A Bond Between Dragons

under the milky way [011]

The chamber was a sanctuary of subdued shadows and muted hues, the dim glow of the lantern casting flickering patterns on the stone walls. The muffled sound of waves crashing against the cliffs was a constant backdrop, a somber reminder of the turmoil outside. Jace and Luke sat in the room, their faces etched with concern, their bodies tense with an unspoken unease. The room, once a refuge from the storm, now felt like a cage, its oppressive quiet amplifying their restless thoughts.

Luke sat on the edge of his bed, his fingers absently tracing the intricate patterns of the quilt. His gaze wandered to the window, where the dark expanse of the sea met the night sky, a stark indication of the events that had unfolded. The chilling wind that blew through the small opening seemed to carry with it the echoes of their lost companions and unspoken sorrow.

On the contrary, Jace paced the room, his steps measured and deliberate, as if trying to outpace his thoughts. The flickering light of the lantern danced in his eyes, casting long shadows that seemed to mimic his own internal trouble. He glanced at the door periodically, his irritation and worry masked beneath a veneer of stoic composure. The tension between them was palpable, a silent acknowledgment of the anguish they could not fully express.

The door creaked open with a hesitant groan, and Vaella appeared, her form illuminated by the pale moonlight that filtered through the corridor. Her cloak, now heavy and damp, clung to her frame like a second skin, the remnants of the sea still clinging to her like a spectral shroud. Her hair, wet and tangled, framed her face in disarray, the salt and wind adding a rough edge to her usually meticulous appearance.

Jace's face, though attempting to maintain its usual firmness, softened slightly upon seeing her. He ceased his pacing, his gaze steady as he observed her with a silent, questioning intensity. The unspoken words between them seemed to hang heavy in the air, a testament to the intricate web of their shared grief and the constraints placed upon their public expressions.

Before she could take more than a few steps into the room, Luke was up from his seat, his face lighting up with a mixture of relief and joy. He rushed toward her, his usual reserve melting away in the face of his genuine concern.

"Vaella!" Luke exclaimed, his voice a breathless mixture of relief and affection. He practically enveloped her in a fierce embrace, his arms wrapping around her as if afraid she might disappear again. "Where were you? We were so worried!"

Vaella, though still shaken, allowed herself a brief smile as she returned his embrace. The warmth of his gesture was a comforting balm against the chill that had seeped into her bones. She held him close for a moment, savoring the connection before gently pushing him away with a soft laugh. "I'm fine, Luke. Just needed a moment."

"Found yourself wandering in the depths of the night, did you?" Jace's voice broke the silence, as he stood with his arms crossed. His gaze was sharp, his expression a blend of concern and frustration.

Vaella met his gaze with a faint, wry smile. "The sea has a way of pulling one in," she replied softly. "But I'm here now."

Jace's frustration seemed to simmer just below the surface. "You can't just be disappearing, Vaella," he began, his words clipped. "It's reckless. You can't just wander off when things are like this!"

He took a breath, his tone shifting slightly as he continued, "And it's not just about you. We're being forced to swallow our grief in silence. It feels like we're supposed to forget that Harwin ever existed, to bury our feelings like they're some kind of inconvenient truth." His frustration peaked again, and he ran a hand through his hair, exasperation etched on his face.

Vaella's expression softened, though her eyes remained distant. "I understand," she said quietly. "But it's not just about us. There are rules, expectations. We have to be cautious."