Lara had already thrown out a dozen outrageous ideas: a day trip to the floating markets, sneaking into an elite masquerade, even trying an experimental potion that supposedly gave people temporary shapeshifting abilities.
I shut every single one down.
She groaned, flopping onto the couch dramatically. "When did you become so boring?"
I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. "I don't think I've ever been this emotionally drained. This whole week has been nothing but chaos."
Lara's teasing smirk faltered for a moment, something thoughtful flickering in her gaze. She studied me, as if debating something.
Then, just as quickly, her expression lit up. "Oh! I know exactly what you need!"
Before I could ask, she jumped to her feet, disappearing upstairs.
I barely had time to process what was happening before she returned, her purse slung over her arm, jacket in hand.Without hesitation, she tossed my jacket at me.
"Come on, let's go."
I caught it mid-air, giving her a wary look. "And where exactly are we going?"
She was already heading toward the door. "You'll see."
I sighed but slipped into my sneakers and followed her outside. A sleek black vehicle was already waiting in our driveway, her driver standing beside it.
Lara slid inside, and I followed, watching as the familiar streets of our neighbourhood blurred past, giving way to the towering elegance of the city's heart.
The closer we got, the more I started to piece it together.
And when we pulled up in front of an opulent building with golden, glowing sigils etched into the marble entrance, I knew.
"The spa? Really?"
Lara didn't even give me a chance to protest. She was already out the door, reaching back to pull me along.
The moment we stepped inside, the air itself changed.
A soft, calming energy pulsed through the space, pressing against my skin like a warm embrace. The scent of soothing enchanted oils and fresh blossoms drifted through the air, mixed with something faintly otherworldly, like the lingering hum of magic woven into the atmosphere itself.
The entire space was bathed in soft, ethereal lighting, the walls shifting subtly between colours, responding to the mood of the guests.
In the center of the lobby, a massive fountain made of enchanted crystal flowed with iridescent water, its glow pulsing in a rhythmic cadence that seemed to sync with my breathing.
Lara and I had barely stepped forward when two elegantly dressed attendants appeared, their long robes shimmering faintly, their silver tattoos marking them as Fae spa healers.
They greeted us with polite smiles, each holding out a luxurious white robe that seemed to glimmer with faint enchantments woven into the fabric.
"Your treatments have already been prepared, Lady Lara," one of them said smoothly, turning toward me with a nod. "And for you, Lady Athena, we have something special planned."
Lara smirked at me knowingly, taking the robe from the attendant and draping it over her arm. "See? I told you I knew exactly what you needed."
I sighed, finally allowing myself to relax just a little.
Maybe for once, Lara was actually right.
The attendants guided us down a dimly lit hallway, the walls adorned with floating lanterns that pulsed softly, adjusting their glow to match the energy of the guests.
We reached a grand archway, where the corridor split into two separate paths. One of the healers turned to Lara with a polite nod.
"Your suite is prepared, Lady Lara. Your usual treatments await."
Lara threw me a smug glance. "Try not to miss me too much."
I rolled my eyes, watching as she was led away through a doorway framed with curling golden vines. The moment she disappeared, my own attendant gestured for me to follow the opposite path.
"And for you, Lady Athena," she said smoothly, "we have something tailored to your unique energy signature."
I hesitated for half a second before stepping forward, letting her guide me through a moonstone archway that shimmered faintly as I passed beneath it.
The air shifted again, becoming warmer, thicker with something ancient and serene.
And then, I saw it.
A private chamber stretched before me, carved directly into smooth obsidian rock, the walls glistening with what looked like tiny constellations embedded in the stone. At its center, a vast hot spring stretched across the room, its waters glowing in soft hues of sapphire and gold, shifting in slow, mesmerizing waves.
Above it, tiny orbs of light floated lazily, flickering like trapped stardust. The entire space pulsed with a quiet, rhythmic energy, as if the very air inside this chamber was alive.
"The Enchanted Spring," my attendant explained, stepping beside me. "It is attuned to your energy. It will restore what has been drained, balance what is unsettled."
I barely registered her words, I was too caught up in the sheer feeling of the place. The way the water moved unnaturally, forming slow, deliberate ripples before smoothing out again, as though waiting for something.
My skin prickled.
"It's completely safe," the healer reassured, sensing my hesitation. "It will only give you what you need."
I exhaled slowly before reaching for the robe's sash and letting it fall.
Stepping into the water, I braced myself for warmth.
Instead, a rush of cool tingles spread across my skin, like dipping into liquid starlight. Then, in a slow, deliberate shift, the temperature adjusted perfectly to my body.
I released a breath I hadn't realized I was holding, sinking deeper, letting the water pull me in.
The moment I sank beneath the surface, a sense of weightlessness washed over me, pulling away the heaviness I hadn't even realized I was carrying.
The water wrapped around me like a living thing, its warmth unraveling every thread of tension, seeping deep into my muscles until I felt like I was dissolving into it.
For the first time in days, I wasn't thinking about anything.
Not the past.
Not the questions still unanswered.
Not the weight of the secrets pressing in from every side.
Just peace and silence.
The water moved in slow, rhythmic waves, matching the rise and fall of my own breath. A soft golden glow pulsed from the depths, flickering in time with something unseen, like the heartbeat of an ancient force that had no need for urgency.
The air smelled of enchanted blossoms, warm spice, and something faintly sweet, wrapping around me, grounding me in a way I didn't know I needed.
I tilted my head back, letting the sensation carry me, my body floating effortlessly, untouched by the weight of exhaustion.
For once, I let myself surrender to it.
I wasn't sure how long I stayed there, cocooned in warmth, but when I finally surfaced, a soft knock at the chamber door pulled me back to reality.
The same Fae attendant from earlier stepped inside, bowing slightly. "Lady Athena, Lady Lara has requested your presence for the next phase of your treatment. If you are ready?"
I blinked, still feeling light, almost dreamlike, before nodding. "Yeah… yeah, I'm ready."
After changing back into my robe, I followed her down a winding corridor, where faint mist curled along the floors, trailing the edges of glowing crystal lanterns.
The air grew cooler, but not unpleasantly so. There was a different kind of energy here, less about relaxation, more about renewal.
I stepped into another chamber, this one open to the sky, sunlight filtering through enchanted glass that refracted the light into shifting hues of gold and violet. The air was rich with the scent of rare florals, infused oils, and something warm and lingering, like magic woven into every breath.
Lara was already there, lounging comfortably on a reclining treatment table, her arms lazily stretched above her head.
She turned toward me with a smug grin. "Finally. Thought you'd drowned in that spring or something."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't quite suppress a smirk as I settled onto the table next to her.
A team of attendants moved effortlessly around us, their robes shifting like woven starlight as they prepared bowls of shimmering elixirs, iridescent dusts, and enchanted oils that pulsed faintly with power.
One of them approached me, offering a reassuring smile. "This treatment will restore balance, enhance vitality, and rejuvenate your natural essence."
Lara sighed dramatically. "Basically, we're about to become otherworldly goddesses."
I scoffed but closed my eyes, surrendering to the sensation as the ritual began.
Warm hands glided over my skin, the soft press of enchanted oils sinking deep into my muscles, unraveling knots of tension I hadn't even realized I was carrying. A gentle warmth followed, seeping through my bones, as though something ancient and healing had been woven into every touch.
A cool mist settled over my hair, the scent of rare botanicals laced with fae magic clinging to every strand, making it feel impossibly soft, almost weightless. My scalp tingled slightly as the elixirs worked through each lock, restoring strength, enhancing its natural shine, leaving behind a barely perceptible shimmer under the soft lighting.
The attendants moved with precise, effortless grace, brushing delicate runes along my arms and shoulders. Their warmth seeped into my skin, sinking deeper than touch, realigning something within me, something I hadn't even known was unbalanced. A quiet hum pulsed beneath the surface, an energy settling into place, grounding me in a way I couldn't quite explain.
The final step was subtle but undeniable, a soft pressure against my lips, my lashes, my fingertips. A finishing touch of celestial-infused balm, enhancing without altering, like every feature had been subtly sculpted into something even more defined.
By the time the attendants finally stepped back, a gentle golden light flickered through the chamber, pulsing in rhythm with my steady breaths.
I opened my eyes slowly, blinking against the glow, my body feeling lighter, restored. Like I'd been pieced back together, but smoother, sharper, whole.
Lara sat up first, inspecting her glowing skin with an exaggerated hum of approval. "Yep. Definitely the best idea I've ever had."
Then she turned to me, eyebrows raised expectantly. "So? Are you finally convinced I'm always right?"
I exhaled, running a hand through my silky-soft hair, feeling a sense of ease I hadn't realized I needed.
I smirked. "Let's just say… I don't regret it."
Lara stretched with a satisfied sigh, clearly pleased with herself. "I'll take that as a win."
She slid off the treatment table, tying the sash of her robe with a practiced flick. "Come on, let's get dressed. No way I'm ending this day without a feast."
I let out a quiet laugh, shaking my head as I followed her lead. For the first time in a while, I didn't mind the idea of lingering a little longer.
The spa's warmth still clung to my skin, the traces of enchantment humming beneath the surface, leaving me feeling light, almost weightless. As we stepped out into the cool evening air, the energy of Lysoria pulsed around us, the city alive with its usual effortless glamour.
Lara's driver was already waiting by the curb, the sleek black car blending seamlessly with the polished streets lined with enchanted lanterns. We slipped inside, the hum of the engine barely noticeable as we were whisked through the heart of the city.
From quiet indulgence to vibrant energy, the shift was natural, one kind of luxury melting into another.
The moment we stepped into Lune Noire, the familiar hum of low music, clinking glasses, and soft laughter wrapped around us like silk.
The upscale lounge sat at the heart of Lysoria's nightlife, an exclusive hideaway for the elite. Golden chandeliers floated overhead, shifting subtly with the rhythm of the music, casting fluid, ever-changing light across the deep velvet seating and polished obsidian tables.
A soft haze of scented smoke curled through the air, enchanted to enhance the senses without overwhelming them. The cocktails, crafted by alchemists rather than bartenders, glowed faintly, each one laced with a whisper of magic, whether to heighten emotions, deepen relaxation, or bring a momentary spark of euphoria.
Lara led the way toward the lounge's plush seating, her heels clicking against the enchanted marble floor that reflected fragments of starlight. "You know the rules, Athens. First round's on me."
I smirked, slipping into a seat across from her. "Not arguing with that."
Just as the drinks arrived, a sparkling amethyst cocktail for me, a fiery amber elixir for Lara, a familiar voice carried through the room.
Calder.
Flanked by two elegantly dressed girls, Calder lounged comfortably on a velvet couch, his signature smirk in place, eyes glinting with playful mischief as he whispered something that made them giggle.
Lara followed my gaze, rolling her eyes. "Of course he's here."
At that precise moment, Calder's gaze flicked to me.
For a brief second, his usual amusement faltered, just slightly. A glint of something passed over his face, something unreadable, sharp.
Then, just as quickly, he recovered.
Smirk back in place, he raised his glass lazily in a silent toast before he turned back to his distractions.
Typical.
Lara exhaled dramatically, lifting her own drink. "Whatever. We're not here for him."
I clinked my glass against hers. "Then what are we toasting to? She thought for a moment, then grinned. "To surviving a week of absolute chaos. And to more nights like this, where nothing else matters."
I let the words settle for a second before nodding. "I'll drink to that."
The moment we took our first sip, the warmth of the night wrapped around us, and for the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt… easy.
At least for now.