Nova’s Departure, Mia’s Moment
Every eye was on her.
Without speaking first, she rose with elegant poise, smoothing her robe over the folds, straightening the fabric with absent-minded fingers. Her composed demeanor had the room in gentle suspense.
"I must leave," she said, adjusting her collar with precise care. "I have to supervise the arrangements for my return to Blackthorn."
A silence dropped over the group. Even the soft creak of the wind through the shutters died away.
"Sister Nova... won’t you come with us?" Rias asked, standing as a faint glimmer of emotion tinged her voice.
Nova’s lips curved into a small, warm smile. "Sister Rias, I’d love nothing more. But as ruler of Blackthorn, my duties can’t be delayed. A royal decree calls me home. Once the war ends... we’ll all live together, properly. Right, Leon?"
Leon stepped forward beside her, meeting her eyes with quiet understanding. He already knew she couldn’t stay—but knowing didn’t soften the ache of goodbye. "Yes," he murmured. "We’ll be together again soon."
The moment lingered, tender and bittersweet.
Then Syra moved without hesitation. Her arms wrapped firmly around Nova, the strength of a warrior softened by emotion. Nova stood still for a second, caught off guard—before she let herself relax into the embrace.
"I’ll miss you, Sister," Syra whispered against her shoulder.
A tiny exhalation slipped from Nova’s lips. Her face relaxed. She hugged back with the best of her heart. It wasn’t a goodbye, only—a bond, silent and profound.
"I’ll miss you too, sister," Nova replied softly, voice unshaken, even as her eyes glistened.
Kyra trailed behind, arms sliding around Nova in a soft, steady hug. Then Cynthia. Then Aria. Then Rias. Every hug was tight, with a mixture of affection and respect that only women who had brawled together—and shared the same man—could achieve.
When Mia moved forward, she hesitated.
Nova made the first move this time.
Stepping closer, she leaned in and whispered softly, her breath hot against Mia’s ear. "The next time we meet, please... have the guts to talk to him. I want to be able to call you sister in truth."
Mia blinked a little, surprised—but something in Nova’s tone managed to penetrate her defenses.
She nodded slowly, her uncertainty dissipating. Then she leaned forward and hugged Nova gently. Nova set her hand on the small of Mia’s back, a steady comfort.
"Next time we see each other," she breathed, her voice firm but loving, "you better be brave enough to become my official sister. Don’t run anymore."
Mia stood stock-still at first—but after a long, silent breath, she nodded once, the tiniest, most heartfelt nod she could manage. Her lips opened, as though words were about to spill out—but instead, she let her honesty shine in her eyes.
Leon moved forward then, his eyes soft as they fell on Nova. "Before you leave," he murmured, "I have something for you."
Nova blinked, a flicker of surprise flashing in her green eyes. "What’s this?"
He raised a hand slowly, grazing his knuckles across her cheek with a caress so soft it made her gasp for breath. "A gift," he said, his voice low and intimate. "Something to make the space between us seem closer... so we can converse whenever we please."
Nova leaned her head to one side, her brows furrowing slightly. Her eyes were scanning his face, obviously perplexed by his statement. "What do you mean?"
Leon’s lips curled into a gentle smile. He drew his hand from her cheek, fingers outlining the curve of her jaw, then down to press gently onto her waist. In a single smooth movement, he drew her nearer, his other hand rising to rest at the nape of her head. Foreheads pressed together, for an instant the world fell silent around them.
Then my fingers were like a cage. A golden glow shimmered between them—warm and throbbing with unspoken power. The Seal of the Lover. The light breathed, alive with feeling, and he touched it gently to her forehead, at the very point of her brow.
.A soft gasp escaped Nova as a thrill raced down her spine. Her lashes fluttered. "What... was that?"
Leon’s voice was steady, soothing. "A telepathic bond. Between you and me.
Her brows drew together, still unsure. "Telepathic?"
He chuckled lightly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "You’ll hear my voice. Even when I’m far away. No matter the distance... I’ll always be with you."
Nova blinked, still trying to understand. It felt unreal. Her heart was beating too fast, her breath shallow.
Leon leaned in a little closer, smile playing on his lips. "Try it."
Her eyes widened as his voice echoed—clear and steady—inside her mind.
Her lips parted in stunned silence. Then, hesitantly, she closed her eyes and reached out through the new link, her thoughts a gentle whisper. "Leon?"
Her eyes flew open, filled with awe. "You... really—"
Leon nodded. "I’ve already linked with the others. Now, even if I’m on the battlefield or a world away, we’ll still feel each other."
Emotion rose in Nova’s chest like a tide. She stepped into him and wrapped her arms around his torso, burying her face against his chest.
"Thank you," she whispered. "I don’t feel so... disconnected now."
His arms closed around her, holding her with warmth and quiet strength. "You’ll never be disconnected from my heart, my wifey," he said, his voice thick with meaning.
Nova blushed, her mouth twitching into a gentle smile. Although she nodded, she didn’t release him immediately—her arms hesitated a moment longer, as if snatching one final memory to carry away.
At last, she backed away. Her eyes traveled over the other women—Leon’s wives, her sisters in love and bond. "Be good to our husband."
"We will," they replied in unison, their voices one and serious.
Leon reached out again, covering her face with his hands. He said nothing. No words were necessary. He leaned forward and kissed her—slowly and deep, his lips speaking more than he ever could in words. Love, vow, yearning.
Nova dissolved into the kiss, her hands lightly against his chest. And when she withdrew, she smiled at him again.
"Until we meet again."
He nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Until then."
She turned, her feet steady but weighed down by emotion. She moved towards the door, her form disappearing into the shadow of the hallway. The maids closed the doors softly behind her a moment later.
Silence covered the room like a warm veil.
Leon let out a breath, raking his hair, eyes fixed on where she had just been.
But before he was able to organize his thoughts, he heard the gentle sound of footsteps approaching.
She entered the silent room before him, her figure relaxed but solemn. "Lord Leon," she spoke softly.
He turned to face her, his face softening with quiet curiosity.
The others, attuned to the moment, stepped back respectfully, giving her room.
Leon’s eyes met hers. "Mia?"
She breathed slowly and drew closer. Her voice shook, but only a little. "There’s something I want to tell you—"
And as morning’s first light streamed in through the high windows, filling the room with a warm yellow light, she stood before the man she had served... and fallen for.