Chapter Text
Captain Villads stood on the deck of the Sea Legs, formerly captained by Finnegrin, as a seasoned mariner preparing to set sail, leading the two-day journey back to Scumport, only halfway to their actual destination at the Stormspire. The successful retrieval of the pearl, which still held Aaravos captive, had prompted a new sense of urgency. Their current mission was sending the precious cargo to Queen Zubeia, vowing to keep it far from the hands of Viren and Claudia, and the potential peril that could arise from unleashing the darkness trapped within it.
A day had already gone by, and the sun was slowly descending towards the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the sea, as if bidding them farewell and good fortune on their journey. The crew bustled about the deck, their movements a well-rehearsed ballet of purpose. Some adjusted ropes and pulleys, others hoisted crates of supplies, while a few inspected the sails that would soon catch the wind and propel them towards their destination.
Amidst the bustle of the crew and the ocean's expanse, Rayla found herself drawn to a secluded corner of the ship. There, seated on a weathered barrel, was Callum, the endearingly awkward human to whom she had surrendered her heart two years prior, a heart she had never quite reclaimed even during the period of their separation. His profile was bathed in the soft hues of the setting sun, and her eyes lingered on him swelling with a potent mix of love and admiration.
His unruly dark hair caught the golden sunlight, turning his gaze into a warm beacon. A fond smile tugged at her lips as she watched him, her mind wandering back to the moments that had brought them to this point.
She recalled their first journey together to Xadia, the uncharted lands they had braved together. From the perils of the Cursed Caldera to the shimmering expanse of the Midnight Desert, they had faced danger hand in hand. She remembered the playful banter and constant teasing that had blossomed into a deep bond, uniting them as steadfast allies.
But it was more than friendship that Rayla had discovered. She remembered the fluttering of her heart, the way her pulse quickened whenever Callum was near and the struggle in fighting back a smile and the redness in her cheeks whenever he locked eyes with hers. As their journey progressed, their shared laughter and meaningful conversations had begun to paint a different kind of connection, one that went beyond mere friendship.
The breeze tugged at Rayla's cloak, carrying with it the scent of the sea. Her gaze returned to Callum, and she remembered their most memorable moment, the night under the full moon, and in the Midnight Dessert. The night when she’d given into the thought that she’d tried resisting for so long.
She was in love with him.
She was in love with a human.
Her heart clenched with a mixture of longing and regret. Two years ago, she had made a choice, a choice that had led to her leaving Callum behind. The weight of that decision had only grown heavier with time, especially now that they were reunited.
Rayla's gaze remained fixed on Callum. She wished she could find the courage to approach him, to share her regrets and the depths of her feelings. But the weight of her past actions held her back, leaving her yearning and hesitating.
She understood that although they’d both wanted to move on from that low point in their lives and had tried pretending as though things were fine, things were never really going to be back to how they were in the past until they decided to talk about what led to the change in the first place. She’d been convinced that dodging the conversation would prevent opening the old wound from healing with time, but Callum couldn’t be the person he was to her back then, the person she desperately needed him to be, as long as they hadn’t defined their relationship.
She knew her heart was still drawn to him, and he’d never really stopped loving her, but it was never that simple. It turned out it was even harder regaining trust than losing it in the first place. The soft lull of the waves against the ship's hull seemed to echo her own inner conflict. Rayla knew that she couldn't change the past, but she was determined to shape their future. With a final, longing look at Callum, she turned away, her heart heavy but resolute.
The sound of footsteps approached, and Rayla's senses pricked with awareness. As she turned, her violet eyes met Nyx's, the mischievous ‘pirate’ and sky-wing elf who always seemed to pop up at the most inconvenient times. Nyx leaned casually against a nearby barrel, her smirk almost audible, revealing that she’d probably been watching the entire time Rayla’s gaze had been on Callum, now giving her the chance to a discussion Rayla clearly didn’t want to be the topic of.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Nyx's voice was as playful as the wind that ruffled her vibrant wings."I just couldn't help but notice just how long your gaze has been set on a certain someone. Lost in thought, were you?"
Rayla's cheeks flushed slightly, a mixture of embarrassment and annoyance bubbling within her. "That's none of your business, Nyx."
Nyx chuckled, her smile widening. "Relax, Rayla. I'm just here for a friendly chat. No need to get all sword-wieldy on me."
Rayla's grip on the railing tightened, her irritation evident in the way her fingers flexed. "If this is your idea of a chat, I'd rather be doing something else."
“You know, when I met you again at Scumport months ago, I’d thought it felt odd that your all-powerful mage boyfriend would let you go on such a dangerous journey alone in search of the same enemy you both had conquered together in the past at the Stormspire” Her grin completely unapologetic. “It turns out he didn’t…you had made that decision all on your own.”
Nyx’s words sent jabs at her, but they were the truth.
The bitter truth that she’d tried giving endless excuses for.
Rayla's guard faltered for a moment, her gaze returning to Callum. The emotions swirling within her were complex longing, regret, and a hint of sadness. "I left him…to protect him.”
“I’m an elf too, Rayla, so I get it. We were always taught through the war that leaving the people we loved behind in order to protect them from danger was the greatest sacrifice of love…but do you really think that it’s the truth?” Her expression turned more serious, a note of reprimand in her voice. “You told me about your parents, right? Did their absence really make you feel loved as they’d claimed?”
Without warning, the painful memories began flooding in.
She remembered the warmth of her mother's embrace, the tender reassurance that they would return. Her father's laughter had been a symphony of strength, the kind of laughter that chased away worries and painted the world with hope. They had worn their armour with pride, the insignia of their dedication to protecting the dragon prince.
As they stood before her, ready to embark on a journey that would reshape their lives, Rayla held back her tears, her brave façade concealing the turmoil within. Their words had been filled with promises of a swift return, a reunion filled with stories and laughter. She had watched them disappear into the distance, their figures gradually blending with the horizon, until they were mere specks against the canvas of the world.
But the days had turned into weeks, and the weeks into months. Rayla had clung to her memories, the fragments of their love and laughter, like precious gems. Yet, the emptiness that had settled in her heart had been inescapable, a void left by their absence that refused to be filled.
Then it all made sense.
The reason why Callum had been so cold towards her upon her return.
She caused him the very same pain and expected him to welcome her back with open arms.
“No…It didn’t.” a mixture of guilt and regret washed over her. “If anything…It had felt…lonely.”
“Exactly…even a pair of the strongest wings and a lifetime of unwavering freedom doesn’t ease the feeling of loneliness.” Nyx's wings flexed slightly, mirroring her unsettled emotions. “Remember the night you both saved me at the Midnight Dessert after I betrayed you? I’d witnessed something for the very first time…something I’d never believed could be possible between a human and an elf…I witnessed true love.”
“I’d always been prejudiced towards humans, and the war was the sole reason for that, but there was something about the way his gaze lingered on you, as if you held the key to an age-old mystery, in awe and admiration. The way you become gentler in his presence, your usual tough exterior vanished whenever he was near. I became envious of something I never believed existed in the first place.”
Rayla's shoulders sagged slightly, her defences slowly crumbling. She already knew the value of her relationship with Callum, the depth of his love for her, from the act of attempting dark magic for the first time to save her from her captors, down to jumping off a cliff to save her when there was a higher certainty that he could have lost his life as well.
I would do anything for you
And he did…probably a lot more than she was aware of.
But that was the reason why she’d chosen to leave in the first place. The fact that he would do anything for her, right down to giving his own life if he could in exchange for hers. It wasn’t something that she could bear or live with, so walking away was the only way to ensure his protection and that he would never have to be put in a place where he had to make another sacrifice for her sake.
It was because she loved him.
She loved him so much.
But how could she explain that to him?
Nyx pushed away from the barrel, her approach cautious as if recognizing Rayla's vulnerability. "I’m not going to be the one judging you for leaving…because I’ve made the exact same mistake myself, but you don’t have to be lonely anymore Rayla. You’ve got a human dumb enough to stand toe to toe with Finnegrin just to protect you."
“And that’s what terrifies me the most.”
“But leaving him behind isn’t going to resolve the problem either. You are a moon-shadow elf, the strongest and toughest one I’ve ever met. You also get to protect him just as much as he’s willing to protect you. That’s how you both defeated Viren in the first place, wasn’t it? How you also defeated Finnegrin?”
“I think It’s time you choose to accept the love around you instead of running away from it because you think you don’t deserve it.”
She was right.
It hurt her to admit that Nyx was right.
A pained sigh escaped Rayla's lips, her gaze averted. "I owe him an apology, Nyx. I know that now. I just... I wasn't strong enough to face him then."
Nyx stepped closer, her wings folding in a gesture of empathy. "Rayla, facing our mistakes takes courage too, but it's never too late to try and make things right. I'm not sure what's going on between you two right now, but I'm counting on both of you to bring back the couple that restored my faith in love."
Rayla's eyebrows arched in surprise, caught off guard by Nyx's unexpected words. “I know I have to talk to him, to explain everything and to apologize. I just hope he'll understand, and we’ll finally be able to set that chapter of our lives behind us and move forward together.”
“Just…skip the whole part where you guys make out all through the night because I can’t stand another round of endless torture.”
“Oh, I can’t promise you that.” Rayla teased, her voice carrying a playful edge.
Nyx feigned a dramatic sigh, her act crumbling as she struggled to hold back a grin. “I’ve just played myself, haven’t I?”
“You have…but thank you.” Rayla smiled, “I really needed those words.”
“I didn’t do it for you, I did it for me. I didn’t want to stop believing…you know?”
“I do..” Rayla placed a comforting hand on Nyx's shoulder. “And one day…you’d find it, and you too wouldn’t have to be lonely anymore. But when you do, don’t mess it up…like I did.”
“You can be sure that I won’t.” Her tone was gentle but firm. “I wouldn’t want to end up as miserable as you were that night at the Scumport.”
The pirate ship swayed gently in the embrace of the sea, its timbers creaking in response to the undulating waves. Callum stood at the ship's railing, his eyes fixed on the horizon as memories from two years ago danced like shadows in his mind. The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow upon the water and upon Callum's contemplative expression.
As the night breeze ruffled his hair, Callum's thoughts journeyed back to that pivotal moment, the moment when his world had crumbled beneath his feet. He remembered the ache that had consumed his chest, the dull throb of his heart as he had opened the letter that she’d left behind on that dreadful day.
His fifteenth birthday.
As he gazed out at the moon's reflection on the water, his thoughts were fixed on his relationship with Rayla. From meeting her on her mission to eliminate his little brother and step-father as a hired assassin to becoming the most important woman in his life. Their journey had been a tapestry woven with adventure, laughter, and shared moments, but there were also threads of unresolved emotions that tugged at his heart, especially that goddamn letter.
But still…
He was in love with her.
Truly. Deeply. Unconditionally.
His love for her was the reason why he’d been so angry in the first place when she’d returned. He was riled up by the fact that it seemed so easy for her to move on with her life for two whole years when he’d been desolate in her absence when he couldn’t go a single day without thinking about her, missing her so much and wishing she was near.
But now she was near…just a few meters away from him, and he still hadn’t come clean about his feelings for her, even after two years.
Callum sighed softly, his fingers tracing patterns on the ship's wooden railing. He’d almost lost her again, having to relive the same emotions as he did, watching her dive off the cliff with Viren. He’d had to watch her tormented harshly by Finnegrin, being so weak and helpless, and feeling twice the pain she’d been feeling. Her pain had made him desperate, making him give in to the path that he’d chosen to put behind him, the path that would definitely haunt him in the future. But if it meant being able to protect her and save her life, it was worth it.
He loved her that much.
He needed to keep to his initial plans for the night. The long overdue talk that they’d both tried to avoid was necessary for anything to change between them. They were now on good terms, platonic friends, but with a newfound attraction to each other, but the love between them was something he’d never had a reason to doubt. She loved him just as much as he loved her, and he knew that she wanted to go back to the way they used to be…when they were free to love each other without emotional barriers and unresolved issues.
And he was ready to make the first step towards that.
With a determined expression, Callum stood up, his heart guiding him as he made his way to the cabin Rayla was in. He knew that this conversation wouldn't be easy, that it might involve digging into emotional wounds and facing truths that had long been left unsaid. But he also knew that it was a necessary step toward a deeper, more profound connection.
His heart thudded in his chest as he approached Rayla's sleeping quarters. The ship swayed softly beneath his feet, a soothing rhythm that seemed to match the pace of his racing heart. Tonight was a special night, a night he had planned with both excitement and a hint of nervousness.
Callum's fingers hesitated as he raised his hand to knock on the door, his mind replaying the details of the surprise he had organized with the help of Lujanne's guidance. He had wanted to create a moment of magic for Rayla, a gesture to show her how much she meant to him, and how much he appreciated every step of their journey. A fond smile tugged at the corners of Callum's lips as he gently pushed the door open, his steps silent on the wooden floor.
"Rayla," he whispered, his voice carrying a mixture of excitement and tenderness. "Wake up."
Rayla stirred in her sleep, her eyes fluttering open. Confusion quickly gave way to recognition as she met Callum's gaze, her violet eyes brightening.
"Callum? What's going on?" Her voice held a trace of curiosity as she sat up.
Callum's green eyes locked onto hers, a playful spark in their depths. "Get dressed, quickly. I've got a surprise for you."
Rayla blinked in surprise, her curiosity piqued. "A surprise? What are you up to, Callum?"
Callum grinned, his excitement heightening. "You'll see. Just trust me."
With a mixture of intrigue and a growing smile, Rayla rose from her bed, quickly donning her usual attire. Callum waited patiently, his heart pounding with both nervousness and eagerness. As she finished, she approached him, her eyes searching for answers.
"All set," she said, a hint of excitement in her voice.
Callum extended his hand towards her, his expression a mixture of anticipation and affection. "Hold onto my neck."
Rayla's brow furrowed in mild confusion, but she complied, wrapping her arms around his neck as he guided her towards the open window. The night air was cool against their skin, carrying with it the scent of the sea.
“Manus. Pluma. Volantus.”
As the last syllable left Callum's lips, the parchment glowed with an otherworldly light, casting a soft illumination upon their faces. The air crackled with energy, a sensation that sent shivers down Callum's spine.
And then, with a surge of magic that radiated from his core, Callum spread his arms wide. His eyes glowed with the vivid blue of the sky spell, reflecting the very essence of the magic he was about to wield. Rayla watched in awe as Callum's arms were enveloped in shimmering light. Feathers emerged from his shoulder blades, and unfurled slowly, into a pair of wings that matched the size and strength of a sky-wing elf, a result of his connection with the Sky arcanum.
Rayla hesitated for a moment, her eyes locked onto Callum's with a mix of anticipation and exhilaration.
Taking a deep breath, Callum looked at Rayla, his eyes warm with affection. "Ready?"
Rayla's grin was infectious, her excitement palpable. "Absolutely."
“Hold on tight, Rayla.” Her grip tightened instinctively, her heart racing with a mix of exhilaration and amazement.
Callum propelled himself into the air. His wings caught the wind, and he soared a graceful ascent that was both magical and surreal. Rayla clung onto him, her laughter carried by the wind as she glided with ease that mirrored her warrior's grace. The ship's deck grew smaller beneath them as they ascended, the moonlit sea stretching like a blanket of stars. Callum stole glances at Rayla, her face alight with happiness and wonder. The moon's glow seemed to caress her features, casting her in a luminous halo that was both captivating and breathtaking.
She was even more beautiful than he’d remembered.
As they soared higher, the land of Xadia spread out beneath them, a breathtaking tapestry of forests, mountains, and rivers. The wind whistled in their ears, and the rush of air was both invigorating and freeing. Rayla's laughter filled the night, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness.
“Have I told you how proud I am that you were able to connect with the sky arcanum?”
“Well to be fair, you deserve some credit for it. I was able to figure it out because of you, Rayla.” he voiced out over the rush of air.
Rayla's eyes shimmered with delight, her hair flowing behind her like a raven's wings. “I admit…I missed this so much.”
Callum chuckled, his heart filled with joy at her words. "Did you? Well, I think It’s time we get to your favourite part."
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Callum descended slightly, his wings skimming the surface of the ocean. Droplets of water sparkled in the moonlight as they danced upward, spraying a fine mist around them.
Rayla's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and unease flickering in her gaze. "Callum, what are you...?"
Before she could finish, Callum dipped even closer to the water, the surface of the ocean tantalizingly close to her back. He grinned over at her, his voice teasing. "Come on, Rayla. Just a little closer."
She was terrified of the water.
And he loved to tease her over it.
Callum's laughter echoed, his wings arching upward to lift them higher above the water. "Don't worry, I won't drop you. But you can't say you've truly experienced Xadia until you've had a close encounter with its waters!"
Rayla's grip on his shoulders tightened, a mixture of fear and apprehension in her expression. “I grew up in Xadia, dummy! I have experienced the waters, and I hate it!”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Callum! You’re gonna pay for this!” Her scream blended with the sound of the wind.
“Relax, you’re gonna be okay.” As they continued to soar above the ocean, Rayla's laughter joined Callum's, her initial apprehension giving way to the thrill of the moment.
“Where are we going?”
“Somewhere you already know too well.”
Rayla’s magical and romantic flight with Callum seemed a little longer than she’d expected. She wasn’t exactly complaining about being so close to him, but was a little concerned and even more curious about the surprise he’d prepared and why it seemed to be much farther away from the rest of the crew, now at the outskirts of Xadia, and heading towards the border demarcating it’s magical lands from the human kingdoms.
Now she was beginning to get worried.
“Callum…we are on a mission. We can’t afford to be far away from Soren and Ezran.”
“Do you trust me, Rayla?”Callum's eyes held a tenderness that stirred something deep within her heart. She flashed back to the first time they’d been in this same position, right after he’d saved her life at the Stormspire.
‘Cause I love you, Rayla…I really do.’
It didn’t matter how much he’d changed in the last two years, his presence still had the same impact on her, making her resist the urge to lean forward and plant a kiss on his lips.
She longed to kiss him again.
“I trust you, Callum.”
She’d chosen to stop questioning his decision and to trust him completely, not objecting as they flew over the border and into the human kingdoms heading towards Katolis. Her first guess had been the castle, even if it didn’t make sense to fly her all the way back home for a surprise until she’d spotted the top of the cursed Caldera, enclosed in a circle of clouds.
She was sure her heart skipped a beat.
She knew where he was taking her.
Back to the place where it all began…the place where she’d left him behind.
The Moon Nexus.
Rayla's heart was a symphony of conflicting emotions. The Moon Nexus was the centre of the most important moments of her life. It was the place where she’d first realized her developing feelings for Callum, back when she had to watch him on a romantic date with Claudia, hurting in silence because she hadn’t developed that kind of bond with him. She was an elf, he was human, how could he ever see her differently?
It was also the place where she’d made that choice, the choice that destroyed the love and trust between her and Callum who eventually chose to see her differently, beyond the barriers of being from two completely different worlds. The memory of that night, the pain of leaving Callum and Ezran behind, lingered like a shadow in the recesses of her mind as the Moon Nexus now lay before them, a serene oasis bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight.
She hadn’t been here in two years, since the night she left.
Callum then landed smoothly on the ground, their flight ending with a gentle grace. The air was tranquil, carrying with it a sense of magic that seemed to infuse everything around them. She instantly felt a knot of anxiety twist in her stomach, her fingers clenched and unclenched nervously, a physical manifestation of the unease that coiled within her.
“Rayla, are you okay?” Callum's voice, gentle and soothing, broke through her thoughts.
“Yeah.” Her voice fell into a whisper. “I’m fine.”
As they stood there, their closeness lingered, an unspoken connection between them. Rayla's arms were still wrapped around Callum's neck, the warmth of their contact sending a tingle of awareness down her spine. Their eyes met, and at that moment, everything else seemed to fade away.
The moon's gentle radiance painted their features with a soft, ethereal light. Callum’s eyes held a mixture of vulnerability and anticipation, searching Rayla's eyes as if trying to decipher her thoughts. Rayla's heart beat a little faster, her own gaze reflecting a kaleidoscope of emotions. Awkwardness mingled with a growing sense of intimacy, leaving him both excited and uncertain as they pulled away from each other.
"Uhm, do you remember the spell we used to unlock your home in Silvergrove?"
Rayla's eyes sparkled with a blend of curiosity and disbelief. "I’m a moonshadow elf, Callum. How could I forget?"
“I uh…” She noticed his fingers fidgeted with the edge of his cloak, his gaze fixed on the ground for a moment as he took a deep breath.
He was nervous. A lot more than she was.
“I spoke to Lujanne back when we were at the castle. I had something planned but was waiting for the right moment. But…what happened on Finnegrin’s ship made me realize that if I kept waiting for the right moment…I might lose you again.”
He looked up, meeting her gaze, and she noticed his nerves dissolving in the warmth of her eyes. Her trust in him, her genuine interest, gave him the strength to push through his apprehension. With a determined breath, he then stepped forward, leading her towards the spot he had chosen for their moment, Rayla following eagerly, not breaking the hold he had on her.
“The surprise is right here, but we have to unlock it with…”
“Are you asking me to dance with you, Callum?”
He nodded, boldly closing the space between them, and her heart raced, intoxicated by his eyes and warmth. He held out his hand to Rayla, his gaze unwavering and filled with a mixture of tenderness and longing.
“Yes. Dance with me, Rayla.”
Rayla's heart fluttered in response to the sincerity in his eyes, and a soft smile graced her lips as she placed her hand in his, her fingers lacing perfectly between his five digits. The air was filled with the sweet scent of moonflowers, and fireflies danced around them like twinkling stars.
Callum's hand settled at the small of her back, drawing her gently closer. Rayla's other hand rested against his shoulder, the touch of his skin against hers sending a delicious shiver down her spine. The world around them faded into the background, leaving only the two of them and the music of their hearts. Their dance began in a slow and deliberate way that mirrored the emotions that had been building between them. Their steps were synchronized, their movements fluid, and the air between them seemed to crackle with a tangible energy, an unspoken connection that pulsed with every beat of their hearts.
As they danced, Callum's gaze remained locked with hers, his eyes a window to the depths of his emotions. He held her close, his touch gentle yet firm, guiding her through the steps with an innate grace that seemed to mirror the magic of the night itself.
He was all grown up and had definitely gotten a lot better since their last dance, so she followed his steps, totally enthralled by his presence. She could come up with a million reasons why she was in love with him, but his heart surpassed everything else. She’d been devastated throughout the weeks of his coldness towards her after her return, desperately yearning for a moment like this with him.
Her fingers traced patterns on his shoulder, her light touch filled with unspoken promises. Her eyes held his, a mixture of vulnerability and determination. Every movement, every sway, seemed to draw them closer, erasing the distance between them until their hearts beat in time with each other.
‘I love you, Callum.’
She couldn’t say it out loud. Not yet.
With each turn and twirl, the illusion spell that Callum had cast began to waver, as if the magic of their dance was pulling back the veil. The surprise he had prepared emerged, bathed in the soft moonlight. Before them lay a beautifully set picnic, complete with a woven blanket spread across the ground. Moonflowers adorned the edges, their petals glowing with a soft luminescence that matched the moon's radiance. Crystal plates were filled with an assortment of delectable treats, fruits, pastries, and delicacies from both their worlds.
Rayla's hand flew to her mouth, a gasp of surprise and delight escaping her lips. Her eyes widened as they took in the sight before her. Ruby potatoes with crackle bird eggs, star seed biscuits covered in dew flowered jelly, A bowl of Beige Bittersquash and even her very own favourite, Honey burst Rainbow grapes!
She felt like a kid again, turning to Callum with a mixture of wonder and awe. "Callum, how did you…”
“It’s been so long since you’ve been back home so I uh…”
“Wait, that isn’t an illusion, is it?"
He met her gaze with a sheepish yet adoring smile, his fingers tightening around hers. “Of course not. I actually had a hard time looking for those. It's quite tough searching for Silvergrove delicacies, you know? Without actually going to Silvergrove.”
“That’s amazing.”
“You like it?”
“Well, It seems you’ve stepped out of your obsession with stale bread, Callum.” Rayla teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Hey, I do not like stale bread, okay? It was our only option back then on our journey to Xadia.” Rayla's laughter was a melodic echo, the sound carrying in the night breeze.
“I love it. It’s like I’m home again." Her eyes lit with gratitude."Thank you, Callum."
“Don’t thank me yet.” Callum guided her towards the picnic spot. They settled onto the blanket, their eyes never leaving each other. The moonflowers seemed to sway to their rhythm, a natural symphony that celebrated the love they shared. Callum reached for a platter of treats, offering it to her with a playful yet affectionate grin.
"First, you need to try my very own speciality, Moon berry tarts.”
“Moon berry what? Are you kidding? Since when do you like Moonberry juice?”
“I dunno, probably because a certain moonshadow elf began to grow on me.” He shrugged. “I combined it with Barius’s recipe. You should try it.”
Rayla's heart felt as if it might burst with the intensity of her emotions. She accepted the platter, her fingers brushing against Callum's, creating sparks of connection that seemed to ignite the air around them. "Only if you join me."
She noticed the redness in his cheeks as he selected a tart and took a bite, his gaze never wavering from hers. They shared the treat, their laughter and whispered words filling the air with an intimate warmth that was beyond the realm of illusion.
As she took a bite of the moon berry tart, her expression shifted from delight to pure bliss, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. “Great job, Callum. These are really good.”
Callum couldn't help but feel a swell of pride, “Wait till Ezran finds out about it.”
“We should save some for him. He would love it.”
“Definitely.”
“This was the reason why you’d been out that whole day at the castle, and I’d thought…that you still didn’t want to be around me.”
“I didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I just didn’t want to ruin the surprise.”
“It's so worth it.”
“So…” Callum began taking another bite into the tart. “How did you spend your day at the castle the whole time I was gone?”
“I uh…I was exploring.” A soft smile graced her lips. “I saw your family portrait, Callum. Ezran was just a baby and you were as cute as it gets. I also saw your mom.”
Her time at the castle had made her realize that she didn’t really know much about Callum, his family or his life before becoming a prince. He didn’t know much about her either, and that was part of what held that barrier between them, holding them back from trusting each other completely.
Callum's eyebrows raised in genuine surprise. “Really? What did you think?”
“She’s really pretty.” She smirked. “You’re almost as pretty as she is.”
Callum's lips curved into a bittersweet smile. “Well…you’re not wrong. I look a lot more like her compared to my father. He uh… passed away when I was two. I don’t remember much about him.”
Rayla's hand found its way to his, her touch a reassurance in the night. “What about King Harrow? How did she meet him?”
“She was a soldier in the army…his fellow trainee in fact. He told me stories about how she always posed a threat to his sword-fighting skills and always thought he was spoiled, lazy and pathetic.”
“I like her already.”
“Yup.” He glanced at her. “You both sure do have a lot in common.”
“But he was a good man and a strong leader.” He continued, his voice soft, tinged with both fondness and sorrow. “He was compassionate, fair, and he genuinely cared about his people. He saw potential in me even when I doubted myself, and he encouraged me to explore my own path.”
"He sounds like someone you looked up to."
"He was. He treated me like his own son, despite the fact that I wasn't his blood. He even taught me some basic combat moves, which I'm pretty sure was more about keeping up with Soren's antics than anything else." His expression turned more introspective, his voice carrying a hint of sadness. “He was far from perfect, and had made a lot of mistakes as king, but he was willing to challenge traditions for the sake of what he believed was right.”
“That pretty much sounds like Ezran to me.”
“It does.” He agreed. “If he was with us now, he’d be so proud of Ezran…so proud.”
Rayla's expression mirrored Callum's grief, her heart aching for his pain, especially due to the fact that Runaan was responsible for the death of King Harrow, and her people were to be blamed for his absence in the lives of his sons. How could she even comfort him? When her failure to stop the assassination had led to this?
“I understand why you couldn’t tell me about Runaan’s bow, why you couldn’t tell me about the coins. You were trying to be sensitive…and I get it.”
“I should have told you, Callum. You deserved to know. It was wrong sneaking around and disrespecting you in that manner, knowing how much you trusted me.”
“I still do.” His fingers brushed against her hand. “I always will.”
“I’ve lost a lot Rayla. I had to deal with loss right before I even knew what it was. As a child, I watched my mother break down, having to live with being cut away from a man she loved so much. I had to watch my step-father grieve over my mother’s death. I’ve always known that love somehow comes with pain and grief…kind of like a package deal, you know? But still, I wasn’t scared of opening up to people…opening up to the same love that had caused me so much pain. I wasn’t scared of opening up to you.”
“Meeting you at the castle for the first time is a moment I’ll never forget, no matter what becomes of us in the future. It was the first time I’d not just seen an elf, but a moon-shadow elf. My step-father told me they were rare, but had the strongest of hearts, willing to give their lives to stand by their traditions and protect their people. The one I met turned out to be quite different.”
“She was strong, but her heart wasn’t. She couldn’t bear the sight of innocent people in pain, let alone be the cause of it. She couldn’t even complete her mission as an assassin, ready to give up her hand to spare the life of her target, ready to question those traditions and do what’s right even if it meant her people turned their backs on her.”
“It took me a long time to open up to her letting silly stereotypes cloud my judgment, but when I did, she became the most amazing person I’d ever met. She became my best friend and when I cried, she cried with me. She understood me on a deeper level despite being from different worlds. She risked her life so many times to protect me because making sacrifices was the only way she knew how to show love.”
“I felt terrible because I couldn’t do the same for her. I wanted so badly to be able to be there for her and protect her. It was what pushed me to use dark magic. I saw it as a sacrifice I didn’t regret because she had become so important to me. I couldn’t imagine my life without her.”
“I fell in love with her, and I became too happy…forgetting about the hurt and grief that came with it. I never thought I would lose her…at least not too soon…but I was wrong.”
Rayla's breath caught a knot forming in her throat, losing to the tide of regret that threatened to consume her. How could she have been so blind to the impact of her decision? She had thought leaving was the only option, that it was the best way to protect them all. But Callum's words stripped away that illusion, revealing the raw wounds she had inflicted on the one she loved most.
The truth of his pain cut deeper than any blade ever could and she was left grappling with the realization that her choices had led to this heartache.
"It wasn’t just the days, Rayla," Callum's voice quivered, his gaze intense yet searching as he looked deep into her eyes. "It was the nights too. When the moon rises and the world went quiet, your absence became a whisper that echoed in the silence. I laid awake, wondering where you were, if you were safe, and if you were thinking of us as much as I was thinking of you."
With a shuddering breath, Rayla finally let the walls crumble, her tears finally spilling over, coursing down her cheeks in rivulets as she let down her guard, unable to contain the storm of emotions any longer.
“Rayla…you’re crying.”
“I’m so sorry.” the words hung heavy on her lips, a whispered mantra that held the weight of a thousand apologies. “I’m so sorry for hurting you. I’m so sorry for causing you so much pain. I’m sorry for breaking your trust. I…”
“I’m not mad at you anymore, Rayla.”
“I hurt you…” Her voice trembled as she spoke, each syllable a struggle against the lump in her throat. She closed her eyes as if hoping that by shutting out the world, she could shut out the pain as well. But it lingered a constant ache that refused to be ignored.
“How could I claim to love you and turn my back on you?”
“Rayla…”
"I didn't want to leave you," she choked on the words, her voice raw with emotion. "I thought... I thought it was the right thing to do. But I was wrong. I was so wrong."
“You are here now, and that’s what matters.”
“No, showing up after two years isn’t enough to make things right. I know you were miserable…because I was too. I’d promised you that I’d go with you and that we were going to do it together but I just left you behind and that was cruel.”
Callum's hands found their way to her cheeks, cradling her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the tears that escaped from her eyes.“Hey…it’s okay. I want to know you, Rayla. I want to understand you. I want to know your past and share your burdens with you. I know you didn’t leave to hurt me intentionally, I know there’s a reason for that and that’s why I’m here, to listen, and to hear you out. We are together now, and I know we can fix this.”
Rayla's breath hitched, and she leaned into his touch, her eyes closing as if savouring the sensation of his hands on her skin.“I was just ten the day my parents were chosen as part of the dragon guard to protect the egg of the dragon prince until it hatched. I remember being so proud of them till I realized that it meant that they had to move away and that I was going to be separated from them. I cried so much that my eyes hurt…but I didn’t let them see that I did.”
“The fact that they hadn’t thought twice about leaving me behind was what hurt the most. I wasn’t even given an assurance of their return, but I was supposed to accept it because their sacrifice was for greater good, and for my safety.”
“They’d told me they both needed to go because they were stronger together, I told them that if they were stronger together, they would be their strongest with me. They insisted, and in a flash, they were gone without turning back. I threw a fit the entire day because the feeling of being abandoned hurt so much…even for a ten-year-old. I kept yelling to Runaan and Ethari, ‘How could they do that? Leave me behind?!’”
“They tried all they could to make me feel loved, but I was such a handful. I got into a fight with Runaan when I discovered he was an assassin. He’d told me that his duty to his people was to protect them no matter the sacrifice just like my parents had to leave to protect the dragon prince.”
Callum watched her, his eyes never leaving her face, his presence a steady and reassuring anchor. “You know what I told him? I told him that I’d never kill anyone…or leave anyone behind. But I was a kid…what did I know?”
“I remember he asked me a single question…’Not even for those you love?’” She continued. “I couldn’t understand his words back then, but now? Now I do.”
“Moon shadow elves are taught not to show fear, but to act against it. It sometimes makes us choose paths that might make us lose our loved ones instead of protecting them.”
She took his hands in hers, holding onto them like her life depended on it. “I’m not just scared of the water, Callum, I’m also terrified of losing the people I love. I had lost everyone else except you…you were all I had left. When you jumped into the nexus to save me, you almost got trapped too, and I became so scared. Instead of sharing my fears with you, I made the choice I believed was the only way I could keep you safe, forgetting that being abandoned myself had created wounds in me that I still haven’t healed from.”
“I missed you so much, Callum. I went through a lot in the past two years but you were the reason I kept going…the reason why I’m still alive is because I was determined to see you again. It didn’t matter if you’d moved on, I wanted to…”
Callum closed the distance between them, his other hand resting on her waist as he pulled her gently towards him. His touch sent a shiver down Rayla's spine, an electrifying sensation that set her heart racing. Her breath caught in her throat, in anticipation of what was to come. Their bodies were just a breath away from each other, their proximity creating a magnetic pull that neither could resist.
And then, in a moment that felt like a collision of stars, their lips met. It was a kiss filled with all the longing, the pent-up emotions, and the unspoken words that had lingered between them. Callum's lips were warm against hers, his touch was both gentle and urgent, igniting a fire that spread through her veins.
Rayla's fingers found their way to the back of Callum's neck, her touch feather-light as she melted into the kiss. Their mouths moved together in a dance that was at once passionate and tender, a symphony of emotions played out with every brush of their lips. Time seemed to lose its meaning as their kiss deepened, a tidal wave of emotions crashing over them. Callum's arms wrapped around Rayla, drawing her closer as if he were trying to merge their very souls.
Rayla's heart raced as the kiss ignited a fire within her, a fire that had been smouldering beneath the surface for so long. She responded with a hunger of her own, her fingers sliding from his jaw to the nape of his neck, pulling him even closer. A soft moan escaped her lips, a sound that was both a surrender and an affirmation of the emotions she had been harbouring. Callum's grip on her tightened, his fingers also threading through her hair, holding her so close as if he never wanted to let go.
She knew he’d longed for this moment just as much as she did.
She never wanted to let go either.
When they finally pulled away, their breaths mingled in the cool night air, and their foreheads rested against each other, a physical connection that mirrored the emotional bond they had forged. Their eyes met once again, a silent conversation passing between them, a shared understanding of the depth of their feelings.
“If you’d even for a moment thought that I’d move on without you, then you don’t know me at all.” Callum's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he met her gaze. “I love you, Rayla.”
“I’ve loved you every second you were gone, I loved you through the anger, through the hurt. I forgive you and I want to be with you. We are better together. I don’t ever want you to feel alone because you’re not alone…you have me…you will always have me.”
Her heart felt like it might burst from the weight of her emotions, from the relief of finally uttering the words she had held inside. Her vulnerability was exposed, but in that vulnerability, she found a newfound strength. “I love you too, Prince Callum.”
"I love you in a way I've never loved anyone before," she continued, her voice gaining strength with each word. "You've shown me a world beyond my own, a world of compassion, courage, and the most genuine kindness. You've opened my heart, and I can't imagine my life without you in it."
A small, tender smile curved on Callum's lips, and Rayla felt a surge of hope. “I’ve learnt from the past…I can’t fix things by running away or keeping secrets. It’s not just me, it’s you and me…and I trust you...unconditionally.”
"I promise you," She whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of her vow, "I'll never let you go. I'll stand by you, protect you, and love you with all that I am."
Callum's arms encircled her, pulling her into an embrace that felt like coming home. The barriers that had kept them apart for so long melted away, leaving only the truth of their feelings. Their bodies fit together perfectly as if they were two pieces of a puzzle that had finally found their match. Rayla's head rested against his chest, her ear over his heart, and she could hear the steady rhythm that echoed the emotions they had just shared.
In that embrace, the barriers that had kept them apart seemed to dissolve. It was a union of two souls who had journeyed through darkness and light, and who had supported and understood each other in ways no one else could. Rayla's arms encircled Callum, her fingers curling against the fabric of his clothes, anchoring herself in this moment of vulnerability and intimacy.
As they held each other, time seemed to stand still. The night breeze whispered secrets only they could hear, and the world seemed to bend around their connection. Rayla closed her eyes, feeling the rise and fall of Callum's chest against her cheek, the cadence of his heartbeat, and the depth of his emotions.
She was finally home.
“Rayla?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you think your parents and Runaan would approve of us?”
“Not at first, but they’ll come around.” She replied, “You do have a way of making people fall in love with you, Callum.”
“Don’t worry.” He planted a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll get them out of those coins…I promise.”
She took a deep breath. “Are we going to join the others at Scumport or head directly to the Stormspire to meet them there tomorrow?”
“Don’t worry, we’ll catch up with them at Scumport at dawn. We need to be there to make sure that Pearl doesn’t get into the wrong hands. But for now, we’ll make camp. You seemed pretty exhausted when I met you in your cabin.”
Rayla's gaze was intense, her fingers now softly tracing the contour of Callum's jawline. “Or…we could stop at an inn nearby…don’t you think?”
Callum raised an eyebrow, his lips quirking into a flirty grin. "Oh really? And why is that?"
Rayla gently tugged on the red scarf around his neck, pulling him closer to her. “I don’t know…a renewed interest?”
And without hesitation, she kissed him again like she’d always wanted to for the past weeks since her return. Her heart was filled with a sense of warmth and contentment, the void within her was replaced with overwhelming joy. She’d never been so happy…never felt so loved. It felt good knowing that she wasn’t alone…she didn’t have to be alone. It felt good to know that love didn’t always have to be about making sacrifices and that there was someone who was willing to walk with her and love her unconditionally.
She wasn’t going to mess it up this time.
Never again.