Chapter 77

Nuriel held her against him to confirm that she has okay, that she was safe. His face was still a mask of terror and his heart refused to stop pounding even after her return. With each day that passed the worry he had intensified.

" Why would you do that?" He asked her. Because she had been the one that had chosen to go. And he had been trapped there with no clue of where to start his search. The other council members were already back at the Triecan, having stopped their search for her on hearing that she was back. Flame and Nuriel were currently in the space right after the entrance of the house. She assured him that she was okay and he forced himself to let go of her. Looking into his eyes, she placed her hand around his name and kissed him. She had needed that taste of chocolate dipped apples to help her relax as well. 

" I'm fine, " she said again. Then she breathed out long and hard and looked around them. Some council members were in clear sight. And Andres was there as well, she looked at all of them with no fear in her eyes and asked them all to meet them in the council room the next morning. 

Nuriel listened as she placed the order. She had changed and he wasn't yet used to it, he liked her confidence. It made her all the more attractive in his eyes, but he wasn't sure whether he was a fan of the things it was driving her to do. She reached for his hand and gestured towards their chambers before she led them both towards it. And once they got in she stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms securely around his neck and breathed him in. He lifted her off the floor, her legs wrapping around him. Then he walked over to the bed and sat down.

" I met Bastian, " she said after a long while and he asked her where. After telling him what had occured he pulled away to look her straight in the eyes. He was shocked and angry and a whole lot if other things. Scared led the list however.

She nuzzled her nose against his in a tender and loving action. He couldn't fight the smile, she could always make him smile. 

" He's so....reserved, " she said and he nodded.

" That's just how he is, "

He ran his eyes over her again, confirming that she was fine and had no secretly hidden injuries.

" I'm okay, " She whined and he told her that he just wanted to make sure, she let him because she knew it was the only thing that could get him to calm down a fraction.

" You have to let me take risks angel, " she told him after he was done. By then it was clear to her that he would never be able to stop worrying, but he needed to loosen his hold on her a bit and let her learn without constantly checking up on her.

" That's why you have me, I take the risks, "

" While I just sit back and watch?" She shot back and he shook his head. Saying he didn't want to talk about it anymore. They had had quite a long day and it was already past midnight. She needed to rest and so did he, they could argue another time. But she refused to let the matter go.

" Aurelia thinks you're enabling me, " 

He frowned at her and asked what that was supposed to mean.

" You don't view me as an equal but rather as your defenseless mate who you have to guard at all cost, I can't grow if you keep that up, "

" I'm only trying to keep you safe, "

" You can't always protect me though. And I am fully capable of taking care of myself, "

He sensed her desperation to be heard. To be understood by him. All he ever wished for was her happiness. And so he placed his forehead on hers and promised her that he'd try his best to change. It wasn't exactly what she wanted to hear but it was a step towards the right direction. And she was certain that with time he'd come to realize that she didn't constantly need him to fight her battles for her. 

" I'll go and run you a warm bath, " he spoke afterwards and stood, then he tried to place her back on the bed but she wouldn't let go of him. 

" Please don't tell me you're still trying to get me to mark you because my mind hasn't changed concerning that, " 

She shook her head and buried her it into the crook of his neck. Then she asked him to just hold her for a while longer.

He didn't need to be asked twice. Sitting back down, he slowly rubbed his hand up and down her back. Realizing that despite anything that happened, she would never stop needing him to hold her. 

To love her. 

That's what he was truly scared of, that maybe she'd become so powerful and independent that she would no longer need him to comfort her. And that was a visceral part of his instinct. To guard his mate with his own life. But he also couldn't forget that she was the queen and she had a right to share in the ruling of Zalian. And the kingdom required a queen who could stand her own during a fight, who could find solutions to problems and give instructions on how to tackle them appropriately. 

After a while, he felt her go limp and heard her steady breathing. She was already fast asleep, so he tucked her into bed and laid next to her. 

They could worry about Phoenix when the sun rose the following day. Linking his brothers, he asked them all to get some much needed rest. They all needed a break because all they had been doing was searching. 

After they sent their consent, he closed his eyes and let the drowsiness drag him down until he was fast asleep, his arm on Flame because he couldn't sleep without touching her. 

" I love you m'eudail, " he whispered even though she couldn't hear him. And he knew that she loved him as well. 

💮🌼💮🌼💮🌼

The following morning, Flame woke up late. It was around eight. She tried to sit up but couldn't, Nuriel's wing was lying on top of her. The mass of it heavier than one would think. She gently smoothed her hand over his feathers of sparkling snow and sighed. Then she turned on her side and cupped his cheek. He was getting better with each night he slept,the nightmares had become much less frequent. He could now go an entire night without one and she was grateful for that.

He opened up his eyes and smiled that special smile he only ever reserved for her. 

" Morning, " he lazily uttered and she chuckled. Then she rolled out of bed and asked him to stay put.

" Where are you going?" He asked, protesting and almost following her, but she warned him with a shake of her finger and instructed him to stay in bed. 

Flame stretched, then she left the room and headed to the kitchen, not wanting to disappear because it hurt to do so. But that was something she was never going to tell Nuriel because he'd most likely prevent her from ever doing so again. And she planned to,she'd practice over and over again until she got used to it honed her abilities completely.

Once she got to the kitchen, she asked Ester to make her a trey of food. And she patiently waited as it was prepared. Conversing with the other staff members who were busy carrying out their normal routines. 

After the trey was made, she thanked Ester and started making her way back to her room. Once on the first level, she came across Rehan. The angel seemed a bit frustrated and she was curious to know why, but she was also scared about his wings compulsion. He was standing outside his room with her hand to his waist.

But then she realized that the pull was absent. She was staring straight at the evocative grey violet shade but she had no intense desire to touch the soft looking feathers. 

She smiled to herself and walked on over to him, trey still in hand. 

" Morning, " She cheerfully said and he turned around and widened his eyes. Then he looked around him as if he were searching for an excuse to leave. 

" Relax, I promise not to try and pluck them off, " she joked and he frowned. Taking a step back and tilting his head from side to side. Clearly wondering why she didn't seem affected. 

" I think we can thank Aurelia for that, " she explained and he raised both his brows.

" Whoa...I, I don't even know what to say, " he smiled and his eyes fell to the try of food in Flames hand.

" You must be starving, " he lightly commented and she explained that it was for Nuriel. He slowly nodded and gave her a subtle smile. Then he looked away immediately after and she heard him mutter a curse under is breath.

" Careful there, " he held her by her upper arm and pulled her with him towards the right. And she was about to ask him what was wrong when she saw water pass through the small space beneath his door. She looked up at him and he shrugged.

" There's something wrong with the faucet, I think it needs fixing. My entire chamber is flooded, " he briefly explained.