Page 154 of Savage Throne
His voice softened and his words carried a tenderness that wrapped around me like the warmth of the night air. “She made this garden specifically to attract the fireflies. She told me that when they’re young, they’re hunters. They feed on slugs and snails. She called them the tiny warriors of the soil.”
He turned toward me. “As adults, they live for light and love, drinking the nectar of flowers—lavender, jasmine, marigolds—and others sip the sweetness of plant juices. But more important. . .they were always drawn to thesparkof their own kind”
He gestured to the wild patches of grass and the flowers dancing in the breeze. “She left the soil untouched, rich with the insects they would need. She let the grass grow tall in places, to give them shadows to rest in during the day.”
His words were a lullaby of the earth’s magic, painting the fireflies as ethereal beings, thriving in harmony with nature. “She said the fireflies reminded her of hope. Of how even in the darkest places, there’s light.”
Those glowing creatures continued their display around us, flickering their lights and adding an extra layer of enchantment to this moment.
“She wanted us to have a place away from it all. Away from the chaos, the blood, the battles.”
My gaze shifted to the flowers shimmering beneath the moonlight.
“I don’t even know if my father knows about this place. I assume he does, but. . .he never came here with us. . .”
It would have been interesting to know if Lei’s mother could havetrulykept this place a secret from Leo.
Perhaps, she used this area to escape him too.
“Also, my mother would tell us stories here—fairy tales, myths, even ones she made up about us ruling over a world of peace. But my favorite part was my sister and I chasing all the fireflies. Yan always made it a competition.” Lei’s lips curved into a wistful smile. “Yan always tried to catch them, but she could never keep them in her hands for long. She hated that they slipped away.”
“And you?” I asked softly.
“I always caught them with no problem, but. . .I also always let them go. I liked watching them glow as they flew off.” His gaze met mine. “I think I liked the idea that they were free so. . .I never wanted to trap them to me.”
Those words settled over me, and I felt the beauty of their meaning.
Lei had never wanted to cage anything, not even the light.
Yet, here he was, holding me like I was his entire world.
I turned away, looked at his mother’s glowing garden. Slowly, I began to picture Lei as a kid with a younger Yan at his side and their mother strolling behind them as they raced around trying to catch fireflies.
And then, I let myself imagine something even crazier.
A day when I brought our own children here. A moment where our kids would be chasing fireflies too and filling the night air with their laughter.
The thought took root in my heart, delicate yet unshakable.
I had never truly let myself imagine a future like that before, but here, in this garden, it didn’t feel so far away.
It felt possible.
Inevitable.
Would our kids have Lei’s sharp eyes and strong willpower?
Would they carry my stubbornness, my quiet strength?
Would we tell them stories under the stars, just as his mother had done, about a world where they could be anything, do anything, love fiercely and fearlessly?
I glanced at Lei.
His profile was etched against the moonlit backdrop and my heart ached with a longing so profound it left me trembling.
I wanted that future with him, no matter how fleeting or uncertain it might be.
Lei’s right. He has to kill Leo tonight. And even though they didn’t give me guns, I’m still going to try and help in some way.
