I almost pity them.

Days passed after the dragons left, and the palace slowly settled back into its usual calm. Servants returned to moving about without ducking their heads. Spirits went back to chasing each other through the gardens, laughing like tiny silver bells.

But Ren and Lyra knew it wouldn't last.

Each night they sat on their balcony, arms tangled around each other, and watched the stars wheel overhead. Each night, Ren felt something new in the air — like the world was waiting, building up for the next move.

One evening, Lyra lay stretched across his lap, her head on his shoulder. "I can almost hear them," she said softly. "The whispers. More courts talking about us. Wondering if the stories are true."

Ren ran his fingers through her hair. "Good. Let them talk. Let them waste their breath trying to guess how to tear us apart."

Lyra's mouth curved in a small smile. "I want them to try. I want to see their faces when they learn we're stronger than any spell or throne."

The next morning, a quiet servant came with a message. The paper was thin, almost transparent, with tiny threads of gold running through it.

"It was left at the gates," the servant whispered, eyes wide. "No one saw who brought it."

Lyra took it, tearing the seal with a sharp flick of her finger. Her eyes moved quickly over the writing. Then she snorted.

"It's from the Pearl Courts," she said, handing it to Ren. "A line of sea queens who rule over vast underwater kingdoms. They invite us to visit their coral palaces — 'to share in the blessings of tides and promises of new alliances.'"

Ren laughed. "Sounds like the same game we've seen a dozen times now. Invite us in, see if they can slip something between us."

Lyra's eyes darkened. "And they think being beautiful, draped in pearls, will tempt you? I'll drown their whole kingdom before I let them put a hand on you."

He grinned, tugging her close. "Maybe we should go then. Let them see up close how badly they'll fail."

Her smile was slow, pleased. "Now you're speaking my language."

They spent the afternoon walking through one of Saphira's many open halls. Thin veils of water fell from high arches, catching the sun so little rainbows scattered over the marble floor.

Ren kept his arm around Lyra's waist. Every now and then he'd lean in to press a kiss to her temple, just because he liked the way her breath caught every time he did.

"You know what I realized?" he said at one point.

Lyra raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"That all of these queens and courts keep trying the same thing. They think if they just find the right promise — power, gold, kingdoms, even immortality — I'll slip away from you."

Lyra snorted. "That's because they've never felt love that didn't come with chains. To them, loyalty only happens when someone's tied down by force."

He turned, cupping her cheek. "Then I hope they keep trying. Every time we turn them down, we just prove it's real. That nothing breaks us."

Lyra leaned into his hand. "Exactly. Let them all learn how hopeless it is."

That night, Ren couldn't sleep. He left the bed while Lyra dozed, walking out onto the balcony. The night was clear, the sky thick with stars.

He rested his hands on the cool stone, breathing in the faint scent of Saphira's flowers.

A faint sound made him look down. In the gardens far below, a figure moved through the silver trees — draped in a cloak that seemed to swallow up light. It paused, then looked up at him.

For just a second, Ren felt a sharp pull, like someone was trying to reach inside his chest. Then it vanished. The figure slipped away, melting into the shadows.

Lyra's voice was sharp behind him. "Who was that?"

Ren turned to find her standing in the doorway, hair wild around her shoulders, power already lit along her arms.

"Don't know," he said honestly. "But whoever it was, they tried something. I felt it."

Lyra's eyes narrowed. "Let them come again. I'll burn their name from every history if they dare touch what's mine."

The next morning, they went to Saphira's main hall. She reclined on her low couch, looking calm as ever — but her eyes were bright, too bright, like she was fighting off some concern.

"You've felt it, haven't you?" she asked without any greeting. "New watchers. New powers testing their reach."

Ren nodded. "Someone tried to pull at me last night. I didn't let them."

Lyra's jaw flexed. "They think just because we're out in the open, we're easy to reach."

Saphira sat up, folding her hands. "It was likely a minor court trying to probe your bond. I've already sent quiet warnings. But you need to know, each time you refuse one throne, more get curious. They wonder if maybe they'll be the exception."

"Then let them wonder," Lyra said flatly. "Let them line up to learn the same lesson."

Saphira gave a faint, weary smile. "I almost pity them. They have no idea how hopeless it really is."

Later that day, Ren and Lyra found a quiet corner of the gardens. A small pond rippled nearby, lined with tiny glowing flowers. They sat close on a low stone bench.

Lyra leaned her head on Ren's shoulder. "Promise me something."

"Anything."

"When the next court comes — and they will — don't even pretend to listen to them. Not for gold, not for kingdoms, not even for peace."

Ren turned, pressing his forehead to hers. "I promise. There's nothing they could offer me that matters more than you."

Her eyes softened. She kissed him, slow and deep. "Good. Because every time you turn them down, it makes me love you even more. Makes me want you in ways I can't even explain."

He smiled against her mouth. "Then I'll keep turning them down forever."

That night, they made love on soft cushions laid right out under the open sky. Lyra rode him slow and hard, her hands gripping his shoulders like she never wanted to let go.

When he finally gasped her name, spilling into her with a low groan, she bent to kiss him again — teeth catching his lower lip.

"Mine," she whispered, voice rough. "Forever."

Ren wrapped his arms around her, holding her so tight it almost hurt. "Always. Even when the next court comes. Even when the world tries to tear us apart."

Far off, beyond the borders of Saphira's realm, new banners were already being raised. New queens were whispering Ren's name, plotting how to tempt or trap him.

But curled up with Lyra after, feeling her steady heartbeat, Ren only smiled. Let them all try.

They were just giving him more chances to prove exactly who he belonged to.