CHAPTER 32 #3
“After the patrols came in, I was searching for you. But you suddenly showed up to the morning’s gathering as if nothing was wrong,” Edmund continued, pacing back and forth.
“I thought you were stolen away, or worse—” He paused and took a breath before the words spilled out.
“There hasn’t been a single moment until now to talk to you.
And even then, I’m supposed to be leaving and heading this expedition soon. ”
“Edmund, I’m right here,” Lenore said softly. She hesitated, then reached out and took his hand in hers. Stepping closer, she lifted one hand to his cheek. Her fingers gently brushed over Edmund’s skin, tracing the rough texture of the scars that marred it. “It’s okay,” she soothed.
Edmund stared at her, the tense worry that had him spiraling diminishing as their gazes held each other.
His eyes softened. Lenore’s heartbeat began to race as Edmund’s own hand covered hers on his cheek.
Just as she shyly turned her head away, she squeaked in surprise when she felt herself being pulled close to his chest and into a tight embrace. Lenore went still, cheeks blazing.
“You had me losing my mind,” Edmund muttered. “Thank the Moon’s Sovereign, you’re alright.”
“I-I’m alright,” Lenore said. She didn’t know where else to put her face other than burying it against Edmund’s chest. Slowly, she wrapped her own arms around him, sighing softly as his scent enveloped her senses.
Comfort and security washed over her, and she found there was no other place she’d rather be.
The pair stood there for a minute longer, the reality of their intimacy slowly sinking in.
Before Lenore fell to the temptation of nuzzling her face against him, she cleared her throat and reluctantly began to pull away.
The same reluctance was etched into Edmund’s face.
She felt him hesitate to let go—his hold tightening briefly instead.
Lenore nearly sucked in a breath. When he forced himself to release her, both of them stared at each other with flushed cheeks and red-tipped ears, neither looking away.
She leaned in again, her hand reaching out. Edmund froze. His hands slowly rose at his side until Lenore’s fingers touched his cloak, plucking a leaf from the dark fabric. She lingered a moment—brushing off his cloak with a gentle touch before she pulled back.
“There was a leaf stuck on your cloak,” she said.
“Oh. Uh. Thanks.”
“S-so,” Lenore started. “You were that worried about me?”
“I—maybe,” Edmund said quickly. “Moving on, I want to know where you were last night. I want to know before I have to leave.”
“You’re already leaving?” The words escaped her in a sad whine. It spurred Edmund to take a step closer to her, unwilling to leave her side.
His voice dropped to a whisper. “I have to.” He gritted his teeth in reluctance, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “So where were you last night?”
Lenore inched closer, nervously fiddling with her dress as she said, “Well... would you believe me if I said I went back to where we saw Charie?”
“You did?” Edmund’s gaze swept over her instantly. “Did you get hurt anywhere? That was where the ravens were!”
“Mm, yes, funny thing—I accidentally triggered them.”
“What?!” His hushed voice was sharp. “Are you serious?”
“Unfortunately,” she mumbled. “I wasn’t alone.
Ryker and Hesper showed up.” Edmund grew tense, his eyes widening by a fraction before his expression hardened.
Lenore continued, “I hid from them but one of the ravens saw me and was about to warn the others.” A dry chuckle escaped her.
“Then I threw my moon jelly and that’s when all the ravens came out to try and eat it.
I managed to escape before they found me. ”
One of Edmund’s hands brushed past his forehead and through his hair. His shoulders dropped. “Stars, Lenore.”
“Stars, indeed,” Lenore whispered as she held one of her arms.
He released a tight exhale. “What were Ryker and Hesper doing?”
She looked out beyond where the light couldn’t reach.
“They were… harvesting umbral thistles—that’s also what Charie was doing that night.
I think that’s the source of what infected Auden—and it could be what was infused in the moon jellies.
” The corners of her eyes tightened. “When I touched the jelly, it stung my fingers like how the umbral thistle did to my ankle.”
“... Everyone except us ate it,” Edmund said quietly. His eyes darted back and forth as he clenched his jaw. “Damn it. What if that turns them into a Lucyn?”
“Auden never turned into one—at least, I don’t think so.” Lenore swallowed nervously as Edmund frowned inquisitively.
“Did you overhear Ryker and Hesper say that?”
Lenore’s fingers dug into her palms. “No… it wasn’t that.
” She raised her right arm as she pulled her sleeve down.
“These scars I got from the Lucyn—it—it warns me when there’s one nearby.
I don’t know why or how, but it’s the effect that’s been stuck with me ever since I got turned.
” Her fingers squeezed her sleeve. “Ryker and Hesper… they’re Lucyn. ”
Edmund’s brows lowered, a shadow falling over his gaze. The lights of the street lanterns subtly flickered. Lenore bit her lip, anxious to hear his thoughts.
“I can’t believe you’ve been carrying that burden this entire time,” he said. His face turned troubled—the worry from before returning into his eyes. “You were dealing with this alone from the start then.”
“I’m just glad you don’t think I’m some raving lunatic,” Lenore admitted. The deep relief she felt was impossible to put into words.
“Those words wouldn’t be on the list of how I’d describe you,” Edmund said.
Before Lenore could ruminate on what he did think of her, he continued to speak.
“I never thought I’d hear the names of werewolves I’ve known for a long time.
” His voice turned somber, eyes distant.
A flicker of sadness crossed his gaze, fading into hardened resolve.
“... But it explains all their recent actions.”
Lenore listened quietly. A pang of sorrow tightened in her chest. She couldn’t fully imagine how he felt—and the foreboding realization that his pack members would stand against him.
“Then Auden,” Edmund spoke up again. “If he isn’t a Lucyn…”
“I think the umbral thistle—and it’s just a theory—but maybe it’s what’s been used to mask whoever has chosen to become a Lucyn as normal werewolves.
But for others that haven’t…” She thought back to what Azelf said.
“I think it might influence or attack their mind. Or something that puts them under…”
“... Arisa’s control,” Edmund finished. His eyes widened with clarity. “If that’s the case, it’s all making sense.” A quiet growl escaped him. “She isn’t just a Lucyn then.”
He looked into Lenore’s eyes. “If I’m being honest, hearing all of this makes me rather stay and start investigating with you, but it’s only going to raise suspicion.
” His jaw clenched. Heavy were the words that came next.
“I need you to be the one to find out what’s really going on behind all of this. ”
Lenore’s shoulders jerked back. “Me?” With wide eyes, she hastily tried to refuse. “No, no, Edmund, I almost got caught—”
“I know.” The words came out painfully strained—and for a moment, he looked ready to take it all back, as if he couldn’t bear to ask this of her.
Lenore knew he wasn’t making this decision lightly.
“But you didn’t. You’re more than capable,” he said.
“You’ve already shown that. It’s a blessing that you’ve come from the outside—your perception is clearer.
” Lenore would’ve blushed from his praise if it wasn’t for the context behind it.
“You have an in already,” he continued. “If Charie was willing to warn you, then don’t ignore it. ”
“... So this is why you announced Arisa’s joining you on the search party,” Lenore murmured. “I had a feeling she didn’t volunteer herself at all.”
“No, she didn’t. But I don’t usually wait for any werewolf to raise their paws,” Edmund replied. He chuckled dryly. “It wasn’t out of the ordinary.” He paused, then added quietly, “It’ll be some days before I get back.”