Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 22 - Ashspire Estate, Elandor
Late at Night - Adonis' Room
Night bathed the estate in silence.
It was dark, only a few lightstones illuminated the walls.
In his bed, Adonis twisted under the sheets. He tossed and turned, never truly resting.
Then came the pain.
His body jolted up, hands clutching his head as he let out a strangled cry.
"AGHH!"
The shout cut through the quiet, raw, as if it came straight from his soul.
Thud.
The door barged open, and a maid stumbled inside, eyes wide with panic.
"Young Mast—?!"
Her sentence broke as she saw him.
"Aghh!"
His cries shook the room.
Another voice came, urgent, followed by quick footsteps.
"Adonis!"
Rowena rushed inside, barefoot and in her nightgown.
She dropped to her knees at his bedside and pulled his hands away from his face.
"Adonis, look at me!"
His eyes darted wildly, unfocused, until hers caught them.
Rowena pulled him closer and hugged him tightly, voice gentle.
"Tell me…Adonis, what's wrong?"
His voice came hoarse.
"I—I saw…a girl. I don't…I don't know her. It hurts. It hurts, Mother."
Tears streamed down his face, and Rowena's arms closed firmer around his trembling body.
She looked at the maid without loosening her hold.
Her voice was sharp as she ordered.
"Fetch a healer."
The maid ran, and the door slammed shut behind her.
Rowena's hand smoothed through his damp hair, over and over.
Her voice was soft.
"You are safe, Adonis. I'm here."
He tried to breathe to calm himself, but his vision blurred, strength draining.
Then he slumped, losing consciousness.
Rowena's hand stayed in his hair.
***
Late at Night - Adonis' Room
I sat at his bedside, the quiet of the chamber wrapped around us, my gaze fixed on him.
'He looks so small when he sleeps.'
His hand lay in mine, calloused, knuckles raw.
'He tried to hide it...boys always thought mothers couldn't see.'
The thought brought a smile to my lips.
But the smile vanished as he grimaced in his sleep.
I brushed my fingers through his hair until the pain in his face eased.
'He's not mine. But he feels like mine.'
My hand lingered, tucking loose strands from his face, and memories came without permission.
My first winter in this house, the one where I learned which rooms stayed warm and which did not, which smiles I needed to fear.
The lessons that wives learned or broke upon.
My focus turned back to him, voice soft.
"Anton won't protect you."
I bent and pressed my lips to his temple, the way I did with Theodora when nightmares plagued her.
"I am proud of you, my dear."
Knock.
The sound startled me.
I straightened at once, voice firm.
"Enter."
The healer stepped in and bowed.
"My Lady."
I waved a hand in dismissal, already turning back to Adonis.
"How is his condition?"
The healer came closer, set two fingers to Adonis's wrist, then pressed a palm to his forehead.
He waited, then gave a small nod.
"No fever."
I exhaled quietly, my shoulders easing.
He spoke again, withdrawing his hands.
"Awakening brings memories for some. Headaches are not uncommon."
My head turned from Adonis to him, confused.
"Memories?"
The healer's reply came gentle, patient as he explained.
"Yes, we call it Soul Echo. You must have heard of it already."
I nodded faintly.
"Some gain insight with their awakening, others relive fragments. It will get better after a few days."
He set a small vial on the table before leaving.
"For the pain."
Click.
The door closed behind him.
I turned back to Adonis and leaned closer, brushing my hand through his hair, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.
A whisper escaped me.
"Let him find happiness."
***
Harmonia Calendar 715, Thal 23 - Ashspire Estate, Elandor
Early Morning - Adonis' Room
Mother had gone to fetch broth.
I slipped through the door as she left, a grin on my lips.
'Should I tease him first?'
The thought grew.
'Something like...Well, Sir Talent, do we bow to you now?'
I tiptoed closer, smile widening as I drew near him.
"Rise and shine, prodigy, I came to—"
Adonis' face ended the joke.
He wasn't awake.
He slept, but not peacefully.
His brow was creased tight, as if in pain. His fingers clutched the sheets, twisting, like he was fighting something.
My grin faded.
I set the cup down, the soft clink loud in the silence, and sat down on the mattress, gentle enough not to wake him.
For a moment, I only stared, watching him sleep.
My chest felt tight.
I whispered, brushing strands of hair from his face.
"Hey...you scared me."
I rested my palm on his cheek, thumb stroking a slow line toward his ear.
His skin was warm against my touch.
It calmed me more than him, and a part of me liked how warm he was.
I bent down and pressed my lips to his forehead.
A quick kiss.
I whispered softly, and the words surprised me with their shape.
"If you leave me...I'll hate you. I won't forgive you. Never."
Then something stirred inside me. I moved again and kissed his cheek—light and fast, like a childish promise.
My breath shook as I pulled back.
I whispered, naming both to make it seem less like a confession.
"You and Lucien...you'll save me, won't you?"
I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and pushed myself up.
Step.
My steps were hurried as I left the room.
Before Mother could return and see my face.
***
Late Morning - Adonis' Room
I nudged the door open with a tray balanced in my hands.
The smell of broth filled the room, though I doubted he'd eat much.
I set the tray down on the bedside table and leaned closer to the bed, my voice low but teasing.
"Wake up, hero. Or do you want Theodora to feed you again?"
His lips twitched before his eyes opened.
The sound of his voice was rough, but the words carried humor.
"No…no more feeding from Dori. You eat it. You'll need the strength to run from the Lord's
lectures."
I shook for a heartbeat at his use of 'Lord' but kept my composure.
I faked a laugh before sitting down on the edge of the bed.
"Can't run from the inevitable. But nice try."
My eyes studied his face for a moment, the color already returning to his cheeks.
"Are you feeling better?"
He shifted slightly under the blanket and gave me an awkward smile.
"Yeah. It's better."
I couldn't help myself, pride flowed into my voice as I spoke.
"You reap what you sow, Adonis. Twelve…you awakened at twelve."
He grinned faintly, eyes brighter.
"Write it down, or you'll forget and claim that you were first."
I smiled and nudged his shoulder with my hand.
"Keep it up, little brother. I'm still one year ahead."
He smirked, his tone playful.
"Not for long."
Silence settled between us.
We watched each other, gazes serious until laughter broke the tension.
"Pfff."
"Hahaha"
Our laughs stopped at the sound of the doorknob.
Click.
The door swung open.
Mother stepped in, carrying a fresh bowl of broth.
She paused at the sight of us laughing, her eyes narrowing on me.
'Time to go.'
I rose from the bed and smoothed the blanket where I had sat before walking toward the door, past Mother.
'Oh, right. The party. I'm sure he forgot about it.'
I stopped at the threshold, glancing back at him, lips curving as I spoke.
"Hey, prodigy, don't forget about the party. Theodora will be furious if you dodge it again."
His face turned pale.