Chapter 81
Sana woke to Rhyel and Sune speaking in hushed voices. She frowned, opening her eyes, wondering why Sune's voice wasn't in her head, but his deep baritone murmurs sounded as if he was speaking from a body.
Her eyes adjusted to the bright morning sunlight shining into the darkened room from the teal and sandstone terrace as she slowly slipped out of bed.
A tall dark figure with skin as black and opaque as a starless night sky and thin white angular wings folded against the figure's back, shimmering with a gold hue.
Her heart thumped as she recognized the figure's fluffy white antennae that sprouted from his white oval shaped head and deep black eyes.
Ember...is that...Sune?
Sana said, tugging on the thin purple robe hanging beside the bed as she stood.
It is...it would seem that our moth has transformed into his true self. Which is odd because I can't remember ever seeing a Tsidian moth transform like that in our realm... Something strange is happening, Sana.
She nodded as she shuffled across the cool tiled floor to the terrace.
Of course there is. I'm sure last night changed a lot of lives.
A smile tugged at her lips as she stepped out onto the terrace and was greeted by Rhyel's bright blue eyes, warm smile and his black ridged horns gleaming in the sunshine.
Yes indeed, Sana. I believe Kaladin and Rhyel have finally merged as one.
"Good morning, Sana," Rhyel said, wrapping his arm around her waist, pulling her close and pressing a kiss against her head. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm feeling alright," she said, leaning into him. "Thank you for finding me and healing me." She reached up to trail her fingers over his horns. "I'm assuming you and Kal have become one now?"
Rhyel nodded. "We have. My horns will always be on display now I guess," he said, hanging his head in shame. "But I'm ashamed that it took you being in danger like that for us to merge."
"It's not something you should be ashamed of and I'm glad your horns will always be on display," she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "I like them."
"I'm glad you do and I'm so glad you're alright," he said, sliding his hand to her cheek. "I was scared I failed you like I did in the vision."
Sana slid her hand over his as Ember purred in her mind at the affection swirling in his depths. "But you didn't," she whispered, leaning up and pressing a soft kiss against his lips. "And I don't think you ever could."
"No, I couldn't," he murmured against her lips before leaning away from her with a smile tugging at his lips. "And as much as I'd like to indulge in this moment with you, I think I should re-introduce you to Sune."
A blush burned over Sana's cheeks. She planned on addressing Sune and his appearance the moment she stepped onto the terrace, but it was hard not to get caught up in Rhyel and his woodsy scent, his warm embrace and alluring features.
Of course, he is a beautiful dragon and he's all ours.
Sune chuckled, holding out his hand to her. "Little flame, there's no need for you to be embarrassed. You and Rhyel have much to discuss and it's only natural that you are enraptured by his new appearance."
"Yes, but Sune," Sana said, taking his black opaque hand that was soft, smooth and colder than she imagined it would be. "Look at you. I-I never knew you could look like this."
He nodded. "This is my true form, my Lady," he said, clasping his other hand over hers while his big black eyes shone with glee and his small mouth curled into a smile. "It's very rare for a Tsidian moth to take this form on this plane and I wouldn't have this ability if it weren't for you."
Sana frowned as she trailed her eyes over his pearly white face, his long fuzzy antenna and his smooth black skin that seemed to absorb light instead of reflect it.
"What do you mean?" she said as the memory of Aneera's attack came to the forefront of her mind.
Tears pricked the corners of her eyes as she squeezed Sune's hand. "I-I thought you died," she whispered.
"I did and I will always regret not being strong enough to protect you.
I failed you, my little flame," Sune said, catching her tear on his thumb.
"But your blood brought me back and gave me the power to use my true form in this plane.
" He leaned forward, pressing his forehead against hers.
"I promise to be a better guardian to you and to never leave you unprotected. I'm so sorry."
Sana shook her head and wrapped her arms around Sune, hugging him tight.
"You don't have to apologize. I'm just glad you're here and you're alive," she murmured against his cool chest before she leaned away, looking up into his eyes.
"And I don't want you or anyone to have to protect me anymore.
I'm going to protect myself, so I'm glad my blood brought you back to life. I'm glad I could protect you."
Sune's eyes grew wide. "I'm glad you could too, but Sana, while I'm proud that you want to protect yourself, your gifts aren't something that I or Rhyel could ever fathom leaving you to fend for yourself," he said, looking over her head to Rhyel.
"Right, my Lord? You wouldn't leave your phoenix unprotected. "
"No, of course not." Rhyel scoffed, standing behind Sana and sliding a hand on her shoulder.
"But I'm going to respect her wishes to protect herself.
Just because she is the Erius of Zarathos doesn't mean she isn't still the Lady of Darcanos.
She has a duty to become the General of the Darcanos warriors and so, she will need to be able to fight and therefore, be able to protect herself. "
Pride and adoration sweep over Sana while Ember trilled with glee inside of her.
Our dragon truly understands us and isn't it wonderful to feel seen and heard?
Sliding her hand over Rhyel's, Sana grinned.
Yes it is.
"Thank you, my Lord." Her heart thumped and simmered as she looked up at him. There was something in his gaze that caused a flurry of tingles to sweep down her spine. It felt like there was more than love swirling in his depths, but she couldn't be sure what it was.
It's our bond, Sana. It may only be a bond between our hearts, but it is still very powerful.
"Of course," he said, sliding his hand down to her waist further fueling the warm tingles simmering in her veins.
Goodness, would she always feel this captivated by him now?
You act as if Rhyel hasn't always affected you like this.
Ember chuckled softly, her flame shimmering in joy.
But no, we won't always feel so captivated by him like this. Our bond is still settling and last night's attack was the first true test of our connection.
"It's not as if you won't have two dragons, an army of wolves, the Grensea serpents and the Barshaa seers along with Sune watching out for you while you learn how to protect yourself." Rhyel grinned. "So, there's nothing for you to worry about. Your chosen is well protected, Sune."
Sana frowned, looking between Sune and Rhyel. "What do you mean two dragons?"
"As I said, little flame, you and Rhyel have much to discuss," Sune said, pressing a kiss against her knuckles as he spread his wings. "And I will leave you to it while I speak with Lord Dante and General Zena about the deadly stones and amulets that were planted at the Lightbourne estate."
Sana watched as Sune flew from the terrace and disappeared around the palace. She turned to Rhyel with an eyebrow raised. "What really happened last night? I mean besides Aneera trying to kill me and you merging with your dragon."
Rhyel took a deep breath and the glee in his eyes dimmed.
"Last night was...carnage, Sana," he said, dragging a hand through his hair.
"I'm not sure how, but I think Lord Zehev and Lady Kieka laced the ceremony with basilisk amulets and gave Aneera the tools to attack you.
" He shook his head. "I should've been more prepared for something like that to happen because I was already suspicious of Lord Zehev for the breach in the wall, but I.
..I let my guard down because I started to doubt the Issians were the culprit of the darkness in the future I lived through. "
Taking her hand, he caressed her palm. "The only reason I was able to focus on finding you was because of Lord Vassan. He's the last living dragon of the Qadim clan and your last known relative from the Zarathos coven."
Sana's eyes grew wide and her heart thumped as the hairs on the back of her neck rose. "Wh-what? I-I have...I have family?" she said, squeezing his hand as hope bloomed in her chest. "Is he here? Can I see him?"
"Yes, he's here." Rhyel nodded. "And he's very eager to meet you."
Tears pricked the corners of Sana's eyes. "And...and you're sure he's my kin?"
Ember, do you remember Lord Vassan?
Ember hummed as if she were in thought.
I can't say that I do...but my memories are still very fuzzy.
"Yes, I'm sure," Rhyel said, smiling, catching a lone tear that rolled down her cheek. "It took me a little while to remember him, but he and I were very good friends in my past life as Kaladin."
Then Lord Vassan must've been very close to me too, but I wonder how we're related?
Ember murmured.
I don't care. We have family in this life, Ember. We're not the only Zarathians.
A bright smile spread across Sana's lips as she squeezed Rhyel's hand. "Then I'd very much like to meet Lord Vassan."
Rhyel brought her hand to his lips. "As you wish, my Lady."
Uma, Kezi and Eula fussed over Sana in between hugs and joyful tears that she was alright from the attack while they got her dressed for the day.
They told her how Lyra had been upset for her, but the start of her Troya's marriage was a little rocky since Lyra failed to tell him that she knew what Aneera was planning.
"Maybe Lyra didn't think Aneera would do anything like that?
" Sana shrugged. "And it doesn't surprise me that she didn't say anything.
Why would she care if something happened to me?
And those tears she shed weren't for me, either," she said, laughing softly.
"Those tears were for Troya and how he would perceive her because she knew something and didn't tell him. "
Uma scoffed. "You're right and that's what I told Lord Dante and Lady Inés," she said, leaning against the vanity while Kezi braided Sana's hair. "They seemed to understand, but I feel bad for Troya because he loves her so much and I don't think he ever saw her true nature."
"I'm so sorry, my Lady," Eula said, shaking her head as she steamed a skirt of flowing cream and orange silk layers with a matching cropped halter top with vibrant beads of teal, orange and red bedazzling the fabric.
"I knew your family wasn't very kind to you, but I never thought your sisters would do something as heinous as last night. "
"There's nothing for you to apologize for, Eula," Sana said, looking at her through the mirror.
"They've never really been my family. Uma was my first sister and then I met you, Kezi and Zena and I consider you my sisters too.
" She smiled. "I have a new family now. One that I got to choose for myself and I know none of you would ever hurt me like they did. "
"Never, my Lady," Kezi said, wrapping her arms around her shoulders. "And I'm so honored that you consider us as your sisters."
"Yes, my Lady." Eula sniffed and nodded. "We'd never hurt you and we will always be your family."
Uma smiled. "You know I'll always be here for you," she said, taking her hand. "And I'm happy to know you have Eula and Kezi to look after you when I can't, but now there's someone who's truly of your blood and I hope Lord Vassan loves you like your family never could."
Kezi chuckled softly, squeezing Sana's shoulders. "Lord Vassan is certainly a loveable fellow and so full of life."
Sana raised an eyebrow as her heart thumped in excitement. "You met him already?"
"We have, yes." Kezi giggled as she bit her lip. "He will be an interesting addition to the castle."
"Mm-hm, he sure will," Eula said, laughing as she shook her head. "He's a good man, my Lady."
"Yes, but we shouldn't say anything else," Uma said, patting her hand. "You need to make your own judgments about him and get to know him."
"Yes, that's true," Sana said, getting up from the chair as Eula and Uma helped her get dressed. "I'm just curious and excited to meet someone from my coven and if you three like him, I'm sure I will too."
A soft knock rapped against the door as Eula tied the thick cream straps of her halter into a neat bow. "I'm sure that's my Lord, are you ready?" she said, smoothing out her skirts.
Sana nodded. "Yes, I'm ready," she said, smiling as Kezi answered the door and Rhyel filled the doorway dressed in robes of cream and orange that brought out his tanned skin and his black horns that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight streaming through the hallway.
Her stomach fluttered as she gazed at him and heat traveled up her neck to her cheeks. She had always thought he was a beautiful man, but this bond heightened his features and she yearned to be near him, wrapped in his arms far more than usual.
Letting out a slow breath to calm her hankering thoughts for him, she smoothed a hand over her skirts as she crossed the room and took his offered hand.
Ember's ardent purr vibrated through her veins as he thread his fingers through hers as if just his touch was enough to quench these desirous feelings she was developing for him.
"Lord Vassan is waiting for us in the veranda on the beach," he said as they strolled through the halls and down the white tiled steps to the main floor of the palace.
"I'm sorry to tell you this, Sana, but after you meet Vassan, we also need to discuss what you want to do about our alliance with Lightbourne.
" He sighed, caressing the back of her hand.
"Lord Kai and Lord Sirius have sent a message requesting an audience with us to discuss how we're going to help them rebuild their estate. "
Sana's heart thumped as she squeezed his hand.
"What?" she said as they walked beneath the domed hallway toward the terrace leading to the beach while the palace staff bowed and gazed at them in awe.
"Did they even ask if I was okay? Did they care or was the message purely about rebuilding their home?
" She scoffed, shaking her head. She didn't want anything to do with her brother or Sirius.
She'd already decided she wanted to end the alliance with them.
"What do they need our help for anyway? My father has enough money to rebuild Lightbourne himself. "
"Actually...he doesn't. Kai brokered the alliance with Darcanos because Lightbourne is quite destitute and aligning themselves with a wealthy house like ours, they are hoping we will use our coffers to help them," Rhyel said as they walked along the warm sand toward the white stone veranda with a canopy of gold silk blowing softly in the wind.
"And no, they didn't ask if you were okay and I don't believe they cared. "
Sana pursed her lips as anger bubbled in her veins. "I want to read the message they sent after I meet Lord Vassan and then we'll discuss what to do."
"Of course, my Lady," Rhyel said, nodding. "I'm happy to do whatever you think is best."
She squeezed his hand as she gazed into his warm azure eyes. "Thank you."
"Lady Sana." A deep rumbling voice full of joy called and her heart thumped as she tore her gaze away from Rhyel to the tall burly man with deep brown skin, violet eyes that matched his purple robes.
His vibrant crimson red hair had faint streaks of moonlight flowing through his long locks that were braided back from his face and white ridged horns curled out of his head, matching his webbed wings folded behind him.
"My long lost cousin," he said with his eyes shining with unshed tears as he bowed. "I'm so honored to finally meet you."
A/N: I'm loving Sana's budding confidence in this chapter.
I love that she was honest about how she felt about protecting herself and that Rhyel is behind her and supporting whatever she wants to do.
I also love this new attraction she has for him.
I mean we all know she's always been attracted to Rhyel, but this feels.
...a bit more...????????if you know what I mean.
..or maybe that's just me bc I'm so ready for their relationship to develop physically ???? Anywayyyy I'm also glad Sana isn't acting naive or stupid about Lyra's big 'ol tears for her.
I'm also excited for her to get to know Vassan! !