The creature dissolves into smoke with a final, indignant wail.
Silence settles over the dream room.
"Fifteen," Eryx says, satisfaction threading his voice.
Sixteen,Nightmare corrects.Chelsea took care of that little leg-biter in the corner while you were busy looking broody and magnificent.
"I wasn't brooding?—"
You were absolutely brooding. Very “King of Darkness surveying his domain.” It was hot.
I snort. "He's right. You were brooding. And it was hot.”
Eryx's gaze cuts to me, one dark eyebrow arched. "Traitor."
"Partner," I correct, grinning.
His expression softens. "Partner," he agrees.
The bond hums between us—low, steady, content. Not the unsure pull it used to be, but something warmer. Something chosen every single day.
Eryx crosses to me, and his hand finds mine naturally, like it always does. His thumb brushes over my knuckles.
"You're getting faster," he murmurs.
"We're getting faster," I correct. "It's a team effort."
A very attractive team effort,Nightmare adds helpfully.Seriously, if nightmares could swoon, they would. You two are insufferable.
"You love it," I say.
I tolerate it. There's a difference.
Eryx's other hand drops to my waist, pulling me closer. "Ready to call it a day?”
I glance at the swirling void above us—still churning with dreams and nightmares waiting to be filtered. "There's more."
There's always more,Nightmare says, his voice gentler now.But you've done enough.
I lean into Eryx, letting my head rest against his chest. His heartbeat thrums beneath my ear—steady, alive, mine.
"Okay," I whisper.
For just a moment the dream room fades. It's just us. The darkness and the light. The fury and the softness. Everything we are, braided together.
We leave the dream room and head to the bedroom.Ourbedroom. I still get a thrill saying that.
Eryx kicks off his boots, and I flop onto the bed, stretching like a cat.
Graceful,Nightmare comments dryly.
"Shut up," I mutter.
Eryx lies beside me, and his hand finds mine between us. We're quiet for a moment, just breathing together. The bond hums softly.
"Stave told me Helena's trial is next week," he says finally.
My stomach tightens. "And?"
