The weight of her eyes

The buzz of energy still lingered in the air after the duel, the golden shimmer of the Bow of Radiant Dawn slowly fading from Lira's grasp as her breath began to settle. She blinked, stunned by her own victory, her arms trembling and heart thudding with a rhythm she couldn't calm.

The others sat silent in the stands, still absorbing what they had just witnessed.

Then, with a soft thud, Nyxara landed on the platform.

"Oof," she mumbled, wobbling as she tried to straighten up. Her hand went to her temple, and she winced slightly—still clearly feeling the lingering fog of her hangover.

She forced a small smile as she approached Lira.

"Congratulations," Nyxara said, voice warm but tired. "To be able to summon the Bow at your current rank... that's incredibly impressive."

Lira bowed slightly, still panting. "Thank you, Lady Nyxara. I didn't mean to... it just happened."

Nyxara raised a hand.

"You don't have to explain. But promise me something." Her voice dropped in seriousness. "Do not try to do that again until you've attained at least two more full realms, okay? I don't want you tearing your spiritual veins open from strain."

Lira nodded quickly. "I understand."

Nyxara reached into the sleeve of her robe and pulled out a small vial. Inside was a single pill, swirling with reddish-blue mist like a captured storm.

"Here's your reward," she said, tossing it gently to Lira. "Take it right before you start meditating tonight. It'll help stabilize and expand your foundation."

Lira caught it carefully, her hands still shaking. "Thank you... truly."

Nyxara nodded, then turned.

Her boots clicked softly against the frost-kissed stone as she walked across the arena floor toward Solene, who had just reformed and was now brushing ice crystals from her hair.

Nyxara stopped before her, and in one smooth motion, she reached up and slowly pulled her sunglasses down.

Golden eyes met silver.

And in that instant, Solene saw it.

Pain.

Her eyes weren't bloodshot from drink.

They were rimmed red from weeping.

Long, quiet, private tears.

Solene stiffened slightly, the expression in her gaze softening.

Nyxara held the eye contact for a long moment, her voice quiet, composed despite the war behind her mask.

"Come to my room after you get cleaned up," she said.

There was a tremor in her voice, but her tone was firm.

"I want to cash in my favor."

Then she turned and walked away, leaving behind a silence that felt like thunder.

Solene watched her go, heart pounding.

She knew.

Whatever happened tonight wouldn't be simple.

And it wouldn't just be about the favor.

Later that night...

The water in the private bathing chamber shimmered with soft, golden candlelight. Steam curled gently over the surface, the scent of lavender and frostroot mixing in the air, calming, soothing. Solene sat submerged up to her shoulders, arms resting along the edge, her hair untied and drifting like silver silk in the water.

But her eyes stared into nothing.

Not the gentle flicker of light.

Not the warmth of the room.

Just that gaze.

That look Nyxara gave her—bloodshot, pained, buried behind those strange black lenses and that forced laugh.

The proud, untouchable Nyxara. So often cocky, playful, unpredictable. Teasing with her hips and smirks and impossibly elegant magic.

Yet after the duel... she looked like someone who had drowned in her own sorrow and crawled back up for air.

Solene let out a long breath and dipped lower, water lapping at her collarbones.

The sound of a soft step behind her barely made her blink.

Warm, familiar arms wrapped around her from behind, bare skin pressing against hers. Solene leaned back slightly as Seraphyne nuzzled into her neck, lips brushing gently over her damp shoulder.

"Hey..." Seraphyne whispered, voice hushed by the steamy quiet.

Solene didn't respond.

Seraphyne hugged her tighter, chin resting on Solene's shoulder.

"What's wrong?" she asked, softer now. "Is it about losing the fight?"

Still nothing.

"Talk to me... please."

Solene closed her eyes, her hand gently resting over Seraphyne's. She didn't push her away, didn't tense, but her thoughts were far.

"No," Solene finally said, voice low and barely above the sound of the water. "It's not the loss. Lira earned that win. She deserves it."

Seraphyne stayed quiet.

Solene exhaled again, slowly. "It's Nyxara."

Seraphyne blinked. "Nyxara?"

"She's been acting strange for days," Solene murmured. "The drinking. The glasses. The way she landed on the platform today, like she didn't care what she looked like... and those eyes."

Seraphyne gently rubbed Solene's arms. "I noticed too."

"She always teases, always plays the part of the flirt or the queen, but that wasn't play today," Solene whispered. "That was someone trying not to break."

The steam swirled between them as Seraphyne remained pressed to Solene's back.

"Do you think she's hurting that much?" Seraphyne asked.

Solene nodded slowly.

"She told me to come to her room tonight. Said she wanted to cash in her favor."

Seraphyne stiffened slightly behind her.

"Are you going to go?"

Solene turned her head, looking over her shoulder at the woman she loved. Seraphyne didn't hide the concern in her crimson eyes.

"I think she needs someone tonight," Solene said gently. "And not because she wants to cash in anything."

Seraphyne lowered her gaze. "Then be gentle with her."

Solene reached up, cupping Seraphyne's cheek, pulling her forward for a kiss.

"Always."

They stayed like that for a long moment.

Wrapped in steam, in warmth, in understanding.

Until it was time to rise.

Seraphyne stayed with Solene until they left the bath, Solene dried herself then put the robes Nyxara had originally gifted her.