Aeron traced the air with two swift gestures, silver light spilling from his fingertips. A portal bloomed open, humming softly — a doorway of moonlight leading straight into the suite Nova was in.
Finric didn't wait. He was through the light before the shimmer fully formed, Elias right behind him.
The room was dim and hushed, filled with the faint scent of herbs. Then came a cough. Weak, but real.
Fin's head snapped toward the sound — and there she was.
Nova's eyes fluttered open, green catching the faint light. Her chest rose unevenly, breath shallow but steady.
For a heartbeat, Fin couldn't move. Then the dam broke.
"Nova…" Fin whispered, not breathing.
He crossed the room in a blur, dropping to his knees beside the bed. His hands framed her face, thumbs brushing over her cheeks as tears slipped down his own. He kissed her — her temple, her jaw, her lips, her hair — anywhere he could reach, like if he stopped, she might vanish again.
"Baby…" he breathed against her skin, voice cracking. "Gods, you're here."
Her smile was faint but there. She reached up with trembling fingers, touching his cheek, then pulled him closer. Their lips met briefly — soft, shaky — and when they broke apart, her forehead rested against his.
She turned her head slightly toward him. Her lips parted, but no sound came.
Elias moved in behind him, his expression both shocked and relieved. "She woke up far ahead of schedule," he said, already checking her pulse. "Much earlier than I expected. But don't try to speak, Nova. You can use the link if you need to."
He poured a clear tonic into a small cup and pressed it gently into her hands. "Here. Drink this slowly."
Nova reached to take it, but her hands were shaky. Fin grabbed it and helped guide it to her lips.
She obeyed, sipping carefully, her green eyes fixed on Fin.
She murmured through the link, the words soft but teasing.
Nova: You look tired.
Fin let out a half-laugh, half-sob. "You have no idea."
Elle exhaled shakily, then straightened, brushing at her eyes. "Okay. Enough of that."
She turned and bolted toward the wardrobe, muttering under her breath. "We're not bringing you in front of a courtroom looking like you crawled out of the underworld."
She reappeared moments later, her arms full — a deep midnight-blue dress, a thick white cloak, and a pair of boots tucked beneath her elbow.
"Perfect," Marra said as she moved quietly to the bedside table. Her fingers brushing dust from the delicate crown that rested there. She held it with reverent care. "She'll need this."
Fin looked up as she spoke, his eyes softening. Then, without a word, he slid an arm beneath Nova's knees and the other behind her shoulders, blanket and all. She gave a faint pulse of amusement through the link.
Nova: You don't have to carry me everywhere, you know.
He thought back, voice firm.
Fin: Yes, I do.
The others fell into step as he carried her down the corridor. Marra and Elle close behind, Cael a silent shadow at their backs.
He shouldered open the door to another bedroom suite, setting her gently on the bed without disturbing the blanket.
For a moment, the world went still.
Then Fin's body flared gold.
The light burst from his skin. His magic flowed into her like sunlight poured into water. It wasn't conscious, not something he summoned. His body just knew.
The pain that had been strangling her veins… it receded. The nausea dulled. Her heartbeat steadied. She could breathe again.
Her bruises still shadowed her throat, purple and dark, and her body still trembled with weakness — but she no longer felt like she was dying.
Fin blinked, his glow fading as quickly as it came. "Did that hurt?"
Her thought brushed his mind, warm and sure.
Nova: Thank you. That helped a lot.
Elle clapped her hands suddenly, breaking the spell. "All right, miracle boy, out. We have a half-dead queen to dress and only one functioning brain between the three of us."
Fin blinked. "Excuse me?"
Elle pointed toward the door. "Out. You can come back in when she's at least half-dressed. Unless you plan on helping with the corset, which would make this infinitely more awkward."
Fin's brows pulled together. "I'm not leaving her alone."
"Fin," Marra said gently, stepping forward. "She'll be fine. One minute."
Nova's voice slid quietly into his mind.
Nova: It's okay. I'll call you when I'm ready.
He hesitated, jaw tightening, every instinct screaming to stay — but finally, he exhaled and stood.
"One minute," he muttered.
"Make it two," Elle said with a grin.
He shot her a look that said he didn't find it funny, then stepped into the hallway, the door closing softly behind him.
Marra tugged gently on the corset ties, glancing over at Elle as she steadied Nova's shoulder.
"Hold still, love," Elle murmured, trying to keep her tone light even as her brow furrowed.
Nova's fingers brushed at the edge of the blanket draped over her lap, her green eyes fogged with confusion. She didn't have the strength to speak, and even mindlinking felt heavy — distant.
Marra caught Elle's eye. The two women shared a look — one that said you tell her and no, you tell her in equal measure.
Neither did.
They worked in silence instead, gently pulling the deep midnight-blue fabric around Nova's frame, sliding her feet into the boots waiting beneath the bed.
By the time the dress was draped over her form, the laces hung loose — not yet tightened — when the door swung open again.
Finric filled the doorway, eyes sharp, jaw set. He looked like a man who'd been pacing outside counting the seconds.
"Sixty," Elle said dryly, not even looking up. "That's how long you lasted? We should give you a medal for patience, Alpha."
Fin crossed his arms, unimpressed. "You said a minute."
"Right, but I thought you'd at least wait until she had her dress tied."
Marra bit back a laugh, then added, "Do you want to lace this up yourself, Alpha Shadowclaw?"
He opened his mouth — then closed it again.
Elle grinned. "Didn't think so. Go on then, show us how many royal titles it takes to tie a corset."
Marra was laughing now. "I'd pay to see any of you three — Alpha, Beta, or Gamma — try to lace one of these without ripping it clean in half."
That did it. Elle and Marra both dissolved into laughter, the kind that fills a room with warmth.
Even Nova's lips twitched. The sound that came from her was silent but unmistakable — a laugh she couldn't quite breathe through. It turned into a soft cough, her body folding slightly forward.
Immediately, the laughter died. Elle was at her side in a heartbeat, rubbing her back. "Easy, easy. You're okay."
Nova nodded weakly, the color returning to her cheeks.
"See? That's why we don't tell jokes while dressing royalty," Marra said lightly, trying to ease the moment again.
Elle took a wet brush from the vanity and began carefully combing through Nova's hair, her movements slow and gentle. Each stroke loosened the tangles and smoothed the strands until they fell in soft, blonde silvery waves.
"Almost there," Elle murmured. She twisted Nova's hair halfway up, pinning it in place with delicate silver clasps.
The cloak came next, the soft white settling against her shoulders like snowfall.
Marra approached quietly, holding the crown in both hands — the same one that had sat untouched on Nova's bedside table for two days. She lowered it gently onto Nova's head, the metal catching the candlelight as it settled against her waves.
"Perfect," she said softly.
For a long moment, the three of them stood still — Elle and Marra flanking her on either side, Fin watching from the doorway.
Fin turned back toward the women, sincerity etched in his expression. "Thank you," he said quietly.
Elle nodded once, brushing invisible dust from Nova's cloak. "Go. Don't make us regret this."
Marra gave a faint smile. "Make sure she doesn't faint on your shoulder, Alpha."
"I won't," Fin promised.
He bent down and scooped Nova gently into his arms again, careful of her ribs, keeping the cloak like a blanket around her. The warmth of his magic still lingered faintly against her skin, like sunlight held beneath her bones.
The corridor outside the suite was dim, the torches flickering low as they walked. Elle and Marra followed close behind, their soft footfalls echoing in rhythm with Fin's steady steps.
When they reached the infirmary doors, raised voices drifted through the crack — Elias and Cael.
"Absolutely not," Elias said sharply. "She's in no condition to go anywhere."
Fin shouldered the door open, and both men froze mid-argument.
Elias's scowl faltered immediately. Cael just exhaled.
Nova stirred in Fin's arms, blinking up at him. She could feel it — his worry, his frustration, the protective instinct roaring just beneath his calm. It wasn't just about duty anymore. It was personal.
Her voice brushed in their minds, faint and soft.
Nova: I am okay. Where are we going?
Cael answered for him, stepping closer. "The Emberhide trial is still underway. We've been in recess — extended. Bloodmoon and Redmoon are both present. Since you were the one targeted, it's… well, it's centered around you."
Nova's stomach turned. Even hearing the name Emberhide made her chest tighten.
Fin's jaw flexed. "Nova, they would be tried no matter what. You or anyone else. But new evidence surfaced — Helga and Orion were working with Meredith."
Nova swallowed hard. Her fingers curled slightly against Fin's cloak.
Marra moved closer and touched Nova's arm gently, drawing her attention. "The problem we're facing is that the defense is trying to argue you weren't Jax's mate when either assault occurred. Maybe the first, but you were still a guest from another pack — which makes it a direct act against the crown and a threat to diplomatic relations."
Her voice softened. "The second time, though, Jax had already claimed you. Half the jury are the same elders who witnessed it at the council meeting. They seem to have forgotten your Luna ceremony last week and are back to their old ways of thinking. We need them to see you — to remember. Otherwise, those two will walk free on a plea deal and end up in Ashbane by nightfall."
Nova gave a weak nod, her eyes full of quiet understanding, even as exhaustion dragged at her.
Cael's expression hardened. "Both know too much, Nova. Border routes. Prison infrastructure. We can't risk them walking. It's been proven they didn't act under black magic — that came later. Jax's judgment was fair."
Nova's gaze drifted upward, locking on Fin's face. Her expression softened, full of quiet love that reached him through their bond like warmth through fog.
Nova: I know he would have been fair. And I know you would have too.
Fin's throat tightened. He leaned in, his forehead brushing hers for a fleeting moment, voice low in her mind.
Fin: Do you trust me, Nova?
Her reply was instant — tender and sure.
Nova: Always. And I love you too.
His breath hitched, and for a second, the world narrowed to just them — her heartbeat against his chest, the scent of vanilla and moonlight taking over his senses.
Fin: I love you, baby.
Elias cleared her throat, breaking the moment between them. Everyone else was pretending to look away at something else.
He exhaled, This goes against every instinct I have as a physician. But…" He looked at Fin, then at Nova, and finally relented. "I see why this is important. She can go — for one hour. After that, she needs a blood transfusion, fluids, and another round of tonic. And if she passes out in that courtroom, don't you dare blame me."
Fin stared down at Nova, still in his arms.
His jaw tightened. Her cloak and dress hid most of the bruising. But he could still see it on her neck and peaking through on her collarbone and chest. She looked beautiful, but her usual warm glow and olive complexion was pale as winter light, her breathing shallow.
There was no question she was not well. Frail even.
He considered just taking the deal. She was not well enough for this and he knew it.
Her voice brushed softly through his mind and Elias's at once, gentle and sure despite the weakness behind it.
Nova: I'll be okay. I want to go. If they're being sentenced because of me, I want to be there.
Fin's chest tightened painfully.
Before he could respond, the shimmering oval of Aeron's portal flared brighter, and the prosecution attorney, Corvin Thane, stepped through, his tone brisk. "We need to move. The recess is over — they're reconvening now."
Fin nodded once, the movement clipped. He adjusted his grip and carried Nova through the portal's cool shimmer. The familiar scent of stone and parchment filled the air as they stepped back into the halls adjoining the tribunal chamber.
But before they reached the doors, Nova's voice touched his mind again — faint.
Nova: I need to walk.
Fin: No.
Nova: Let me walk right when we reach the door. I'll hold onto you.
He glanced down at her, frustration tightening his expression. His instincts screamed against it. Her next word was out loud, a whisper — fragile, raw, and threaded with pain. It didn't sound like her voice at all.
"Please… Fin."
He froze. The sound hit him harder than any order or battle cry ever could. And he felt her struggle to get those words out. His throat worked once, the muscles in his jaw clenching as he swallowed back every argument waiting on his tongue.
"All right," he murmured quietly.
He set her gently on her feet. The moment her boots touched the floor, she wavered slightly — but his arm was already around her waist. She leaned into him, looping her arm through his.
Elle and Marra stepped ahead to open the doors, staying close in case Nova faltered.
Together, they walked down the narrow corridor leading into the main chamber — slow, deliberate steps echoing off the marble. Fin's arm stayed firm at her side, steadying her each time her balance wavered.
When they reached the threshold, Elle gave a quick nod and slipped in first, followed by Marra. Fin and Nova stepped through last.
The heavy doors opened — and the room stilled.
Every head turned. The murmur of the jury died mid-breath.
All eyes went to her.
Nova stood framed in the doorway, her white cloak brushing the floor, Fin at her side. Her steps were slow, her arm still hooked through his, clearly for support. The bruises on her neck caught the light — unmistakable, undeniable proof of what had been done to her. The kind of thing that shouldn't have looked elegant but somehow did.
And yet… even weakened, she shone.
Her skin, though paler than normal, carried that faint luminescence that seemed to follow her everywhere. Her eyes — bright green, calm and clear — cut through the tension like a blade. Even in frailty, she looked beautiful.
Jax's jaw tightened. His throat bobbed once as he exhaled through his nose, hard.
Relief. Worry. Longing. Love. It all hit at once — violent, fast, and too much to hide.
He rose from his seat, the motion instinct before thought. One by one, the rest of the room followed, rising to their feet in silence.
Everyone… except Helga and Orion.
They kept their faces forward, unmoved.
Eldric Vaelor rose a beat later than everyone else. His composure was smooth, perfect. Almost. For the briefest heartbeat, something flickered across his face — surprise, frustration, maybe even fear — before he caught himself and replaced it with that same neutral arrogance.
But Nova saw it.
Fin guided her forward slowly, step by careful step. The sound of her boots against the stone floor was the only sound in the room.
Jax's hands trembled slightly as he set his gavel down. His jaw ticked, the muscle beneath his cheek jumping as he fought to keep his composure. Something deeper flickered across his face feeling her pain through their matebond.
Nova lifted her gaze to him, her expression softening just slightly.
And then he felt it — a wave of calm washing over his chest, a warmth that wasn't his own.
He didn't know if she meant to do it or not, but her emotions brushed through him like a whispered promise.
Love. Steady and quiet. His pulse steadied.