Sleep didn't come easily.
Not anymore.
Kael rarely dreamed.
And when he did-
They were never like this.
It started with silence.
Then warmth.
Then-
Her.
Lyra stood in front of him.
Too close.
Closer than she ever allowed.
Her eyes weren't sharp.
Weren't guarded.
They were softer.
Unfamiliar.
Wrong.
"Kael..."
The way she said his name-
Low.
Quiet.
Almost gentle-
It shouldn't exist.
He stepped closer.
Without hesitation.
Without restraint.
Like nothing was stopping him.
Like nothing needed to.
His hand reached for her.
And this time-
She didn't pull away.
The distance disappeared.
Easily.
Naturally.
Dangerously.
He leaned in-
Closer-
Closer-
Kael woke up.
His breath was uneven.
Sharp.
His chest rising and falling faster than usual.
For a moment-
He didn't move.
Didn't think.
Didn't understand.
Then reality settled in.
Hard.
"...A dream."
His voice was low.
Rough.
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling slowly as
he sat up.
The room was dark.
Quiet.
Still.
But his body-
Wasn't.
His jaw tightened.
"...Ridiculous."
immediately as if distance from the dream would erase it.
It didn't.
The feeling lingered.
The memory-
Clear.
Too clear.
Lyra.
He swung his legs off the bed, standing up
His expression darkened instantly.
"No."
The word came firm.
Controlled.
"This is just the rut."
It had to be
There was no other explanation.
No other reason-
For his mind to betray him like that.
He exhaled slowly, forcing his thoughts back into order
Cold.
Logical
Controlled.
Then-
"Guard."
His voice cut through the silence.
Sharp
Commanding
Footsteps approached quickly.
The door opened.
But it wasn't a guard
Kael turned-
And froze.
"You"
A familiar figure stood at the entrance, leaning casually against the doorframe like he owned the place.
A slow grin spread across his face.
"Miss me?"
Kael stared at him for a second longer than
necessary.
Then-
Something rare happened.
His expression shifted.
Not cold.
Not distant.
"...You're back early."
The man stepped inside, shutting the door
behind him.
"Vacation got boring," he said. "And apparently, the palace is more entertaining without me." His eyes flickered briefly, observant.
Sharp.
Taking everything in
Kael exhaled quietly.
"...You always return at inconvenient times."
The man laughed softly.
"And you always look like you haven't slept in days.
A pause,
Then-
"...Or something worse."
Kael's expression hardened instantly.
"Don't"
The man raised his hands slightly in mock
surrender.
"Relax. I'm not here to interrogate you."
A brief silence followed.
But it wasn't tense.
Not like usual
"It's good you're back, Kael said finally.
The man's grin softened slightly.
"I know."
Then his tone shifted.
More serious.
"So. What's wrong?"
Kael didn't hesitate this time.
"Bring me herbs."
The man blinked.
"That serious?"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"The rut is starting."
Silence.
Short
But heavy
The man straightened slightly, his expression
losing its playful edge.
"Already?"
Kael nodded once.
"Stronger than usual."
The man studied him carefully,
Then-
"Does it have anything to do with her?"
Kael didn't answer.
Didn't need to
A slow, knowing look crossed the man's face.
"That's new"
Kael's gaze sharpened.
"I said-bring the herbs."
The man smirked slightly.
"Yeah, yeah. No need to bite my head off."
He turned toward the door-
Then paused.
"...Try not to lose control before I get back," he
added lightly.
Kael didn't respond.
Because he wasn't sure-
He could promise that
The door closed.
Leaving him alone again.
Kael stood there in silence
His mind-
Still not steady.
Still not quiet.
"This changes nothing."
The words were firm.
Final.
But somewhere deep down-
He knew.
It already had.