Hesurrendered.
He let the memory of Stonewake rise in him: her body cradled against his, the vision of the Sight between them, the Bond surging bright and blinding for the first time. The way he’d felt her every heartbeat, the way he couldn’t recall if he was touching her or if she was touching him. That ecstasy; that euphoria ofonenesswas what he now poured into her.
He hadn’t known what he was doing then.
But heknewnow.
Another breath left his lungs—not as a sigh, but as deliberate, divine sacrament. A pulse of azure light. Luminous. It curled between them like a newborn thing, reaching out with misty tendrils as though afraid to vanish in rejection once again. But in that moment, it only found acceptance.
Auryn gasped as it entered her through parted lips, through the hollow of her throat, through her nose.
Her chest rose with his, their breaths pausing. Stopping. Merging. Syncing.
A jolt.
Their hearts lurched in unison.
Her heartbeat mirrored his, stumbling at first, then steady.
As he inhaled, so did she.
Her skin cooled. Her complexion warmed. The lines of pain on her face eased.
“It’s better…” she whispered, breath warm against his throat. “Kail…the pain…it’s better…”
He trembled, forehead still pressed to hers.
“You let me in,” he whispered. “My starlight. You let me help you.”
She nodded. Her skin still radiated heat, but it wasn’t the searing fire from before. It was something softer now. Warmer. Her hands curled into his tunic, her grip weak but insistent. Her eyes opened. Glazed, heavy-lidded, but she was looking at him.
He kissed her again. Not out of desperation this time, but out of sheer need. His lips sought hers, tenderly at first—then deeper, more drawn out, until she was gasping against his mouth, her fingers fisting at the fabric near his collarbone. He exhaled once again, sending blue mist spiraling between them.
She made a sound—half sigh, half whimper—and it set blazing embers afire inside of him. His hands found her hips. Her body melted to his.
“Let me take you back,” he murmured, voice rough as stone grinding against its twin. “You’re still burning up.”
Her fingers slid up his chest. “Just…stay here. A little longer.”
He didn’t argue.
He kissed her again—languid, reverent. His hands roamed, seeking toanchorher. Their lips moved together, over and over again, azure mana threading them together like a tapestry. With utmost regret, he broke the kiss.
“We can’t do this here,” he whispered, brushing her hair from her brow. “Not in the hallway. Not like this.”
Without another word, he swept her into his arms, one hand beneath her thighs, the other against her back.
He turned and saw Lu’ma sitting some distance away. He cursed inwardly. Had she seen everything? Auryn speaking in that strange voice? The way he’d nearly lost his mind with rage? And, of course, the way he’d breathed for Auryn? The miracle that should have been theirs alone.
When their eyes met, she looked down at the floor, her expression unreadable.
“Lu’ma,” Auryn called. “Are you alright?”
The Attendant straightened and quickly padded over to them. She gave Kailorien a wide berth, but reached for Auryn’s hands when she was near.
'This Nameless will take the scroll to the Resh’Agar’s chambers. Your Radiance, please go with the Arm of the Void. His Quintessence protected you. From the voice. From the glow.'
“The voice?” Auryn’s eyes met his. “Kail…it must have taken over me again. Just like the Moores.”
