Page 76 of The Blood Moon Oath

I smile at him softly, something shifting between us. “Would you mind using your powers to dress me?” I ask, almost playfully.

His brows furrow, and he looks incredulously at me. “You never want me to use my powers for things like this.”

I smile wider. “Maybe things are changing for me.MaybeI want to see what you can do.”

A small, almost imperceptible smile tugs at his lips as he stands taller. With a wave of his hand, my clothes materialize—a set of something practical but beautiful, comfortable for training yet flattering in ways I didn’t expect.

The fabric shimmers briefly as it forms, the deep forest green of the tunic catching the light in a way that almost feels alive. It’s soft but strong, like something woven from the finest threads, hugging my form without being too tight, giving me just enough freedom to move. The long sleeves gather at my wrists, but the material is light, not restricting my movements. A dark leather belt cinches at my waist, the buckle simple but elegant, adding a touch of ruggedness to the outfit.

The pants are a perfect fit—fitted but stretchy, designed for agility. The deep brown leather knee-high boots complete the look, their soles thick enough for endurance but flexible enough to let me run or kick without hesitation.

It’s a perfect balance of practicality and beauty, something that feels both strong and feminine without trying too hard. The way it moves with me, the way it feels against my skin, makes me feel powerful and yet somehow... graceful.

I look down at the outfit, seeing how the colors complement each other—green and brown, earthy tones that ground me, make me feel rooted. There’s nothing too extravagantabout it, but there’s an understated elegance, the kind of beauty that doesn’t need to scream for attention. It’s just...there, in the way it fits, in the way it allows me to beme.

I glance up at Kael, my heart fluttering just a little as I take in his expression. His gaze is steady, his eyes tracing the outfit with something I can’t quite place. When he meets my eyes again, there’s that almost smile, the faintest hint of approval that makes me feel like I’m finally seeing him in a different way too.

I look down at it, surprised, before looking back up at him. “I love it,” I whisper, the words coming out without thought.

Kael is actually smiling now, not with his usual cocky grin, but a softer version that shows more of him than I’ve seen before.

“Good,” he murmurs. “Let’s go. Finn’s waiting for us."

Chapter

Thirty-Nine

KAEL

We walk side by side down the long hallway from Sable’s chambers to Finn’s. The quiet is almost suffocating, and every step feels heavier than the last, weighed down by the tension in the air between us. I can feel her next to me, her presence there so vivid it almost overwhelms me. The way the fabric of her new outfit fits her—damn. I can’t help but glance at her, trying to push back the heat rising in my chest.

The clothes I made for her cling to her in all the right ways—practical but still showing off her form, making it hard to keep my focus. The way the green tunic falls over her body, the brown leather at her waist, the way she moves in it—it’s like she was made for it. Made for this. Made forme.

I feel a flicker of excitement coming from her, mixed with that underlying current of something I haven’t been able to pinpoint. She’s excited for what’s coming, but there’ssomething else there too. I feel it in our bond, a depth that was never there before. And damn, it’sunlockingsomething in me.

I want to tell her. I want to let her in. Let her see the side of me I’ve only ever shown my brothers. It’s strange—unnerving, even. But in the best way. Because, despite myself, I want her to understand me. I want her to know the part of me I’ve kept locked away for so long. Maybe Torin’s right—maybe this womancanhelp me. Not that I need help, though.

She catches me staring, and I quickly look away, swallowing the knot in my throat. The truth is, she’s so genuine. So real. And I’m starting to wonder if I’ve been lying to myself all this time, telling myself that I can keep everything at a distance. That I’m better off alone, detached from everyone else.

But with Sable? I feel like I don’t want to be alone anymore.

We arrive at Finn’s chambers, and I immediately sense the energy barrier that’s set up. The hum of it is faint but unmistakable, pulsing just beyond the door. The markings on the floor are intricate, ancient runes that I immediately recognize. They pulse with a kind of power that only comes from deep, ancient bloodlines. Finn's bloodline.

I stand there for a moment, letting my eyes trace the designs. The intricacies of these runes are impressive—far beyond anything most warlocks can manage. Runes like these are passed down through family lines, etched into the very bones of a family’s history. Finn’s family must have had this knowledge for generations. It’s one of the things I’ve always admired about him—his mastery over magic, his connection to something far older than even the oldest warlocks.

I respect his choice not to return to his old life, while still mourning the knowledge and power he has yet to gain from it.

As we enter, I see Finn waiting by the center of the room. He looks up from his work and gives us a brief, steady nod.

“Come in, Sable,” Finn says, his voice calm and measured, like he’s already in the zone, prepared for whatever comes next. “I’ve set up a few things for us to test. I need to know what we’re working with.”

Sable looks at me for reassurance, her gaze shifting from Finn to me, and for a moment, I’m caught off guard. That look in her eyes—trust. It’s a soft thing, a vulnerable thing, but it’s there. And italmostbreaks me. The idea that she’s looking to me for answers, that she’s trusting me...

I give her a small nod, trying to keep my voice steady as I meet her gaze. “You’re fine, little huntress. Just do as Finn says, and everything will be fine.”

She hesitates for a split second but then steps forward, crossing the threshold into the room where the runes are etched into the floor, glowing softly in the dim light. I can’t help but watch her—watch the way she moves, the way she takes each step, even in the face of the unknown.

She’s stronger than I gave her credit for.

---