The dining hall was a vision of opulence, with crystal chandeliers casting golden light over the polished table, its surface adorned with elaborate dishes and silverware. I smoothed my dress for the hundredth time, suddenly feeling like I didn't belong. Cynfael sat at the head of the table, his composure regal yet approachable, while Alohi, glowing with her usual charm, sat beside him. The king and queen exchanged polite conversation, their refined manners a sharp reminder of how out of place I felt.
"Relax," Xenos whispered as he pulled out a chair for me. I gave him a tight smile and sat, keeping my hands clasped in my lap as the maids began setting down plates of fresh fruit, pastries, and other delicacies.
As the royal family exchanged pleasantries, I couldn't help but feel the weight of their gazes whenever they looked my way. Was I chewing too loudly? Did I pick the wrong fork? My mind raced with every possible way I could embarrass myself.
Xenos must have noticed my tension because, under the table, his hand slid onto my thigh. I jumped slightly at the contact, glancing at him. His expression was perfectly composed, though his lips twitched in a barely concealed smirk. His thumb began to trace soothing circles, grounding me in a way I hadn't realized I needed.
"Everything all right, Sage?" Alohi asked, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
I forced a smile. "Yes, just fine. The food is lovely."
Xenos's hand gave a gentle squeeze, his touch a quiet reassurance. "She's just not used to all the grandeur," he said smoothly, his tone carrying an edge of amusement. "I keep telling her she fits in better than she thinks."
The king chuckled warmly. "It's good to see you settling in, Sage. We're fortunate to have someone of your strength and wisdom on our side."
I flushed, unsure how to respond, but Cynfael chimed in. "Indeed. Sage's role in all of this has been invaluable."
Alohi leaned forward, grinning. "Not to mention, she keeps Xenos in line. Someone had to, eventually."
Everyone laughed, and I felt some of the tension ease, though Xenos's hand remained on my thigh, its warmth a comforting reminder that I wasn't alone in this.
By the time breakfast was halfway over, I'd even managed to join the conversation, thanks in no small part to Xenos's quiet, steady presence.
After breakfast, we moved to the study—a grand room filled with towering bookshelves, heavy curtains, and the faint scent of parchment and ink. Cynfael spread a map across the desk, the edges held down by various trinkets. Alohi leaned against the edge, her arms crossed, while Xenos stood beside me, his presence as steadying as ever.
"Mortis's forces are gathering near the eastern border," Cynfael began, tracing a finger along the map. "We need to focus our efforts there before they gain too much ground. The reports suggest increased patrols, possibly even scouts searching for weak points."
I nodded absently, my gaze flickering to the map but not truly seeing it. My mind was elsewhere, caught up in the lingering warmth of Xenos's hand on my thigh at breakfast, the way his touch had calmed me.
Alohi snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Earth to Sage. Are you even listening?"
I blinked, jolting back to the present. "Uh, yes. Scouts. Eastern border."
Cynfael raised an eyebrow, though his tone remained patient. "We'll need to split into two groups. One to gather intelligence and the other to fortify our defenses. Sage, you'll—"
"Join the second group," I blurted out, cutting him off without realizing.
Alohi snickered. "Wow, Sage, really on top of things today, huh?"
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I avoided looking at Xenos, though I could feel the weight of his amused gaze.
Cynfael sighed but pressed on. "As I was saying, you'll join the second group to focus on reinforcement spells. Alohi and I will handle the scouting. Xenos, I need you with Sage. Your combat skills will be invaluable if anything goes wrong."
I glanced up at that, meeting Xenos's eyes. There was a flicker of something unreadable there, but he gave a small nod. "Understood."
Alohi leaned toward me, her grin teasing. "You know, for someone so distracted, you sure lucked out with Xenos as your bodyguard."
I rolled my eyes, though my lips twitched in a faint smile. "I'm not distracted."
"Sure you're not," she said with a wink, earning a chuckle from Cynfael.
"Let's focus," Cynfael interjected, though his tone was light. "Mortis isn't going to wait for us to catch up."
As the discussion continued, I forced myself to concentrate, though every time Xenos shifted beside me or his voice cut through the air, my thoughts inevitably wandered back to him.
After the plans were finalized, Cynfael dismissed us with a nod, and Xenos lingered by the doorway, likely waiting for me. Before I could join him, Alohi hooked her arm through mine, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"Nope, you're coming with me," she said, tugging me in the opposite direction.
"Where are we going?" I asked, glancing back at Xenos, who raised an eyebrow but didn't follow.
"The castle spa. You need to relax after everything that's happened," she declared, practically dragging me down the hall. "Besides, we haven't had any girl time lately."
By the time we arrived, I couldn't deny the allure of the luxurious spa. Steam curled around the marble room, and the scent of lavender and chamomile filled the air. Alohi wasted no time guiding me to one of the heated pools, where we slipped in, the warm water easing the tension in my muscles.
Alohi sighed contentedly, leaning back against the edge. "Now, spill. You and Xenos. What's the deal?"
I splashed a little water at her, though my cheeks warmed. "There's no 'deal.' We're just... figuring things out."
"Uh-huh," she said, clearly unconvinced. "You two are practically glued together. I've seen the way he looks at you. It's like you hung the stars or something."
I sank lower into the water, trying to hide my smile. "It's... complicated. He's protective, and I care about him—a lot. But with everything happening, I don't know if now's the right time to..."
"To what? Admit you're head over heels for him?" she teased, nudging me with her elbow. "Life's too short to wait for the 'perfect time,' Sage. Trust me."
I glanced at her, the usually playful glint in her eyes now softened with sincerity. "You and Cynfael seem happy," I said, changing the subject.
Her face lit up at his name. "Oh, he's amazing. Kind, thoughtful, annoyingly perfect." She laughed, though there was genuine affection in her tone. "He makes me feel like I can do anything. And he's so patient with me, even when I'm, you know, being me."
I grinned. "That's saying a lot. You're a handful."
"Exactly! And he loves that about me," she said, her smile turning dreamy. "But enough about me. You're deflecting. Xenos."
I sighed, swirling the water with my fingers. "He's everything I didn't know I needed. Strong, steady, and... complicated. Sometimes I wonder if I can ever really be enough for him."
Alohi frowned, sitting up straighter. "Sage, if there's one thing I know, it's that Xenos doesn't do anything halfway. If he's with you, he's all in. And if you're doubting that, well, maybe you need to have a serious talk with him."
I nodded slowly, her words settling over me like a warm blanket. "Thanks, Alohi."
"Anytime. Now, let's enjoy this spa before the chaos starts again. Who knows when we'll get another chance?"
We leaned back, letting the soothing water work its magic, though my mind couldn't help but wander back to Xenos and the conversations we still needed to have.
After our relaxing time at the spa, I felt refreshed and more grounded. Alohi's words lingered in my mind, giving me a sense of clarity I hadn't felt in days. When I returned to the bedroom, I found Xenos sitting at the desk by the window, a stack of papers before him. The golden light of the setting sun spilled over him, illuminating the sharp lines of his jaw and the determined furrow of his brow.
He was focused, utterly absorbed in whatever he was working on, and I couldn't help but smile. Quietly, I walked over, slipping my arms around his shoulders from behind. His body tensed for the briefest moment, but then he relaxed, leaning into my embrace.
"You're back," he said softly, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine.
"I missed you," I whispered, pressing a kiss to the side of his neck. His skin was warm under my lips, and the scent of him—a mix of spice and something uniquely Xenos—wrapped around me like a comforting blanket.
"You've been gone for all of an hour," he teased, though his hand reached up to cover mine, gently squeezing.
"Still too long," I replied, resting my chin on his shoulder. "What are you working on?"
"Strategic placements," he said, gesturing to the map spread across the desk. "Making sure the castle is fortified in case Mortis or Citrus try anything."
I frowned, leaning closer to get a better look. "You've been at this all day, haven't you?"
He shrugged, his tone casual. "It needs to be done."
I tightened my arms around him, pressing my cheek to his. "You're doing enough. You should take a break."
Xenos chuckled, his hand moving to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. "You worry too much."
"Someone has to," I murmured, planting another soft kiss on his cheek.
He turned his head slightly, his piercing eyes meeting mine. "And someone has to make sure you're safe."
There was a weight in his gaze, an unspoken promise that settled heavily in my chest. I wanted to say something, anything, but words failed me, so I leaned down and pressed my lips to his.
It was a simple kiss, but it was enough to convey everything I couldn't say out loud. When I pulled back, his eyes were softer, the tension in his shoulders easing.
"Alright," he said with a small smile, pushing the papers aside. "You win. Break time."
"Good," I said, grinning as I tugged him out of the chair. "Now, let's relax for once. Together."
Xenos allowed me to pull him over to the bed, where we both sank into the soft covers. The day's stress seemed to melt away as he leaned back against the headboard, and I nestled beside him, my head resting on his chest.
For a while, we stayed like that, wrapped in each other's quiet presence. His fingers idly traced patterns on my arm, and I closed my eyes, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"You know," he murmured, his voice low and warm, "I don't think I say it enough... but I'm grateful for you."
I tilted my head to look up at him, catching the sincerity in his gaze. "You show it," I said softly. "Every day."
He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Still, you should hear it more."
I smiled, warmth blooming in my chest as I settled against him again. Whatever tomorrow held—whether it was plans, strategies, or more chaos—I knew we'd face it together.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I belonged.