Sil leaned against the cool, plush fabric of the pillow, eyes half-closed, gazing thoughtfully into the dim glow of the stars spilling through the window. Beside him, the gentle rhythm of Bliss's breathing filled the room, her vibrant hair splayed out across the pillow in a shimmering cascade. He watched the rise and fall of her shoulder beneath the silk sheets, the ethereal glow of her celestial essence softening the harsh contours of his own weary heart.
"If she were different..." he murmured internally, his thoughts weaving a complicated tapestry of 'what ifs.' Would he still crave her? Bliss was a paradox—divine yet disastrously human, dangerous yet achingly vulnerable. Her presence tugged at buried layers within him, whispering possibilities he feared to acknowledge. But the truth remained stark: if she wasn't who she was, would he even have noticed her amidst the throng of mortal lives and fleeting romances he'd passed over through countless centuries?
A shadow of a smile softened his lips as his mind drifted to Vorden. His brother had found something precious, something Sil feared would forever elude him. The bright laughter of Jade, her incandescent warmth and the luminous glow of her spirit, were Vorden's now, an irreplaceable treasure that his brother safeguarded like the rarest jewel. Sil couldn't help but feel a bittersweet sting of envy mingled with genuine joy, particularly at the news of Vorden becoming a father. Jade, radiant and nurturing, would certainly make a remarkable mother, providing a home woven with kindness and strength, something that also eluded him.
Sil's fingers twitched restlessly on the silky sheets. He felt irrevocably marred by that dark, fateful day—the unforgivable day when his hands had claimed the lives of his two closest friends. That moment shaped every path thereafter, every cautious step, each painful sacrifice. It whispered cruelly in his ear each night, reminding him that love, family, and normalcy were luxuries his bloodstained hands no longer deserved. Yet, even as he questioned if such darkness might pass down to Vorden's child, Sil felt a shiver of dread. Would his brother one day hold him accountable for a legacy of wrath and violence he'd unwillingly bestowed?
A quiet sigh escaped his lips, laden with the weight of centuries. Fatherhood frightened him—not merely because of what he might become, but because of what he had witnessed firsthand. Hilston's shadow loomed large, a towering figure of twisted strength and tainted love. If the same poison lingered in his veins, could he ever risk passing it on himself? Sil clenched his fists, knuckles whitening, jaw tense with the painful realization: he could not. The risk was too great. The stakes too high.
He turned his head gently, studying Bliss's serene profile, her silvery hair cascading like a moonlit river across the pillows. There was a quiet ache within him, a yearning he buried deep beneath layers of duty and sacrifice. Perhaps he didn't deserve happiness, or perhaps happiness was a choice he forfeited long ago. Either way, the stark clarity of his fate rested like a weight on his chest.
Sil exhaled deeply, softly lifting a strand of Bliss's hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear with a careful, fleeting tenderness he would never admit aloud. Sliding silently from the bed, he dressed with practiced quietness, leaving Bliss untouched by the turmoil simmering in his heart. With one last lingering look, Sil turned away, stepping out of the room and into the solitude of the forest, the quiet darkness swallowing his conflicted thoughts as he walked forward, alone.
***
Vorden lay awake, his gaze fixed contemplatively on the slivers of sunlight dancing gently across Jade's sleeping form beside him. Her long, glossy brown hair, usually disciplined into a neat braid, had spilled free overnight, flowing loosely over her shoulders like waves of liquid chocolate silk, softly illuminated by the dawn filtering through the window blinds.
His heart swelled, pulsing warm and slow within his chest. There was an entirely new dimension to his love now, an overwhelming sense of responsibility intertwined with boundless affection. His eyes drifted to Jade's stomach, still flat and unchanged, yet he imagined it growing, shaping itself around the tiny life they'd created. He marveled quietly, nervous excitement humming through him.
It was strange. He felt as if he'd always known Jade was the one, his heart certain from the first awkward glance and embarrassing exchange they'd shared. But now, with this new miracle on the horizon, clarity crystallized within him. He wanted this—wanted her—forever.
His hand found hers beneath the blankets, fingers lightly entwined as she slept on, oblivious to the quiet storm of thoughts stirring within him.
The ring had already been crafted, its design a subtle nod to Jade's vibrant spirit: delicate silver twisting around a gem that seemed to hold a sliver of captured starlight, symbolic of her luminous presence in his life. Yet the perfect moment to present it had eluded him, until now.
An idea emerged, bright and perfect. His lips curled softly, a smile blossoming gently as he envisioned it clearly.
Vorden squeezed Jade's hand gently, promising himself silently—this would be perfect. This would be the beginning of their forever, a future he'd protect with every fiber of his being.
***
In the serene stillness of early morning, Raten lay in bed, eyes tracing the soothed curves of Cassidy's petite frame curled warmly against his chest. Her slender form nestled perfectly atop him, her soft breathing a comforting rhythm against his skin. His powerful arms encircled her securely, her hair a wild cascade of firey waves sprawling across his shoulder.
A quiet, lingering smile tugged at his lips as thoughts drifted lazily towards his brother. Vorden, ever the careful one, had found a love radiant and pure in Jade—a happiness Raten never imagined for either of them. His chest tightened fondly; Vorden would make a great dad. Jade's sweetness and intellect would undoubtedly be passed down, and he looked forward to causing delightful chaos as the mischievous uncle.
Yet a shadow crept into his thoughts—Hilston. A sharp chill jolted through him, an instinctual recoil at the echoes of pain, dominance, and twisted familial bonds. The very notion of fatherhood awakened an unfamiliar uncertainty deep in his chest, an aching fear he'd inherited something insidious from Hilston. Could he truly dare risk passing it down? Was fatherhood something he wanted, or was it a path better left unexplored?
The conflict simmered briefly until amusement flickered into his mind. The image of a teenage version of himself, brimming with rebellion, paired with Cassidy's feisty independence made laughter ripple softly through his chest. Cassidy stirred slightly, murmuring sleepily without lifting her head, "What's so funny?"
He stroked her silky hair lightly. "Just imagining what a little fiend our child would be."
She chuckled softly at first, the melodic sound warming him further. Then silence, filled with contemplative weight, settled upon her. Cassidy shifted, lifting her gaze to his, eyes suddenly shimmering and tender.
"Our child?" she whispered, vulnerability mingling with hope.
He hesitated, cautioning gently, "I'm not trying to corner you into anything—just thinking out loud."
Her eyes softened, tears glistening as they caught the morning's gentle rays. "It's a beautiful thought," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. "Our children."
Raten's heart leaped, pounding exuberantly, a wild grin overtaking his face. "Really?" he asked, excitement vibrating in every syllable. Without waiting, he rolled over, gently pinning her beneath him as playful hunger brightened his gaze.
Cassidy burst into giggles, squirming joyfully beneath him as his lips traced fiery kisses along her neck. His voice, thick with delight and newfound eagerness, rumbled against her skin.
"I can't believe you said that—let's start right now!"