Ninety Five

Ninety Five
Ezra stepped into the dimly lit chamber where Morwen was held, the air thick with the smell of incense and dark magic. Shadows danced along the walls, cast by the single torch that sputtered in the corner. Morwen sat cross-legged on the stone floor, her chains rattling faintly as she noticed his presence.

“How does it feel to be back, my prince?” she said, a sly, cruel smile curling her lips. Her laughter echoed softly, eerie in the quiet room.

Ezra’s eyes narrowed, the dark aura around him flaring slightly. “Stop acting so pleased with yourself,” he growled. “You’re the reason I disappeared in the first place.”

Morwen’s eyes flickered, not with fear but with amusement. “Ah… but you must have noticed,” she said, tilting her head, “you’re different now, aren’t you? Not in human form… not the way you were.”

Ezra’s fists clenched. “Yes,” he said slowly, his voice low and dangerous. “What have you done to me?”

She leaned forward, her smile wicked. “Do you want the truth, or would you rather stay angry in ignorance?”

“I want the truth,” he said, stepping closer, his eyes glowing faintly with dark energy.

Morwen’s smile widened. “Lira… she used forbidden magic,” she said, her voice smooth, teasing. “She brought you back using powers that even I would hesitate to touch. Your return… your strength… it comes from her sacrifice and the old spells she cast. That’s why you’re… not quite the man you were before.”

Ezra’s dark eyes widened slightly. “You…what?” His hands shot forward, gripping her by the throat with strength born of centuries, lifting her slightly off the ground.

“Necessary,” Morwen gasped, her voice strained but still calm. “It was necessary, my prince. For you to survive… for you to defeat the Siphons. Lira’s magic was the only way.”

Ezra’s grip didn’t falter, but his mind raced. The anger in him battled with a strange flicker of understanding. “You mean… she risked everything… for me?”

Morwen’s eyes glimmered. “She is strong… stronger than you realize. But you… you are the key. That’s why the magic had to be done the way it was.”

He let her drop back to the floor, his breathing heavy. “Damn it,” he muttered, pacing a few steps. “All this time… she’s been walking the edge of death, doing things forbidden, dangerous… for me. And you…” he spat the word, his glare cutting into her “you’re still the same manipulative witch, even in chains.”

Morwen chuckled softly, shaking her head. “Ah, my prince, that will never change. But now… you understand. And perhaps now, you might even forgive her.”

Ezra’s jaw tightened. Forgiveness wasn’t on his mind. Protection was. Lira had done what no one else could. And now, he understood the full weight of what she had risked and what he would do to protect her from anyone who dared challenge her, including Morwen herself.

He stepped back, dark energy still crackling faintly around him. “You’ll stay where you are, Morwen. And you’ll think long and hard about your next move.”

Morwen raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Oh, I will, my prince… I always do.”

The room fell silent, heavy with tension and unspoken understanding. Ezra turned and left, the knowledge of Lira’s dangerous power burning in his mind, even as the rage and relief battled inside him.

Ezra stepped out of the chamber, the cold stone corridor echoing with his boots. The air felt heavier now, charged with the knowledge of what Lira had done. He closed his eyes for a moment, letting the dark energy settle around him, his thoughts all on her.

He found her in the penthouse kitchen, still asleep at the small table, a thin blanket draped over her shoulders. The morning light spilled across her hair, softening the sharp edges of the world outside. His chest tightened. She had risked everything, pushed forbidden magic to the edge, to bring him back. And now, he was here, alive, but not the same as before.

He knelt beside her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Lira…” he whispered, his voice low, rough with emotion. She stirred, blinking up at him, still drowsy.

“You’re awake,” she murmured, voice soft, voice still thick with sleep.

“I don't sleep,” he said, sitting back on his heels. “And I know what you did.”

She blinked, confused. “I… I don’t understand…”

“You used forbidden magic,” he said, letting the words fall carefully. “You risked yourself… your life… everything to bring me back.” His dark eyes met hers, a storm of emotion swirling in them. “Do you know what that could have cost you?”

Her eyes widened slightly, guilt and fear mixing with a quiet defiance. “I did it because I had to… bring you back, Ezra. I… I couldn’t let you stay gone. Not like that. And we needed you to defeat the Siphon”

Ezra’s hand hovered over hers, his fingers brushing her wrist lightly. “You could have died,” he said quietly. “And the magic… it's dangerous.”

Lira swallowed hard, reaching to take his hand. “I know… I…” She paused, tears threatening, but she forced them back. “I had no choice. I only wanted you back. It was necessary.”

He let out a long, low breath, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “You were reckless,” he said, though the sharp edge of anger had softened. “But… I can’t hate you. Not for this.”

Her lips quirked up in a small, tired smile. “You’re not supposed to forgive me,” she whispered. “Even after Valen... Not being faithful.”

“I’m not,” he said, his fingers tightening around hers. “I’m grateful… terrified… and I owe you everything. But you’ve made yourself dangerous. Stronger than even I expected.”

She shifted closer, resting her head against his chest. “I had to be. For you… for us.”

He closed his eyes, feeling her warmth, letting the quiet intimacy hold them both. Outside, the city moved on, unaware of the battles fought in shadow, the magic that had nearly destroyed them both, and the fragile bond that had grown stronger in the fire.

For a long moment, neither spoke. There was only the sound of their breaths, the quiet beating of hearts, and the unspoken understanding that whatever came next, they would face it together.

Ezra finally whispered, “We have a war ahead… but for now… stay here. Stay with me.”

Lira’s answer was a soft sigh against his chest, a promise without words, and for the first time in what felt like centuries, he let himself feel a measure of peace.