The first thing I noticed was the warmth—soft, enveloping, and comforting, like being wrapped in sunlight after a storm.
My body felt heavy, my limbs sore, but the ache was dulled by the soothing weight pressing gently against my side. My eyes fluttered open, greeted by the faint glow of early morning light filtering through the thick curtains of my room.
My room. I was home.
The events of the past day came rushing back in a chaotic blur: Nathaniel, the fight, the teleportation, Aeliana in my arms, so pale and fragile.
Panic bubbled up for a fleeting moment, but then I felt it—a delicate hand resting against my chest, fingers splayed as though seeking reassurance.
I turned my head slowly, careful not to disturb the figure curled up beside me. Aeliana. She was nestled close, her face relaxed in the soft peace of sleep.
Her black hair, once immaculately styled for our wedding day, was now a tangled mess cascading across the pillow. Yet to me, she looked perfect.
Her wedding dress was gone, replaced with one of my oversized nightshirts that hung loosely on her slender frame.
Her face, usually so vibrant with life, was still pale, but there was a hint of colour returning to her cheeks.
She shifted slightly, murmuring something incoherent before snuggling closer to me, her arm tightening around my waist. The sight of her, here, safe and alive, undid me.
I exhaled a shaky breath, lifting a hand to brush a strand of hair away from her face.
My fingertips ghosted over her skin, careful not to wake her, but I couldn't resist the urge to touch her, to remind myself she was real and here with me.
I'd nearly lost her. The thought hit me like a blow to the chest, and for a moment, I closed my eyes, overwhelmed by the weight of it all. But then her soft breath tickled my neck, grounding me.
She was here. She was safe. We were safe.
I didn't know how long I lay there, simply watching her, savouring the rise and fall of her chest, the warmth of her body pressed against mine.
Every detail etched itself into my memory the faint freckles scattered across her nose, the way her lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks, the peaceful expression that made her look like she belonged in a painting.
Eventually, her eyelids fluttered open, revealing those mesmerising green eyes I adored. For a moment, she looked disoriented, blinking up at me in sleepy confusion.
Then recognition dawned, and her lips curved into a soft smile that made my heart ache with love.
"Ciara," she whispered, her voice still husky with sleep. "You're awake."
"So are you," I murmured, my own voice rough but filled with warmth.
Her smile widened, and she reached up to cup my cheek, her touch featherlight. "I was worried…" Her voice trailed off, and a shadow passed over her expression, but I covered her hand with mine, grounding us both.
"I'm here," I said firmly. "And you're safe. That's all that matters."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, and before I could say anything else, she surged forward, wrapping her arms around me in a fierce embrace. I held her just as tightly, burying my face in the crook of her neck.
Her scent, a mix of lavender and something uniquely hers, was like a balm to my soul.
"I thought I'd never see you again," she admitted, her voice muffled against my shoulder. "When Nathaniel took me, all I could think about was how much I wanted to be back with you."
I pulled back just enough to look at her, my hands framing her face. "I would have torn the world apart to bring you back, Aeliana. Nothing could have stopped me."
A single tear slipped down her cheek, and I leaned in to kiss it away. The action made her smile again, a small, radiant thing that chased away the lingering shadows in her eyes.
"Only you," she whispered, her voice filled with wonder. "Only you could make me feel safe after everything that happened."
Her words undid me all over again, and before I could stop myself, I leaned in and captured her lips with mine.
The kiss was soft at first, a gentle meeting of lips meant to convey comfort and love. But the moment she sighed against me, her hands threading into my hair, it deepened.
I poured everything I couldn't say into that kiss the fear, the relief, the overwhelming love I felt for her.
Her lips moved against mine with equal fervour, and for a moment, the world faded away. There was no pain, no exhaustion, no lingering fear. Just us.
When we finally broke apart, we were both breathing heavily, our foreheads resting together. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright with a mix of emotions that mirrored my own.
"I love you," she said, her voice trembling but steady.
"I love you too," I replied without hesitation. The words felt inadequate to express the depth of my feelings, but they were the only ones that came close.
For a while, we lay there in silence, our limbs tangled together as though we couldn't bear to be apart.
I traced lazy patterns on her back, revelling in the feeling of her warmth, her presence. She played with a strand of my hair, her fingers gentle and soothing.
"You know," she said after a while, her voice tinged with humour despite the exhaustion that still clung to us both, "this isn't exactly how I imagined our wedding night."
I chuckled, the sound low and hoarse. "Neither did I. But you're here, and that's all that matters."
She tilted her head to look at me, her expression soft but serious. "Promise me something?"
"Anything."
"No more taking on the world alone," she said, her eyes searching mine. "We face things together from now on, no matter how dangerous. I don't care how strong you are, Ciara. I can't lose you."
Her words struck a chord deep within me, and I nodded, brushing my thumb across her cheek. "I promise. No more lone heroics. We're a team."
Satisfied with my answer, she rested her head against my chest, her fingers tracing idle patterns across my collarbone.
My body was still aching, my magic reserves depleted, but for the first time in days, I felt at peace.
After a long, comfortable silence, I kissed the top of her head and murmured, "Let's go have a shower."
The warm water cascaded over us, washing away the grime, blood, and exhaustion of the past few days. Steam curled around the bathroom, blurring the edges of the space into a hazy cocoon where it felt like only Aeliana and I existed.
The soft patter of water against the tiled floor filled the air, broken only by the occasional whisper of her breath and the lightest of touches as I carefully worked soap through her hair.
She stood in front of me, her back to my chest, her head tilted slightly as I massaged her scalp.
Her dark hair, damp and darkened, felt silken beneath my fingers, and the familiar lavender scent of the soap soothed me. Aeliana had always loved lavender, and for a fleeting moment, I thought of the field behind the castle where we'd first confessed our feelings.
"Close your eyes," I murmured, my voice soft.
She obeyed without question, leaning into me as I tilted her head under the spray to rinse her hair.
The water streamed over her face, catching the faint bruises along her jawline. Anger flared briefly within me, but it was quickly subdued by the sight of her here, alive and safe.
"Are you sure you're alright?" I asked quietly, my hands resting on her shoulders.
She turned slightly to look at me, her green eyes glowing in the soft light. "I am now," she replied, her lips curving into a small, reassuring smile. "Though you look like you could use some reassurance yourself."
I blinked, surprised by her gentle teasing. Despite everything, she always found a way to lighten the mood. I couldn't help but smile in return, though it felt tired and a little crooked. "I've had worse days."
Her smile softened, and she reached up to brush a strand of wet hair from my face. Her fingers lingered, tracing the edge of my jaw before dropping back to her side. "You're too stubborn for your own good, you know that?"
"Part of my charm," I said with mock solemnity, earning a light laugh from her.
The sound filled the space like a balm, and I pressed a kiss to her damp shoulder, revelling in the feel of her under my lips.
Aeliana leaned back against me, her head resting just below my chin, and I wrapped my arms around her waist, holding her close.
"I missed this," she said softly, her voice barely audible over the water. "Being with you. Feeling like everything's... normal."
I tightened my hold on her, pressing my forehead against the back of her head. "It will be normal again," I promised. "I'll make sure of it."
For a long moment, we stayed like that, wrapped in each other and the warmth of the water. It felt like time had slowed, giving us a precious reprieve from the chaos that had consumed our lives.
But eventually, the water began to cool, and I reached for the knobs to shut it off.
Aeliana stepped out first, grabbing a towel and wrapping it around herself. Her movements were slow, careful, and I could see the exhaustion still clinging to her.
I followed her lead, drying myself off and helping her when her fingers fumbled with the hem of the towel.
She gave me a sheepish look, and I kissed her forehead in response.
Once we were dressed in soft, clean clothes simple robes that felt like heaven after days of turmoil we returned to the bedroom.
Aeliana climbed onto the bed, settling against the pillows, and I joined her, pulling her close. She rested her head against my chest, her hand splayed over my heart.
"Do you think we'll ever get a quiet day?" she asked, her voice tinged with weariness but also hope.
I brushed a kiss against her hair, my fingers tracing soothing circles on her back. "We'll make one," I said firmly. "Even if I have to fight the world for it, we'll have our peace."
She sighed contentedly, her body relaxing completely against mine. "With you, I believe it."
As her breathing slowed, signalling she was drifting into sleep, I held her tighter, silently vowing that I would keep her safe no matter the cost.