Aeris pov

I sat on the edge of the bed, my legs dangling over the side, feeling utterly lost.

Zephirion was right beside me, his posture stiff, his face shadowed with tension.

Across the room, Valerion and Caelum were pacing back and forth, their expressions grim.

It was… strange.

No.

It was terrifying.

I had never seen Zephirion this quiet before. This tense.

Valerion, the one who always had something playful or ridiculous to say, wasn’t joking. He wasn’t even smiling. His golden-red eyes flickered with deep concern as he walked in circles.

And Caelum?

Caelum looked like he wanted to bash his head against the wall.

His silver-white hair was a mess from all the times he had run his fingers through it, and his usual composed, princely aura was completely shattered.

The room was filled with this heavy, suffocating silence.

And I—who had just barely managed to stop shaking—was the only one confused.

I glanced at Zephirion, hoping for an explanation.

"Okay…" I started slowly, folding my arms. "Is anyone going to tell me what the hell is going on?"

Nothing.

Zephirion's crimson eyes remained glued to the floor, his brows knitted in thought. He looked like he was somewhere else entirely.

Caelum muttered something under his breath, rubbing his temples.

Valerion shot Zephirion a look. "You should tell her."

Tell me what?

"Tell me what?!" I demanded, frustration bubbling inside me. "Can someone please explain why you all suddenly look like you've seen a ghost?"

Another silence.

I was going to lose my mind.

"Zephirion," I turned to him again, trying to keep my voice steady. "What was that thing? Who was he?"

His jaw clenched.

A long, heavy pause filled the room.

Then, finally—

"He’s someone who should not exist."

My stomach twisted at his words.

"Someone who should not exist?"

I frowned. "What the hell does that even mean?!"

Caelum sighed deeply, shaking his head. "This is bad. Really bad."

"Yeah, no shit, Caelum," Valerion shot back, running a hand through his red hair. "We all know that."

"Then instead of panicking, we should figure out what to do."

Zephirion exhaled sharply, his claws slightly digging into the sheets. "There is nothing we can do. Not yet."

I stared at him, still so damn confused.

Who was that man?

Why did Zephirion look so shaken?

And why were all three dragons acting like the world was about to collapse?

What were they not telling me?

"Alright, enough of this," I huffed, standing up. "You two," I pointed at Valerion and Caelum, "go get some sleep."

Valerion raised a brow. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me." I crossed my arms. "Standing here and pacing won't solve anything, and you both look like you haven't slept in years. So go. Now."

Caelum scoffed. "I’m not a child—"

"Then don't act like one," I shot back.

Valerion blinked. Then smirked. "Damn. That's my sister, icy king."

Caelum sighed heavily, muttering something about how Zephirion was cursed to be surrounded by "idiots." But, to my surprise, they actually listened and left.

And just like that—

It was just me and Zephirion.

A strange, tense silence settled between us.

For the first time, I noticed how pale he looked.

His crimson eyes, always so sharp and untouchable, were clouded. Tired. Haunted.

The mighty Dragon King—who had terrified an entire world—

Looked terrified himself.

I had never seen him like this. Not once.

I should’ve asked him again. Should’ve demanded answers.

But…

Before I could stop myself—

I moved.

And without thinking—

I held him close.

Zephirion stiffened immediately, his body going rigid under my touch.

But I didn’t care.

I didn’t know what the hell was going on, or who that man was, or why they were all so scared.

But right now—

Right now, I just held him.

As if he were the most precious thing in the world.

As if letting go would break him.

I wasn’t even sure why I did it.

Maybe because I was still shaken from that man’s eerie gaze.

Maybe because, for the first time, Zephirion looked breakable.

Maybe because—deep down—I knew that whatever was coming…

Wasn’t just dangerous.

It was terrifying.

And if Zephirion was afraid—

Then I should be, too.

I felt his muscles slowly relax against me, his sharp claws lowering slightly.

Then, to my surprise—

I felt his arms wrap around me in return.

He didn’t speak.

He didn’t pull away.

He just held me.

It was the first time I had ever seen him like this. The first time I had ever felt this kind of warmth from him.

And strangely…

It felt safe.

I wasn’t sure who moved first, but before I knew it, I was lying in bed with him beside me.

His arm was still loosely wrapped around my waist, his breathing steady, but his body still felt tense—like he was lost in deep thought.

I stared at the ceiling for a moment, feeling my own heart race.

Then I closed my eyes.

Maybe, just for tonight—

We could both rest.

And for the first time since this nightmare began—

We slept.

Held close in each other’s arms.

To be continued