POV: KAELIS → KIERAN
Timeline: parallel sections
KAELIS' POV — TIDELANDS
I'm finally getting the hang of this.
The water rises in a smooth arc from the pool—no violent splash, no miniature tidal wave, no Nyx ducking behind a shield like I'm the world's prettiest natural disaster. Just control. Actual control.
Nyx floats lazily on his back beside me. "See? You're improving."
"I've only flooded the chamber twice this week."
"Which is significantly better than six."
I let the water dissolve back into the pool and look at him. "So you're proud of me?"
"Insufferably."
"Wow. Deep emotional confession from the Sea God himself."
"I contain multitudes." He drifts closer, eyes glowing faintly. "And you didn't blow anything up today. That deserves recognition."
"Should I get a trophy?"
"You should get a kiss."
I freeze. "What."
Nyx is in front of me now—close enough that the bioluminescent glow reflects in his silver eyes.
"A kiss," he repeats. "Positive reinforcement."
"That's not how teaching works."
"It's how my teaching works." His fingers brush my jaw. "Unless you don't want—"
I kiss him.
I don't even think about it. I just lean in and do it, because apparently I've lost every scrap of self-control where this man—god—whatever— is involved.
He makes a small startled sound, then smiles against my mouth.
When we finally pull apart, I'm blushing. Hard.
"That was—"
"Nice," he decides. "Extremely nice."
"I was going to say impulsive."
"I prefer mine."
I should argue, but the way he's looking at me—soft, warm, like I'm something worth holding—it makes something twist painfully in my chest.
"You're staring," I mutter.
"You're beautiful."
"Stop."
"No." His forehead rests against mine. "I've waited twenty-two years to say things like that. I'm not stopping now."
My heart does a complicated somersault.
"Nyx—"
"I know you're still afraid. Still unsure. Still piecing yourself back together." His thumb grazes my cheek. "But I'm patient. I can wait while you catch up to me."
"To what?"
"That we're meant for this. You and me."
I should step away. I don't.
Instead, I say, "I want to meet him."
Nyx blinks. "Who?"
"Kieran. My—" I swallow hard. "My twin. The other prince. The one with my face."
His expression shifts instantly.
"I did promise."
"So keep it."
"It's complicated."
"Everything with you is complicated."
He huffs. "Ravion and I don't get along. He'll assume I'm plotting something. And…" His voice drops. "I'm a little selfish. I don't want to share you."
That… honestly stuns me.
"You actually admit that?"
"I'm trying honesty," he says dryly. "How am I doing?"
"Weird, but appreciated." I squeeze his hand. "Please. I need to meet him."
"You want answers."
"I want family."
Nyx goes still—so still the water around us ripples with the pause.
Then he nods. "Okay. I'll arrange it. Neutral ground. Safe."
"Really?"
"Really. But I'm coming with you."
"Deal."
He pulls me into a tight hug, arms locking around me like he's terrified I might vanish.
And maybe—for the first time since I arrived here—I let myself lean back.
Then it hits.
A tug. Deep. Internal. Like someone pulling on a string tied to my heart.
I gasp, pressing a hand to my chest. "What—?"
Nyx is instantly alert. "Kaelis?"
"It's not pain," I say. "Just—pressure. Like someone is… calling me."
Nyx's eyes sharpen.
"The twin bond."
"What?"
"You and Kieran. Same prophecy. Same origin. Split by time, not magic." His hand covers mine. "You're connected."
I close my eyes— —and feel him.
Far north. Cold. Shadows. Worry.
"He's thinking about me," I whisper. "He's worried. Something's wrong."
Nyx curses softly. "We need to go. But smart."
"Smart how?"
"I contact Ravion first. Diplomacy. If that fails—"
"What?"
"We storm the Dark King's castle."
Despite everything, I grin. "Deal."
---
KIERAN'S POV — NOCTERRA
Recovery is slow. Agonizingly slow.
But today I can stand without wobbling, walk without Ravion hovering like an overprotective shadow, breathe without feeling the burn of poison still in my veins.
"You're healing well," Ravion says from his desk, watching me more than his papers.
"I feel almost normal."
"Good. Another week and the physicians say you'll be stable."
"A week." I exhale. "Feels short."
"Feels too long."
"Impatient much?"
"Protective," he corrects.
"Same thing."
He abandons his desk and comes to sit beside me. "How are you feeling? Truly."
"Restless," I admit. "I want to go outside. I want to walk. I want to do something that isn't lying in bed like a tragic literary figure."
His mouth twitches. "The gardens are safe enough."
"Then take me."
He sighs, defeated. "Fine. But you stay close."
"I always do."
"And you tell me if—"
"Ravion." I press a hand to his chest. "I'll be fine."
Something in him softens. "Yes. You will."
We walk through the gardens later—my arm tucked against his, his hand steady at my waist. Nocterra's sky is grey as always, but the dark roses glow faintly, blooming like night-lit stars.
"It's nice," I say. " Being outside. Being alive, honestly."
"Your standards are low," he deadpans.
"I was poisoned!"
He huffs a laugh.
We walk for a while, quiet and comfortable, until a thought gnaws at me.
"Ravion… if you had found Kaelis instead of me… would things be different?"
He stops. Looks at me.
"Yes."
The word is a punch.
"Oh."
"I would've married him," he says calmly. "Used him for the prophecy. Kept distance because I didn't care."
My heart sinks.
"But." He lifts my chin. "I would've been miserable."
"What?"
"Because I wouldn't have you."
My eyes burn instantly.
"Ravion—"
"You were the mistake. The wrong boy. The wrong prophecy." His forehead rests against mine. "And the best thing that's ever happened to me."
I'm crying.
"When did you—? You can't just say things like that!"
"Why not?"
"Because it makes me feel—"
"Loved?" he offers gently.
My voice is a whisper. "Yeah."
"Good."
His hand slides to my waist—
And that's when it hits.
That same tug. Sharp. Deep. Ancient.
"Ah—!" I clutch my chest.
Ravion catchs me instantly. "Kieran!"
"It's not pain—just—pressure—like someone's pulling—"
Ravion's expression sharpens.
"The twin bond."
"What?"
"You're feeling Kaelis."
I close my eyes—and immediately sense him.
Water. Light. Fear. Urgency.
"He wants to meet me," I breathe. "He needs to."
Ravion is very still. "If I agree… you stay close."
"Of course."
"And Nyx doesn't get you."
"Not planning on it."
"And—"
I kiss him.
He groans softly, hands gripping my waist like he's anchoring himself.
When we part, he mutters, "You're very persuasive."
"Is it working?"
"Always." He sighs. "I'll contact Nyx. Arrange a meeting. Neutral ground."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet," he murmurs darkly. "This could go very, very badly."
"Or it could go fine."
"Optimist."
"Someone has to be."
---
THE MIRROR CALL — BOTH SIDES
Nyx activates the communication mirror. Ravion appears instantly—cold, sharp, annoyed.
"Nyx."
"Ravion."
"The twins want to meet," Nyx says.
"I know. Kieran felt the bond."
"Kaelis did too."
A long, dangerous silence.
Then Ravion says, "Three days. My territory. My wards."
"Accepted."
"If you try anything—"
"If you harm Kaelis—"
I cut in loudly from Nyx's side:
"If you two kill each other, we're going home."
Both men look offended.
Then accidentally smile.
"Three days," Ravion says.
"Three days," Nyx answers.
The mirror darkens.
---
KAELIS
I exhale shakily. "That… wasn't catastrophic."
"That was divine intervention," Nyx mutters. "Ravion and I agreeing on anything."
"You're doing it for us."
"Yes." He pulls me close. "For you."
---
KIERAN
Ravion sets the mirror down, jaw tight.
"Three days until everything changes."
"Or nothing," I tease lightly. "Maybe we just meet, talk, and go home."
"Optimist."
"Someone has to be."
He pulls me against his chest, arms wrapping around me like he's afraid I'll vanish into the shadows.
Whatever happens in three days—
Nothing will ever be the same.