A New Dawn

The ride back to Vosswell Manor was quiet at first, the rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels filling the space between them. The interior swayed gently with the cobbled streets, lanternlight flickering in soft pools against the rich velvet-lined walls.

Delphia sat with her chin resting lightly on her knuckles, gaze distant as she stared through the glass. Outside, the capital blurred into soft shadows—buildings fading into the waning hours of the sun, the muted gold of the day clinging stubbornly to the rooftops.

Her thoughts drifted again to the Summit, the Tournament, the sentencing. So much had changed. She had changed. The version of herself who once lingered at the edges of courtly affairs now sat in the heart of power, scarred but unbroken.

And yet, there was still so much to do.

"You're thinking too hard again," Zypher said, cutting gently through the silence. His voice was light with teasing, but there was a softer undercurrent beneath it—something warmer, more protective.

Delphia turned to him, raising a brow. "Am I that obvious?" A dry laugh escaped her. "I know I have R.B.F; That hasn't changed, no matter what world I'm in."

"To me, yes," he said, a quiet smile tugging at the edge of his mouth. His maroon eyes had softened, losing that ever-present edge of calculation. "You've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders since the attack. You've done more than enough, Delphie."

She froze slightly at the nickname—still intimate enough to make her pulse hitch. The faint blush that rose to her cheeks did not go unnoticed.

"I can't stop now, Zy," she murmured. "There's still so much to figure out—"

"I know," he said gently, leaning forward. "But you don't have to do it alone. You have me now, remember?"

The sincerity in his voice struck her deeper than she expected. It wasn't just a promise—it was quiet devotion, an anchor offered without strings.

She looked at him then, really looked—searching for cracks in his words, for the old mask of strategy or self-preservation. But there was nothing there but truth.

"I never let anyone in during my first life," he said, voice low and measured. "I was too paranoid. Too ambitious. I thought trust made me weak. And I lost everything for it. But with you…" He trailed off, then continued, slower this time. "You're not the same Delphia I once knew. You challenge everything I thought I understood about connection. And because of that, I've changed. You've changed me."

Her heart pulled at the quiet ache in his words. She reached out, placing her hand over his.

"…I don't think I could've done any of this without you," she said. "You've been my anchor through everything. I—"

He stopped her with a kiss. Gentle, lingering—like a vow spoken without words. His hand turned, fingers interlacing with hers.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said softly, forehead brushing against hers. "Whatever comes next… we face it together."

The carriage rolled to a stop before Vosswell Manor, but neither of them moved.

Outside, a breeze stirred the leaves along the hedgerow, carrying the faint scent of late-blooming nightflowers. The manor's lanterns glowed ahead like quiet beacons—familiar, constant.

As Delphia stepped out with Zypher at her side, a strange calm settled over her. Not because the road ahead was easy—but because she no longer walked it alone.

This was only the beginning of her Act III.

But this time… she was ready.

*

The soft light of the in-between season filtered through the stained-glass windows of the library at Vosswell Manor, casting vibrant hues across the shelves lined with leather-bound tomes.

The Estate, once suffocating in its cold grandeur, now held an unusual tension—one that had shifted since the Summit and Tournament. Even Duchess Larissa and Seraphina had reluctantly ceased their outright antagonism toward Delphia, though their gazes remained sharp and their smiles shallow.

Zypher had insisted on accompanying Delphia home that day after waiting for her classes to end at The Academy. Now, seated across from her in the library, his maroon eyes flicked between her and the notes she had spread out across the table.

"Are you planning to study yourself into exhaustion again?" He asked with a smirk, leaning back in his chair. Delphia rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. "If I don't, who will? You did tell me there's no room for complacency when I move into the Tower."

Zypher chuckled, resting his chin on his hand. "Fair enough. But you're not doing it alone, remember? Your 'Zy' is here to make sure you don't burn yourself out." Her gaze softened at his words as a small smile curled her lips, noting the way that he clung to the name she had called him earlier in the carriage.

But before she could respond, the library door creaked open, and Lucian stepped inside. His posture was hesitant, and his eyes flickered between Delphia and Zypher as if gauging the mood.

"Lucian," Delphia greeted with a polite nod, leaning back in her chair. "What brings you here?" He cleared his throat, his tone measured. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I wanted to see if it was possible I could… ask Archmage Thorne a few questions about magical theory."

Zypher raised an eyebrow, glancing at Delphia as if to gauge her reaction. She gave a small shrug and a faint smile. "Lucian's never really been the one to antagonize me," she said lightly, her tone laced with amusement. "That's Seraphina's department. It's fine if you help him, by me. It's up to you."

Zypher tilted his head, studying Lucian for a moment longer before nodding. "Three questions," he said, his voice even.

Delphia laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "You can at least be thorough with your answers, Zy. Maybe even direct him toward some extra reading material. If he has more questions, he can ask a professor at The Academy or a Mage at The Tower."

Zypher's lips quirked into a rare grin as he leaned back in his chair. "Right. Three questions, and I'll answer them with sources," he said, his tone carrying a note of humor. Lucian seemed slightly taken aback by the lighthearted exchange but quickly composed himself.

He stepped closer, holding a notepad tightly in his hands. "Thank you. I'll try not to take up too much of your time."

Delphia leaned back, watching the interaction unfold as Zypher got up to lead him around the Library. She couldn't remember the last time Lucian had sought help from anyone, let alone Zypher. His usual aloofness was replaced with an almost boyish eagerness as he posed his first question about elemental magic and its interaction with enchanted artifacts.

Zypher's explanation was meticulous, his tone shifting into that of an instructor. He referenced specific texts, even pausing to grab the titles for Lucian from the shelf. The younger man nodded along, his brows furrowed in concentration as he absorbed the information. By the time Lucian asked his third question, this one about advanced runic inscription, Zypher's demeanor softened further, and he seemed almost invested in ensuring Lucian understood the concepts.

Delphia couldn't help but smile as she watched them. Zypher, who had once been so cold and closed off, was now willingly engaging with someone from her 'family.' And Lucian, awkward as he was, seemed genuinely grateful for the guidance.

When the third question was answered, Zypher leaned back and gave Lucian a pointed look. "That's three." Lucian managed a small smile, bowing his head slightly. "Thank you, Lord Thorne. This was… very helpful."

As he turned to leave, Delphia called after him, her tone teasing. "Don't forget to let Seraphina know you actually asked me for help by proxy. I'm sure she'd be thrilled." Lucian froze for a moment before letting out a short laugh, shaking his head as he exited the library.

The door clicked shut behind him, and Zypher turned to Delphia, returning to his seat, a smirk tugging at his lips. "He's not as insufferable as I expected."

"He never was," Delphia said with a shrug. "Seraphina's always been the one with the sharp tongue. Lucian… well, I think he's just trying to survive in this house like the rest of us, just going along with the motions."

Zypher hummed in agreement, his gaze lingering on her. "And you? Are you still surviving, Delphia?" Her expression softened as she met his gaze. "I think I'm doing more than that now. Thanks to you." She smiled at him gently.

He reached across the table, his fingers brushing against hers.

The simple gesture sent a warmth through her that she hadn't expected. "You've done most of it yourself," he said softly. "But I'll admit, watching you rewrite your story has been… remarkable." They sat in companionable silence for a moment before Zypher broke it. "When you move to the Tower after our wedding, I want you to feel at home there, Delphie. It's not just my domain—it'll be ours."

Her chest tightened at his words, the weight of their partnership sinking in. "I appreciate that, Zy. Truly." She saw the way his pupils dilated at her own nickname she gave him, happy to hear that she finally gave him one after calling her one for so long during this time.

He stood then, walking around the table to stand beside her. "Come on. Let's go for a walk before I leave. You've been cooped up in this house long enough."

Delphia allowed him to pull her to her feet, and together they left the library, the tension of the Vosswell Manor fading into the background as they stepped outside. The cool evening air greeted them, and for the first time in a long while, Delphia felt something close to peace.