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Chapter Text

The forest was quiet. No birds were singing, no deer were running, or bees were buzzing. Even the natural world was asleep. The only awake things Rayla and Callum saw were firelights as they walked hand in hand, leaves and branches cracking under their feet. The moonlight reflected perfectly in Rayla’s white hair and Callum’s streak. 

“It’s almost like it shimmers,” he said looking at his white hair. “Like a firelight.” 

Rayla rolled her eyes, giggling. “Yeah, I can see it,” she agreed. 

Callum smiled at her. Stopping the walk he turned to kiss her gently. Rayla’s heart fluttered. 

One of the things she loved most about their midnight walks, apart from the calm that washed over her knowing everyone was sleeping —the world was just her and Callum during those moments— was all the small kisses and caresses that came with it. 

He continued kissing, and Rayla melted into it, cupping his face in her hands and drawing him closer. His hands wrapped around her waist. If seconds before, the forest was dead silent, now the small, intimate sound of their lips colliding against each other filled the space. 

Rayla closed her eyes mainly because she was starting to get sleepy. Still, it also allowed her to concentrate only on Callum’s cold and soft lips. 

Callum was about to do the same when a purple-ish glint caught his eye. His lips stopped moving and his grip on Rayla’s waist tightened just a little, just in case any danger was near. Foreign to this, Rayla continued kissing him a moment more before she realized he wasn’t following. 

“Callum?” She asked, opening her eyes to look at him. 

“I think I saw something,” he whispered his voice raspy. 

Rayla arched an eyebrow and turned in the direction he was looking. 

“A purple glint.” 

“Are you sure it isn’t firelights?” 

Callum’s eyes moved from the spot to Rayla and back again. “At least there are purple firelights. No, it wasn’t that.” 

Her heart ricocheted hard against her rib cage, very aware of her lack of weapons. 

“If there’s anything there, it must be behind the tree,” she whispered. Callum nodded. 

They exchanged a look. With cautious footsteps, Rayla made her way to the spot. Callum followed her, stepping right where she did so he wouldn’t make a sound that would alert… 

His breath caught in his throat. Rayla gasped, immediately dropping to her knees. 

“Oh,” she whispered, fidgeting with her hands, trying to do something and not knowing what to do. 

Callum knelt too and flickered a few times to make sure he wasn’t hallucinating or something. 

“Is that a…” 

“Baby,” completed Rayla, her eyes widened, she sounded like she was out of breath. 

Their eyes met for a moment before they started looking around for someone. This sweet, purple-haired baby must have someone taking care of her.

Rayla stood up. “Is anyone here?” She asked, loud. 

Callum rested two fingers on the little baby’s neck to check the pulse was stable. 

Only silence answered them. Rayla bit her lower lip, usually, she could sense if someone was around, but now she couldn’t feel any other presence apart from her, Callum, and the baby. She knelt again. 

The baby was sleeping peacefully, wrapped in a bunch of blankets. Rayla looked at the floor before them, there weren’t any indicators of anyone walking. 

“What should we do? We can’t just leave,” Rayla said. 

Callum was already tracing a rune in the air. “I can cast a spell that will guide us to where her parents are, or at least to someone.” He hesitated with his words, he doubted anyone would forget their child in the forest at midnight by accident. “Nosmet dux.” 

A breeze swept over him and swirled around the baby’s cradle before falling. 

Rayla shook her head. “What’s that supposed to mean?” 

“It doesn’t guide anywhere, just… here!” He signaled to the baby. 

“Maybe we can go deeper into the forest, and see if there’s anyone.” 

Callum hummed, “Maybe. But, Rayla, don’t you think whoever left that baby here isn’t interested in being a good parent?” 

He looked her in the eye and found his answer. She was thinking the same thing. 

“Yeah, I was trying to be positive, though.”

Her husband nodded. It was horrible to think about someone leaving their child behind in the middle of the night. 

The baby complained from the cradle, taking their attention back. Rayla scanned the tiny thing. 

“We should take her to the village,” proposed Callum. “See if anyone claims her, wait to see if the parents show up.” 

Rayla nodded. “Just one problem: It’s the middle of the night on Monday, I seriously doubt anyone is awake.” 

Callum pondered it for a moment. The baby whimpered and squirmed. His eyes widened. 

“We’ll figure it out on the way,” Rayla said and he couldn’t agree more. 

She quickly lifted the crib. His heart skipped a beat when he saw it swing dangerously for a second before returning to stability. 

Once back in Evrkynd, they tried to ask anyone passing by if they knew about whose baby she was, but everyone, though there weren’t many people, just shook their heads and continued walking. 

Rayla yawned, her eyelids feeling heavier with every passing second. 

“We should go home,” Callum said.

“But the baby-“ 

Her husband cupped her face. “She can spend the night with us and tomorrow we’ll look for the parents or anyone who may know about her.” 

She nodded. Neither was completely convinced that taking someone else’s baby home was the right thing to do, yet right now, it appeared to be the only option. 

They opened the door expecting darkness and silence to receive them. Instead, they found Ezran playing with Stella, Sneezles, and Bait in the living room with only one candle lit. He stared at the cradle in pure confusion, his mouth hung open, trying to think of words. 

“Whaaa-“ 

“Oh, right!” Exclaimed Callum. “We found her in the middle of the forest and couldn’t find her parents so we brought her home.” 

Rayla nodded, glad Callum didn’t start recounting their whole night and went straight to the point. 

“Right,” Ezran said. “Whatever. I was going to sleep already.” He stood up, “Night guys.” 

He left them alone with the baby and three pets to go to bed. Great. Bait groaned. 

“Hey, why don’t you go with Ezran,” Rayla said to the glow toad who glared at her before following Ezran’s steps to his room. 

The baby who spent the whole way back whimpering finally opened her eyes and her small rosy lower lip trembled. Then a guttural cry escaped her throat, surprising not only the couple but also Stella and Sneezles. 

The scream was only an indicator of the loud cries that now invaded the room. Rayla and Callum stood there, not knowing what to do. Callum only reacted when the baby started kicking her blankets and the cradle swung with the movement. He reached for the baby, Rayla lifted the cradle and he took her into his arms. 

Her screams waned. Her cheeks were puffy and wet, and when she opened her eyes Callum saw they were a deep color of blue. 

“Shh, it’s okay,” he whispered. 

“What happened?” Ezran came out of his room, already in pajamas and looking as exhausted as Rayla. “I heard someone-“ His words stopped when he saw the baby in his brother's arms. “So it wasn’t a dream.” 

Rayla rolled her eyes, a small grin grazing her lips. “It’s very real.” 

“Someone left her, you said? In the forest?” 

Both nodded. 

“That’s so cruel,” muttered Ez, approaching the baby who still was sobbing but less loud. “Who could just leave this tiny thing?” 

“You said it yourself, someone really mean,” agreed Rayla, stepping closer to fight the tiredness invading her after a full day of training at her and Callum's school.  

“She’ll spend the night here and tomorrow we can find a guardian for her.” 

Ezran nodded “Her parents must’ve been a human and elf relation,” he said. His brother's brow furrowed. “Look at her head, her hair seems to be purple, which isn't a normal color for humans, but there aren’t any horn indicators.” 

“And she has the fifth finger,” noted Rayla. 

Callum took a mental note of those little details. The parents were human and elf, that’s what they would be looking for. Find out if they’d left the baby on purpose or if something else had happened, from there Ezran would know how to proceed. Because abandoning a child in the middle of the forest wasn’t something that should be overlooked. 

Chapter Text

Rayla couldn’t conceive how anyone would leave this wee halfling. Her blood started to burn if she thought too much about it. 

Here they were, Callum and her, putting a pause on their life, postponing having children because they didn’t want to expose them to the looming threat of Aaravos just for some horrible people to get rid of their baby without further concern. 

“Breakfast is ready!” Called Callum from the kitchen. 

The sound of Ezran’s door opening and closing across the hallway told her she was the last to get up, as usual. 

She sighed, looking out the window. It was a nice sight. The house was in the surrounding area of the village. Not in a centric location, which was great for Callum and Rayla, and Ez's causual visits.  It allowed everyone easier access to the forest, whether to find and talk with animals, practice spells, get inspiration for drawing, practice stealth abilities, or go forge. It suited all her and the boys' necessities. 

The final push to get her to get up was the screeching, ear-tearing sound the baby made when she wanted something. Rayla still needed to change because she wasn’t gonna go and find the baby’s parents in her animal pajamas, but right now, the growl of her stomach demanded her to eat something. 

The scent of hot brown morning potion flooded her senses as she walked down the corridor connecting the bedrooms and the small library to the kitchen and living room. 

Rayla was received with a scene that made a part of her heart melt. Ezran peeked over the cradle, clutching the smallest spoon they owned and feeding the baby. His plate of pancakes was left untouched on the counter. Callum was right next to his brother, teaching him how to do it properly so the amount of food going into her mouth wasn’t too much. 
 
For a moment, she was still dreaming. 

Then her stomach growled again, reminding her she hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday's Soren and Corvus barbecue.

Not wanting to disturb the boys or the baby, Rayla made her way to the forgotten pancakes. 

“Good morning, Ray,” greeted Callum, his eyes leaving the baby to look at her. 

“Morning.” A soft smile remained on her face. “Ez, are you gonna eat them?” She pointed to the pancakes, and the boy shook his head. 

“You eat them. I can make more for myself later.” 

With that Rayla grabbed a fork and took a considerable piece to her mouth at the same time the boys fed more of whatever they’d been giving to the baby. 

“Whatisit?” She asked mouth still full. 

“You’re gross,” teased Ezran. Rayla rolled her eyes. 

“Mashed apple,” answered Callum. “It was Ez’s favorite when he was a baby.” 

Rayla hummed, picturing baby Ezran shoving a fist of mashed apple into his mouth just like he did with jelly tarts. 

Ezran’s blue gaze traveled from Rayla to Callum and finally to the baby with her mouth all bathed in apple juice. “So what’s your plan for this?” he signaled to the baby, her chubby arms reaching for his finger. “You’re not gonna knock on every door and expect someone to admit they’re the parents, right?” 

His brother and sister-in-law exchanged a look that could be translated as ‘We don’t have a plan,' and 'That was exactly what we were going to do.’ 

“I mean,” started Rayla. “We weren’t gonna knock, just ask whoever we passed by.” 

Laughing, he shook his head in disbelief. These were the same two people who helped save the world five years ago, and they came in every week with new ideas and precautions for Aaravos's return. 

“I can tell the council about it. It’ll be easier with their help. We can spread word of this baby and see who reclaims her, or in case the parents don’t show up, see if anyone is willing to adopt.”

“It’s a good plan,” agreed Callum. “Though before handing the kid to anyone we should make sure that they’re good people.”

“When someone shows up we can look for their history in the city, see if they’ve anything against them.” 

“And you just thought about this now?” Rayla asked, trying to put the new plan together in her still foggy mind. “It isn’t even midday.” Sometimes, it scared her how active the boys seemed in the morning when she was still striving to keep her eyes open.

They laughed, and Callum kissed the top of her hair “Don’t worry, you take your time I’ll handle it.” 

“I’m impressed,” Rayla confessed back in their room “I thought the jokes of changing Ez’s diapers were just that.”

Callum chuckled as he finished adjusting the new clean diaper to the baby. “Well, now she’s ready to go.”

Nodding, Rayla started to braid her still-damp hair. If they wanted to catch up with Ez in the council meeting with the other representatives of Evrkynd and other kingdoms they needed to hurry.

Chapter Text

“So a baby, you say?” Opeli looked at him, her brow furrowed. Ezran nodded. 

“Founded in the middle of the night,” completed Ivy, a councilwoman chosen by the people of Evrkynd three years ago. 

Another nod. “Callum and Rayla had been taking good care of her in the last twelve hours, yet we need to find her parents and know if they left her on purpose.” 

The other six council members nodded. 

“Though it’s strange,” said Aanya. Ezran’s heart skipped a beat. “If someone didn’t find their daughter, I think we’ve already heard about it. So I think whoever did this did it on purpose.” 

“Do you know how old the baby is?” Asked Janai. 

Ezran pondered the question. “Maybe a year? I’m not the best at telling ages to be honest.” 

“We’ll spread word about it, and whoever wants to reclaim her can come here, and we’ll investigate the case,” proposed an older man. “Do you think your family can take care of her until we find her parents?” 

“Yes, of course.” 

“Okay, if there’s nothing more to discuss, I think we’re settled for today.” 

After a round of goodbyes, the Evrkynd council members left the room. Aanya, Janai, Ezran, and Opeli took a break to stretch and clear their minds before the next meeting took place. 

At his side, Aanya snuck her fingers under the wooden table to intertwine them with his. Ezran flushed. 

“You seem tired,” she noted. 

“A bit, I couldn’t sleep much, and the baby didn’t help.” 

Aanya offered him a soft smile. “If I can do anything to help just tell me.” 

He squeezed her calloused hand from years of using her bow to defend herself. He was glad that nowadays it was mostly to train and perfect new techniques. 

“A BABY?!” Soren exclaimed from the hallway. Muffled whisperers followed him, Corvus, Rayla, and Callum entered the room. The last one carrying the crib where the baby was stretching, probably she’d just woken up. 

Rayla rolled her eyes at Soren, who was still processing the presence of a baby. 

“Good morning, everyone,” Rayla said, the bags under her eyes weren’t as notorious as Callum’s. His brother woke up early to make sure the baby didn’t cry and wake up Rayla too, even if Ezran hadn’t admitted it, he couldn’t help but think about how good parents they would be when the time came. 

“I see we’re still waiting for some people,” noted Corvus. 

Opeli nodded, turning her gaze from the baby to Corvus. 

“Amaya will be here soon.” 

“Astrid?” As Rayla was saying her name, the celestial elf came rushing from the hallway. 

“Sorry, I’m late!” She said, panting and looking around. 

“Don’t worry.”

When her emerald eyes found the crib, she looked at every person in the room again. 

“Wait, what?” she asked. “Is this some kind of weird dream again?” 

Callum chuckled, “We found her in the forest alone at night. Someone must have abandoned her.”

Her lips were frowning, like she was trying to discern whether or not to continue asking. 

Once Amaya and Gren arrived, everyone took a seat. Usually, the mood when discussing Aaravos was serious, dark, even. With the occasional comic relief of Soren, but today it didn’t feel as doom-filled. Perhaps the fact of having a babbling baby around did the trick. 

“Aaravos is coming back in two years and five months,” stated Callum. “By this point, we’ve dreamed of every possible scenario.” Everyone nodded. “We’ve plans whether he makes a big entrance or goes into hiding.” 

“Soren, Corvus, the parties that are going to be posted at the Moon Nexus, the Valley of the Graves, and the Sea of the Castout, are they already selected?” Asked Ezran. 

“We’ve two parties already assembled, we’re only looking for the warriors that are gonna make up the third one,” answered Corvus. 

“Great,” said Aanya. “Rayla and I can start training with the ones already done while you look for the others.” 

The couple nodded. 

Ezran took a deep breath, preparing to ask the next question. “The scouts sent after Claudia, had there been any news?” 

As always, Soren stifled a little when hearing his little sister’s name, but immediately recomposed. 

“No, they still have no clue to follow,” answered Janai. 

Once a year for the last three years, they sent a group of the most skilled scouts to find Claudia, and every year they returned empty-handed or hurt but with no sign of the dark mage. 

At first, Soren, Terry, and Corvus were the ones looking out for her while they tried to find Harrow. Turns out neither of them had been found. 

Ezran closed his eyes, not wanting to think too much about his lost father. He heard Aanya and Rayla talking about the schedules for training when whimpers snuck in. His eyes snapped open to find that everyone was looking at the baby. 

Her small arms were reaching out to Callum and Rayla, but they just stare at her. Ez could tell Callum wasn’t even present, his mind probably racing with all the possibilities surrounding Aaravos' return. 

“She wants you to carry her,” signed Amaya. “Babies tend to do that when they want physical affection.” 

Ezran smiled, of course, Aunt Amaya would know that, especially after having her own with Janai. 

Rayla bumped Callum’s arm, bringing him back to the moment and whispering what Amaya said. 

“Oh,” he said at first before understanding what everyone was expecting them to do. “Oh, right.” 

Gently, he took the baby by the armpits, his hands covering almost all her middle. Callum cradled her in his arms, close to his chest. Rayla’s mouth hung open for a moment, amazed at how practiced and natural the movement came. 

“Does Kosmo have any new information?” Callum asked. 

Astrid shook her head. “He hasn’t had any visions lately.” 

Callum sighed, passing a hand through his hair, making it messier. “Well, then we should review our existing plans and look for errors that may have gotten away.” 

Everyone nodded, though a heavy silence weighed over them. For the last months, they hadn’t gotten anywhere new, just the same plans over and over again, hoping that they’d covered every possibility and that it would be enough to stop Aaravos in the first fifty-two hours of his return. 

“While you’re at it, perhaps it would be wiser for Rayla and me to start reviewing the profiles of the selected guards?” Proposed Aanya looking at Soren and Corvus. 

“Oh, yeah, of course.” Corvus searched for something in his backpack and took out a bunch of sheets. He passed them to Rayla. “In there is everything you need to know.” 

The girls nodded and stood up, ready to leave the room to focus on their task. Rayla kissed Callum’s cheek and whispered something Ezran couldn’t quite hear since he was busy squeezing Aanya’s hand as goodbye. His girlfriend’s lips gifted him a smile that he gladly returned. 

When the door closed, the baby in Callum’s arms pouted, preparing to start crying again. This time, his brother acted quickly. Softly, he swung her and hushed her. Everyone stared at the pair for a minute. When it got uncomfortable, Amaya signed, and Gren spoke to get everyone’s attention back to the reason they were there. 

“You’re distracted,” noted Aanya. 

They’d chosen a table in the gardens of the main building of Evrkynd, since inside there were many people coming and going, trying to help the citizens with formalities Rayla didn’t understand. 

Her gaze went from the paper in her hands to the girl sitting in front of her. Aanya like Ezran was still young and yet far wiser than Rayla herself would ever be. 

“It’s nothing,” she said. Even if Aanya was one of her best friends now, it didn’t feel right to burden her with her problems, she should be able to enjoy her youth without worrying too much. 

“It’s about the baby,” the queen sentenced. 

Rayla grunted. How was she so good at reading people? 

“Yeah, yeah, it is,” Rayla sighed, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply to control herself. “I just… don’t understand how anyone could... can leave their child like that.” Her voice was edgy. When they found the parents, she would like to have a word with them. “It isn’t fair.” 

Letting go of the paper, she covered her face with her palms. Inhaling and exhaling deeply. Her blood was boiling inside her veins, but she couldn’t let this get in the way of their plans. They needed to be ready for Aaravos, otherwise, the possibility of today’s children growing and enjoying their lives would be stripped away. 

“I’m sorry, we should be focusing on…” 

“No, no, it’s fine,” Aanya interrupted. “It must be hard for you and Callum.”

Her heart skipped a beat. Aanya hadn’t exactly said it, but Rayla knew what she was referring to. It wasn’t something they discussed in their reunions to stop Aaravos, but as time passed, it was a shadow creeping over them. If Aaravos wanted, he could manipulate Callum the moment he came back, and if they didn’t find him in time… 

Promise me you will kill me. 

My heart for Xadia. 

Even after all these years, just the echo of those words sent chills down her spine. There was the possibility that one of them wouldn’t make it alive. Rayla gulped. That year, they hadn't talked about it. What it could mean if Callum didn’t make it, if Aaravos stole their future. 

During the years they’d discussed it, though. When they married three years ago, knowing they were too young to have children and didn’t feel ready, plus bringing life right now would also mean Aaravos would have something else to take from them. It was better to wait. Even if the wait was forever. No child should ever go through the pain of losing a parent. Callum and Rayla knew that pain like the palm of their hand and didn’t want to pass the legacy on. 

“A bit,” Rayla exhaled. “Especially when watching him reminds me what a good father he would be.” 

Aanya smiled. “Your time will come, I’m sure of it.” 

Rayla nodded, desperately wanting to believe her. To have faith that every minute they’d spend planning the last five years will be worth it. 

“Thank you, Aanya.” She grinned. “Now we should really start looking into this.” Rayla pointed to the papers scattered across the table. 

“Yeah, we should,” the girl said, sounding more enthusiastic than Rayla. 

That was something Rayla admired about Aanya. She wasn’t only good with weapons and had physical skills, but she also knew a lot about politics and, in contrast with Rayla, didn’t seem bothered to have to read all the resumes of the guards. 

Callum and Ezran were the first to walk out of the building, eager to meet with Rayla and Aanya, respectively. Both girls had been waiting for them for hours now. 

“Why didn’t you return home?” Asked Ezran. “We thought you hadn’t finished.” 

The girls exchanged a look. 

Rayla shrugged. “Let’s say it was enough work for one day going through all the resumes and making our schedules fit the training hours.”

“We agreed to meet tomorrow to prepare the plan and send crows to the guards to inform them they’ve been selected and when and where we’re gonna start.”

Ezran nodded, walking to stand beside Aanya and subtly passing an arm around her waist. Callum and Rayla, on the other hand, weren’t subtle at all, since the cradle restricted movement and proximity for the boy, Rayla was the one to grab him by the collar and pull him into a sweet kiss. 

Aanya looked up at the sky, suddenly very interested in the sheep-like clouds. Ez rolled his eyes. After all these years, they were still strong with the PDA. 

“Did she cry again?” Rayla pointed to the baby. 

“Yes, mostly the minutes after you left, then she fell asleep, and almost at the end she woke up again.” 

“Aunt Amaya said it was because she’s hungry, so you two better hurry up and feed her,” Ezran said. 

Rayla and Callum exchanged a look. It felt too surreal, having to take care of a baby, the very thing they’d avoided for years, given to them on a silver platter. 

Back in their house, Rayla detected a disgusting smell coming from the cradle. 

“Callum,” she called to her husband who was in the kitchen heating the mashed apple that was left from morning. “I think she poop.” 

If she thought she could get away with not changing diapers due to her lack of experience, Callum made sure not to let her. He guided her step by step on what to do and teased her at how hard she was trying not to gag. 

“Good! One award more to you, Ray,” he kissed her forehead when she finally finished. “Go wash your hands and meet us in the kitchen, alright?” 

Callum put the baby in the cradle, she’d been asleep almost all day till now. She was tossing around, whimpering and kicking her feet. 

“Maybe she wants a toy,” proposed Rayla. “She hasn’t done anything but sleep and eat, she must be bored.” Rayla went to wash her hands leaving Callum pondering if he should take the baby to eat or look for a toy. 

When Rayla returned, he was still undecided. She rolled her eyes. 

“Go feed her, I’ll look for something to entertain her.” 

“Okay, but don’t take too long, you also need to eat.” 

Rayla smiled, bringing his lips to hers once again. It felt nice having someone remind her of little things like eating or drinking water, or brushing her hair when she was too involved in other things. It felt nice having Callum with her. 

Minutes later, Rayla entered the kitchen with Stella on her shoulder and Sneezles behind them. Stella carried a small, adorable plushy in her paws. She descended to the counter and peeked over to the cradle. Like in the morning, the baby’s mouth was surrounded by mashed apples. 

“Mmm, perhaps it will be wiser to wait after we’d finish eating to play,” she reasoned. 

Stella chittered and ran to Callum climbing up his arm. Callum scratched her under the chin. 

Callum told her about how the meeting went after she left with Aanya. They hadn’t found any leak in the plans, which was a good thing but at the same time made the mage feel stranded. Not knowing if it would be enough or if they needed to strive even more. 

Rayla squeezed his hand when the door swung open. Ezran came in with a bag in hand. 

“I don’t remember asking you to buy anything,” remarked Callum. 

“I know, but I also know you haven’t thought that a baby needs to stay clean and fresh because their skin is sensible.”

Callum raised an eyebrow. 

“I bought a pair of clothes for her as well as baby higene products.” 

Ez approached the baby, who was entertained playing with Stella and the adoraburr. His posture changed, transforming into a relaxed one. 

“Thank you, Ez.” 

“No problem.” 

Back in their room, Rayla looked at the bathroom. “Now that we have the things, I guess we should bathe her.”

Callum’s eyes widened for a moment. 

“What?” 

“Nothing! Nothing, I just didn’t think you’d be eager to do it.”

Rayla sighed. “I am not, but honestly, I like how she smelled better yesterday and the soap Ez bought smells so good.” 

Callum chuckled, “Alright then, let’s wash this little girl.” 

Though Callum helped a lot in raising and taking care of Ezran, one of the only things he had never done due to how small and tiny he was was showering him. So this was a completely new experience, and one he didn’t expect to be so messy. 

By the end, they had a crying (but clean) baby, a slippery floor, and wet clothes. Callum dressed her with the pajamas Ez had bought while Rayla tried to dry the ends of her own hair with a towel. 

“Hey, it’s okay,” Callum muttered to calm the baby. “I think she doesn’t like the water.” 

“That makes two of us.”

The baby giggled and Rayla’s hands stopped working for a moment, processing what she heard. 

“Did she understand what I said?” 

“Maybe?” Callum shrugged, bottoming the pajamas and wrapping her in a cover. “There you go, ready to sleep.” 

Out of nowhere, she stretched her arms out and grabbed one of Callum’s fingers into her hand. Her small fingers wrapped around his middle one. His breath caught in his throat. She giggled again and tried to force him down. Callum let her. 

The baby inspected him. Her other hand joined the previous one, dumbly her fingers caressed his, and tried to twist them. Callum giggled and turned it for her. She babbled, her feet kicked in the air as she swung herself on her back. 

Rayla watched it from the washbasin, her heart both warming and stung with the reminder of their reality. 

They couldn’t have this. Not now and probably not in years to come. If this was or not their future was yet to be decided. 

Chapter Text

Rayla woke up at the small sound of whimpers from the baby’s crib. It was the third night in a row this happened. But the first one, she didn't wake up to Callum already tending to her.

She sat up, intensely gazing at the crib at the foot of their bed, praying silently that the baby would return to sleep instead of starting to scream. 

On one hand, she was annoyed her precious sleep was being taken from her, and on the other, she couldn’t help a sentiment of empathy washing over her. Of course, the baby would be crying, imagine waking up in an environment you don’t know, without your parents nearby to console you. In that position, Rayla would also be scared. 

In some strange way, it kind of reminded her of herself during those first nights spent at Ethari’s and Runaan’s treehouse. She would wake up in the middle of the night with her cheeks wet and a lump in her throat just to remember her parents weren’t there. It was a long, long time before she considered that new room, her room. The baby must be going through the same thing. 

Even if the whimpers stayed quiet, Rayla reached for her. Hugging her near her chest, just like Callum taught her. 

Nobody had reclaimed her, and nobody reported a missing child. It was like she didn't exist for the people of Evrkynd.

“Shh, it’s okay, little one. You’re safe.” 

She babbled something Rayla decided was a ´yes´. Without realizing a smile crossed her lips as she covered herself with the bedsheets again and her eyes closed. The baby’s breath became steadier, and her hand gripped the fabric of her pajamas. After finding the perfect position to not crush the baby, Rayla closed her eyes hoping they could sleep the rest of the night and well enter the morning.

“She’s as healthy as she could be,” said the doctor, taking off their glasses. “Does she walk yet?” 

Callum and Rayla exchanged a look. 

“I-I mean, we haven’t tried?” He said hesitantly. 

“Don’t worry, she’s a year old from what I can tell, so she must be ready to start trying.” 

“She can crawl,” noted Rayla, who had seen her going after Stella in the hallway that same morning. 

Melissa, the doctor, nodded and turned their head toward the baby sitting on the carpet. “I need one of you to take her hands.” 

The couple shrugged, and after some indecision, both of them were doing it. Callum took her right hand and Rayla the left one. 

“Great, now you’ll simulate the movement of standing up. Gently pull her hands up and make her stand, it can be difficult, so if she’s too rigid, do not force it,” they instructed. 

Counting three they did it and to Callum’s and Rayla’s surprise, she followed their lead. Her small legs were stretched out. She giggled, making everyone in the office smile too. 

They repeated the movement more times until it was more the baby’s effort than the adults' help. 

“She needs a motive, something that awaits her on the other side, does she like toys?” 

“Not really,” answered Callum. “But she likes Stella.” He pointed to the cuddle monkey on Rayla’s shoulder. 

Stella clapped her paws together, excited, and leaped off Rayla to go to the other end of the pad where the baby was supposed to walk. She giggled looking at Stella, her chubby hands reaching for her. Stella danced on the spot, encouraging the little one to go. Just like in the morning she crawled but didn’t make any signals to walk. 

“Let’s give her ten minutes,” said Melissa. “If she doesn’t walk yet we’ll leave it, it’s okay, every baby has their own process.” 

They tried it with Stella doing tricks and opening portals, even Sneezles tried to help, yet the baby couldn’t do anything more than crawl. 

“One last try with you two at the end.” 

Callum and Rayla knelt before the baby. Stella returned to her spot on Rayla’s shoulder and Sneezles beside Callum. 

“Come here,” Callum whispered. 

Rayla moved her arms up simulating the action of standing up. “You can do this.” 

Callum did the same. Giggling the baby followed through, giving what could be called small jumps in her place. Her skin was flushed and a thin layer of sweat covered her forehead.

Giving up on making her walk, Callum and Rayla stood up and turned around to the doctor. 

“You did great and also did she. You probably already knew this, but she’s a Moonshadow, which could be helpful for further treatment. As you surely know,” they addressed Rayla. “How you can be more vulnerable to certain diseases but also very resistant to others” 

“Yeah-“ Her answer was interrupted by a guttural scream. They turned to the baby, who was desperately crawling to them with her face red. 

Rayla went to grab her, rocking her in her arms. 

“I think someone is fond of you two,” Melissa noted. 

A flush crossed their cheeks. Callum cleared his throat. 

“Thank you for helping us make sure she’s healthy.” 

“No problem. If anyone comes looking for a baby I’ll send them your way.” 

“Thank you,” Rayla repeated as Callum gathered all the items they’d brought to keep the baby entertained, happy, and clean. 

Rayla folded the last of the three pairs of clothes the baby had. Callum was making the bed, and one of his spells was sweeping the room. 

“Do you think there is any news about her parents? Or anyone willing to take her in?” she asked. 

Callum sighed. “It’s been almost a week, there should be something.”

The baby whimpered, she sat at the doorway, they’d let her crawl around the house while doing their chores. Stella and Sneezzles obviously babysitting her.

Rayla’s face went soft. “Don’t worry, little one, we’ll find you a home.” 

Another whimper made her heart squeeze. 

A home. 

She looked at Callum over her shoulder, knowing the same thoughts were floating in his head. Her heart pumped faster like it always did when thinking about a future where children were involved.

Ignoring the lingering feeling in her chest, she moved on to fold her own clothes that had been stuffed in a chair for days. 

They finished just in time to attend the next meeting to discuss how the preparations for Aaravo’s return were going. Though Aanya and Rayla would leave early to meet the soldiers and start training, Callum, Soren, and Corvus would join them later. 

Rayla and Callum had grown accustomed to carrying with them the crib and a big bag full of baby stuff. And this time it was more packed than usual since they would spend all the day out. 

Ezran smiled when they entered the room, everyone was already there, yet Callum noticed the way his brother’s brow furrowed slightly at the crib. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to decipher that there wasn’t good, if any, news about the family of the baby. 

Callum and Rayla didn’t have the opportunity to talk alone with Ezran to discuss the topic until well entered the night. While Rayla had been training all evening with the soldiers, Callum had been teaching a group of children about the arcanums and helping some with their powers. And Ezran had spent all day trying to figure out a way to tell his brother and sister-in-law his proposal for the baby’s future. 

“I made you dinner!” He announced as soon as they entered the house. 

Rayla arched an eyebrow, and a weak smile crossed Callum’s face. Ezran could sense his brother already knew something was up. Probably Rayla too. 

It was still strange to see either of them carrying the baby instead of just letting her be transported in the crib. Even more strange that Stella wasn't all jealous and chittering about it.

He guided them to the table, where everything was already laid out. Even the chair they’d acquired for the baby along with her own food and bib. 

“For today’s menu, we have a fruit salad, pasta, and jelly tarts!” 

Rayla rolled her eyes. When Ezran visited and decided what was for dinner it’d to include his favorite dessert. Ez fidgeted as he saw both of them eat. He took care of the baby, wanting to give Callum and Rayla a moment for themselves. 

“Is everything okay, Ez?” Rayla eyed him. 

He hesitated, pondering whether or not to tell them the news right now. Callum spared him a glance. Ezran left the tiny spoon on the table and breathed out. 

“There are still no signs of the parents and no one is on the adoption list, either.” He tried to sound as calm as possible, but there was weight in his words.

A moment passed with no sound or movement in the room. Only the wind and chirping of birds outside echoed in the dining room. 

“What are we supposed to do?” Rayla asked, her voice barely more than a whisper. 

Callum looked at him, at the baby, and finally at his wife. He inched closer, passing an arm through her middle. “We’ll figure it out.” 

“Yes, and whatever you decide, you’ve my complete support,” Ez said, trying to be helpful. 

They nodded and offered him kind smiles. 

To support his words, he was the one to change her and tuck her in while Rayla and Callum also got ready to sleep. It was still silent, but he supposed that was fine, surely his family had a lot to consider and take it. 

“Thank you, Ez” whispered his brother after noticing he had managed to make the baby sleep. 

Rayla lay on the bed and covered herself with the bedsheets “Night,” she mumbled. 

“Night,” he whispered back, hugging his brother, hating he had been the one to put that pressure on them. What would they do? “I love you guys.” He thought he already knew where this was leading and a turmoil of feelings swarmed his mind.  

“Love you too Ez” they answered almost in unison. This time Rayla’s voice was louder but her face was still hidden in the sheets. 

As soon as she felt Callum’s warmness at her side she turned to face him. 

“What are we gonna do?” She asked again, anguish dripping from her voice.

Callum's lips frowned, his eyes locked in the crib where the baby was sleeping “I don’t know. I’m afraid we might make the wrong choice.” 

Rayla bit her lower lip, she was afraid too, but not because of the same reason. 

“Yet another thing to lose, huh?” She tried to sound confident but her voice wavered betraying how she really felt. “We can’t afford that, can we?” 

“Then one of us needs to make it out alive.” 

Green eyes met lilac. A silent promise and a plea hanging over them. The air wasn’t thin anymore, it came in thick and burning hot. 

“If we do this, if we are the ones to take her in, we both make it out alive,” Rayla corrected taking his hands into hers and kissing the tip of his fingers. 

Callum wanted to protest, to convince her she was the one who needed to live even if he didn’t, that was the destiny he was choosing for himself but she shouldn’t be part of it. Not when clearly someone else needed her alive. 

A bitter chuckle escaped Rayla’s lips. “What a plot twist, all we’ve done to avoid pregnancy just to end up with a baby either way.”

Callum fidgeted, not sure what he wanted to say next. Even in the silence it was like a conversation was going on between them.  Both knew how the loss of one or both parents could affect a child, and they also knew how the kindness and willingness of others to take care of them could be a game changer. 

Without Harrow considering Callum part of his family once Sarai died, he would’ve been all alone. But he took him in, and treated him like he was his son because he was, he reminded himself. Always supporting and taking care of Callum, not caring if he could be a bit stubborn or how angry he was sometimes. Harrow was always there, letting him know he wasn’t alone, someone was looking out for him in the same he looked out for Ezran. 

Rayla would always be grateful for Ethari and Runaan because even if they could’ve denied taking care of her, they didn’t. Probably they agreed in less than half a second, even knowing they would need to be more careful with Runaan’s job. They’d taken the risk. They raised her and loved her no matter what. They’d made sure she knew Tiadrin and Lain also loved her, though back then sometimes was difficult to believe. 

Perhaps this was their opportunity to repay for the kindness they’d been shown as kids. 

A knot formed in Rayla’s throat, tightening with the determined look on Callum’s face. 

“I’m serious, Callum,” she stated. “If we are gonna do this, then we are also gonna make it out alive. Both of us.” Rayla pointed at him and then at her. “Because I’m not gonna put her through the same stuff we lived with our parents.” 

Even if it was all in the past, the damage of losing them once was already done, and the painful memory would forever live in the back of their minds. 

Callum wanted to answer, to reassure her, but no words came to his mind. It didn't feel right trying to lie to his wife. So instead he kissed her. It was an awkward position. The kiss wasn’t the type of kiss you give to the other after waking up. Playful, cute, and short. 

It lingered like heat after spending too much time before a bonfire and made their breaths hitch. Callum cupped Rayla’s face, and her hands got trapped between their chests. 

She pulled off. “Callum,” her voice was a bit hoarse, yet insistent. “Promise me you won’t die.” 

“So the kissing wasn’t enough?” He tried to joke nervously. Rayla glared at him, she was flushed. 

“I need to hear you say it.” 

“Rayla…” 

“Say it or…” Or what? Truth is she would always feel guilty if they gave up the child to someone they didn’t even know much less trust, it wasn't the right thing to do. “ Please , Callum. I can’t do it without you.” Rayla rested her forehead against his chest feeling the rise and fall with every breath he took. 

Callum closed his eyes, repeating in his head every plan they had against Aaravos. Knowing just that day a few hours before he had been willing to die if everything else failed.  

“I promise I won’t die,” he whispered, wrapping his arms around Rayla’s shoulders and kissing the top of her head “We’re gonna do this together. Like we planned.” 

Though that plan was centered years from now, they’d agreed to start trying to be parents after they both had thirty, not twenty-three. 

He felt Rayla nod and inched closer, cuddling right at his side. Callum realized how heavy his eyelids were. He was starting to drift off to sleepiness when a small babble invaded his ears. 

The baby whimpered, and the sound of the covers being kicked off made Rayla groan. Standing up, Callum quickly grabbed her and laid her next to Rayla so she would be in the middle of the two. Somewhere he had read that could give babies a firm sense of safety. 

“Hey there little one,” greeted Rayla, caressing the baby’s little hand. 

Callum grinned. Rayla really was the sweetest with children. 

“We should choose her a name,” he noted. 

Rayla yawned “Yes, but let’s leave that problem for tomorrow’s us.” And with that she closed her eyes but didn’t take away her hand from the baby, allowing her to wrap her hands around Rayla’s fingers. 

Callum lay beside them. A tumult of feelings hanging over his head. Gently he ran his fingers through the small white hairs on the baby’s head. 

“We’re gonna take care of you, I promise,” he whispered. 

Now more than ever he would need to strive to stop Aaravos' threat so this baby could have a brighter future where her major concern wasn’t how to save everyone.  

Another thing to lose, Rayla said. 

Another thing to live for, he wanted to answer. 

Chapter Text

The next day, the first thing they did was get ready to accompany Ez to the town’s council meeting and inform them that the issue of the baby had been arranged.  Soon Ezran needed to return to Katolis, so better leave it all fixed before he left.

They didn’t hesitate much to agree Callum and Rayla were fit for the role.

Callum’s stomach growled after an hour of reading adoption papers. 

“To be honest I thought this was gonna be easier and faster,” Rayla said, signing yet another page that Callum had already read. 

“Yeah, we should’ve eaten something before coming here,” agreed Callum. 

Ezran and Aanya sat on the floor, playing with Stella and the baby, so they could work on  the paperwork in peace.  

“Do you want me to go buy you something?” Proposed Aanya. 

Callum shook his head. “Nah, we’re almost done.” 

“Umm, Callum?” Rayla was scanning the back of one of the papers. She pointed to a single word. 

Name: 

“Of course, we need a name to register her,” he muttered. The couple exchanged looks. “Any idea?” 

Rayla looked back at the baby, who was giggling, crawling from Aanya to Ezran and chasing Stella. 

Stella, star, a cuddle monkey who was connected to the stars. 

“She’s connected to the moon,” the elf noted, her mind working hard to summon all the moonier names she knew. “Luna, Neoma, Selene,” she started to spit out names “Cress, Yue, umm…” No more names came to mind, and biting her lower lip, her gaze returned to Callum.

“I liked one, Selene, you said?” 

Rayla nodded. “It means literally moon.” 

“Sounds nice,” commented Ez. 

Callum grinned. His lips formed a big, big smile as he took the quill from Rayla’s fingers and traced a perfect S on the paper. 

“Callum, look!” Rayla pointed to a white crib on the other side of the street. 

They’d come to the market to find all the things they would need to raise and take care of a baby. A rush of excitement and nervousness flooded Rayla’s senses. 

Selene was sitting on one of Callum’s arms as he held her so she could see the booths. So far she’d been attracted to colorful plushies and shiny jewelry. 

At the end of the day, they had everything they needed for the baby to be comfortable and entertained both inside and outside the house. From diapers to toys, everything was set. Now it was just a matter of time to find a place for everything. Because that involved making some changes to the distribution of the house would be important.

No more weapons scattered carelessly around or sketchbooks and quills all over the desk in their room. Rayla huffed, many things were about to change.

As they went up and down cleaning and taking things out while also attending Selene , she kept at bay any sneaky thought about what awaited them in two short years. Callum told her not to worry about future things, which was funny, because she could swear he himself was thinking about it on a daily basis . How could he not? Almost every plan to stop Aaravos was his. 

She looked over her shoulder. Callum was playing with Selene on the couch. He was trying hard to focus her attention on the plushie they’d bought her, but instead, her tiny hands were reaching for his hair. The white streak hanging over his forehead mainly .  

When he let her touch it, one of her hands wrapped around it and the other waved at Rayla. Callum’s eyes widened. A soft smile grazed her lips. Selene babbled, eyes traveling from him to her, trying to figure out the mystery of the white hair. 

After a moment of tension, Callum giggled, taking the hand of the baby and kissing her fingers with a gentleness that made Rayla melt . 

“Remind me again why we need to depart at night?” Asked Corvus. 

Callum, Rayla, Ezran, Soren and Corvus were at the gates of Evrkynd, horses ready to go. 

“Because it’s my birthday and I don’t like waking up at insane hours to travel to Xadia,” Rayla whispered, not wanting Selene to wake up. 

“Technically, your birthday is in four days.” 

This time she just shrugged, restricting a small laugh from escaping , she knew almost everyone there were early birds. But Callum insisted on traveling at night so she could enjoy it more , after all, they were going to the Silvergrove for her birthday. 

“Everyone ready?” Callum looked around as everyone mounted the horses and nodded. He climbed in and sat behind Rayla, struggling a little she managed to hand him the baby to take the reins.  

The travel was peaceful. They only ride till midnight and choose a place to make camp and spend the night. It took more time than planned , with a baby added to the equation someone needed to be always looking out for her or holding her.

When Selene woke up it was a whole new deal getting her to sleep again. Because the new parents hadn’t thought about the fact that a baby wouldn’t be used to sleeping outside and even if it wasn’t cold, she was shivering. Good thing she was small and Callum always brought his scarf to travel, he wrapped her in it as best as he could. 

Rayla’s eyelids felt heavy, but Selene was still awake and she didn’t feel comfortable sleeping knowing the baby could easily get out of between her and Callum and crawl to the forest. Callum was mildly awake too. 

“Selene, you should really sleep now,” she whispered, placing her hand on her belly and rocking her softly. 

The little girl’s gaze prevailed on the sky, looking at the stars above them. 

“I know they’re beautiful, but they won’t go away, sleep,” Callum said. 

Perhaps it was ridiculous talking to her like she understood any of what they said, but it did seem to catch her attention. She took Rayla’s hand and moved it upwards, blocking from her view the brightest star. 

“Maybe she doesn’t like that star?” Proposed Callum. 

Rayla chuckled. “Leola’s last wish? It’s beautiful.” 

Callum shrugged. “Too shiny for a baby as it seems.” 

“Seems reasonable.” 

 Luckily for them, Selene’s blue eyes closed not long after. With her heart feeling lighter knowing that she was sleeping, Rayla also drifted off. 

Three days of traveling were worthy the cozy yet mesmerizing view of the Silvergrove. 

Callum walked at her side. In the first years after her unghosting , they always received weird looks from the other elves , now watching humans come and go wasn’t as uncommon, so the small group could more or less blend in.

“How are we gonna tell them?” Callum asked as they made their way to the treehouse where her dads would be waiting for them. 

“As soon as we meet them we tell them. I don’t want them making ideas.” Not with Lira around and making fun of them and telling jokes about future children every time they set foot in the Silvergrove. She was a good kid, but she could annoy them like no one else could. 

Callum patted Selene’s back, though she whimpered, her eyes shining with tears, her legs kicked in Rayla’s direction. 

“She wants you to hold her.” 

Rayla looked at the less than ten stairs left to get to the house. The plan was that Soren would hold her while Rayla and Callum explained it to Runaan and Ethari , but she couldn’t resist her puppy eyes the same way she wasn’t able to resist Ez’s when he was younger. She took her into her arms whispering sweet nothings to help her calm down and make it easier for Soren to hold her.

Callum was about to knock while Rayla turned to Soren when the door swung open. Runaan and Ethari were there to receive them with a big smile on their faces.  

“Rayla!” Greeted Ethari. 

Runaan’s attention was quickly drawn to the baby still in Rayla’s arms, and Ethari’s eyes followed. Their grin was now confused expressions. 

“What-“ said Runaan, his eyes going from Callum to Rayla to the baby who was looking at him with a quizzical expression. 

“Surprise?” Rayla tried, chuckling nervously. 

“So you found her in the forest and decided to keep her?” Summarized Runaan. 

He, Ethari, Rayla, and Callum were in her room. The younger couple explaining the sudden appearance of a baby in their lives. 

“Yeah, no one was interested in adopting so…” 

Selene was comfortably sitting with Ethari, he was showing her one of Rayla’s adoraburr toys. 

“I know it must have been confusing showing up with her with no further notice, but I really thought it would be better to explain it in person rather than sending a crow.” 

“We get it, Rayla,” said Ethari. “You just made us question everything for a moment there.” 

Callum and Rayla chuckled, he squeezed her hand. 

Surely it must have been weird for them to see their daughter show up with a baby and no further explanation. Even more when the last time they saw her wasn’t that long ago and certainly not enough time for a baby to be born and be a year old.

“So, umm, you’re grandparents now!” Singsonged Callum. Rayla shook her hands at her side, a tense smile on her face. 

Runaan’s breath caught on his throat. Even if he had seen this coming, he’d also thought it would be in a few years. Yet he couldn’t deny the happiness that flooded him. He had enjoyed raising Rayla and watching her grow , now he would be able to enjoy spoiling his granddaughter. 

Ethari as expected was glowing with happiness. Taking care and looking after kids was one of the things he enjoyed the most in the world. With Rayla it’d been a ride, mainly at first when she was always defying him or Runaan. After that, everything went rather smoothly and he loved to see the person she’d become.

“Funny enough, this morning we were talking about the mischievous little girl you were,” commented Ethari.

Rayla flushed. “I wasn’t that bad.” 

“That’s what you say now, let’s see what you think after raising her .” Runaan leaned his head in Selene’s direction. 

Callum giggled. Rayla glared at him, but ultimately she laughed too . Sure raising Selene would be a challenge she hadn’t expected.  

“In other news, is anyone else coming tomorrow?” 

Bitting her lip, she answered, “Astrid, Kosmo, and Terry should be arriving in the evening, I think.”

“Great, we’ll have everything ready. Now you should rest.” 

Callum nodded. “Thank you.” 

That night they could sleep uninterrupted. Selene hadn’t wake up once, and even when Callum raised she was still sleeping cuddled against Rayla’s chest. He was tented to go for his sketchbook and draw them , yet there were things he needed to do before his wife woke up, so Callum made sure to capture in his mind every detail like the way Rayla’s lips were slightly parted and long strands of hair fell over her face and the baby’s messed little hair and hands holding onto Rayla’s pajamas. 

Outside Ez, Ethari, and Runaan were already halfway through the preparations. In the living room was a “Happy Birthday” sign and against Runaan’s wishes, adoraburrs were jumping around. At the kitchen counter, Callum distinguished a variety of foods, like rainbow grapes, moonberry juice, and biscuits, and because it was Rayla’s birthday no mushcup was in sight. 

“Are you gonna give her the moonberry surprise now or later?” Asked Ez. 

Rayla’s dads exchanged a glance. Callum walked in, “Morning everyone,” he said. “How’s it going?” 

“Great,” answered his brother. “Is Rayla up yet?” 

The mage shook his head. 

“The jelly tarts are ready, right?” Runaan looked at the oven. Ez nodded. “Let that be her breakfast and we’ll save the moonberry surprise for later.”

“Then I’ll go wake everyone else up so we can start.” 

Ezran left the room. 

“The good thing about Rayla is that if no one wakes her, she can easily sleep until midday,” muttered Ethari and everyone agreed. 

With everything settled, Callum and Ez only needed to make sure Runaan and Ethari remembered the Katolian birthday song before going into Rayla’s room. Ezran was holding a plate of jelly tarts and a sign that said ´Happy birthday Rayla, we love you.’

In the bed, Rayla was pretty much still asleep, though now one of her hands kept Selene close. Making it difficult for Callum to slide the baby out of bed and into his arms so she wouldn’t be alarmed at the sudden singing. 

Her dads shook her gently by the shoulders. Her eyes fluttered open and her body turned in their direction. 

“ Whaa -“ 

“Have a mystical, magical birthday,” they chanted almost at the same time. Stella chittered and clapped alongside.

One of the many smiles Callum hoped to get out of her today made its way to her face. Selene also opened her eyes and giggled, which made everyone grin harder. 

When the song ended, Rayla jumped out of bed and hugged them as best as she could. 

“Happy birthday, Rayla,” Ethari kissed her hair and Runaan pulled her into a tight hug. 

Then she moved on to Ez, who was eying the jelly tarts. Everyone knew that at the first chance he got he could eat all of them. 

“Jelly tart?” He asked. “Runaan, Ethari, and I did them. Callum took them out of the oven.” 

Rayla laughed and took one. “Thank you, Ez.” 

And finally him. Callum was mesmerized by how beautiful she looked even with all her hair out of the ponytail and more or less still asleep. Without considering they had public, he wrapped an arm around her waist and kissed her. While everyone was used to that, Ezran approached Callum and put a hand over Selene’s eyes. 

“Don’t look at them,” he whispered. “You’re not ready for that.” 

Pulling away they rolled their eyes. Callum’s heart was beating fast inside his ribcage and he knew red covered his cheeks.  

“We’ll leave you alone to get ready,” said Runaan opening the door to leave. 

As usual, getting ready was harder with a baby. Now that Selene could crawl seamlessly, when neither Rayla nor Callum could hold her they would leave her on the bed or the floor, which was a great option, until the moment it came to their attention she could hit her head with the sharp edges of the bed or they could accidentally harm her in their rush. Or in the bed, she could fall. 

Therefore they needed to alternate , while Callum did something, Rayla was the one in charge of playing and distracting her and then they would change. The one who finished first would be the one to change her. It was an advantage they’d showered her the night before because they were already hungry and Ezran had already threatened to eat all the jelly tarts.

“What should she wear for this special occasion?” Callum muttered as he rummaged in the drawer overflowing with baby clothes, none of them bothered to fold them the night before.  

Rayla came behind him. Wrapping her arms around his middle and kissing his cheek. “I dunno, just choose whichever you like.”

Callum twitched his mouth, scanning the clothes once more before settling with cute purple pants and a white shirt with embroidered flowers. 

In the kitchen, there was another happy birthday song for Rayla before everyone sat down to eat and be ready for whatever Ethari and Runaan (along with Callum) had planned to celebrate their favorite Moonshadow elf. 

Rayla kissed Selene’s forehead as she lay her in the crib. Her body splayed out, completely worn out after her first time riding shadowpaws, dancing, and eating tiny bits of moonberry surprise. Callum was leaning against the doorframe waiting for her. 

“I’ll be back soon,” she whispered, taking him by the neck to pull him down and kiss his lips.

“Don’t worry, take your time,” he whispered back. 

Astrid and Kosmo (who arrived a few hours before to say 'happy birthday') were in the living room, doing some kind of hand game, yet neither of them asked her where she was going. Rayla wondered if Kosmo could also see this in his visions or if they were saved for more important stuff.

The moon guided her way down the house and to the fountain. She used to hate that place, it was a reminder that she wasn't relevant enough for her parents, that they prefered someone else’s child. Until she understood. They left to protect her and all the other children growing up, they were protecting her future.

Now it was just…. There. A numb feeling in the back of her heart. Of something amiss but not quite. 

She sat on the edge. Her reflection stared at her for a moment before her gaze traveled to the middle of the water. The liquid was still, tranquil, yet Rayla knew that even by just diving her hand in it could cause a turmoil. Pretty much how she felt about Tiadrin and Lain.

One of the hardest things she ever did in her life was leaving them behind after weeks of daydreaming about a future where maybe her family could be brought together again. With time the wound closed and she came to terms with her decision, she didn’t regret it to be honest. In any case, she could regret not trying hard enough to bring them back, but never to let them go.

The thought of a certain baby sleeping in a crib up in the treehouse sent ripples to the peaceful lake. Rayla was afraid, terrified even, that she may need to do the same as her parents. In two years, Aaravos would return. There would be a fight, no doubt, and she needed to be there. Callum and Ezran too . And of course, they couldn’t bring a toddler with them. Maybe by some miracle, Selene wouldn’t be able to understand what was happening and she and Callum would be back before the feeling of abandonment could set in. 

Rayla groaned and chastised herself mentally. She was doing it again. Thinking too much about the future, worrying about things that were out of her reach at this moment. It was important to stay focused on the present, to enjoy it, to enjoy the time she had with Callum. 

My heart… 

Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought and ignored the haunting memory. 

“A monkey told us you were here,” Runaan’s voice interrupted her thoughts.  He was carrying a box decorated with dry flowers. 

With widened eyes, she turned to him, and Ethari walked towards her. Stella perched on his shoulder.

Her dads sat next to her, their bodies turned in her direction.

“You already gave me a gift.”

Runaan chuckled. “This is not a gift, it’s something you already own but we add some things to it.”

Rayla raised an eyebrow while she took the box into her lap and opened it. A gasp escaped her lips, and she covered her mouth. Her breath caught in her throat as she tried to form words. 

“I-This…” Rayla’s eyes traveled from the drawing in the box to Runaan and Ethari. 

“Callum did them. We just told him the details.” 

Rayla brushed her fingers over the thin paper. Sometimes it still amazed her the ability Callum had to capture every detail with his drawings. Tiadrin and Lain, her parents were on the picture. Her mother had a wide smile on her face , she probably was wearing pajamas, her hair was longer than Rayla had ever seen her with and her hands rested over her round belly.  

Lain was kneeling, one ear on his wife's belly, and his hands resting at the sides, maybe trying to feel something. 

“Why was he crying?” Rayla asked. A single tear ran down his cheek. 

“He couldn’t believe he was gonna be a dad in less than a month,” answered Ethari. “They were overjoyed to have you, Rayla.” 

“It’s curious how it wasn’t in their plans,” added Runaan, “but once it happened,” he looked at her. “Once you happened. They never regret it.” 

She chuckled, there were many papers under the drawing, she started passing them around, her vision becoming blurry when the memories flooded her. Her dad used to give her piggy rides all the time and her mum loved to play games that involved lots of running, part of why she was so fast now.

“Thank you.” 

Stella was now at her side, also peering at what was in the box. The drawings ended, but she saw an envelope she hadn't seen in a while. Her heart squeezed. Her mind race back to her teenage years, before she’d even met Callum. 

Dear Rayla. 

“You gotta be kidding me,” she gasped. “You kept them all this time?” 

Runaan and Ethari nodded. “Runaan and I knew you would want to preserve something from your parents, even if at the time you didn’t want to do anything with them.” 

It was the letters her parents send her every year on her birthday, and by what she could tell there were some others too. Rayla’s hands became shaky as she held them to pass them around. At the bottom of the pile was the last one birthday letter . From her fifteenth birthday. 

“It’s been almost ten years,” she realized her voice shaky. “I really thought these were gone.”

She remembered the day the letter about her parents abandoning the Dragon guard came . She’d basically broken down on the spot, unable to process what it meant. Her parents gone . They weren’t with her and neither they were fulfilling their duty , they were just… gone. Nobody knew about them. Where they’d gone, if they were coming back. 

Without Ethari or Runaan knowing she waited day and night at the entrance of the Silvergrove, waiting to see them come through, to throw herself in their arms , surely they would have a good explanation. They weren’t cowards. But then… The ghosting spell was scheduled and the numbness along with the empty hope she had hung on the previous days transformed into rage. Screams and sobs filled the house that day. Her parents had abandoned her, this time irredeemable. Rayla went straight to what she kept most dearly. The letters under her bed. Without thinking (because if she did she wouldn’t be strong enough to get rid of them) she took every trace of them and threw them out the window. 

Ethari and Runaan rushed to the house. She recalled Runaan’s upset expression until he saw the tears falling. Both of them hugged her. “I don’t wanna know anything about them, I don’t want to be related to them.” It was like she was receiving punches in her gut, all of them leaving her breathless. “I-I hate them.”

Rayla’s head spun at the memory. Like that day, her dads embraced her. A chill ran through her spine at the cruelty of her words. They were outdated, of course, now she knew the truth. 

“We knew you could use them someday,” whispered Ethari, running his fingers through her white hair. “We were waiting till you had your own child, but we guess that it already happened.” 

“Maybe you can find some advice or comfort in them.”

Rayla sniffled. “Thank you. I do need them.” 

“Also, Callum said it would do for a great birthday gift,” added Runaan making her chuckle, of course Callum would say that. 

And it feels like an eternity,
since i had you here with me.
Since I had to learn to be someone you don't know.
–Alex Warren. 

Chapter Text

The history book on the shelf is always repeating itself.
-Waterloo. ABBA.

On their way back to Evrkynd, they stopped at the Storm Spire to visit Zym. Selene cried and screamed a lot, which was understandable. It was a great height and pressure, and she was a tiny baby. 

It was all worth it when they saw Zym’s amazed gaze travel from Callum and Rayla to the baby in their arms, eagerly trying to set her feet on the ground and explore her surroundings. 

Surprisingly enough, there she gave her first proper steps. Though she fell short after, Rayla and Callum couldn’t stop talking about it for the next days until they returned to Evrkynd. 

Rayla even sent a letter to her dads announcing that Selene was officially ready to walk. 

One of the things that was always at the back of her mind was the interest she would develop. Whether it was magic, swordfighting, or something else, she was excited to teach her anything, really. Just like Runaan had taught her to use her blades. That’s why, in the next weeks, in any free time she got, she used it to grab Selene’s hands and go with her to explore the forest behind their house. The baby stumbled every three steps or so, yet she always got up and was ready to continue. 

“She’s like you,” Callum said one time. “No matter what, she stands up again.” He kissed her cheek, and at the same time, Selene stumbled again. 

What wasn’t as fun was returning home and showering her. Her cries filled the house, her hands splashed the water, and small footprints of dirt made their way from the entrance to the room. Every day, the moment Selene started walking, it was almost impossible to make her stop. 

As time passed, she not only learn to walk, but also her first comprehensive word wasn’t even mom or dad. Perhaps in part because her adoptive parents didn’t feel comfortable enough to denominate themselves like that. But to the surprise of everyone, her first words were ‘sky’. Unusual choice of words for a baby, they’d joke. 

Ezran was a tad disappointed that his efforts to refer to Callum and Rayla as her parents were a bit in vain for that moment. 

Though the wait was worth it. The first time Selene actually referred to them as mom and dad, Callum dropped a plate he was holding, and Rayla’s eyes widened, her face flushed, and she stood in the middle of the living room, frozen. Ez had just grinned, letting them enjoy their moment, happy he was there to witness it, though he needed to leave that same evening. Selene asked them to play with her, and after recovering from the surprise, they agreed as they always did. 

From then on, at bedtime stories, Callum and Rayla would teach her how to read and answer her doubts about the words' meaning and in which context she could use them. 

“Do you think she’ll like poetry?” Callum asked Rayla after Selene fell asleep. 

Rayla pondered it. “Yes, if she already loves stories and reading, why not?” 

It was also a tradition now that Selene had her own room, Stella or Sneezles were always with her at night.

The years started passing. The looming threat of Aaravos lurking over them, making every day heavier. Especially as they also saw Selene starting to grow and develop. 

The small baby (almost toddler) they’d adopted was now celebrating her second birthday. Since they didn’t know when her birthday was, they chose August thirteen to celebrate it. 

Rayla could barely believe it had already been a year since this little girl had popped into her life and rearranged it in many ways. 

Time was running through her fingers like sand. In a little more than a year, Aaravos would return. The training with the soldiers had already begun to be more intense, they’d spend all day training with new weapons, practicing all kinds of techniques, and making attack plans. 

Search parties for Claudia had been displayed all over the Pentarchy and Xadia, dragons leading the expedition. 

Ezran, Soren, and Corvus were traveling frequently to the Storm Spire to check on Zym and how he was doing. He was an essential part of the game. Last time Aaravos got rid of all the archidragons, Zym was the only one left, they needed to make sure he was safe and able to put up a fight. 

Sometimes Rayla and Callum insisted on going, but it was harder with a toddler who was constantly asking questions about everything and needed to go to school and live her life as normally as possible. 

“Mum, when are we gonna see Uncle Ez? I miss him,” she asked one night. Her tiny arms wrapped around Rayla’s. 

She exchanged a look with Callum. Ezran would stay at the Storm Spire until December, while Soren and Corvus (along with Terry) joined the haunt for Claudia. Her fingers twitched at the thought, she should be there, too. Callum and she could help. But everyone insisted on them staying behind with Selene. 

And honestly, pondering it now, Rayla was sure she wouldn’t have it any other way. Even if at some time they’ll be forced to leave her behind to fight Aaravos, right now, they’d have the choice to stay. They’ll do just that. 

Rayla understood why her parents had to go, but that didn’t erase the pain it caused her back in the day. She didn’t want to put her daughter through that too. 

“We’ll see him in December,” answered Callum. His green eyes were shadowed. Rayla looked at the book he was holding. 

Immortal stars. 

Biting her tongue, she restrained a sigh. Lately, her husband was more and more gone into books, lost in his thoughts, and most devastating, made-up scenarios. She took a mental note to address the issue with him later. 

“That’s too far away!” Complained the little girl. 

Tossing the bedsheets to one side, she turned to her dad and rested her head in his chest. Blocking his view of the book. Callum sighed. “It’s just a month, sweetheart,” he stroked her hair. “Plus he’ll bring you a present from his adventures with Zym.” 

“And Aunt Aanya?” 

“We will see her in December too.”

Selene pouted. Callum moved his hand to her arm, making small circles. “I know a spell that can make time pass faster.” The expression of awe on her face almost made him laugh. “It’s called sleeping! It consists of closing your eyes, thinking about the best part of your day, and just like that, time will slip like water.” 

“It’s very effective,” Rayla nodded. “C’mon, try it.” 

Without doubting, she closed her eyes, still resting most of her small body in Callum’s torso. Rayla distinguished the purest of smiles on her face as her breath went even. Callum passed her the book, and she put it on the nightstand before carefully inching closer to her daughter and husband. 

She kissed Callum’s cheek. “‘Night, love,” she whispered. 

“I love you,” he whispered back. 

Her heartbeat fluttered like it so often did when she was with him. “Love you too.” 

As promised, they reunited with Ezran and the others in December to spend the holidays together. 

They did everything in their power to keep the little ones, including Janai’s and Amaya’s two daughters, happy and oblivious of the fact that by this date, next year, everything would be beyond different.

“Dad, look!” Selene held out a drawing she spent the whole afternoon doing in front of Callum. He along with Rayla were cuddling on the sofa watching her come and go for colors. 

“It’s amazing, Selene,” he congratulated her. 

From what he could tell, the drawing was supposed to be everyone at the Banther lodge, some people were cooking, others near to what appeared to be a river, and many figures were just scattered around. Though he had to admit the patience she had to change the watercolors for every person was impressive.

“Do you think someday I’m gonna draw like you?” She flickered, making a pout. 

At his side, Rayla giggled. “I think you’re gonna be even better.” 

Callum nodded. He grabbed her by her middle and he carried her so she could rest over him and Rayla. It took a bit of organization to find a comfortable position. Once they did, Selene distracted herself by grabbing their hands and counting their fingers. 

She had this silly logic of putting one of her fingers after Rayla’s last so she could have five fingers too. It made both adults smile and delight at her concentration when trying to find the best position for the finger. 

A while after, small yawns were escaping her lips. Even with all the buzzing around her, the toddler fell asleep between her parents. 

Callum took in a breath, hoping the movement wouldn't wake her. Contrary to them, she was a heavy sleeper. Yet it was better to prevent her from waking up crying. His body turned slightly to Rayla. 

Her gaze was set on the ceiling. An arm over her forehead. 

“Are you okay?” Callum whispered. 

Rayla inhaled a shaky breath. “Do you ever wish we could stay in one moment?” Her eyes met his, and he felt himself melting from the inside. 

He would do anything for her. 

“All the time,” he answered. “Too bad there isn’t any spell for that.” 

Rayla’s lips twitched, not quite forming a smile. 

“Hey, hey, hey,” Soren called behind the sofa. Before anyone could complain, he showed them the two mugs of hot brown morning potion. “Oh,” he said at the sleeping girl between them. “Do you want me to take her to your room?” 

“I guess it’s not safe to drink something hot with a toddler sleeping between us,” remarked Rayla. 

Soren shook his head. “That’s definitely a bad idea. You know what? I’ll leave the mugs here,” he put them on the middle table. “And I’m gonna take that little girl upstairs so you can enjoy your drink without worries.” 

Callum smiled, “Thank you, Soren.” 

“No problem.” 

They helped him to get Selene into his arms. She didn’t wake up, just made small complaining noises before falling into her deep slumber again.

Rayla reaccommodated herself to be completely flush against Callum’s body. 

“What are you thinking about, mister mage?” She pinched his nose playfully. 

Callum inhaled. “Six years, it’s been six years, Rayla.” 

Oh, she knew where this was going. 

“Callum…” 

“Next year, we won’t be happily celebrating holidays, Aaravos will be out, and I’m… terrified.” 

Rayla sat up in the small space she had so she could look him in the eye. Callum wasn’t joking, just thinking about the star mage had drained some color from his face. 

“I know, Callum, I know.” Rayla rested her forehead against his chest, her ear in the direction of his heart. His beats a melody she would never be tired of hearing. “But you need to trust in yourself. In us. In everything we’ve built and planned.” 

The words were bittersweet in her mouth. Ironic how she was trying to give him the security she didn’t have either. 

 He kissed her hair. “I can’t get it out of my head. What will he do first? Find Claudia? Control me? Set the world on fire?” 

Rayla bit her lip. “ I don’t know, love, but whatever the case, we’ve a plan to cover almost every single variable. If he goes to Claudia? The borders will stay closed, search parties are still looking for her at this very moment. He won’t control you. What about that magic restraining thing you were telling me about last week? And if he sets anything on fire, he’ll give up his location. Zym will get him with our help.” 

At this, his face softened. Perhaps it wasn’t the words that console him exactly, but the fact that they weren't vulnerable to him, not entirely.

It was just a matter of time, and then they’ll be truly free… Or so everyone hoped. 

The countdown in Callum’s head began right after Ez’s birthday. He didn’t want Rayla to notice the way his fingers twitched and pricked every time he was left alone with his thoughts. Therefore, he didn’t want to leave Rayla or Selene alone. They always helped to keep his mind busy, Rayla because her only presence made his heartbeat easy, and Selene because she spent the whole day talking. Nonsense, most of the time, but it was still a good distractor. 

“See you later,” Rayla walked into the living room. She quickly kissed Selene’s forehead and kissed his lips. Though Callum didn’t have time to return the gesture. 

She had a class schedule that day to teach some advanced and cool movements to some of the guards. Which made Callum recall Ethari’s idea to give Rayla a new set of blades for her birthday. 

“Love ya,” she announced before closing the door. 

“Love you too,” he said, even though she didn’t hear. 

Selene climbed up the couch and sat next to him. Resting her head on his arm. Callum smiled. The little one yawned. 

“Do you want to nap?” 

Selene hummed and nodded, her white hair tangled. “Dad, I'm hungry.”

“Right,” he said, carrying her and going into the kitchen. “Let’s see if there’s something for you here.” On the counter, there were some fruits. “Which one do you want?” 

“Mmm,” Selene pondered it for a moment before reaching her hand towards a milk fruit. 

Callum grabbed it and gave it to her. He was delighted to see her happy face as her teeth sank into the fruit, making small bites. Knowing she wouldn’t be full with only fruit, the mage took her to her room and began brushing her hair while she ate. 

It would be better to go eat outside and distract himself than stay in the house and get consumed by his thoughts. His own classes weren’t until nightfall, since it was the moon primal he would be teaching to some kids. Rayla would go with him, and Terry offered to babysit Selene while they were out. 

“Can you braid it like Mum’s?” Selene asked.

The intricate and long braid Rayla had worn lately crossed his mind. He helped her do it, of course, but helping and doing it himself were two different things. 

“I can try,” he smiled. 

Thank the heavens he had such a good memory and had seen Rayla do the braid herself multiple times, so now he could follow the steps ingrained into his mind. 

If his wife could do it in five minutes for Callum, it was almost triple. And the result wasn’t flawless, some strands were way too wavy and couldn’t quite reach the back of Selene’s head to be included in the braid. Yet when his daughter turned her head so she could look at the back of her head, she chittered happily. 

Standing up, she jumped in front of him with excitement. “I love it!” 

A wave of bliss washed over him. It may not be perfect, but she liked it, and that was enough. 

Even as they left the house, the milk fruit was still half-eaten in Selene’s hand. Callum held her free hand to guide her through the streets. Her sticky fingers clutching him tight. Some time ago, Callum figured she liked walking, but not too much the horses that passed through the streets, she was afraid they could run over her since she was small. 

Selene started humming a song with her mouth full, swinging her head from one side to the other. 

Callum grinned. The melody was one of Rayla’s lullabies. He could almost hear her voice singing next to them. 

When the kid swallowed, she took the milfruit to her mouth, ready to give it another bite, when a slender, caped figure passed at her side. Neither reacted fast enough to prevent one of the strangers’ legs from collapsing with Selene’s arm, and the impact made her drop the fruit. 

She cried out, not from physical pain but for her fruit now covered in dirt. Her small hands covered her mouth. Callum bent down at her side and palmed her back.

The stranger heard the sound and turned around. “Oh, I’m so sorry."

Callum looked at her with her cape on and almost all her hair tucked behind, the mage couldn’t tell if he had seen her around the village or if she was new. 

“I’m in a hurry and I didn’t pay attention to this little one,” the stranger knelt down, one of her knuckles brushing over Selene’s cheek. “Oh, but what a cute thing.” 

Callum was about to pull her tight to his side when his daughter herself writhed back and into his arms. 

“Don’t worry,” he said to the stranger. Trying not to melt from the clear display of love and trust Selene just gave him. “It’s alright.” He took her in his arms and stood up, carrying her. 

“No, please, let me make it up to you two,” she rummaged through her bag and opened her palm, three enveloped candies displayed. “I’m sure your wife wouldn’t mind a small treat.”

If the caped woman was already strange and a sense of warning was hammering in his head, the accurate mention of a wife didn’t do much other than continue to alert Callum. 

“As I said, we’re good, thank you.” Without waiting for a response, he continued walking more hurriedly than before. He looked over his shoulder before entering the restaurant to make sure the stranger was gone. 

“Do you know her?” Asked Selene, her eyes fixed on his white strand. 

Callum shook his head. “No, but this is a good opportunity to say that you should never accept candies or anything from a stranger unless someone from the family is with you and tells you it’s okay, alright?” 

Selene nodded. It shouldn’t be difficult, Callum supposed. At least not as difficult as when Ez and he were kids, and daily they received all sorts of delicious gifts that needed to go through a check process to confirm it was safe for the princes to eat. 

And to be honest, since Aaravos almost poisoned him with an apple, he wasn’t that trusting of strangers giving food to anyone. When Terry described Aaravos’s human form and Corvus connected the dots, Callum almost fainted. Who knows what the apple could’ve done. 

“Can I get a strawberry milkshake?” Asked Selene. 

Callum chuckled. “Yes, of course.” They sat down. Selene continued humming Rayla’s melodies, this time also waving her hands over her head. 

By the time Rayla came home, Selene was half asleep, and Callum was getting ready to sneak under the covers at her side. Rayla kissed Selene’s forehead and nuzzled her nose closer to hers. It was a habit she developed with Stella, and it still lived on. 

Then, finally, it was Callum’s turn to greet her. Gently, he pulled her to him by the waist, giving her a peck on the lips. Rayla rested their foreheads together. 

“How did training go?” He asked.

She grunted. “Good, but even after two years, I don’t think they’re ready,” she said, referring to the guards. 

“Hey, don’t be pessimistic. I know no one compares to you,” he kissed the tip of her nose, “but they still received very good training from everyone.”

His wife nodded, yet Callum could sense she wasn’t convinced. “Plus, remember no one should overextend themselves.” 

“Look who says that,” Rayla huffed. Callum raised an eyebrow. Her lilac eyes met his in a more stern look. “You didn’t think I hadn’t noticed the bags under your eyes and how your books are splayed open and scattered through your study every morning after you supposedly close them before sleeping.” 

“That’s oddly specific,” he tried to sound light-hearted to contrast the upset tone in Rayla’s voice. 

“This is serious, Callum. I know you’re worried, but over the last six years and months, you’ve read and discovered everything there was to know about Startouched elves and dark magic.” Her hands wrapped around his arms. “You even unlocked two new arcanums, it won’t make a difference if you stay up all night or not these final four months.” 

Callum evaded her gaze, he wouldn’t be able to stand her pleading eyes. 

“I just want you to be present. I want us to enjoy what we have now, because we don’t know…” Her lips trembled. Both of them knew the possible outcomes of facing Aaravos. 

“I know, I’m sorry, I’ll be more focused on…” 

Rayla hushed him, one finger pressing against his lips, silencing him. “Don’t be sorry, I get where you’re coming from. I told you that because I don’t want you to become obsessed with it.”

His cheek trembled, giving way to a small grin. His lips pressed against Rayla’s. She tilted her head to deepen the act. Callum’s hands cupped her face, and hers played with the back of his hair, forbidding him from pulling apart. 

Suddenly, their room was too small and hot, he felt his pulse quicken, and by the small, hushed pants Rayla was trying to suppress, he could swear hers too. 

“We should ask someone to babysit one of these days,” Callum said breathlessly pulling away. 

Rayla giggled, looking over her shoulder at Selene's closed door across the hallway. “Yeah, we should.” 

September, October, and November all passed like any other year for everyone. Or at least, so did everyone try to pretend. 

It was an unspoken rule. Neither Ezran, Callum, Rayla, Soren, nor anyone ever mentioned Claudia or Aaravos' name unless they were in the assemblies they’d organize to be ready for his return.

Callum’s breakdown got worse as the time ran out. In Katolis Ezran was there to help with Selene, but at others, Rayla needed to deal with Selene by herself, asking about why she woke up and Callum wasn’t there. 

Good thing her husband was starting to learn to control his breathing, not in a sky mage way, but more for relaxation and to ease his mind. Because it wouldn’t help if he couldn’t think straight in the fight against Aaravos. 

Training also started to be more demanding, some guards couldn’t stand it and left, which was understandable. In fact, Corvus predicted something like that might happen, so it didn't matter much, they’ve trained more guards than needed for situations like this. 

In Rayla and Callum's small trips to Katolis, Rayla and Soren made sure Ezran was still confident in using the Nova blade himself in case the main plan failed. To which he replied, sure as ever, and his friends exchanged a worried look before Rayla sighed. 

“Well, then, I guess we should continue training.” 

They reviewed everything they’d taught Ezran over the years about the art of sword fighting. And surprisingly, he was very good compared to Callum. When Callum saw him fight for the first time, he said Ezran had a certain way to move that reminded him of Sarai.

“Are you ready?” Callum asked Rayla, hugging her from behind. 

Rayla sighed. An invisible hand squeezed her throat, forbidding the words to come out. “I don’t know,” her voice was hoarse after crying for what could’ve been hours. 

“Guys?” Ezran called them from behind their door before opening it slightly and peeking over. 

They were in Katolis, arranging the last details of, well, everything.

Breathing in, Rayla passed her palms over her face to erase any tears staining her cheeks. Turning her head to Callum, she did the same, running her thumbs over his cheeks and giving him a soft kiss. 

What they were about to do next wasn’t easy for either of them. But they had to. They ought to. Risking Selene would be selfish, but leaving her didn’t feel right either. 

Hand in hand, Callum and Rayla ventured into Selene’s room. Ezran helped them keep her entertained almost all day so they could prepare for this moment. 

Selene was sitting on the floor, her dolls scattered all around, and Stella, Sneezles, her company, yet when they saw them enter, they went out. Stella hugged Rayla’s ankle in a comforting gesture. 

Selene’s gray eyes opened in something like confusion. Her parents could understand why. They were very careful to almost always present themselves as happy or at peace with her. Of course, she’d seen them upset, but Rayla knew from experience that children could tell when something wasn’t right. 

After all, she was sure she had the same face when her own parents sat her in their living room to tell her they were leaving, and there wasn’t anything she could do to change it. 

The familiarity of it all made her stomach churn. 

I would never do what my parents did! I would never abandon my family!

Oh, her nine-year-old self would be so disappointed right now. 

“Selene, sweetie, can we talk?” Callum took the initiative, and Rayla couldn’t be more grateful since a knot in her throat prevented her from speaking.

The little girl nodded. Climbing to her bed and bringing her favorite aduraburr plushie with her, she sat down, her back against the headboard. Callum squeezed Rayla’s hand and guided her to the bed. Rayla sat down next to Selene, resisting the urge to draw her knees to her chest and continue crying. 

Callum sat in front of Selene. His fingers brushed over her hands. Her eyes widened. “Dad?” Her little voice trembled. “Mum?”

Rayla bit her tongue, suppressing a sob. There was no need to make her cry. Perhaps she would take things differently from how Rayla had.

“We wanted to talk to you about something important,” Callum continued, though less stoic. “You see all the heroes' stories that you read about before bed?”

Selene nodded, eyes moving from one parent to another. 

“Well, your mom and I need to go help the heroes out…” He waited for a moment, wanting to see Selene’s reaction. When she didn’t do much other than tilt her head slightly, he continued. “So we will need to leave,” Callum said cautiously. 

“For some time,” completed Rayla, giving her daughter a reassuring nod. “Then we will come back.” 

Her lilac eyes looked for Callum’s emerald ones, but he didn’t return the gaze. 

“In the meantime, Ethari agreed to take care of you at the Silvergrove. You love being there, right?” 

“Wait, seriously?” Answered Selene. “You’re gonna be in a book?” 

They chuckled. They’d prepared for cries and even disappointment when she understood she was being left behind. Never in a thousand years had Callum or Rayla imagined she would be excited, kind of.

“Not to that extent,” noted her husband. 

Rayla evoked the words her parents told her before leaving. “But we’re helping little ones to have a better future,” she tipped her nose with her finger. Selene giggled. “Once we return, you and everyone will have a happy ending.” 

It was a lie, a white lie, not everyone, no matter what they did, could have a happy ending. They may not have a happy ending if things weren't as they hoped.

Nonetheless, and thanks to the child’s reaction, Rayla felt a pang of courage and confidence overcome the void in her stomach. 

“And I’ll be with grandpa,” Selene concluded. 

Callum and Rayla nodded. 

“But… Why can’t I come with you?” 

And there it was. The most feared question. The question she’d asked Tiadrin and Lain, and that just now the meaning of their answer sank completely in. 

“Because…” 

“One day you’ll have your own adventure!” Callum saved her once again. “You wouldn’t want to spoil it now, right?” 

Rayla played along. “He’s right, in some years you’ll become a hero too, better to reserve all the fun for then.”

Selene seemed to ponder it, but she ultimately found some sense around it. 

Chapter Text

After that, they followed their usual night routine as if they hadn’t just told their daughter they would leave her behind. All the stuff about heroes surely helped. Though in all honesty, neither Rayla nor Callum wanted the life they’d gone through to save the world for their daughter. It was a burden no kid should carry. 

“I really thought she would hate us,” Rayla whispered once they were tucked in.

“Maybe she’s still too small to really wrap her mind around this kind of thing,” reasoned Callum. “You were almost ten when your parents left, old enough to understand the risks and everything it involved. Selene is three, she’s too pure and innocent to think of all the ways it could go wrong.” 

Rayla wanted to argue that point. Nothing should go wrong. They both should make it out alive. 

“Not to mention we’ve taken good care not to mention Aaravos in front of her.” 

Her mind was foggy, between the tiredness of her body and the memories swirling in her mind, all she wanted was to close her eyes and drift off into sleep. 

Rayla inched closer to Callum, cuddling against him. His arms wrapped around her waist. 

“I love you, Callum.” 

Whether he answered or not, Rayla didn’t hear it as the world near her darkened and she fell asleep. 

That same week they were on their way to the Silvergrove. 

While Callum and Rayla took Selene to Ethari, Ezran, Aanya, Soren, and Corvus would go to the Storm Spire to start the preparations with Zym. 

“Ethari!” Selene jumped and stretched her chubby arms towards him. 

Laughing, he lifted her up and kissed her cheek before dedicating a happy-ish smile to the little girl’s parents. 

Ethari ushered them inside. Rayla and Callum went to what had become their room over the years. 

Before departing, Pyrrha offered to take them, but they declined. The journey from Evrkynd to Silvergrove was only a few days, so they decided to make the most of it with Selene. 

Yet they wanted a moment alone. 

Just them. 

Even Stella and Sneezles weren’t in the room.

Because, unsaid as it was, this could be their last moment of peace in who knows how long. 

“Should we unpack?” 

Rayla glared at Callum. “If you want to pack everything again tomorrow… Then yes, go ahead!” 

He rolled his eyes, and she imitated him. “Fair enough, it was a stupid question.” 

Rayla shook her head in agreement. She let herself fall into bed. The mattress sank under her weight. Callum lay at her side. 

Outside, they heard the main door open and Selene screaming Runaan’s name. 

“I’m glad she took things the way she did,” Rayla whispered, cuddling against Callum. 

“Selene is very proud of you… us,” Callum corrected. “She’ll be fine.” 

Because she’ll have you,  he bit his tongue to not complete his phrase and chastised himself. He promised Rayla he was going to be fine. It may seem impossible to keep that promise, but it wasn’t doomed. Callum wasn’t doomed. Not yet, at least. 

To distract himself, he held one of Rayla’s hands and inspected her matrimonial ring that went along with her horn cuffs. They both smiled at the memory of their wedding day. 

“If only that moment could’ve lasted forever.” 

Callum kissed the side of her head. How many times had he thought the same thing? Even right now, he found himself wanting to stay here forever with the love of his life right at his side, remembering their wedding and pretending to be foreign to the fact that tomorrow morning Ezran would go get them, making them leave Selene behind to prepare for the possible end of the world. Again.

“You know,” he said, a glimpse of hope in his voice. “When this is over, we will have a busy schedule.” 

Rayla lifted an eyebrow, her fingers were playing with his.

“Soren and Corvus are already engaged, and knowing Soren, he’ll want the wedding as soon as possible.” The sound of Rayla’s chuckle made him smile instantly. “And it wouldn’t surprise me if in a year or two Ezran and Aanya also start thinking about proposals.” 

It was so weird to think about a year from now. For seven years, Callum wasn't able to see his life past his mid-twenties. Past this moment. Too afraid of what Aaravos meant to his physical integrity. 

“They’re still young,” Rayla argued.

“Hey! We married at twenty and twenty-one.” 

“Because we were sort of in a rush, they’ve all their lives ahead.” Callum conceded her the point. “We should be able to have some free time from one wedding to the other, so maybe we could travel. This time, without any worries of finding anyone or anything, just pure entertainment.”

“We can show Selene the places we already know and discover new ones with her.” 

Rayla nodded, though her cheeks started to burn at the thought that was swirling in her mind. Taking a deep breath, her hands went to rest over her abdomen, and her eyes fixed on Callum’s. “Maybe we could also, you know… Maybe Selene will want a sibling.” 

As she finished saying it, she wanted to be consumed by the moon and never be seen again because of the embarrassment. It wasn’t like they hadn’t talked about it. In fact, pregnancy was a topic they’d discussed once they got back together seven years ago, yet since Selene, it had become a secondary thought.

Callum giggled. “I would love that,” he said, kissing her lips softly to calm her down. Nonetheless, the fact that now he was partially over her didn’t help the cause. He bent down to kiss her softly again. Rayla couldn’t resist the impulse to invade his mouth with her tongue.

Callum chortled again. To gain stability, his hands rested on the mattress at the side of her head. Lowering one, he brushed the slight curve of her waist. A muffled moan left her lips.

However, when the door swung open, he let himself fall at her side. His hands innocently tuck into his chest. Rayla couldn’t help but laugh.

Selene entered running and climbed onto the bed, falling between them, her hands trying to hug them at the same time. 

Following her, Ethari and Runaan peeked into the room. Runaan waved at Callum. 

Rayla’s dads made a signal for her to go with them to the living room. Time to start with the preparations for the battle.

With a sigh, she kissed Callum’s cheek and Selene’s forehead before leaving the room.

“Where’s Mum going?” 

“She’s going to try to convince Ethari to let you have moonberry surprise as breakfast tomorrow,” lied Callum. A white lie. It was easier to let her think that than to actually explain the truth. 

In the kitchen, Ethari reached for Rayla's wrist in case dizziness made her stumble, “Are you okay?”

Setting the mug down on the kitchen counter, she closed her eyes for a second.

“Rayla?” Runaan also reached for her. 

“I’m fine,” she stated. “It’s just stronger than last time.” The earthy taste of the liquid she just drank was still making its way down through her throat. 

“Well, last time it was just a contraceptive method, now it’ll also block your next period.” Runaan gave her a motivating smile. 

Rayla knew how much he hated the last part since it would also affect at least her next two cycles and make it more painful. But it was necessary. It wouldn’t be convenient to have her period while fighting Aaravos. 

“Ready for a last check on your blades?” 

While she and Ethari walked to his workshop, Runaan went to take a bath. Ethari told her he had been outside almost all evening doing who knows what, but in Runaan’s terms, it was a sacred preparation of his own before going off to missions. Rayla faintly remembered she didn’t see him around a day or two before departing for Katolis all those years ago. 

The walk to Ethari’s workshop was silent. Rayla wasn’t sure why Ethari wasn’t trying to make sure she was fine, but she was glad. It was giving her time to organize her own words. 

Ethari opened the door to let her in. Her butterfly blades were resting on one of the shelves. He encouraged her to take them. Somehow, they felt lighter. It could’ve been that she hadn’t used them in a month since she gave them to Ethari to make sure they were perfect for the battle. 

Rayla swung them open and threw them in the air before doing a slish-slash in the air. The movements were swift and the light reflected on the pointy ends, telling her the sharpness was at its highest. 

“I fixed the problem with the hasty movements you detected, it should allow you to be quick and precise,” he explained. 

Rayla smiled, folding her blades. She had the impulse to hang them on her back before remembering her clothes weren’t made for blades. Exhaling, she let them back in the table and walked to her dad. 

Standing on her tiptoes, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. “I promise he’ll return to you, I’ll make sure of that.” 

Ethari patted her back. “I know. It’s not him I’m worried. It’s you.” Rayla pulled away, her brow furrowed. “I know Runaan will return, but so should you, Rayla. We have already lost your parents, we can’t lose you too.” He looked her in the eye. “And now there’s a little one who needs you and Callum’s protection and love.” 

As difficult as it was to admit, Ethari was right. Many years ago, she promised herself she wouldn’t abandon her family, not for anything. She had already screwed up once with Callum, she wouldn’t do the same to their daughter.  

When Rayla woke up, Callum was already gone. Though she found a note on the nightstand.

I’ll be back before Ezran gets here.
I love you both. 

  -Callum.

A yawn escaped her lips before a smile replaced it. Selene stretched in her small bed at the side of the window. “M-mum?” She babbled. 

Gathering enough will, she left the cozy blankets of her bed to cradle Selene in her arms. Rayla still enjoyed holding her, even if she weighed more every day and her legs ended up hanging out, Selene’s giggles and her hands reaching to her hair told her she enjoyed it too. Rayla lifted her up so they were face to face and nuzzled their noses together. Selene laughed, and Rayla did too. 

“Will I get moonberry surprise as breakfast?” Her words muffled together. 

“Yes, but only today, okay?” Selene nodded, her eyes finally opening completely. “Ethari is good and soft, but you’ll also need to be good and not cause too much trouble, agree?” 

“I’ll be the best!” She wrapped her arms around Rayla’s neck. 

Rayla proceeded to change her for the day while listening to her rambles and her nonsense. Sometimes Rayla dared to add her own opinions or ideas, but most of the time she let the little girl live in her own world. 

Fortunately, when it was time to do her hair, she heard Callum return. She fought with herself to keep a smile on her face, even with the knowledge that they’d barely have an hour to be together for the last time in what could be half a week or a month. 

Or forever. 

No. She wouldn’t. She couldn’t think like that.

“Daddy!” Selene ran into Callum’s arms the moment he crossed the door. Rayla paid attention to their gestures as the girl interrogated him about why he wasn’t there when she woke up. 

The way the corner of his eyes wrinkled thanks to his smile, the defined yet slight muscles of his arms twitching as he carried her, and the gleam of his eyes when he looked at her. 

This was their family. Maybe not all of it —Ethari, Runaan, Ezran, Soren, and many others that weren’t in the moment— but a very important part.

Rayla used their daughter-father moment to get ready. Ezran could arrive at any minute, and she was still in pajamas. 

She skimmed through her closet, pretending not to know what she was gonna wear. Until her eyes landed on a box at the bottom of the closet, her hands shook a little when she kneeled to open it. 

The breath caught in her throat. It wasn’t the first time she watched the clothes, she’d seen them the same day Zym gave them to her years ago. 

The silver symbol in the center of the armor shimmered when the sun hit it. 

The Last Dragonguard. 

Wearing the uniform for the first time was heavy and lighter at the same time. 

The armor was the lightest one Rayla had ever worn, it didn’t add any extra weight, which allowed her to be as agile and graceful as always. She supposed it was thanks to the use of magic. 

The heavy part was the invisible poundage it still put on her shoulders. The weight of making things right, of honoring her parents' names.

She couldn’t resist a few tears framing her cheeks as she looked herself in the bathroom mirror. 

White locks of hair falling all the way to her waist, except from her bangs that were cut to frame her face. Outside, she caught her dads kissing, Rayla cleared her throat. 

“Are you ready?” Ethari was already changed as well as Runaan, who had returned at who knows what hour but was ready to depart again. 

It amazed her the willingness of the two men to be up this early only because she’d asked them to do one thing. 

“I am,” she said. 

Back in the bathroom, Runaan held the dagger close to her hair, but not enough to cut. Now that Ethari had finished brushing it, they were trying to decide the perfect length so it would still be considered long but suitable and easy to put in a braid or bun, and it wouldn’t cause any trouble in fighting. 

Runaan proposed cutting it similar to her mother’s. Rayla immediately said no and excused herself, stating she wanted to keep it long. It wasn’t a lie, but the truth was more than that. She already looked a lot like her it made her insides churn at the thought of her deceased parents, because it turns out that after almost 8 years, she did need them. 

When they died, really died, after the fiasco of the quasar diamonds, Rayla was mostly at peace. Of course, she cried and felt like a part of her heart had been ripped out of her. Nonetheless, it was true she didn’t need them at the time. She needed Runaan and Ethari. It had been a long time since she had ever needed Tiadrin and Lain. 

Until a wee baby popped up in her life, along with many questions about her own life. Some of them her adoptive parents could answer, but some others they couldn’t. Like, what did Tiadrin feel when she found out she was gonna be a mother? Rayla had clear knowledge that she wasn’t planned hence why they left her. Was she scared of screwing up like Rayla was? What about forgiveness? Did Tiadrin think Rayla would forgive her once they came back from the Spire? Had she and Lain ever regretted going away?

Many doubts flooded her mind, doubts that had accumulated over the past years, along with new ones. 

It was blurry between her mind and reality that she was barely conscious when her dads were done with her hair. At the end, it was a few inches past the shoulders. 

She inhaled. Really, it wasn’t much of an appearance difference, yet her head felt lighter. Like some of the weight the uniform put on her had been removed. Silly thoughts, but what could she expect after spending so many years with Callum and his poetry books?

Rayla turned round and threw her arms over her dad’s shoulders, pulling them into a hug. A quiet sob betrayed Ethari. Rayla hugged him tighter, hiding her face in the crook of his neck and shoulder. 

They all were thinking about the same thing. Many times, Ethari and Runaan noticed how much Rayla resembled Tiadrin and Lain, either physically or in mannerisms or in character. Snarky like her mother, but funny like her dad. 

Wiping her tears, Rayla returned to her room. Callum was brushing Selene’s hair.

“You look beautiful, mum,” said Selene making her smile. “What does that mean?” She pointed to the seal in the middle of the armor. 

Sitting on the bed’s edge, Rayla’s mind unfolded with a million things ready to erupt out of her mouth and answer that question. To finally do something she’d told herself she would do someday. 

“The seal belongs to the Dragonguard, who are elven warriors chosen to protect the dragon King and Queen.” Her eyes met Selene’s through the mirror's reflection. “Your grandparents, Tiadrin and Lain, used to be part of it.” 

Selene’s small, rosy lips formed an 'O '. “They were heroes!” 

Rayla giggled. “Sure, they were.” Standing up, she took a hair ring and passed it to Callum so he could secure the small braid he had done in their daughter’s hair. Rayla started to do the other side. “Thanks to them we had the opportunity to start over, humans and elves.” 

Without demurring much on details, Rayla told her about Tiadrin and Lain. The way her dad would encourage her to do mischiefs like sneaking up candies at insane hours, or playing pranks in Runaan, and her mum would teach her how to handle a sword and laugh at how flustered Runaan was every time he fell for hers and Lain’s tricks.

It was surprising the way she still had stories left to tell after she finished doing the braid. Rayla had known her parents for barely a decade, and with that little time, they made sure she remembered them.

It would never compare to all the stories involving Runaan and Ethari or Callum and Ezran, but it was something. Blurry as they were, those memories were still there, hovering her mind. Tiadrin and Lain were still there.

“They sound fun,” Selene said, inspecting her hair in the mirror. Each braid had small differences reflecting fragments of Callum and Rayla’s different personalities. “Did they teach you to  do braids?”

Rayla shook her head. “That was Ethari, actually.” 

A knock on the door made her blood run faster. “Rayla, Callum?” Runaan called them. “Ezran is here.” 

At her side Callum took in a shaky breath before his eyes met hers, flickering with something she couldn’t quite tell what it was. Perhaps love for their family mixed with the dreadful uncertainty of not knowing if they would have this back. 

In the living room, Ezran had a mug warming his hands, and Ethari was packing fruits in a bag. 

Rayla’s eyes prickled with tears. She restrained them and instead looked at her husband, holding their daughter in his arms. 

Everything would be fine. 

Everything needed to be fine.

Ez’s lips formed a soft smile. Holding the mug with one hand, he waved with the other. 

“Ready?” Gulping a sip of tea, he spared a quick glance toward Selene. The girl had her face hidden in the crook of Callum’s neck and shoulder. Rayla noticed Runaan walking to Ethari.

“As ready as we can be,” Callum answered, padding his daughter’s back. Selene pulled away, letting everyone see her teary eyes. 

Her heart broke, and Callum’s semblance darkened. Rayla walked to them, her thumb caressing Selene’s cheek. “We love you.” She kissed her forehead, and the girl swooned into the touch.

“And we’re gonna miss you,” added Callum, resting their foreheads together.

Sniffling, she answered: “I love you and I’m gonna miss you too.”

Refusing to leave Callum’s arms she pointed towards Ezran. Obviously wanting to say goodbye to him too, even if she was more used to not seeing him all the time. Rayla went to her dads, wanting to enjoy a last moment with them both.

“I made something.” One of Selene's hands took three small papers out of her pocket and extended two of them to the brothers. Callum’s paper depicted him, Rayla and Selene, from an artistic perspective, the drawing wasn’t outstanding or spectacular or even good. Yet from a dad’s perspective, it was the cutest, most beautiful drawing he had ever received. “For you and mum, I draw us. For Uncle Ez it’s him and Aunt Aanya. And…” Her eyes landed on the three moonshadows. “I made this one with grandads!” 

Hearing her, they broke the hug they were having with Rayla to go see what their granddaughter wanted. 

“It’s beautiful, Selene,” complimented Runaan with the softest tone Callum ever heard come out of his mouth. “Thank you so much little one,” his hand messed with her hair, not a lot, but enough to make her laugh. 

The sound reverberated through him, sticking close to his heart. After another tearful round of goodbyes, it was finally time for them to walk out the door.

For Rayla it was as if the floor burned with every step she took that led her away from her daughter. Ezran and Callum lead the way. While Runaan stayed a few steps behind with her, holding her hand. He, more than anyone there, knew how much this broke her. She was doing what she swore she would never do.

Great skies, he had been there the day she threw the tantrum about why she would never do this very same thing. 

Her gaze darted to her dad’s strong, calloused hand enveloping hers, making her feel like a child again while also thinking that her own daughter must still be holding Ethari’s hand in the same way she was holding Runaan’s. 

On the outskirts of the forest, Zym was waiting for them. The morning sun dazzled her as she tried to look up to the king of the dragons. He was already big, and by what they knew about arch-dragons, he wasn’t his full size yet. Most probably nobody there would live to see him full-grown. Another thing that stung her. 

“Hey, Zym,” Callum caught his attention. 

Zym lowered his head to be almost at their level. “Oh, hi,” he greeted them cheerfully. “Rayla!” His eyes landed on her. “I’m glad to see that the armor suits you.” 

A small smile curved her lips. “Yes, thank you, Zym.” She pet him and he leaned into her touch, thoughtful not to let himself go, he knew he wasn’t a baby anymore and their friends couldn’t quite hold his weight. 

They hop on, Zym’s white fur was long and thin. In his head, Rayla noticed a braid woven into it. She looked at Ezran knowingly, since she’d taught him that in Moonshadow culture braids were kind of a great deal he had been weaving Zym’s and Aanya’s hair often. 

A gush of cold air made her flush as they took off and started soaring through the sky. 

Runaan left her side when Callum approached her. “Ez says we will be in the Spire before sundown.” He took her hand and gave her a comforting smile, though his eyes reflected her sadness. “It’s gonna be alright, we need to trust.” 

Callum planned to cuddle with Rayla and focus on her comforting presence to keep the nightmares at bay. Well, for starters, he couldn't even conceal sleep. He just couldn’t. The build-up of what was to happen in a few days kept him giddy, and some hitched breaths from Rayla kept him alert in case she woke up after a nightmare. 

Yet when his legs started to get sore and his butt hurt from being sat down for who-knows-how many hours, he walked up to the front. There, Ezran was playing with Stella and Bait. His little brother looked up to Callum, and then his eyes darted to Rayla. 

“She really couldn’t be a morning person even if her life depended on it, can she?” Ez teased. 

Callum chuckled, more humorless than he would’ve liked. “Rayla’s been working hard on not letting this affect her. But we know it does. Her parents left her, she swore to never do that, and now she has done just that.” He sighed and sat down next to Ezran. “And I feel so helpless. I can’t do much to comfort her, because every time I open my mouth to say something like ‘Everything’s gonna be fine,’ it feels like a lie. I don’t know if I’m gonna be back,” he whispered the last part, he didn't want to worry Ezran too.

There was a moment of silence, where the only sounds were the wind around them and the flap of Zym’s wings. Callum noticed Ezran struggling to form a proper response and immediately felt guilty. He shouldn’t have yapped to his brother about this. 

An apology was forming in his mouth when, in a whispery tone, Zym spoke, “That’s rough, buddy.” 

Callum’s mind stopped working for a moment. Now he didn’t know what to say either. The silence this time was broken by Ezran chuckling at Zym’s words. 

“Anyhow,” Ezran looked him in the eye, his face turned stoic and deadly serious in the span of a few seconds. “I know it’s difficult for you two to talk about what could go wrong. But I promise you, Callum, that whatever happens, if anything should happen at all,” his voice trembled. “I promise I'll do anything I can to help you.” 

His heart throbbed in his ribcage. It felt like a lifetime ago the days when Rayla was the one in charge of taking care of them.

“You and Rayla are strong, but you can use help from time to time,” Ez added. 

Though he didn’t respond, Callum couldn’t agree more. 

As promised, they arrived at the Spire even before the sun started to set. Everyone who was already there took a pause in their preparations to greet them before going into battle mode once again. It felt like stepping into a dream, or rather a nightmare, the heaviness of what was going on weighed on everyone’s shoulders. 

Each knew what they had to do, but no one knew if they were gonna be here next week. 

Overcoming tiredness, and after settling in the room that they’d been assigned. Rayla was needed in the training hall to ensure the seven warriors chosen to be part of the new Dragonguard were present and ready. 

She expected them to be chatting and catching up with one another, but when she entered the room, they were lined up. All of them, with a soft smile on their faces, made a small bow in a display of respect.

One of them, Zafir, stepped forward. “Master Rayla, we thank you for all the time you’ve given to make sure we were ready for this fight. We promise we won’t disappoint you.” 

Then, Leo did the same. “We are gonna keep the dragon king safe.” 

Another one, “We will make sure a brighter future for the world is secured.” 

“We will not dishonor the last dragon guard.”

“Our lives for peace,” said the other two in unison. 

A shiver ran down her spine. Rayla wanted to feel proud, but all she felt was the horrible sensation of déjà vu, many, many years in the past. 

My breath for freedom…

My eyes for truth…

My strength for honor…

My blood for justice… 

My heart… for Xadia. 

Rayla lowered her head before looking at her apprentices. “Thank you. All of that was very kind. But, I want to make one thing clear: I do not want you, any of you, to risk your life recklessly. I want you to remember in every second of the upcoming battle that you’re alive.” She started pacing, looking each of them in the eye. “Your life matters. Someone is waiting for you at home. I want you to stay alive for those you love.” 

Letting the words set in, she thought about Callum. He should be here. Listening to that, taking it in, and reflecting upon it. 

Her students nodded slightly. She noticed some teary eyes and how the tension left their shoulders. Over time, she had learned that when you have someone to go back to, you fight even harder than when you think you’re on your own. She hoped they realized that too. 

The rest of the evening was use to unpack and let everyone catch up with their peers. 

At dinner, Ezran recited the schedule for the upcoming days, which mainly consisted of training. Either physical or magical. 

After waiting for seven years, a week seemed to pass in a blink. The days were gone way too quickly, and time was slipping like sand through fingers. 

Ezran groaned, his hands running through his head and messing with his curls. “I don’t know what else to put in here.” 

Callum and Rayla looked at the very full page in his hands. “I think it looks fine,” said Callum. 

“Yeah, you’re good at this, Ez, I’m sure the speech is good,” granted Rayla. 

Ezran shrugged. “Anything else you want to add?” 

After wanting to pull Rayla’s and Callum’s hair for hours, Ezran finally wrote a speech that felt comfortable for all three of them. He was used to speaking in public, and even if Callum got nervous from time to time, it was one of the “princely” things as he called it, that he was good at. In Rayla’s case, it wasn’t her favorite activity, yet she wasn’t afraid of speaking up and encouraging people to fight and do the right thing, so Ezran was ninety-nine percent sure the last meeting before Aaravos would be reassuring to everyone. 

Their friends and the people who volunteered to fight with them gathered in the main room of the Storm Spire. Unlike they had expected, the atmosphere was full of chattering and some laughs here and there. It was a good sign that everyone seemed hopeful in these last hours of utter peace. As soon as the clock hit midnight, the world could face its end once more. Or at least, their world would.

Ezran cleared his throat. It wasn’t necessary anymore for him to stand in the dragon-sized bottom. Much to Rayla’s dismay, he was finally taller than she.

“First of all, I want to thank every single person who is here tonight, because whatever role you’re playing in the upcoming hours, each of you is an important part of the path for victory and freedom.” 

“When this is over, none of us will ever have to worry ourselves with the return of a mage that has caused nothing but pain and violence,” Callum continued. “We will be able to live our lives as we please. And we will be able to achieve this thanks to the courageous people who are assembled here.”

Taking a deep breath, Rayla took a step forward. “It’s been almost ten years since humans, elves, and dragons all worked together to help keep Azymondias safe. We’ve accomplished amazing things together. Overcoming the hatred that once divided us. Nowadays, Aaravos is a threat to the whole world, it won’t be an easy battle, but we’ve given everything to be ready, and we have a chance.” 

Some expressions transformed from fear to determination and hope.

“We can change things, we can build a better future and make a difference,” Ezran stated. Seconds later a wave of clapping and encouraging shouting flooded the room. 

In that moment, he could swear they were gonna defeat Aaravos. 

Chapter Text

Elves and humans alike flew off into the horizon, either with an animal companion that helped them soar through the sky or by their own wings. Some of them Callum’s and Rayla’s students. Some others were guards that have been loyal to Katolis’ royal family since King Harrow. And some others that got to them by their own means. 

Yet all of them had the same target: Find Claudia, stop Aaravos and secure a future for everyone.

Corvus and Terry had gone too. Corvus’s tracking abilities would come in handy, and Terry could do a final try of finding Claudia before it was too late. Because this time, no soldier would spare her. 

Meanwhile, most of their friends stayed in the Spire. Watching to make sure everything was in place. 

The air felt heavy as Rayla entered hers and Callum’s room. Her husband was sitting on the edge of the bed, his hands clutching a sheet of paper. She sat beside him and ran her hand over his, noticing the strength with which he was clutching the paper. 

“Shouldn’t you be with Zym?” He asked as calmly as he could muster. 

Rayla chuckled. “Zym’s fine. But there’s a certain mage around here that isn’t.” She rested her head on his shoulder. “Don’t even try to deny it.”

He exhaled. “Ray, you know you shouldn’t be here, it isn’t part of the plan. What if Aaravos controls me?” 

“Then I’m gonna be here to help you against him,” she reassured, cocking her head to kiss his cheek. “Besides, this is your plan.” 

He raised an eyebrow. 

“You were the one who confined yourself to the room.” Her hands caressed his cheek, making him meet her gaze. “No one’s afraid of you being controlled by Aaravos. We want to help, Callum. I know it isn’t easy, but you can’t cut everyone out. We need you.” 

Callum sighed, reluctantly taking his eyes off her and to the crumpled paper in his hands. “I need you to do something for me in case anything happens…”

“Callum,” she said cautiously. 

“Give this to Selene,” he extended the folded paper. “I know we already left her a letter, but… please.” 

Rayla’s eyes closed, pondering his request. “I’m gonna take it, but you’ll see I’m gonna return it to you next weekend.” Contrary to her words, her heart squeezed when her hands took the letter. 

After that, the day outside the Spire seemed rather peaceful. The sun shone bright and the earth was calm, foreign to the chaos Aaravos would be bringing. 

At sundown, when Callum’s anxiety was starting to peek again, Rayla proposed also going on the lookout for Aaravos. In case news arrived at the Spire, they would return immediately to face the threat together. 

Rayla guided the gryphon through the sky, directed to the sea of the castout. Callum’s arms were tensely wrapped around her waist. 

Yet again, Rayla wanted to say something encouraging, but she knew nothing could hype up the somber atmosphere around them. Perhaps if Selene were there she could say something silly, with that imagination of hers, and make Callum smile at least. 

Right as her mind pictured the moment, Callum’s breath grazed her neck, difficult to distinguish from the air. “What are you thinking about?” 

“Selene.” 

“Oh," he scratched the back of his head. "How are you doing with that?” 

Shrugging, she answered, “She’s safe and didn’t seem angry when we left, that’s all that matters, I guess. Though I've also been thinking how different my reaction was when my parents left.” 

“You were older than her when it happened, able to understand more, she’s still small and naive. All she knows are heroes and great adventures.” Callum reasoned, one of his hands going to her hair and pulling a longer bang strand behind her ear. 

Rayla couldn’t help but agree, especially recalling how she’d thought her parents had ditched her for an egg, for somebody else’s child. 

The salty air of the ocean made her skin prickle with anticipation, making any further thoughts about her past vanish. 

This could be it. 

They could descend from the sky, search the beach, and find him. Or perhaps being a star touch elf would allow him to stand in the water. 

Callum’s breath hitched behind her. “No. It was a bad idea. What if Aaravos controls me?” He spurted out. “I-I won’t be able to stop it, and I don’t want to hurt you.” 

If it wasn’t because Rayla had heard that same speech countless times over the past years, she wouldn’t have understood a word because of how fast he said them. She pulled the reins, making the gryphon slow down but not stop. 

“I’m sorry, Rayla, I was insisting on us coming here just to back down now.” 

Rayla rolled her eyes. “Calm down, dummy. Either way, we would’ve needed to go out and look for Aaravos sooner or later.”

“But if he-“ 

“He’s not gonna control you if he doesn’t see you, right?” 

There wasn’t a way to completely prove that theory, but it was better than giving up to what could be senseless fear. 

“We can just overfly the island and check that everything’s in order. Then we’ll head back to the Spire and everything will be fine.” 

Bitting down his protest, Callum agreed, his heart still beating at an unnatural rhythm. Though Rayla didn’t want to admit it, she was terrified. Mainly because Callum was right, if Aaravos attempted to control him and achieve it, what would she do? 

She couldn't hurt him. It was a silent promise she’d made years ago. For her own survival, she wouldn’t do it. It would be selfish to take his life just for her sake. Yet when the whole world was involved, Rayla didn’t have a choice. Fortunately, it was just the two of them right now, so it wouldn’t come to that. 

Taking a deep breath, they descended enough to watch between the trees and vegetation. 

Callum’s staff and her blades suddenly felt heavy. Her ears were perked up for any sign of disturbance, hands ready to snap to her back and take her weapon. Her pulse made her skin prickle as she prayed for her lover's well-being.  

“Do you notice anything?” Asked her husband behind her. Rayla shook her head. “We still can’t let our guard down.” 

“I know, love.” Her voice was as gentle as she could muster, anxiety was also cracking her up. 

Silencing all the ‘what-ifs’ in her mind was taking conscious effort and a toll on her attention, making them more vulnerable to whoever was out there. 

“You know what? I’m gonna cast a spell to tell us if something’s here,” Callum said, his fingers twitching in anticipation. 

Rayla’s mouth hung open. Why haven’t they thought about that before? It would’ve saved a lot of time. Their heads had really been running backwards lately, the opposite of what they needed.

One of his hands left her waist to trace the rune. “Sol inimicos revelare,” he chanted. The yellowish glow of the sun primal caught her eyes before an ethereal glow fell on the island below them. 

A few seconds passed. Rayla looked at him over her shoulder. 

“They aren’t here,” he said, and his wife couldn’t tell whether he was relaxed or upset saying that. 

“How can you tell?” She inquired softly. 

“It’s a sun primal spell. If the persons I thought about while casting it were here when the spell fell, a small golden trail should’ve guided us to them.” This time Rayla could tell his usual excited tone while explaining magic thingys was gone. 

“Then we should return to the Spire, see if anyone has any news.” 

The stars, Aaravos’ stars, had aligned that day at midnight, they’d all see it, so it was a fact he was back in Xadia. The question was where he was hiding. 

Their luck didn’t improve when they arrived. Worried glances from their close ones greeted Callum. He looked at Ezran, and his little brother shook his head, that was enough to tell him that Aaravos was still free and no one knew his location. He was probably planning the best way to torture him. 

Callum spared a look at Rayla, who was talking with Runaan in a hushed tone. In another moment, he would’ve been curious to know what they were saying, but right now he was more worried about not being possessed. He was concerned about Rayla too, she ought to be safe, not risk herself recklessly.  

If there was anything Aaravos could threaten him with, it was her. But she could also be the one to doom the archmage's plans. Last time she almost did. 

“Aanya and I are going to check on the Nexus,” said Ezran, catching everyone’s attention. 

The moment of silence was interrupted by Zym’s big paws announcing his presence. “You should take Soren or Rayla with you, Ez.” He eyed the sword resting against the king’s hip. 

Sighing, Ez nodded and turned to his friends. Rayla was beside her dad, her brow slightly furrowed, while Soren and Corvus’ hands were tightly intertwined. He didn’t want to separate any of them from their loved ones.

Ezran knew Zym made the proposition because they knew even after all the training, he had never actually hurt anyone with anything, really. So as Rayla described one day, he could panic and end up giving up. Having her or Soren there would be their backup. In case he couldn’t do it, they could. 

Yet… “It’s fine, we can manage on our own.” He looked at Rayla. “You just came back from a mission and probably need some rest, and….” His eyes darted to Soren. “Someone needs to stay in case anything happens.”

“Ez, can we talk?” Callum asked. 

His brow furrowed, but he nodded. They were a team, however it felt like his brother and Rayla had their own plans, which, being fair, was understandable. They both wanted the other to make it out alive at any cost, even their own lives. Which contradicted what the other wanted to achieve, making everything rather impossible and so confusing.

Callum guided him away from their friends. “You need to take Rayla with you.” 

“Wha-? Why?” 

“It’s a win-win, in case Aaravos controls me, she won’t be here to witness it.” His head was down as if he wasn’t proud of saying it, “and in case you find him, I won’t be there, she’ll be able to fight without worries.” 

Ezran shook his head. “Rayla didn’t seem happy about the prospect of leaving you. And really think it through.  She would blame herself if something were to happen to you.” 

“That’s where I need your help.” Callum’s hands settled on his shoulders. “In case anything happens, I need you to…”

“Make sure Rayla’s fine,” he completed, sighing. “You can count on me to be there for Rayla.” Ez wrapped his arms around Callum, “and Selene. I need you to promise me you’ll do anything you can to stay alive.”

He felt the slow rise and fall of his chest as he answered. “I’ll do my best.”

Ezran walked back to their friends, preparing himself to convince Rayla to go with him. “Since all the Dragon Guards you’ve trained will remain here with Zym, why don’t you come with us, Rayla?” 

She looked between him and Callum. “Did he put you up to this?” She pointed at her husband. 

“No-“ he was cut short by Callum taking her hands into his. 

He could only hear them whispering, and whatever Callum was saying to her seemed to work. Her shoulders fell and her posture faltered, and she nodded. 

Phyrra offered to take them to the Nexus, stopping briefly in Evrkynd to ensure the barrier Callum cast over the city was doing okay. During the travel, Ez noticed Rayla was more silent than normal, not even pressuring them to go faster or teasing him and Aanya, she was just sitting behind him, admiring the sky. 

“It’s gonna be fine,” he said. 

Rayla smirked. “We all have been saying that, but no one seems to actually believe it.” 

“We need to. For everyone that believes in us,” Ez waited for her reaction, but he got none. “For Selene, she has faith in you for a reason.” 

“Ez is right,” agreed Aanya. “We need to believe that all we’ve been working on for the last years will pay off.” 

Rayla pondered the words. Seven years might have been nothing for Aaravos, but for them, it allowed them to figure out how to make another pearl, this time safer than the previous one. Mainly because the quasar diamonds had been used, at least two out of three. Yet her worries persisted, because if they got time for planning, so did Claudia. 

As soon as the nexus came into view, her eyes scanned the area. Some patrols they’d send were also overflying the place.

It was both a good and a bad thing. Good because it meant Aaravos wasn’t there, so the Nexus was safe. Bad because it meant he was free, and nobody knew where to find him. 

Aanya let out a heavy breath. “We should talk to Lujanne, see if she has any information or a way to locate him.” 

They descended to the forest, the cold winter breeze warmer as they reached land. Every crack of a branch or flutter of wings startled her. In the Sea of the Castout, she’d been equally paranoid but better at hiding it, and no one paid her any mind as Callum was too busy being paranoid himself. Here, she noticed the young couple giving her worried looks from time to time. She tried not to take it personally. 

“Aanya, Ezran, Rayla,” greeted Lujanne, letting them into the temple. Many books were floating, something Rayla didn’t know moonshadow magic could do. “I was expecting you would stop by. Is Callum alright?” She looked over their shoulders. 

“Yes, he’s in the Storm Spire,” answered Ez. “We haven’t had any signal from Aaravos, so we thought maybe we should come to see everything’s in order.” 

“And ask if you could help us locate him,” added Aanya. 

“Yeah, yeah, of course. Nothing has happened yet. But as you already may know, a Startouched elf can choose where to appear when their stars align, that is, if the elf chooses to reappear at all.” They nodded. A naive flicker of hope that maybe Aaravos had let his hatred die and remain in the stars made its way to Rayla’s mind even though she knew better than that. 

“I’ve been researching, and the only way to track him without using any dark magic would be to perform a moon spell,” continued Lujanne, “that’s why I asked about Callum. The spell requires a quasar diamond and a full moon. The magic of the diamond will connect to the scene of Aaravos, and the moon influence is because it is the primal nearest to the stars.” 

Rayla hummed, “You’ve the quasar diamond, remember? Why would you need Callum?” 

Lujanne made something like a scowl, and Ezran was about to apologize for Rayla’s tone when the mage spoke, “Because the moon won’t be full for the next three days, I figured none of you want to wait, so I’ll cast a spell to simulate it while your mage casts the actual spell.” 

“Okay, then, we should call everyone to gather here, cast the spell, and follow the trail to Aaravos together. He may be powerful but he can’t fight against an entire army while also trying to avoid being put back into a pearl,” Rayla sentenced. 

“Right,” Aanya said.

“Lujanne, do you have the arrows?” 

The moon mage nodded and guided the young king to one of the shelves, where five arrows rested. Callum enchanted them years ago, so when the moment came, they would deliver a message to him in a matter of minutes. Every guard that they’d send off in the look of Aaravos carried two of them to keep in touch with him, Rayla, or Ezran. 

Back in the day, it had been a lot of work. From Ethari crafting them to Callum enchanting them with the right spells for them to be fast and efficient. Still, they were oddly similar to the one that once announced Harrow’s death. It made a shiver run down Ezran's spine every time he saw them. 

“I need to go out to send it, it’ll be faster if it’s sent from up in the sky.” 

Ezran spared a glance at where Aanya and Rayla were talking, apparently, his girlfriend was trying to calm his sister-in-law down. 

“Go with them,” Lujanne said. “I’ll let you know when it’s done. Rayla seems to be extra moody today.” 

Chuckling, he answered, “She isn’t very happy about having to leave her daughter behind, or Callum at the Spire for that matter. In the last twenty-four hours, I’ve only seen her go soft with Callum.” 

“Understandable. I do think she could use more company.” She patted his shoulder and left the place with an arrow in hand. 

“…If you don’t,” he heard Aanya’s last words.

“I’m trying to, but it’s kinda difficult to be nice when the world is in danger,” Rayla answered, crossing her arms over her chest and looking at Ez. He gave her a soft smile. 

“Now we have a way to locate Aaravos, and using the quasar diamond will also give him his only chance to get back.” He hoped the news would put her in a better mood. 

She breathed out.

“It’s a matter of hours before we can return to our lives.” He hoped Rayla couldn’t notice the tremble of his voice. For her to believe that Callum would be okay, he needed to give her the impression that he believed that too. It should be easy if the words of Aaravos seven years ago didn’t echo through his mind. 

The Nova Blade was weighing more and more with every moment. His veins pumped hard against his skin with the anticipation and terror of knowing how close they’d been to losing his brother before and how easy they could find themselves in the same position in a matter of hours. 

He wanted to ask Rayla if she would actually do it. Kill Callum. But he was too afraid to even picture the scene. Besides, Rayla would probably be upset at the topic. Ezran didn’t want to put more weight on her shoulders. 

As Soren would say: They would do what needed to be done. And nothing more. 

“Why don’t we train just for a bit?” Proposed Aanya, “I think it could help you take out the stress.” 

“And I would feel better to have one more practice too,” Ezran’s fingers graced the blade’s handle. 

The three went out to the small training thing Allen built for Soren and him to spear that had quickly turned into a training space for everyone. 

While Ez adjusted his armor, Rayla and Aanya did a quick warm-up. Rayla bit her tongue to not tell the king that those little details could be dangerous in battle. He needed to be always ready. Aaravos wouldn’t give him a moment to prepare. 

“Why don’t you two start sparing and I’ll shoot arrows around? It’ll serve as a concentration exercise,” proposed Aanya. 

Rayla was glad Aanya was sticking around more often. She was really helpful in many ways, either in battle or just to take Ezran’s mind off things sometimes. They remembered each other they were still teenagers and therefore needed to experience more than just politics and war. 

Ezran unsheathed the blade, the silver contrasting with the gold of his armor. Behind him, he heard Aanya climbing a nearby tree, and he watched Rayla swiftly pull her blades from her back. At first, she was very present in his trainings along with Soren during the years she left his tutoring all up to Soren, until this last week, when she started training with them again, while she also trained the new Dragon Guard.  

He took his stance, one foot behind the other, as Soren always taught him. He knew he needed to be the first one to attack, that Rayla was waiting for him. She wouldn’t make a move until he did. Yet he waited until the first arrow hit the spot between them. Although he leaned forward, he didn’t move the sword, very conscious that it wasn’t a wooden one and that he could actually hurt his friend. 

Rayla didn’t even flinch, instead, she moved forward. Another arrow hit the ground. Unlike Ez, she was better at knowing she could control the blades enough to never hurt even a hair of him, which also made her more confident and deliberate with her movements. She took his wrist and tried to yank him forward, but his stance was firm. They ignored the sound of one sharp arrow end flying overhead. 

“What would you do now if it were Aaravos or Claudia?” Rayla asked, knowing he wasn’t going to do it now but wanting to make sure he would know what to do if necessary. 

Ezran cringed at the mention of Claudia. He was mostly fine with ‘killing’ Aaravos as a last resort, but Claudia? Yet it wasn’t the time for moral debates with Rayla. He moved the hand holding the sword forward, indicating he would do a stab, but not daring to say it out loud. Rayla let his hand go. 

She gave him less than fifteen seconds to recover before she tried another attack. This time, one of her blades slashing through the air close to his side. Ez was about to grab her wrist just as she did before, but in a smooth movement, she launched forward, folding her other blade and making her shoulder impact his. When another arrow fell close, he lost his balance for half a second, but was sure it could’ve cost his life if it were a real battle. 

Regaining focus, he took Rayla’s shoulder and let himself fall onto the ground, pulling her with him. Knowing she could easily make her way out, he also wrapped his legs around her left one like Selene often did when she wanted dessert for breakfast and Rayla said no. 

The movement took her by surprise, judging by the small yell she let out. Taking advantage, Ezran turned them on the ground so it was her back against the grass. He was careful of the point of the sword, dangerously resting way too near to Rayla’s leg. 

“Well played,” she admitted. 

He couldn’t help but look up to Aanya. A big grin on her face made him blush. 

Callum fidgeted. The bed was too big and cold without Rayla or Selene lying at his side. It was stupid to feel lonely when he was the one to ask Ezran to literally take Rayla away from him just because he didn’t feel safe enough to be her safe place. 

Yet he longed for the moment when she would return and they could hug again to let some of the concerns about Aaravos and mind control slip away. 

Perhaps he could use the time to catch up on sleep. The last few nights he wasn’t able to sleep past vigil, his mind always running with fear and unable to stop picturing how life would go on without him. 

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts. Groaning, he stood up and opened it to find Soren standing outside, clutching a piece of paper in his hands. 

Callum raised an eyebrow, panic stung his chest. “Is everything alright?” 

“Don’t panic,” he said as if he read Callum’s mind. “Rayla and Ezran may have found a way to track Aaravos. We need to meet them at the Nexus as soon as possible.” 

Soren gave him the letter. The first thing Callum noticed was that it wasn’t written by Ezran or Rayla, but Lujanne. 

At the bottom of the paper was a small note for him. 

P.S: Rayla is all moody, so Callum better hurry up because I’m not willing to deal with her bad mood all alone. 

A small smirk crossed his face at that. He should’ve known Rayla would be upset about not being there to protect him, but this was the way he was protecting her. 

“I’ll go look for Runaan, and then we can all go.” 

“Great, Corvus is already preparing Zym and the others.”

Callum walked out. Soren still didn’t move. “Is there something else?” 

“I was just wondering if you need anything? I know it’s a bit rougher for you than for any of us, soo…”

Callum felt the urge to contradict him. He was fairly sure it was just as hard for Soren, at least when it came to Claudia. Years passed before Terry gave up the hope of redemption for her, and though everyone suspected he wasn’t completely convinced, at least he didn’t insist on not killing her and assuring her safety. But Soren was a different case… Whenever Claudia’s name came up, his posture got tense, and he just seemed absent, never saying a word regarding her unless it was completely necessary. 

“Thank you, Soren. I think I’ll be better once this is over, so as Lujanne said, we'd better hurry.” Soren’s smile wavered, and Callum pulled him into a hug, letting some tears wet his cheeks. “I'll tell Runaan and we'll meet you outside.” 

Runaan’s room was down the hall. He knocked. “Runaan?” 

“Come in, Callum.” 

Runaan was sitting in front of his desk, seemingly writing something. 

“For Ethari?” Callum wondered, peaking over his shoulder. 

“And for Selene, but yes, mostly for Ethari.” He folded the letter.

Callum smiled at the mention of his daughter. “We got news from Rayla and Ez.” That picked up his attention. “Lujanne may have find a way to locate Aaravos so we need to go help as soon as possible because, in Lujanne’s words, ‘Rayla is moody and no one knows how to deal with her’.” He did his best impression of a Moonshadow accent that only earned him a roll of eyes from Runaan. 

He wrote something down. “It was obvious she would be upset at least when you very obviously sent her away.” 

“It was for the best. You wouldn’t want her to be here in case Aaravos controlled me, would you?” 

Runaan inhaled deeply as if he was preparing to give him a well-deserved piece of advice. “How are you so certain it’s gonna happen?” 

“Because it has to happen. Aaravos won’t waste an opportunity to take us down. It’s just a matter of time, and I don’t want her to witness that,” he confessed. 

Standing up, Runaan rested a hand on his shoulder.

Callum lowered his head. “I just… the past years my dreams are rather nightmares where he controls me and I do terrible things in front of Rayla or even sometimes he forces me to… " He couldn't even say it out loud. Attack her. Hurt her. Kill her. "I’ve the powers of the thing she still fears the most, you know?” 

“Rayla has improved thanks to you. She isn’t as afraid of water as she once was. You played a big part in that,” He pointed to his chest. “You were the one encouraging her to take small steps toward that. She’s still afraid, of course, trauma isn’t something that just goes away, she would rather avoid it if she can, but she gets nearer to rivers and isn’t taking five-minute showers because she thinks she’s gonna drown.” 

Callum chuckled. “Yeah, she takes her time showering now. Even uses the bathtub more frequently and agrees to play with Selene during her bath time.” 

“See? You helped her overcome her fear as much as possible. Let her do the same for you.”

Callum needed a moment to process what Runaan said. A small smile appeared on his lips, a genuine one for what it’s worth. “Now if you put it that way…” He shrugged. Runaan returned the smile. 

“We should get going, Rayla will be beaming when she sees you.” He patted his shoulder and grabbed a bag he apparently already had prepared. “While you pack your stuff, I’ll send the letter.” 

“So you already had everything in there?” 

Runaan shrugged. “You never know when you’ll need to get out quickly.” 

Fair enough, Callum thought as he walked to the door. “Runaan,” he caught his father-in-law attention. “Thank you, really.” 

He shook his hand, dismissing the gesture. “No need, Callum. I’m just doing what every dad would do, I’m trying to guarantee my daughter’s happiness, and that involves you for the most part.”

Warmth rushed through him. His view of Runaan had molded during the years from the assassin who killed his dad, to the man who had loved and raised Rayla for years, someone Callum grew fond of.