𝐒𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐎𝐖 (𝟏) | 𝟏𝟖+

lvii. sunrise.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

▬▬▬▬▬

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐄'𝐒 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄, although it throbs against her bruised ribs. Skin that once felt poisoned by Rhimme's malicious ice thaws with the warmth of a black shadowed wing draped around her to shield her from evil's threats. Still, the pain that rakes her bones embeds itself so deep inside of her that not even in her dreams can she rest. She might've been asleep before, but now? Now she's wide awake.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Morrow lies next to her, long gone in his slumber, his head sharing the same pillow. A sheet strews across their tangled legs. When she rolls over to study his features, she finds everything about him to be serene. There's a slight content curve to his lips—slightly parted as he takes in steady tranquil breaths. With a gentle fingertip, she traces the slope of his nose, then kisses a scabbed cut just above his brow. Just one look at him has her insides brimming with magic, the hum beneath her skin responding to the close proximity of her mate.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎She scratches behind his ear, a tired growl rumbling from his throat as he instinctively squeezes her waist and pulls her flush against him. He nestles his face into her shoulder, still fast asleep in his dreams.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Elowen combs her fingers through his hair as she inspects the room around her. She's still in the sanctum with the lingering evidence of war. The polished floors are still split, and there's crumbling to several of the pillars. Yet, there's no blood or bones laying around collecting dust. In the angelic sunlight, the place seems nothing like the nightmare from before.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"You nearly killed yourself," a woman's voice says.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Elowen turns her head to see a woman with velvet black hair, the long strands tucked behind her ancient pointed ears. There's a wound mark on her neck where Rhimme's collar once choked her, and her eyes no longer appear with blight. They're an almond brown, a shade so sweet that they almost glow against her dark complexion.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"What happened?" Elowen asks.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"Rhimme happened," she quips, taking a step towards Elowen. "I can't explain in detail what occurred in the moments that followed after you lit the flame. I'm sure the winged one can do that. When the others and I arrived at the sanctum, he had already fled."

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"He's gone?"

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"He is." She comes close enough and extends her hand. "I'm Selah. Some of the others and I watched over you after Mariel bandaged you up."

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎Elowen stops giving Morrow his ear scratches and shakes Selah's hand. Selah quickly backs away, almost afraid to get too close to her once more.

‎‎‏‏‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎"It, um, it's not as good as what Mariel can do, but you had such terrible wounds, especially the ones from your wings. Fortunately, being so near to the eternal flame can heal others quicker than being away. You should be as good as new in a matter of days."