Page 159 of Moonlit Fate

“They will,” Atticus assured me, his hand finding mine. “You’re doing more than most would.”

“Still...” I trailed off as I looked around. This was my pack, my responsibility.

“Need a hand with that?” Seren interrupted.

I looked up to see her hoisting a box of supplies onto a makeshift table. Eldan was right beside her, his arms laden with linens. The sight of them working together, helping without being asked, eased a fraction of the tension in my shoulders.

“Thanks,” I replied, taking a stack of blankets from Eldan and gesturing toward the corridor. “Those supplies go to the second floor, first room on the left.”

“Got it.” Eldan nodded.

Seren wiped her brow with the back of her hand and glanced at me. “Where do you want me?”

“With me,” I said. “You’ll be staying in my room for now.”

“Sure thing,” she agreed with a quick smile.

Atticus cleared his throat. “Eldan, if you need somewhere...”

“Appreciate it,” Eldan called over his shoulder. “But Aria’s got me covered.”

“Good. Just making sure.” Atticus’s eyes met mine, and a silent understanding passed between us.

“Thank you,” I whispered, grateful for his unwavering support.

“Always.” He brushed my hair out of my face. “It’s time for me to head back.”

“Okay.” I was reluctant to let him go, but I knew he had his own people to tend to.

He caught my chin and kissed me. The feel of him lingered like a whisper against my skin.

“Sleep well.” He strode to the door.

Putting my fingers to my tingling lips, I watched the shadows swallow him. The bond that tethered us was stronger than ever before, an almost tangible thing I could pull on if I needed.

With a sigh, I turned to Seren. “Come on. Let’s get you settled.”

I helped her take her belongings to my room. Inside, I unceremoniously dumped the box I was carrying onto the bed and cleared some space for her in my closet. The two of us made quick work of unpacking Seren’s things.

I slid the last of her books onto the shelf beside my own. Her spiritual texts looked strange next to my adventure novels.It made the room feel different. It wasn’t just mine anymore, but ours.

“Tell me what’s on your mind,” Seren said after we settled into chairs, our hands wrapped around mugs of tea.

I hesitated, then let it all spill out—the fears, the doubts, the guilt from the destruction I didn’t mean to cause. “Everything feels so fragile,” I admitted. “Like one wrong move could shatter it all.”

Seren reached over and squeezed my hand. “You’re trying to mend what’s broken. That’s what matters.”

A knock at the door interrupted our quiet. “Yes?”

The door creaked open and Lorian, the ghost butler who had served my many-times great grandmother, popped his head in, his eyes bright with the offer of service. “Ladies, is there anything you need?”

I gaped at him, then at Seren. “How?—”

Seren chuckled. “He wanted to help, so I gave him a boost.”

I laughed a little breathlessly. “A glass of white wine sounds wonderful,” I said, hoping to ease the tension that still clung to my muscles. Could ghosts serve wine?

“Make it two,” Seren added with a small smile.

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