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As evening settled over the northern lands, Es prepared herself in a gown of muted blue-gray, the subdued color perfectly blending with the dimming light coming from the candelabras at her side table.
The dress was a fitted bodice that traced her silhouette with graceful precision, while the skirt cascaded down to brush the floor in a sweep of soft fold.
She adjusted her hood, its delicate lace edging framing her face, and pulled the long, slim-fitted sleeves snugly over her wrists. A wide belt with an ornate buckle cinched over her waist, lending a touch of structure to the flowing gown and emphasizing her poise.
Tonight, she was due to face the elders of the North for a discussion she could already sense would be filled with tension. Many still bristled at the thought of her holding any authority over them, it wasn’t obvious, but she noticed it during the earlier confrontation downstairs.
Nevertheless, she understood that rules were unchangeable and must be upheld regardless of personal sentints.
With a steady breath, she rose and moved toward the door, her fingers brushing the cool tal of the lock. As she stepped out into the quiet corridor, she found Finnian waiting just beyond her threshold, and despite his unexpected encounter, it brought a smile to her lips.
"Finn?"
"Glad you haven’t left yet, I wanted to walk you there." He said, his voice steady, and Es felt a warmth bloom within her at his words.
"You... want to walk to face the elders?" she repeated, and a small, proud smile ford on his lips as he struck his chest with a clenched fist.
"Yes! I made a vow to protect my sis, and it’s a vow I intend to keep," he didn’t hesitate to say, determination flaring in his eyes. Es felt a swell of pride, realizing just how much Finnian had grown; quite bold for soone his age, and it was unmistakable.
She mirrored his gesture with a playful grin. "Then lead the way, the finest warrior of Illyria. Take to the council."
Finnian simply responded with a firm nod, before turning around and leading the way.
As they passed through her private corridor, Es and Finnian made it to the corridor below, where Es gave a slight nod in response to the respectful greetings of the passing warriors of the Damned.
Though she had the upper corridor to herself, the grand manor was not her own private residence. Rather, it housed all the warriors of the Damned – a testant to its vastness.
Multiple towers rose from its structure, each manned by guards who vigilantly watched over the Northern base in case of any unexpected attacks. Constant caution was a necessity, since the looming threat from Lennox and other powerful packs in Illyria demanded nothing less.
Though Lennox already gave her his word, she couldn’t trust that he wouldn’t do anything to harm Donovan.
Es had yet to explore the manor in its entirety, but she had beco familiar with the critical pathways, discerning which routes led to key areas within the towering estate.
As she glided past, the male warriors couldn’t help but stare, their eyes drawn to her every graceful step. Though not out of any ill intention, it was hard not to stare when she was a woman of beauty.
A few of them had to shake themselves from their reverie, reminding one another that she was the Alpha’s mate. Had she belonged to anyone else, they would have thought little of it before claiming her for themselves. Es could sense their unspoken admiration, hence, she tried to move faster to avoid their gaze.
She wasn’t going to waste the little bravado she had gathered to face the councils on them.
Descending the winding staircase, Es turned to Finnian with a touch of concern. "By the way, won’t staying here affect your studies at Shadowbrook? It’s already been four days. Classes must have comnced."
Finnian shook his head lightly, "As long as we’ve gotten permission from the board, we’re fine. We’ll just have to catch up on the material ourselves. Personally, I don’t see that as a problem, so I’m not bothered. Simon’s sharp, so he’ll manage fine, and as for Luca... well, he’s barely worried. His main reason for enrolling at Shadowbrook was to build his strength, so he’s hardly bothered about academics."
"Ah, I see," Es said thoughtfully. "I should probably ask Donovan to send one of his warriors back to the Damned, to reassure their families. It’s only fair that they know their sons are doing well– and it’s important they learn about how remarkable they are too, don’t you think?"
"I agree, they’re actually cool," Finnian said, a hint of pride in his voice. Though he hasn’t gotten quite attached to Simon, he knew this update would an a lot to Simon. And as for Luca, their paths were different, but Finnian wanted the sa for both his friends; to thrive, finish strong at Shadowbrook, and maybe after defeating the true bearer, the three of them can explore lands together.
"Sis, what’s going to happen if you remain their Luna?" Finnian asked, glancing up at his sister. "Does that an you won’t be able to co with us to the Damned? With your new role as the Northerners’ luna, they won’t exactly let you just leave, will they?"
Es considered his question, a thoughtful hum escaping her. "I certainly can’t unite them with the Damned if that’s what you’re thinking," she replied. "But in the anti, I’ll try to establish a sort of alliance with a prominent character here."
Finnian’s eyes narrowed as her words slowly sank in. "I never thought I’d see the day when you’d be brokering a political alliance. It’s unlike you, or rather, foreign of you to be indulged in such managent."
"And I never thought I’d be having such deep conversations with a child," Es teased, a smile playing on her lips. "Tell , just how much do you understand, hm?"
"I’m not a child, I’ll be fourteen in the coming month!" Finnian protested, swatting her hand away with a playful grin as she tousled his hair. "Besides, I’ve heard that if I ever want to lead my own pack in the future, I should start learning now."
"That is true," Es agreed with a warm smile. "And who knows? By then, perhaps demon wolves will be nothing more than a mory. Illyria will know peace again, Father’s soul can finally rest, and you, Donovan, and everyone else will be free from this curse. I believe that with all my heart."
" too," Finnian’s blue eyes brightened with hope. "And I want to be there when you and the Alpha marry. So far, he’s the only one I can approve of without a doubt."
Es chuckled softly. "You like Donovan that much?"
"I respect him," Finnian answered with sincerity. "He stood by when everyone else just wanted gone. He even helped regulate the curse mark so I don’t get influenced like before. You know, I heard Father wasn’t present for that decision to put the Alpha to sleep, cause he was in a battle to end Alpha Zephyr all those years. But I learned later on that Alpha Zephyr was his father."
His gaze dropped to the floor. "He is nothing like his father. Do you think if father had been present during the cruel trial, he would have saved him?"
Es’s smile softened, a hint of sadness in her eyes.
She then rubbed her temples, struggling to find an answer to her brother’s questions. Her mories of that ti were hazy, fragnted even, perhaps that was why she had no recollection of who Donovan was, including the tis Lennox claid they spent together as children. And yet, it struck her as odd. Everyone else seed to know exactly who Donovan was and what he represented, except her.
Not until the day Lennox told her about it.
"Father is more fair when it cos to maintaining justice," Es murmured softly. "So no. If Father had been there like you asked... I’m certain he would have intervened."
As they stepped outside, a cold Northern wind swept past, lifting the edges of her hood. Es glanced at Finnian, who had pulled up his own hood. He was clad entirely in white, from his thick fur cloak to the plush hood framing his face.
In the orange light, he looked almost otherworldly, ethereal – so much like their father. Es was sure that one day, her brother’s quiet charm would be enough to draw countless admirers, even if he couldn’t yet imagine it himself.
"This way," Finnian said, leading Es forward as they stepped out into the crisp snow. The air was still, with only the crunch of their boots breaking the silence, until a sudden voice rang out from behind them.
"INCOMING!"
Es barely had ti to turn before a snowball appeared out of nowhere, striking her directly in the face in a burst of cold powder. Shocked, she blinked rapidly, her cheeks stinging from the chill, while Finnian stifled a grin beside her.
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