Page 213 of The Ascended
"The boat capsized," Amara said, barely containing her laughter, "and our future Prince of Death was found hanging upside down from a willow branch, tangled in fishing line, with not a single fish to show for his trouble."
The room erupted in laughter, including Xül, who shook his head in mock resignation. "The fish were clearly conspiring against me."
"Of course they were, dear." Nuri patted his knee consolingly. "Nothing to do with your complete lack of skill."
Watching him like this—laughing, teasing, fully at ease—he was a completely different person from the cold, calculating immortal I knew in Voldaris. Here, surrounded by family, he was simply Xül.
The game began, with Teller explaining the rules as we played. I picked it up quickly, much to his chagrin when I captured three of his tokens in succession.
"She's a natural!" Layla exclaimed, clapping her hands.
"Beginner's luck," Teller grumbled good-naturedly.
"Or perhaps your cheating techniques are too obvious," Xül suggested, earning himself a playful swat from Teller.
As the hour grew late, family members gradually excused themselves—Layla to check on her baby, Amara to prepare for an early morning journey to a neighboring village, the twins finally succumbing to their mother's insistence that they'd stayed up far past their bedtime.
“We’re going to bed. You should show Thais to her room,” Nuri suggested, stifling a yawn.
With that, they bid us goodnight and disappeared into their respective rooms, leaving Xül and me alone in the dimly lit space.
"Sleep well, starling," he said as he guided me down the corridor.
"You too," I replied, lingering in the doorway. There seemed to be more to say, but neither of us found the words. Part of me wanted to reach for him, to pull him into my room and continue to live in the dream this village so effortlessly weaved around us, where we could forget consequences and responsibilities. The other part knew that would only complicate things further, blur lines that were already dangerously indistinct.
With a final nod, he turned and entered his room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
The guest room was small but comfortable, with a narrow bed covered in colorful woven blankets, a small table with a basin of water, and a window that looked out over one of the smaller canals. I washed my face, changed into the simple sleeping shift that had been left folded on the bed, and extinguished the lamp.
But sleep eluded me. I paced the small room, my mind churning with the events of the day—Heron's ominous warning about Thatcher, this unexpected glimpse into Xül's other life, the memory of his touch that I couldn't seem to shake no matter how hard I tried.
I moved to the window, pushing it open to let in the night air. The village was quiet now, most windows dark, the only sound the gentle lapping of water against the canal walls.
From this place of peace, the Trials seemed like a distant nightmare—Voldaris, the Bone Spire, the constant danger all felt like another life. Here, I could almost imagine a different path, a different future.
But that future wasn't mine to claim. I had responsibilities, oaths, a brother whose fate hung in the balance. And Xül... Xül had duties I couldn't begin to comprehend. Things he wouldn’t tell me.
I traced my fingers along the windowsill, feelingthe worn wood smooth beneath my touch. It was one thing to want his body—thatI had already admitted to myself when I'd practically begged for his touch. But this... this was different. Dangerous. This felt like wanting parts of him I had no right to claim.
I turned away from tempting dreams that could never be mine, and forced myself to lie down. As I drifted toward sleep, I found myself hoping that Xül would bring me here again someday—to this place where, for a brief moment, we could both pretend we were something other than what fate had made us.
Chapter 51
Submersion
Morning broughtwith it the sounds of a household already in motion—children's laughter, the clatter of cookware, voices raised in conversation. I woke slowly, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar room before remembering where I was. Sunlight streamed through the window I'd left open, carrying with it the scent of fresh bread and flowering vines.
Eventually, I rose and dressed, splashing water on my face from the basin before venturing out to join the household. The main room was already bustling with activity—breakfast preparations in full swing, children darting between adults, conversations flowing in that musical language I couldn't understand.
"Ah, she wakes!" Teller called out when he spotted me, raising a steaming mug in greeting. "We thought you might sleep the day away."
"Sorry," I said, suddenly self-conscious. "I didn't realize?—"
"He's teasing," Amara said, appearing at my side with a warm mug that she pressed into my hands. "The morning is still young. Drink. It will clearyour head."
The drink was fragrant and slightly sweet, with unfamiliar spices that tingled pleasantly on my tongue.
"Where's Xül?" I asked, trying to sound casual as I scanned the room.
