𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐜𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜

𝐨𝐧𝐞

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Thissillia's raven hair whipped around her face in soft tendrils as it pulled free from her long braid. Her violet eyes roved over the sprawling expanse of emerald grass that led to the marble staircase of Tamlin's manor, tracking the movements of two individuals. One was Tamlin, prowling in his beast form. The other she didn't recognize, but she could tell it was a human girl sitting atop one of the mares from Tamlin's stable.

She knew what her presence must mean.

A sickening feeling coursed through her as she watched Tamlin enter his manor. Thissillia's wings ―the giant, bat-like appendages with their veins glittering like jewels in the sunshine― beat in a steady rhythm, keeping her far from the ground and undetected. When she saw the girl enter the manor moments after Tamlin, Thissillia made a dive for the ground. She tucked her wings in tight, relishing the feeling of free-falling, and when she was close enough to the ground, she let them snap open once more to catch the current and let her gently float to the ground.

Once her thin shoes hit the ground, she pulled her wings in, letting them slowly fade until they disappeared completely. She pulled her braid over her shoulder and slid the band off of it, releasing her raven locks from their confinement. She loosened the braid until her curls unfurled and she ran a hand through her hair to situate it back into normalcy. She released the strands, letting them fall back down her back.

The train of her lilac gown trailed behind her as she walked across the grass and up the marble steps. The large, ornately carved wooden doors swung open as her magic gently swept toward them, and she was immediately met by a large figure that she nearly ran into. "Lucien," she breathed, stopping inches away from his muscled chest.

"I was just about to come find you," the male murmured as Thissillia's gaze traveled up to meet his. His hair shone like molten lava spilling over his shoulder as the sun lit up the strands, its rays pooling in from the open doors.

"He's back," was her response. "With a girl," she added.

A shadow crossed over her mate's expression. While his russet eye was pinned on her, his metal eye whirred ―something it was prone to do when he was troubled. "Well, let's hope this one isn't as insufferable as the others."

Thissillia held his gaze, her hand gently trailing across his chest. "I suppose we must go meet her," she said reluctantly.

Lucien pulled her into his embrace, stroking her hair gently. His tall, muscled body dwarfed her own with her petite stature, making it easy for her to melt into him like she could disappear. A growl of annoyance rippled through the closed doors of the dining hall, causing Lucien to release a tight sigh. "Sounds like he needs our help."