I had to take my necklace off to prove to everyone that someone born from both could exist. I knew it would take time for change, but I was happy with our decisions so far.
After my demonstration to prove I had a Token, I hadn’t taken my necklace off. It was a comfort. I’d worn it my whole life, the metal felt grounding against my chest, and I wasn’t ready to give that up. But I also wore it around Nollie. I didn’t trust my own strength without it—not until I trained, until I knew my limits.
“Do you want a drink?” I asked, making my way to the kitchen when we arrived. The cabin was exactly as I left it.
She nodded, and I watched her take a seat on the sofa before I grabbed a bottle and sat down next to her.
I passed her the bottle, giving her the first sip. Moons knew she needed it. She took a long pull, wincing slightly as it slid down her throat before handing it back to me.
“Are you okay?” I asked, even though I already knew the answer. Neither of us were okay.
She let out a laugh, but there was no warmth to it. “I’m happy he’s dead, but I kinda wish he wasn’t just so I could kill him again.”
I took a sip from the bottle because I knew exactly what she meant. Hell, I wanted to bring Dahes back just so I could be the one to do it. But I’m glad it was her, glad she was able to get a sliver of relief, even though it’d never be enough.
“Hael,” Nollie said, drawing back my attention. “I think I know who your mother is.”
I didn’t say anything, just waited for her to continue.
“I knew her,” she started, her voice was soft. “She was the only kind person to me while I was his slave. You said Dahes took her right after your birth and there was this…” she paused, looking up into my eyes, and I could already tell by her expression what she was going to say. “There was a ghost who had a swollen belly.” She swallowed. “I think your mother passed away right after. I think that’s why Dahes had her.”
I nodded. “I figured.”
“I can try to find her if she hasn’t moved on yet. She hadn’t while Dahes was alive so there’s still a chance that she’s?—”
“I’m okay with it, Nollie,” I said, cutting her off. “If we find her, great, but I’ve made my peace with not knowing my mother.”
I pulled her against me. “I don’t want to have any more hard conversations tonight,” I said. “I just want to enjoy this. Right now. With you. You’re the only family I care about.”
Nollie’s shoulders didn’t relax and she paused long enough to make me realize she wasn’t done talking.
“You have a question, don’t you?” I laughed.
“Yes. I-uh… I swore Aura could read my mind when I was in MonClem.”
I was silent for a moment. I knew I needed to tell her this, I’d been wanting to, we just never had the opportunity.
“She can,” I said, waiting to gauge her reaction.
Nollie reeled back. “What?”
“We’re Eclipsisian mates,” I explained. “Aura is as much your dragon as she is mine.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it. Then opened it again before pulling back more. “Eclipse—what?”
I stood, gently pushing her the rest of the way off my lap as I walked over to the kitchen. I kept the ripped paper I found on Eclipsis Bonds just in case I had the opportunity to tell her.
Nollie’s eyes were wide as she stared back at me, tracking the crumpled up piece of paper in my hand.
“Here,” I said, extending it out to her. “This is all I could find on it. They’re rare. Blessed by the Suns and Moons, but it’s why Aura can read your thoughts. Eventually, if you want to, you’ll be able to sense her too.”
“If I want to…” she repeated, her eyes still downcast on the paper. “And if I don’t?”
“We don’t ever have to complete the bond,” I said, and I meant it. Even if it’d kill me, if she didn’t want it, I’d walk away.
She met my gaze for a moment before skimming the paper again,and I knew she was reading exactly what I had. The bond was for life, once we accepted it, we couldn’t take it back.
A small gasp left her lips as she read what it meant to accept it, what we’d have to do.
