+25 Bonus


    Third person POV


    The music changed again, slower this time - something deep and old that carried through the night air like a heartbeat.


    Cassian leaned against one of the courtyard pirs, his arm casually draped around Rae''s shoulders as they watched the crowd. Rae was stillughing from thest dance, her cheeks flushed pink and her hair curling at her temples from the heat of the fire.


    "Moonstone really knows how to throw a party," she said breathlessly.


    Cassian smiled down at her. "It''s all ric. He pretends he hates the attention, but I think he''s been waiting years to have an excuse to throw something like this."


    Rae nudged him yfully. “You''re biased."


    "Absolutely," he admitted, leaning in to kiss her temple.


    Herughter softened into something gentler. "It''s good to see everyone happy. It feels like the first time in a long while that people aren''t looking over their shoulders."


    Cassian hummed his agreement, scanning the dance floor. Not everyone looks happy."


    Rae followed his gaze


    and saw what he meant.


    At the center of the crowd, Nn and Ellie were dancing.


    It wasn''t the graceful, polished kind of dance people performed for appearances - it was slower, rawer. They moved together as if the world had narrowed to just the space between them.


    A space that was barely existent. Nn''s arms were around her, holding Ellie close to his chest, his chin resting on her head. Ellie''s hands were on his back, fisting his shirt like she needed an anchor.


    Ellie''s eyes were downcast, her lips parted as if she were trying not to speak. Nn looked as though he were afraid to breathe too hard and break the moment.


    It was almost tragic the way they were clinging to each other, like they needed the excuse of the dance to admit how badly they needed to be close, even for just a few minutes.


    Rae''s smile faded into something wistful. "They look like they''re remembering something."


    Cassian nodded slowly. "Or trying not to."


    His concern for his sister was still present, but he found himself feeling equally worried about Nn. He knew how much the distance was tearing at him and, somehow, he''de to consider Nn a friend.


    A few yards away, Lance stood with I near one of the drink tables. I was striking- tall and sharp-featured, her honey-blonde hairpinned up loosely and her amber eyes catching thenternlight. She wore the confidence of someone who didn''t care what anyone thought of her, which both amused and intrigued Lance to no end.


    "So that''s your brother and his infamous rogue wife?” I asked, her tone casual but curious.


    "That''s them," Lance said, ncing toward the dance floor "It''s a long story."


    "I have time," she said, sipping her drink.


    He huffed augh. "You say that now."


    "Try me."


    +25 Bonus


    Lance looked at her for a moment, then shrugged. "They were fated mates. He loved someone else. It went badly. Then worse. Then better. Then worse again. It''s been... a whole saga."


    I arched a brow. "And now?"


    He followed her gaze. Nn and Ellie were still dancing, oblivious to everyone else. "Now? They''re pretending it''s over. But it''s not."


    I hummed softly. "It never really is, is it?"


    Lance looked at her then, really looked at the quiet confidence in her smile, the way


    her eyes softened when she said it. For a moment, he forgot to answer.


    She tilted her head, smirking slightly. "What?"


    "Nothing," he said quickly, taking a sip of his drink. “Just surprised."


    "By?"


    “That you don''t seem particrly horrified by the idea of arranged engagements.” Sheughed, low and warm. “Oh, I''m horrified. But I''m also realistic. The council wants stability. You''re charming enough. I could do worse."


    Lance blinked. “That''s... almost apliment."


    "Don''t let it go to your head."


    Across the courtyard, Rae and Cassian had made their way over, still hand in hand. Rae greeted I warmly, while Cassian raised a brow at Lance.


    “So,” Cassian said, nodding toward the dance floor, "how''s he holding up?"


    Lance sighed. "Depends on whether you mean emotionally or in terms of not making a scene."


    "Both."


    "He''s surviving."


    Rae smiled faintly, watching Ellie and Nn sway in the center of the crowd. "It''s strange, isn''t it? Everyone in this ce is celebrating, and yet those two look like they''re standing in the middle of a storm."


    Cassian nodded slowly. "It''s not strange. That''s what love looks like when it''s still half war.” Rae leaned her head against his shoulder. “Do you think they''ll ever stop fighting?"