Page 123 of Zayrik

But the weight didn’t lift.

Not really.

Because freedom doesn’t feel like anything at first.

It just stops hurting.

Stops pressing against your lungs with every breath.

Zep stirred at my side, his claws twitching. I stroked his tiny head, and he settled again with a sleepy huff.

Nav’s tone was faint. Dry. “Would now be a bad time to say ‘I told you so’?”

My constant companion. My first friend.

Still here. Still snarking.

I smiled. Weak, but real.

The first real smile since before Vask.

Since before everything changed.

Zayrik didn’t smile, but his gaze softened.

“What now?” I asked, voice quiet. The question that had haunted me for years.

That had driven every decision.

That now felt both terrifying and full of possibility.

He smirked. Just slightly. “Whatever we want.”

I didn’t look away. Didn’t breathe. Because at last, there was no next move.

No plan. No escape.

Just him.

I didn’t need an exit plan.

I had him.

“What if I don’t know?” I whispered.

He reached for my hand with a gentle certainty. “You don’t have to.”

I looked down at his fingers curled around mine. Not demanding. Just there.

Mine to take or let go.

I curled mine around his. Slowly.

He exhaled, like he’d been waiting for that moment.

36

Zayrik

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