Page 7

CHAPTER 7

SERENNA

F enn scraped his talons along the doorframe as he entered the bathing chambers, bypassing the marble tubs and leading Serenna to the central shower. He twisted the handles affixed to the wall, releasing a cascade of water. The aroma of minerals from springs deep within the fortress filled the air, steam coiling around them and cocooning the room in warmth.

As Serenna peeled off her clothes, Fenn’s burning gaze took her in, the heat of it quickening her pulse. But even as her confidence wavered, she tilted her chin, letting each garment fall one by one.

Her cheeks flushed as Fenn pinned her in place with his simmering stare, shedding his trousers with an infuriating slowness until only a knowing grin remained.

She tore her eyes from his and stepped under the shower, the hot spray a welcome distraction.

Fenn joined her, reaching past to snatch up a bar of lilac-infused soap. Somehow, he’d pried her favorite scent from her and tracked it down from a place she couldn’t fathom.

“You’re covered in more blood,” Serenna argued as he deftly formed a lather.

“Let me,” he countered, sweeping her hair over one shoulder. With careful strokes, he scrubbed the dried crust from her collarbone, erasing the last traces of her wound.

Serenna wanted to argue, but her protest dissolved like the suds under his touch. Fenn moved behind her, the pressure of his claws melting layers of tension.

Biting back a groan, she closed her eyes and leaned her head against his chest, breathing in the floral fragrance. Fenn’s fingers skimmed her skin, tracing a reverent path that left the bond’s power humming.

She bit her lip as guilt pooled in her thoughts. He’d only meant to return her force talent, but in his delirium as he’d hovered near death, he’d unknowingly bonded himself to her instead—and she’d accepted without a second thought.

Fenn stilled the slow, soapy circles, his claw tightening around her hip. “Does something trouble you?” he asked, the connection pulsing with an undercurrent of concern.

“I…” Serenna faltered as she turned to face him. She reached out, resting a hand on his arm. Unable to meet his gaze, she watched rivulets of water trace the contours of his shoulders.

“I know you didn’t mean to bond with me,” she managed, hauling the words over the knot in her throat. “You were trying to return my power.”

She swallowed, an ache deepening. Her heart, with all its fierce hopes and covetous desires, quietly pleaded for him to choose her—to want this connection between them.

But Serenna forced herself to continue. “We don’t have to keep it.” Her voice frayed to a whisper, each word an unraveling thread. “We could dispel it…like Lykor did.”

Fenn’s claw jerked away from her waist. Hurt flashed, a jagged bolt lancing through Serenna’s chest. Her words lingered in the steam, the splash of water the only sound.

“Is that what you desire?” Fenn finally asked. His attention shifted to the wall, a muscle feathering in his cheek as he placed the soap back on its shelf. “You’d want to destroy the magics between us?”

“No,” Serenna said, tightening her grip on his arm. “I just…wanted you to have a choice.” She brushed her thumb along his skin. “I completed the bond because…” Because I wanted to. Forced to confront the feelings she’d harbored for him, her throat cinched tight. “I didn’t want you to be alone.”

Fenn’s features softened, a steady longing reflecting in his eyes. “Could we keep it?” he asked, brushing a stray tear from her cheek. “If it’s something you’d want too?”

Heart daring to flutter with hope, Serenna blinked. “You…you really want to stay bonded?”

“Why wouldn’t I?” Fenn stepped closer, trailing his talons along her arm, the gentle scrape making her shiver, her magic pulsing faintly against his touch. “You’re fierce,” he said, his claw curling over her hand. “I’d be honored to share these magics with you.”

Relief rushed through her, like a breath after drowning. But it was fleeting. Beneath it, a shadow stirred, a truth she’d buried for too long.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” Serenna said, remorse wrapping around her voice like a vise. “It might change your decision.”

She tightened her trembling fingers around Fenn’s, holding on as if bracing for impact. He tilted his head and the bond vibrated faintly, an unspoken question urging her forward.

“I was about to tell you before the reavers attacked,” she said, clasping Fenn’s claw with both hands. “You know Vesryn and I…” She hesitated, the unfinished thought tangling in her throat. “It’s complicated, but there’s more between us than what I’ve told you. A bond formed, like it did with Lykor. But we haven’t accepted it. Not yet.”

Not yet . The words loomed as a selfish admission, her want for something deeper with the prince too.

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” Fenn’s question was quiet, but she felt the sting of her betrayal. “I thought…” He shook his head, water streaking down his face.

“I was afraid you’d tell Lykor,” Serenna admitted. “And I didn’t know if the coercion would somehow force him to find Vesryn through me. But…I did something worse than not telling you about the bond.” She tucked Fenn’s claw to her chest. He deserves to know everything. “The night I gave you my force talent…” Her voice cracked as the words spilled into the space between them. “I did it to manipulate you.”

Eyes widening, Fenn went unnaturally still in that wraith way of his. His claw slipped from her hands, curling into a fist at his side. He said nothing, his eyes flicking across her face, like a knife probing for truth. But the bond only exposed his emotions, confusion and hurt colliding.

“I offered my magic so you’d untether me,” Serenna confessed, her voice nearly drowned by the steady patter of water. “I thought Vesryn would come find me.” Unable to face Fenn’s hurt, she stared at the drain, wishing she could wash her shame down it. “But he didn’t. And I’ve regretted using you like that ever since. Not because the prince didn’t appear, but because you didn’t deserve it.”

She silently begged for forgiveness, but Fenn’s continued quiet was the only reply. “I know that sounds selfish, but I wanted to reunite Vesryn and Aesar and it seemed like the only way. I didn’t know what else to do. I’m…I’m so sorry I used you.”

Fenn lifted her chin gently, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Then these magics aren’t mine to keep.” Serenna’s ribs tightened as the fire in his eyes dimmed. “I thought what you gave me was freely offered. I…” Withdrawing, he glanced away, the bond writhing with hurt. “Knowing it wasn’t…” His voice caught as he exhaled slowly. “You should take your magics back. I won’t hold on to something you regret giving.”

“No,” Serenna said quickly, stepping closer. “I don’t regret it.” She brushed his arm, her fingers lingering.

Fenn’s brows buckled, his expression caught between confusion and longing.

“I regret how it happened, but I don’t regret giving you my power. You’re important to me,” she said, heart bared. “More than I can explain.”

Fenn extended a talon to brush a strand of hair from her face. “I know.”

“I want you to keep the talent,” Serenna insisted. “And I’d like to discover what we can do with the bond.” An idea kindled. “Actually… Maybe we can try something now.”

Propelled by curiosity, Serenna plunged down the bridge connecting them, blindly reaching through the depths of their shared Well. Fenn blew out a rough exhale, shivering as his Essence ignited at her call, rippling around them like shimmering starlight.

“That feels…very intrusive,” he chuckled, seizing her hips. “But if you’re in the mood to grab something else…”

Serenna huffed a laugh but maintained her focus, channeling his force talent. Magic coiled at her fingertips, flaring blue. She released a pulse of power against the cascading water. The stream fractured and sprayed outward, droplets scattering like diamonds.

“You can use my other talents now,” Serenna beamed, her excitement building with every word. “You’re already a natural with force, but now you’ll be able to—” She broke off, her thoughts racing ahead of her words.

“We can figure it out together,” Fenn finished, his palm finding hers, entwining their fingers. Water sluiced down his torso, the mist beading on his skin. “I want this,” he said, tapping his temple with a growing smirk. “I enjoy sensing that feeling you get when you stare at my chest.”

Serenna snapped her focus back to his face.

Fenn’s grin softened, his expression shifting to something deeper, more vulnerable, before he added, “And I felt that you would have missed me if I…if I had faded away.”

Serenna squeezed his fingers. “I’m glad you didn’t,” she said hoarsely, the words scraping against the hollow ache in her throat. They weren’t enough. They could never be enough. If Jassyn hadn’t been there to pull Fenn back from the brink. If she had lost him—

“Serenna,” Fenn whispered, halting her spiraling thoughts. He lifted her hand to his chest, pressing her palm over the steady beat of his heart. “I’m here.”