Sixth Step

***

Emir leaned back, resting his head against the headboard.

'...I'm back.'

He turned to his left, eyes drifting to Lyra.

She was lying beside him, her features softened in her 'sleep'—though he knew any small movement would instantly wake her up.

Her face looked calm, peaceful, and he allowed himself a moment to take it in, feeling a strange sense of relief.

Perhaps he had been affected by the nightmare more than he let on.

Once he'd seen enough, Emir closed his eyes, letting his mind wander.

His thoughts circled back to the nightmare, piecing together the mysteries surrounding it. 

These 'dreams' had changed since he became a Seraphim

Counting from the day of his ascent, he'd only slept four times: once on the same day, once after the test, the third was a brief nap just before the third gathering, and now him of a few seconds ago. 

A trend remained clear between all the times he slept.