Musa
It had been two years since graduation.
Two long, busy, bittersweet years that had changed Musa in ways she hadn't expected.
After leaving Alfea, she had gone back to Melody to spend time with her father. For a while, those days had felt peaceful—quiet breakfasts, laughter echoing through their home, music filling the air like it used to when she was little. Only the occasional memories of Riven dimming the peace.But otherwise she had been happy.But that happiness hadn't lasted.
Her father passed away only months later.
Since then, Musa had thrown herself into her music, rising to global fame. Concerts, awards, interviews—she had it all. But behind the lights and the applause, there was only silence. An emptiness that no amount of noise could fill.
She had dated a few people along the way to make up for this—musicians, producers, even a charming actor once—but nothing ever lasted because no matter how much she tried, she couldn't forget a certain someone. And no one ever came close to making her feel the way he once did.
Now, standing outside the grand palace of Eraklyon with her suitcase in hand, Musa couldn't help the flutter of nerves that stirred in her chest.
The Winx had planned a small reunion before Bloom and Sky's wedding tomorrow, and Musa couldn't wait to see her girls again. But there was someone else she'd be seeing too—Riven.
They hadnt seen each other since the breakup.And truthfully,Musa had gone out of her way to make it so..
It had been really hard for her when they broke up.She didnt want to relive all of it again by seeing him or whoever he was dating now.
She didnt hear of him dating but she couldnt imagine how he didnt.While they were still in school, girls including her had been drawn to Riven,terrible personality and all.
She'd been shocked when Bloom told her he'd joined the Royal Army. "Riven? Taking orders?He's not going to last a week," Musa had joked at the time.
But somehow, he had not only lasted—he'd thrived. He was now the army's Lieutenant and one of the most respected officers in the kingdom.
And apparently, he and Sky were best friends now.
He seemed to have really had changed.
But knowing Riven, Musa found that hard to believe.
*****
The palace corridors felt alive with warmth when she arrived that evening. The moment she stepped into her room, the Winx rushed in—Bloom first, followed by Flora, Stella, Aisha, and Tecna.
"Musa!" Bloom cried, hugging her tightly. "You made it!"
"I told you I would," Musa laughed, squeezing her back.
"You've been impossible to get a hold of," Stella teased, flipping her hair. "Too famous for us now?"
"Never," Musa said, smiling shyly.
Bloom giggled. "It takes me getting married just to see you again, how is that?"
Musa blushed. "Sorry, I've been… busy."
"What matters is you're here now," Flora said warmly.
They toasted to friendship, to Bloom's wedding, to all the things they'd survived. For a while, it felt just like old times—until Bloom's smile faltered.
"What's wrong?" Musa asked.
Bloom hesitated. "It's Sky. A few weeks ago, he was attacked by his cousin Damon. He's jealous of the throne. Sky fought him off, but Damon escaped. We think he might try something tomorrow."
Musa blinked, stunned. "What? Bloom, that's terrible."
"I know," Bloom sighed. "I'm trying not to panic, but—"
"Hey," Musa said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Youdont need to worry. Sky's not alone. He's got the royal army, the Winx, and you. And the guy is not exactly incapable of defending himself."
Bloom nods with a smile. "Yeah.That's exactly what Riven told me too."
At his name, Musa's glass slipped, spilling wine onto the carpet.
"Shoot—I'm sorry!" she stammered, reaching for a napkin.
Musa felt all eyes on her, it was embarassing.
Bloom's eyes widened. "Oh, Musa, I didn't mean to—"
"It's fine," Musa cut her off quickly. "You can talk about him. He's part of you and Sky's life. As for me,we broke up a long time ago and Im over him."
"It's okay if you're not," Techna said gently.
"I am," Musa said too fast, too defensive.
The silence that followed was heavy. Flora cleared her throat. "Maybe we should let Musa rest. She's performing tomorrow, and she needs to rest her voice."
Musa smiled weakly. "Yeah. I'll see you all tomorrow."
As they left, she sighed, feeling guilty for ending the evening early. She hadn't meant to snap. It was just… hearing his name again hurt more than she wanted to admit.
She put her hands over her face in frustration before dropping them down.
Musa decided that she could freshen up like she had said to the girls but she felt too restless.
She needed some air, she thought.
Slipping out of her room, she wandered through the unfamiliar palace until she reached the gardens.
The moon hung bright above the fountains, the air cool and still. Perfect,she thought,breathing it in.
She sat on a stone bench and began to hum softly—a favorite song that her father used to sing to her mother.The one she sang when she didnt want to think about anything.Not when she it felt like they were right there next to her.
The melody spilled into the night, low and haunting: "Constellations" by Jade LeMac.
Unbeknownst to her, someone else heard it too.
*****
Riven was on his way to a late-night briefing when the familiar voice reached him through the quiet. His steps slowed, his heart hammering. It couldn't be—but it was.
That voice.
He knew that it was a bad idea but he followed the sound, drawn to it like a current pulling him home.
Her voice hadn't changed but she—she had gotten even more beautiful.
Wearing only jeans and a white shirt,she took his breath away.
Not wanting to ruin the moment for both of them,he waited until the last note faded, before he stepped forward and clapped softly.
Musa froze.
When she turned, her eyes widened.
"Riven,"she said softly.
"Still got it,Musa," he said, smiling faintly.
"Uhm,Thanks," she murmured, unsure what to say or do.
She hadnt been expecting to him until tommorow at the very least.It had taken her aback,she wasnt prepared. Because if that,she found it hard to look at him.
He was still so gorgeous.
Unwittingly,past memories of them together flashed in her mind.So did the one of their break up.
She swallowed.
Musa wanted to escape to her room but she was damned if she was going to appear weak infront of him.
They stood in silence for a moment before Riven spoke again. "How have you been?"
"Great," she lied. "Busy. You?"
"Same. And I heard you've been taking over the whole magic dimension with your music?" he said with a small grin. "I'm happy for you."
"Thanks," she said. "And you're not doing bad yourself—Lieutenant of the Royal Army."
"I have to say ,the job really suits you,you know since you like giving orders."
Riven chuckled and smirked. "I only do it when I have to."
She tilted her head,smiling curiously. "How'd that happen, by the way? Last I checked, you and Sky were mortal enemies.I remember days when I heard all about how much you couldnt stand him."
Riven smirked faintly.
"I thought about it and turns out-I like Sky,at least more than my father."
Her breath caught; she hadn't expected him to bring his Father up.It had been a touchy subject for him once,so much so that she felt uncomfortable exploring it,though she wanted to.
After a pause, he said quietly, "I heard about your dad. I'm… I'm sorry, Musa. I know how much he meant to you."
Musa blinked,not expecting that too.
Still,But she appreciated it. "Thank you. That means a lot."
Silence fell again. Words hovered in the air—things neither dared say.
A guard appeared at the garden's edge. "Lieutenant, they're waiting for you in the council room."
Riven nodded. "I'll be right there." He turned back to her, softer now. "It was really good to see you again, Musa."
Before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her cheek—hesitant, almost unsure.Their gazes locked for a second.
Then he was gone.
Musa stood frozen, her heart racing.
Slowly, she touched the spot where his lips had been. Her face felt hot and her pulse unsteady.
For the first time in years, she felt something other than emptiness.
For the first time in years—she felt alive.
She bit her lips habitually,so many thoughts racing through her mind.
She closed her eyes, and let out a slow exhale. In the wake of their recent encounter, Musa knew she wasnt as over Riven as she liked to claim.
She still wanted so much to be kissed by him, enclosed in his strong muscular arms and feel that lean body with her hands.
But the memory of their toxic relatiomship flashed in her mind,unbidden and painful.
No, she wouldnt go down that path again,she decided.
She would protect herself and her heart,no matter what.
Banishing Riven from her thoughts,she got up and headed to her room.Tommorow she needed to be fully refreshed,it was going to be a long day,she thought.
And she was right,it was.