POV: KAELIS
Timeline: The next day
Location: Nocterra Castle - Safe Room
I'm nervous.
Which is stupid because it's just Kieran. My twin. My brother.
But yesterday he almost died for me and I don't know how to process that.
"Stop pacing," Nyx says. "You'll wear a hole in the floor."
"I'm not pacing."
"You've walked the same circle forty-seven times."
"You're counting?"
"I'm bored."
We're in a secure room in Nocterra—neutral ground inside the castle. Ravion's idea. Somewhere both of us could visit without either realm having the advantage.
Also, there are snacks.
Good snacks.
"What if he's mad at me?" I blurt out.
Nyx looks at me like I've grown a second head. "Why would he be mad at you?"
"Because I almost got him killed! He jumped in front of death magic because of me!"
"He jumped in front of death magic because he loves you."
"That's not—I didn't ask him to—" I'm spiraling. "What if he regrets it? What if he wishes I'd just died instead?"
"Kaelis." Nyx grabs my shoulders. "Breathe. You're catastrophizing."
"I'm being realistic!"
"You're being dramatic."
"Same thing!"
Before Nyx can respond, the door opens.
Ravion enters first, scanning the room with his usual paranoia. Then—
Kieran.
He looks terrible. Pale, dark circles under his eyes, his arm in a sling. But he's smiling when he sees me.
"Kaelis!"
"Kieran!"
We meet in the middle of the room. I'm hugging him before I realize I'm moving. Careful of his injured arm but tight enough that I can feel his heartbeat.
He's alive. He's here. He's okay.
"You're an idiot," I choke out.
"You already said that."
"I'm saying it again! You jumped in front of death magic!"
"So did you! You were literally standing there ready to die!"
"That's different!"
"How?!"
"Because I was protecting myself! You were protecting me!"
"You're my brother! Of course I was protecting you!"
We're both crying now. Still hugging. Not letting go.
"Don't do it again," I manage.
"Can't promise that."
"Kieran—"
"If someone tries to kill you, I'm jumping in front. Every time. That's what brothers do."
"That's what STUPID brothers do!"
"Then we're both stupid!" He pulls back slightly to look at me. "Because you'd do the same for me."
He's right. I would. Without hesitation.
"We're disasters," I say.
"Matching disasters," he agrees.
"The worst kind."
Behind us, Nyx and Ravion are watching with identical expressions of fond exasperation.
"They're impossible," Ravion observes.
"Completely," Nyx agrees.
"Should we separate them?"
"Probably. But look how happy they are."
"Disgustingly happy."
"Insufferably happy."
"Are you two bonding over complaining about us?" I call over.
They both look caught.
"No," they say simultaneously.
Then glare at each other for saying the same thing again.
Kieran and I burst out laughing.
"They're definitely bonding," Kieran says.
"It's adorable," I add.
"We're not adorable," Ravion says flatly.
"You're holding hands," I point out.
They look down. They are, in fact, holding hands. Probably unconsciously.
They drop each other's hands like they've been burned.
"That was for—"
"Security purposes—"
"Making sure you didn't—"
"Fall through a portal—"
"STOP TALKING," they both snap at each other.
Kieran and I are crying from laughter now.
"I love this," I gasp. "Our scary supernatural boyfriends are secretly best friends."
"We're not friends!" they protest in unison.
Which just makes us laugh harder.
We settle into the room—Kieran and me on the massive sofa, Ravion and Nyx in chairs on opposite sides like they're physically incapable of sitting together.
There are snacks on the table. Fancy ones. Chocolate, pastries, fruit.
"So," Kieran says, stealing a pastry. "How are you feeling? Really?"
"Bruised. Tired. Emotionally traumatized by our psychotic mother." I grab chocolate. "You?"
"Same. Plus fifteen stitches and a lecture from Elara about reckless behavior."
"Grandmother lectured you?"
"For an hour. While crying. It was the worst."
"That sounds terrible."
"It was!" He takes a bite of his pastry. "How's the magic? After yesterday's... everything?"
"Surprisingly okay?" I hold up my hand. Water forms in my palm—controlled, steady. "I think almost dying activated some kind of survival instinct. I can actually do basic stuff now without exploding things."
"That's amazing!"
"Right? Nyx says I'm 'progressing rapidly.'" I make air quotes.
"He said you're a 'prodigy of chaos,'" Nyx corrects. "There's a difference."
"Both sound like compliments to me."
"They're not."
"Too bad. I'm taking them as compliments."
Kieran grins. "I love that you're still a disaster."
"Always." I lean against him. "What about you? How's recovery going?"
"Slow. The stitches itch. Ravion won't let me do anything."
"That's because you tried to attend a council meeting six hours after waking up,"
Ravion says dryly.
"I was bored!"
"You were bleeding through your bandages!"
"That was unrelated!"
"It was directly related!"
I'm laughing again. "You two are ridiculous."
"We're practical," Kieran protests.
"You're disasters," Ravion and Nyx say together.
Then glare at each other again.
"STOP DOING THAT!" they both yell.
Kieran and I are on the floor now, we're laughing so hard.
"This is the best day ever," I manage between giggles.
"They're going to kill us," Kieran wheezes.
"Worth it."
After we calm down—and after Ravion and Nyx stop glaring at each other—things get more serious.
"We need to talk about Isolde," Ravion says.
The mood immediately shifts.
"She'll come back," Nyx adds. "We hurt her pride. Defeated her forces. She won't let that stand."
"How long do we have?" I ask.
"Weeks. Maybe a month." Ravion looks grim. "She'll need time to rebuild her army. Recruit more allies. Plan a better strategy."
"So we have time to prepare," Kieran says.
"Yes. And to train." Nyx looks at me. "Your magic saved you yesterday. But you're still untrained. If she comes back stronger—"
"I'll be ready," I interrupt. "I promise. No more accidental explosions. Well, fewer accidental explosions. Maybe some intentional ones?"
"That's not reassuring."
"It's honest?"
Ravion sighs. "We'll need to coordinate our defenses. Share resources. Work together."
"Are you suggesting an alliance?" Nyx asks carefully.
"I'm suggesting we stop pretending we're enemies when we both want the same thing." Ravion looks at him directly. "We want them safe. Protected. Happy. Everything else is secondary."
Nyx is quiet for a moment.
Then: "Agreed."
They shake hands again. This time, it's not stiff. Not awkward.
It's the grip of actual allies.
Maybe even friends.
"Are you two going to hug?" I ask innocently.
"NO!" they both yell.
But they're smiling slightly.
Progress.
We spend the rest of the afternoon just... talking.
About everything. About nothing.
Kieran tells stories about 2025. I tell stories about growing up in Arventis. Ravion shares carefully edited tales of his conquests. Nyx reluctantly admits to embarrassing moments from his millennia of existence.
It's normal.
"Can we do this regularly?" Kieran asks eventually. "Just... hang out. Without battles or prophecies or drama?"
"I'd like that," I say.
"We'll make it happen," Ravion promises.
"Monthly meetings?" Nyx suggests. "Neutral ground. Just the four of us."
"Deal."
We all agree.
As the sun starts to set, Kieran yawns. He's trying to hide it but I notice.
"You're tired," I observe.
"I'm fine—"
"You're yawning."
"That's unrelated."
"Kieran."
He sighs. "Okay, maybe a little tired."
"You should rest," Ravion says, already standing. "We should head back."
"But I don't want to leave yet," Kieran protests.
"Then we'll visit again soon," I promise. "Tomorrow if you want."
"Really?"
"Really."
We hug goodbye—long, tight, neither wanting to let go first.
"Love you, twin," Kieran says.
"Love you too."
Ravion and Nyx nod to each other—respectful, friendly even.
"Until next time," Ravion says.
They leave through a portal. Nyx and I portal back to the Tidelands.
And as we're walking back through the glowing corridors, I realize something.
I'm happy.
I have a twin. A family. A home
And a sea god who loves me enough to fight gods and queens for me.
Life is weird.
But it's also really fucking good.