Eclipsisian Mates
HAEL
“Are you ready?” I asked, opening Nollie’s door.
Two weeks had passed since the Solstice, and I was surprised by how well both kingdoms were taking it. Aside from a few Wielders, we didn’t meet much resistance. We weren’t the only ones who hated the kings, but I knew cooperation would only last as long as they liked what was happening. It was why we hadn’t stopped working since everything happened.
It was all one big fucking headache, and I needed a break—needed this.
My eyes flicked up to her, standing over a bed. Five trunks were spread out before her, some still half open. Frills and laces were packed on top of one another.
“Yes,” Nollie said, crossing her arms. She walked around the bed, completely ignoring the exorbitant amount of clothing. “Let’s go.”
I arched a brow. “Are you bringing anything with you?”
Nollie shook her head. “No.”
“Absolutely not,” a male voice rasped, and I looked up to find Bran tapping his foot against the floor. “You need to bring a pack with you. You can’t be seen wearing the same thing two days in a row.”
The morning after the Solstice, he made it a point to tell us that hewas staying as Nollie’s personal assistant, claiming if she was going to be queen, she needed to look the part.
It took me a moment to realize that he was completely serious. We were discussing what to do with all the civilians, and he waltzed in like Nollie’s fashion choices were the most important thing to exist.
I didn’t regret it as I eyed the black outfit she was now wearing. The loose pants and top almost passed for a dress, hugging her in all the right places, but it would also make flying on Aura easier.
“Then we won’t be seen, Bran. We’re only leaving for one night.”
Bran’s hands went to his hips as he glared at her. “You’re going into Moriann tomorrow. If you don’t bring these, you won’t have anything new to wear.”
Nollie tensed. I only noticed because I realized I’d been staring at her. Jaxs and I had gone into Moriann twice, but Nollie hadn’t yet. Tomorrow was going to be her first time returning. I knew she was nervous. I told her if she never wanted to go there again, that it was fine. I could handle the kingdom and whatever she wanted to do with it. But she just shook her head and told me there were two things she needed to do there. I didn’t ask her about it, didn’t want to force her to elaborate if she wasn’t ready. I’d find out tomorrow what she wanted to do, and I’d be there for her whatever it was.
But going to Moriann was going to be hard for her. Even with Dahes and Elion dead, this was far from over for either of us. Our traumas would continue to haunt us, creeping out from the shadows when we least expected it, and her going into Moriann was opening the door to everything she’d buried.
It was one of the reasons I was making us do this tonight. She needed a night away, needed a distraction.
We’d barely been able to talk about anything privately since the Solstice, and I selfishly wanted the night alone with her.
“Does this mean I get to control the monsters?” Jaxs asked, as the main reason for our lack of alone time together burst through the door. Nollie and I both named him second, and I was starting to regret it.
Nollie looked up to find Jaxs grinning broadly, popping some grapes into his mouth. “W-what?”
“You know, since you control the monsters, and you’re going to be busy getting fucked tonight, so if I’m in charge, do I get to control the monsters while you’re gone? I’d been thinking about what I’d want to do with?—”
“No,” I growled at Jaxs, cutting off whatever the hell it was he wanted to say. “You don’t get to do anything to or with any of them. Ever.”
I loved Jaxs, but I had never wanted to punch him more than I did right now. Nollie’s cheeks heated, but she looked down at her feet, not saying anything. Fuck. I didn’t want her to think that I was only getting her out of the castle to sleep with her.
After I found out about her past, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she never wanted to have sex, and I was fine with it. I’d take as much of her as she was willing to give me, and I’d never pressure her for more.
I still couldn’t believe it was the Dead King that hurt her, and I’d never been more relieved in my life than knowing she was finally free from the fucking bastard.
“Let’s go,” I said to Nollie, ushering her to the door, then turning back to face Jaxs. “If you do anything stupid while we’re gone, I’m revoking your title.”
Nollie wasquiet as we rode on Aura to the safe haven. Everything was a blur from the moment I realized she had left the cabin weeks ago, and it felt surreal going back now.
I had told her what happened with Elion in between the chaos, but we hadn’t fully been able to talk about it. I hadn’t even been able to process it myself.
I was part Wielder, part drakin. Nollie and I both said that we were banning the Imassura. It was one of the first things we did. Anyone could be with anyone. No forced breeding, no sterilization, no morerules against Wielders and drakins.
