The past had arrived.
And it wasn't leaving quietly.
The courtyard slowly emptied, but the tension didn't.
Guards returned to their posts. Torches dimmed. The gates closed.
Rowan remained.
So did Kael.
And so did the space between them — thick, heavy, sharp.
Luna exhaled slowly. "You can't stay in the courtyard all night."
Rowan looked at her. "I wasn't planning to."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "You're not staying here at all."
Luna turned sharply. "Kael."
"He's a liability," Kael said, voice calm but cold. "And a distraction."
Rowan's lips curved bitterly. "Funny. I was thinking the same."
"Enough," Luna snapped. "You're both acting like territorial wolves."
Kael's gaze flicked to her. "I am not territorial."
She raised an eyebrow. "You literally just growled at him."
"I did not."
Rowan snorted. "You absolutely did."
Kael glared.
Luna sighed. "Can we not fight over me like I'm a sword or a crown or some cursed artifact?"
Silence.
"…You're definitely a cursed artifact," Rowan muttered.
Luna pointed at him. "Don't tempt me."
Kael turned back to Rowan. "You said something dark is coming."
Rowan nodded. "The same force hunting witches. But stronger. Smarter."
"Names," Kael demanded.
"They call it the Eclipse King."
Luna felt something shift inside her.
"That's not a king," she said quietly. "That's a title."
Rowan's eyes sharpened. "You've heard of him."
"Not consciously," she admitted. "But my magic reacts to the name."
Kael's jaw tightened. "That's not good."
They moved inside.
The halls were silent, shadows clinging to the walls like secrets.
Luna walked between the two men — not because she wanted to, but because neither of them would move away from her.
It was uncomfortable.
And strangely… comforting.
Until Kael spoke.
"You shouldn't trust him."
Rowan stopped walking. "And you shouldn't pretend you own her."
"I don't," Kael replied calmly. "But I won't let her be hurt."
Rowan turned to Luna. "Is that what you want?"
She hesitated.
Then she said, "I want honesty."
Kael's gaze softened.
Rowan's expression shifted — surprised, then thoughtful.
"Then I'll start," Rowan said. "I came here because I still care about you."
Kael stiffened.
"But," Rowan continued, "I also came because I know you're in danger. Real danger. And I won't walk away again."
Luna studied him. "Even if I ask you to?"
Rowan met her eyes. "No."
Kael's voice was low. "She's not your responsibility."
"She's not yours either."
"She's not an object," Luna snapped. "And neither of you get to decide what I need."
Both men fell silent.
Later, Luna sat alone on the edge of her bed, boots kicked off, fingers tangled in her hair.
Her head hurt.
Her heart hurt more.
There was a knock.
"Come in," she said.
Kael entered.
He didn't speak at first.
He just stood there — quiet, unreadable, dangerous and somehow vulnerable at the same time.
"You're upset," he said finally.
"Wow," she replied dryly. "Truly
groundbreaking observation."
He almost smiled.
Almost.
Then he grew serious. "I don't trust him."
"I know."
"He still wants you."
"I know."
"I don't like that."
"I know," she snapped — then sighed. "But you don't get to control who wants me."
"I know," he said softly. "But I do get to protect you."
She stood. "From what? Him? Or your own feelings?"
His eyes darkened.
"That's not fair," he said.
"Neither is this," she replied. "You keep standing close. Touching me. Acting like I belong to you. But you've never said what you want."
Silence.
Then Kael spoke.
"I want you alive," he said.
"That's not an answer."
"I want you safe."
"That's still not an answer."
"I want you—" He stopped.
His jaw clenched.
His control wavered.
For the first time since she'd met him, he looked… afraid.
"I don't know what I want," he admitted. "I only know that the thought of losing you feels… unbearable."
Her breath hitched.
"That's not possession," he continued.
"That's fear."
Her voice softened. "Fear of what?"
"Of caring," he said. "Of hoping. Of wanting something I don't deserve."
She stepped closer. "Who decided that?"
"I did."
"Then you're wrong."
His eyes lifted to hers.
"You don't get to punish yourself forever," she said. "Especially not by pretending you don't feel."
"I'm not pretending."
"You're hiding."
Silence.
Then she said quietly, "Do you want me to stay?"
"Yes."
The answer came too fast.
Too honest.
Too real.
He froze.
So did she.
A soft knock echoed.
Rowan's voice drifted through the door.
"Luna?"
Kael's body tensed instantly.
Luna sighed. "I'm coming."
Kael's jaw tightened. "You don't have to."
"I know."
But she went anyway.
Rowan stood in the hall, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
"I just wanted to say," he began, "I'm not here to take you away. I'm here to stand beside you."
"I'm already standing," Luna said. "With both of you. And it's exhausting."
He smiled faintly. "You always were dramatic."
"Emotionally expressive," she corrected.
His gaze softened. "I'm glad you're alive."
"So am I."
Silence stretched.
Then he said quietly, "You look different."
"Stronger," she replied.
He nodded. "And sadder."
She didn't deny it.
When she returned, Kael was still there.
Still waiting.
Still watching.
"You stayed," she said.
"Yes."
"I didn't ask you to."
"I know."
"But you did anyway."
"Yes."
She studied him.
"That's not protection," she said softly.
"That's attachment."
His eyes darkened.
"Maybe," he said.
Her breath caught.
The bond pulsed — not painfully, not violently — but warmly, like something waking.
Like something choosing.
Outside, the night shifted.
Inside, everything had already changed.