Nova was the first to return to consciousness. Her lashes fluttered, and for a moment, she lay there listening to the faint rhythm of Fin's breathing beside her.
She noticed it—the heaviness in her chest, that hit her every morning for two weeks. That constant ache inside her, a dull throb that had become part of her, something she'd carried like a wound she could never touch.
Carefully, Nova slid herself out from beneath Fin's weight. Her body protested the movement—her insides sore, her skin bruised, and when she looked down, there was blood. He had been rough and she winced, feeling a sting between her thighs.
She rose unsteadily, her legs trembling as she made her way into the bathing chamber. The cool water soothed the ache, washing away the sweat and the traces of blood. She slipped into her silk shorts and matching camisole, the fabric whispering against her tender skin.
She then came back to take care of Fin, cleaning him up with a wet cloth.
She wasn't sure how long he'd be out for, and she wanted him to be comfortable. She pulled off his pants, but kept his briefs on him. His brow was furrowed, and the faint heat radiating from his skin told her he was fevered.
Quietly, she fetched a damp cloth and began to tend to him with trembling fingers. She hesitated when unfastened his pants and eased them off fully, leaving his briefs in place out of some lingering modesty.
Nova: Seraphine… are you there?
Seraphine: Never left.
Nova: Is he alright?
Seraphine: I can't reach Xeon… so I'm not entirely sure. But Gods… he was rough.
Nova winced again remembering.
Nova: Have you heard of mates marking again?
Seraphine: No… but I haven't heard it's bad either.
Nova gently draped a thick blanket over Fin's feverish body and curled herself around him, her arms winding around his chest as she buried her face into the curve of his neck. His scent grounded her—warm pine and rain and eucalyptus. The words he'd said still hurt, but his apology had reached her, raw and real. And gods, she had missed him too. So much.
But she had been avoiding him. Not ready to face him. In truth, she probably would've kept avoiding him until the battle demanded otherwise. Until her plan needed to be enacted and she had no choice but to stand before him, Queen to Alpha. She had been dreading that moment.
But here, in the quiet dark with his warmth wrapped around her, something inside her loosened. For the first time since the summit, Nova drifted into real sleep—deep and heavy and healing.
When she stirred again, dawn was barely cresting. Pale light filtered into the room.
Her brow furrowed.
"Fin?" she whispered, her voice thick with sleep and concern.
No answer.
She sat up quickly. He was still burning with fever, his face tight, jaw locked. Nova's heart clenched. Without hesitating, she slipped from the bed, rummaging through the room until her fingers closed around a dagger.
She didn't flinch as she sliced the base of her palm. Silver blood welled instantly.
Returning to him, she pressed her bleeding hand to his lips.
At first, nothing. His body didn't move. Her heart dropped.
Then—
His mouth parted, and he began to drink.
Slow at first. Then deeper. Greedy.
The bond sang with it—her essence rushing into him as if it knew where it was needed. His fever broke, and the tension in his brow began to ease.
His eyes blinked open.
Immediately he saw Nova hovered above him, her expression tight with concern. Morning light spilled into the room behind her, turning her silver blonde hair golden.
Fin swallowed hard, then rasped, "Am I dreaming?"
He blinked. She began to pull her hand away, but he caught it gently in his. Held it. He stared into her eyes. Gods he loved her. Those striking green eyes he could never forget—and he felt it. That overwhelming, all-consuming love for her.
Without breaking eye contact, he lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the wound softly.
Then he sat up, still a little unsteady, and reached for a clean cloth. He wrapped her hand reverently and with care. When he was done, he kissed her palm again.
Nova's cheeks flushed at the gesture.
Fin pulled her gently into his arms and sent a quick mindlink to one of the omegas to prepare a hot bath.
He didn't let her go. "Was I out because of the mark?" he asked, his voice rough with sleep but quiet—knowing the answer already.
"I think so," Nova said, her voice just as soft. "You had a fever. I wasn't sure if it was hurting you."
Fin kissed her shoulder then pulled her on top of him, arms circling her like he needed her there just to breathe.
"I love you so much, baby." He whispered against her skin, holding her tightly.
"I love you too," she whispered back, her voice barely audible. The words were enough to unleash a wave of emotion from the bond—his love, raw and unfiltered, surging into her like a heartbeat. She soaked in it. Gods, she loved this man. And feeling that love returned so deeply, so completely—it was everything.
They drifted into sleep again, tangled together in a quiet peace neither of them had felt in days.
Fin woke first to the scent of herbs and steam. The bath.
He stirred gently, brushing a soft kiss to her temple. "Come on, baby. Let's get you relaxed." he murmured, feeling her soreness from the matebond.
He knew her body was aching from last night. So he didn't ask and simply scooped her into his arms, carrying her to the bathing chamber.
There, in the soft glow of morning, he undressed her slowly, reverently. His eyes swept over her as if seeing her for the first time again—and yet it never changed.
Gods, she was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. And she belonged to him.
"You are so beautiful, Nova," he said, kissing her shoulder. "I know I say it a lot—but every time I see you, my heart stops."
He kissed her shoulder again, then the mark on her neck, and finally, her lips—slow, lingering.
Then he picked her up again and gently lowered her into the bath before stepping in behind her. The warm water rose around them, wrapping them in silence and steam.
He pulled her back against his chest, arms locking around her waist. He breathed in her scent and kissed her head, then her temple, then her ear—where he nipped playfully, drawing a soft gasp from her.
He held her like he couldn't bear the distance of even a breath. Gods, he had missed her. All of her. The feel of her, the scent of her, the soul-deep comfort of her presence. He had been in agony for two days.
And now, holding her here—he never wanted to let go.
"I find out things about my mate from others… that I would have never known, because she doesn't talk about herself."
Nova was uncertain on what he meant, but it still made her face flush.
"And my mate blushes at that. Gods, Nova… could you be any more trouble?" He said nibbling her ear playfully again.
She nuzzled into him, resting her arms on his. Breathing in his scent.
"You read that war book and took Shard's test." Fin shook his head, "I was impressed with that level of recall. I didn't realize you'd read it in one hour, while Jax was out of the room."
Nova swallowed, silent.
"I also came to find out that you remember everything you read—even if it's just once. Down to the page number and the table of contents." Fin's tone softened with a teasing lilt as he wrinkled his nose at her playfully, then pressed a kiss to her cheek. "But you weren't going to tell anyone that… were you?"
Nova stayed quiet, her cheeks heating again, but she didn't answer.
He grinned against her skin. "Of course not."
"I then find out," Fin continued, his voice filled with something between awe and amusement, "that you were able to identify and match names, packs, and faces—Alphas, Betas, Gammas, officers, and captains in that camp—just from walking around once."
Nova shifted slightly in his arms, but he kept going, his tone warm.
"How? Because you read somewhere—gods know where—about their names, histories, clothing, and pack symbols. Then, from doing one lap around the camp, you noticed the symbols worn by leaders, the ones painted on tents. Marra introduced you to a few, and your mind connected the rest."
He shook his head with a grin. "And you didn't tell anyone. Of course not. But Marra figured you out. And you were reluctant to admit it to her—but you did. And Jax heard. And he told me."
Nova's face was scarlet. She was feeling shy this morning. She'd also hoped Jax hadn't been paying attention to that.
Fin took a breath. "Do you try to hide things?"
Nova swallowed and let out a breath, feeling tense now. "No."
Fin felt the tension rise in her shoulders and immediately ran his hands gently along her arms, pulling her into him. He surged his emotions through the bond—calm, steady, full of love. He didn't want her to feel cornered. He just wanted her to know she could share with him.
"You don't talk about yourself because it's not in your nature. I know that," he said softly. "But I think… maybe you don't say certain things because you had to hide for so long. There were consequences if you revealed things like that. It put fear in the back of your mind. Is that fair?"
Nova didn't answer for a minute.
But Fin waited patiently. She exhaled a quiet sound of defeat. He wasn't going to let her out of this conversation.
"I suppose that is fair. I don't think about it." She said.
"I'm surprised you didn't share some of that with Jax." Fin said.
"Jax and I... he did a good job of keeping things fun and light. It wasn't intentional, but... it never came up." Her voice thinned with a small, sad chuckle. "I never hid things from him. And even if I tried—he always knew."
She shook her head, then looked down. "I won't hide things from you, Fin. I promise. I just... don't always know how to say them."
Fin didn't respond right away. Jax had brought out a side of Nova that he loved—a carefree, laughing version of her who could forget her burdens for a while. A side Fin had once brought out too. But lately, he'd had a knack for doing the opposite.
He took in a breath and spoke.
"Unless you're having a battle of wit with someone." He laughed. "Or talking back to Cael."
She giggled, and Fin relished in. He grinned.
"You have the words," he continued, "but it's harder when it's about yourself."
"I suppose that's a fair assumption," she replied, almost reluctantly.
He kissed the spot just behind her ear and murmured, "Do you know how valuable that skill is, Nova? The way your mind works—how you remember names, symbols, politics. That kind of memory is rare. A weapon sharper than any blade."
He paused, resting his forehead against hers.
"And I know… I know part of you hides it because of Ashbane. Because somewhere deep down, they made you believe there was something wrong with you."
His voice dropped, steady and full of conviction. "There's not. There never was. You are exceptional in every possible way. Sometimes I still can't believe you're my mate."
She gave him a kiss on his shoulder
He smiled faintly. "You are entirely too humble, though. And I'm going to fix that."