Drakonis

Plans

As I stood in the hallway, reading a book to strengthen my dragon tongue, the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway. One of the elders approached me, his expression serious. "Loran," he called out, drawing my attention.

I turned to face him. "Yes?" I asked.

"Councilwoman Nymara requests your presence in the throne room," he informed me.

The mention of Nymara's name stirred a mix of emotions within me. I nodded, trying to focus on the task at hand. "Thank you," I said, and made my way toward the throne room.

As I walked through the grand corridors of the castle, my mind continued to whirl with thoughts of the war and the unsettling changes it had wrought. My thoughts kept racing over Kairos declaration, he couldn't marry her.

When I arrived at the throne room, the doors opened to reveal a space filled with the soft glow of candlelight and the subdued murmur of voices. Nymara stood near the center, her posture resolute yet welcoming. Her eyes met mine, and she offered a small, encouraging smile.

"Loran," she greeted me warmly, her voice cutting through my tumultuous thoughts. "I wanted to share some updates with you. There are things you need to know about the current situation."

I nodded my head and walked over to the table. She had multiple papers spread out.

I traced my finger over the map as Nymara explained the layout of the human base. The details blurred together as my thoughts drifted to the memories of my father's home, now reduced to ashes.

"This was my father's home," I said quietly, pointing to the burned area on the map. "I can't believe they've set up camp here."

Nymara's eyes followed my gesture, a look of sympathy crossing her face. "They've chosen this place deliberately. It's a personal insult, not just a strategic move."

The frustration inside me boiled over. "It's like they're trying to erase everything we've fought for. I want to be out there, helping my family and taking back what's ours."

Nymara's hand found my arm, her touch a soothing balm to my anger. "You're making a difference in other ways. It's just not always visible right now."

I looked into her eyes, feeling a pang of something deeper than just frustration. "You know, it's been a long time since I've seen you. I didn't realize how much I've missed you until now."

She met my gaze, her expression softening. "I've missed you too, Loran. More than I expected. Being apart, especially with everything going on, has been harder than I thought."

The space between us seemed to shrink as I took a step closer. "We've both been through so much. I never imagined the distance would feel this painful."

Nymara's smile was tinged with sadness and warmth. "It's strange how absence can make you realize just how much someone means to you. I've thought about you often, wondering how you were doing."

I reached out and gently took her hand in mine, feeling a spark at the contact. "It's comforting to hear that. I've thought about you too—about what it would be like to have you here with me."

Her eyes searched mine, and there was a flicker of something sincere and deep.

Feeling the intensity of the moment, I took a step closer, my heart pounding. "I can't ignore how I feel anymore. I need you to know how much you mean to me."

Nymara's breath caught slightly as I leaned in slowly. The air between us crackled with unspoken words. I could see the conflict in her eyes, but also the same longing I felt.

Our lips met gently at first, and the kiss was tender and filled with emotion. For a moment, everything felt right. Then, with a slight tremble, Nymara pulled back, her gaze conflicted.

"Loran," she said softly, her voice almost a whisper. "We need to be careful. This isn't the right time for us to... explore this."

I nodded, understanding her hesitation. "I didn't mean to rush anything. I just wanted you to know how I feel."

Nymara placed a gentle hand on my cheek. "I appreciate that, truly. When the war is over, we can talk about this more."

As Nymara began explaining the current situation, her presence was a much-needed anchor amidst my swirling emotions. Yet, a question I had been avoiding finally broke free. "Are you dating Kairos?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The thought had been a constant shadow, given how close they had become in my absence.

Nymara looked at me, clearly taken aback. "What?" she questioned, her confusion evident.

I struggled to find the right words, feeling a pang of vulnerability. "You two have grown closer while I've been gone. It's okay if you're with him now. I just... needed to know."

Nymara's response was more evasive than I expected. She chuckled softly, though the sound didn't fully reach her eyes. "Oh, Loran. That's an interesting question."

I noticed her hesitation and frowned slightly. "So... are you?"

She shifted her gaze, her smile faltering for a moment as she chose her words carefully. "Well, Kairos and I have been working closely together, yes. But our relationship is complicated."

I could sense she was avoiding a direct answer. "Complicated how?" I pressed, feeling my unease grow. The words she used only seemed to deepen my uncertainty.

"It's just that," Nymara began, her tone more measured, "there are many factors at play. Kairos and I have been dealing with a lot, and our interactions have been more about the war and our roles in it."

I felt a mixture of frustration and relief. "So you're not together?"

Nymara gave me a reassuring smile, though it didn't entirely dispel my worries. "No, not exactly. We've grown close due to circumstances, but..."

Her words trailed off, leaving a lingering ambiguity. "But what?" I asked, trying to grasp the full picture.

She sighed softly. "But right now, my focus has been on the council and the larger issues at hand. Relationships and personal matters are... secondary."

The indirect nature of her response left me with more questions than answers. I felt a knot of anxiety in my chest. "I see," I said quietly, trying to make sense of her vague explanation.

Nymara's eyes softened as she noticed my discomfort. "What's important now is winning this war and bringing peace back to our planet."

I nodded, though the lingering uncertainty left me uneasy. As Nymara continued to share updates, I found it hard to focus entirely, my mind still preoccupied with the unanswered questions about her and Kairos.