The Ascended — Chapter no 51

Chapter 51

Submersion

MORNING BROUGHT WITH IT THE SOUNDS OF A HOUSEHOLD ALREADY IN motion—children's laughter, the clatter of cookware, voices raised in conversation. I woke slowly, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar room before remembering where I was. Sunlight streamed through the window I'd left open, carrying with it the scent of fresh bread and flowering vines.

Eventually, I rose and dressed, splashing water on my face from the basin before venturing out to join the household. The main room was already bustling with activity—breakfast preparations in full swing, children darting between adults, conversations flowing in that musical language I couldn't understand.

"Ah, she wakes!" Teller called out when he spotted me, raising a steaming mug in greeting. "We thought you might sleep the day away."

"Sorry," I said, suddenly self-conscious. "I didn't realize—"

"He's teasing," Amara said, appearing at my side with a warm mug that she pressed into my hands. "The morning is still young. Drink. It will clear your head."

The drink was fragrant and slightly sweet, with unfamiliar spices that tingled pleasantly on my tongue.

"Where's Xül?" I asked, trying to sound casual as I scanned the room.

"Gone before dawn," Nuri said, settling into her chair by the window.

"A fishing expedition with some of the men."

A pang of disappointment shot through me, though I tried not to examine it too closely.

"He promised to return for the evening festivities," Amara added,

clearly reading my expression.

"Oh," I said. "That's… good."

Nuri's knowing smile made me flush. I busied myself with my drink, pretending not to notice.

The day passed in a pleasant blur of preparation for the solstice celebration. I was put to work, helping to prepare special dishes and decorations that would be used in the evening's festivities. Dara and Davi followed me around when they weren't being shooed away by their mother, asking endless questions about Saltcrest, about Xül, about my powers.

"Can you make a big star?" Davi asked for perhaps the tenth time, his eyes wide with fascination. "Like, big enough to ride on?"

"It would burn you to cinders before you got anywhere near it." I

explained, kneading dough.

"Awesome," he breathed.

As sunset approached, the household transformed—special clothes were brought out, faces painted with intricate designs, hair adorned with beads and tiny fresh flowers.

Amara found me in my room, where I'd retreated to adjust the clothing I'd traveled in—a poor choice for a celebration, but all I had.

"This won't do at all," she declared, eyeing my attire with dismay. She disappeared briefly, returning with a folded bundle of fabric in rich blues and purples. "Mena is closest to your size. She said you may borrow these."

The garments were beautiful—a flowing dress with embroidery along the hem and sleeves, and a shawl of finely woven fabric that shimmered subtly in the light. I protested weakly, but Amara was insistent.

"It's the solstice," she said, as if that explained everything. "Now, sit.

Your hair needs attention."

I let her work it into an elaborate style with small braids woven through the loose waves, adorned with white flowers from the garden. When she was finished, she stepped back to assess her work.

"Better," she pronounced with satisfaction. "Now you look like you belong."

The words sent an unexpected pang through me. I didn't belong here, no matter how much I might have wished to. Soon we would return to

Voldaris, to the Trials, to the brutal reality waiting for us there.

As if reading my thoughts, Amara's expression softened. "Tonight, at least, you are one of us. Try to make the most of it."

The celebration began as the sun dipped below the horizon. The village center had been transformed—lanterns hung from every available surface, tables laden with food lined the edges of a central square, and musicians had set up near a wooden platform that served as a dance floor.

The entire village seemed to be in attendance, from infants to elders, all dressed in their finest clothes and adorned with flowers and paint. I stayed close to Amara's family.

And then Xül was there, appearing at the edge of the gathering just as the first stars became visible in the darkening sky. He'd changed as well, wearing a simple but elegant tunic in deep blue with silver embroidery at the collar and cuffs. His hair was still braided in the style Nuri had given him, small wooden beads, replacing the gold ones he always wore.

Our eyes met across the crowded square, and for a moment, everything else seemed to fade away. He made his way toward me, acknowledging greetings from villagers with nods and brief smiles, his gaze never leaving mine.

"You look…" he began when he reached me, then seemed to reconsider his words. "Different."

I raised an eyebrow. "Different good or different bad?"

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Just different. I'm used to seeing you covered in training bruises and scowling at me."

"I do not scowl," I protested.

"You absolutely do," he countered, his eyes traveling over my borrowed dress and adorned hair. "But not tonight, it seems."

Before I could respond, Teller appeared, clapping Xül on the shoulder.

"There you are! Come, both of you. The ceremony is about to begin."

We followed him to where the villagers were gathering in a circle around a shallow pool that had been constructed in the center of the square.

Floating in the water were dozens of small clay bowls, each containing a candle surrounded by flower petals.

Nuri stepped forward, her face solemn as she raised her hands for silence. When the crowd quieted, she began to speak, her voice carrying clearly across the square. Though I couldn't understand the words, the rhythm of them was hypnotic, almost like a chant or prayer.

"She's blessing the waters," Xül murmured close to my ear, his breath warm against my skin. "Asking for fertility for the crops, for health for the children, for peace for the village."

As Nuri continued, young girls moved around the circle, handing each person a small clay bowl with an unlit candle. When Amara placed one in my hands, I looked to Xül questioningly.

"Your wishes for the coming season," he explained softly. "You light it from the central flame, make your wish, and set it afloat."

One by one, villagers stepped forward, lighting their candles before placing their bowls in the pool. Some whispered before releasing them; others simply closed their eyes for a moment, faces serene in the flickering light.

When my turn came, I lit my candle, the warm light illuminating my hands. What did I wish for? Survival seemed too basic, too selfish. Success in the Trials felt hollow.

In the end, I closed my eyes and wished for Thatcher's safety, for a future where his fate wasn't cut short as Heron had warned. I pulled on our bond, and I felt a pulse as he pulled back. Still safe. When we were back in Draknavor, I’d find a way to get to him, to speak with him. I had to.

I knelt and gently placed my bowl in the water, watching as it drifted to join the others.

Xül was the last to add his light to the gathering.

As he returned to my side, the musicians began to play—strings and drums and flutes creating a melody both joyful and haunting. The formal part of the celebration apparently complete, people broke from the circle to fill plates with food, to dance, to gather.

Without warning, Xül extended his hand to me.

"What are you doing?"

"Dance with me, starling," he said, a challenge in his eyes. "Might as well get to use those skills I taught you."

I hesitated only briefly before taking his hand, allowing him to lead me to the edge of the platform where other couples moved in time to the music.

His hand settled at my waist, mine on his shoulder, our other hands clasped together.

"I'm still not very good at this," I warned as we began to move.

"Fortunately, I am," he replied, guiding me with subtle pressure at my waist. "Just follow my lead."

And I did, letting him steer us through the simple steps of the dance.

After a few moments, I relaxed into the rhythm.

"You're full of surprises tonight," I said as he turned us smoothly to avoid an enthusiastic older couple.

"Only tonight?" he asked, his voice pitched low.

I thought of all the ways he'd surprised me since we'd met—his unexpected kindness, his dry humor, his momentary vulnerabilities.

"No," I admitted. "Not just tonight."

His eyes held mine, and for a moment, it seemed like he might say something more. But then the music ended, and he stepped back, releasing me.

"Thank you for the dance," he said formally, though his eyes stayed trained on me.

"My pleasure," I replied, meaning it more than I cared to admit.

"Come.” He said.

I followed him. Several small boats had been decorated with flowers and lanterns, and villagers were climbing into them, laughing and calling to one another across the water.

"The midnight boat procession," he said. "We float through the village, visiting springs at the heart of the oldest canals."

"A midnight boat ride with the prince of Draknavor? How intriguing." I teased.

"I suppose we don't have to," he said, echoing his words from the previous night.

"No, I'd like to," I admitted. "If you don't mind."

He studied me for a moment, then nodded, holding the boat steady as I carefully stepped in. It rocked alarmingly beneath my weight, but Xül's hand at my elbow kept me balanced until I could sit on one of the two narrow benches. He followed with considerably more grace, taking the seat opposite me and reaching for the single oar stowed along the side.

Around us, other boats were pushing off from the bank, forming a loose procession that began to move slowly down the canal. Our small craft joined them.

The night had deepened, the sky above us a vast expanse of stars partially obscured by wisps of cloud. The only light came from the lanterns hung on our boats and from windows we passed. The entire place looked like something out of a dream. The sounds of the celebration faded behind

us as we moved deeper into the village, replaced by the gentle splashing of water against wood and the occasional call between boats.

"This place is unreal," I said softly, trailing my fingers through the cool water alongside the boat.

Xül hummed in agreement, his gaze moving between the canal ahead and my face. The lantern hanging from our prow cast golden light across his features, softening the angles and highlighting the curve of his lips, the line of his jaw.

“What do you say we go off on our own adventure?” he asked.

I raised an eyebrow. “Was this your plan the whole time?”

He smiled. “Perhaps.”

“Well, let’s go then.”

He steered us away from the lights and music, down a smaller canal that branched off to the east. We passed beneath a low stone bridge, emerging into a wider section of water bordered by weeping trees whose branches trailed in the canal, creating a natural archway.

We drifted into the center, where the water opened up into a perfect circle surrounded by the graceful trees. Moonlight filtered through their branches, casting dappled patterns on the water's surface.

Xül shipped the oar, letting the boat drift to a stop in the center of the pool. The only sounds were the whisper of leaves in the gentle breeze and the occasional splash of a fish breaking the surface nearby.

"There are moments," he said quietly, "when I come here, when I almost forget what I am."

"An escape," I said, understanding immediately.

He nodded. "This place exists outside of that world. Untouched by the politics of Voldaris and the schemes of the Twelve." His gaze lifted to the stars above us. "But I don’t belong here. Not now."

"Because you're immortal," I said, the realization settling heavily between us. "And they're not."

"Because we have responsibilities that extend far beyond this village," he corrected, though his expression told me my first assessment had struck closer to home. "Beyond any single place or time."

I looked down at our reflections in the water below—two figures close but not touching, suspended between earth and sky. Just as we'd been since that night—existing in the same space but somehow miles away from each other.

"It must be difficult," I said softly. "Having a foot in both worlds."

"Only because I can’t seem to find the strength to give one up," he replied with a wry smile.

“Is it that black and white? Must you give one up?”

"My duties to Voldaris will always call me away. No matter how many times I return, I will always be a visitor."

I thought of the family that had welcomed us so warmly, of Nuri's stories, of the easy way they had folded me into their traditions despite knowing I was just passing through. "They love you anyway," I said. "Even knowing you'll leave again."

"That's the cruelty of it," he replied, his gaze moving to the stars visible through the willow branches. "Knowing they'll welcome me back each time, even as the faces change, as those I know grow old and die."

The pain in his voice was so raw, so genuine, that I moved without thinking, shifting to sit beside him on his bench. The boat rocked precariously with my movement but steadied as I settled next to him, our shoulders brushing.

"Is that why you stayed away so long?" I asked. "Because it hurts to come back?"

He didn't answer immediately, but he didn't pull away either. "Partly," he admitted finally. “Though it is also nice to be seen as something other than a prince or a god.”

"I see you, Xül," I whispered, unable to retreat now that I'd come this far.

“I know you do, Thais.” He turned his head towards me, his shoulder tapping mine. “It’s the only reason I trust you with all of this. With them.”

“Why are you doing this to me?” I asked, frustration suddenly bubbling up.

“Taking you on a pleasant midnight boat ride?” he questioned, biting back a smile.

Anger simmered. “You know exactly what I’m asking you. Why are you dancing with me? Why are you introducing me to your wonderful family?

Why are you making me feel these things that I shouldn’t? Why, Xül?” I tried to steady my voice.

His gaze sharpened on me. It was a rare moment when the prince of death was speechless. Even more so when his eyes told me he knew exactly what he wanted to say but was holding back.

So finally, I turned that anger into bravery. "This thing between us. Tell me it's just in my head, and I'll never speak of it again."

His jaw tightened, the muscle there jumping with tension. "It's not just in your head," he admitted, the words sounding as if they'd been dragged from him against his will. "But that doesn't make it wise, or right, or possible."

"Does that matter?" I challenged. "If we both want it, why can’t we have it? Even if it’s just temporary?”

“You don’t know what you’re asking,” he said, his voice low.

“Both of us are racing toward fates that we cannot escape. Soon, all gray area will be gone, taking our agency with it. And then we’ll always wonder. I don’t want to spend the rest of eternity wondering, Xül.”

"You think it's that simple?" His hand came up to trace the line of my throat, barely touching. "You think I can just take you like some common whore and be done with it?"

The crudeness of the words contrasted dramatically with the gentleness of his touch. The truth was, I wanted more of him. All of him. Every piece he could give me. I wanted to beg him not to marry Nyvora, to convince him that he deserved happiness just like everyone else. But it was impossible. It could never be, not really. Not in this world, and not in the next.

And then there was the possibility that I wouldn’t survive long enough to see him with her anyway. That vengeance would claim me long before any wedding bells rang through Voldaris. But we could have this—this one moment where we forgot about everything else—everyone else except each other. And perhaps that would be enough.

"If that's all you can offer me, I still want it," I decided, my voice growing bolder. "I could die tomorrow, Xül. I could die days from now in the next trial."

The sound he made was half growl, half groan. "Fuck. You have no idea what you're saying."

I reached up to trace where the column of his throat disappeared beneath his shirt, gratified when his breathing hitched. "I want you."

"Stop," he commanded, though he leaned into my touch.

"Do you really want me to?" I whispered, moving closer despite the precarious rocking of the boat.

"You're almost there, Thais," he warned. "You're going to drive me so far that I forget every rule, every duty, every reason why I should keep my

hands to myself."

"Good," I breathed.

“You don’t understand, Thais.” His eyes burned into mine. "This can never just be physical for me," he said. "Not with you. And you deserve so much more than half of a man promised to someone else."

“You couldn’t even stand to be in the same room when another man

expressed interest in me.”

Xül’s jaw ticked.

“Because none of them deserve you. No one ever will,” he nearly growled against my ear. “Even me, Thais. Especially me.”

“I don’t care that you’re engaged. I know you don’t care for her. I know she only wants what you can provide for her.”

“That’s not the only problem, Thais. I don’t just want your body. I want all of you. Every single piece. If we go there, it will ruin me for the rest of my life.”

I stilled, soaking in the promise of his words. They were everything I wanted to hear, and yet the most terrifying things that had ever been spoken to me.

"There are things about me that you don't know," he said, his voice nearly cracking. "Things that could make you change your mind. I might be a selfish bastard, but I'm not that selfish. Not with you."

Xül might have had his secrets, but I had my own. And I didn’t intend on sharing them either. At least for now. Secrets were something I could live with.

The boat rocked violently, water sloshing over the sides. Xül reached for me, pulling me flush against him as the small craft tilted just enough.

Suddenly we were both falling, tumbling into the dark water.

The shock of cold closing over my head jolted me from the heated moment. I kicked upward, breaking the surface with a gasp. Xül emerged beside me, braids heavy with water.

For a moment we simply stared at each other in shock. Then, unexpectedly, Xül laughed—that beautiful sound. Despite myself, I joined in.

"Smooth move, starling," he said, blinking droplets from his eyelashes.

"You're the one with sub-par balance," I countered, still laughing.

Our overturned boat drifted a few feet away. Xül swam to it with powerful strokes, flipping it right-side up. He turned back to me, extending his hand.

"Come on. Let's get you out of the water before you freeze."

I swam to him, taking his offered hand. But instead of helping me to the boat, he pulled me closer, until we were face-to-face in the water.

All trace of laughter vanished as our eyes met, suspended in the dark water beneath a canopy of stars. In this moment, with the village lights shimmering in the distance and the weight of everything momentarily washed away, I saw him clearly. I saw the way he looked at me.

"Fuck it," he said, and then his mouth was on mine. I gasped against him, my arms wrapping around his neck as his encircled my waist. The kiss was desperate, hungry, as if he'd been starving for this as long as I had.

My legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, and he groaned into my mouth, his hands tightening on my hips. Water lapped around us, our bodies half-submerged, but I felt nothing but fire.

Every touch, every shared glance, every moment of tension between us had been leading to this—this inevitable collision of wills and want and need.

"Whatever this is, whatever it costs, I want it," I whispered against his lips, the words a vow I couldn't take back.

His hands moved to cup my face, his eyes searching mine. "Are you sure?"

In answer, I pressed myself against him, feeling his hardness through our sodden clothes. "I've never been more certain of anything."

How could I explain what this meant? That after months of fighting to survive, of learning to kill, of hardening myself against the world, I wanted nothing more than to surrender to him. Without warning, he moved us toward the shadow of the overhanging willows, where a small, secluded inlet formed a natural alcove. The water was shallower here, only reaching his waist as he stood, still holding me against him.

"Here?" I asked, surprised by his boldness.

"I can't wait another bloody moment," he growled.

His mouth found my neck, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses to the sensitive skin there. "You taste like starlight and sin," he murmured against my throat.

The raw desperation in his voice mirrored my own, the need that had been building between us finally too strong to deny. I'd imagined this moment in so many ways—sometimes tender, sometimes rough, sometimes desperate—but none of my fantasies had captured the overwhelming intensity of finally being in his arms in this way.

His hands found the hem of my borrowed dress, now a weight clinging to my skin. With impatient movements, he gathered the fabric, pushing it up and out of his way. The cool night air against my newly exposed skin made me shiver.

"You're so beautiful," he murmured, his gaze raking over me. "Every part of you."

His hand slid between us. A satisfied sound rumbled in his chest as his fingers explored, drawing gasps and small moans from my lips.

"I've known pleasures both divine and profane. But never—" he said, while his thumb began a maddening circle around my clit. "Never have I wanted anyone the way I want you."

I reached out, fumbling with the ties of his trousers, desperate to feel him. When my hand finally closed around him, hot and hard, his breath hitched. The power of that—of knowing I could affect him as deeply as he affected me—was intoxicating. I could fucking drown in that feeling.

"Show me, then." I whispered.

He went completely still, grip turning almost painful. Then a sharp edge slid across my throat. His teeth.

"Not here," he murmured. "Not like this. I need you properly. All of you."

I felt the familiar tingle of magic in the air as he ripped open a portal with a sweep of his hand, never breaking our connection. The silvery light illuminated us for a moment, casting our shadows across the water's surface.

Without a lick of strain, he carried us through the shimmering doorway, my legs still locked around his waist, his arms supporting me. The peaceful village disappeared behind us as we stepped directly into his quarters at the Bone Spire. The portal closed with a soft hiss, leaving us in the dimly lit room, water pooling around his feet on the stone floor.

In three long strides, he crossed to his bed and laid me down on the dark sheets. He loomed above me, water dripping from his hair onto my face as he stared down.

"Now," he said, his voice a dark promise that made me shiver with anticipation. “Are you ready for me to ruin this perfect body until you're addicted to the way I make you feel?”