Full Chapter – Sparks Reborn, Hearts Unspoken
Location: Ashenwell Academy – Just beyond the southern gate. The siblings return, victorious but changed. Not all scars are visible. And not every flame burns the same.
Back Through the Gates
The academy walls rose before them like a familiar mountain.
Students whispered as the group crossed the main courtyard — five powerhumming figures surrounding one girl in particular.
Sparks.
Now walking.
Now real.
She moved with ease, grace in every step, dressed in a sleek crimson robe stitched with embergold thread. Her long red hair danced with every motion, catching more attention than even Tristan's usual dramatic flair.
"Is she… new?"
"Is that the girl who floats fire?"
"Who is she?"
Sparks waved. "Sparks. Second year. Born recently. Love explosions and long walks in burning forests."
Tristan coughed into his hand to hide a laugh. "Smooth."
"I'm adjusting."
Behind them, Grim walked with quiet purpose — but his eyes occasionally glanced to the rooftops.
He could feel it.
She was watching.
On the Clocktower
Lys crouched in silence.
Her hair whipped by wind. Her heart still a storm.
He hadn't chosen.
But he hadn't rejected her either.
Still… the rage had cooled.
A bit.
Just enough to keep her claws sheathed.
For now.
That Night – Rooftop Shadows
Grim found her where he expected.
The academy's rooftop garden — overgrown and mostly ignored. The wind was sharp. The stars, dim.
She didn't look up when he arrived.
"Came to say it officially?"
He exhaled and sat beside her on the ledge, arms resting on his knees. "You scared them."
"I scared myself."
She finally turned to him. "You don't hate me?"
"No."
"You should."
"I don't do easy things."
Lys looked away. Her voice cracked slightly. "I wasn't lying. I want you. I know it's animalistic. I know it's… wrong. But it's what I feel."
Grim was quiet for a long moment.
Then said, "I like you, Lys."
Her head whipped around. "What?"
"I like you. I see you. But I can't give you everything right now. Not with the Court breathing down our necks. Not with Sparks barely holding herself together. Not while I'm still learning who I am."
Lys stared. Her eyes shimmered—not with rage this time, but ache.
"So… what do you want?"
He reached out and gently took her hand.
"Time."
"And if someone else tries to take you?"
"You'll growl and threaten and maybe freeze the dorm, but… you'll wait. You'll trust me."
She was silent. Then nodded.
"Just don't make me regret it."
"You're the one with claws. You scare me, remember?"
That pulled a smirk from her — sharp, reluctant.
"Taming a beast never works, you know."
"Then I'll stand beside one."
They sat in silence after that — the night heavy with stars, the flame of something deeper quietly lit between them.