Violet
9 AM
I fumbled with the scarf around my neck for what felt like the hundredth time this morning, huffing and puffing as we stood outside, waiting to say our goodbyes to the Bloodrose.
At last, Fergus and the pack would finally travel back home today. Though the morning sun was bright and warm against my skin, an occasional breeze forced me to keep the scarf in place.
I kept adjusting it, and the more I touched it, the more paranoid I became that everyone could see exactly what I was trying to hide. The mark. Kylan’s mark.
“Stop making it so obvious,” Kylan spoke beside me. I scoffed and looked up at him, immediately meeting that stupid smirk on his face, the one that made me want to kiss him and punch him at the same time.
He was enjoying all of this a bit too much. I let out a soft grunt and looked ahead again. The courtyard was filled with the pack, servants, and guards. They all moved back and forth, loading luggage while I was trying not to lose my mind.
My eyes landed on Dylan and Trinity, who were both talking to Fergus and Sonya. The smallest smile reached my lips as they pulled both of them into a warm hug.
Fergus hugging Dylan, or anyone for that matter, was still a strange occurrence. It was safe to say this trip had really changed him.
All of us would be leaving for Starlight later. Me, Kylan, Dylan, Trinity, and Nate. We had decided to travel together by jet. Back to school and normal life, whatever that even meant anymore.
A frustrated growl escaped me as the itch returned. “I’m dying over here,” I whispered, scratching at my neck through the scarf. A low chuckle came from beside me.
“Violet?” Fergus called out.
My head snapped forward again, and all eyes were on me. I put on my best smile and took Kylan’s hand to join the others.
Goddess, I really, really hoped they wouldn’t notice.
My heart stopped beating for a second as Uncle Ewan passed us on the way, ruffling my hair. “Good job, kids.”
Good job?
Good job on what?
I shot him a smile as he continued toward one of the cars.
Would he have noticed?
No, I doubted it. Beta or not, Uncle Ewan was one of the kindest, but certainly not the brightest.
He was the only one who had been completely unbothered this entire trip, treating the whole thing like some kind of vacation. Then again, he treated everything like a vacation.
We had reached the others, and there was this silence. We all glanced at each other. Everyone knew someone needed to say something, but nobody wanted to be the first. What would we talk about?
The king, who was in the dungeons, or the fact that I would actually miss them this time and wished to spend more time with them.
“I can’t get over how awkward this family is,” Trinity said, swinging her arms in the air. My cheeks flushed as Kylan’s hand pressed against my lower back, urging me to do something.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted. “For causing so much trouble.”
Sonya laughed softly, and Fergus let out this long hum. “There are individuals who owe me an apology,” he said. “But you are certainly not one of them, Violet.”
Then he opened his arms, pulling both Sonya and me in. For a second, I forgot about the scarf and melted into the hug, pressing my face against his chest. He smelled like pine and something earthy. Home.
“It’s always hard to let go of my only daughter, but it brings me peace to know you’ll be taken care of.”
My breath hitched hearing those words.
His arms wrapped around me tight, one hand cradling the back of my head like I was still a little girl.
“Come here, Kylan,” he said over my shoulder, implying Kylan should join. “Or is it Your Majesty now?”
A chuckle escaped me because I knew exactly how much Kylan hated stuff like this. Group hugs, public displays of affection, basically anything that made him seem soft in front of other people.
But he did it anyway.
I felt his warmth as he wrapped an arm around both of us, and Fergus made a satisfied sound. He did really seem to be fond of him.
“I’m not king yet,” Kylan corrected. “Thankfully.”
“The only thing holding you back from that title is a crown,” Trinity shrugged.
“And I hope it stays that way for a long time,” Kylan responded.
King…
Those words hit me harder than I expected. Trinity was right, though. He had shifted all responsibility to Cecilia because he was determined to finish Starlight, but if he really wanted to, he could announce himself as king.
Which would make me…
Nope, not yet.
I was way too young to be queen. Way too unprepared, inexperienced, immature.
Fergus pressed a kiss to the top of my head, pulling me out of my spiral. “I want all of you to visit before the pup gets here,” he said.
“We will,” I said, pulling away. My gaze connected with Sonya, who had the softest smile on her face. “I can look you in the eye and promise that I will be one of the first to hold my sibling—”
“After me, of course,” Dylan interrupted.
“And you should come too, Kylan,” Fergus decided. “No offense, but the next time I come here will probably be when?” Fergus continued, stroking his chin. “Your marking ceremony, I assume.” His eyes found mine. “But I trust that won’t be for a long, long time.”
Well…
A high-pitched laugh escaped me, and my hand flew to my neck to scratch the scarf as the itch suddenly returned.
‘Stop scratching your neck.’
I froze.
Kylan…
That was Kylan, in my head. Through the mind link. I hated people being inside my head. I despised it, absolutely hated it as every Bloodrose probably did, but this I didn’t mind. He could be inside my head all he wanted.
Lumia laughed low inside me, amused by my shock.
I dropped my hand and tried to keep my face neutral even though I wanted to grin from ear to ear. All of this was new, but kind of amazing.
‘He won’t hurt you. Did he not encourage you to mark me?’
‘Yes, but I’m afraid that doesn’t stop him from wanting to kill me,’ Kylan’s voice echoed in my mind again. ‘He has been searching for a good reason for a while now. So please, control your…itch.’
I burst out laughing before I could stop myself, slapping a hand over my mouth.
Dylan squinted, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing.” I cleared my throat, waving a dismissive hand. “Just thought of something funny.”
He didn’t look all too convinced, but thankfully let it go.
The next few minutes were full of more hugs and goodbyes. We all watched as Fergus and Sonya climbed into one of the cars along with Uncle Ewan and the rest of the Bloodrose behind them.
Not long after, engines started, and the cars disappeared down the long driveway until there was nothing left in the distance.
“I will miss them,” Trinity sighed. “Your dad is just adorable, isn’t he?”
“Not really,” Dylan said dryly. “I’ll miss my mom, though.”
The four of us walked back toward the palace entrance. “I hope you have a lot of scarves, by the way,” Dylan said casually.
“Huh, scarves?” I asked, flustered.
He gave me a nod. “So you can, like, alternate. Because if you two are trying to hide the obvious, you’re doing a terrible job.”
He knew?
My whole body went stiff. Kylan and I turned to each other. I panicked, but he had a calm smile on his lips.
The biggest reaction was Trinity’s. She released a loud squeal. “No way!”
It had all happened so fast, but she was already reaching for my scarf, her fingers grabbing at the silk. “I don’t believe you. Well, I believe you. I don’t believe Kylan. Let me see!”
“Keep your voice down,” I whispered, grabbing her wrists. I looked around frantically to make sure no one else was watching.
“Yes, okay. I’m sorry!” she whispered back, jumping up and down. She pulled me into a hug, and I felt her curls bounce against my skin with every hop. “I’m just so happy for you! This is huge.”
She finally let go of me only to move straight to Kylan, wrapping him in the same bone-crushing hug. Rather than being awkward about it, Kylan just wrapped his arms around her. I suppose he had gotten used to it by now. “I thought the two of you would wait until you were eighty.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Dramatic, but true.
My eyes found Dylan. He had his hands in his pockets, this unbothered expression on his face as he watched me. He didn’t seem all that surprised.
“Congrats,” he mumbled. “But if you come to regret it and want me to kill him for you—”
“Dylan!”
Kylan’s eyes found his over Trinity’s shoulder, brows raised. Dylan raised his hands in surrender. “All you’ve got to do is say the word. Just saying.”
“I think I got it,” I smiled.
He finally cracked a smile.
Trinity released Kylan from her death grip. “This is so…you,” she said, looking between us. “Doing it without a ceremony, without telling anyone, and being all secretive—”
“We didn’t plan it,” I said. “It just sort of happened.”
“That’s exactly what I mean.” She gestured between us. “You two have never done anything the normal way. Why would this be any different?”
Dylan snorted. “You have a point,” he said. “But it isn’t Violet. It’s Kylan,” he concluded. “Let’s not forget how long it took for him to claim her in na—”
“Okay, we can all move on now,” Kylan interrupted. I could hear the annoyance in his voice. His hand found my lower back again, warm but firm. “As entertaining as this is, we still have a few more things to pack.”
Trinity nodded, finally calming down. “So do we,” she said. “And I did so much shopping. I don’t even know where half my stuff ended up.”
“Then we'd better get moving,” Dylan chuckled, already walking away while pulling Trinity with him. She looked over her shoulder, her lips parted as if she still had so much more to say. So much more to ask.
I released a breath. “I don’t think this conversation is over. Trinity loves…details. She’ll have a lot of questions.”
I turned to him just in time to catch the slow, exhausted breath that slipped past his lips, but there was a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. “I’m already looking forward to it.”
He was not.
~
10.35 AM
My eyes scanned the empty room and our suitcases while Kylan moved around behind me, gathering the last things.
So this was really it…
Jumpie was perched on Thorne’s back, both of them resting on top of one of Kylan’s suitcases near the window. They were being civil today. A miracle, honestly.
My mind drifted as I stared at Kylan’s back, a soft smile forming on my lips. He looked so calm in that moment, and it was everything I wanted. For him. For us.
To finally breathe.
I truly believed leaving Lyperia would be for the better because too much had happened since we got here.
The mountains, the trial, Baelor, the king locked away in the dungeons refusing to tell us about the box, Chrystal, Kian disappearing with Camille… too much.
It had all been so intense that we hadn’t really talked about it. At least not properly. Maybe we all just needed to breathe first. There was still a lot that was uncertain, but at least one thing wasn’t. I would be going back with a mark, and no one could take that away.
My fingers drifted to my neck again, and a low chuckle came from across the room. “It’s not magically going to vanish, Pup.”
“I know.”
I kept my gaze on him, watching him grab a bag from the corner. A small one that had been sitting there for a while now. I hadn’t really paid that much attention to it before, but judging by his grip, it must’ve been special to him, and it made me curious.
“What’s in that anyway?”
Kylan froze. He moved the bag behind his back and turned around slowly, his jaw twitching. “Nothing. Just…stuff,” he played it off. “It’s not important.”
He was lying. I could feel this pulse of embarrassment that definitely wasn’t coming from me. But why? What could be in that bag that would make him like this?
“Whatever it is, I hope you’ll show it to me one day,” I said, smiling. “Perhaps later on our way back.”
“Maybe,” he mumbled. I walked over to him, sliding my arms around his shoulders and pressing my forehead against his. He relaxed into me immediately, his hands finding my waist.
“How are you feeling about leaving home?”
“I’m happy to leave this place behind,” he said quietly after a moment of thought. His thumb traced circles on my hip. “I don’t want to leave my sisters…my mom, my people,” he admitted. “But I’m ready to leave behind most of it. Everything that has been holding me down.”
“Yes?”
He gave me a nod. “Yes, and next time we stand here, we’ll stand here differently.” His nose brushed against mine. “Prepared.”
Prepared…
What did that even mean?
Prepared to rule the kingdom together?
I patted his chest with a soft smile.
“Are you ready to go?”
“I am.”
I pulled back and moved toward the suitcases, reaching down to grab the handles. Kylan’s hand caught mine before I could.
“Right,” I remembered. “You’ve got people for that.”
It had also been like that the first day.
He hummed, lacing his fingers through mine, and pulled me toward the door, leaving the suitcases behind. Before we left, I glanced back over my shoulder one last time, taking in the room where everything had changed.
Then I turned around and didn’t look back again.
~
As we walked through the Lyperian halls, my eyes took in everything one last time. The marble floor, high ceilings, and the paintings on the wall. I didn’t know when I’d be back here, but I wanted to remember it. All of it.
We had reached the end of the corridor when giggles filled the space.
“That’s Kaelis,” I said, tugging at his hand. “She must be with Nate.”
Kylan gave a slight roll of his eyes, but it was not enough to protest, as I was already dragging him around the corner, and there they were.
Nate and Kaelis, completely wrapped up in each other. Nate had his arms around her waist, hugging her so tight, like he couldn’t bear to let go. Then he lifted her off the ground and spun her slightly, and the giggle that left Kaelis made my heart soften.
They looked so happy. So in love, like nothing else in the world existed except the two of them. It was strange seeing Nate like this, but definitely not out of character. He did have a lot of love to give.
An annoyed hum came from Kylan beside me, but when I glanced up at him, his expression had gone gentle. I was still not sure whether he liked this bond or not. I couldn’t exactly feel it either.
“I don’t think I can allow you to leave,” Kaelis sighed. Nate chuckled as he set her down. Then he cupped her face and kissed her. Slow at first, then deeper, his fingers sliding into her hair while she grabbed at the front of his shirt.
She made a sound against his mouth that we probably weren’t supposed to hear. They didn’t notice our presence, and it was getting a little too intimate to watch.
When Nate’s hand lowered, Kylan wasn’t having any of it and coughed loudly. So loudly Nate pulled away so fast he almost tripped. His eyes widened as he turned to stare at us, and his face went red.
Kaelis didn’t seem to mind much. She grabbed him by the collar again and pulled him back in, pressing one last kiss to his lips. “Just ignore him,” she said. “It will take him some time to get used to this.”
“I don’t care what the two of you are up to,” Kylan said, rolling back his shoulders. He tried to sound casual about it but failed miserably, and I had to press my lips together to keep from laughing.
He cleared his throat. “What I do care about is the plane we have to catch, so…”
“Yes, sure,” Nate said. He took Kaelis’s hand and looked down at the ring on her finger with a soft smile. His ring.
Although it hadn’t been long since he had left the dungeons, he looked good. Actually, better than he had in weeks. Whatever damage these past days had done was more mental than physical, and being with Kaelis seemed to be the cure. I really hoped it would stay this way.
We all started walking together. Nate and Kaelis moved in front of us, their fingers intertwined.
“Vivi,” Nate said, looking behind him. His honey eyes found mine, and a warm smile curled on his lips. “If you’re trying to hide that mark, you’re going to have to try a bit harder.”
So they knew…
Of course they knew. Nate practically knew everything about him. He probably knew from the moment those two exchanged glances after his own ceremony. It must have been a silent encouragement for Kylan to do the same.
“Or you can just not hide it,” Kaelis said, showing off her mark. “I want everyone to see mine.”
Kylan released a soft scoff. “That’s good for you, but we have decided to do it this way—”
“And it suits you,” Nate finished. “I’m proud of you. Both of you.”
He and Kylan did that thing again. That look that even a mate bond couldn’t get through or try to understand.
“I do feel kind of bad for Mom,” Kaelis shrugged. “She was looking forward to the royal ceremony. The dress, flowers—”
“If anything,” I cut in, “the entourage you two had waiting outside your door last night convinced me I definitely didn’t want one.”
Kaelis gasped. “That was tradition!”
“It was…something.”
“It was beautiful!”
“There were like a hundred people standing in the hallway listening to you two—”
“Okay!” Kylan held up a hand. “I think we get it, Pup. We don’t need to relive that.”
A flush appeared on Nate’s cheeks, one Kaelis kissed away with a laugh.
“With Starlight being a Kaelis-free zone, you’ll be able to breathe again, Nate,” Kylan commented, teasing his sister. “Good for you.”
It was supposed to be a joke, but that joke only made Nate’s grip around her hand even tighter. It didn’t really look like he wanted to let go of her either. Nate shook his head. “Hey, let’s not talk about her like that,” he scolded softly. He had said it so kindly there was even a smile on his lips.
Kylan responded with a chuckle. I was sure he felt conflicted. A bit bothered that he couldn’t joke around about her anymore, but at ease knowing that Nate had his sister’s back.
“I bet you didn’t see that one coming,” Kaelis sang, grinning. “Also, haven’t you heard the good news?”
His jaw tightened. “What news?”
“Madam Renata recommended Sora and Lian for the transfer program at Starlight Academy.” Her grin widened. “And Mom agreed that I can join them. We just have to pass the entrance exam first, which I will, and then Nate and I never have to be apart again.”
She looked up at Nate, who pulled her closer. “That’s right.”
“If everything works out,” she continued, “I should be there by Bloom term.”
Bloom term?
That would already be in a few months.
“Ah, that’s wonderful news,” Kylan said flatly.
I felt his emotions. This tiny flicker of jealousy that he was trying very hard to hide. Cute.
Having them at Starlight would be great. Madam Renata had done quite a lot. Recommending the girls, protecting them during the trial. She really had no reason to, but she did it anyway. The best thing was to leave such an impact on someone that they had a change of heart, because that’s what happened to her. Her heart had softened.
The halls opened up, a bright light appeared, and suddenly we were outside, back in the courtyard where everyone was waiting for us.
“That’s…a lot of people,” I commented.
The mistresses stood in a line with their children, along with more familiar faces from the court. At the very front, Queen Cecilia stood beside Beta Jack and Kiora, her hands clasped in front of her and a warm smile on her face.
Dylan and Trinity were already there too, ready to go.
“There they are. Finally!”
Cecilia opened her arms, her voice rising across the courtyard. She still looked as graceful as ever, but there was a warmth in her eyes that hadn’t been there when we first arrived.
Nate and Kaelis walked over to Beta Jack while the queen walked past, making her way toward us.
“Don’t be awkward,” Kylan reminded me.
“Awkward? I’m not aw—”
I swallowed as she stopped in front of us. My pulse quickened as her gaze dropped to my scarf and stayed there a beat too long.
Would she have noticed?
“Walk with me,” she said, raising her chin. It wasn’t a request. “Both of you.”
Kylan and I exchanged a glance and followed her away from the crowd. The noise of the courtyard faded behind us, and suddenly it was just the three of us.
Cecilia let out a small breath, her eyes moving to the scarf again. Yes, she definitely knew.
“I’m going to ask you something,” she said calmly. “And I want you to be honest with me.”
Kylan chuckled. My throat bobbed. “Okay.”
“Did you…” Her eyes squinted. “May I?”
I nodded before I could talk myself out of it.
Her fingers were gentle as she reached for the silk, pulling it aside just enough to see what was underneath. A soft wince escaped me as she pressed against the fresh mark.
I watched her face for any sign of anger or disappointment, but there wasn’t any. Her expression hadn’t changed much.
“I knew it would end like this,” she murmured. “After all, Kylan wouldn’t be Kylan if…”
She took a breath.
“Mom—” Kylan started.
“Quiet.” She let the scarf fall back into place but kept her hands on my shoulders. A tender smile spread across her face. “Let me look at my flower.”
My throat closed up. Flower…
That’s the name she gave me when we first met. Kylan and I had both been absolutely terrified of this moment, but the queen seemed to be in a good mood today.
“It’s beautiful,” Cecilia admired. “He did well.” Her eyes flickered to Kylan. “Better than I expected, honestly. I feared you might botch it somehow.”
Goddess, she was even cracking jokes today.
“Thanks for the confidence,” Kylan laughed.
“You’re welcome.”
I choked out a laugh, and Cecilia smiled.
“I understand why you did it this way,” she said. “After everything that happened, wanting something private. Something that was just yours.” She paused. “But…”
Here it comes.
“I am still going to throw you a proper celebration when you return. A real one, with flowers, music, and those awful crispy chicken sandwiches.”
“Mom, that won’t be necessary—”
“It is absolutely necessary,” Cecilia argued. She shot Kylan a look that silenced him immediately. “My son marked his mate, and I wasn’t there to celebrate. Do you have any idea how that feels?”
Kylan shifted his weight. “I don’t have a son,” he mumbled. “So no. I do not.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his dry reaction. At the end of the day, even Kylan feared his mother.
“We will be celebrating,” she decided. “Besides, we’re going to need some happy news to share with the kingdom. Something to distract them when word about the king gets out.”
Her words hung there for a moment. It would only be a matter of time before his crimes were exposed to everyone, and the kingdom would have to pick itself back up.
“People will have questions,” Cecilia said, her voice lighter now. “They’ll want to know what happened. Why their king is suddenly gone, and what better way to redirect their attention than announcing a royal mating?” She smiled. “The future king and queen of Lyperia.”
“S-Sure,” Kylan breathed.
She patted his cheek. “Trust me. You’ll thank me later.”
Seeing the exchange between the two made me laugh. They had always seemed so uncomfortable to me, and seeing this, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was the kind of affection he had missed. A demanding but loving mother.
Cecilia reached for my hands, and I accepted. All my nerves were gone now, replaced with a smile. Her eyes studied me as if she were trying to memorize every detail. “You are exactly what he needed, Violet. I hope you know that.”
I nudged his side. “I think he’s exactly what I needed to.”
She looked between us, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer. “You two are more special than you realize.” She touched my cheek. “There’s a reason your wolves called to each other the way they did, a reason the Moon Goddess united two souls bound by oracle blood.”
“Oracle blood…” Kylan tilted his head, his brows knitting. “What do you mean by that?”
“Well,” Cecilia breathed. “The two of you are both from royal families, are you not? Oracle blood.”
“I don’t think that’s what you meant,” Kylan stated.
I could sense he wanted to ask more, to push for answers, but something in Cecilia’s expression told him now wasn’t the time.
“It is exactly what I meant,” Cecilia said. “Now go say your goodbyes before I have to drag you back to Starlight myself.”
Kylan still wasn’t fully convinced, but he set it aside as we moved through the farewell line. I joined him as he greeted each mistress with the same quiet respect, pulling them into embraces.
Of course, the ones he loved most he held a little longer. What surprised me was watching him reach for Kahlia, Khaedric, and Lady Mona’s younger daughters, too, one by one. There was genuine warmth in every hug.
Lady Mona watched from a distance, lifting one hand in a small wave. This was supposed to be a happy moment, but watching all of them, I couldn’t help but wonder what would become of all the mistresses. Not to forget, one of them was pregnant.
Kiora was last. The two stood facing each other for a split second before she threw herself at him. He caught her with ease, pulling his sister closer while his lips pressed to the top of her head over and over.
“You need to come back soon,” she said, her voice muffled against his stomach.
“And you need to come visit soon,” he said back.
When she finally pulled away, her eyes were wet. She blinked hard, trying to hold it together, but once she spotted Dylan, she redirected entirely.
It was still the effect of the cute one-sided crush. Perhaps her first crush.
She launched herself at him with the same force, and a startled sound left him. His arms hovered, completely lost, until Trinity stepped behind him and gave him a quiet nudge. “Hug her.”
Only then did he wrap his arms around her. “It was good to see you, Kiora,” he said, awkwardly patting her back. “I’ll take good care of your…handkerchief.”
She pulled back and looked up at him. “You’re coming back, too, right?”
I knew Dylan would rather not.
He exhaled. “I’ll try.”
“Violet!”
Startled, I turned around. Lian and Sora appeared
out of nowhere, rushing through the crowd with their hair flying behind them.
“Violet!” Sora reached me first, nearly knocking me over with her hug. “We were studying for our exams and lost track of time. We wanted to see you before you left!” She was out of breath.
“Have you heard about the transfer program and how we might be joining you soon?” Lian spoke with a smile. She didn’t smile a lot, so that smile on her face was basically the same as laughing out loud.
“I did,” I nodded, excitedly. “And I can’t wait!”
“Madam Renata said our chances are high. She thinks we’ll make it!” Sora beamed, her fingers pointing at the woman who stood at the door.
She didn’t come closer, didn’t say anything.
Just stood there with her hands clasped in front of her, and a small smile on her lips.
I blinked my eyes at her, showing her I had seen her and she dipped her head in response. A small hint of acknowledgment. In the meantime, Sora and Lian had already said their goodbyes to Trinity and Dylan who they had also gotten pretty close to.
Once they reached Kylan, both girls lost their usual composure and threw their arms around him before he could react. I muffled a laugh, enjoying the sight of it. He had received more hugs today than he himself would ever give in a lifetime.
He wrapped his arms around both girls, smiling softly. “Thank you, Your Highness,” Sora said into his chest. “For protecting Lady Violet, and for being so kind to us even when you didn’t have to be.”
Kylan cleared his throat. “I wasn’t that kind to you,” he frowned. “But I’ll take it.”
Lian pulled away and gave him a proper bow. “Safe travels, Your Highness.”
“Lian.” He nodded at her. “Take care of yourselves, and make sure to pass the exams so we can meet again at Starlight.”
He then looked at me. “Violet doesn’t have any friends at school. She could use a few more.”
I folded my arms with an angry frown, ready to argue, but there was nothing to argue about, honestly.
Nate and Kaelis were standing near one of the cars, wrapped around each other like the rest of the world didn’t exist. They were saying words to each other, but I couldn’t make out what. I didn’t need to, because the way they held each other said everything.
My lips curled into a smile, seeing Beta Jack beside them, staring at the two as if he were watching a movie. He wrapped his arm around Kaelis’s shoulder, and I guessed that he had probably promised him he would look after her until they would reunite again.
It was just him and his mistresses who had come to send off Nate. True was not around.
She had shown just how much she loved Nate, and I was sure the two of them must’ve had a private conversation. Still, I felt bad that things had to be this way. That she had to lie for us, to protect what she loved.
A warm hand was on my shoulder, and I looked up at Kylan.
“Look,” he whispered. “Nate is happy, Jack is doing fine, and there’s nothing more you could’ve done.”
I bobbed my head in agreement.
“And do you know why?”
“Why?”
His lips parted. “Because it isn’t your fault, Violet.”
A small breath escaped me as he led me away, and we all got into the car. I settled against Kylan’s side. Dylan and Trinity sat across from us, while Nate, who came to join us last, forced himself in between them.
“Who is ready to go back to school again?” he asked cheerfully. At least we were all on the same page, as we all responded with a groan. The car started moving.
I watched through the back window as the crowd grew smaller, and by the time the palace slowly disappeared, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
Kylan’s hand found mine. “It’s okay.”
It was…
His hand in mine, this bond between us, being surrounded by the people I loved the most.
“Yes,” I chuckled. “It’s okay.”
6.30 PM
Hours had passed, and the flight back was more peaceful than I expected. After all the exhaustion, I was determined to remain on these plush leather seats and never move again.
I leaned against Kylan’s side, my head on his shoulder. He released a yawn. I guess the exhaustion of these past few days had caught up with all of us, including Jumpie and Thorne.
Laughter came from all the way in the back. Nate sat squished between Dylan and Trinity. Not too strange, considering the three had been attached at the hip the entire time.
As I looked behind me, I caught Nate pressing a kiss to Dylan’s cheek, making Trinity burst into fits of laughter while Dylan aggressively wiped away the evidence.
A soft laugh escaped me.
“What are they doing?” Kylan murmured against my hair.
“Nothing. Just…” I gestured vaguely behind us. “Nate kissed Dylan.”
A frown crossed Kylan’s face. “Who kissed who?” he asked before releasing a deep breath.
A laugh escaped me. “Don’t even ask,” I murmured. “I guess this has something to do with him missing Kaelis too much.”
He hummed and pulled me closer. I let my eyes drift shut, enjoying the warmth of him. I felt the steady beat of his heart against my cheek. Both he and Valerius were calm and at peace. We all were.
I was just about to fall asleep when I suddenly remembered. My eyes opened again. “The bag!”
Kylan stiffened. “What bag?”
“Don’t play stupid. The one you were hiding in the room.” I sat up to look at him properly. “You brought it with you, didn’t you?”
His jaw locked, and I could feel a wave of embarrassment so strong it almost made me laugh.
“Since you can feel everything now and think this is funny,” he said flatly, “you must already know how humiliating this is for me.”
I trapped his cheek between two fingers, giving him a pinch while he shot me a side-eye. “I don’t care. Just let me see.”
He stared at me for a long moment. Then, with a heavy sigh, he reached under his seat and pulled out the small bag. He didn’t hand it over right away, but held it against his chest like he was protecting it.
“Don’t laugh,” he warned, though his voice was weak.
I held back my giggle, pressing my lips together, but it was too late. The corners of my mouth were twitching.
“Never mind. You’re already laughing.”
“I’m not!”
“Then what is this?” he snarled, stretching the corner of my lips with his hands.
“Okay, fine, I’m a little bit laughing, but only because you’re being so dramatic about it.” I reached for the bag, and he didn’t resist. “Just let me see.”
Something shifted in his expression, and he sat up straight as if he were preparing himself to snatch it away again, just in case.
I opened it carefully, reaching inside. My fingers brushed against something smooth and carved, and when I pulled it out, my breath caught.
It was a beautiful wooden sunflower, carved by hand. Every petal was perfectly detailed, and as someone who had grown up carving more times than I could remember, I could tell he had put his whole heart into it.
Strangely enough, my favorite flowers weren’t violets but sunflowers, and that made it that much more special. My fingers moved along the edges, and memories flooded through me.
Memories of Mom and Dad bringing me sunflowers whenever they got back from excursions, and how we used to make herbal teas together using the petals.
It was something I held close to my heart and certainly nothing to be embarrassed about.
“It’s bad, isn’t it?” Kylan’s voice was tight. “I knew it. I told Fergus the petals looked wrong, but he said—”
“Bad?” I looked up at him, holding back my tears. “You think this is bad?”
His brows furrowed. “Well…you’re almost crying.”
“Because it’s the best thing anyone has ever given me.” My voice cracked. “Even if it did look bad, I would still cry because you made this for me.”
I clutched the sunflower against my chest. “I hate you for not showing me this before. You really are talented.”
Kylan smiled softly, his thumb reaching over to wipe my cheek. I looked into his deep brown eyes so he could feel every bit of my sincerity. I wasn’t lying.
“What else is in here?” I asked softly.
A sigh left him. “Just some teas. Fergus said you’d know what to do with them—”
Before he could finish, I opened the bag all the way. My eyes went wide, my mouth nearly watered at the sight of the jars and pouches.
“Wild chamomile?” I gasped, surprised. I began pulling out more and more. “Lavender root, and this one looks like the blend my mom used to make me, and…”
A louder gasp escaped me as I clutched his arm with my free hand. “And this is lunapetal! Kylan, do you know how rare this is?”
“No, I—”
“Let me tell you about it!” I blurted, barely containing my excitement.
“It only grows in the north during the first frost, and you have to harvest it at exactly the right time or else it’ll taste like shit, but that’s not all!” I rambled. “It’s amazing for anxiety and sleep issues and—”
“Violet.”
I stopped to look at him. “Yes?” I asked, my cheeks glowing. “Too much for your brain to handle?”
A surprised laugh burst out of him. “Don’t worry, nerd,” he said. “We’ll be back at Starlight soon enough, and you can make all the tea you want.”
I laughed and shook my head, carefully putting everything back in the bag. “You’re going to regret saying that. I’m going to make you try every single one.”
“I know,” he chuckled. “At least I’ve got some more time left.”
I turned my gaze to him. “For what?”
“To plot my escape.” He nodded toward the small screen at the front of the cabin, and I read the words.
Welcome to the Common Lands.
#