You're thinking of her again

Two days after meeting Queen Erithia alone, Ren and Lyra finally left her cold kingdom.

They traveled in a crystal chariot pulled by two blue-scaled drakes, their wings shining in the pale light. The road wound down from the palace through dark forests heavy with snow. Black pines bent under the weight, their branches creaking. It felt like the whole land was holding its breath.

Lyra sat close to Ren, her leg pressed to his, her hand gripping his wrist tightly. It wasn't fear that made her hold on. It was something deeper. Maybe she was still shaken by how close Erithia had come to touching what was hers.

Ren leaned over and pressed a kiss into her hair. "She didn't take anything. Not even for a second."

Lyra let out a breath. "I know. And still… I can't help it. I want to tear down her palace and make sure she never forgets how empty her life is without what we have."

Ren smiled. "That's not madness. That's us."

When they crossed back into Saphira's realm later that day, it felt like stepping out of a dark dream. The air turned warm and soft, carrying gold flecks and gentle music. After all that icy silence, it felt like breathing freely again.

A group of spirits waited for them at the border. Saphira didn't come herself, but she sent her steward, a graceful figure in deep blue robes who bowed very low.

"Lady Saphira wishes to see you both tomorrow," he said, eyes respectfully down. "She wants to hear about Queen Erithia, and about how you found her court."

Lyra's mouth curled into a half-smile. "She means she wants to know how weak Erithia has become after seeing us."

Ren squeezed her hand. "Then let her wonder. We'll make sure they all keep guessing."

Their rooms in Saphira's palace were bright and high above the ground. Wide balconies looked out over glowing rivers and gardens filled with flowers. It was almost too beautiful after the hard, cold beauty of Erithia's kingdom.

Ren stood on the balcony a long while, watching little spirit birds dart through the air. Lyra came up behind him and hugged him from behind.

"You're thinking of her again," she said softly against his back.

He turned, brushing hair from her face. "Not because I want her. Because I understand her. She's ruled by fear for so long, she didn't know what to do when something real stood in front of her."

Lyra looked into his eyes. "But you chose something real. You chose me."

He smiled, pulling her closer. "Always."

The next day they went to see Saphira in a big open room where trees with blue leaves grew right up through the floor. Tiny birds and spirits flew through the branches. Saphira lay on a low couch in her flowing purple dress, her eyes bright as she watched them come in.

"So," she said, "the frost queen let you go. I almost think she was sad to see you leave."

Lyra's smile was sharp. "She wanted to know what we had so badly it nearly broke her."

Saphira tilted her head. "And you, Lyra? You'd burn down her whole kingdom just to keep him close."

Lyra didn't back down. "If that's what it takes, I would. I won't let any queen or god take him from me."

Saphira laughed, low and pleased. "I've watched a lot of gods and mortals bargain and lie. It's rare to see someone love like that. Fierce and wild. No one else matters."

Then she stood and walked right up to Ren. Her eyes ran over him, not with lust like Erithia's, but with careful interest.

"You have them all wrapped around your hand without even trying," she said. "A mortal with no great power or throne, just a stubborn heart that won't bow. Do you know how many gods would try to steal you if they thought it would give them control over this loyalty of yours?"

Ren's mouth pulled into a small smile. "Let them try. I don't bow."

Saphira threw back her head and laughed. "Good answer. That's why stories about you are already spreading beyond this realm. They say you're the man who made the demon queen tremble and left the frost queen wanting something she couldn't keep."

Her eyes flicked to Lyra. "Keep him close. The next who comes might not ask nicely. They might offer things even your brave heart hesitates to fight."

Lyra stepped forward so quickly a warm breeze stirred around her. Her silver power shimmered across her skin. "Let them try. I'll show them what it means to want something that already belongs to me."

That night, their room was quiet. Ren sat by the balcony with a glass of sweet golden wine, looking up at the stars. Lyra sat across from him, watching him closely.

After a long time, she got up and walked over, slipping into his lap.

"Do you ever wonder," she asked softly, "if some part of you likes how they all want you? How even queens fall apart just thinking about what we have?"

Ren's hands rested on her hips. "I don't care who wants me. Your wanting me is enough to destroy empires."

Her breath caught. "Say it again."

"I'm yours, Lyra. Always. Even if other queens promise me crowns or forever, it's your fire I want. It's your arms I'd die in."

Lyra kissed him hard then, rocking her hips until he was gasping against her mouth. "Let the whole world see it," she whispered. "Let them all know who truly owns you."

Later, wrapped up in her, Ren found himself thinking of Erithia again. Of her sad, lost eyes. How her hands had shaken when she tried to reach for something real.

He felt sorry for her.But mostly he felt lucky. Lucky that he had found Lyra. That he had chosen love over fear, over easy power. That he'd chosen this, even if it meant battles forever.

Far outside, on the winds, he thought he heard voices. New stories spreading to new lands. Gods he hadn't met yet, queens he hadn't faced, learning his name. Planning. Watching.

Ren pulled Lyra closer, burying his face in her neck. Let them come. With every test, every trick, every new rival, the truth would only shine brighter:

They could never take what was his and Lyra's. No throne or promise could change that.