The dawn arrived quietly. After ensuring Elysium was fully fed and back in his room, I walked upstairs entering my little Flame's room.

Golden light filtered through the curtains, painting soft patterns across the bedroom where Celine still slept. Curled instinctively toward the warmth beside her.

Where I was.

For a long moment...

I simply watched.

There was something profoundly peaceful about mornings like these despite last night's event.

No contracts.

No empires to rule.

No burdens.

Only the quiet rise and fall of her breathing.

Approaching the bed, I brushed my knuckles gently across her cheek. "My sleepy little Flame..."

A soft hum. She stirred just enough to nuzzle faintly into my hand without waking.

My heart softened. Unbearably so. The way it always did when it came to Celine De La Cruz.

Carefully, I helped her wake enough for the beginning of the day and her morning routine. Steam curled gently through the bathroom as warm water cascaded over her shoulders, washing away the last traces of sleep. I helped her bathe, scrubbing her body gently with the shower gel and loofah, no sensual touches, just respect and care. I had bathed her like this countless times when she ran herself to the ground, never once touching her inappropriately. I loved her too much to ever overstep. Taking care of her like this felt instinctive at this point. Still..The distant look in her eyes worried me.

After the shower, I helped her get ready, smoothing back her hair before she dressed in a beautiful dark blue halter dress herself.

She looked...

Radiant.

Healthy.

Comfortable.

Exactly what I had hoped to see after watching her disoriented state last night. Even the marks on her throat were healing slowly with the ointment but her eyes were still troubled. A distant gaze. Lost in thoughts. Her mind was definitely not here. But I would bring her back to me no matter what.

I kissed her forehead. "Rest for a little while longer."

She gave another hum in answer.

"I'll prepare breakfast."

Another tiny nod.

Understanding she needed time, I carried her back to bed and drew the blankets comfortably around her before quietly leaving the room.

Downstairs, the kitchen slowly filled with familiar scents.

Fresh fruit.

Warm oats prepared with nuts and honey.

Vegetables lightly sautéed.

Homemade bread.

Herbal tea.

Everything was balanced carefully. For my beautiful Ballerina. Today was for recovery. And she would definitely not spend it undernourished. Not while I could help it. I heard her tossing and turning last night, waking up multiple times in the middle of the night from nightmares. I soothed her every time but she was still troubled and that just further sent me into full protective mode.

When everything was ready, I smiled quietly to Myself.

Perfect.

I carried the tray outside on the back patio, my little Flame's favourite place to have breakfast whenever she needed time to think, breathe and just bask in the warmth of her garden.

Heading upstairs afterwards, I opened the bedroom door and stilled completely.

The bed was empty.

Every instinct inside me awakened at once.

Not panic. No.

Never panic.

Awareness.

My eyes swept the room once.

Twice.

Then...

I saw the silhouette of my little Flame on the balcony. I immediately exhaled in relief and went to her.

"Little Flame"I whispered softly, stopping behind her.

She didn't respond. My heart ached at the sight of her like this. I leaned my forehead against the back of her head. "I'm here. I promise you, he won't hurt you again"

"You won't always be with me to protect me, El" She replied, quietly turning around to face me.

El.

The nickname she used only when it was mostly the 2 of us or she was feeling a lot.

It never failed to make something tighten beneath my ribs.

I still couldn't help the quiet huff that escaped me. "Little Flame..." I said tucking one loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"There is no universe..."

My thumb rested softly against her cheek.

"...nor any existence..."

A kiss found her temple.

"...where you and I do not belong together."

Warm crimson bloomed across her cheeks and she looked away for precisely two seconds before huffing "You and your way with words."

A smile touched my face. That was more like my little Flame.

"Those are not just words but my devotion to you expressed in a way that barely conveys how much you truly mean to me, Little Flame" I responded. And it was true.

She looked at me again.The sadness hadn't vanished. But it had softened. A faint smile appeared. "I know I matter to you, a lot,"Celine said, eyes soft and flickering with emotions that made me want to hold her close and never let go.

My brave girl.

I placed a soft kiss on her forehead before holding her hand as I looked toward the horizon.

"You came here searching for fresh air." I said softly before turning back to her.

"But what you truly wanted..."

I squeezed her hand gently.

"...was space to breathe after a night that frightened you."

Her shoulders lowered. In relief. Relief that she was understood and not demanded to bottle it up and move forward. Or called weak for feeling. No. I would never do that to her. She needed time to process it all. And I would be the shoulder she could lean on while she processed everything.

"How come you always know how I feel?"She asked quietly.

"My Little Flame..."

A tender smile.

"You do not have to explain every hurt before I notice it."

She looked down at the railing. "I thought I was going to die."

"I know." I whispered, giving her time to open up to me herself.

Her voice grew quieter. "Coming face to face with the Silver Strangler.."

I listened without interruption.

"Made me feel trapped, desperate.. Cornered.. With death himself"

Another pause.

"I woke up from dreaming of the same encounter all over again but this time he was.. Going to hurt Elysium"

I gently lifted her chin so our eyes met.

"Dreams can borrow the faces of our deepest fears."

I spoke softly.

"They can sometimes stir old wounds."

Another pause.

"They can even remind us of pain we have survived or events we have escaped from"

My thumb brushed away the beginnings of tears gathering in her eyes.

"But they are not prophecies."

A kiss pressed against her hand I was still cradling in mine.

"They do not dictate your future."

Another kiss.

"Because as long as I'm here, he won't ever get close to you again"

I rested my forehead against hers.

"You are safe."

"I know,"Celine whispered. And that soothed me. Because despite everything that was left unspoken between us for the time being, she still trusted me to keep her safe. And I would. Not because she was weak or needed protecting but because she was mine. My Woman.

"Your heart is healing. Still recovering from last night's fright, don't force yourself to process it in one go" I said gently stroking her hand.

She nodded in response.

"And you are not carrying those fears alone."

A tiny, shaky breath escaped her. "I know..."

She leaned forward until her forehead rested against my shoulder.

Without hesitation, my arms closed around her.

Holding.

Grounding.

Protecting.

We remained there for several quiet minutes.

No words.

Only presence.

When at last she looked up again, her eyes were clearer. "I'm sorry I worried you by leaving the bed."

Always perceptive to my reactions. Just like I was to hers.

"There is nothing to apologize for." I responded.

"You, still worried." She pointed out.

"I will always worry." I deadpanned.

Another smile from her and God it felt like sunrise to my wretched soul.

"That is part of loving you." I added, smiling softly.

She laughed faintly through the last traces of emotion. "You're impossible."

"So I've been told." I said with a soft gaze.

A few moments later, we stepped inside together and she instinctively reached for my hand.

I accepted it for exactly three steps.

Then...

I stopped.

She looked up.

"What?"

Instead of answering...

I bent slightly.

One arm beneath her knees.

The other supported her back.

With effortless ease, I lifted her into a bridal carry.

She laughed immediately. "Eli!"

"No arguments."

"I can walk."

"I know."

"You always say that."

"Because it remains true."

She raised an eyebrow pointedly. "I am perfectly capable."

"I have absolutely no doubt." I inclined my head in acknowledgement.

"Then why-"

I looked down at her with a smile full of quiet affection and she stopped speaking at the look in my eyes. Full of love. For her.

"Why? Because I love carrying My Little Flame. And I need to remind myself you're safe, cradled in my arms, protected from harm. Let me take care of you" I said with the gentlest voice I could muster.

Her expression softened instantly.The protest on the tip of her tongue melted away. Instead she nestled closer, resting her head beneath my chin.

"Comfortable?" I asked as we left her room.

"Mhm." She nodded quietly, finally allowing herself to be cared for. Held. She didn't need to carry herself alone. I was here. No matter what.

"Good." I responded, placing a soft kiss on her hair and together, we made our way downstairs.

Not hurried.

Not burdened.

Just the quiet rhythm of my footsteps, her steady breathing against my chest, and the peaceful certainty that whatever shadows had visited her in the night no longer had the final word. Not when I was here to protect her from them.

For now, all that mattered was this moment.

My Little Flame was in My arms.

And she knew she did not have to carry her fears alone.