Page 135

“That's not an answer.”

“Yes, it was real.” The truth serves better than evasion after walls between us have been so thoroughly breached. “Intensified by the shadows, but not created by it.”

She studies me, eyes narrowing slightly as she searches for deception, for the manipulation she's come to expect.

“Is this part of your plan too?”

“No.” Stripped of my usual defenses I can’t lie. “This was not anticipated.” In all my careful mapping of possible futures, this connection, thisvulnerability, was never something I could have foreseen.

A smile breaks across her lips—unexpected, disarming me more effectively than any weapon.

“Good to know there are things that can surprise the strategic mastermind.” The teasing holds a newfound intimacy that should concern me more than it does.

Her smile fades, and she steps back, reestablishing physical distance.

“I think I should … maybe we need to … It’s late. I think I should go to bed.”

Years of discipline take over, locking down the fire still burning inside, sealing off the hunger still running through my veins. I draw a breath. Force it even. Anchor myself to necessity.

“We begin your training at dawn.” Focus returns gradually. “Understanding your abilities is essential, both for control and for determining how they might connect to your return.” The word catches in my throat. It carries new implications I'm not prepared to examine.

“My return,” she repeats softly. “Yes.”

She moves toward her chamber door, pausing with her hand on the latch, silhouetted against the darker wood. The silver light beneathher skin hasn't fully faded, tracing delicate patterns along her wrists and throat. For a moment, she stands there.

“Goodnight, Sacha.” My name in her voice carries weight it never did before.

“Goodnight, Ellie.” I allow her name the same weight in return.

The door closes behind her. I remain where I stand, my mind trying to make sense of what just happened—trying to reassemble my shattered pieces into something I can understand, can use, can control.

The shadow connection created something I haven't experienced before. A merging of awareness that broke through barriers. Ones that should never have been lowered. A vulnerability I've spent most of my life ensuring no one could exploit. Yet with her, it felt like strength instead of weakness.

The physical sensations remain with me. The softness of her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against mine, the silken texture of her hair between my fingers. More dangerous are the emotional echoes.

Desire I thought long buried, vulnerability I can't afford. Connection I never allowed myself to seek.

My attention moves to the table where maps await my consideration, plans that should command my full focus. I’m expected to resume my leadership. To step back into the role I once commanded. To be the weapon they thought would never be available to them again.

Yet my thoughts return to that moment of shared consciousness, to the kiss that followed, the way her soul tangled with mine. The waysilver met shadow, weaving patterns that shouldn't exist. Patterns that echo fragments of the Veinbound Prophecy they whisper about.

Two forces never meant to meet shall intertwine.

Their union defies the pattern of ages past.

Something has changed. Not just between us, but within the very fabric of what I believe possible. The path I've calculated so carefully now blurs. New variables demand reassessment of everything I thought I understood.

About my purpose. My power. My future. And now prophecy itself.

The Veinwardens need a weapon and a leader. Meridian needs theVareth’el.

But for the first time in my life, I want something beyond duty and vengeance.

For the first time since the Authority made their move that shattered Meridian, the future holds more than strategy and sacrifice.

It holdsher.

Unpredictable. Powerful. Impossible to ignore, like the silver light beneath her skin that calls to the shadow in mine.