The council room was silent. The air carried a heavy weight as I stood at the head of the long marble table, my heart pounding. Around me, the people I trusted most had gathered — Cynfael, Alohi, Jemisha, and Xenos.
And Vyrmoth stood quietly at my side.
I let my gaze move across their faces. Cynfael's brow was furrowed in confusion, Alohi watched me with cautious curiosity, Jemisha clung to my arm tightly, still fragile from what had happened the night before. And then there was Xenos — his eyes fixed on Vyrmoth, unreadable, but burning with questions.
I took a breath and began. "There's something I need to tell you. Everything."
They leaned in, listening as I told them about my secret journey — how I had left the castle to search for someone lost. How I ended up in the Forest of Liars, how I was nearly destroyed by my own mind, and how, when I woke, I was in a cave — face to face with him.
Vyrmoth.
"My grandfather, Smokey, revealed the truth to me," I continued. "Xenos… you were never the only one."
Xenos's eyes narrowed slightly. His jaw tensed.
I turned to Vyrmoth and placed a hand on his arm. "Everyone… this is Vyrmoth." My voice softened. "Xenos's twin brother."
The room went deathly silent.
Cynfael leaned forward, blinking in shock. Alohi covered her mouth, her eyes wide. Jemisha's grip on me tightened as she whispered, "He looks just like him…"
But my gaze was on Xenos. His eyes never left Vyrmoth, who took a careful step forward.
"It's true," Vyrmoth spoke softly. "I was cursed like my brother. But my egg was taken—hidden away. I was raised far from here, by creatures who cared for me but never told me what I truly was."
Xenos took a slow breath, his entire body rigid. His emotions danced wildly behind his glowing eyes — confusion, anger, disbelief, and something much deeper.
Vyrmoth continued, his voice calm but trembling slightly. "I've dreamed of meeting you my entire life."
Xenos's breath hitched.
And then — slowly — he moved forward.
Without a word, the two brothers reached for each other, and the moment their hands touched, the entire room filled with a sudden burst of light.
Their magic intertwined like a living current — ancient, powerful, and unbreakable. The air crackled around them as golden and icy-blue sparks swirled between their palms. The resonance of their bond pulsed like a heartbeat, radiating through the chamber and into every corner of the castle.
Alohi gasped. "By the gods…"
Even Cynfael had to steady himself against the table.
Xenos's expression finally softened as the magic settled into a steady glow between their hands. His voice broke the silence, low and filled with wonder.
"I always thought I was alone."
"Not anymore," Vyrmoth whispered.
I couldn't stop the tears forming in my eyes. For the first time since this entire nightmare began, something felt right.
This was just the beginning.
I quietly slipped out of the council chamber, leaving Xenos and Vyrmoth alone to talk — to finally reconnect after so many years apart. They deserved that moment. And truthfully, I needed a moment for myself too.
"Come on," Alohi said, sliding her arm around my shoulders with a mischievous smile. "You, me, and Jemisha are going to the spa. You need to relax."
I barely had the energy to protest as Jemisha linked her arm through mine on the other side, giving me a soft, encouraging smile. After everything that had happened, a moment of peace sounded… nice.
The warmth of the spa wrapped around us like a blanket. The soft sound of flowing water, the gentle aroma of herbs in the steam — for a brief moment, I let myself breathe.
We settled into one of the private steam rooms, the heat soothing my aching muscles as I sat between the two of them.
But my mind refused to stay quiet.
"I feel like the worst person in the world," I finally said, my voice trembling as I broke the silence. "The way I spoke to Xenos before leaving… I said things I didn't mean. Horrible things. I was just trying to push him away so he wouldn't follow me. So he'd be safe. But I never wanted to hurt him."
Jemisha reached over and squeezed my hand gently. "You were protecting him in your own way. He'll understand."
Alohi, however, leaned back with a wicked little grin. "You know what you need?" she said. "A surprise steam session. Just you and him. The tension will melt away—both kinds." She wiggled her eyebrows dramatically.
My mouth fell open. "Alohi!"
Jemisha giggled, though her cheeks flushed bright red. "Alohi, you're impossible."
"I'm just saying!" Alohi laughed. "Lock you both in here, little heat, little sweat, a little… release of tension. He won't even remember you were fighting."
I groaned, covering my face with my hands. "I'm trying to fix my relationship, not seduce him like some unhinged temptress."
"Well, it's not the worst plan," Alohi added with a teasing wink. "But fine. Serious advice: apologize. Be honest. He's already forgiven you in his heart, Sage. I see it in his eyes every time he looks at you."
Jemisha nodded softly. "You both care too much to stay apart."
I leaned my head back against the warm tile, exhaling deeply. "I just hope you're both right."
"You'll see," Alohi smiled. "The second you speak from your heart, it'll all fall back into place."
After the spa, I felt a little lighter. Alohi and Jemisha's words still echoed in my mind as I walked through the halls, my bare feet brushing against the soft carpets. The castle was quiet for once, and I found myself in front of my bedroom door—our bedroom door.
I hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before I pushed it open.
The first thing I saw was Xenos.
He stood by the large mirror near the wardrobe, shirtless, pulling on a fresh tunic. The soft glow of the lanterns danced across his toned back, the intricate marks of his dragon lineage shimmering faintly across his skin.
I froze. My eyes widened. "Oh gods—!" I blurted, instinctively spinning around and slapping my hands over my face. "I—I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—! You were—! I thought you'd—! I—"
Before I could get another word out, I felt a warm pull around my waist as his magic gently wrapped around me like invisible threads. The door softly clicked shut behind me.
I yelped as I was lightly pulled backward, spun around, and placed gently onto the edge of the bed. My heart hammered wildly in my chest as he stood before me now, fully dressed but eyes locked on mine.
"Xenos—" I started, but he only raised one eyebrow, waiting.
And then the words tumbled out of me.
"I'm so sorry!" I rushed, my voice quick and breathless. "I never meant any of the things I said before I left! I was just trying to protect you! I thought that if you followed me, you'd be in danger and I couldn't handle the thought of something happening to you and—"
I waved my hands dramatically. "—and then I said all these horrible things and I thought you'd hate me forever and I didn't know how to come back and explain and I—"
Before I could ramble any further, his hands cupped my cheeks and he leaned down, cutting me off with a soft, deep kiss.
I gasped slightly against his lips, my hands gripping his sleeves instinctively. The warmth of him, the familiarity of his touch, made my whole body relax.
When he finally pulled back, his voice was gentle. "Sage… you don't have to say any of it. I already forgave you the moment you walked out that door."
My breath caught. "You—"
"You were trying to protect me. I knew it then. I know it now." His thumb brushed lightly across my cheek. "You fight for everyone else. Just… next time, let me fight with you."
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. "I promise."
He smiled softly, resting his forehead against mine. "Good."
And for the first time in days, my heart felt whole again.
We stayed like that for a moment, lost in each other's presence, the tension between us melting away completely.
Then Xenos whispered, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, "Now, if you ever walk in on me changing again… I might not be so quick to let you leave."
I laughed, feeling my cheeks flush. "You're impossible."
"Maybe," he said softly, kissing my forehead, "but I'm yours."
And for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to simply rest in his arms — knowing that whatever was coming next, we would face it together.