Mag-log inTime passed gently at Arvendon Castle. Carbius gradually adapted to life on the surface. He learned to walk with greater confidence, to dress like a nobleman, and even to participate in the duchy’s council meetings, where his unique perspective on the ocean and nature brought new ideas to Athos’s governance.The bond between them only grew stronger with each passing day. They shared not only love, but also dreams and responsibilities. Athos taught Carbius about politics and diplomacy, while Carbius showed Athos the beauty and secrets of the ocean. Together, they created a perfect balance between two worlds that had once seemed irreconcilable.One night, after an especially tiring day of meetings and obligations, Athos and Carbius sat in the castle garden under the light of the stars. The air was cool, and the sound of leaves rustling in the wind created a peaceful atmosphere.“Have you ever thought about what we would do if we hadn’t found each other?” Carbius asked, his voice soft bu
Athos was in the castle kitchen, preparing a surprise for Carbius. He had dismissed the servants for the night, wanting the moment to be intimate and special. With surprising skill for a duke, he prepared a simple but delicious dinner: fresh herb-roasted fish, accompanied by grilled vegetables and a bottle of red wine he had saved for special occasions. The table in the dining hall was set with candles, creating a romantic and welcoming atmosphere.Once everything was ready, Athos climbed the stairs leading to the castle’s bedrooms. He stopped in front of Carbius’s room, hesitating for a moment before gently opening the door. What he saw made him smile: Carbius was sleeping, sprawled across the bed, his body relaxed and his face serene.Athos entered the room and closed the door behind him. He approached the bed, his eyes tracing Carbius’s body with admiration and affection. Without thinking twice, he threw himself on top of Carbius, beginning to kiss his nape, his cheeks, and his nec
The morning arrived gently, illuminating the inn room with rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains. Athos and Carbius lay side by side, their bodies still intertwined after the night of passion. The silence between them was comfortable, filled with an intimacy that could only exist between two truly connected souls.Carbius was the first to move, stretching his arms and feeling his still-dormant muscles. He looked at Athos, who was still sleeping peacefully beside him, and felt a wave of affection flood his chest. That human had changed his life in a way he could never have imagined.“Good morning,” Athos murmured, opening his eyes and meeting Carbius’s gaze.“Good morning,” Carbius replied, his voice hoarse from sleep.Athos smiled and pulled Carbius into a soft kiss.“How are you?” he asked, his voice full of concern.“I’m fine,” Carbius replied, his eyes shining with gratitude. “Better than ever.”Athos chuckled softly and sat up in bed, stretching his arms.“Today we’ll co
The night had fallen over Portosmar, and inside the inn room, Athos and Carbius sat on the edge of the bed, sharing a moment of quiet tranquility after a day full of discoveries. The air between them was thick with a tension that had been growing since they left the island — an attraction neither of them could ignore any longer.Carbius looked at Athos, his dark eyes reflecting the moonlight streaming through the window. He was still getting used to the sensations of his human body, but one thing was certain: Athos’s presence affected him in a way he had never experienced before.“Are you okay?” Athos asked, his voice soft but filled with concern.Carbius nodded, though his expression was thoughtful.“I’m… just trying to understand all of this,” he replied, his eyes locked on Athos’s. “What I feel for you, what we’re doing here… everything is so new to me.”Athos smiled and placed a hand over Carbius’s.“I understand. This is all new to me too. But one thing I know: I don’t want to ru
The beach stretched out before them, illuminated by the silver light of the moon. The sound of waves breaking against the sand was now a distant reminder of the world Carbius had left behind. His chest rose and fell heavily, his body still adjusting to the human form granted to him by the elders’ ritual. He felt solid ground beneath his feet in a way he had never experienced before. It was strange, uncomfortable, yet at the same time, fascinating.Athos walked beside him, casting constant glances his way, worried about his condition. The exiled merman seemed lost in his own thoughts, his eyes fixed on the vastness of the ocean that no longer belonged to him.“Are you okay?” Athos asked, his voice soft but filled with concern.Carbius took a few seconds to respond. When he did, his voice came out hoarse, as if he were still getting used to the sound of it.“I… feel different,” he admitted, staring at his own hands. His fingers were long and strong, but they no longer had the scaly text
The sun began to descend on the horizon, tinting the sky with golden and orange hues. The cave felt smaller, suffocating, as if it knew the weight resting upon Carbius and Athos. The merman stood at the entrance of the cave, his gaze fixed on the sea that he would soon no longer be able to call home.Athos stayed close, trying to absorb the magnitude of Carbius’s choice. He knew the merman was about to lose everything for him. The ocean was his world, his refuge, and now he was willing to trade it for an uncertain future beside a human.“Are you sure about this?” Athos asked, his voice heavy with hesitation. “You still have time to go back.”Carbius turned to him, his expression unreadable, but his eyes… Ah, his eyes were filled with an intensity that burned like embers in Athos’s heart.“What is a home without the person you want by your side?” Carbius replied, his voice deep and firm. “The ocean has always been my home, but now… you are my home.”Athos felt his breath catch. He had
Chapter 44Everyone turned. There, at the edge of the stone circle, was a figure that made Aurora's heart stop.It was her.Or almost. A little older, with eyes that carried a weariness Aurora knew all too well, and silver marks identical to her own covering her arms."Mother?" The word came out as
Chapter 45The stillness that followed Aurora's sacrifice was of a kind Cael had never experienced before. It was not the quiet of peace, but the active absence of something essential—as if the very air had lost its taste, the world its color. He stood at the center of the stone circle, his hands s
Inside the room, Aurora had finally fallen asleep, her face serene like the calm surface of a lake. Her breathing was slow, deep, and the lunar lineage necklace rested on her chest like an anchor of light. It pulsed in silvery-blue hues, in sync with her heartbeats.Cael remained by her side, stand
Silence hung in the room like a living presence, broken only by the distant sound of leaves whispering in the wind outside. The fissure in the mirror had become a living crack, pulsing in dark and silvery hues, as if breathing on its own. Aurora watched it from the bed, the necklace clenched agains