The moment the door shut behind Viktor Renshaal, Elara whirled around the room, her eyes wide with wonder. She practically spun in circles, taking in the sheer size of it all.
"Josh, this room is massive!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a mix of disbelief and excitement.
Even when I was on Earth, I had never seen a bedroom this big. The ceilings were high, the furniture was rich and dark, and the air carried the faint scent of something warm, like aged wood and candle wax. The bed alone could have fit at least five people comfortably.
Elara dashed toward the plush mattress, pressing her hands against it before bouncing once, then turning back to me with a grin.
"This is insane," she said, eyes gleaming. "We were just sleeping in the dirt a few nights ago, and now this?"
She let out a short laugh before suddenly clapping her hands together. "I'm taking the first bath!"
I barely had time to process her words before she was already grabbing a fresh set of clothes from a wooden dresser near the wall. The fact that there were already clean clothes waiting for us was unnerving.
Had they prepared them ahead of time?
Or had they just known we would accept the invitation?
I didn't like either option.
Elara didn't seem to care.
She walked toward the washroom door, and just as she was about to close it behind her, she peeked her head out, her lips curling into a mischievous grin.
"Oh, and Josh?" she teased.
I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
Her grin widened.
"Make sure not to peek."
The door clicked shut.
I let out a breath, shaking my head with a smirk.
She finished her bath quicker than I expected, emerging from the washroom with damp hair and a content sigh.
"Your turn," she said, stretching her arms over her head.
I nodded and went in, quickly washing away the grime of the city. The water was hot, almost uncomfortably so, but it was the cleanest I had felt in weeks.
When I stepped out of the washroom, running a hand through my damp hair, I found Elara standing by the window.
She was looking outside, her expression unreadable.
I moved quietly behind her, watching the way the flickering lights of the city danced in her eyes. The glow of Valliers stretched endlessly, but even beneath its beauty, there was an underlying darkness—a city built on wealth and blood.
I leaned forward.
"Rawarrr!"
Elara let out a sharp squeal, twisting around just as I wrapped my arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground.
She squirmed in my grasp, laughing.
"Josh!" she shrieked between giggles, her feet kicking lightly in the air.
I held her for a moment longer before setting her down on the soft carpeted floor.
She lay there, breathless and grinning.
I flopped onto the bed face-first, my body sinking into the ridiculous softness.
After a second, I flipped onto my back, staring up at the ornate ceiling.
The weight of everything—the blood, the city, the danger—felt distant for once.
Then, suddenly—
Elara jumped on top of me.
I let out a surprised grunt as her weight pressed against my stomach.
She squirmed around, adjusting herself before finally sitting up on my chest.
I blinked up at her.
She was giggling, her hands planted on either side of my ribs, her hair still slightly damp from her bath.
Then, she tilted her head slightly and poked at my chest.
"You've got strong muscles," she noted in a mock-serious tone, running her finger along my collarbone before pressing her hands firmly against my chest.
I raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?" I asked.
She nodded dramatically, flipping her hair over her shoulder before sighing with exaggerated disappointment.
"I'm sorry, Josh," she said, shaking her head in a way that was both goofy and playful, "but… you won't be able to have your way with me tonight."
She twirled a strand of her hair between her fingers, her expression mock-exasperated.
I stared at her for a second.
Then, I sighed dramatically as well.
"Ah," I said, shaking my head. "How tragic."
She giggled again.
I suddenly lifted her up once more, causing her to let out another squeal of surprise.
"Josh!" she gasped, still laughing.
I grinned as I gently laid her down beside me.
She was still catching her breath, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she stared at the ceiling with a wide smile.
I reached over and blew out the candle, letting the room settle into darkness.
A moment later, I felt her arms wrap around me.
She pressed herself close, her head resting against my chest.
I hesitated for half a second—then relaxed, pulling her closer.
She let out a soft sigh.
"I'm glad I met you," she murmured.
A pause.
Then, she poked my chest again.
"And your big muscles."
I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head.
"Yeah?" I whispered.
She nodded against my chest.
I stroked her hair, my fingers running gently through the strands.
The city still lurked outside, the weight of what we had done—what we had to do—looming in the distance.
But for this moment, at least—
I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth of her against me.
"I'm glad I met you too, Elara."
And then, I fell asleep beside her.