Unlawful Shadows | +18

Chapter 23

Elowen's POV

The night wrapped around me like a shroud, heavy and thick, as I prepared for bed. The events of the day played on a loop in my mind—Zander's soft care, Zephyr's frustration, and the way they all hovered around me with a mix of concern and regret. Each moment still felt surreal, like a dream I couldn't wake from. I drew in a shaky breath, the weight of it all pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

As I crawled beneath the covers, a chill ran down my spine, the shadows in the corners of the room creeping closer. I hugged my knees to my chest, feeling small and vulnerable in the darkness. It would be so easy to slip back into panic, to let fear swallow me whole.

"Hey, Elowen," a voice broke through the thick silence. I glanced up to see Lysander standing in the doorway, his silhouette framed by the light from the hallway. There was something about him that radiated warmth, a reassuring presence that drew me in.

"Can I sit with you for a bit?" he asked, his tone gentle, almost hesitant. I nodded, not trusting my voice, and he stepped inside, closing the door behind him.

Lysander settled into the chair by my bedside, his posture relaxed yet attentive. He was just a few feet away, but the space between us felt vast, charged with unspoken words and lingering tension. I wanted to say something, to break the silence, but my thoughts tangled together like vines in a thicket.

"Long day, huh?" he finally ventured, his eyes searching mine.

I nodded again, a lump forming in my throat. "Yeah, it was... a lot."

He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. I'm just here to keep you company."

I felt a warmth spread through me at his words, the sincerity in his gaze making my heart flutter. "Thank you," I managed to say, feeling a swell of gratitude.

The minutes ticked by as we sat in a comfortable silence, the weight of the day slowly beginning to ease. Lysander's presence was grounding, a quiet reassurance that wrapped around me like a soft blanket. I felt safe, and for the first time in a while, the panic receded to a dull hum in the background.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked softly, breaking the silence again.

"Just... everything," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "I feel like I'm in a fog, like nothing is real."

"It's okay to feel that way," he said, his voice steady. "It's a lot to process. But you're not alone in this."

I looked up, meeting his gaze, and found something comforting in the depth of his eyes. "It helps having you here," I admitted, the words tumbling out before I could think them through.

His expression softened, and a small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "I'm glad. I just want you to know that you can count on us. We care about you."

A flutter of something warm settled in my chest, pushing against the walls I had built. "I appreciate that, Lysander. Really," I said, my voice filled with sincerity.

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "If you ever feel overwhelmed, just let me know. I'm right here, always."

I couldn't help but feel touched by his care, an unexpected warmth blooming within me. As I settled deeper into the covers, I felt the pull of exhaustion tugging at my eyelids, the gentle rhythm of his presence lulling me into a sense of security. I closed my eyes, letting the fatigue wash over me, the shadows in the room receding as I drifted into sleep.

But as darkness consumed me, nightmares emerged from the depths of my subconscious. The shadows morphed into the faces of the brothers, their anger boiling over like a storm, the chaos of the previous night crashing down around me. I gasped, thrashing in my sleep, the fear wrapping around me like a vice.

I awoke with a start, my heart racing, the sheets tangled around my legs. I sat up, gasping for air, my body drenched in a cold sweat. Lysander was immediately there, his warm hands gripping my shoulders as he leaned in close.

"You're alright, sweetheart," he said, his voice soothing and steady, cutting through the remnants of my nightmare. "You're safe. You're with me."

I stared into his eyes, the panic swirling within me slowly beginning to dissipate under his calming presence. "It was so real," I whispered, the tremor in my voice betraying the lingering fear. "I thought... I thought I was back there."

Lysander shifted closer, his hands still holding me gently, grounding me in reality. "You're here. You're safe. You're not alone. Just breathe," he encouraged, his eyes locked onto mine, steady and unwavering.

I followed his lead, inhaling deeply, feeling the warmth of his body beside me. I could still feel the remnants of my nightmare lingering, the fear nipping at my heels, but Lysander was a solid anchor in the storm.

"Can you stay with me?" I asked suddenly, my heart racing at the vulnerability of my request. The thought of being alone again sent a fresh wave of panic crashing through me.

"Of course, darling," he replied, his voice filled with determination. He climbed into bed beside me, careful not to invade my space, but close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him.

I curled into him instinctively, seeking comfort in his warmth, my heart pounding in my chest as I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tight. "Just hold me," I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips as I pressed my face against his shoulder.

"Okay," he murmured, wrapping his arms around me in return, holding me close. I felt the tension in my body slowly begin to unwind as I melted against him, my pulse steadying beneath the rhythm of his breathing.

The intimacy of the moment sent a jolt of awareness coursing through me, an unfamiliar thrill that flickered to life in the pit of my stomach. I was overwhelmed by the sheer comfort of his embrace, but beneath that warmth, a current of something more stirred within me.

Lysander's body was solid against mine, every contour of him pressing into me, igniting a spark that made my heart race. I couldn't help but feel the heat radiating from him, a blend of safety and desire that sent my mind spiraling.

"Is this okay?" he asked softly, as if sensing the shift in the air between us.

"Yeah," I breathed, my voice barely a whisper, the words thick with vulnerability. "It's more than okay."

I closed my eyes, losing myself in the moment, the fear of the nightmare slipping away as I focused on the warmth of Lysander's body against mine. I felt safe, cocooned in his embrace, yet I couldn't shake the awareness of the electric tension simmering between us.

As I held him tight, I felt my heart swell with an array of emotions—gratefulness, confusion, and an undeniable attraction that sent my pulse racing. I allowed myself to lean into that warmth, surrendering to the safety he provided, even as the thrill of uncertainty danced along my skin.

With him by my side, I felt a flicker of hope ignite within me, pushing back against the shadows of fear that had once threatened to consume me. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I could breathe.

And as I drifted back into a peaceful slumber, Lysander's presence wrapped around me like a shield, I knew I was beginning to trust him—trust them—all over again.