A Night of Trust

The night had settled in, the soft glow of the lanterns casting long shadows across the dorm room. Eogan sat at the edge of his bed, his fingers tracing the edges of a parchment as he stared into the dim light. Lorcan sat nearby, his own work forgotten for the moment, looking between Eogan and the small form of Neala, who was perched quietly on a shelf, watching them both with curious eyes.

It had been hours since they had settled into their room for the night, the usual comfort of silence between them weighed down by something unspoken. Eogan had been quiet, lost in his thoughts, trying to figure out how to say what had been pressing against him like a storm. He knew the time had come to tell Lorcan the truth—the truth that weighed so heavily on his soul—but he wasn't quite ready. Not yet.

Instead, he shifted in his seat, forcing himself to focus on something else. Anything else.

"Hey, Lorcan," Eogan began, his voice quieter than usual. "I've been meaning to ask you—how's Neala doing? I noticed she's been a little more... on edge since we got here."

Lorcan blinked, a little surprised by the sudden change in subject. He glanced at Neala, who, sensing her name, flitted down from her perch and landed softly on his shoulder. The little imp chirped and nuzzled against his neck, clearly seeking attention.

"I don't know," Lorcan said slowly, gently stroking Neala's back. "She's been a little more nervous, I guess. I think she's still adjusting to everything, the academy, the new environment." He looked up at Eogan, concern in his eyes. "I think she's scared, but I can't figure out exactly what's bothering her."

Leanan, a playful wind sprite, was sitting on Eogan's knee, her translucent wings shimmering in the faint light of the room. The cool, calming breeze she carried made the air feel fresher, even in the stuffy room. Her small form swayed gently in the motion of the wind, and she spoke softly, her voice like a whisper carried on a breeze. "She feels your unease, Lorcan. Imp bonds are subtle but strong. She'll pick up on every shift in your mood, every breath you take. If you're anxious, she'll be anxious."

Eogan gave a small, almost imperceptible sigh and leaned back against his headboard, his thoughts wandering. "Leanan's right," he added. "Neala is connected to you in ways you may not fully understand yet. If she feels anything from you—fear, tension, uncertainty—it'll reflect in her."

Lorcan frowned slightly, his brow furrowing. "You think people will cause trouble for her?" he asked, a note of protectiveness slipping into his voice.

"Not everyone is as accepting as you are," Leanan warned, her tone grave. "There are those who might see her as a threat. You need to be careful, Lorcan. Keep her safe."

Eogan nodded, his voice steady, though his eyes were distant as if seeing something far beyond the room. "Keep her close, and if you ever feel threatened, don't hesitate to take her somewhere safe. You're her tamer, Lorcan. That bond you have... it's the most important thing. Ensure she always knows you're there for her, even when things seem... uncertain."

Lorcan's expression softened as he looked down at Neala, whose tiny wings fluttered softly as she nuzzled closer to his neck. "I'll do that," he said quietly. "I won't let anything happen to her. I promise."

Leanan's soft laugh echoed in the room. "Good, because she's not like other creatures. Don't forget that, Lorcan. You'll need to stay alert, just like Eogan does."

Eogan smiled faintly, but something in his gaze spoke of a deeper burden, something he wasn't yet ready to share. "Good. Just... remember she's not like other creatures, even though she might seem small and harmless. She's more powerful than you realize."

Lorcan nodded, but his curiosity lingered, sensing that Eogan was still holding something back. "Thanks for the advice. But... Eogan, you've been acting strange lately. You've been so distant. Is something else going on?"

Leanan's voice dropped, soft but knowing. "He's hiding something, Lorcan. There's more to Eogan than he's letting on. But that's his story to tell. Don't push him."

Eogan's heart stuttered, and for a brief moment, he felt the familiar pressure in his chest, like an anchor pulling him deeper into the storm of his thoughts. He couldn't do it yet. He wasn't ready.

Instead, he forced himself to smile, though it was thin and fragile. "I'm fine," he said, his voice more convincing than he felt. "Just a little tired, I guess. This place... it's a lot to take in."

Lorcan didn't look convinced, but he let the matter drop, his gaze moving between Eogan and Neala. A moment of silence stretched between them, neither of them knowing how to bridge the gap that had suddenly formed.

Finally, Eogan spoke again, his voice quieter now, as if weighing his next words carefully. "Lorcan, I need you to understand something. There's... there's something I haven't told you. Something I've been keeping to myself for a long time."

Lorcan's expression shifted, sensing the gravity in Eogan's tone. He looked at him, eyes wide, waiting for him to continue.

"You need to listen closely, Lorcan," Leanan's voice suddenly interrupted, the seriousness in her tone unmistakable. "Eogan isn't just another student here. He's been carrying this for a long time."

Eogan hesitated, his mind racing, the words coming slower than he wanted. "I wasn't always like this. I wasn't always human."

Lorcan's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Leanan's voice carried a weight of sorrow, as if she, too, had been burdened by the truth. "Eogan was once a fey lord, Lorcan. Not just anyone, but Fergus Mor—the Lord of Monsters. He wielded power beyond what you can even imagine. He fought against humanity. And... he lost."

The silence that followed was deafening. Lorcan's heart skipped a beat, and his breath caught in his throat. The name Fergus Mor was infamous, a legend, a tale of terror. To hear it spoken aloud, to know that Eogan had once been that being... Lorcan's mind reeled, and for a split second, fear surged through him.

"Wait, you—" Lorcan began, his voice shaking, "you were him? The one who almost destroyed everything?"

"Yes," Eogan said, his eyes steady, though his expression was pained. "I was. And I can never change that. But I'm not him anymore, Lorcan. That's not who I am now. I—" His voice faltered, and he looked down at his hands as though seeing them for the first time. "I was brought back as a human, but I still carry those memories. That power. It's all still inside me, fighting to break free."

Lorcan stood frozen, the weight of the truth sinking into his chest. Fear flashed across his face, and for a moment, he stepped back. "How can I—how can I trust you, Eogan? If you—"

Before he could finish, Neala chirped softly, her wings fluttering anxiously. She hopped down from Lorcan's shoulder and landed lightly in front of him, her tiny hands gently pressing against his leg as if urging him to listen. Her eyes were calm, her gaze steady.

Leanan spoke gently, her voice soft as a breeze. "Neala trusts him, Lorcan. She wouldn't have come to him without feeling his sincerity. You should listen to her."

Lorcan blinked, his mind swimming with confusion. Neala, sensing his turmoil, nudged his hand, a soft reminder that she trusted Eogan completely. He was the one who had saved them both, the one who had fought to protect them.

"Eogan and Leanan," Lorcan whispered, realization dawning on him. "They were the ones who saved us."

Leanan's voice carried a quiet joy. "Yes, Lorcan. It's the truth. Eogan saved you, and he's trying to change. You must trust him, just as you trust Neala."

Eogan met Lorcan's eyes, his voice steady but filled with raw emotion. "Yes. We saved you, Lorcan. And I need you to believe that the person I was... is gone. What I'm trying to become, who I am now—that's what matters."

Lorcan took a shaky breath, his heart still pounding, but he nodded. Slowly, cautiously, the fear that had once gripped him began to loosen. He looked down at Neala, who chirped softly in his hands, her gentle gestures speaking more than any words could.

"I trust you," Lorcan said quietly, the words coming more easily now, though they were still uncertain. "I trust you, Eogan. We're in this together."

Leanan's voice was soft and reassuring. "You're stronger than you think, Lorcan. Trust is hard, but it's the only way forward."

Eogan gave a small nod, his heart heavy with the weight of the unknown, but for the first time in a long while, he felt like he wasn't entirely alone.