shoulder brushing Maddie’s. Maddie didn’t seem to mind—she couldn’t seem to stop touching her, in fact. They giggled over something private, a new intimacy sparking between them.
Leo caught the moment and grinned, nudging Maddie as he passed her. She just blushed and hip checked him.
“Sorry folks there isn’t much food. Just fruit and a little bread.” Lacey said. “And we maybe have enough ingredients here for pancakes.”
“The girl can cook,” Maddie said, grinning. “Is there anything you can’t do, Lace?”
Lacey flushed and kissed Maddie’s cheek.
“Sounds good to me,” Elira sighed, sliding into a chair. Maddie stepped up to her and handed her a small cup of herbal tea. I caught the look she sent towards the others.
“What’s this?” Elira asked.
“Moonthorn Tea. Something you might need. That’s all.” Maddie said, her eye flicking between us and the cup. “Trust me.”
Elira suddenly flushed in understanding. “Oh. Right.” She glanced up at Slade who winked at her. “Good call.”
Slade watched her with a smile I’d never seen before—especially as she began piling her plate high.
I watched Elira. In all the time I’d known her, I’d never seen her so calm. So at ease.
The images that had been forced into my mind—the ones that told the truth and the ones that lied— I was beginning to untangle them.
But one thing hadn’t changed.
I was still the outsider.
Still the interloper.
“Tell me you have coffee,” Leo groaned. “I haven’t had a good cup in days.”
“That’s because you puked most of it up on the boat.” Maddie said.
Lacey grinned and poured him a cup.
Only Caelen looked uncomfortable. “So, this meeting…”
“Do we have to talk about it now?” Leo whined. “Can’t we just be happy and celebrate the death of that twisted, power-drunk sack of shit for a few minutes. We should be throwing a godsdamn party!”
Phoenix rolled his eyes. “The queen’s expecting us.”
“I would like to see her,” Elira said softly. “I kind of missed her.”
“We’ll head out once you’ve finished eating,” Slade said, his voice low.
Her face lit up, and she leaned into him. “Still trying to fatten me up, huh?”
“If you’re still hungry, I’ve got something special for you to taste later,” he whispered at her ear, grinning.
Her laugh rang out—light, unguarded. It was beautiful.
Maddie hesitated, glancing between them. “Are we going to tell her about…”
“Kharith?” Elira supplied.
The mark on my arm pulsed—burning faintly, like her name had summoned it.
“We probably should,” Phoenix said.
Elira sighed and traced the gold medallion at her throat with a finger. “It would seem my mother and I have a lot to talk about.”
“She might know something,” Caelen said, eyes narrowing, thoughtfully. “Do you still have the book Phoenix?”
“Yes. Of course,” Phoenix said, like there was never any question. He reached into his pocket and handed it over to Elira.
“Careful with that thing.” Caelen muttered. “It’s a bit unpredictable.”
Elira took it hesitantly. “What happened?”
“A long story,” Phoenix grinned.
Caelen just sent him a smile and elbowed him. “His fault, by the way.”
“What?” Phoenix glared. “You told me to bleed on it you shit – “
“And you did! Whose fault is that?” Caelen shot back.
Phoenix grabbed an orange off the table and chucked it at Caelen’s head.
It hit with a wet smack.
“You two are like children.” Slade growled.
“He started it – “ Caelen grumbled.
Leo nearly doubled over, laughing. “Look at you two being best friends.”
“We are not!” Phoenix snapped.
“He’s an asshole!” Caelen protested.
“Right.” Leo just kept grinning. “You are adorable!”
Caelen threw an apple at his head.
Elira’s hand lingered on the medallion. “Maybe Syrena will know where my father got these. It could be worth asking.”
Elira turned to me. “Thorne, you need to eat too. Here.” She handed me an apple. I took it, uncertainly.
“Elira.”
“Elle.” She said firmly. “And as my sworn guardian, I demand you eat and stay strong. Okay?”
I couldn’t help it. I smiled. “Okay. Elle.”
“Good. Glad that’s sorted. Now come on, we need to go,” Elira said, finishing the last bite of bread.
“Can we stop for coffee on the way?” Leo asked, rubbing his stomach.
“If we survive,” Maddie muttered.
Elira rolled her eyes. “At least pretend to be heroic.”
“Oh, I’ll be heroic,” Leo grinned. “Just caffeinated.”
We left the kitchen, sunlight slanting across the floor behind us.
The past had burned.
Now came whatever rose from the ashes.