Violet
There was nothing more unusual than that look in Kayden’s eyes. Not because it was angry or wild, but controlled. A bit too controlled for someone who had lost something.
There was no shock, no visible frustration, nothing. It was just a look that meant he hadn’t given up yet.
But it still wasn’t enough to make me uncomfortable. Ever since last night, that uneasy feeling I had the first time I realized he was unstable had disappeared.
Kayden’s gaze shifted to Thorne, and then he gave a lazy nudge of his chin.
The message was clear.
He still wanted him.
But why?
Kylan let out a small scoff when Kayden’s lips curved into a smirk, and a moment later, Kylan smirked back. The two held each other’s gazes for a few seconds longer.
Then Kayden turned and disappeared from the window. Maybe he had only come to remind us he was still around, or maybe he just wasn’t ready to give up his stalking habits just yet.
“Do you think he’ll come down here?” I asked, curious.
Kylan released a light chuckle and reached up to brush Thorne’s feathers. “Of course not,” he said. “He’s a coward.”
Our conversation got cut short by something suddenly crawling up my arm, and I let out a squeal.
“Jumpie!”
I jerked back as her small furry body climbed over my shoulder so she could jump onto Kylan’s back. She didn’t hesitate, throwing herself at Thorne to shove him off the shoulder she had already claimed long ago.
Thorne screeched, and his wings spread, but he remained on Kylan’s shoulder.
Kylan sighed and gently scooped Jumpie into his hand, stopping her. “Stop that,” he said firmly. “Be nice.”
A berry fell out of Jumpie’s mouth as her tiny face scrunched in offense. Her head dropped dramatically before she dove straight into Kylan’s pocket, her second safe space.
I burst out laughing, earning myself a suspicious look from Kylan.
“It’s nothing.” I quickly covered my mouth.
He narrowed his eyes at me.
“It’s just,” I said, still smiling, “all this time Jumpie has been seeing me as a threat, and now you’re betraying her for a raven…”
“That’s not true. I would never,” Kylan stated.
The way he said it, highly defensive, made it even funnier. It was a bit cute, even, how affected he seemed by the idea of ever betraying Jumpie.
Before I could tease him further, a bright voice rang out.
“Violet!”
I froze, recognizing that voice instantly. My head turned, and my eyes locked onto Kaelis, who was approaching.
She looked happy, healthy, beautiful as always, and she was walking…very fast.
“She looks…”
Oh no…
My words faltered as my eyes landed on Nate, who came walking from the opposite path. The two spotted each other at the same time, then both stopped mid-step.
But then both resumed walking, even faster. It felt like they were having some kind of silent duel about who would reach us first.
I leaned into Kylan. “If you thought my talk with Fergus was awkward, you might want to run now.”
He let out a short, helpless laugh.
It was Nate who reached us first. Unlike Kaelis, he did not look rested at all. He looked exhausted, completely drained, like he had not slept for even a moment. I could see it in his eyes and in the way he moved.
Still, he managed to put a smile on his face.
“Good—“
“Good morning!” Kaelis sang, cutting him off. She had arrived seconds later and had already pulled me into a hug.
“Oh,” I said, caught off guard. “Okay.”
She squeezed tightly. “Yes, I’m doing fine. Thanks for asking!” she beamed, pulling away. “I heard you’re showing Violet the city, and I’m coming with you!”
She gave us a nod, like it was already settled.
It was no joke. Word really did spread fast around here.
“Don’t you have something better to do with Kiora?” Kylan raised a brow.
“I think I need to start doing my own thing instead.”
“Well, did you ask the queen?”
Kaelis waved her hand dismissively. “I don’t think Mom is going to be hard on me,” she said. “Especially not after yesterday.”
Her eyes flicked to Nate. He let out a soft laugh and looked down, clearly catching the jab.
“Is that not Kayden’s raven?” she pointed out casually.
Kylan ignored her, inhaled slowly, and turned to Nate instead. “We’ll be heading out soon—“
“But that’s so selfish of you,” Kaelis cut in. “Expecting him to tag along just because you’re the crown prince.”
Nate lifted a brow, as did Kylan.
“Have you ever,” Kaelis continued, “thought about anyone but yourself for even a second? It’s not just about what youwant, but also what Nate wants.”
Nate breathed out a soft laugh, his eyes lifting to hers. “Okay,” he said slowly, directly addressing her for the first time. “So this is what we’re doing now?”
Kaelis crossed her arms. “Oh, now it’s we?” She gave a small shrug. “I’m having a private conversation with my brother and his mate. You can just pretend I’m not here. That’s what you were planning to do anyway.”
“That’s not what I said,” Nate breathed.
Whatever the two had discussed last night, it was pretty evident that it hadn’t gone too well.
They held each other’s gaze. Kaelis’s eyes were sharp, hard, but Nate’s were softer. They were apologetic and said a whole lot more than words ever could. If I had to take a guess, I’d say that he understood her pain but didn’t know how to fix it.
As the silence dragged on, I glanced at Kylan to see his reaction. He dragged a hand down his face and muttered something under his breath.
“Nate, you don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”
Nate huffed through his nose. “I’m coming,” he said. “That’s what I want.”
“Good,” Kaelis nodded.
“Good,” Nate exhaled.
The situation was so suffocating, I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. And judging by the look on Kylan’s face, it must have been the same for him as well.
Who knew that the sound of warm, familiar laughter would be the thing to save me from this misery? I spotted Trinity walking beside Dylan, Fergus, and Sonya, grinning widely.
“Mom, Dad!”
I stood there with what was probably the brightest, most relieved smile I had worn all morning as they approached. The tension behind me still felt horrible, but at least now it wasn’t just the four of us standing in it.
“Violet!” Sonya smiled, and I think it was the happiest I had ever heard her say my name.
She looked different. There was a softness in her expression I didn’t get to see very often. She was glowing.
Maybe Lyperia really did have some effect on people.
As she reached us, she stepped forward and placed her hands gently on my arms, her eyes warm.
“I’m glad to see you’re doing fine,” I said, scanning her face for any sign of pain.
“I am,” she replied softly.
She had not been feeling well. That’s what Fergus had said, but she looked amazing. She gazed back at him, and Trinity released a dramatic little coo.
Dylan and I exchanged a look and a small shrug. They did seem even more in love than usual.
Fergus cleared his throat and looked over at Nate and Kaelis. “I’m glad to see everything has worked out between the two of you!” he said, giving a thumbs up.
Why…
I nearly facepalmed but chose to shake my head at him instead.
“A match between a Beta and a princess? That’s—“
He scratched his neck as he finally noticed my expression. “No?”
Both Kaelis and Nate looked away instantly, and it went dead silent.
Fergus coughed awkwardly. “I see.”
Why was he physically incapable of reading a room?
Kylan drew in a sharp breath before this could spiral into something worse. “If everyone’s ready,” he said, “we can leave now.”
“Good idea,” I agreed.