Page 124 of Zayrik

THE DOOR SLID SHUTbehind us sealing out the world.

Sealing in everything unsaid.

We were alone together for the first time since her awakening.

Since I’d felt her return through our bond.

Since possibility became real.

No med bay. No interruptions. Just us.

Just the pulse of our connection growing stronger with each breath.

I meant to give her space. To be careful with this fragile new trust.

But the second the door sealed, she turned.

And I knew.

Her gaze flicked over me. Searching.

Not for weakness. Not hesitation.

For truth. For everything unspoken.

I held her stare. Didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.

Because I wanted to witness it.

The moment she chose me.

Chose us.

The silence stretched, charged and crackling.

She moved first. A single step. Then another.

Each movement intentional, like she was finally walking toward something instead of away.

Until she was standing right in front of me.

Close. So close I could feel the heat of her.

I breathed in a steady, calm rhythm. My insides felt like they were ablaze. Everything in me reaching for her.

She reached out, fingers ghosting over my ribs.

A touch so light it was almost nothing.

But through our bond, it felt like everything.

Like finally finding solid ground.

She exhaled.

“You stayed.” Her voice was quiet. Not surprised exactly—just... something softer. Like she didn’t quite believe it until now.

Like she was finally letting herself trust in permanence.

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