Part 8
Neve held Kaya’s hand as she prayed to Andraste. She didn’t normally pray, but she didn’t know what else to do. Someone had to be listening. That’s what everyone always said. Someone, some God was always listening. But as Neve held Kaya’s cold, limp hand, she doubted anyone was listening. If they had been, they’d have helped Kaya by now. Kaya, who was dying slowly before her. When she had woken and broken through the Blight, she had been ecstatic that there was silence. That she couldn’t hear Elgar’nan or the Blight in her head. She was free of them and Kaya’s exclamation of shock was a welcome sound. The elf had barreled into her, hugging her and Neve had kissed her. She hadn’t noticed the metallic taste right away. Hadn’t noticed that the elf was barely moving. She only noticed when Kaya collapsed. The elf’s armor was drenched in blood and the gaping wound in her side had made Neve pale. Her mana was gone, and she couldn’t heal her. Morrigan had rushed to her side, along with Bellara and Lucanis.
They had rushed back to the Lighthouse where their allies sent healers to help. Myrna, Dorian, Flynn, Bellara, a Crow healer, Emmrich, and herself all worked on healing the elf. Even with their combined efforts, Kaya still did not wake. Her wound was nearly completely healed and there should be no reason for her not to wake…yet she hadn’t. She was still unconscious. They had no idea why the elf wouldn’t wake. There were theories, but Neve didn’t like any of them. They were all negative. All pointing to the obvious. That Kaya wasn’t going to wake.
“Neve? You should get some rest,” Bellara spoke. Neve shook her head, pressing her forehead against Kaya’s fingers.
“I-I can’t lose her,” Neve stammered. Bellara took a seat beside her, staring at their fallen leader. “I just got her back.”
“She just got you back too. You should’ve seen how upset she was when you were taken on Tearstone Island. She fought hard and didn’t let up, not even when Ghilan’nain’s tentacle stabbed her in the leg. Not even when—when Davrin died. She tried to fight. Then Solas sent her into that Fade Prison and we—”
“Fade Prison? The Fade Prison Solas was trapped in?”
“Yes…did no one tell you about that?”
Neve shook her head and took in Kaya’s pale face. The scars from Anaris’s claws that had cut her cheek and ear. “No. No one told me about that.”
“He trapped her. A prison of regrets. She was trapped there for two weeks,” Bellara explained. Neve squeezed Kaya’s hand. That must’ve been awful. When the Blight had taken her, time didn’t seem to pass. All she could sense, and feel was Elgar’nan. Time wasn’t important. Th team had suffered for two weeks. Kaya had suffered. The door creaked open, and Neve heard the sound of talons on stone. She glanced behind her, seeing Assan hesitantly padding towards them. “Hey, Assan.”
Assan chirped sadly and came to the other side of the bed, nuzzling Kaya’s free hand. When she didn’t respond, Assan whined and leaped onto the bed.
“Careful, Assan,” Neve cautioned. The griffon curled into Kaya’s side, resting his head on her shoulder. He looked as heartbroken as Neve felt. The door opened once more, and Bellara sat up straighter.
“Neve?” Emmrich called out. Neve turned, seeing the necromancer. “May we have a word with you?”
“I’ll stay right here with her,” Bellara promised. Neve nodded and stood, placing Kaya’s hand on her stomach. She leaned down to press a soft kiss to her forehead then followed Emmrich out of the room. He led her down to the library where the other mages sat.
“Did you figure something out?”
“We did,” Emmrich nodded. “We believe that Rook is stuck in the Fade.”
Neve frowned and placed her hands on her hips. “Stuck in the Fade?”
“When we die, we can sometimes become stuck in the Fade.”
“She’s not dead.”
“Not entirely, no. We believe that she is stuck somewhere in the Fade,” Morrigan spoke. Neve looked up at the woman in shock. “Her body is here, along with a part of her soul. The rest of her is lost.”
“How do you know that for sure?” Neve questioned, clenching her fists. She didn’t want to get her hopes up. Not if…not if she could still lose Kaya.
“The dweller is in the Fade,” the Caretaker spoke. Neve glanced to the side, seeing the Caretaker floating there. “She is there, and you will find her if she wishes to be found.”
“We can help guide you to her, but you will have to do the rest,” Emmrich further explained. He gestured to the mages around the table. “We will keep you tethered to your body and make sure you return, with or without her.”
“I won’t fail. I’ll bring her back.”
“I have no doubt that you will,” Emmrich smiled. Wisps flew into the room, floating around Neve and chittering as they did. “They wish to help.”
Neve held out her hand to them and one of the wisps landed on her palm. It pulsed in her hand, and she gave it a thankful smile. “Take me to her.”
The Fade
Neve blinked her eyes open, seeing the familiar room that was Kaya’s. Everything looked the same, but she could feel the difference. The Fade was stronger than before. Heavier. The more she focused, the more she saw the shimmering behind the objects around her. A wisp fluttered around her, and she stood from the chaise, following it to the door. It led her down the winding steps, through the library, and then into the courtyard. She passed where the Caretaker normally floated and he was not there. That was another clue that this was wrong. The Caretaker was always floating there. Laughter filled the air, and she pushed open the kitchen doors, seeing Kaya sitting at the table. Her eyes found her own when she entered.
“Neve! You’re back early!” Kaya exclaimed. The elves that were sitting with her turned and Neve felt a pang in her chest. Kai, Lorelei, Alana, and Davrin. They waved in greeting to her as she walked closer to the table.
“Hey, Neve. How was Dock Town?” Davrin asked.
“…fine,” Neve found herself answering.
Davrin smiled and gestured to Kaya. “Rook was just going over her plans for setting up a date for Taash and Lace.”
“Our knucklehead of a leader decided to take it upon herself to set the whole thing up,” Alana teased.
Lorelei chuckled and leaned back in her chair. “Now, now. You know she has their best interests in mind.”
“It will be fine! When has lethallan steered us wrong? This’ll go great!” Kai exclaimed. Neve was surprised that his voice was similar to Davrin’s. Slightly higher pitched and a strange mix between the Warden and Kaya’s voice.
“Neve? You alright?” Kaya asked. Neve shook her head, and the elf quickly stood from her chair, hurrying to her side. She took her hands in her own and Neve felt the coldness to her touch. “What’s wrong?”
“She probably just wants alone time with you!”
“Kai!” Kaya chastised, glancing over her shoulder at her brother. He grinned at them as he held his hands up in surrender. She huffed and looked back at Neve. “We can leave if you want. They’ll tease either way.”
Neve smiled at her and pulled one hand free to cup her face. Kaya leaned into her touch, and she ran her thumb along her smooth, unscared face. That wasn’t right either. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For the pain you’ve endured. For everything that’s happened to you.”
“Neve, you’re making me worried. What’s—”
“This isn’t real. You know that it’s not,” Neve interrupted. Kaya’s eyes widened and she went to step back, but Neve held her close.
“How can you say that?”
“All those people there? They’re all gone. Stop torturing yourself like this,” Neve answered. Kaya shook her head, and her eyes swam with confusion…and recollection. She knew.
“I—”
“Now, now. Dead? That’s a cruel thing to say,” Kai spoke. He stood from the table and Neve saw the shimmer to his body. The magic that thrummed around him. “We’re very much alive and well.”
“I know what happened to you. To all of you,” Neve calmly spoke. Kai’s eyes narrowed and glowed. She pulled Kaya behind her, putting herself between the confused elf and the others. The elves at the table all stepped closer to them. “Stay behind me.”
“You really want her to stay with you? You? A Tevinter mage?” Alana questioned. She sneered at here and Neve kept her eyes on Kai. He was supposed to be a mage. If he truly was, then she’d have to be careful. “You’re one of the very reasons why we died. Tevinter Mages. All of them, monsters who enslaved us.”
“Th-they’re dead,” Kaya stammered. Neve felt her shaking behind her and the room started to blur. It started changing right before her eyes. The walls morphed into a cell and the elves disappeared, replaced by children. Two children to be precise. Kaya and Kai. The two elves were huddled together, giggling as they did.
“See! I can use fire!” Kai exclaimed. Kaya stared in shock at her brother’s hands, the fire there burning softly in the dim light.
“Wow! How are you doing that?!”
“I have no clue!”
The clang of the cell bars opening made the children jump. “What have we here?”
“No!” Kaya shouted from behind her. The room exploded in light and Neve closed her eyes to avoid being blinded. When she blinked her eyes open, she saw the child version of Kaya cowering before her. Her eyes stared at her in fear and Neve held her hands out before her.
“I won’t hurt you,” Neve assured, kneeling before the child.
“Useless,” a voice spoke. Kaya cried out as someone grabbed her by her long hair. Neve tried to help her but was stopped by chains around her. She pulled at her restraints as the slaver dragged Kaya away from her. He threw her to the ground and magic trickled at his fingertips. “Try again, or I will kill your brother.”
Kaya frantically nodded and focused her magic. Her face was pained as she tried to use it and all that came from her fingers was sparks of electricity. The slaver growled and backhanded her, sending her crashing to the ground. “I-I’m sorry!”
“You’re not worth my time.”
His magic engulfed the child and Neve screamed alongside Kaya. She pulled at the chains that held her, trying to get to her. Trying to save the child from harm. The Blood Magic that tore at her skin and made her bleed was sickening.
“Stop it!” Neve yelled. The slaver cursed as a blast of fire hit him, making him stagger back. He growled and twirled, focusing his magic on Kai. As he focused on the boy, Kaya shakily got to her feet.
“Stop…” Kaya murmured. The slaver continued and Kai writhed on the ground. “STOP IT!”
Electricity exploded out from Kaya, engulfing the slaver. His pained howl filled the air, almost being drowned out by Kaya’s anguished scream. The slaver burned and fell dead to the floor. As he did, a burning demon appeared.
“The first death on your hands,” the demon spoke. It reached out and Neve broke one of her hands free. She used her magic, blasting the demon and freezing it in place. Neve quickly broke the rest of her chains and ran for Kaya. The child was still crying, staring at the corpse before her. Neve knelt and gently cupped Kaya’s face. Gold eyes looked up to her, red rimmed and full of tears.
“Kai didn’t kill your slaver,” Neve softly pointed out. Kaya averted her gaze and shook her head. Neve saw movement behind her, seeing the memory before her. Kai kneeling beside a now unconscious Kaya. The worried elf carrying his sister out of the room and rallying the other slaves. They looked to him as a leader, even when he wasn’t the one who had truly saved them. He wasn’t the one who had killed the lead slaver. “You let the others look to Kai.”
“I-I didn’t want them to be proud of me for killing him. I-I just wanted to forget,” Kaya cried. She looked back at Neve, giving her a defeated look. “I-I had forgotten for so long.”
The child in her hands glowed before disappearing, turning into a wisp. The wisp chittered before floating to a door that had appeared. Neve dutifully followed it, seeing the Shadow Dragon symbol on the door. She pushed it open and saw an older Kaya, traversing the rooftops of Minrathous. The elf was smiling from ear to ear with Kai as they leaped through the air. Smiled as they saved one another from danger. Kaya was Kai’s shadow. Following him as the leader they had made him out to be. They trained with one another. Loved one another. Neve watched as they grew into The Twin Blades.
“You two are going to get yourselves hurt one day,” Lorelei cautioned. Kai grinned up at her as Kaya bandaged his burned hand.
“I think I already did.”
Lorelei huffed and flicked his head. “You know what I mean.”
“I’ll be fine!” Kai assured, draping his arm over Kaya’s shoulder. “I have lethallan by my side.”
Kaya smiled and gently pushed his face away. “I can’t always be there to help you.”
“You say this, but you’ve been by my side since we were born…quite literally,” Kai smiled. Venatori appeared around them and the twins drew their blades. As they charged, the elves worked in tandem. They weaved around one another, slashing through their attackers with ease. As blood flew, the scenery changed to a storage facility. Alana and other elves were fighting beside them as they tried to escape the situation. “Kaya! Go! I’ll hold them off!”
“No! We fight together! I won’t leave you!” Kaya shouted. She slashed at an attacking Venatori. Kai shook his head and gathered magic in his palm.
“You need to go!” Kai ordered. He sent his magic at one of the Venatori mages, making them fall. He turned and his amber eyes widened. “Watch out!”
Kai shoved Kaya back and Neve watched as the sword stabbed him through the chest. He gurgled in pain and fell to his knees.
“Kai!”
“G-go!” Kai yelled. His magic shot out, throwing her back and out of the building. He looked at Neve and she held his gaze. “Take care of her.”
Neve’s eyes widened and the elf smiled. The room exploded and Neve used her magic, shielding herself from the blast. When the flames disappeared, she let her magic disappear. Kaya stood there in her outfit that they had met in. Her gold eyes stared at her in amazement.
“Rook, this is Neve Gallus, our local expert. She’s gonna help us find Solas,” Varric spoke. Neve remembered this meeting. She had been impressed by the elf. Strong, fast, and stubborn.
“Nice to meet you. Based on the Venatori, you’ve got excellent taste in enemies,” Kaya complimented. The images around them changed again and Neve watched through Kaya’s eyes. Watched how the woman always kept her in her periphery. Watched how Kaya slowed her steps to meet her own. The subtleness in how she showed she cared. Neve saw Kaya fight the dragon in Treviso. Saw how it nearly broke her leg as she tried to kill it. The elf hadn’t let that slow her down as she ran for the Elluvian. “We’re here! What’s the situation?!”
“Look around. I don’t know where to start,” Neve saw herself say. Kaya flinched at her words and the version of Neve that Kaya saw stepped closer. “This is your fault.”
“I-I didn’t—”
“You abandoned our city. Let it burn,” FadeNeve spoke. Blight burst through the ground and Neve held her hand against her chest. “Elgar’nan took the city because of you.”
“I-I know. I know it’s my fault,” Kaya spoke. She sank to her knees and the Blight surrounded her. FadeNeve shook her head and held out her hand. Magic gathered at her fingers and Neve ran. She jumped between herself and the Fade version of herself, using her own magic to shield Kaya.
“You won’t touch her,” Neve growled.
“You’d defend her? After all she’s done?”
“I forgave her a long time ago,” Neve spoke. Kai, Lorelei, and Alana came from the shadows.
“You might’ve, but we haven’t,” Alana spoke. They drew their weapons and Neve readied herself for the attack that was to come. She wouldn’t let them touch Kaya. They charged at her and she used her magic to deflect their attacks. FadeNeve made it difficult, but she was determined to keep Kaya safe. She felt a blade nick her shoulder but that didn’t stop her. Her magic surged around her, protecting Kaya and herself. FadeNeve pushed against her magic and Kai’s joined, threatening to break her shield. A searing pain in her abdomen made her gasp and she looked down, seeing the blade protruding from her stomach. She looked back, seeing Kaya standing behind her with the knife in her hands.
“K-Kaya?” Neve questioned. The woman behind her chuckled and stepped back, pulling the knife free as she did. She fell to her knees, pressing her hand against the wound.
“Your dear elf is suffering. So, so much,” Kaya spoke.
“You’re not her…”
“No. I am not,” the sneered. Kaya’s form disappeared and a demon took her place. They regarded her with a smirk. “Happy now?”
“A desire demon,” Neve grimaced.
The demon bowed. “Pleasure.”
“Wh-what do you want from her?” Neve stammered. The demon pranced around her, regarding her with careful eyes.
“It’s not what I want. It’s what she wants,” the demon responded. They snapped their fingers and Kaya appeared before Neve. The elf was staring blankly at her hands and the demon knelt beside her. They caressed Kaya’s cheek with their hand and sighed. “The poor thing desires love. Desires a family that will love her.”
“She has us,” Neve grunted. The wound in her stomach ached as she tried to move. The demon needed to get their hands off Kaya. They chuckled and sat beside her, cupping her chin and making her meet their glowing eyes.
“It’s cute that you think that. Did you know that she’s terrified of you?”
“What?”
The demon grinned and stood, dragging their claw across her cheek as they did. “Yes! She’s so scared that you’ll turn on her. Abandon her.”
“I would never—”
“But you have,” FadeNeve spoke. Neve turned, looking at the Fade version of herself. “You left her after Minrathous.”
The images changed around them, and Neve saw Kaya limping her way back to the Lighthouse. Saw her struggle up the stairs to her room. The elf collapsed on the chaise, peeling off her armor with tears falling from her eyes. She looked so small there. FadeNeve walked to the chaise and placed her hand on Kaya’s shoulder.
“She’s better off here, where no one will leave her,” FadeNeve spoke. She looked at her with a smirk. “I can keep her safe here…something you couldn’t do.”
Neve watched as Kaya fought Elgar’nan. The elf fought as hard as she could, even as Elgarn’nan sliced through her. Neve had been no help then. She had been stuck in the Blight once more. “I—”
“Face it, detective. Kaya is better off here,” the demon spoke. Neve looked back to the slumped over Kaya. Was she better here? Truly? Memories of their time together made her shake her head. No. The demon was wrong. She shakily stood, holding her hand to her stomach.
“You’re wrong.”
“How so?”
“She isn’t better off here. She’s better off with the team. With her friends!” Neve shouted. The Fade provided as she imagined their friends. They stood around her and she glared at the desire demon. “With me.”
The desire demon growled, and their tail flicked in agitation. “You will not take her.”
Kai, Alana, Lorelei, Davrin, and FadeNeve charged at her. Their apparitions of their friends attacked in turn. She dodged attacks thrown at her and focused on the FadeNeve. That was her target. She sent a blast of ice, and it was blocked by her counterpart’s ice. Her wound throbbed as she pressed harder with her magic. This wasn’t it.
“She’s mine!” FadeNeve shouted. Neve growled and let her magic surge. She would not lose Kaya here. Her hands cracked from how much magic she was exerting. Arms being cut by her own magic. She froze the Fade version of herself, and the demon screeched in anger. They turned their attention to Kaya’s slumped form and flew at here.
“No!” Neve exclaimed. She jumped between them, feeling their claws stab her in the chest. She gasped and grabbed the demon’s wrist. She wouldn’t let them go. Her magic froze their arm, and she felt the excruciating pain in her chest. “Y-you won’t t-touch her!”
The demon snarled and slashed at their frozen arm, cutting themselves free. Neve fell to her knees, blood leaking from the wound. The demon glared down at her and raised their intact hand. “She’s mine!”
As their claw came down, Kaya intercepted them. She caught their wrist and electricity engulfed the demon. They screeched in pain as Kaya growled.
“Leave. Her. Alone,” Kaya growled. She threw the demon back and they steadied themselves before charging at her. She blocked each strike and stayed protectively in front of Neve.
“She’s not worth your protection! She’ll abandon you!” The demon yelled. Kaya ducked under their swipe, and she stabbed the demon with a replica of the lyrium dagger. “You—"
The demon turned to ash and Kaya stepped back. The world around them grew darker and the elf turned, kneeling before her.
“Kaya…” Neve spoke. The elf smiled and cupped her cheek, running a soothing thumb below the cut.
“You shouldn’t have come here.”
“I had to,” Neve argued. Kaya rested her forehead against her own with a sigh.
“You need to go.”
“I—"
“This place isn’t for you,” she countered. Kaya pulled back and the ground glowed blue. Wisps circled around them, and one landed on Neve’s shoulder. Her body felt lighter as the glowing intensified.
“Wait!” Neve exclaimed, grabbing Kaya’s hand. “I’m not going back without you.”
“Vhenan, you’ll die if you don’t,” Kaya sadly argued. Neve knew she was right, but she didn’t want to leave Kaya here. The elf leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her forehead as light overtook her. “Thank you for trying.”
Neve woke with a gasp, staring at the infirmary ceiling. She pressed her hand to her chest, sighing in relief at the lack of a frozen claw being there.
“That was stupid of you,” Bellara chastised. Neve looked over, seeing her sister sitting there. “You could’ve died taking that hit.”
“I had to.”
“That’s what the wisps told us, but it wasn’t a smart idea,” Bellara sighed. She helped her sit up and she hissed at the pain in her stomach. “You’ve got some bad bruising from the beating you took.”
“Least I’m not bleeding out.”
“That’s true.”
“Rook…how is she?” Neve questioned. Bellara sighed and held out a lyrium potion to her. She took it and sipped at it, feeling the potion work through her. Her mana was nearly depleted. “The wisps helped us guide you back to your body. Shortly after that, Rook woke. She got up from the bed and went through that hidden doorway. We haven’t seen her since.”
“How long ago was that?”
“A few hours,” Bellara answered. Neve nodded and shakily stood. Her legs barely listened to her. Assan chirped and pressed against her, steadying her as he did. She hadn’t even noticed the griffon. “He’s been sleeping by you. Rook ordered him to.”
Neve ran her fingers along his head with a soft smile. “Help me to her?”
Assan chirped happily and he helped her walk to Kaya’s room. It was a slow process, but a sturdy one. The griffon wasn’t going to let her fall. He helped her to the door, and she opened it before patting his head.
“Wait here,” Neve spoke, pointing to the chaise. Assan chirped and Neve headed for the open passage. She used the glass to keep her steady as she walked, and she could see the light coming from the other side. At the end, Neve saw Kaya. The elf was painting and Neve quietly approached her. It was the painting of Davrin. The painting had an almost angelic glow to it. A reminder of the Warden’s sacrifice.
“Are you going to just stand there?” Kaya asked. Neve stepped closer, standing directly behind the elf’s chair.
“I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“So, you chose to stare awkwardly at me?”
“I guess so,” Neve chuckled. Kaya smiled and painted a few strokes of color to Assan’s feathers. It looked amazing. “Are you almost finished?”
“Yeah. Once I am, I’m going to hang it in the library.”
“He’d be embarrassed by that.”
“That’s why I’m doing it,” Kaya hummed. She placed her paintbrush down and stared at the picture before her. Neve wasn’t sure what was going through her head. “You saw some of my past.”
“I did…”
Kaya nodded and ran her fingers through her tangled hair. She hadn’t cut it in a while.
“Rook—”
“Dweller,” the Caretaker spoke. They turned, seeing the Caretaker floating there. “The Veil Jumpers are here.”
“Thank you,” Kaya thanked. The Caretaker disappeared and Kaya stood from her chair. “We have to go meet with Strife. He was going to help us with Davrin’s funeral.”
She stepped around her and Neve quickly caught her wrist, stopping her from leaving. Kaya was a breath away from her and she remembered how they had mirrored this before Tearstone island. The elf wouldn’t meet her gaze.
“Rook…”
“We’ll talk after we say goodbye to Davrin.”
“Alright. What do you need from me?” Neve softly asked. Kaya turned her hand to intwine their fingers. Neve brought her hand to her lips, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “I’ve got you.”
Point of View Change, Kaya
Kaya stared at the grave that would mark Davrin’s resting spot. They had chosen a large oak tree in Arlathan, close to Eldrin. The older elf would watch over his grave while also watching over the griffons. They had a small group of them. Evka, Antoine, Strife, Irelin, and their team. They buried some of the Warden’s sculptures, specifically the ones of their team and his old friends.
“You did good, Davrin. Ghilan’nain and Elgar’nan are gone. Your sacrifice was not in vain,” Lucanis spoke. Bellara sniffled and Kaya glanced over, seeing the elf hugging Irelin. She let her eyes wander, seeing their friends mourning.
“In War, Victory. In Peace, Vigilance. In Death, Sacrifice,” Evka recited. Antoine did the same and Kaya released her grip on Neve’s hand, kneeling before the grave. She placed her hand on the stone and stared at the Warden’s name.
“Thank you, for saving me that day. For saving all of us. You did whatever it took, and you paid the ultimate sacrifice. But you saved us all. You helped us win the war against the Gods,” Kaya spoke. Assan chirped sadly next to her, and she shook her head. “Assan will miss you. We all will. But we’ll keep going. We’ll live the lives you gave us.”
Kaya placed a flower before it and stood, stepping away as she did. The griffons called for Assan and her looked to his family, before looking back to her. He wanted to go with them. He would be happier here with the other griffons and with Eldrin. Here, where Davrin was buried. She couldn’t keep him from here. “Go, Assan.”
Assan chirped and jumped to her, pressing his head against her stomach. She ruffled his feathers, and he took that as his cue. He ran for his family, and they excitedly ran around him. Kaya leaned against Neve and the detective pulled her close.
“Are you sure about leaving him here?”
“He knows where the Eluvian is. He can come back whenever he wants…besides, I can’t take him from his brothers and sisters. I already took his father from him,” Kaya sighed. Neve kissed her temple, but didn’t say anything. They stood there in silence as the rest of them said their goodbyes. The more they stood there, the more Kaya felt lighter. Saying goodbye was what they all needed. “Neve?”
“Hmm?”
“Can we go for a walk?”
“I’d be happy to walk with you,” Neve smiled. Kaya started walking and she intwined their hands, heading for the trees. The path led them away from the funeral and deeper into the forest. A slight breeze made the leaves rustle and birds chirped around them. It was relaxing. “I’m a little upset that Assan will be staying here.”
“Oh? Why?”
“Who am I going to spoil?”
“I mean, we still have Manfred. You can spoil him…unless Emmrich decides to go back to the Necropolis.”
“I doubt that. Being at the Lighthouse makes it easier for Emmrich to visit Strife,” Neve argued. Kaya frowned at that and looked up at Neve. The mage quirked an eyebrow at her. “Did you not know they were dating?”
“No…why am I the last one to find out about these things?”
“I’m just attentive. I am a detective after all,” Neve chuckled. Kaya looked away in thought. Neve was a detective. Would she want to go back to Minrathous? Would she want to leave the Lighthouse and protect the city like she wanted? Rana wanted them to work together. Even the Threads wanted to work with her. Neve was wanted everywhere. “You’re thinking too hard. What’s bothering you?”
“Do you…do you want to go back to Minrathous?”
“I…haven’t thought about it. My apartment is gone.”
“In the dragon attack or Elgar’nan’s attack?”
“Both. It was starting to fall apart with the dragon and then it was completely gone after Elgar’nan came. Blight went straight through it,” Neve answered. Kaya kept herself from squeezing the mage’s hand. Her home was gone. It was her fault. “When we’re done walking, I have a few things I need to pick up from Minrathous.”
Kaya felt a pang in her chest. She did have better things to do than walking with her through the forest. Neve gave her a small smile, resting her head against her own as they walked.
“I’ll meet you back at the Lighthouse.”
“Neve, you don’t have to—”
“Once I’m done in Minrathous, I’ll come find you.”
“…alright.”
Kaya leaned back against the stupid, green chaise, staring at the fish. It was the most uncomfortable couch she’d ever slept on. If the Lighthouse hadn’t provided her that bed, she’d have a sore back every morning. She made a mental note to see if the Caretaker could have a day and night cycle be implemented. It’d be nice to have a sense of time here. Especially if she’d be spending the rest of her life here. This wouldn’t be a bad place to stay. She’d have easy access to the Crossroads. There were still a few things left unfinished. Plus, she didn’t have a home in Minrathous. The last person who would’ve welcomed her back was gone. Ashur had sacrificed himself for the city. He had given his all and succumbed to the wounds inflicted upon him at the final battle. Tarquin would reach out to her when he put Ashur to rest, but he didn’t seem to want her back in the city. She’d have to stay here. Maybe, she could stay with the Lords of Fortune? They seemed fun. The Crows would likely let her stay with them too.
The door opened and she listened to the distinct clink of Neve’s prosthetic. The mage only took a few steps after the door closed before silence filled the room. Kaya turned, looking over the back of the chaise. Neve was leaning against the archway, staring at her with soft smile.
“You came back.”
“I told you that I would,” Neve hummed. She pushed away from the archway and walked to her. As she did, Kaya could see the worried furrow of her brow. The mage leaned against the chaise and looked down at her. She felt small under the woman’s gaze.
“After everything, I wasn’t sure what would happen,” Kaya admitted. She could still picture Neve being yanked through that mirror. She could still see Neve being engulfed by the Blight after the mage gave everything to save them. “I-I thought I lost you.”
“It didn’t stick,” Neve chuckled. Her chuckle turned into a whimper and her hand came up to cover her mouth. Kaya jumped to her feet and gently coaxed Neve to look at her by lifting her chin. Her brown eyes swam with tears and Kaya’s own darted around, taking in everything that she could. Her free hand grabbed Neve’s waist, pulling her close as she continued to stare up at the woman.
“Neve…”
“Just…kiss me, so I know that it’s real,” Neve pleaded. Kaya closed the distance between them, softly kissing the woman before her. Neve smiled into the kiss, and she pulled her close, feeling the emotions that were behind that embrace. The mage pulled back and her hand found her chest, pushing her backwards. She kept her eyes on Neve, even as she stumbled over her own feet. Even as the woman shoved her, so she fell back onto the chaise. Neve unbuttoned her shirt as she straddled her and Kaya’s brain short circuited. Was this really happening? Neve glanced at the door before raising her hand and sending a blast of ice at it, freezing it shut. “Can’t have anyone barging in on us.”
“Th-that would be tragic,” Kaya stammered. Neve smirked down at her before leaning down and capturing her lips in a heated kiss. Kaya moaned into the kiss and cold hands trailed along her stomach. Her focal point was Neve. For the first time in a long time, her thoughts weren’t focused on death. Her thoughts weren’t consumed by the losses and pain that she had experienced. The only thing she could think about and focus on was Neve. Neve’s feather like touch and gentle nips to her skin. The warmth that blossomed in her stomach at the woman’s attentiveness and at the way she seemed to wind her up just to have her crash. Neve was the only thing that mattered in this moment.
Kaya’s body was pleasantly spent as she rested her head on Neve’s chest. The woman’s fingers ran through her hair and along her back as she held her. “You know, I have a perfectly comfortable bed over there.”
“Yes, but then I’d have to put my prosthetic back on and stop holding you.”
“Ah, well we can’t have that,” Kaya hummed. Neve chuckled and adjusted them, making Kaya lie on her back before she straddled her once more. Her hands ran along the scars on her body, and she shivered at the feeling.
“You’ve been through so much,” Neve murmured. Kaya nodded and took Neve’s hand, bringing it to rest on the still healing wound from Elgar’nan. “Are you sure?”
“I trust you,” Kaya nodded. Neve’s hands glowed with her magic and Kaya felt it cool her skin. Her wound ached as it stitched itself together and Neve held her gaze, watching her for discomfort.
“I’ve got you. Just tell me to stop and I will,” Neve assured. Kaya nodded and tried to relax as Neve worked. She wouldn’t hurt her. That’s not who Neve was. Neve was a protector. She would keep her safe. She would always keep her safe. The magic died down and Neve surged forward, kissing her once more. Hands cupped her face and she could taste the saltiness of her own tears. When had she started crying? Neve pulled away to rest her forehead against her own. “I’ve got you.”
Kaya wrapped her arms around her and cried against her shoulder. She had almost lost her. She lost Davrin and she could’ve lost all of her friends during that battle. Her friends and newfound family. “I-I almost lost you.”
“And I almost lost you…but you came back for me. You saved me.”
“Then you saved me. You came and got me out of the Fade. Away from that Desire Demon. You risked yourself for me.”
“I would do so again in a heartbeat,” Neve swore. She cupped her face and made her meet her gaze. Brown eyes were overwhelmed with emotions. “I love you, Kaya Mercar.”
Kaya smiled through her tears. “I love you too, Vhenan.”