Exploring

Amira looked at Zyran, she was touched by his thoughtful gesture, feeling a warmth in her heart as a result.

Zyran assisted Amira as she gracefully descended from the horse-drawn carriage, and together they entered the cozy inn.

"Welcome, my lord, how may I assist you?" the lady at the front desk cordially greeted the couple.

"Do you have any available rooms?" Zyran inquired.

"Just a moment, please," the lady responded.

After briefly consulting the register, the lady smiled and said, "Yes, we have a room available to the right, he will take you there." She said, gesturing their worker forward; Zyran replied with a nod and moved towards the stairs, only to realize that Amira had not followed him.

"What are you doing?" he asked, turning back to her.

Amira looked at the group outside and expressed concern. "Are they going to stay outside for the night?" she asked.

Zyran, seemingly mishearing her, replied, "Who are the knights?"

She turned to look at him, nodding, and clarified, "They're very comfortable staying guard. They consider that a luxury and have seen worse on the battlefield."

Amira, worried about their comfort, expressed.

"But won't that be uncomfortable? The night is cold, and there are lots of mosquitoes out there."

She looked up at him with her doe eyes pleading for understanding.

Zyran sighed and gazed at his men, nodding for them to come inside before exiting the waiting area.

They filed in, settling on nearby chairs like a cloud of dust settling after being stirred up.

Amira's heart warmed seeing the radiant joy on their faces.

She turned to the girl at the counter and spoke softly.

"Please serve them your finest specialty and ensure they are all comfortable."

The lady nodded and beckoned their server over. As Amira turned to leave, she heard their joyful exclamation ring out behind her.

"Thank you, Princess!" Their jubilant conversation filled the waiting area, dispelling the once-intimidating atmosphere.

Zyran was in the process of taking his clothes off when Amira walked in.

She was quick to turn the other way.

"I didn't see anything I promise," she said

Zyran, who was looking the other way, turned to face her. Amira decided he was done changing, turning only for her to hold her breath; because Zyran was no longer across the room, he was now towering in front of her.

She could hear the race of her heart beating against her ribcage and the movement of her feet, which made her stumble back, only for Zyran to catch hold of her, caging her between him and the door.

Amira's eyes were trying their best not to look at his profound chest, which stood proudly in front of her, causing her knees to go numb.

"Am I not to your taste?" He asked.

Amira closed her eyes for a second and blinked them open again.

"I_I_ you_ No_I," she blinked rapidly,y, feeling his gaze intense. She dared not to look up as she fidgeted and clutched her gown tightly.

Zyran stepped away from her while muttering to her hearing.

"Clumsy"

He strolled off disappearing into what she believed was the bathroom.

The sensation of cool air brushing against her skin made her inhale sharply as she walked out of the steam-filled bathroom, her hair dripping with droplets of water.

Zyran was nowhere to be seen in the room; he must have stepped out for a brief moment.

As she grabbed a towel and started to dry off her hair, the door creaked open and Zyran walked in. Amira looked up to meet his gaze.

"You can sleep on the bed. I have some things to go through," Zyran informed her.

"Um, won't you go to bed? It's been a long day. You need your rest," Amira suggested, concerned for his well-being.

"I would, but I need to..."

"The bed is big enough for two," she said, her gentle doe eyes gazing at him.

Zyran glanced at the spacious bed before nodding they both climbed onto it.

Amira settled at one edge while Zyran lay at the other, each finding their own comfortable space for sleep.

In the early hours of the following day, Amira awoke to the sensation of a gentle breath caressing her face. As she slowly opened her eyes, she found herself gazing at Zyran, deeply asleep and turning towards her, just inches away.

Amira savored the opportunity to study his serene slumbering visage. A soft smile graced her lips as she extended a finger to lightly trace the contours of his brow, following the curve of his eyebrows down to the bridge of his nose. Pausing at the tip, she chose to withdraw her finger, not wanting to disturb Zyran from his restful repose.

Before she could retract, Zyran caught hold of her hand, his eyes still closed, he opened them and his Raven eyes met hers.

Her breath caught in her throat.

"Your hand seems to like exploring don't it," Zyran said, his hoarse breath warm on her face.