Elowen’s POVThe warmth of the blankets cocooned me as soft light spilled through the tall windows of the mansion. My leg ached dully beneath the layers of gauze, but the pain was bearable now. Familiar. Like the weight of a scar still healing.Ranon wasn’t beside me anymore.For a moment, I lay there—disoriented and surrounded by silence. The spot where he’d held me last night was cold now, the room empty of the quiet protectiveness I’d fallen asleep to.I rubbed my eyes, breathing in the faint scent of chamomile and cedar that still lingered on my pillow. My throat felt dry again, but the thirst wasn’t what drove me to sit up and swing my legs over the side of the bed.It was something else.Something missing.Someone.A hollow ache sat in my chest like I’d forgotten something important. I tried to shake it off, carefully limping toward the door.The mansion was still, the kind of stillness that felt wrong—like everyone was waiting for something. Or hiding.I found Ranon and Alaric
Elowen’s POVThe soft golds of early evening that had painted the sky with such delicate beauty just moments ago were now being swallowed by a creeping darkness. Heavy clouds, thick and brooding like ancient secrets gathering overhead, had begun to dominate the horizon. The air grew heavy, charged with a silent anticipation. The first drop of rain fell between us, a cold, singular bead that landed on my cheek like a whispered promise of what was to come.And then the heavens opened.It wasn’t a gentle shower; it was a deluge. Cold, fat droplets poured from the sky, relentless and unforgiving, soaking through my clothes in mere seconds, plastering my hair to my scalp, tracing icy paths down my skin. I gasped, the sudden chill a sharp contrast to the warmth that had begun to blossom between Theron and me. Instinctively, I stepped closer to him, seeking a sliver of shelter, but he didn’t flinch away. He stood rooted to the spot, drenched and silent, the rain plastering his dark hair to h
Elowen’s POVBy the time we finally stumbled back towards the mansion, the torrential downpour had softened to a persistent drizzle, clinging to our clothes and hair like a damp, cool mist. The world around us seemed to shimmer, washed clean and glistening, but the internal storm within me had finally begun to subside, replaced by a fragile sense of peace. My fingers were still entwined with Theron’s, his hand surprisingly warm despite the chill in the air, a tangible link between us that felt both comforting and charged with a renewed energy. The softness in his eyes, a reflection of the vulnerability we had shared in the rain, made it difficult to look away, as if breaking the connection might shatter the delicate truce we had forged.The moment we stepped through the grand, imposing front doors of the mansion, the familiar warmth of the interior enveloped us, a stark contrast to the cold dampness we carried with us. But the welcoming heat was immediately overshadowed by a palpable
Elowen’s POVThe lingering dampness in the air, a cool caress against my skin, was the only tangible reminder of the downpour as I finally emerged from the sanctuary of my room. The mansion, usually bustling with a subtle undercurrent of activity, was now draped in a profound silence, punctuated only by the soft creaking of old wood and the distant whisper of the wind. Dimly lit sconces cast long, dancing shadows along the familiar hallways, their flickering light creating an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. My own heart felt too full, a strange mix of relief and lingering tension after the raw honesty shared with Theron in the storm. I wasn’t searching for anything specific, just a quiet corner to gather my thoughts, to process the whirlwind of emotions that still swirled within me.But as it often seemed to happen within these ancient walls, I found him anyway.Alaric was in the library, his tall, lean figure almost swallowed by the deep armchair tucked away in a shadowy corner n
Elowen’s POVLost in the quiet sanctuary of Alaric’s embrace, time seemed to dissolve, the gentle rhythm of his breathing and the steady beat of his heart a soothing lullaby that gradually eased the lingering tremors within me. The firelight danced across the aged spines of the books lining the library walls, casting a warm, golden glow that painted the scene with an intimate tenderness, a stark contrast to the storm-swept intensity of my earlier encounter with Theron.Wrapped in his quiet strength, I felt a profound sense of peace settle over me, a feeling of being truly held, not just physically, but emotionally, by a man who had witnessed my every fall and every hesitant rise. Every time my gaze drifted to his face, etched with the familiar lines of concern and quiet determination, I saw beyond the formidable warrior, the strategic mind that guided our people. I saw the boy who had stood silently in the shadows, a steadfast guardian during my most vulnerable moments, a silent promi
Elowen’s POVThe silence that enveloped us after our shared kiss was thick with unspoken desires, the air between us charged with a potent energy that hummed beneath the surface of our skin. The only sounds were the soft crackling of the dying fire and the frantic rhythm of my own heart, echoing the insistent thrumming in Alaric’s chest beneath me. His hands, still cradling my face, trembled almost imperceptibly, a subtle betrayer of the carefully controlled composure he usually wore.His eyes, those molten silver pools that seemed to see straight through to my soul, burned with an intensity that both thrilled and intimidated me. They held a depth of emotion that mirrored the complex tapestry of our shared history – years of unspoken longing, quiet devotion, and a fierce protectiveness that had always been a silent language between us.I sat straddled in his lap, the heavy fur blanket a soft barrier beneath me, the warmth of his body radiating through the thin fabric of my borrowed tu
Elowen’s POV The firelight painted the scene with a primal intimacy, casting long, dancing shadows that intertwined our naked bodies on the thick fur rug. Alaric’s breath hitched as my gaze drifted lower, a silent invitation to shed the last vestiges of restraint. His molten silver eyes, no longer guarded, burned with a raw, untamed desire that mirrored the insistent thrumming in my own veins. My hands, emboldened by a newfound intimacy, moved with a slow reverence, tracing the sculpted lines of his chest, the tautness of his abdomen, the faint tracery of scars that whispered tales of battles fought and survived. Each touch was a silent exploration, a deepening of the connection that bound us. He watched me, his gaze unwavering, a low groan rumbling in his chest as my fingers finally reached the buckle of his belt, the small click echoing in the hushed room like a starting gun. His hands tightened on my hips, a silent plea for me to continue this intoxicating dance. With trembling
Alaric’s POV The first rays of dawn, pale and hesitant, crept through the library windows, painting soft streaks of light across Elowen’s sleeping form. She lay curled against me, her head resting on my chest, her breath soft and even against my skin. The remnants of our passionate night still clung to the air, a heady mix of our mingled scents and the faint aroma of dying embers. A profound sense of peace settled over me as I watched her sleep, her usually fierce features softened in slumber, her lips slightly parted in a gentle smile. The weight of her in my arms felt like a privilege, a tangible manifestation of a desire I had held captive for so long. But the quiet contentment didn’t last. A familiar restlessness stirred within me, a deep-seated need to touch her, to feel her skin beneath my fingertips once more. The memory of her boldness last night, the uninhibited desire in her eyes, fueled a fresh wave of longing. As if sensing my gaze, her eyelids fluttered open, her emer
Elowen’s POVThe sun, a molten orb of amber and gold, had just begun its slow descent below the jagged horizon, painting the western sky in fiery hues that bled into soft violets and deep oranges. The tall, arched windows of the triplets’ private quarters, a sprawling suite they had painstakingly personalized, cast long, dancing shadows on the ancient stone walls, the flickering light resembling the hushed whispers of old magic, secrets stirring in the very fabric of the mansion. I stood before the crackling fireplace, the warmth radiating against my back doing little to thaw the lingering tension that still coiled within me like a tightly wound knot after the day’s unsettling events.They hadn’t spoken much after Caelum’s unexpected appearance in the combat hall. Not in explicit words, at least. But their silent communication had been deafening. The way they walked closer to me than usual, their bodies a constant, protective presence; the unwavering intensity of Theron’s gaze, barely
Elowen's POVThe next morning golden sunlight, fractured by the delicate weave of the gauzy curtains, painted shifting patterns across the dark wooden floors of our shared bedroom, finally settling in warm, inviting pools on the soft, rumpled sheets tangled around my limbs. For a few blissful, stolen seconds, cocooned in the lingering warmth of their bodies and the faint scent of their skin, I managed to forget everything—the rigid rules of the academy, the ever-present hum of latent magic, the unseen threats lurking in the shadows, the hushed whispers that followed me like a persistent echo. All that registered was the steady, comforting warmth of a muscular body pressed intimately against my back.Ranon’s strong arm was draped possessively over my waist, his calloused fingers splayed against the soft skin of my stomach, a silent claim that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. Behind me, I could hear the soft, even rhythm of Alaric’s breathing, a reassuring presence in the quiet roo
Elowen's POV When his thumb brushed the thin, soaked fabric of my panties, a strangled whimper escaped my lips, a sound raw with need. The ache between my legs intensified, a sharp, insistent throbbing that demanded his touch, their touch. “Gods, you’re so wet, Elowen,” Ranon muttered against my skin, his breath hot and ragged against my inner thigh, the possessive observation sending another shiver of anticipation through me. Then his finger slipped beneath the delicate edge of the fabric, gliding with exquisite slowness over my slick, swollen heat, and I couldn’t help the involuntary moan that spilled from my lips, my head falling back against the cool, rough stone of the rooftop as a wave of pure, unadulterated pleasure shuddered through my core. Ranon groaned, the sound low and guttural, a primal rumble that vibrated against my skin, his fingers stroking against me with a teasing gentleness that left me trembling uncontrollably, every nerve ending screaming for more. “I want
Elowen’s POV The cool night air, sharp with the scent of distant rain and damp stone, pressed in around us, no longer a chill but a warm, endless cocoon, isolating us from the rest of the sleeping Academy. Above, the celestial canvas was a breathtaking spectacle, the stars spun in dizzying, intricate patterns, a thousand tiny, silent witnesses to the beautiful, chaotic storm raging within my heart. I felt like I was burning from the inside out, a slow, consuming fire ignited by their nearness, their unwavering gazes. Surrounded by them—Alaric’s steady, grounding strength, Theron’s consuming, passionate fire, Ranon’s wild, untamed hunger—I was drowning in the magnetic pull that bound us together, a force both terrifying and exhilarating. And I didn’t want to be saved. I yearned to succumb, to be completely consumed by the intensity of our connection. I wanted to drown in the depths of their devotion. “Look at me, little star,” Theron whispered, his voice a rough, urgent rasp that r
Elowen’s POVThe night pressed down on the Academy like a heavy velvet shroud, suffocating and restless. Even after the last echoes of footsteps faded down the long corridors and the heavy oak doors of the student rooms clicked shut, sealing everyone into their private spaces, sleep remained a distant, unattainable shore for me. I paced the confines of my room, the moonlight filtering through the tall, arched windows, casting pale silver rectangles across the dark, polished hardwood floors, my mind a relentless whirlwind of anxieties and unanswered questions, spinning endlessly around Caelum’s cryptic words and the Triplets’ simmering fury.They had been a silent, ominous presence throughout dinner in the grand hall. Dangerously, furiously silent. Their usual banter and playful jabs absent, replaced by a taut, almost palpable tension that crackled in the air around us like an impending storm gathering strength, the heavy clouds of their anger darkening their eyes. I knew, with a certa
Elowen's POVThe sun was a pale, watery smudge behind a thick blanket of heavy, bruised clouds as I stepped into the Academy’s main courtyard the next morning. The cool wind, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and distant rain, stirred the loose strands of my hair around my shoulders, a fleeting caress that did little to dispel the deeper chill that snaked its way down my spine.It wasn’t the bite of the autumn air that made my skin prickle with unease.It was the way they watched me.Alaric.Theron.Ranon.My mates.Their gazes, sharp and possessive, followed my every movement across the bustling courtyard with such focused, unwavering intensity that it felt like a tangible pressure against my skin, a silent, invisible touch that both reassured and unnerved me. Protective. Possessive. Fierce. Their united front was a comforting shield, yet sometimes, the sheer weight of their attention felt like a gilded cage.And now, adding another layer to the already charged atmosphere, Caelu
Theron’s POVThe silence in the grand hall was thick enough to cut with a knife. Every fork clinked a little too loudly, every hushed conversation seemed to die in its tracks. All eyes were on us. On Elowen.I kept my arm possessively around her shoulders, my fingers lightly tracing the curve of her neck beneath the collar of Alaric’s jacket she still wore. A silent warning to anyone who dared to look too long.Ranon’s presence behind us was a palpable weight, a silent promise of retribution to anyone who might consider challenging our claim. I could feel the heat radiating off him, the barely leashed possessiveness that mirrored my own.Alaric, ever the pragmatist, continued eating as if nothing unusual was happening, but his silver eyes flicked around the hall, assessing the reactions, cataloging the threats. His hand, resting casually on the table, was close enough to Elowen’s to reach her instantly.Elowen, bless her oblivious heart, seemed more concerned with the plate of fruit i
Theron’s POVThe rain, a persistent veil earlier, now clung to us like a second skin, the soft, cool mist of it still swirling in the night air, clinging to our eyelashes and dampening the strands of Elowen’s hair that escaped Alaric’s too-large jacket. Her hand, small and trusting, was tucked securely within the warm, calloused grip of mine, her steps slow and heavy with a delicious exhaustion as we guided her back toward the imposing stone walls of the academy.Alaric’s dark leather jacket, usually molded perfectly to his broad shoulders, now swallowed her petite frame, the collar pulled high around her neck, a silent, possessive claim. Ranon’s large hand hovered protectively near the small of her back, a constant, reassuring presence, ready to steady her if her tired limbs faltered.She was quiet, her body radiating a boneless weariness, the sweet aftermath of being so thoroughly, so completely adored by all three of us weighing her down like a comforting blanket. But her eyes – go
Theron’s POVLater that night the academy gardens, usually bustling with the hushed conversations of students seeking solace or clandestine meetings, were deserted. The towering hedges of sculpted yew stood like silent sentinels, their dark forms absorbing the ambient sounds, leaving only the soft, intimate rustle of leaves stirred by a gentle night breeze and the sporadic, rhythmic chirp of crickets hidden amongst the flowerbeds. Above us, the moon hung full and luminous, a perfect orb of silver suspended in the inky expanse, bathing the meticulously manicured lawns and stone pathways in an ethereal, otherworldly glow.Elowen stood just a few feet ahead of me on the winding stone path, her slender back to us, her silhouette delicate against the stark white of a marble bench. The faint, almost imperceptible breeze caught the loose ends of her golden-streaked hair, lifting them in wispy tendrils that danced gently around her bare shoulders, a halo of moonlight framing her.She didn’t k