Chapter 57: Tides Of His Emotion
The next morning, Kyva visited the Bloom Quarter.
She found Elin in the hall and the little girl’s face lit up when she saw her. She rose to her feet and bowed her head.
"Morning, sister Kyva."
Kyva lowered herself to the girl’s height, a gentle smile softening her features.
"And how are you?"
"I’m doing okay!" Elin replied, bright-eyed. Then, with a small tilt of her head, she added, "You said you’d come over last night, but you didn’t." There was no accusation in her voice, only the quiet truth of someone who had waited and been disappointed, but now eased by Kyva’s presence.
Kyva exhaled softly.
She had meant to come, but the hour had grown too late, and her new master had refused to let her leave the premises,saying that it was unsafe for her to wander alone.
Kyva had pressed the matter, stubborn in her insistence to see her Snowpuff, but he had only grown firmer with his refusal, threatening to cancel the following day’s training. In the end, she had no choice but to yield.
It was why she had come at first light.
"I know," Kyva said to Elin, her voice tinged with apology. "But I am here now— and as promised..."
From within her sleeve, she produced a small bag of sweets and held it out.
Elin’s face brightened at once,any lingering disappointment melting away.
"Thank you!" She exclaimed, taking the bag with both hands. Then, with a mischievous little grin, she added, "Big Brother may be terrible, but at least he’s doing something right for once."
Kyva stilled at the girl’s words, caught off guard. "Hm?"
Realizing her slip, Elin’s eyes widened slightly, and she hurried to cover it up. She leaned closer, lowering her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
"Your fox has been moody all morning," she murmured. "He’s been scaring the other pets. Maybe he’s upset you didn’t show up last night. Pets have feelings too."
Kyva’s chest tightened at the words.
She had promised to come see him yesterday. And now Snowpuff was upset as well. This was all her master’s fault. A faint crease formed between her brows, her guilt sharpening as her gaze swept the hall— but there was no sign of the small white fox anywhere.
"Where is he?" She asked softly.
Elin turned at once and beckoned for her to follow, her small feet padding lightly against the polished floor as she led Kyva down the length of the corridor. They passed rows of carved wooden enclosures and open alcoves where various creatures stirred, some peeking out curiously as Kyva walked by.
At the very end of the hall, where the lantern light dimmed and the air grew quieter, Elin slowed. She stopped before a secluded enclosure set slightly apart from the others, its frame entwined with flowering vines.
"There," she whispered.
Inside, curled tightly upon a bed of pillowed moss and silken cloth, was her Snowpuff.
The little fox had tucked himself into a small, stubborn ball, his fluffy tail wrapped around his body like a shield. His ears twitched at the faint sound of their approach, but he did not lift his head. He chose instead to remain turned away, as if in silent protest.
Kyva stepped closer to the furry little familiar and lowered herself to her knees beside him.
"Snowpuff?"
His ears twitched at the sound of her voice, but he made no move to turn.
"Are you upset with me?" she asked softly, reaching into her sleeves. "I brought you your favorite snacks as well, Snowpuff. Are you really not going to answer me? And I came all this way to see you...." Her voice gentled further, laced with quiet pleading. "I tried to make it yesterday. It’s my fault for forgetting that I had to see you. But there was no chance. What if I promise it won’t happen again?"
She placed the treat carefully beside him, close enough for the scent to reach, yet he remained curled in on himself.
To Kyva, it might’ve seemed like nothing more than a pet’s sulk.
But Snowpuff’s silence ran deeper.
The cunning little fox was still stewing in the bitterness of the night before. Her rejection, unspoken and even unintended, had settled poorly within him, souring his mood and gnawing at his thoughts.
The mere idea that her affections might lie elsewhere had left a sharp, unfamiliar sting.
He bristled inwardly at it.
It had to be the bond’s doing, he told himself. That strange tether he alone was unfortunate enough to feel, forcing him to care more than he ever should. Without it, surely, he would not feel like this... this irritation. This weight.
But despite his stubborn resolve, his ears betrayed him, flicking toward her pleasant voice.
"Sister Kyva," Elin said, watching the scene with bright curiosity. "Maybe try holding him? That should cheer him up."
Kyva had considered the idea at first, though she had hesitated. But his continued silence made her realize there was less harm in trying.
She reached for Snowpuff.
To her surprise, the fox did not resist.
He allowed himself to be lifted, his small body settling against her as she drew him closer to her chest. Her hand moved to stroke through his soft fur.
Almost motherly in its care.
And a quiet warmth surrounded him.
Calhoun, beneath the guise of a fox, found himself stilled by it. Resting against her, he shamelessly let himself yield against the soft mound he was naturally pressed into. The bitterness that lingered within him ebbed away, fading beneath her touch, until it was nothing more than a distant, stubborn echo.
"Big brother, you owe me sweets," Elin’s voice chimed in his mind, bright with triumph.
For once, the fox did not argue.
He might have, under normal circumstances, but the warmth he now found himself basking in dulled any urge to protest. He simply remained where he was, content to linger a moment longer.
Until—
"Kyva?"
The voice cut through the air behind them, sharp enough to stir immediate awareness, and Calhoun’s irritation.
Kyva turned around.
Her eyes widened slightly at the familiar sight of the two approaching figures. "Cassian? Rowan? You two are here?"
Cassian inclined his head "We are. Just running a few errands."
His gaze lingered on her briefly, a hint of apology in his tone. "I hope you’re not upset we haven’t come to see you."
Kyva shook her head quickly. "N-no, not at all. Is there a reason you’re here?"
"To gather herbs," Rowan answered, ever direct. "There was a strange wind last night, and it struck the quarters without warning. Several houses were damaged to a fault, and a number of disciples were injured."
"Oh no..." Kyva’s hand stilled slightly against Snowpuff’s fur. "Was it that serious?"
Cassian gave a small nod. "Serious enough. My master even remarked that the heavens themselves seemed... displeased."
At that, the fox in her arms stiffened—just for a fleeting moment.
Then, almost imperceptibly, he shrank closer into her hold, as though seeking shelter.
He had not meant for it to go so far.
But his power had always been... temperamental. And now, as it steadily returned and grew stronger, the world around him responded more readily to the tides of his emotions.
Last night’s unrest had not gone unnoticed.
And now, it seemed, neither had its consequences.
