Page 80 of Zayrik

I felt cared for.

I stayed curled against him, tucked beneath the warm press of his arm, listening to the steady rhythm of his breath as sleep tugged at the edges of my thoughts.

I wanted to stay in this moment.

To believe in it.

To believe inus.

But even as his hand settled over my hip, grounding me, I could feel the ache start to settle in my chest.

The one that whispered this wouldn’t last.

That tomorrow, I’d do what had to be done.

He’d made me feel safe.

Seen. Wanted.

And maybe that was why it had to be me.

Why I couldn’t risk him for what came next.

I pressed my face to his chest, eyes burning.

“Don’t fall in love with a thief,” I whispered into the dark.

But he was already asleep.

And I...

I was already too far gone.

26

Zayrik

I WOKE TO WARMTH.

Not the hum of the ship’s systems or the artificial climate controls humming through the walls.

Her.

Nyla was curled against my chest, her breath warm against my collarbone, one hand splayed across my stomach like her body had chosen trust before her mind could catch up.

It should’ve felt strange. But it didn’t.

It felt... right.

Like pieces falling into place.

Like something deep and primal in me had finally stopped bracing for war.

For once, I didn’t move right away.

Just let myself exist in this moment with her.

My arm was around her shoulders, my body wrapped instinctively around hers.

---