The Dawn

Chapter Twenty Nine.

Him.

Kaelith stood over her, watching as the last remnants of consciousness slipped away from Elara, her breaths deepening into the steady rhythm of sleep. Her body, once taut with tension and desire, now lay relaxed and soft against the desk. She looked so peaceful, so vulnerable, that it stirred something deep within him, a sensation he hadn't felt in years, maybe ever.

He reached out and gently lifted her from the desk, cradling her in his arms as if she were made of glass. For a moment, he simply held her there, his eyes tracing the delicate lines of her face, the way her lashes fanned out across her cheeks, the soft rise and fall of her chest. She was beautiful, even more so in her vulnerability, and it struck him how much he wanted to protect this woman who had stormed into his life so unexpectedly.

Carefully, Kaelith carried her through the dim corridors of the castle, his steps slow and deliberate as if he feared waking her. The weight of her in his arms felt right, natural, as though she belonged there. And maybe she did.

He didn't take her to her own chambers. Instead, he brought her to his, a place no one had been allowed in for years. His private sanctuary, filled with dark memories and shadows, yet somehow, with her in his arms, it felt less cold, less haunted.

He pushed open the heavy door and entered the room, the familiar scent of smoke and leather wrapping around them. The bed, large and imposing, stood in the center, its dark sheets an invitation he had never truly accepted until now. With the utmost care, he laid Elara down on the bed, the softness of the mattress cradling her as she sank into it.

Kaelith pulled the covers over her, tucking them around her like a protective cocoon. She shifted slightly, a small sigh escaping her lips, but she didn't wake. He knelt beside the bed, his hand brushing a strand of hair from her face, and as he did, a smile, genuine and unbidden, tugged at his lips. It was a rare expression, one he hadn't worn in what felt like an eternity.

He couldn't remember the last time he'd smiled like this, and for a fleeting moment, the darkness that had always clung to him seemed to recede, replaced by something warmer, something he didn't quite recognize.

Kaelith didn't move away. He couldn't bring himself to leave her alone, not after what they had shared, not with the weight of their connection still lingering in the air. Instead, he slipped into the bed beside her, careful not to disturb her. He stayed close, close enough that he could feel the warmth of her body, close enough to catch the faint scent of her skin, a mixture of sweat and something sweeter that was uniquely her.

He propped himself up on one elbow, his eyes fixed on her sleeping form. She was so different from the woman he had first encountered, so fierce and untouchable, and yet, there she was, in his bed, trusting him enough to fall asleep in his presence.

He could feel it, the pull between them, a force that went beyond lust or desire. It was something deeper, something that frightened him in its intensity. He wanted to protect her, to shield her from the nightmares that haunted her, from the chaos that was brewing within both of them.

But there was more to it than that. Kaelith wanted to be near her, to keep her close, to ensure that no harm came to her, not from the outside world, and not from himself. He had spent so long shrouded in darkness, pushing everyone away, but with her, he found himself wanting something different.

And that was dangerous.

Yet, as he lay there, watching over her, he couldn't bring himself to care. He would deal with the consequences later, but for now, all he wanted was to be here, to protect her from the darkness that lurked both within and without.

Kaelith reached out, his fingers lightly tracing the curve of her cheek, the softness of her skin a stark contrast to the hard edges of his own existence. He knew he was treading dangerous ground, that allowing himself to feel this way was a risk he might not survive, but he couldn't stop himself. Not now.

With a sigh, he settled beside her, his hand resting gently on her arm. He wasn't tired, he never really was, but he found comfort in simply lying there, feeling the steady rise and fall of her breathing, knowing she was safe, knowing that, for tonight at least, the demons that haunted them both would keep their distance.

And as the night wore on, Kaelith stayed awake, his gaze never leaving her. He wasn't ready to close his eyes, wasn't ready to let go of the moment. Instead, he watched her sleep, his mind a tangle of thoughts and emotions that he couldn't untangle, but he didn't try to.

For now, this was enough.

For now, she was safe.