Cynfael's office was spacious, with high ceilings and an air of authority that mirrored his demeanor. The four of us sat around a polished oak table, a map of Mortis' known territories spread out before us. Alohi was perched on the edge of her chair, her arms crossed, and her sharp gaze flicked between Cynfael and the map.
"This is where he's likely to strike next," Cynfael said, pointing to a marked area. "Mortis knows you're the key, Sage. He won't stop until he figures out how you cured Xenos."
I shuddered, the memory of Citrus' assault still too fresh. Xenos' hand found mine under the table, squeezing gently. I glanced at him, his expression unreadable but his presence steadying.
Alohi leaned back in her chair, her frustration evident. "So what's the plan? We can't just wait around for him to make a move."
Cynfael's eyes softened slightly as he turned to me. "For now, Sage's safety is the priority. I've already prepared accommodations here in the castle. It's safer for her to stay here, where Mortis' influence can't reach."
I opened my mouth to protest, but Cynfael raised a hand to stop me. "Xenos, I've also arranged a room for you nearby, should anything happen."
Xenos let out a low scoff. "That won't be necessary."
Cynfael's brow furrowed. "You don't think it's safer for you to have your own—"
"I'll stay with Sage," Xenos interrupted firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Wherever she is, that's where I'll be."
Alohi's head snapped up, her eyes darting between us before she smirked. "Oh, I see how it is. You two really can't be apart, huh?"
"Not now, Alohi," Xenos muttered, his gaze locked on Cynfael.
Cynfael sighed but nodded. "Fine. But if you're staying together, I expect you to be vigilant, Xenos."
"I always am," he replied, his grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly.
Alohi leaned closer, her smirk growing wider. "This is going to be fun."
I groaned inwardly, already dreading the teasing I was sure to endure.
As the discussion wound down and the tension in the room eased slightly, Alohi suddenly leaned back in her chair, a wide grin spreading across her face.
"Well, now that we've sorted out how to keep Sage safe," she began, her voice sing-song, "I have an announcement to make."
Cynfael, who had been reviewing the map one last time, froze, his gaze darting to Alohi with a mix of amusement and caution. "Alohi, now might not be the—"
"Oh, hush, Your Highness," she interrupted, waving him off dramatically. "I'm not keeping this to myself any longer."
I blinked at her, confused. "What are you talking about?"
Alohi practically glowed as she raised her left hand, revealing a delicate ring with a shimmering gemstone. "Cynfael and I are engaged!"
My jaw dropped, and I wasn't sure whether to laugh or scream. "Wait, what?"
"You heard me!" she said, clearly relishing my reaction. "He asked me last night, and of course, I said yes. I mean, who could resist this face?" She gestured at Cynfael, who was now rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish smile.
Cynfael cleared his throat. "I thought it was time. With everything happening, I didn't want to wait any longer."
Xenos leaned back in his chair, raising an eyebrow. "Bold move, Your Highness. Let's hope she doesn't drive you mad before the wedding."
"Oh, please," Alohi shot back, smirking. "You're just jealous I get to marry royalty."
I couldn't help but laugh, the weight of the earlier discussion momentarily lifting. "Congratulations, you two. Though I have to admit, I didn't see this coming."
"That's because you were too busy making heart eyes at Xenos," Alohi teased, winking at me.
Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I quickly looked away, focusing on the map as if it suddenly held the secrets of the universe.
"Thank you, Alohi," Xenos muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"Anytime," she quipped before turning back to Cynfael, who was watching her with a soft expression that, despite my best efforts, made my heart melt a little.
"Guess we'll be celebrating more than just plans tonight," Xenos said, his voice low but with a hint of humor.
I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips. Despite the chaos surrounding us, moments like this reminded me that there was still light to hold onto.
The maid led us down a long corridor lined with elegant tapestries and golden sconces, her polite silence filling the air as we followed her. She stopped at a grand oak door, intricately carved with vines and flowers, before pushing it open to reveal a spacious room bathed in soft, golden light.
"This will be your quarters, Lady Sage," she said with a slight bow. "Lord Xenos, the room next door is prepared for you as well."
Xenos stepped inside behind me, taking a long look around before nodding at the maid. "Thank you. That will be all."
The maid curtsied and left us alone. I glanced around the room, noting the plush bed covered in silken navy sheets, a cozy seating area near the window, and a fireplace already crackling with warmth.
"Well," Xenos said, leaning casually against the doorframe, "it's a bit excessive, but I suppose it'll do."
I rolled my eyes, setting my bag down on a nearby chair. "Oh, come on. It's nice. Admit it."
He smirked, pushing off the doorframe and strolling over to me. "Alright, fine. It's nice. But I can already tell you're going to take over the whole bed and leave me to sleep on the edge."
I gasped, turning to face him fully. "Excuse me? I do not hog the bed!"
He raised an eyebrow, his expression entirely too smug. "Sage, I've seen you sleep. You're like a starfish."
I grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it at him. He caught it effortlessly, laughing as he tossed it back onto the mattress. "You're impossible," I muttered, though I couldn't help but smile.
"And you're easy to rile up," he shot back, sitting on the edge of the bed.
I joined him, crossing my arms. "You're lucky I find your antics amusing."
He turned to me, his teasing expression softening into something more genuine. "And you're lucky I find your stubbornness endearing."
My cheeks warmed, but I managed to hold his gaze. "Is that so?"
"Mm-hmm," he hummed, leaning back on his hands. "Otherwise, I'd have abandoned this whole 'protect Sage' mission long ago."
I laughed, shoving his shoulder lightly. "You're the worst."
"Maybe," he said, grinning. "But you still like me."
"Debatable," I teased, though my smile betrayed me.
The room filled with our laughter, the tension of the day melting away. For the first time in a while, I felt a sense of peace—however fleeting it might be.
I barely had time to register the mischievous glint in Xenos' eyes before his hands shot out, fingers digging playfully into my sides.
"Xenos!" I shrieked, squirming away, but he was relentless.
"You think you can sass me and get away with it?" he teased, his grin widening as I dissolved into laughter.
"Stop!" I managed to gasp between giggles, flailing uselessly against him. "That's not fair!"
"Fair?" he mocked, his hands moving to my ribs, earning another wave of uncontrollable laughter. "This is war, Sage. No fairness in war."
I twisted, trying to escape, but the next thing I knew, we both toppled onto the bed, him hovering just above me, still grinning. My breath came in short gasps, my cheeks flushed from laughter.
"Truce!" I panted, holding up a hand in mock surrender.
He chuckled, finally relenting. "Truce. For now."
As the laughter died down, I noticed how close he was, his weight resting slightly on his forearms as he looked down at me. His hair fell over his face in soft strands, his eyes sparkling with amusement—and something else.
"You're insufferable, you know that?" I murmured, though the smile on my face said otherwise.
"And yet, here you are, stuck with me," he countered, his voice lower now, his gaze flicking to my lips.
I tilted my head, a smirk playing on my mouth. "I could do worse."
His brow arched, clearly intrigued. "Oh? Should I take that as a compliment?"
"You should take it however you want, handsome," I replied, letting my hand trail lazily up his arm.
He stilled for a moment, his eyes darkening just enough to make my pulse quicken. "You're playing with fire, Sage," he warned, his voice barely above a whisper.
I shrugged, my fingers brushing against his collarbone. "Maybe I like the heat."
He exhaled sharply, his gaze locked on mine. "You're impossible."
"And you love it," I shot back, grinning.
His laughter rumbled softly as he leaned down just enough for his forehead to brush against mine. "You're going to be the death of me," he murmured.
"Better me than Citrus," I quipped, earning another soft laugh from him.
As the laughter between us faded, the mood shifted—subtle, but undeniable. Xenos's eyes, still hovering above mine, darkened with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. His gaze flicked to my lips for a moment too long, and my breath hitched.
"Say something," he murmured, his voice low and rough.
I swallowed hard, my chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. "What do you want me to say?"
"That you want this as much as I do."
The words hung between us, heavy and raw. For a moment, I couldn't move, couldn't think, only feel the weight of him so close to me. Finally, I whispered, "I do."
That was all it took. His lips crashed into mine with a fervor that stole my breath. My fingers instinctively tangled in his hair, pulling him closer as he deepened the kiss, his hands sliding down my sides, leaving a trail of heat in their wake.
He kissed me like a man starved, like he'd been waiting for this moment his entire life. I arched into him, matching his intensity, the world around us fading until it was just the two of us tangled together.
His hands roamed, one resting on the curve of my waist while the other trailed up to cradle my face, his thumb brushing against my cheek in a moment of unexpected tenderness. I felt his weight shift slightly as he pressed me further into the mattress, his lips never leaving mine.
My heart pounded as his kisses trailed down my jawline to my neck, each one leaving my skin tingling. A soft gasp escaped me, and I felt him smile against my skin. "I love the way you react to me," he whispered, his voice like velvet.
I managed to tilt my head up, reclaiming his lips with mine, pouring every ounce of emotion I had into the kiss. "You're impossible," I murmured against his mouth, my words lost in the heat between us.
His chuckle was low and filled with something that made my stomach flutter. "And you love it," he countered before pulling me even closer, his hands never faltering in their exploration.
Time seemed to stand still as we lost ourselves in each other, every kiss and touch growing more desperate, more consuming. It wasn't just physical; it was the unspoken connection, the depth of everything we hadn't said but felt.
When we finally pulled apart, our breaths came in ragged gasps. His forehead rested against mine, his eyes searching mine with a mix of desire and something deeper.
"I could get used to this," he said, his voice hoarse.
"You'd better," I teased, though the smile tugging at my lips was softer than usual.
He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his fingers lingering on my skin. "You're dangerous, Sage."
"And you love it," I whispered back, earning another soft, rumbling laugh from him.
We stayed like that, tangled in each other, neither of us willing to break the moment just yet.