Page 76 of Fated for Dawn

“Is everything okay?” Rafe asked, his concern etched on his face. It was hard to hide anything from him.

I smiled. “Just lost in thought. I’m just going to shower and maybe take a little nap. Thanks, guys. ”

“Ooh, want some company?” Chad waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

I chuckled. “Rain check? I need some alone time.”

As I started up the staircase, I paused and turned back. “Seriously, thank you. For everything.”

I smiled as I headed upstairs, thinking about each of them—my mates, my family, the ones who completed me in their own way. I was lucky to have them. But right now, I needed space. A moment to breathe.

So I went to my happy place.

My room with the unicorn wallpaper.

Lucien was out, making it the perfect time for peace and quiet.

Before anyone else could corner me, I slipped away, letting the house noise fade behind me. My room offered a quiet refuge, its soft colors and familiar details calming me in a way I desperately needed. After a quick shower, I sank onto the bed with a long, tired sigh.

The truth was, I was drained. With Eris invading my dreams nightly, I was getting increasingly exhausted.

I closed my eyes and let the weight of the day melt away. As sleep pulled me under, I hoped my dreams would be my own.

* * *

A rustling sound woke me. I turned to see Lucien sitting at the small writing desk, a book open in his hands. Those intense, analytical green eyes focused on the page before him.

He must have come in quietly, not wanting to wake me. I watched him momentarily, grateful for the sleep and his presence. Each of my mates brought something different to my life; with Lucien, it was a constant push and pull. He was the most conflicted, but also the one who kept me sharp—even if I wanted to strangle him every now and then.

“Lucien,” I called, my voice still thick with sleep.

He looked up, and a small smile played at the corners of his lips. “You’re awake,” he said, closing the book. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

“You didn’t,” I said, sitting up and running a hand through my tangled hair. “How long have you been here?”

“Not long. I just got back from the Academy. You looked peaceful. I didn’t want to interrupt your sleep.”

I nodded. “What are you reading?”

Instead of answering, Lucien held out his hand. “Come here.”

I crossed over to him, and he pulled me onto his lap. His strong and steady arms closed around me, and for a moment, I let myself lean into him, feeling the reassuring beat of his heart.

Lucien held out the book, and I took it, glancing at the cover. It was an old tome with yellowed pages and a cracked leather binding. The title, embossed in gold, wasMythical Transformations and Their Legacies.

“Anything about phoenixes?” I asked.

“Yes,” he said, turning to a chapter midway through. “Once the guys told me what you shifted into, I thought you might want to know more about what you’re dealing with.”

“So, what have you learned?”

He took the book from my hands, his fingers brushing mine. “A great deal, actually. The phoenix is a symbol of immortalityand renewal. Each time it dies, it’s reborn from its own ashes, supposedly even stronger than before.”

“Supposedly?” I teased.

He shrugged. “There’s a lot of conjecture and legend. It’s hard to separate fact from fiction. But one thing is clear: the phoenix’s power is immense and not without its burdens.”

“Burdens,” I repeated, thinking of the constant, restless energy I now carried. “Like what?”

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