The only thing that remained of the king was a jagged black crown, splattered with blood.

The silence of the desecrated grotto was haunting.

"Thom, Aryn," Naomi called out, her voice monotone and a bare whisper. "Do you.... need healing..?"

"Alistair's blood magic stopped the bleeding," Darius rumbled beneath her, voice stronger than before. For all of them. "Go… We're okay, for now."

This time, she didn't let guilt hold her back from being true to her top concerns. This time, she wanted to be selfish.

Naomi peeled herself from Darius, blood dried and stuck between their clothes. She crawled towards Cassien's crumpled form, his back flat on the blood soaked grass. Tears saturated her eyes, blinding her vision. Her hands shook as she braced her palms over the open wound in his heart. The second she touched the open flesh, a desperate wail escaped her lips. Golden light burst and sputtered and bloomed all over in cadence with her shudders.

Her voice was hoarse. "Wake up, Cassien. You can't die. We… We're supposed to fight over where to build our home together. We're supposed to grow old together. "

His eyes stayed closed. Blood trickled from the corners of his mouth, his skin ghostly white.

Magic surged at her fingertips, pushing past her reserves of energy. It sparked wildly, and she slammed her palms. "Wake up!"

There was still no answer. Naomi curled forward, pressing her forehead against his chest. She tried to test their connection, but even that didn't work. It was nothing, less than a void.

"I love you," she hiccuped in repeated sobs, her chest threatening to cave under the heartbreak. "I love you, I love you, I love you. Please come back. Please come back to me."

Tears soaked into his armoured tunic. Her magic was faltering now, her own life force visibly draining.

Her lips parted, trembling. "I can't sail alone anymore. You h-have to see my home in Thaibarrus, then I'll see y-yours in Elysiam. We can get married, and have children - t-they'll have your eyes, and my.. stupid.. brown sugar sprinkles…"

The others averted their eyes in a solemn moment of her privacy, her grief.

She kept hold of him, desperate to keep him warm even if the glow of her magic had dulled, reduced to bare flickers. Her entire body trembled with magical exertion. Naomi's gaze swept through the grotto - from Kaelen's fallen form, Thom's shaking body as Aryn tried to wrap the open cut of his amputated arm, to the marked sigil atop Lore's sarcophagus.

All of this for a dead god and her forgotten consort.

Forgotten consort…

Naomi's breath caught.

She sat up with renewed energy. Her lips began to move, reciting the words from an old but unforgettable memory.

"O Lunare, the first full moon, Giver of life, bearer of will."

The gold around her hands seemed to pulsate, almost deepening to a stark white shade. She could hear Darius from behind suck in a deep breath at the sight. Naomi continued with not a single tremble in her voice.

Hear the call of the sun, Your forgotten Consort.

A gust of wind exhaled from around the grotto, the silver foliage of the tree rustling for the first time in what could've been centuries.

From your breath was hope shaped, From your tears, power is made.

Golden cracks splintered across the grass, illuminating the grotto in more gold than silver. The air felt thick, divine - as if someone were listening.

By your shard, I am not merely born; I am chosen. And so I shine, By your grace."

A single drop of blood from Alistair's abandoned crown and a sliver of power from Aryn, Darius, and Naomi slipped from their bodies to coalesce beside Cassien. It spun like flying threads, brighter than a shooting star.

Then, a hush fell.

The air changed, an announcement of the divine and something sorrowful.

A form bloomed into luminous existence. Even though they were impossible to look at fully - Naomi recognized the shape immediately. Hair that was so long it draped across the grass like a weaving blanket and even into some branches of the silver tree. Sleepy lilac coloured eyes. Their body glowed with ethereal silver, needing no clothing for their near transparent form.

Naomi's eyes widened. "Y-you're…"

Lunare's eyes landed on Naomi and she tilted her head slightly. There was no pity in her gaze, only a recognition of the golden magic - the personification of the only thing that mattered to the moon goddess.

She drifted towards the tomb. With the flick of her wrist, a deep, rhythmic pulse began to echo from the stone like a heartbeat. The slab dissolved into sparks of light, and from it, a man rose, dressed in simple white silks that didn't show any passing of time.

Long hair like a river of ink. Kind, caramel eyes and a demure smile.

Lore reached for Lunare's hand, and the goddess did not resist. She sighed, and the sound drifted across the grotto like a breeze descended from heaven. They stood in silence, and the light began to dim.

Naomi broke from her frozen stare. Her eyes prickled with fresh tears, voice cracked. "Please help him. Please don't let me lose him."

The dimming light halted as Lore looked at her. His expression was unreadable - but the second he noticed the familiar golden glow, it softened to a warm fondness. His eyes traced back and forth between Cassien's still body and Naomi's red streaked face. Without a word, he looked at Lunare.

Something unspoken passed between the two - and Lunare nodded hesitantly.

Lore stepped forward. Naomi didn't know if she should move, but she felt his presence compel her to remain. He knelt beside Cassien, and pressed his palm over her own hand. It didn't feel physical, but Naomi had never felt such warmth in her life.

Bit by bit, the colour in Lore's body began to seep away, turning translucent just like Lunare's; his human essence poured into Cassien.

In the end, his body was as silvered and ethereal as the goddess's. Behind him, Lunare held out her arms, and her lover returned to her. Their bodies shimmered, and disappeared with a final peace.

Naomi's body shook with disbelief. She looked down to see the healthy glow return to Cassien's face, though he was still unmoving. She removed her palms hesitantly, as if he might bleed out again at any moment - to find the wound in his heart had fully sealed shut.

At that moment, his eyes opened, a gasp to his lips.

Naomi made some kind of sound - part sob, part breathless laugh, part strangled cry - and clutched his face with both hands. "Cassien? Can you hear me?"

He blinked rapidly, adjusting his vision. Gold-flecked irises fluttered towards her. His low voice was gravelly. "Ow."

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She collapsed over him in a fierce hold. Nothing felt better than the returned embrace around her waist.

"You- you died," she whispered. "You died."

"I know," he rasped. "I tried to hold on... I didn't want to leave you."

She shook her head fiercely. "Don't you ever do that again."

"I don't plan on it," he managed with the faintest ghost of a smile.

Naomi laughed through her tears before pulling back to help him sit up. They stared at one another for several heartbeats, too scared to blink.

Then she launched herself at him.

He caught her with hesitation, feeling her hands buried into his midnight hair. Their lips met in a heartstopping collision - every ounce of terror and grief melding together without any room to breathe. She kissed him like she was furious with him for dying, and he kissed her like he was desperate to assure her that he would never leave again.

His own hands shook as he handled the back of her neck, thumb brushing the sharp of her jaw. Their lips parted over and over, and Cassien didn't care if anyone - be it their companions or the divine - watched their reunion.

**

The brown mare slowed down to a stop beside a neat path of gravel. It led up to a cozy cabin made of willow wood and surrounded by mature alpine trees, overlooking a streaming river in the distance. A gloved hand reached out to Naomi in an offering.

"No place like home," Darius said. "Welcome back."

She took his hand, stepping down from the saddle. She sighed and smiled at the cabin behind him, noon sun shining in the distance. "It's so good to be back."

He began to unpack some of her belongings. "Myself, I'm thinking about running away from Tudor. I already know Aryn's got work for me the second I step foot there."

Naomi smiled, holding out her hands for the luggage. "This is your vacation, then. Thanks for escorting me from Thaibarrus - I know it's not a short trip, but I enjoy the company… and it makes Cassien feel better, knowing I'm not alone."

"Yeah, yeah," Darius waved her off dismissively, and the two began to walk up the path. "The next time he wants a guard escort for his lady, I also expect a generous payment. A man's gotta make a living somehow."

Naomi knew he was joking. "I'll tell him you said that."

"Good. It's not like a duke is hurting for money."

Before she could reach for the handle, the door swung open - a squeal erupted from a red-haired, green eyed woman dressed in a black dress and white apron.

"Welcome back, my lady!" Cressida raised her arms excitedly, and Naomi leaned in for a hug.

"Thank you, it's good to see you. Have you had any trouble being out here?"

"Not at all! It's peaceful, it's quiet - and the view is spectacular. How could anyone have problems with such a location?"

Naomi stepped through the doorway and Cressida began to help her with her travel cloak and boots. Darius stopped short of the threshold, placing her luggage past the doorway.

"Would you like some tea, my lady? I just put up a kettle."

"That would be lovely," Naomi replied, turning to Darius. "Would you like to stay for a cup, warm up your bones?"

Darius shook his head. "You two enjoy without me. I'll have to head out right away if I'm gonna make it back to Tudor in time."

"Aryn running you that ragged that you can't stay to have tea with a friend?"

"You should scold him the next time you see him."

Naomi hummed. "Hmm. I'll think about it. Though that means you'll have to wait three months for the next Accord."

Darius smiled and tapped the doorframe. "I'll see you then."

The two women waved him goodbye before making their way back inside, with Naomi taking a quick bath before heading straight for the sunroom that Cassien had built for her. Thick upper beams were decorated with ivy and hanging lanterns. Built into the walls were rows and rows of neatly organized books - which Cassien insisted that a ladder system also be installed, so that Naomi wouldn't fall trying to grab a book she couldn't quite reach.

There was a cushioned bench with a thick blanket tossed across it, several unfinished books strewn across a warm toned coffee table. The cabin landed mostly in the Northern regions, so the temperature was slightly colder - but the large glass panelled walls faced towards her home region, where the sun seemingly always shone no matter the time nor season.

Naomi curled up onto the bench, inhaling deeply and taking in the familiar scent of the room. It mostly smelled like old books and soap from the washed floors, but there was always a trace of peppermint that lingered behind. She began to skim through the last book she left behind, and Cressida arrived shortly after with a tray of tea and plated biscuits.

The two exchanged conversations as the sun's heat dried her damp hair. They spoke of Cressida's grumpiness about a certain insistent suitor, and Monroe's slow but positive shifting opinion on the North until the sun began to dip, the sky beginning to streak a warm orange. Cressida had just lifted a cup to her lips when several knocks at the door sounded, and Naomi nearly bowled her over in excitement.

"Cassien's home!" Naomi squealed with stars in her eyes.

"Wait!" Cressida called out after her in a panicked voice. "That's not…!"

Naomi flung the door open, arms wide open. "Welcome home-!"

Standing there with a picnic basket in one hand and dressed in an uncharacteristically casual clothes was none other than Thom. He pulled back his foot from the base of the door.

"Hi, Naomi," he said. "You were… expecting someone else, huh."

"....I was. It's good to see you though." Her pout was unconvincing. "Why did you knock like that?"

Thom raised an eyebrow. "Like what? Is it 'cause I only have one hand?"

She let out an embarrassed squeak. "No! Sorry! I was expecting Cassien. He knocks five times so that I know it's him, but so did you, so..."

Cressida appeared behind Naomi, pinching the bridge of her nose. Her cheeks were flushed red. "...Hello, Lord Paldarin."

Thom's demeanor changed instantly like an adoring puppy. "Hi, Cressida! Look! I brought red wine since you mentioned last time you preferred it over white-"

A high pitched yelp left Cressida's lips as she stumbled forward in an attempt to cover his lips. Her foot caught onto the welcome mat. Meanwhile, Thom struggled to lift the cover of the basket with his stumped hand, unable to catch her awkward stumble - and the two collided backwards in a clumsy heap.

"Hmm," Naomi looked down at the two with an amused look. "Maybe I should ask Cassien to build you two your own room-"

"That would be great-" Thom piped up.

"Don't you even dare-" Cressida groaned.

They bickered for a while longer before Naomi convinced Cressida to give Thom another chance - he had mellowed out somewhat since their original encounter and apologized profusely, and clearly had some sort of interest. Cressida played a stony card, but the blush at the tips of her ears gave away her curiosity.

Naomi squeezed Cressida's hand before adjusting the maid's shawl. "Thank you again for watching the house while I've been gone."

"You're most welcome, my lady. Are you sure you don't want us to stay until His Grace is back?"

"Positive. You two have fun." She leaned in with a low whisper. "I snuck those herbs into the basket."

Cressida smacked Naomi's arm. "You-!"

"You started it. Off you go," she waved cheerfully, all but booting the unlikely pair out the door.

Naomi shut the door behind her with a soft click before making her way towards the bedroom. It was still early, but the mattress was beckoning her to lie down. After several days on horseback and sleeping on solid green in tents, everything in the cabin was a luxury.

Naomi dug through the linen closets for anything that Cassien had worn, and settled for one of his buttoned shirts. She stripped down, redressed in his minty scent and nestled into the thick cotton knitted blankets of their bed. Drowsiness unexpectedly pulled her in, and by the time she woke, the sky was dark with dotted stars. Her mind was foggy with sleep until she felt the tickle of something hot against the back of her neck. There were warm arms cradled around her, a familiar rise and fall of a sturdy chest from behind. Her heart skipped a beat.

Cassien.

Slowly, she shifted in his arms to face him. Even in the dark, she could see his long lashes and the curve of his lips. Naomi traced the length of his nose, the heaviness of his brows, and pressed a gentle kiss in the space between his forehead.

A sleepy smile tugged at his lips, eyes unopened. "You were drooling on the pillow."

Naomi let out a sputtered laugh. "I-I don't drool!"

His fingers slipped beneath her borrowed shirt, tracing down the deep dip of her back. "Yes, you do. It's okay, dove. I won't tell anyone."

"There's no one to tell because I don't drool."

Cassien's arms wound tighter around her, one snaked beneath her waist and the other resting on the width of her hip. "I've missed you so much."

"You're deflecting. Acting like I didn't realize you were late to come back."

"Say it back." She could see his pout - and held back a laugh. He normally looked so mature, stoic.

Naomi kissed him teasingly, pulling away too soon with a glint in her eyes. "I've missed you too. What kept you?"

His eyes opened then, and she could see gold peering through the dark. "It wasn't a big deal. I was hoping you wouldn't notice."

"I notice every minute that you're gone."

"Me too. It's the only time that things are quiet."

"What does that mean!? That I blabber too much?"

"I could listen to you talk about anything, nonstop. I would pay you to blabber every minute of every day just to hear your voice."

Naomi let out a giggle and pecked the spot beside his mouth. "Mmm. You're very good at changing the subject."

A hand settled onto her hip. He leaned into the crook of her neck, teeth lightly grazing her skin. "I had to make a stop at one of our diamond mines for inspection."

"Diamond mine?" Her curiosity was piqued. "Whatever could be the reason for that?"

"No reason. Just duke-ly things. I'm sorry. Very, very sorry."

Her leg curled over his. She pushed her body closer, deliberately reaching down with a teasing hand. She'd make him pay for playing coy. "Are you?"

"Yes," His breath hitched slightly before kissing her deeply - unhurried and aching for her touch. He could never get enough of her. "Let me show you how sorry I am."

Naomi let out a soft, idyllic sigh. "You'll have a whole lifetime with me to do that."

He smiled against her. "Yes, we do."

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