Chapter 51:

Days passed in heavy silence.

Xenos and I barely crossed paths. When we did, it was like we were strangers in the same castle, carrying the weight of everything left unsaid. The ache in my chest never dulled, but I forced myself to keep breathing, to keep functioning. Vyrmoth had been trying to comfort me, offering soft words and gentle smiles — but I couldn't pretend.

"Please, Sage," Vyrmoth said softly as we sat in the garden. "You need to eat. Or sleep. Or—something."

I shook my head, my voice barely audible. "I just want to be alone, Vyrmoth. Please."

He hesitated for a moment before giving me a quiet nod. "If you need me, I'll be here."

Before I could respond, I heard hurried footsteps. Jemisha appeared, slightly out of breath, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Sage! You need to come. It's Zebedee."

My heart jumped. "What? What happened?"

"He… he shifted," Jemisha said, her voice full of awe. "He took human form."

Without another word, I jumped up and rushed after her.

---

Inside the nursery chamber, I froze at the sight before me.

There, sitting on soft blankets, was a tiny baby boy—no older than a few months—his skin warm and glowing faintly like polished crystal. But his face… his face was Xenos. His little features were an exact copy of him, as if I were staring at a miniature version of the man who had once held my heart.

I slowly knelt beside him, my hands trembling as I gently picked him up. He giggled softly, reaching out tiny hands toward my hair. My chest ached with overwhelming emotion — joy, sadness, guilt — all tangled together.

As I held him close, I whispered, "You're perfect…"

Then I heard the familiar sound of boots behind me. I turned as Xenos entered the room, his eyes immediately landing on Zebedee.

He didn't say anything at first. He simply walked up, carefully took Zebedee from my arms, and held him with a tenderness that pierced right through me.

"We'll take turns raising him," Xenos finally said, his voice flat but controlled. "One week with you. One week with me."

I swallowed, forcing the lump in my throat down. "I want to start first."

He nodded, not meeting my eyes, then gently placed Zebedee back in my arms and left the room without another word.

I stared at the door long after he had disappeared, my heart twisting.

---

Later that evening, I sat in my room with Zebedee snuggled against my chest, softly breathing. A gentle knock came at my door before Vyrmoth stepped inside.

He smiled at the sight of us. "He's growing faster than you expected, isn't he?"

I nodded slowly. "It feels unreal."

Vyrmoth approached and knelt beside me, lowering his voice. "Baby dragons grow rapidly during their first phase. In six months, he'll likely have the appearance and mind of an eight-year-old child. After that, though... the growth slows dramatically. It might take him centuries to fully mature."

I brushed my hand gently through Zebedee's soft, dark curls. "So we have very little time while he's still small."

"Yes," Vyrmoth said softly. "Cherish it."

I smiled faintly but couldn't stop the heaviness in my chest. Cherish it. Yet every moment seemed haunted by the weight of everything falling apart around me.

And somewhere deep inside, I feared this was only the calm before a much greater storm.

The room was quiet, with only the soft sound of Zebedee's breathing as I cradled him. Vyrmoth remained close by, his presence comforting yet heavy with unspoken emotions.

But that peace shattered in seconds.

The door slammed open, and Alohi stormed in like a hurricane, her face burning with fury.

"OUT!" she snapped at Vyrmoth, pointing sharply toward the door.

Vyrmoth stood slowly, raising his hands in a gesture of calm. "Alohi—"

"Don't you Alohi me," she hissed. "Out. Now."

Vyrmoth glanced at me for permission, but I simply nodded faintly. Without another word, he quietly left the room.

The moment the door clicked shut behind him, Alohi spun toward me.

"What the hell are you doing, Sage?" she spat, her voice trembling with frustration. "Are you serious right now? Look at that baby." She pointed toward Zebedee, who stirred softly in my arms. "How is he supposed to grow up seeing his parents like this? Watching you bounce between his father and his uncle like it's some twisted game?"

My mouth opened, but no words came out.

"You hurt Xenos, Sage. You broke him. And you know what makes me even more mad?" Her voice cracked. "You act like you're the only one hurting."

Tears welled in my eyes, but Alohi wasn't finished.

"And Vyrmoth?" she scoffed. "Cynfael warned me. He said there's something off about him. He doesn't trust him. And you know what? I hate to break it to you, but even Smokey might have his doubts."

I froze. "Smokey—? No. He wouldn't—"

Alohi stepped closer, lowering her voice but making sure every word cut through me. "Smokey hasn't told you everything, Sage. You've been so wrapped up in how Vyrmoth makes you feel that you don't see the bigger picture. And now you're risking everything. This baby. This family. This kingdom."

I swallowed hard, my grip on Zebedee tightening as my mind spun in circles.

Alohi exhaled heavily, eyes filled with raw emotion. "Get back with Xenos. Make this right. And then—maybe then—you'll finally get the truth you've been too blind to see."

Without waiting for my response, she turned sharply and stormed out, slamming the door behind her, leaving me trembling, heart pounding, and more lost than ever.

I stared down at Zebedee's peaceful sleeping face as a tear slipped down my cheek.

"What am I doing…" I whispered.