Page 46 of Tempest Awakening

With Valen's presence fading, I stepped back, immediately missing Ciaran's warmth. The tension in my shoulders eased,and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Ciaran's silver eyes studied me intently, a slight frown creasing his brow. The concern in his gaze made my heart skip a beat.

"The pendant," he said, his voice low and urgent. "Why didn't it protect you from his compulsion earlier? It should have."

I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden change in topic. "The pendant?" I echoed, my hand instinctively reaching for the cool metal resting against my collarbone. "I... I don't understand. What do you mean it should have protected me?"

Ciaran's eyes widened slightly. "You mean you're not wearing it?" He glanced at my neck, as if confirming its absence. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture that seemed uncharacteristically frustrated for the usually composed Fae. "Where is it now? Please tell me you didn't leave it somewhere unsafe."

Heat crept into my cheeks, partly from embarrassment and partly from Ciaran's proximity as he leaned in to examine my neck. "I... I put it back in the box," I admitted sheepishly. "It doesn't belong to me. It felt wrong to keep something so valuable, let alone wear it every day."

Ciaran's expression softened, but he shook his head. "Tempest, the library gave it to you. It chose you. And it can't protect you if you don't wear it."

As if on cue, the shelves around us began to shift and ripple like putty. I gasped, stepping closer to Ciaran instinctively. But as quickly as it had started, the movement stopped. There, nestled between two ancient tomes, sat the small wooden box containing the pendant.

Ciaran raised an eyebrow. "Well, it seems the library is reinforcing its opinion on this matter. It clearly wants you to have it."

I reached out hesitantly and took the box. As I held it, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. Why would the library respond to me like this?

I was no one special, just a random human who had stumbled into Drakehaven by sheer luck. There were countless other Supes here, powerful beings who had spent their entire lives in this magical world. Yet the library chose to interact with me?

What if this was all some kind of mistake? What if I wasn't meant to be here at all, and this was just a fluke? But then again, the library itself seemed to be telling me otherwise.

Pushing aside my doubts, I looked up at Ciaran, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. "What exactly is it?" I asked, running my fingers over the intricate carvings. "You said it would protect me, but how?"

Ciaran's expression turned thoughtful, his silver eyes holding mine. "I'm not entirely certain of all its capabilities," he admitted. "But if it's what I think it is, it contains the essence of a dragon."

My eyes widened. "A dragon? But how—"

"The fire you experienced when you first touched it," he explained, "that allowed you to access the Flameborn Lore. And dragons, among their many remarkable traits, are impervious to vampire compulsion."

I opened the box, gazing at the fire opal nestled within. Its depths seemed alive with flickering flames. "Are there other things it can do?"

A small smile played at the corners of Ciaran's mouth. "I suspect we've only scratched the surface of its abilities. But for now," he gently took the pendant from the box and held it out to me, "let's focus on keeping you safe from Valen and his ilk. The library has made its choice clear. Will you accept its gift?"

"Fine, I'll wear it," I said, my voice coming out breathier than I intended. "But only if you share that cake with me." I winced internally at my awkward attempt at negotiation, heat rising to my cheeks. Where had that come from?

Ciaran's eyes darkened, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Cake for protection? That seems like a fair trade," he said, his voice low and smooth. "I'll gladly share the cake if you'll allow me to put this on you."

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Ciaran stepped closer, the pendant dangling from his fingers. "Turn around," he murmured, the words more of a caress than a command.

I complied, my breath catching as I felt the heat of his body behind me. His hand brushed my shoulder. "Hold up your hair for me," he instructed softly.

With trembling fingers, I gathered my hair, exposing the nape of my neck. I could feel Ciaran's gaze on my skin, and goosebumps erupted along my arms.

He moved closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth radiating from his chest. The pendant's chain whispered against my collarbone as he brought it around my neck. His fingers, warm and sure, brushed against my skin as he fastened the clasp, lingering perhaps a moment longer than necessary.

Then, to my surprise, I felt the soft press of his lips at the nape of my neck. A jolt of electricity sparked from that point ofcontact, racing through my body. His breath tickled my ear as he murmured, "There. It suits you perfectly."

I let my hair fall, turning slowly to face him. "Thank you," I whispered, my hand instinctively reaching for the pendant. As my fingers touched the warm stone, I realized I couldn't see it.

Ciaran's brow furrowed, his eyes fixed on my neck. "Tempest," he said slowly, "where's the pendant?"

Confused, I looked down, expecting to see the fire opal nestled against my skin. But there was nothing there. I could feel its weight, the warmth of it against my chest, but it was invisible.

"I can feel it," I said, bewildered. "But I can't see it."

Ciaran's eyes widened slightly. "Fascinating," he breathed. "It seems the pendant has its own form of protection. It's become invisible to anyone but you." He reached out, his hand hovering near my collarbone. "May I?"

I nodded, my breath catching in my throat as his fingers neared my skin. When he touched the spot where the pendant should be, a shiver ran through me. His fingers were warm, gentle, and the contact sent a jolt of electricity through my body. I felt my heart rate quicken, and heat rushed to my cheeks.

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