Chapter 83
Ella's POV
Two days had passed since the bonfire offering ceremony, and Julian hadn't sought me out once.
I sat by the window in the East Hall, holding an herbal compendium in my hands, though I hadn't absorbed a single word. Sunlight streamed through the latticed window onto the pages, but my thoughts drifted far away.
Had he retreated? The thought brought an inexplicable sense of loss rising within me.
"He won't!" Ignis declared confidently in my mind, her voice carrying an unusual tenderness. "That wolf isn't the type to give up easily."
I pressed my lips together, offering no response.
Ignis made no effort to hide her fondness for Julian—ever since she and Sage had confirmed each other as fated mates on the battlefield, she'd become remarkably chatty, constantly mentioning that "handsome ice wolf" in my head.
And me? Everything felt too fast, too sudden—so quick I hadn't even sorted through my own feelings yet.
I'd heard news of Kane's awakening.
Brian had told me. He said Kane's injuries had stabilized, and though his body remained weak, he could already move about. When I heard this, my heart barely stirred—I felt neither relieved nor anxious.
It was like hearing about something that had nothing to do with me.
Kane hadn't come looking for me, and I hadn't deliberately gone to see him either.
I didn't want to face him, didn't want to stir up those painful memories—the days imprisoned in the West Wing, the child stolen by wolfsbane, the agony of being bound by chains. I wanted none of it revisited.
Things were fine as they were now, with a subtle distance maintained between us, neither disturbing the other.
On the third day, Fiona mysteriously invited me to Dawn Harbor.
"Ella!" She burst into the East Hall, her curls gleaming in the sunlight, her eyes brimming with excitement. "Come with me to Dawn Harbor! I heard there's a really fun tavern there!"
I felt somewhat at a loss, wondering what this girl was up to now.
Since the battle ended, Fiona had been visiting me frequently—chatting, strolling through gardens, showing me her cats. She seemed to regard me as a close confidante, trusting me without reservation.
"What tavern?" I asked.
"The one run by that half-beast lizard man!" Fiona said excitedly. "I heard he's really interesting and mixes all sorts of strange drinks!"
I recalled that somewhat unsettling lizard creature, thinking: where did this girl hear about this?
"Alright," I closed my book and stood. "But we'll need to bring guards."
"Of course!" Fiona took my hand. "Brian, Gregory, and Zachary will all come with us!"
We took a carriage to Dawn Harbor, with Brian, Gregory, and Zachary serving as escorts.
The carriage bumped along the forest path while Fiona chattered nonstop, talking about the stray cats she'd recently taken in and the names she'd given them.
Listening to her voice, I gradually relaxed.
As we approached Dawn Harbor, I spotted a massive sailing vessel moored by the sea.
The ship rested quietly at the dock, its hull painted deep brown, its mast towering into the clouds. Strangely, the sails remained furled, as if the entire vessel was waiting for something.
Sea wind swept past, carrying the scent of salt and moisture, while gulls circled overhead, crying out.
The carriage stopped before the tavern. The lizard man wasn't sitting behind the bar as usual, but stood outside the tavern, holding a bottle of wine, as if waiting for us.
His vertical-pupiled eyes fixed on me, his mouth stretching into an eerie smile.
"Good day, ladies," he said in a raspy voice.
Fiona's eyes lit up instantly at the sight of the lizard man.
She rushed forward, reaching for his tail. "Wow! A real lizard man! Can your tail regenerate? Can I try cutting it off?"
The lizard man recoiled in terror, hastily hiding his tail behind his back. "N-no! Please, miss, have mercy!"
I quickly pulled Fiona back. "Stop that."
The lizard man sighed with relief.
He composed himself and turned to me, fixing those vertical pupils on my face. "Miss, someone has ordered a drink for you."
He presented an elegant glass before me. It held an amber liquid that gave off a faint fruity aroma.
Fiona immediately leaned in. "I want some too!"
"Children aren't allowed to drink!" the lizard man said sternly.
"I'm not a child!" Fiona pouted indignantly.
I accepted the glass, somewhat puzzled. "Who ordered it?"
The lizard man didn't answer, merely saying to himself, "This drink is called 'Waiting.' Please enjoy it, miss."
I gazed at the liquid, hesitating briefly before draining it in one gulp. The wine slid down my throat with a subtle sweetness and a trace of bitterness, like some complex emotion.
Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the sea.
I turned to look and saw the wooden ship moored at the dock slowly unfurling an enormous crimson sail.
The sail spread in the sea breeze, displaying a massive image of a crimson wolf—unmistakably Ignis! The flame-like fur, amber eyes, proud and defiant posture—every detail rendered with vivid precision.
"That's me!" Ignis purred excitedly in my mind. "He painted me on the sail!"
I stood completely stunned by the sight before me.
Julian emerged from the bow, his golden hair gleaming in the sunlight. He waved toward us, his face bearing a gentle smile.
"Ella's so hard to invite!" Fiona shouted, then turned to me with a mischievous wink. "Remember to bring me back a doll!"
Only then did I understand—they'd planned all of this.
Fiona pulled me by the hand, leading me onto the dock. Brian and the others followed behind, smiles on their faces. We boarded the ship, the planks creaking beneath our feet.
Julian descended from the bow and approached me. Today he wore a simple white shirt and dark trousers, sleeves rolled to his elbows, revealing solid forearms. The sea breeze tousled his golden hair, making him look younger and freer than usual.
"This ship has been named the Ignis," he said, his voice carrying undisguised pride. "It's meant to take you to Free Haven."
I froze, momentarily speechless.
"And the captain?" I finally managed to find my voice.
Julian smiled. "Me. I'm also the sailor and first mate. I'm filling multiple roles." He paused, then added, "Of course, you could also have Brian and the others help out."
"But you're the Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack," I said. "If you leave, what happens to the pack?"
Julian shrugged casually. "I think Walter retiring at his age would be letting him off too easy. I've already arranged things for the pack—he can serve a few more years!"
He spoke so lightly, yet I understood what this meant. To accompany me to Free Haven, he was willing to temporarily set aside his Alpha duties and entrust the pack to his father.
This gesture stirred an indescribable warmth within me.
He stepped forward and drew an exquisite crown from inside his coat.
It was the Orta Crown—silvery-white metal set with blue and red gemstones that sparkled in the sunlight. Blue representing frost, red representing flame—representing the two of us.
"Wear this crown," Julian said softly, "and you'll be my Luna."
I looked at him, at the sincerity and anticipation filling his eyes.
My heart pounded so hard I could barely hear the sound of the waves.
But I didn't immediately accept.
I turned and walked toward that massive crimson sail. Brian and Gregory understood my intent and came forward to help me slowly lower and roll up the sail. Julian's expression showed clear disappointment—he thought his proposal had failed again.
I gathered the rolled crimson sail in my arms and solemnly handed it to Julian.
"Let's save this voyage for later," I said, my voice quiet but firm. "The Silver Moon Pack has just restored order, and the Luna surely has many matters to handle. Once the pack is settled, then you can accompany me on this journey."
Julian stood frozen, looking at me as if he hadn't quite grasped my meaning.
I took a deep breath, feeling my cheeks flush with heat.
I lowered my head and added softly, "My captain."
After a moment of silence, Julian suddenly laughed. Understanding dawned on him, his eyes rekindling with light.
He accepted the rolled sail, clutching it tightly to his chest, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "My Luna."
I reached out and took the Orta Crown from his hands.
The crown felt light yet heavy—it represented responsibility, commitment, and my choice for the future.
I slowly placed the crown upon my head.
Fiona cheered beside us, and Brian and the others all wore smiles.
Julian stepped forward and gently kissed my forehead. The sea breeze swept past, carrying the scent of salt and moisture, and also bringing a new beginning.
I closed my eyes, feeling his tender touch.
This time, I wasn't afraid anymore, wasn't running away.
Because I knew this man was worthy of my trust, worthy of my devotion.
Ignis purred contentedly in my mind, like that blue bird nesting at Ruby's grave, finally finding her rightful home.