Selene

Upon entering, I find the studio to be entirely cleared from any trace of dust, dirt, cobwebs, and grime. The crystal-clear glass wall allows bright morning sunshine to fill the airy room and soft wind drifts through the open pane, fluttering a note along the worn wood floor. Picking up the paper, I read that Asteria had taken it upon herself to cleanse the space and replace art supplies, though she left the artwork alone for me to decide where to place them. I take my time with each finished piece, admiring the brush strokes and color placements of each one as I choose the best area of wall space to hang them. With my shadow magic having tangible abilities, I gather the discarded nails from the boarded archways and fling them throughout the room into the spots designated for each canvas. Kyran’s mother had left a few unfinished pieces and I decide to leave them displayed on easels dotted throughout the space, giving the room a lived-in, warm atmosphere.

Perching on the well-worn wooden stool, I spend the rest of my morning painting in peaceful quiet, enjoying the calm relaxation that has blanketed me since jumping into Kyran’s arms last night. My hand floats a thin paintbrush over the canvas, gliding flowy streaks of cyan across tufts of white fur and I lean back after the final stroke with a satisfactory smile. I admire the first piece of artwork that I have created in a long while, realizing that the last time I painted was before I had met Bolvi. After he’d waltzed in and poisoned my life, I let go of anything that used to bring me joy since everything that I did for myself seemed to only piss him off, and therefore make my life hell. Now, though, I have all the freedom to do as I please with whichever pastime I choose and with all the support I could dream of thanks to Kyran. It was because of this that I chose to paint my first piece as a gift to him, to show my appreciation for his care and his attentiveness towards me.

My smile grows warmer as I gaze at the bright amber glow of Valdr and Kyran’s eye, the realistic detailed color is striking in contrast to the smoky midnight fur that surrounds it. Half of Valdr’s lupine face takes up the left half of the canvas and Luna’s bright opposite matches him on the right. From my arctic gaze billows out a stunning stream of curling cyan smoke drifting out across the swirling gray canvas. Between the wolves is a smattering of sparkling tiny stars and mist depicting the cosmic connection we share. Placing the paintbrush into a rinse cup, I rise off my stool and stretch my arms over head when I feel Kyran’s warm presence brush through my mind.

Hey beautiful, I’m on my way back. Sorry it took longer than expected, I’ll catch you up when I’m home. Meet me out front of the house in ten minutes, there’s a nice cafe I’d like to take you to and hopefully introduce you to someone along the way, his words float through me like honey, and I savor the feel of his energy within me.

You feel like sunlight, I murmur in my mind, and I feel his chuckled response rather than hear it as it winds its way languidly around me.

If you could, please bring me some clothes to change into. I, uh, lost mine, his voice is a bit thinner, and I crease my brow in concern.

Bending over to pull on my white clothes that I’d discarded in case I’d ruin them with paint, I lace the back of my skirt and tie my shirt as I cross into the bedroom toward his closet. Of course, are you alright? Is Jeger? I ask him, knowing he must’ve shifted quickly and shredded his clothes if he’s returning in wolf form.

As I’m reaching for one of his many black tees, my gaze snags on an entirely black formal suit, hung neatly with a pressed black dress shirt and silk tie to match. My eyebrows raise at the luxurious fabric as I run my fingers over the jacket and a slow smile spreads on my face as I imagine him in this tonight. I’ve only ever seen him in jeans and a t-shirt—not that I mind it at all—but something about him being primped and polished for me like this makes me feel…warm and fuzzy. Content. Important. My smile grows into a grin, and I bite my lip as sudden overwhelming emotions wash over me, knowing that tonight not only will we be celebrating our bond in front of thousands of people, we’ll also be declaring my presence to generations that believe my existence to only be of myth.

I’m alright, nothing I didn’t heal from. Jeger is unharmed, he was behind me when we were ambushed and I took the brunt of the attack, his nonchalant response pulls me back to the task at hand and his words jolt me to move quickly.

With a shake of my head, I snag a shirt off a hanger and cross to his bureau to fish through his drawers, taking out jeans, briefs, and socks before dumping them on his bed to hurriedly pull on my heels. The thin straps frustrate me in my haste to wind them around my legs and I grunt irritably as I kick them off, snatching them off the floor, along with his clothes and my purse from the bed before I summon my shadow magic around me. From one heartbeat to the next, I’m transported through the chilly dark mist onto the front steps of his home just as Valdr lopes along the grassy yard beside the long driveway.

My brows knit with worry at what he’d said as he trots up to the steps and effortlessly shifts into his human form. “Ambush?” I stress the question, taking a slow breath before demanding, “give me details, now. Please,” I add with a scrunched nose as I realize how that sounded.

Thinking he’d only left to follow a scent trail, the news of an ambush puts me on edge, and I can tell he can sense my agitation as he reaches a hand toward my face to gently brush his knuckles down my cheek. “I’m alright, sweetheart, I didn’t get bitten and we took care of each vampire that we could find,” he gives me a half smile as he continues, “it’s nice to know how much you care, what with your queenly voice and steely gaze,” he laughs, his smile pulling up into a teasing smirk.

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My lips threaten to tug at the corners and I fight the urge to smile as I thrust his clothes out at him and grumble, “I’m serious. What would vampires be doing at the edge of your territory as the Convocation is underway? And about you being bitten, now that Luna is awakened your Guardian blood magic should’ve arisen. You’re immune to vampire venom, it’s part of the Guardian’s abilities. Speaking of which,” I purse my lips in thought, “which abilities do you possess? Have you felt anything take form within you?”

I watch with a hooded gaze as he pulls his briefs and socks on before stepping into his jeans, his defined torso stretching as he raises his arms to put on his shirt and I blink slowly with the heat blooming inside my chest. Mmm, there’s just something about a man standing shirtless in a pair of jeans, I wonder as he pulls the hem of his shirt over his head and gives me a sly smirk. I twist my lips to the side to stop myself from biting my lip when his husky voice reaches my ears.

“I can hear your thoughts, you know,” he whispers conspiratorially, “duly noted,” he adds with a wink and my cheeks heat with a blush as I chuckle.

Reaching out, Kyran takes my hands in his and brings them to his mouth, kissing my knuckles before responding, “I haven’t felt anything—other than our bond fully forming—I feel the same in terms of power or strength. I guess I’m not really sure what I’d feel?” he lets go of one hand to run his through his hair with a sigh and I lightly shake my head.

“Actually, it’s most likely because Luna hasn’t shifted yet into her wolf form. Her magic hasn’t fully materialized yet, and the Guardian magic is tied directly to her, so until then, I guess it’ll remain dormant. Trust me, you’d know when you have it,” I mumble, remembering a long-ago memory of the first Guardian’s initial shift.

Kyran just nods his head as he steps past me and opens the front door, releasing my hand to grab a pair of boots before slipping them on and shutting the door. I use this time to slip my heels on, quickly lacing them around my legs before straightening as Kyran stands beside me, slinging my purse strap over my bare shoulder. He takes my hand automatically and I smile at the gesture as we walk down the steps and through the little path toward the driveway. I tilt my head up at him, curious about where we’re headed.

“Where is it you want to take me?” I ask lightly, enjoying the feeling of the warm summer sun as we walk.

He gives my hand a slight squeeze as he replies, “A cafe in the village, it’s run by a mated pair of elders and they make the best coffee I’ve ever—” his voice cuts off as he notices the scrunched smile I give him and he frowns for a moment before letting out a flat sigh. “You don’t drink coffee, do you?”

A laugh bubbles out of me at the dejected look on his face and I shake my head with a grin. “Nope. I’d still like to go, though,” I offer, squeezing his hand in assurance. “Kind of funny, isn’t it? How we’ve talked about so much and have seen the…darkest parts of each other, but still have little things like this to learn? I’m curious about all of your little quirks,” I muse, resting my head against his shoulder as we walk.

“Well, now that you have your full memory back, I’m sure we’ll have countless nights of things to talk about and I look forward to every single one of them,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to the top of my head and I smile warmly at the contact.

The bustling streets pull into view as we reach the end of his winding driveway, dozens of people mill about in high spirits carrying food and shopping bags, standing in clusters full of laughter, and the sights bring on a sense of unity and joy. More than a few people move out of Kyran’s way as we pass, turning to stare at him and me with hushed tones, their whispers sounding ecstatic at the sight of me and I grin up at Kyran at the noise. He glances at me with a similar expression and openly brushes a kiss to my lips, causing multiple gasps and small cheers to erupt throughout the village.

I can’t help the joyful laugh that pulls free at their excitement and I’m sure by now most everyone has heard of the ceremony taking place tonight. A young girl crosses our path with a shy smile, holding out a white moonflower toward me and I crouch down to her level, giving her a gentle smile as I look into her round, honey brown eyes. I lift my hand palm facing up and she gently places the large bloom on my hand before pulling her hands to her chest. I pinch the small stem and tuck it behind my ear, earning a grin from the little girl and I thank her for her beautiful gift before rising to my feet.

She darts forward, wrapping her tiny arms around Kyran’s leg and he chuckles, mussing her chestnut hair before she squeaks and scurries away. I follow her path with my eyes to her mother who meets my gaze as her daughter takes her hand, giving me a warm smile and wave in greeting. I return the gesture, wiggling my fingers at the girl and take Kyran’s hand once more. We cross a couple more streets, moving closer to the center of the village based on the increasing volume of people and Kyran gives a slight tug to my hand at the sound of his name being called out.

“Kyran!” I follow the worn voice to an elderly woman waving her hand frantically over her head with a wide, toothy grin spread over her wrinkled face.

I watch as his eyes squint from the smile he gives her and I know instinctively this person is important to him as I wonder who she is. We quickly cross the busy street, coming to a stop before a little shop with a sign that reads ‘Window to the Soul’ and I glance through the glass to find gleaming crystals of all sorts lining every possible inch of shelving and tables throughout the small space. I smile broadly at the sight, feeling drawn to go inside and hold the gemstones, clusters, and jewelry, to feel their energy and talk about where they were found.