Chapter Text
Opeli rose early, as she always did, and made her way to the castle kitchens. The familiar routine of preparing her morning tea was usually a comfort, but today, a gnawing uneasiness settled in the pit of her stomach. Soren had been gone for several days, accompanying Ezran to a crucial meeting with the leaders of the Pentarchy and Xadia to maintain peace relations. She had known he would still be away this morning, and yet, the quiet absence of his presence weighed heavily on her.
It was ridiculous...
She tried to push aside the feeling as she brewed her tea, reminding herself that Soren was a Crownguard, and his duties took him away at times. Just as she had her own responsibilities. She’d walked countless cold mornings to the temples and shrines alone—sometimes even in the bitter depths of winter. She had done it then, and she could do it now, she told herself firmly.
But her heart was stubborn, refusing to be silenced by reason. As much as she wanted to deny it, she had grown accustomed to his company. His boyish smile greeting her every morning. His humor, however terrible, lightening the early hours. And maybe—especially—his smile…
No, she scolded herself, shaking off the thought. It was foolish. He was young, spirited. She was aging, sworn to Lady Justice, with duties that left little room for anything else.
Yet, as she prepared to walk out into the crisp, cool autumn air, she couldn’t help but feel the sting of his absence more keenly than she would have liked.
The chill of the autumn morning bit at Opeli’s cheeks as she stepped outside, her breath forming wisps of white in the air. The castle grounds were quiet, the only sound the crunch of fallen leaves beneath her feet. Normally, she would find solace in the stillness, but today, it only amplified the loneliness she felt.
As she walked the familiar path to Chapel Hill, her thoughts kept drifting back to Soren. She could almost hear his voice in her ear, making some light-hearted comment about the weather or trying to coax a smile out of her with one of his ridiculous jokes. The thought brought a faint smile to her lips before she quickly banished it.
This wasn’t the time for such thoughts. She was on her way to meet her fellow sisters of Lady Justice, to perform the morning rites. Her focus needed to be on the duties ahead, not on a Crownguard who was likely laughing and joking with others miles away.
Yet, despite her best efforts, her mind betrayed her. She found herself remembering the way his hand had lingered on hers the last time he’d brought her tea, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the warmth that seemed to radiate from him even in the coldest of mornings.
Opeli’s steps slowed as she approached the base of Chapel Hill, the temple's stone pillars just visible in the distance. She paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. This was ridiculous, she thought again, more forcefully this time. She couldn’t allow herself to become distracted by… by feelings that had no place in her life.
But as she resumed her walk up the hill, the silence around her only seemed to emphasize how much she missed the sound of his footsteps beside hers, the quiet conversations they shared as they made their way through the early morning darkness.
By the time she reached the temple, the uneasiness had settled into a deep, gnawing ache. She performed her duties with the precision and dedication expected of her, leading the prayers and rituals with unwavering focus. But all the while, there was a part of her that was somewhere else, wondering if Soren was safe, if he was thinking of her as she was of him.
As the final rites were completed and the morning sun began to rise, Opeli allowed herself a moment to breathe. She stood at the temple’s entrance, watching the light slowly spill over the horizon, painting the world in soft golds and pinks. It was beautiful, a reminder of the order and balance she had dedicated her life to upholding.
And yet, even as she admired the dawn, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing. Or rather, someone.
She sighed, finally allowing herself to admit what she had been trying to avoid all morning: she missed him. More than she had thought possible. And the thought of facing another morning without him left her feeling… hollow.
But Soren would return. He always did. And when he did, she would greet him with the same composed demeanor she always did, as if nothing had changed. Because nothing could change. Not for someone in her position.
Still, as she turned to head back down the hill, she couldn’t help but hope that when he returned, they might share more than just a pot of tea.
—
Soren returned. She knew he would. The shadowhawk letter announcing their departure from Xadia had confirmed it. But that didn’t stop the little leap in her heart as she spotted the carriage approaching the castle. Nor did it prevent her shoulders from drooping ever so slightly, the tension she hadn’t even realized she was holding finally easing.
As the carriage rolled into the courtyard, Opeli, followed by Callum and Rayla, moved to meet them. The moment Ezran stepped out, the prince and soon-to-be princess rushed forward, enveloping him in a warm embrace. Opeli lingered at the top of the stairs, her steps faltering as she reached the foot, unable to bring herself to approach Soren immediately.
He caught her gaze and began to walk toward her before she could look away. When he was close enough, he bowed his head slightly. “High Cleric.”
She returned the gesture. “Captain.”
Soren glanced around, noting the joyful reunion between Ezran, Callum, and Rayla. “It seems the trip was longer than any of us expected.”
Opeli nodded, her gaze flickering to the others before returning to him. “It was necessary.”
His expression softened slightly. “And you? How have things been here?”
“Quiet,” she replied, though the word carried more weight than she intended. “Everything has been as it should be.”
Soren raised an eyebrow, catching the subtle undertone in her voice. “Only as it should be?”
She hesitated, then offered a small, tight-lipped smile. “Perhaps a bit quieter than usual.”
Soren’s lips twitched as if suppressing a grin. “Quieter? I’m sure you must’ve enjoyed the peace and quiet.”
Opeli shook her head, her smile becoming more genuine despite herself. “Peace and quiet have their place, but… the castle is different when it’s not full of life.”
Soren’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “Well, I’m back now, so I suppose the peace and quiet are officially over.” Then, with a glint in his eye, he leaned in slightly, the familiar teasing tone creeping into his voice. “Why, you miss me?”
Opeli blinked, momentarily at a loss. Soren had always been teasing, often flirtatious, with nearly everyone. But there was something about the way he teased her specifically, something that made her wonder if he knew exactly what he was doing.
It was ridiculous, of course. And yet… if he could tease her, then perhaps she was allowed to retaliate, if only slightly.
She tried to school her expression, though she likely failed, and replied in a deadpan tone, “And if I did?”
Soren’s smirk faltered, clearly unprepared for the Cleric’s unexpected response. He looked almost flustered, and Opeli would be lying if she denied the satisfaction that coursed through her at the sight.
Soren’s eyes widened for a moment before he masked his surprise with a casual smile. “Well, I suppose I should be flattered,” he said, his tone light. “But you don’t have to miss me too much. I’m right here.”
Opeli couldn’t help but let a small smile slip through her carefully maintained composure. “I’ll keep that in mind, Captain.”
As the courtyard began to fill with the buzz of returning visitors and staff, Soren fell into step beside her, his presence both comforting and familiar. They walked together towards the castle, the conversation between them settling into a comfortable rhythm.
“So, how was your trip?” Opeli asked, trying to sound casual.
“Long,” Soren replied. “And not just because of the distance. Lots of negotiations, lots of politics. The usual.”
Opeli nodded, glancing at him. “And how’s the king holding up?”
“He’s doing well,” Soren said. “Ezran’s as steady as ever. But I’m glad to be back. It’s nice to be home.”
“Nice to be home, or nice to be back in your usual routine?” Opeli asked with a hint of a teasing tone.
Soren chuckled softly. “Maybe a bit of both. I missed the calm of Katolis, but I missed our little chats too.”
Opeli’s heart skipped a beat, but she masked her reaction with a slight nod. “Well, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of time to get reacquainted with both. We have a lot to catch up on.”
As they reached the castle’s entrance, Soren paused and looked at her with a genuine smile. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Opeli returned the smile, a warmth spreading through her chest. “As will I, Captain.”