Chapter fifteen
Morning broke gently, but Selene woke with a start.
The small pouch from the cloaked man was still in her hand, its leather damp from her palm. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, her wounds nearly healed, but her thoughts were nowhere near it. Who was he? Why did he save me? And how did he disappear like smoke?
She had to know more. She needed answers.
Without bothering to eat, she slipped quietly through the halls and into the royal library. The place smelled of old parchment and binding glue. The light was soft through the stained windows. Towering shelves loomed like watchful giants, full of tomes on every known magic.
Selene searched through section after section, soul magic, battlecraft, energy manipulatibut there was nothing on mind-linking or summoning with thought. She frowned, fingers lingering on a dusty book spine.
Suddenly, a soft knock on the side door.
Mara stepped in, her expression cautious. "The duke is here. He asked to see you."
Selene blinked. "Uncle Malric?"
Mara nodded. "He insisted it was personal."
Selene straightened, wary.
In the reception chamber, her uncle looked every bit the noble, silver-stitched cloak, proud eyes, and a smile just warm enough to be fake.
"My dear niece," he said, arms outstretched. "When I heard what happened, I came at once."
Selene returned a polite nod. "I survived."
"Brave as ever," he said, his tone too smooth. "Tell me, who do you suspect? Surely someone must have seen something?"
Selene crossed her arms. "They were masked."
"No crest? No markings?"
"It was fire, smoke, and six men with fists. I wasn't exactly paying attention to fashion."
He chuckled softly, but something flickered in his eyes, annoyance. Frustration. "Of course," he said again, standing. "If there's anything I can do, let me know."
As he turned to leave, Selene's jaw tightened. You're hiding something. I can feel it.
Meanwhile – In Elarion
Caelum stood by the windows of his chamber, overlooking the pale mountains. His fingers held a report, but his eyes refused to read it. He hadn't drawn in days, his hands felt too restless, his mind too loud.
"You're quiet," Thorne said from the corner, leaning against the marble pillar.
Caelum didn't respond.
"You could actually go check on her, you know?" Thorne added, picking at his nails.
"Shut up, Thorne."
"I mean, I'm just saying. You've been pacing the garden like a grieving widow."
Caelum exhaled slowly, not taking the bait. But then…
A golden bell rang softly through the air.
"The Immortals' Hall," Thorne said. "Vaelira must've called for a meeting."
The Immortals' Gathering
The marble dome of the Immortals' Hall shimmered with enchantments. Vaelira sat at the head of the crescent table, silver robes flowing like liquid. Her long lashes lifted slightly as Caelum entered.
"Lord Caelum," she purred, "thank you for joining us. I feared you might be too… busy."
"I'm not," he said coolly, sitting without a glance her way.
She arched a brow but said nothing. Around the table sat immortals from the bordering realms, three from the Air Province, two from the Flame Courts, and one cloaked figure from the Water Realm.
"The meeting today," Vaelira began, "concerns… a disturbance. I believe the seal binding the Soul Destroyer may be weakening."
Some gasps. Others scoffed.
"Convenient," Caelum murmured.
Vaelira ignored him. "I alone sensed it, though it was faint. A flicker near the old ruins. If the sword of the Demon Goddess stirs… we must be ready."
Caelum leaned back in his chair, clearly unconvinced. "Or perhaps you're just bored."
Vaelira smiled sweetly. "Then it is fortunate we are gathered. For peace… and clarity."
As the meeting waned, a Seer from the Water Realm, face hidden beneath a dark veil, reached out and brushed Caelum's forearm.
She gasped.
Everyone turned.
"Fire…" the seer whispered. "Shadows… and silver light. One soul… two flames… the storm is returning."
The room fell silent.
Caelum pulled his arm back, expression unreadable. "I'm leaving."
Vaelira stood quickly. "You're going? Already?"
But he was already gone.
Caelum lay on the soft grass of his private garden, hands covering his eyes, the sunlight dancing through his fingers.
"You good?" Thorne asked, standing nearby with arms crossed.
"Perfectly fine."
"You sure? You're breathing like someone stabbed you in the ribs."
Caelum sat up. "Do you ever stop talking?"
Thorne grinned. "Not when you're pretending not to care."
There was a long pause.
Then Caelum stood, brushing grass from his coat.
Thorne tilted his head. "Where are we going?"
"Aetherra."
Back in Aetherra – Garden of the Moonlit Fountain
Selene sat alone, the gentle burble of the fountain masking the clamor of the court behind her. She dragged her fingers lazily through the water, lost in thought.
The air changed.
A hush settled over the garden like a breath held.
She turned, and there he was.
Caelum stood beneath the arbor, light catching the shine of his silky black hair. His presence was like a ripple in still water. Serene, but powerful.
"You again," she said, more amused than alarmed. "What are you doing in my palace?"
"I was summoned."
She blinked. "I didn't summon you."
"Maybe you thought of me."
Selene raised a brow. "Don't flatter yourself."
"Too late."
She smirked and gestured to the space beside her. He remained standing.
"You look better," he noted, eyes glancing over her mostly healed wounds.
"Some really annoying guys got on my nerves, and we had a fistfight."
Caelum tilted his head. "And you were beaten up?"
Selene gasped. "Beaten up? Excuse me?"
"Observation."
"It was six bulky men against one royal lady. These scars are marks of valor."
He chuckled, the sound soft but real. "If you say so, warrior princess."
Selene leaned back on her palms, letting the sunlight warm her skin. "You always appear when I least expect it."
"You're always thinking too loudly."
"Maybe I should stop."
"Please do," he teased. "It's distracting."
She gave him a sidelong glance. "So… are you always this arrogant, or is this special treatment?"
"Only for you."
Before she could answer, Mara's voice rang out faintly. "Princess? Are you out here?"
Selene stood suddenly. "You have to go."
"I know."
"Wait," she reached out quickly. "Promise you'll come back."
Caelum looked at her hand, then at her.
"I promise."
And like mist caught in moonlight, he vanished.