Chapter 105 Just Him
ARYA
We sat like that for a while. The council meeting continued its distant murmur behind the walls. Somewhere on the other side of the temple grounds, someone was training. I could hear the rhythmic impact of sparring, Sage probably, working out her feelings about Ryker and the election and everything else through the most direct method available to her.
“Tell me about the Mordecai tribunal,” I said eventually.
“Caspian is drafting the parameters for equal representation from every species on the council and an independent chair. Bardon has been suggested, though he’s technically our ally so that’s complicated. Standard evidentiary rules plus provisions for magical testimony.” Luca paused, like he was debating if he should say his next words or not. “He’s asking to speak with you.”
I went still. “Mordecai.”
“Yes.”
“No.” I shook my head.
The thought of seeing him made the hairs on the back of my hands stand.
“Arya—”
“I said no.” I pulled my hand back. Not in anger. More to think without the warmth of him clouding my focus. “He spent however long we were in the void trying to convince me I was worthless. Trying to erode my sense of self until there was nothing left to anchor me to reality. And now he wants an audience?”
“He says he has information about other threats, the spell in the void and how he reversed it.” Luca’s voice was carefully neutral. “Bardon thinks some of it might be legitimate.”
“Bardon thinks everyone has something redeemable about them.” I muttered.
“True. And he’s been wrong before.” Luca stood, moving to lean against the courtyard wall across from me. “But the information about the void spell is potentially important. If Mordecai found a way to reverse the containment from inside—”
“Someone else could do it.”
“Yes.”
I hated that he was right. I hated it with a particular intensity that told me exactly how scared I still was of that possibility. Of something else emerging from nothingness into the world. Of that experience happening to someone else, anyone else, because we hadn’t gathered enough information to prevent it.
“You’re going to set conditions,” I said. “If I agree to speak with him. He’s bound. Magically and physically. Full monitoring. Bardon and Caspian both present. And he answers my questions before I answer any of his.”
“Done.”
“And if I decide to stop at any point, we stop. No pressure from anyone that we need more information badly enough to override my judgment.”
Luca’s eyes met mine. “Absolutely done. Without hesitation.”
I nodded, picking up the last piece of fruit from the tray. “Tomorrow. Not today.” I looked at the sky again. “I want to go back to our room before the afternoon session and just…be somewhere quiet for an hour. Is that allowed?”
“You’re the Luna of the Unity Council. You can go wherever you want.”
“I’m asking if you’ll come with me.”
He pushed off the wall immediately. No hesitation at all. I let him wrap his arms around me and pull me into a kiss. The press of his lips against mine. Solid, real, present.
I moaned into his mouth and pulled him closer. Wanting more of him. Because there was still a small part of me that needed that confirmation that he was here.
“Let’s go in.”
The moment the door closed behind us, the quiet wrapped around me like a second skin.
No council voices. No distant clashing. No expectations.
Just him.
Luca didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. His hands found my waist like he’d been holding himself back all afternoon, like the restraint had finally snapped the second we were alone.
My back hit the door softly.
His mouth followed mine again, deeper this time. Hungrier.
And this… this was different from the courtyard.
There was nothing gentle about it now.
I gasped against his lips when his hand slid up my side, fingers curling like he needed to feel me, like reassurance wasn’t enough unless it was physical, grounding, undeniable.
“Luca…” His name came out softer than I meant it to.
A warning. A plea. I wasn’t even sure which.
His forehead dropped briefly to mine, breath uneven. “Tell me to stop.”
I didn’t.
My fingers tightened in his shirt instead, pulling him back down to me.
That was all the permission he needed.
The kiss deepened again, slower but heavier, like he was savoring instead of rushing now. Like he knew I needed that, needed to feel every second of it. His hand slid to my back, pressing me closer until there wasn’t space left between us.
A soft sound slipped from me before I could stop it, and I felt the way it changed something in him instantly. His grip tightened, his control thinning at the edges.
“You’re okay?” he murmured against my lips, but his voice was rougher now.
I nodded, breath catching. “I just—” I swallowed. “I need this.”
His eyes searched mine for a second longer, like he was checking for cracks, for hesitation.
Then he kissed me again, slower this time.
Intentional.
His hands weren’t rushed anymore, just steady, grounding, mapping me like he was reminding both of us that I was here. That I was whole. That whatever Mordecai had tried to break hadn’t succeeded.
I let my head fall back against the door, giving him more space, more access, my fingers sliding up into his hair as I pulled him closer again.
“Still here?” he murmured.
I nodded, breathless. “Still here.”
He exhaled like that meant everything.
Like it did mean everything.
The world outside could wait. The tribunal. The council. The weight sitting on my shoulders.
For this one hour—
It was just us. I didn’t feel like I was slipping away.
I felt anchored.