Koda clinked his wine glass against Raine’s and gave her a joyous laugh. He and his company landed in Tradwind City the other night. The island was claimed by no nation, but protected by all. Much like its namesake, it served as the central beacon of trade in Abyss and the rest of Draak’Terra. Any nation wishing for fine silks, spices, rare lumber, and precious ore found what they were looking for through the means of the city and its commerce. It also served as a favored destination for lavish vacations and rest for weary travelers because of its beautiful perfect weather, sparkling beaches, and its hidden waterfalls.

Koda sat across from the elven purple mage enjoying a juicy steak with a side of roasted red peppers, while Raine munched on a refreshing salad. She smiled with each bite and reached for a plump grape at the center of the table. Koda sliced another piece of his tender steak, pausing before eating it. He looked around the outdoor restaurant and took in the fresh saltwater air. Although he found reprieve in inns and cafes across his globetrotting journey, this restaurant was like no other he had attended before. Not even in Lost Dawns had he enjoyed a steak so immaculately seasoned and seared to perfection. Perhaps he would ask the chef to travel to his palace for his next birthday.

He patted his chin with his linen napkin and leaned forward. “So.”

Raine looked up from her food. “So.” she repeated.

Koda gave her a light smile. “Tell me your story. How did you find your interest in the arcane arts?”

“Well.” Raine stretched her back, preparing for a lengthy tale. “My father and older brother were authors, working on a travel guide together.”

Koda raised his brow. “Travel guide?”

“A book to tell travelers which towns are welcoming, inns with the best rooms, and taverns with the best food,” she explained.

“Ah, a helpful book then!” praised Koda.

“Yes, I suppose I picked up a thing or two from my father and brother,” she mused. “My mother had me join them as a way to educate me. I think she just didn’t like me to be bored around the house.”

Koda gave her a small smile. “You must have seen so much.”

Raine nodded. “I did. We went everywhere! The Crooked Smile Ferry in Abyss, Wisp Haven in Blight, even Lost Dawns!”

“Lost Dawns?” Koda chuckled. He spent nearly his whole life there, to think people would choose to visit his home over somewhere like Tradewind City astonished him.

“I very much enjoyed the elder tree of my ancestors,” said Raine. “It has to be the largest tree in the world. I’ve seen no other quite as tall or as sprawling.”

Koda swallowed another bite of his steak. “You’ve seen all of Draak’Terra? Why not follow in your family profession?”

“I thought about it. I really do like writing stories and reading old poetry. I have a younger cousin, Lavic Wiseroot, that tried his luck as a bard in taverns. He doesn’t make much, but according to him it was never about the trit he made but the people he met along the way.

“But for me, Raine Skyteller, I always yearned for something more. A challenge, a wisdom that my family never searched for. I wanted to be a mage!”

“Any reason why you started with purple magic, and not green or red?” asked Koda.

“A school won’t take you unless you show a level of depth in the Magi. Not everyone is born with the ability to tap into the Magi…” she lowered her head. “I tried a hydro school first, then a fire, earth, vernal…No one would take someone who had little to no training in magic.”

“Except Michael?” guessed Koda.

“His school was my last shot—my last try. I had run out of hope, but Michael saw how desperate I was to become a mage. Maybe he was once like me, or maybe he felt pity—I don’t know. All I knew was he gave me a chance and I didn’t want to fail him!”

Koda reached for Raine’s hand. “I’m sure you made him proud, Raine. You didn’t fail him at all.”

Raine blushed. “Thank you, Koda.”

***

“You were right, Cade.” Elucard rotated his shoulders before leaning his back against the edge of the bath pool. “I needed this.”

Cade took another sip from his coconut and let out a long, relaxed sigh. “A proper break. Miles away from any mage schools and Spellbreakers. It’s as if we finally found our paradise.”

Elucard wiggled his toes underneath the cool water and took in the wide scenic vista of the white sand beach and the roaring waves. A pod of dolphins danced in and out of the clear blue water. Elucard couldn’t help but point at them as if he were a child seeing the playful creatures for the first time.

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“Look, Cade! Dolphins!” Elucard grew a beaming, wide smile. “I think I like dolphins best. I know so little about them, but that doesn’t bother me. They are so carefree— like they have no stress in their lives.” He paused and lowered his tone. “Sometimes I wish I were one.”

Cade gave Elucard a small grin. “I never took you as a dreamer, my friend.”

Elucard lowered his head. “I’m not. My dreams are nothing to pursue. Sins of my past. Blood. Fire. Terror.” Elucard fought back the urge to cry. “I hate dreaming…almost as much as I hate being…alone.”

Elucard shut his eyes.

Falling. Falling. Falling.

He felt his soul sink deeper in the lake of darkness that he all too often dwelled in. Swallowed by his fear and hatred for himself.

He felt Cade’s warm hand take him into a long embrace and for that moment he wasn’t alone. The lake dissipated and white light showered him in comfort and love.

“It is time, Elucard.” Jetta’s melodic voice echoed around him

What if he rejects me? What if I mess it up, like I’ve messed up every other relationship I’ve had in the past. Elucard’s doubts grew lower into a growl. What if he only plays games with me? What if he really hates me? What if no one loves me. What if I die alone?

The white light turned into gray ashes, caking Elucard’s trembling body. The lake’s oily water raised to waist level and from its depths lashed heavy, rusted chains. They wrapped around Elucard wrists and arms, sawing into his flesh. Sounds from the chains rang loud as they went taut and forced Elucard below the surface of the water.

Elucard tried to scream with all his breath, but his cries came out muffled.

“Elucard, let go of your suffering,” Jetta whispered.

“Elucard do not fight your suffering,” The wolf whispered back

Falling. Falling. Falling.

Elucard hugged his knees as the chains pulled him further and further down into the wastelands of his thoughts.

“You are stronger than this, Elucard.”

A kind voice broke through his mind. The chains fell loose and the water, once again drained. Elucard looked up as the white light pushed through his bleak thoughts.

“You are the strongest man I have ever met. I would follow you to the ends of Draak’Terra and back.”

It was Cade.

Cade cupped Elucard’s face and the elf couldn’t help taking a hold of Cade’s hand.

“You are my rock, Cade—my anchor,” Elucard whispered. Half to himself, half to his friend. Elucard slowly opened his tear filled eyes and leaned into Cade.

Without thoughts, without doubts, and without fear Elucard kissed Cade. In that moment, seconds lasted an eternity. An eternity of peace and happiness. An eternity he didn’t deserve, and yet he wanted it more than anything he had ever strived for. An eternity of clarity. An eternity of tranquility.

Elucard closed his eyes and let Cade decide when it needed to end, but it didn’t. Both elves let the moment of passion of love ride on. Finally, Elucard pushed away. He flushed red straight to his ear tips. He lowered his head and smiled.

“That…that was nice,” Elucard said quietly.

Cade placed a shivering hand on Elucard's scar covered chest.

“What is it, Cade?” asked Elucard.

Cade reached for his pendant. “Elucard. I-I need,” he stuttered. “Elucard…there—there is something—”

“Cade!” The hiss of a stern voice halted him in his tracks.

Cade and Elucard turned to find Stryneth standing over them.

“A word, if you would please.”

Cade reached for his white towel, wrapped it around his waist, and climbed out of the bath. Cade playfully mussed up Elucard’s hair. “Another time, friend.”

Stryneth waited for Cade to walk to him before turning to Elucard. “Why don’t you get some sleep. I can look over Koda for the rest of the night.”

“Cade—” Elucard started.

“Cade will join you shortly,” Stryneth said.

Cade bit his lip. “Elucard, I’ll join you shortly,” he said.

Elucard nodded. “Alright.”

***

Styneth observed Elucard exit the bathhouse before yanking Inle by the hair and ruthlessly pulled him backwards. “Do not forget who you are, Cade!” Stryneth sneered, his voice turning sharper at Inle’s false name.

Inle winced as he stumbled to the ground. “M-Master!” Inle whimpered.

“You are not here to be Elucard’s boyfriend! You are here on Dead of Winter business!’ Stryneth gnashed his teeth. The mage knelt down and roughly grabbed Inle by the chin and pulled him closer to Strife’s dark blue eyes. “We are to bring Koda to our side and Elucard may be crushed in the process. Do not think for a moment that I will not crush you as well if I feel you are compromised.”

“Y-You can t-trust me,” stammered Inle.

“Perhaps Master Wraslyn would rather let you go and take Elucard as his own instead?”

Cade’s eyes widened with fear.

A cruel smile carved across Strife’s face. “For Elucard’s sake, perhaps it would be best if you didn’t reveal your secret.”

Inle clenched his teeth as his cheeks quivered in defeat.

Strife pushed Inle away and stood up. “You may continue to toy with Elucard’s emotions, but to him, you will remain Cade. Do you understand me, boy?”

Inle crawled back to his feet. His head still lowered like a scolded child.

“I said, do you understand m—”

“Yes,” Inle hissed. “You made yourself clear, Strife,” Inle spat out his master’s name with all the contempt and spite in his soul for Dead of Winter.

Strife irked his head. Taken aback from Inle’s response. He gathered his composure before nodding. “Very well then. Run along to your plaything, Inle.”