Stop it, Mic! I refused to let myself always settle on the worst-case scenario. I took a deep breath and opened the letter.
Good morning, Dove,
I’m sorry I didn’t wake you, but you were sleeping so peacefully that I couldn’t bring myself to disturb you. I hope you’re feeling well today. Although I must admit, a part of me wishes that you’re pleasantly sore, so you’ll be reminded of me.
Please excuse my absence. I woke with the dawn feeling transformed. I am a different man than I was only yesterday, and the urge to welcome a new day was overwhelming. But don’t worry about me—I’ll be back shortly, because I am quite literally incapable of being away from you for too long.
I hope this dahlia will make up for my absence. They are the last flowers to bloom before winter, steadfast until the end. In my realm, dahlias represent kindness, inner strength, beauty, and commitment—all of the things that you represent to me. Know that you’ll be on my mind until I see you again.
Love always,
Lucius
I clutched the letter to my chest, his words melting me into a puddle of emotions. There was a side of him that no one else saw—a side he’d always kept just for me. I knew in that moment he was truly mine, no matter what happened when I stepped outside this room.
I grabbed the dahlia, admiring the deep crimson petals as I pulled it to my nose. The faint floral scent transported me to a sunlit glade, alive with warmth and possibilities. Lu’s enthusiasm was contagious, urging me to get up and start this new, confusing chapter in my life.
I dressed quickly, slipping on the homespun skirts, admiring the deep burgundy color. Gunner’s eidris was strapped to my thigh—a habit I’d formed since we’d been on the run. I took extra time to arrange my hair. I hadn’t put much effort into my appearance lately, but today felt special. I pulled the front pieces away from my face and secured them at the nape of my neck, tucking the dahlia into my hair as a finishing touch.
My courage began to wane as I entered the main living quarters of the cabin. Fallon was busy serving Nico and Luca, who sat at the long dining table, engrossed in discussion. Lucius had assured me there would be no ill will between us, but I wasn’t so sure.
“There you are, Mic. You ready for some breakfast?” Fallon asked, spotting me lingering at the edge of the hallway. I was a goddamned coward.
“Sure, sure… that would be great. Have you seen Lucius this morning?” I asked, as Luca and Nico turned to greet me with achingly handsome smiles.
“Oh, he left early this morning. He seemed unusually chipper for Lucius,” Fallon said, and I could see the mirth in her eyes as she smiled at me. She knew. “Come on over here. You can’t eat from all the way over there.” I could hear the challenge inher voice. This was her way of pushing me out of the gate, so to speak.
With a huff, I made my way to the table, sitting as far away from Nico and Luca as I could manage. The moment I sat down, my scent hit them. I could see it on their faces—both of them tensed, straightening in their chairs. All conversation ended abruptly. The line in Nico’s brow deepened, and Luca’s jaw ticked. You could’ve heard a pin drop in that moment.
“Suns out today,” I said awkwardly in a poor attempt at small talk. Anything to fill the demoralizing silence.
“Lucius? Really?” Luca said. There was a grit to his voice, but he didn’t sound malicious.
“Well, Lucius and I… we’ve been friends for a while and…” I stammered, words failing me completely.
“She doesn’t owe us an explanation,” Nico said. “Lucius has made no attempt to hide his feelings for Michaela. I’m genuinely happy for him. But with that being said?—”
“Game on,” Luca growled, finishing Nico’s sentence.
Lucius strolled into the room. His hair looked windblown, an uncharacteristic smile set into his flushed face, as if he’d been running wild in the woods.
“Morning, brothers. Fallon… Dove, you look lovely this morning,” he said sweetly, a complete contrast to his typical demeanor.
“Well played. Well played,” Luca said as he got up from his chair and shook Lu’s hand. This wasn’t what I was expecting at all, and I felt my cheeks flush the same color as the dahlia in my hair.
“Does this mean that you two are an item now?” Fallon asked.
“I am whatever Mic wants me to be,” Lu answered as he came to stand behind me.
Luca’s brow raised. “Mic, I always knew you were amazing, but what you’ve done with my asshole of a brother… you’re a goddess.”
I giggled, feeling a wash of relief that things seemed relatively normal. “Lu and I are still figuring out what all this means. Relationships and revolutions don’t typically go hand in hand, but?—”
“That’s the best time to start a relationship,” Nico interrupted. “When you don’t know how much time you have left, you should go after what you want with a blind passion. Don’t let anyone or anything deter you.”
Nico got up from the table, a sobering look on his face. “Lucius, come find me in the study once you’ve tended to Mic. There’s news from the leaders in Dunharrow. We’ve got a rendezvous with the Raven’s Hand later.”
Lucius sat with me while I ate breakfast before heading off to meet with Nico. Everyone seemed busy. Fallon had gone to “run errands.” I’d offered to go with her, but she made some excuse why it was best she go alone. I think she was in search of more brimshade. She’d smoked her last cigarette this morning, and she seemed on edge.