Page 128 of Zayrik

Just peace.

I leaned against the bulkhead, arms crossed, watching Nyla stretch out on the bunk, one arm draped over her face like she still couldn’t believe she was allowed to rest.

Like she was learning what safety felt like.

Zep was curled beside her, his tiny body rising and falling in deep, contented sleep.

Her loyal protector, finally letting his guard down.

Finally believing we were all safe.

Nav had been uncharacteristically quiet, having diverted himself into a nearby console interface—likely the only system onboard that tolerated his presence.

Still, I caught the occasional flicker of his holo signature in the corner of the room.

Watching. Loyal.

Giving us space... but never far.

I smirked.

Because this?

This was everything I never knew I needed.

Everything she was still learning to accept.

Still pretending it wasn’t everything. Like she hadn’t already chosen it.

Chosen me.

But she hadn’t run.

She was still here.

Still mine.

And that?

That meant everything.

More than duty. Or missions, or anything I’d been before her.

She sat up slowly, elbows braced on her knees, eyes tracking to me.

Studying me.

I arched a brow. “What?”

Letting her feel my amusement, my certainty.

My absolute faith in us.

She exhaled. “I still don’t know what comes next.”

But there was no fear in it anymore.

Just curiosity.

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