Page 62 of Eternal Thorns

“Your key literally creates heart-shaped light patterns when you look at him.” Kai's grin widened. “The forest itself is basically throwing you a magical engagement party. Own it, my friend.”

The twilight flowers seemed to pulse in agreement, their light taking on suspiciously romantic patterns. Even the shadow entity appeared to retreat in defeat, unable to compete with such determined matchmaking.

“I hate all of you,” Thorne declared, but his crown of branches caught light in a way that suggested otherwise.

“No you don't.” Kai settled against a nearby tree. “You love that someone's finally calling out how adorably smitten you bothare. Now, please continue with your magical courting ritual. I'll just be over here taking notes for the eventual wedding speech.”

But his teasing held genuine affection. Through all the strangeness of their situation, some things remained constant - including best friends who knew exactly when to lighten heavy moments with perfectly timed humor.

The grove's magic settled into contentment around them, accepting Kai's presence as part of this new harmony being built between realms. After all, some connections needed witnesses to appreciate their full beauty.

Even if those witnesses were absolutely going to tease them about it forever.

21

LOVE AND FEAR

The sacred grove hummed with their combined magic, twilight flowers turning their faces toward them like eager audiences. He should have been focusing on proper instruction, on maintaining safe distance.

But he found himself cataloging every detail of how Silas's brow furrowed in concentration, how his hands moved with unconscious grace through the patterns.

“The resonance needs to flow naturally,” Thorne explained, moving closer to adjust Silas's form. The moment their hands touched, silver sparks danced between them. “Forest magic wants to harmonize, but you have to listen for its patterns rather than imposing your own.”

Their magical signatures merged with dangerous ease, creating resonances far stronger than any simple teaching exercise should produce.

“Like this?” Silas asked, completing the gesture.

“Yes, exactly like-” Thorne's words cut off as their combined power surged unexpectedly. What should have been a basic illumination spell erupted into something far more profound.

Silver-gold light exploded through the grove, transforming everything it touched. The twilight flowers evolved years in moments, their ethereal blooms expanding and multiplying until the ground disappeared beneath carpets of luminous petals. Ancient trees shifted and grew, branches reaching toward each other to form naturally occurring archways. Even the protective wards responded, ancient symbols flaring to life along bark and stone.

He found himself drawing Silas closer, enchanted by how perfectly their powers flowed together.

Darkness gathered at the grove's edges, feeding on the very harmony it sought to corrupt. Thorne felt its hunger sharpen, its strength growing with each pulse of their combined magic.

“We should stop,” Thorne said, even as his traitor heart rebelled against the idea. “This level of resonance is dangerous.”

But Silas's fingers tightened around his, gray eyes meeting ancient green with startling intensity. “Or maybe this is exactly what we're supposed to be doing. Creating something new instead of maintaining old barriers.”

The Elder Willow's presence brushed Thorne's consciousness like autumn leaves. “He's not wrong,” she said softly. “Though the shadow entity grows stronger with your connection, so too does the potential for genuine healing.”

Thorne wanted to argue, to insist on maintaining safer distance. But watching Silas work so naturally with forest magic, seeing the pure joy their shared power created, made those cautious instincts feel hollow. The grove itself seemed to agree, responding to their combined presence with unprecedented vigor. New growth sprouted wherever their magic touched, ancient powers awakening after centuries of dormancy.

“Your magic is changing color,” Briar observed from her watchful perch.

Indeed, Thorne's usual silver had taken on warmer gold tones where it merged with Silas's power. Even his crown caught the light differently.

“The whole forest feels it,” a deep voice rumbled as Rowan materialized from a nearby oak.

“Silas, this is Rowan,” Thorne said, unable to keep the fondness from his voice. “My oldest friend and occasional conscience. He's been calling me out on my bullshit for about six centuries now.”

Rowan's moss armor clinked softly as he bowed, a gesture that managed to be both formal and slightly teasing. “Seven centuries, actually. And someone has to keep this dramatic fool from brooding himself into eternal winter.” His ancient eyes studied their joined hands with obvious approval. “Though it seems you're doing a far better job of that than I ever managed.”

“Rowan,” Thorne warned, but his friend just grinned.

“What? I'm simply observing how this resonance between you is affecting everything.” Rowan's expression softened. “It's good to see you like this again, old friend.”

Silas looked between them, clearly catching the weight of unspoken history. “Seven centuries?”

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