POV Seraphina

The first rays of sunlight crept through the curtains, painting a gentle, golden light across the bedspread. Slowly, I awoke, a sense of peace and comfort washing over me. I was enveloped in the warmth and closeness of Jasper, and as my eyes opened, the first thing I saw was him. So close, lying there as if he were my anchor, shielding me from the world.

I had forgotten the room, the mission, the tasks that still lay ahead of us. In that moment, there was only him and me, and it felt completely right. His golden eyes, shimmering like two glowing stars in the twilight, met my gaze. A soft smile played on his lips, and he seemed as delighted by my waking state as I was by his presence.

"Good morning, Darlin'," he whispered, and before I could say anything, he leaned in and kissed me. The kiss was passionate, a tender promise that deepened our connection. My hands sought him, pulling him closer as if I could never get enough of him.

"Good morning," I murmured when our lips parted again. We looked at each other, and in that gaze was everything I felt—more than words could ever express. He pulled me even closer, holding me so tightly it felt as if we might lose ourselves in each other.

In that moment, the world outside seemed to stand still. There were no tasks, no obligations, no uncertainties. There was only us—safe, secure, and in each other's presence, everything felt right. No doubts, no fears. Only love and trust.

Jasper's arms wrapped firmly around me, his fingers gently stroking through my blonde hair. The sensation of his touch made me forget the world around me. My hair, falling in soft waves over my face, seemed to disappear in his hands as he continued to run his fingers through it. The moment was so quiet and yet so intense that I couldn't spare a thought for anything else.

I had never looked at him as closely as I did now. I rested my head on his chest, letting my eyes wander over him. His hair, dark and smooth, fell loosely over his forehead, and I could see the faint sheen of his skin, almost glowing in the morning light. He was so beautiful.

His face possessed a grace that few in the world had. The lines of his cheekbones, the delicate lips that curved into that ever-gentle smile—everything about him was perfect, as if he were a work of art crafted by nature itself. Yet it wasn’t just his outward appearance that made him so fascinating to me. It was the depth in his eyes, the glow of knowledge and experience that only someone who had endured so much could carry.

He was strong and yet tender, as though he could change the world and still be so gentle that a single touch from him could make me smile. The look that kept returning to me was what captivated me the most—a look full of understanding, one that pierced me in a way that almost left me defenseless.

“You’re beautiful,” I whispered as I pulled back slightly to meet his gaze. “Do you know that?”

A faint smile appeared on his lips, and he looked at me with that gaze that said so much more than words ever could. “You’re the beautiful one, Darlin’,” he said, his voice so soft it was almost like a song.

I laughed softly and pulled him closer. “We must make a pretty perfect pair, huh?”

“We certainly think so,” he replied, a playful sparkle in his eyes.

We let time stand still, the world outside irrelevant. In that moment, all we needed was each other.

Reluctantly, I eased myself out of Jasper’s arms, feeling his hesitation to let me go as if he weren’t quite ready for the moment to end. But I knew I needed to get up. “I should head to the bathroom,” I murmured, trying to reassure him with a smile.

Jasper sighed softly, a hint of disappointment crossing his face as he let me go. “If you have to,” he said, as if barely able to bring himself to give me the space. Still, his smile carried a touch of fondness, and I knew he would be happy to spend the day together.

As I made my way to the bathroom, I suddenly noticed how late it already was. The sun was higher in the sky, and the golden light that had illuminated the room earlier was now a warm, intense yellow. I hadn’t realized how quickly time had passed, but as I glanced at the clock, I became aware that the council likely wouldn’t contact me again today. It was as if the day was moving forward, and we had barely gotten out of bed.

I turned back to Jasper, who was now sinking back into the pillows, his golden eyes still fixed on me with that thoughtful sparkle. I could feel his gaze on me as I turned around.

“How about we explore the headquarters a bit? You haven’t really seen it yet,” I suggested, trying to lift the mood. “I can show you some places you might not know about. There’s so much more to discover than just this room.”

Jasper’s expression brightened immediately. “Sounds great,” he said with a smile that carried genuine curiosity. “I’m looking forward to seeing what you want to show me.”

I nodded, glad he was on board with the idea. “I thought we could check out the history of the headquarters and maybe the training area. I know you’re interested in that. And maybe I’ll find a few places even you haven’t seen,” I added with a playful grin.

Jasper finally rose, his movements so fluid they almost resembled a dance. “Then let’s not waste any time,” he said, getting ready as well. I nodded in agreement and disappeared into the bathroom to freshen up quickly.

The refreshment felt good, and after just a few minutes, I was back out, dressed in lighter clothes and ready to explore the headquarters with Jasper. As I left the bathroom, I saw him standing near the window, which was slightly open, letting in fresh air. He turned to me as I entered the room, a satisfied smile spreading across his lips.

“You look fantastic, Darlin’,” he said, his smile making my heart race.

“So do you,” I replied, quickly glancing around for my belongings. We were both ready for the day—for the discovery of this new chapter that lay before us.

“Ready to uncover the secrets of the headquarters?” I asked, throwing him a mischievous look as we stepped out of the room.

Jasper nodded, and together we set out to explore the halls of the Shadowhunter headquarters as if they were our own.

As we walked down the corridor, I stopped in front of a door that held particular meaning for me. The room beyond was ancient, with heavy, carved wooden columns and muted light filtering through tall windows onto the walls. I turned to Jasper, meeting his eyes. “This is the historical room,” I said softly. “It reflects the history of the Shadowhunters. Everything we are, where we come from, and how everything has evolved over the centuries.”

Jasper stepped closer, his golden eyes scanning the room curiously as he took in the imposing murals and ancient artifacts. I opened the door and let him in, gently placing a hand on his back. “Come, let’s take a glimpse into the past.”

The room was surprisingly large, and along the walls hung paintings and old manuscripts recounting the deeds of the first warriors and their heroic feats. I pointed to a particularly large painting depicting the earliest ancestor of the Shadowhunters, a towering figure in armor surrounded by a group of other warriors. “This is Jonathan Shadowhunter,” I explained. “He was the first to create the parabatai bond system and the weapons that define us to this day. He and his companions fought against the demons that plagued the earth at the time. They were the first to be led by the angelic lineage and to take on the protection of the human world.”

Jasper stepped closer to study the painting more closely. “He looks like he could take on the whole world by himself,” he remarked, his smile carrying a mix of humor and respect.

I nodded and continued. “He wasn’t alone, but his actions laid the foundation for everything we do. The first Shadowhunters didn’t just fight demons but also dark forces that threatened humanity. They founded the Nephilim Order and began dividing us into different clans and factions—all to protect humanity. That was over a thousand years ago.”

Jasper listened intently, letting the words sink in. “And the parabatai bond? How does that work?”

I smiled slightly and gestured to the wall behind us, where another painting depicted the ceremony of the first parabatai duels. “It’s the strongest bond that can exist between two Shadowhunters. Parabatai are more than just warriors; they are connected—in battle, in their thoughts, in their hearts. The bond gives us incredible strength and enhances us in every way. But it’s also an unbreakable bond. Those who enter into it are inseparably linked. Their souls are intertwined.”

Jasper’s gaze grew thoughtful, and I could almost feel the wheels turning in his mind. “It sounds like there’s no turning back once it’s formed,” he said quietly, more to himself than to me.

“There isn’t,” I confirmed, my voice softening as I felt the depth of the bond. “But that’s what makes it so powerful. Parabatai don’t just fight side by side; they are there for each other in every aspect of life. A parabatai isn’t just a warrior. They’re a partner, a friend, and someone with whom you share your life and soul.”

I saw Jasper nod thoughtfully, taking a step back to examine the painting of the first parabatai. He studied it for a moment, then turned to me. “That’s a huge promise,” he said, his tone carrying a weight of respect for the significance of my words.

“It’s the greatest promise you can make to another person as a Shadowhunter,” I replied, stepping closer to him. “There’s nothing in the world that could ever break it. Only two people truly meant for each other can forge this bond.”

Jasper looked at me, his golden eyes glowing with a mixture of admiration and deep affection. “Micah and Aaron share such a bond, don’t they?”

I smiled without hesitation and nodded softly. “Those two were destined for it from the start,” I said quietly, my gaze steady on him. “I knew it before they even had the slightest idea.”

Jasper turned back to the paintings, as if trying to absorb more of the history. “It’s fascinating how it all connects,” he said finally. “So many generations fighting the same battle—against demons, against evil. And now here we are, part of that history.”

“Yes,” I answered, feeling a tightness in my chest. “We’re fighting for what the first Shadowhunters began. And maybe one day, our story will be told in these halls as well.”

Jasper nodded thoughtfully, and I could see that the idea of being part of this legacy gave him something—an added layer of responsibility and pride. Yet at the same time, I knew we would write our own chapter, a chapter that belonged to us alone, with us as the central characters.

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Another sunday and another chapter. Feel free to leave a star and comment if you liked this chapter and my story so far ☺️🫶🏻

Also, I decided to update this story now twice a week 🎀