Shadows of the Fallen ~ Empyrean Series

Aelin rested her head upon Liam's chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear. Each rise and fall of his chest was a reminder of his presence, his life, and the connection they shared—a connection that was so much deeper than mere love. In moments like this, with the world outside quiet and still, she could almost forget the chaos that often surrounded them. She smiled faintly, her fingers tracing idle patterns along his forearm as she let her thoughts wander.

Light and shadow began to coil around her arm in a delicate dance, their interplay mesmerizing as they responded to her unspoken command. She lifted her hand slightly, watching as tendrils of light wove themselves into Liam's skin. The glow moved beneath his surface like a pulse, as if it were part of him. In many ways, it was.

"It's still so crazy you two are connected," Bodhi's voice broke the silence. Aelin glanced over to see her cousin sitting up groggily on the couch, his hair sticking out at odd angles. His expression was a mixture of incredulity and mild amusement.

"Crazy?" Aelin teased, a smirk tugging at her lips. "I'd call it brilliant." She let the light and shadows swirl more vividly, their movements deliberate now, meant to show off.

Bodhi's brows rose, though he paled slightly. "So, what you're saying is... I should never, ever get on your bad side."

Aelin's grin widened, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Exactly." And just to prove her point, she allowed her light to form a glowing sphere around Bodhi, the shadows entwining with it like ribbons of smoke. The effect was both beautiful and unsettling.

Bodhi froze, his eyes darting from Aelin to the encasing sphere. "Uh... should I be concerned?" he asked cautiously.

She chuckled and stepped away from Liam's side, her fingers trailing over the edge of the bed as she picked up a dagger from the nightstand. Bodhi's eyes widened as he realized her intent.

"Oh, no. No, no, no," he stammered, holding up his hands. "Let's not—"

Before he could finish, Aelin hurled the dagger at the sphere. The blade struck the glowing surface and ricocheted harmlessly, spinning in midair before her shadows caught it and brought it smoothly back to her hand. The sphere dissolved in a shimmer of light and shadow, leaving Bodhi standing there, wide-eyed and speechless.

"I—uh..." Bodhi finally managed, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

Liam, who had been silently watching from the bed, burst into laughter. "That was fantastic," he said, his voice rich with amusement. "I think Bodhi just shit his pants."

Aelin joined in his laughter, her melodic voice filling the room. But even as she laughed, she felt the faint hum of Bodhi's soul. The familial bond between them made it easier for her to sense and connect with him, much like the way her connection with Liam was an unshakable tether. On a whim, she reached out to Bodhi's consciousness, her voice slipping into his mind.

"Did I scare you, Bodhi?" she asked, her tone light but teasing.

His eyes snapped to hers, his smile vanishing. "Did... did you just...?"

"Speak to you without actually speaking? Yes. Yes, I did," she replied, laughing softly into his mind again.

Bodhi's expression twisted between awe and exasperation. "You are a terrifying little thing, Aelin Riorson," he muttered, though there was a hint of a grin as he glanced at Liam. "And you—" he gestured to the man still lounging on the bed, "are far too amused by this."

Liam's eyes sparkled with pride as he looked at Aelin. "Isn't she amazing?" he said, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Bodhi shook his head with a soft laugh. "I'll see you two later. I'm officially outmatched here." He waved a hand in mock surrender as he left the room, muttering something under his breath about needing coffee.