Saida leaned softly against Ailas, her eyes closed in a serene slumber, her breathing slow and steady like the gentle rhythm of a distant stream. Ailas, wrapped protectively around her, snored softly, his warmth enveloping her in a cocoon of safety. The moonlight poured through the window like liquid silver, casting shadows across the chamber and illuminating the delicate features of both elves.

Deldrach, however, remained awake, his mind a storm of thoughts as he watched his companions find solace in sleep. He couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his chest. Tivruic, leaning against the windowsill, seemed to be carved from the very night itself, the glow of the moon accentuating the sharp angles of his face. His deep-set eyes, usually filled with ancient wisdom, now held an unsettling emptiness. Deldrach had long suspected that after eight centuries of slumber-like stasis, Tivruic would never find peace again.

Ara and Kolvar had vanished into the shadows, and Deldrach couldn't help but wonder if they had strayed beyond the borders of Thaenathaes, seeking their own destinies. This left him burdened with the weight of their mission—a mission now resting heavily on his shoulders. He felt compelled to piece together the fragments of Tivruic's grief to guide him away from the dark path of revenge that threatened to consume him. At the same time, he had to protect Ara and, disturbingly, Saida.

He glanced at Saida, who lay blissfully unaware against Ailas's broad chest. It felt wrong, all wrong, to see such intimacy between them. In their world, no male or female elf could touch another without facing dire consequences, yet Saida made it seem like the most natural thing in the world. What gnawed at him even more was the knowledge that she was still a minor, her coming-of-age barely a year away.

Why did this disturb him so? Saida Vazorwyn was indeed a vision of beauty, more radiant than her sister Ara. Though they bore a striking resemblance, Saida possessed a gentleness that seemed to flow from her essence, a quality that Ara lacked. A soft breeze followed her, while Ara was a tempest. Kolvar, with his fierce spirit, seemed to have laid some claim over her heart, an odd pairing that made Deldrach's brow furrow with concern. And Ailas—though wise and noble—was far too ancient to stake a claim on someone nearly three hundred years his junior. Their traditions forbade such unions, especially among the esteemed Table members.

As Deldrach wrestled with his thoughts, the shadows in the room deepened, and the weight of destiny pressed down upon him. He realized he was not just a watcher in this tale; he was now its reluctant guardian, charged with protecting the fragile threads that bound them together.

"Your mind seems to be elsewhere," Tivruic said, his voice low and gravelly. His amber eyes pierced the dim candlelight. His gaze was weighty as if the burdens of ages past rested heavily upon his shoulders.

Deldrach sighed, brushing a lock of his golden hair from his face, revealing the tension on his features. "There is much to think about. Besides, I'm not entirely sure I can trust you. It's not as if you've fully redeemed yourself," he replied, his tone sharp. "You've spent most of your existence in a slumber, hanging between life and death while the world moved on without you."

Tivruic's brow furrowed, and he leaned forward, intensity radiating from him. "You are keeping things from me. You won't tell me who the next monarch is. I must know. I must know if she can be trusted." His hand drifted to the hilt of his sword, a gesture both protective and threatening. "If need be, I can take care of her."

Deldrach's red eyes flashed, a warning glimmering within their depths. "Is your every solution to kill whatever might interfere with your plans? You do realize that Tsarra painted you as the architect of the destruction of Efna Asari? There is no open record about the annihilation of the half-elves, and those who might remember are either too young or now dead." He took a step closer, his voice low but firm. "Think carefully about your next words."

Tivruic's expression hardened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "This Queen may seem benevolent now, but so did Tsarra when she ascended the throne. How quickly everything became corrupted! Just tell me who she is!" His voice rose, echoing ominously in the stillness of the room.

Saida stirred in her sleep, a soft sigh escaping her lips, and at that moment, Deldrach's patience snapped. With a flick of his wrist, vines sprang forth, twisting around Tivruic, their blooms vibrant yet sinister. "I will only warn you about this once," Deldrach hissed, his voice a deadly whisper. "You keep your voice down for Saida's sake, or I will choke the very life out of you. Our new Queen is none of your concern. Let us handle the details of her reign, and you focus on restoring your name."

Tivruic's eyes widened, defiance and fear swirling within their depths. "You would threaten me? After all I've endured?" he gasped, the vines tightening their grip.

Deldrach held his gaze, unyielding. "A threat is a warning, and I do not take lightly to those who disrupt our fragile peace. We are in no position to make enemies, least among ourselves."

Slowly, with a reluctant nod, Tivruic acquiesced, the tension in his body easing slightly as the vines loosened their grasp. "Very well," he said, barely above a murmur, "but know that I will uncover the truth, with or without your help."

Deldrach released him fully, stepping back to allow the air to flow freely between them once more. "Just remember, Tivruic, sometimes the truth is more dangerous than the lies we cling to. Choose your battles wisely.".

Tivruic wheezed and coughed, his lungs struggling to reclaim the breath stolen from him. Deldrach was not one to be trifled with, especially when it came to the new High Queen of Seatorion. Ara was chosen by the gods themselves, and who was he to argue with divine decree? Deldrach glanced at Saida, only to find one jade eye wide open, fixed directly on him. His breath caught in his throat, a pang of dread slicing through him.

She must have heard everything. Deldrach winced, a chill running down his spine as he instinctively began to back away. Confusion flickered across Tivruic's features as he caught Deldrach's furtive movements, the man who had just threatened him now retreating into the room's shadows. The tension thickened like fog, wrapping around them all. There was no way Saida hadn't caught the weight of their words with her keen hearing.

Tivruic's gaze darted to the two sleeping figures, Ailas and Saida, searching for signs of distress. He moved closer to Ailas, then turned back to Saida, whose single open eye remained locked on Deldrach. It was as if she were drawing energy from the darkness surrounding him, a silent challenge hanging in the air.

"I apologize if I woke you, Saida," Tivruic whispered, barely breathing. Saida's gaze didn't waver, but she nodded slightly, acknowledging his presence.

"Why are you staring at him?" he asked, curiosity mingling with concern. Her silence spoke volumes, her attention unwavering, still fixed upon Deldrach.

"Don't talk to her!" Deldrach snapped from the corner, his voice a low growl with a protective edge.

"Why not? I was merely trying to be polite," Tivruic shot back, his tone sharp as he leaned into the shadows. "Also, can you stop sulking in the shadows and come talk to her? I think she has something to say to you." His voice was harsh but low enough to keep the tension from escalating.

Wandering back over, Deldrach approached Saida hesitantly, his heart heavy with unspoken words. With a graceful effort, she pushed herself off Ailas, her long limbs stretching toward the vaulted ceiling of the chamber, chasing away the lingering tendrils of sleep.

As her gaze met him, Deldrach felt as if lightning struck him. She stood there, spirited and defiant, while he resembled a beaten puppy, his crestfallen expression betraying the storm of emotions within. The silence thickened like fog, wrapping around them as Saida broke it firmly.

"Come with me," she said, her voice steady but laced with an undercurrent of irritation. She reached for his arm but then hesitated, a flicker of remembrance passing over her features—his aversion to her touch. Instead, Deldrach wrapped his fingers around her bare wrist in reckless abandon.

Instantly, heat coursed through him, igniting his senses and quickening his pulse to a frantic rhythm. Her skin was soft, supple, and delicate, like the petals of an enchanted flower blooming under a silvery moon. How had he ever overlooked this? A pang of longing surged within him, an unfamiliar yearning that felt almost forbidden. Was this the reason their kind was warned against touching female elves? Was there magic woven into that simple contact, a spell that could ensnare a heart?

"Do not think that by protecting me, I will somehow forget what an arrogant prick you are, Deldrach," she snapped, yanking her wrist free from his grasp. The suddenness of her withdrawal sent him stumbling back, the sting of her words piercing deeper than any blade. Clearly, Saida did not share his feelings. It felt as if she had thrust a dagger straight into his heart, twisting it for good measure. Of course, he would fall for a girl who was oblivious to the depth of his affection. He forced a scowl onto his face, a mask of indifference to hide the pain.

"Fine. My sincerest apologies, my lady," he retorted, his voice dripping with mockery. He executed a low bow, the gesture exaggerated, before spinning on his heel and storming out of the room, the echoes of his footsteps reverberating against the stone walls like thunder.

"What is the matter with him?" Ailas mumbled, rubbing the sleep from his eyes and watching Deldrach's retreating figure with confusion.

"Nothing of any importance," Saida murmured, her voice barely above a whisper as if she were trying to convince herself. She squared her shoulders, determination flashing in her eyes. "I'm going to find an actual bed in this place and hopefully sleep longer. I'll see you all eventually." With that, she marched off in the same direction as Deldrach, leaving Ailas and Tivruic standing in stunned silence, the weight of unspoken emotions hanging heavily in the air.

As she walked, the flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows around her, illuminating the fierce resolve in her stride, yet deep down, a quiet turmoil brewed. Saida felt the echoes of Deldrach's touch lingering on her skin, a sensation that both exhilarated and frightened her. What magic had he unleashed within her? Would she dare to explore it or turn away from the path that seemed to beckon her into the unknown?