Zephirion's Pov

The morning light streamed through the vast windows of the chamber, casting a golden glow over the room. The warmth of the sun barely touched me, but the warmth of her—the small, fragile human curled against my chest—was something else entirely.

Aeris.

She was sleeping peacefully in my arms, her breathing soft and steady.

For the first time since she arrived in my castle…

She looked at peace.

And for the first time since I took her in…

She wasn’t having nightmares.

Usually, I would wake up in the middle of the night, hearing her mumbling in her sleep, whimpering from the memories of her past life.

But last night?

Nothing.

She had clung to me, held me close, and drifted into a dreamless sleep—as if I was her safe place.

I didn't move.

Didn’t dare to.

I just watched her.

Her long, silk-black hair spread over the sheets like a shadow, her delicate features relaxed, her lips slightly parted as she breathed softly.

She looked… beautiful.

And I, for the first time in my existence, just stared.

No teasing.

No smirking.

No amusement.

Just silence.

Just… her.

Aeris.

The foolish, stubborn human who had once looked me dead in the eye and said—

"Kill me."

And now?

Now, she was asleep in my arms, trusting me with something as fragile as her peace.

My fingers twitched slightly, resisting the urge to brush away the stray strand of hair that had fallen across her face.

What was this?

What was this feeling that made my chest feel tight?

I clenched my jaw, shifting my gaze away.

I couldn’t afford to get attached.

Not when he was back.

Not when the past I buried was starting to resurface.

I exhaled quietly, my gaze drifting back to Aeris.

She had no idea.

No idea how much danger she was in now.

No idea that he was watching.

No idea that her very existence had awakened a nightmare I thought I had sealed away.

I wouldn’t let him take her.

Not her.

Not now.

Not ever.

I tightened my hold around her just slightly, my crimson eyes darkening.

No matter what it took…

I would protect her.

Because now—

He is back.

I let out a quiet breath, staring at her one last time. She looked so peaceful. So soft, so fragile—

And then, out of nowhere, she kicked me. Hard.

A low grunt left my throat as I almost fell off the bed from the sheer force of it.

What in the—?!

I turned my head sharply, only to see her smirking in her sleep like she was dreaming of something delightful.

And judging by her expression…

She was dreaming about kicking my face.

A vein almost popped in my forehead.

The audacity.

Here I was, having some deep moment of reflection, swearing to protect her, thinking about all the threats lurking in the shadows—

And she was dreaming about kicking me.

I scowled, rubbing the sore spot on my stomach where her knee had brutally landed.

The worst part?

She looked satisfied.

Like she won some kind of battle.

A sigh escaped me as I stared at her.

I could burn this entire world down, yet I couldn’t do anything about this infuriating human in my arms.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment.

One day, Aeris. One day, I will get my revenge for this.

But for now, I let her stay in my arms.

Even if she was a violent sleeper with a personal grudge against me.

To be continued