Chapter 45

Slowly, I lifted my hand, hesitating for a moment before cupping his cheek. His eyes closed, and he leaned into my touch, his breath soft and uneven. “ I don’t want to leave,” I whispered, barely able to get the words out. When his eyes opened, there was a light in them I hadn’t seen before, a mix of relief and something deeper—hope, maybe.

Kaden straightened up, his strength returning as he reached for my hand. “ Meara,” he began, squeezing my fingers gently, “ I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

I pulled my hand back, looking up at him with determination. “I have something to ask of you,” I said, my voice firmer now. “I want Zaden to train me. Not just with my magic—I want to learn how to fight. I never want to feel as helpless as I did when they captured me and my powers failed me.”

Kaden’s lips curled into a proud smile. “ My brave, fierce little one,” he said, his voice filled with admiration. “I’ll speak with Zaden. He’ll train you, but only when you’re fully healed. And I will train you too. You will never feel powerless again.”

I nodded, grateful for his support. A sense of resolve settled within me, and I knew that this was the start of something new. I would become stronger, not just for myself, but for everyone who had suffered because of the darkness that had touched my life.

Kaden stepped closer, his presence a comforting weight. “ I need you to know something,” he said quietly, his eyes searching mine. “You are not alone in this. Whatever happens, I’m here. We’re in this together.”

His words wrapped around me like a promise, and for the first time in a long while, I felt something other than fear. I felt hope.

With Kaden by my side, maybe, just maybe, I could find the strength to face whatever came next.



*****


The healers had ordered me to rest, keeping me confined to my chambers for three long days. At first, I protested, but their stern looks and gentle yet firm hands insisted otherwise. They were adamant that I needed time to heal after everything that had happened. My sleeping chamber was beautiful, unlike the dark, cramped spaces I had grown used to in Dravonia. Light poured through the open arch windows, flooding the room with warmth and the gentle scent of soft pink flowers that decorated every corner. Their petals, delicate and pastel, matched the plush pillows and the silk drapes hanging from the bedposts.

On the first day, I spent hours simply admiring my surroundings. The room was large, with high ceilings and walls painted in soft cream. There was a small library tucked into a corner, a cozy nook filled with books that beckoned me closer. Each title promised a new world, a distraction from my restless thoughts. My feet padded across the soft rugs, and I spent most of the day on the cushioned window seat, gazing out at the gardens below.

The open windows allowed a cool breeze to drift in, carrying with it the sweet scent of blooming flowers. I breathed deeply, letting the fragrance calm my frayed nerves. The sounds of birds chirping and the distant rustle of leaves were a welcome change from the silence of the dungeons and the suffocating darkness I had endured for weeks. I had to admit, as much as I hated being trapped in my room, this place was a sanctuary compared to where I had been.

But my thoughts always drifted back to Kaden. The idea of being his mate, living in a castle, and accepting this life seemed surreal. Could I really picture myself here, by his side, as something more than just a guest or an outsider? Every time I tried to dismiss the notion of a bond, I felt a pull deep within me, an undeniable connection that defied logic. Kaden had told me we were bound, and though I wanted to brush it off as some fairytale nonsense, a part of me couldn’t deny what I felt.

I had never experienced anything like this before, not at twenty, not ever. Being near Kaden stirred feelings I didn’t fully understand—warmth, safety, and something else, something fierce that I couldn’t name. The way my heart quickened when he looked at me, the way my skin tingled when he was near. It was infuriating, and I refused to admit to him, or myself, that he was right and I was wrong. I didn’t want to be wrong. I just wanted to feel safe, and I wanted to make sure that what I felt for him was real, not some trick of magic or destiny.

Frustrated, I slammed the book I was reading shut and tossed it onto the table in front of me. I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t keep pretending that sitting here, reading old stories and myths, was enough. I needed to move, to breathe fresh air, to feel the sun on my skin. I had been locked away in the dark for too long, and the four walls of this room, beautiful as they were, were beginning to feel like another kind of prison.
I glanced at the double white doors that led out into the hallway. My heart beat faster as I considered leaving, just for a moment, just to get some air. I walked over, slowly, pressing my ear to the cool wood to listen for any footsteps or voices. The healers had made it clear that I was to stay here for a week at least, but I was losing my mind. I couldn’t take it anymore.

Cautiously, I cracked the door open, just enough to peek out. The hallway was empty, the coast clear. I slipped out quietly, pulling the door shut behind me. I had no idea where I was going; this part of the palace was unfamiliar, a place Merilla hadn’t shown me during my initial tour. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries and the floors were polished to a shine, reflecting the light from the large windows.

I wandered down the hall, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness at being out of my room. Eventually, I found a spiraling staircase with white marble steps and delicate gold patterns that twisted downwards. I took them one step at a time, gripping the railing tightly, hoping it would lead me outside. I was almost at the bottom when I bumped into Seth, nearly losing my balance in my surprise.

His eyes brightened when he saw me, his usual mischievous smile appearing instantly. “ Meara,” he greeted, but before he could say more, I pressed a finger to my lips.
“ Shh,” I whispered, glancing over my shoulder to ensure no one else was nearby. “ I don’t want the healers to know I’m not in my room.”

Seth chuckled softly, clearly amused. “ I can help with that,” he whispered back, his voice low and conspiratorial.

Relieved, I nodded. “ I need to get outside. I’ve been cooped up for too long, and I’m starting to go crazy. But I have no idea where I am… I don’t know this part of the castle.”
He glanced around, then motioned for me to follow him. “ Come on, I know the way. Just stay close.”

We moved quietly through the halls, avoiding any healers or guards that might question why I was out of my chambers. Seth led me through a series of winding corridors, each one more ornate than the last. We passed paintings of past kings and queens, grand statues, and massive windows that offered glimpses of the gardens outside.

After a few turns, we reached a set of double doors that led out to the gardens. Seth pushed them open, and the scent of fresh flowers immediately hit me, even stronger than before. The sun was warm and bright, and the gardens stretched out in every direction, filled with vibrant colors and soft, manicured paths.

I stepped out, breathing deeply. The sky was a brilliant blue, with only a few fluffy clouds drifting lazily overhead. Flowers of every shade imaginable filled the beds, and tall, graceful trees provided spots of shade along the paths. It was beautiful, peaceful, and exactly what I needed.

“ Thank you,” I said to Seth, genuinely grateful.

He nodded, leaning against a nearby tree with his arms crossed. “ I figured you could use a break. The healers mean well, but they don’t understand how stubborn you are.” He grinned, his playful nature shining through. “ Just… don’t overdo it, okay? You’re still healing.”

I gave him a small smile. “ I won’t. I just needed to get out, see something other than four walls.”

I wandered along the garden paths, my fingers brushing against the soft petals of the flowers as I passed. The sunlight warmed my skin, and the gentle breeze rustled the leaves above me. It was like stepping into a dream, a perfect moment that I wished could last forever.

But my thoughts kept drifting back to Kaden. I couldn’t stop wondering what it would be like to stay here, to truly belong in this world. Could I accept this life, this bond? Could I find a place for myself in Kaden’s world? The questions spun around in my head, unanswered, but at least out here, surrounded by the beauty of the gardens, they didn’t feel as heavy.