The sanctuary had learned them.
It showed in the way the wind shifted when they walked the upper paths, how the moonlight seemed to linger a moment longer where they stood together.
Asher discovered this on a night when sleep refused to come.
He padded quietly through the corridors, bare feet against cool stone, until he reached the inner garden. Moonflowers bloomed there — pale and luminous, opening only when the world softened.
Lucian was already there.
"You too?" Asher asked softly.
Lucian smiled without turning. "I sensed you wandering."
Asher joined him, sitting on the low stone ledge beside the flowers. "I keep thinking one day I'll wake up and this will all feel distant. Like a dream."
Lucian looked at him then, truly looked. "Does it?"
Asher shook his head. "No. It feels… steady."
Lucian reached out, brushing his fingers through Asher's hair — slow, familiar. "That's how you know it's real."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, listening to the night breathe.
Finally, Asher spoke. "Do you ever miss it? The power, the weight of being feared?"
Lucian considered the question. "I miss purpose. But not fear."
Asher leaned against him. "Good. Because I don't want to be afraid of you."
Lucian's arm wrapped around his shoulders instantly. "You never will be."
The locket rested warm between them, reflecting moonlight. Its surface no longer shimmered with magic — just memory.
Asher traced the edge thoughtfully. "So what do we do now? Save the world?"
Lucian laughed softly. "No. We live in it."
Asher tilted his head up. "Together?"
Lucian pressed a kiss to his temple. "Always."
The moonflowers swayed gently, their glow steady and calm.
No prophecy whispered.
No danger stirred.
Just two souls choosing each other — again and again.
And somewhere between moonlight and breath, eternity felt less like a burden…
And more like a gift.