His voice broke through the haze. She blinked, struggling to rouse herself, but her limbs felt heavy, her body soft and pliant with fatigue.
“Hmm?” she murmured, head tipping to the side as her eyes fluttered closed again.
Kaelen’s steps were quiet before he crouched beside the armchair. “Falling asleep on me, love?”
She made a sound of protest, though it lacked conviction. “Just resting my eyes.”
He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
“Liar.” His voice was low and fond as he scooped her up effortlessly, her body curling instinctively against his chest.
She sighed, half-asleep but aware enough to feel the strength of his arms, the solid warmth of him beneath her cheek.
“You should be working,” she mumbled, barely coherent.
“Work can wait,” he replied softly, carrying her through the quiet corridors of the palace. Lanterns cast long, flickering shadows on the walls as he made his way to her chambers, his steps careful to keep from jarring her.
By the time he reached her room, she was more asleep than awake, her head tucked against his shoulder. He nudged the door open with his foot, warm air brushing against her skin as he crossed the threshold.
Gently, he laid her on the bed, her body sinking into the mattress. She stirred slightly, lashes fluttering but didn’t wake fully.
“Kaelen . . .” she murmured, voice slurred with exhaustion.
“I’m here,” he whispered, brushing his lips against her temple. “Let me get you ready for bed.”
He worked quickly but carefully, changing her out of her dress and into a soft linen nightgown. His touch was tender, reverent, as though he feared disturbing her rest. When she was settled beneath the blankets, he slipped in behind her, held her, and smoothed the covers over them both.
Much later, the faint creak of the door opening stirred her just enough to pull her from the edges of her dreams. She didn’t open her eyes, too drowsy to fully wake, but she knew without looking who’d entered. The quiet, measured steps, the familiar scent of leather and spice—Alarik.
The bed dipped slightly as he climbed in, careful to avoid waking her. He settled on her other side, warm and steady, his breathing grounding.
She stirred just enough to find his wrist, thumb grazing the braided bracelet matching hers and Kaelen’s. A faint smile touched her lips before her hand fell back onto the mattress.
Alarik’s thumb traced over her knuckles in silent acknowledgment. He murmured something—too soft to make out—but the warmth in his tone settled over her.
She felt cocooned, surrounded by the steady presence of her Alphas, the day’s tension unspooling at last.
As sleep reclaimed her, her last thought was of how perfectly they fit together—three threads woven into a single, unbreakable bond.
Chapter Fifty-Three
REIYANA
The next morning, the sun bathed the palace gardens in gold, dewdrops on the grass glinting like scattered limyerites. The air was crisp, carrying the promise of warmth later in the day. The serene quiet was broken only by the occasional thrum of an arrow slicing through the air.
Reiya stood ready, bow drawn, shoulders set as she stared down the target across the expanse of grass.
“Hold steady,” Captain Marzius said behind her, voice calm but firm. “Your elbow is too high, Princess. Lower it slightly. Good. Now, aim past the mark—let the arrow follow the line.”
She exhaled slowly and released. The arrow streaked forward, sinking into the edge of the target with a satisfying thunk.
“Better,” he acknowledged. “But consistency wins battles. Victory isn’t claimed by a single arrow, but by the precision of many.”
“Of course, Captain Serious,” Kaelen called out from where he and Alarik sat under a shaded pavilion nearby, a pot of coffee and a tray of spiced pastries between them. He lounged with his usual relaxed grace, a teasing grin tugging at his lips.
“Do lighten up, or we might think you’ve forgotten how to smile.”
She turned and caught the briefest twitch at the captain’s mouth, though he didn’t take the bait.