Chapter 19

  Eldric’s gaze lingered on Alicia, his expression a mixture of expectation and unease. He absently twirled a strand of Reiko’s hair between his fingers, the motion steady and thoughtless, a tether to calm his nerves.

  The silence stretched until Alicia finally broke it. Her voice was sharp, the weight of her questions undeniable. “Where did you go? Who is this? And how did you return here?”

  Eldric exhaled slowly, his shoulders sagging under an invisible weight. “Well,” he began, his voice low and measured, “three years ago, on the night I left, a mysterious person visited me. She warned me that great suffering would come to Fiora if I stayed.” His eyes drifted toward the far wall, as if seeking refuge in the distant memory. “She made me confront a truth I had been avoiding, that I lacked the power to protect those I cared for. She gave me a map and told me to leave.”

  He paused, his throat tightening. “I wanted desperately to tell you,” he continued, his voice softening as he looked toward Fiora. “I wanted to say goodbye, but the woman insisted it was too dangerous. She feared you’d convince me to stay.” His eyes searched hers, hoping to find even a flicker of understanding, but her face remained cold, her gaze locked on the ground.

  “You promised me,” she said quietly, her voice trembling with restrained anger. “You promised me you wouldn’t leave. That you’d protect me.” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “But instead, you abandoned me. For three years, I’ve waited.”

  Eldric let out a deep, weary sigh, the kind born from countless sleepless nights and unresolved guilt. “I know,” he admitted. “I know I hurt you. But one day, you’ll understand. Leaving was the only way I could keep that promise.”

  Fiora shook her head, her lips pressing into a thin line.

  “How about you two sort this out later?” Alicia interjected, her tone cutting through the tension like a blade. “Eldric, just finish the story.”

  He gave a reluctant nod, straightening. “The map led me to Dracnesse Mountain. It took weeks to reach the place. Near the tree line, I met my host, a man named Seppel. He was waiting for me, as though he’d known I was coming.” Eldric’s eyes sharpened, his voice growing more intent. “Seppel showed me a monument carved from rough, black stone. Its surface was covered in strange glyphs that, he claimed, could foretell the future.”

  Alicia’s brows knitted together in thought, but she said nothing, allowing him to continue.

  “Apparently,” Eldric went on, “two cloaked women and Lord Jamdak have been frequent visitors to the stone. Jamdak, more than the others.” He turned to Alicia then, his expression questioning. “Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

  Alicia nodded slowly, her expression contemplative. “Yes, I’ve made the journey up that mountain more than once,” she admitted. “The black stone and the mansion near the summit are considered sacred. Few speak of it openly, but those places are shrouded in reverence and mystery.” Her voice softened, tinged with awe as she continued. “The walls of that mansion are said to house ancient and powerful knowledge. Only a select few are permitted entry, and those who do rarely leave. The locals believe they protect the world from the burden of such knowledge, shielding it from those who might misuse it.”

  She paused, her gaze distant as though recalling the chill of the mountain winds and the enigmatic presence of the mansion. After a moment, she turned back to Eldric. “Did you actually see the writing on the black stone? The few times I’ve been there, it was bare—void of prophecy or anything of the sort.”

  Eldric’s brow furrowed in thought. “Yes, I did,” he said. “It wasn’t much, but it was clear. The stone read: The future’s end, he will awaken. -Drakemoor.”

  Fiora’s head snapped up, her confusion evident. “Drakemoor? That’s your last name, isn’t it?” she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief. “Why would it mention you? That doesn’t make any sense.”

  “I agree,” Eldric said, shaking his head. “I don’t know why, but I think it might have been a kind of signature.”

  Leaning forward, he rested his elbows on his knees, his fingers laced together as he mulled over the memory. Reiko stirred beside him, adjusting herself and resting her head in the center of his lap. Eldric absentmindedly stroked her hair, his gaze distant.

  “Well, don’t stop there,” Nyssa urged, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. “Go on!”

  Eldric straightened, nodding. “Seppel led me further up the mountain to a colossal wooden mansion. It was unlike anything I’d ever seen—both foreboding and majestic. The place is home to a group of wizened scholars, most of them frail and elderly. They dedicate their lives to studying ancient tomes, particularly those about magic. According to Seppel, legend says the library within contains all the wisdom of the world.”

  Morrigan let out a wistful sigh, her voice filled with longing. “What I wouldn’t give to spend even a single day in that library,” she said, shaking her head. “Of course, I’m probably the exact opposite of the kind of person they’d let in.”

  “Seppel… Seppel…” Alicia muttered, rubbing her forehead as though trying to extract a buried memory. “Why does that name sound familiar? What did he look like?”

  Eldric hesitated, his gaze distant again as he conjured Seppel’s image. “He’s tall,” he said after a moment. “Unlike the others, who were thin and frail with age, Seppel seemed strong—probably in his forties. He had short black hair and piercing blue eyes, almost like my father’s.”

  Alicia frowned, the name still eluding her grasp, but her unease lingered.

  Alicia and Morrigan exchanged puzzled glances, their brows furrowed in contemplation. After a moment, Alicia turned back to Eldric, her tone sharp. “Continue.”

  Reiko shifted onto her side, her quiet presence grounding the room as Eldric resumed. “Seppel trained me further in the art of Aetherguard,” he said, his voice steady with pride. “And through his instruction, I’ve finally mastered the technique.” He paused for effect, a small smile tugging at his lips. “We trained every single day. At times, I swear he was trying to kill me.” A brief shiver ran through him as he recalled the grueling sessions. “But he said it was necessary—to hone the ability that allows me to sense my opponent’s moves a few seconds before they happen.”

  Eldric looked around the room, letting the weight of his words settle. “Apparently, it has a name: providentia.”

  Morrigan and Alicia exchanged another uneasy glance, their expressions clouded with concern.

  “There were plenty of times I failed,” Eldric admitted, leaning back slightly, “and I paid the price for it. Seppel didn’t believe in using anything other than fully sharpened blades for training. He said I’d never truly learn if I didn’t face the fear of death head-on.”

  Fiora’s eyes narrowed slightly, her curiosity piqued. “So that’s why you’re so heavily scarred,” she said, her voice more observation than question. “But how did he know about Aetherguard and providentia in the first place?”

  Eldric shrugged, the gesture casual but his expression thoughtful. “He claimed his knowledge came from the books. Nothing more, nothing less.” His tone grew more serious. “But that was only a small part of my training. The truly important lessons…” He paused, glancing down at Reiko, and gently nudged her shoulder. “...revolved around her.”

  The shift in his tone drew everyone’s attention. A quiet hum of curiosity filled the room.

  “So, who is she?” Alicia asked, her voice cutting through the silence. Fiora leaned forward, her eyes sharp and intent, waiting for his response.

  Eldric smiled softly, his gaze warm as he looked at Reiko. “Well, as you know, Reiko is a wizard. And not just any wizard—a remarkably powerful one. She’s quite young, only twenty-one.” He let the words hang in the air for a moment, giving them time to settle. “I met her on my first day at Dracnesse.”

  He continued, his voice steady but laced with a hint of reverence. “She was sitting in a corner, tucked away, reading by herself. It was clear she didn’t fit in. The other residents of the mansion shunned her—every single one of them, except Seppel. She was treated differently simply because she’s a wizard. Clearly, she didn’t belong there.”

  His gaze softened as he looked down at Reiko again. “And yet, for some reason, that was where the world needed her to be—waiting for me.”

  “So, what kind of magic can she do?” Alicia asked, her gaze fixed on Reiko with a mix of curiosity and wonder.

  Eldric smiled faintly, the pride in his voice unmistakable as he replied. “Reiko has a variety of abilities. One of her greatest talents is protecting me and enhancing my powers.” He glanced down at her, his expression softening. “As long as she maintains eye contact with me, she can boost my agility, amplify the strength of my attacks, and even shield me from physical harm.”

  Morrigan’s brow furrowed, concern flickering across her face. “Doesn’t that put a lot of strain on your body?” she asked, her tone cautious.

  “It’s really no big deal,” Eldric said dismissively, waving off her concern with a flick of his hand. He pressed on, clearly hoping to shift attention away from the potential consequences. “Reiko is also remarkably skilled at enhancing her own physical strength. I’ve seen her smash boulders into dust with a single punch. And her magic—lightning, fire—she can wield it with incredible precision and devastating power.”

  Alicia leaned forward, her expression sharpening. “So why have you suddenly returned? And how exactly did you get here?”

  Before Eldric could respond, Reiko stirred. Sitting up with an exaggerated stretch, she shot him an annoyed glance. “How am I supposed to sleep if you all keep talking and moving around?” she grumbled. Then, turning her attention to Alicia, she continued without waiting for a reply. “Seppel had been checking the black stone’s inscription daily to see if it changed as Eldric and I grew stronger. On his most recent trip, he found it had shifted to something far more alarming.”

  “What did it say?” Alicia asked, her tone serious.

  Reiko’s expression darkened slightly, her pride giving way to gravity. “It read: Fiora’s death.” She paused, letting the words hang heavy in the room. “When Seppel delivered the news, Eldric knew immediately what it meant. He feared we were already too late to save her.”

  Fiora’s eyes widened slightly, her lips parting as if to speak, but Reiko continued, her voice growing more resolute. “Seppel, however, reminded him of one of my most unique magical abilities—possibly my most impressive.”

  “And that is…?” Alicia prompted, leaning closer.

  Reiko sat up straighter, a glint of pride returning to her eyes. “Every wizard can teleport anywhere they want, instantly,” she explained, her tone matter-of-fact. “But it requires an enormous amount of magic and takes a significant toll on the body.”

  She paused, surveying her audience with satisfaction before continuing. “I, however, have taken it a step further. Not only can I teleport to any location, but I can also travel back in time—up to an hour. By the time Seppel delivered the message, Fiora was already dead. We just barely managed to arrive in time to reverse her fate.”

  A heavy, stunned silence filled the room, the weight of Reiko’s words pressing down on everyone. After a moment, she continued, her voice softer but still firm. “The thing is, this kind of magic takes everything out of me. Just teleporting myself is enough to nearly drain me completely. But this time, bringing a passenger…” She paused, her expression tightening. “It almost killed me.”

  Morrigan stared at her, her jaw slack with disbelief. “That’s… beyond words. I had always assumed it was impossible.”

  Reiko’s lips curled into a small, proud smile as she held Morrigan’s gaze, unbothered by the awe and incredulity directed her way.

  Eldric cleared his throat, breaking the tension. “So,” he said, glancing around the room, “any questions?”

  Fiora’s glare landed on him immediately, her frustration radiating like heat from a forge. “Why didn’t this Seppel guy come down to help us?” she demanded, her voice sharp with accusation.

  Eldric blinked, genuinely puzzled. “Help? What do you mean?”

  Fiora’s face flushed with anger. “While you’ve been off playing with swords and getting cozy with her,” she spat, jerking her head toward Reiko, “the rest of us have been here fighting a war! Or does that mean nothing to you?”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The accusation hit Eldric like a slap, and he reeled, his eyes wide with shock. “I—I had no idea!” he stammered.

  “Did you honestly think the world’s problems disappeared just because you did?!” Fiora’s voice rose, her rage spilling over. “Or are you so arrogant that you thought it was all about you? You may have vanished, but that didn’t stop those cloaked women from sending Ashley and her band of thugs to attack us—over and over again.”

  She paused, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath, her hands trembling at her sides. Tears spilled down her flushed cheeks, but they did nothing to cool her fury. “You claim you were protecting me,” she continued, her voice trembling with emotion. “But here I am, in danger every single day. Fighting off an enemy that doesn’t relent. How exactly did you think running away would help me?”

  Eldric’s shoulders slumped as he stared at the ground, his voice barely above a whisper. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s just—”

  “Getting back to your question,” Reiko cut in smoothly, her tone calm but firm, clearly trying to defuse the tension, “Seppel won’t interfere with wars down here. He says it’s not his duty. His job is guarding Dracnesse, nothing more.”

  “Pathetic,” Fiora snapped, her voice like a whip crack. Without another word, she spun on her heel, storming toward the door, her footsteps echoing loudly in the now-silent room.

  “What are you doing?” Nyssa called after Fiora, her voice filled with concern as she rose to her feet.

  Fiora didn’t even pause, her voice sharp and echoing through the room. “I’m going for a walk. What the hell does it look like?” she snapped, disappearing through the threshold and into the night.

  Nyssa hesitated for only a moment before following, her worry plain on her face. “Fiora, wait!” she called, hurrying after her.

  The room fell into a tense silence as the sound of their footsteps faded. Rendrick exchanged a puzzled look with Eldric, then stood and stretched.

  “All this talk of magic and time travel has given me a headache,” Rendrick muttered, rubbing his temples. “I’m going to wash up.” He nodded briefly at the others before heading outside, leaving the remaining group in uneasy stillness.

  Eldric turned to Alicia and Morrigan, his expression grim. “So,” he began, his voice low, “what’s been going on here? What war was Fiora talking about?”

  Alicia folded her arms across her chest, her gaze cold and unwavering. “After you abandoned us,” she said, her words deliberate and biting. She paused, letting the accusation sink in, and Eldric winced under its weight.

  “We spent the next few days fortifying Valifield,” Alicia continued. “Once it was secure, Lord Jamdak sent us what was left of the Great Cities’ army and thousands of refugees. Civilians mostly—broken, desperate people.”

  She stopped for a moment, drawing in a deep, weary breath. The lines on her face seemed deeper in the dim light. “Lord Jamdak ordered us to protect these people at all costs. For reasons none of us fully understand, Ashley and her men have become obsessed with eradicating anyone tied to the Great Cities. They’ve attacked relentlessly. With the help of your friends and my soldiers, we’ve managed to hold them off, but it’s been brutal.”

  Her voice softened as she leaned back, resting on her hands. “Valifield has become a kind of haven—a fragile, precarious one. The real trouble is that we’re nearing the breaking point. We don’t have enough resources. Food is running low, and morale isn’t far behind. This conflict… it feels endless.”

  She looked down briefly, her expression darkening. “And then there’s Lord Jamdak. He was supposed to join us shortly after the refugees arrived. But he never showed up. We’ve had no word from him, no sign. We’ve been forced to assume the worst.”

  A heavy silence followed her words, broken only by the faint creak of the wooden walls as the wind outside pressed against them. Alicia’s voice wavered as she continued. “I failed him. I couldn’t stop Syra and Eira from destroying the Great Cities. I let an army of imposters wearing our insignia slip past me and attack Oaklea.” Her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white.

  Then, as if steeling herself, she lifted her head, her voice gaining strength. “But I will not fail him in this. His final request was that we protect what little remains of the Great Cities’ legacy here in Valifield. No matter what it takes, I’ll see it through.”

  Her words hung in the air, a declaration that seemed to resonate beyond the room itself, and Eldric felt the weight of his absence settle even heavier on his shoulders.

  “How many people are in Valifield right now?” Eldric asked, his tone tense but measured.

  Alicia sat up straighter, her voice steady as she answered. “Just over eight thousand. Half of them are soldiers under the command of eight generals from my personal guard.”

  Eldric nodded thoughtfully, then asked, “What about Oaklea?”

  At the mention of the town, Alicia’s expression darkened. “Eldric, Oaklea was destroyed,” she said, her voice heavy with sorrow. “That fake army struck shortly after you and your friends left.”

  Her shoulders sagged as she continued, her words weighted with grief. “Prince Thornevale, naturally, believed it was truly us who had attacked him. In retaliation, he sent his remaining forces against the Great Cities. They arrived not long after Lord Jamdak sent us away.”

  She looked down, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. “Thornevale’s retaliation was devastating. It’s why so few refugees made it here. Those who survived Syra and Eira’s attack didn’t survive the onslaught from Oaklea’s forces.”

  Her voice grew quieter, almost a whisper. “And worse still, as our refugees fled toward the hills, they looked back and saw Ashley’s army overrunning the ruins of what was once our home.”

  She glanced up briefly, her expression hollow. “Fiora was right. The war is relentless. People like us, the survivors, are being hunted every day. We fight because we have no other choice. The world is collapsing into ruins around us.”

  Eldric clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as he asked, “Why is Ashley so hell-bent on killing us?”

  Morrigan leaned forward, her brows furrowed. “We don’t know,” she said grimly. “We’ve yet to uncover the plan.”

  Reiko, who had been sitting quietly, suddenly spoke, her tone unnervingly casual. “Ashley isn’t working for those cloaked women,” she said, drawing every eye in the room. “She’s working for Lord Jamdak.”

  Her words landed like a thunderclap. The group stared at her, stunned into silence.

  “You can’t be serious,” Alicia said, her voice trembling. “Surely you’re mistaken? What are you saying?”

  Reiko turned to Eldric, who gave her a small nod, silently encouraging her to explain. She straightened, her gaze unwavering as she spoke. “Lord Jamdak has been at war with Syra and Eira ever since they betrayed Ashley and destroyed the Great Cities.”

  She paused, her tone shifting to one of contemplation. “The truth isn’t as simple as we’d like it to be. It’s not entirely clear who the real villain is. Both sides—Jamdak’s and the cloaked women’s—radically challenge the notions of good and evil.”

  Reiko paused, brushing a stray strand of hair from her eye, her expression calm but calculating. “As you know, Lord Jamdak is the oldest living wizard in the known world,” she began, her voice steady. “Everything started some time ago, when he was becoming frail, his immense power waning with age.”

  She hesitated for only a moment before continuing, her tone almost casual. “He became obsessed with the idea that the magic of the Lunaflare—a rare and powerful flower—could restore the strength he had lost. He believed it might even grant him the vitality he once possessed. So, he hired Ashley to find it. That’s why she attacked Valifield in the first place—she was searching for the Lunaflare on his behalf.”

  Reiko leaned back, her gaze drifting toward the ceiling as though recalling a distant memory. “When Ashley delivered the Lunaflare, Jamdak didn’t use it immediately, which surprised everyone who knew of his desperation. Instead, he began cultivating it, aiming to grow a supply of his own. The flower takes years to mature, and he made a gamble—a dangerous one—that he would survive long enough to reap the benefits.”

  Alicia stared at her, her expression a mixture of shock and disbelief. “How on earth do you know all this?” she asked, her voice tight.

  Reiko ignored the interruption, her tone unfaltering as she continued. “On the day the Great Cities were destroyed, Lord Jamdak made his boldest move yet. He hired Ashley to assassinate the wizards of the council.”

  Her voice took on a faint note of boredom as she explained, “He instructed Ashley to bring Syra and Eira along, making it look as though they had hired her to help capture Eldric. That detail, of course, was deliberately leaked to you, Alicia.”

  Reiko shifted her gaze to Alicia, her expression unreadable. “He gambled again, banking on the idea that you would rally the remaining wizards of the council to defend the Great Cities. However, not everything went according to his plan. He didn’t anticipate that Ashley would fail to kill the entire council. Nor did he foresee that Syra and Eira, emboldened by the chaos, would launch their own attack on the Great Cities.”

  Alicia’s brow furrowed deeply, her confusion evident. “But if Lord Jamdak wanted us dead, then why didn’t he kill us when he arrived on the scene?” she asked.

  Reiko turned to her, her tone as calm as ever. “Because he’s still weak,” she replied matter-of-factly. “The Lunaflare isn’t ready yet—it still hasn’t matured to the point where it can serve his purposes. If he had tried to act against you then, he would have lost.”

  She leaned forward slightly, her voice growing colder. “Instead, he chose a more cunning approach. He let you live, ensuring that you believed the destruction was entirely your fault. Then, he sent you to Valifield—a place where he could keep you contained and under close watch while he prepared for the next phase of his plan.”

  Alicia’s hands clenched at her sides as Reiko’s words sank in. The weight of Jamdak’s manipulations bore down on the room, casting a heavy silence over them all. Eldric, too, felt the gravity of the revelation, the depth of the wizard’s schemes unfolding before them like a sinister tapestry.

  Alicia’s sharp gaze fixed on Reiko, her voice steady but probing. “So, who exactly is involved in this war? Is Prince Thornevale still alive?”

  Reiko nodded, leaning back in her chair. “Yes, Prince Thornevale is still alive. He’s been working in secret, building up his resistance to take on Jamdak again.” She began lifting her fingers as she listed the factions. “There are also the black and white cloaked wizards, whose loyalties remain fragmented. Then there’s Lord Jamdak, backed by Ashley’s army, which is stationed in Violetsmere. That’s where Jamdak himself is hiding, waiting for the Lunaflare to mature.”

  She extended a final finger. “And finally, there’s you two,” she added, pointing at Alicia and Eldric. “The pair of wizards Lord Jamdak wants dead.”

  Morrigan leaned forward, her expression thoughtful. “What exactly does Jamdak hope to accomplish?” she asked. “He already has the Lunaflare. What more is he after? And why did he want his entire council killed?”

  Reiko shrugged, her tone even. “I don’t know his exact intentions. But whatever his plan is, Syra and Eira seem determined to stop him. They’re just as ruthless and driven as he is, which complicates things for everyone caught in the middle.”

  She paused, her gaze dropping to the floor as she considered their options. “For now,” she said after a moment, “our best course of action is to find Prince Thornevale. If we can form an alliance with him, his resistance would stand a much better chance—especially with two wizards by his side.”

  Alicia narrowed her eyes, her skepticism evident. “If everything you’re saying is true, then how do you know so much about it?”

  Reiko smiled slyly. “Because my great-uncle told me,” she said simply.

  Before Alicia could press her further, the door slammed open, and Rendrick strode in, his hair still damp from his bath. The sudden interruption drew everyone’s attention, but before the conversation could return to Reiko, Eldric rose to his feet.

  “Reiko, you should rest,” he said quickly, his tone firm. “It’s been a long day. I’m going to step outside for a bit.” Without waiting for a reply, he headed for the door, leaving the room in a tense silence.

  Reiko’s eyes lingered on the door after he left, her expression unreadable. Moments later, Nyssa returned, her face clouded with frustration. She glared briefly at Reiko before muttering, “I’m going to bed.”

  “I think I will, too,” Rendrick said with a yawn, stretching as he headed toward the door.

  “Wait a moment, you two,” Alicia called, her voice commanding. Both Nyssa and Rendrick froze mid-step and turned to face her. “Tomorrow, I want to test Eldric. I want to see how strong he really is. You’ll both be helping with that.”

  Nyssa exchanged a wary glance with Rendrick, but Alicia continued without pause. “I’ll have my guards join you, along with Fiora,” she said. Then her gaze flicked to Reiko, her expression firm. “And Eldric will be doing it without your help. Tomorrow, you’ll be sparring with Morrigan and me. We’ll show you the strength of true wizards.”

  Reiko shrugged, entirely unconcerned. “Sure thing,” she said breezily. Then, glancing at Nyssa and Rendrick, she added with a smirk, “But you might as well prepare yourselves. Eldric will destroy you.”

  Morrigan stood, clapping her hands together. “All right, that’s enough for tonight. We have a long day ahead of us. All of you should get some rest.”

  With that, Reiko, Nyssa, and Rendrick left the room, the door closing softly behind them. Alicia remained seated, her gaze lingering on the empty space where Eldric had stood moments before, her thoughts clearly racing.

  Eldric marched down the winding path, his boots crunching softly against the dirt. The night was quiet except for the distant rustling of leaves in the cool breeze. Still no sign of Fiora. His chest tightened with worry as he pressed on, his eyes scanning the horizon. After several minutes, he finally spotted a figure silhouetted against the pale moonlight.

  Quickening his pace, he jogged up to her, his breath catching at the sight. Fiora sat motionless, her shoulders hunched, her face streaked with tears. Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder, breaking the silence. She turned to him, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

  “Why aren’t you with that girl?” she sneered, her voice laced with bitterness.

  Eldric hesitated, then forced a smile. “I needed a break,” he said lightly. “All that talking gave me a headache.”

  Fiora scoffed softly but didn’t pull away. Instead, she stepped over to a fallen tree nearby and sat down, staring at the ground. Eldric followed, standing close by, unsure of what to say.

  “You two sure are close,” she said after a moment, her voice barely above a whisper. “Heck, she even bathed in the pond with you…” Her fingers clenched at the edge of her cloak as she spoke, her gaze fixed downward.

  “As long as we don’t see each other,” she mocked, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. She wiped at her face with the back of her hand before looking up at him, her expression raw and vulnerable. “Do you know why I’ve worked so hard every single day? Why I’ve pushed myself until I could barely stand?” Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard before continuing. “It was for one reason, to impress you. To show you how strong I’ve become. To make you proud.”

  Her eyes locked onto his, tears brimming once more. “And then you come storming back to my rescue, followed by a cute girl who, oh, surprise!, bathes with you…” Her voice broke, and she choked back a sob, shaking her head.

  Eldric took a step closer, kneeling before her. “Reiko and I are close because, for a long time, it was just the two of us. We had to rely on each other to survive. But trust me—nothing is going on between us. In fact, it would be incredibly wrong if there were. Trust me, Fiora.”

  Fiora rolled her eyes, annoyance flashing briefly across her face before she fixed her gaze on him again. “She looks a lot like me,” she said pointedly. “Except shorter.”

  Eldric couldn’t help the faint smile tugging at his lips. “She does. And she acts a lot like you too,” he admitted. “That’s probably why we get along so well.”

  He stood then, brushing off his knees and turning to face her fully. “Look,” he said, his voice soft but serious, “you said you’ve been training to impress me. I had the same goal. I wanted to come back and prove that my absence meant something—that it wasn’t for nothing.”

  He sighed, his shoulders sagging as his gaze dropped to the ground. “I knew leaving would hurt you. I knew it would make you angry. But I thought—hoped—that my absence would bring you peace. I told myself it was the only way to keep my promise to protect you.”

  His voice grew quieter, almost a whisper. “Every night, I’d look up at the stars and think about the time you said you loved me. About the night you kissed me.” His eyes met hers, his expression raw with emotion. “So many times, I wanted to pack up and come back to you. But then I’d remember what I was fighting for—you.”

  Fiora’s breath caught, and her tears shifted from sorrow to something softer. “Really?” she asked, her voice trembling.

  Eldric leaned forward, gently wiping a tear from her cheek with his thumb. “Really,” he said, his voice steady and warm. “I promised you we’d be together. And I meant it.”

  Fiora closed her eyes, her lips trembling as she smiled through her tears. Eldric tilted his head, leaning closer. His breath mingled with hers as he closed the gap, brushing her lips with his in a soft, tender kiss.