Previously...

The old lady smiled, her eyes now changing to a complete gold color. She got up, and said in a calm powerful voice, "Good luck, fair king, and queen. The castle needs you." With that she vanished once again, leaving a trail of gold dust glittering behind...

After ushering Kyrah in his room, Zuber looked at her intently. Sighing, he said, "Please stop crying, I am here for you."

Kyrah was quiet then, her cries subdued to a minimum. She looked at him sorrowfully.

"How long will I have these nightmares? This must be an indication of something. I am just seeing this one snake haunting me all the time. I don't know what to do," she whispered, burying her head in her hands.

Zuber sat near her, holding her hand. She removed it out of his clasp, folding her arms across her chest, a scowl marring her beautiful face.

"Kyrah, please don't be angry," he said, giving her a pained look.

"Why did you leave without telling me?" she demanded angrily, raising her palms in the air.

"I brought something for you. I wanted to surprise you, that's why," he said truthfully, however omitting the visit to her "beloved" uncle.

"Yeah, right," she scoffed.

"I am serious," he said, getting up and presenting her with some paper and chalks.

Kyrah's anger subsided completely, however she pretended to be still upset. Zuber took her hand in his once again, waiting for Kyrah to remove it, but there wasn't any action from her side. He smiled to himself.

"What are you smiling for?" Kyrah asked, getting annoyed.

"Nothing," he said, winking at her cheekily.

"You should get some rest," he said.

"Yeah, um, good night," she said, waiting for any sign to be held back. She turned her back to leave the room.

Zuber's strong arms wrapped her waist from behind. He placed his chin on her shoulder.

"Will you stay? I can't sleep," he whispered in her hair. He didn't want her to go. When Kyrah turned her back to him, he felt she didn't want to be with him.

A blush crept upon Kyrah's cheeks. She was at a loss for words. The hug was so warm, she felt she could stay in his arms forever. She didn't want to let go. If a place could be called a second home, it would be with Zuber, she felt.

She turned back to find Zuber's face inches from hers. She took a step back, uneasiness writ on her face.

"Why can't you fall asleep? Do you get nightmares too?"

Zuber laughed at her answer.

"What if I say I want you to stay with me?" Zuber dropped the question breezily.

"I wouldn't mind," she said nonchalantly. "At least I get to annoy you."

"Haha! Let's see who gets annoyed first, baby!" He chuckled. With that, he closed the distance between them and started tickling her sides. Kyrah stood unflinching.

"What are you? Ironwoman?"

He huffed after minutes of his futile efforts to tickle her.

"I am not ticklish." She laughed merrily. Stretching her arms, she sat on the bed, lying there comfortably. Unfolding the covers, she faked a yawn and closed her eyes.

After some minutes, one side of the bed pressed as Zuber sat on it. He watched her affectionately.

"Where am I supposed to sleep?" He whined and shook Kyrah.

She peeked one eye open and laughed mischievously. "On the floor."

"You repay my kindness like this?" he pouted. "Are you even a princess?"

"Are you even a kidnapper?" she retorted back, to which Zuber grew quiet.

"Good night, Zuber," came her sweet voice.

Zuber just sat there, contemplating what to do next. He grinned wickedly and peeled the covers off Kyrah. Resting his head on her lap with extra weight intentionally, he closed his eyes and started snoring.

"Hey, get off me, elephant!" she huffed and sat down. She started pounding his back with punches.

"Won't it be better if you kissed me?" Zuber teased.

"Why you little--"

"No, no, no foul language, Princess," he said and winked.

"Get up," she said exasperatedly.

"Nope. Say please."

"Please get up?" She pouted, with puppy dog eyes.

"No, they don't work always, baby. Why don't you ruffle my hair?"

"Will you get up after that?"

"Maybe." He grinned widely, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Kyrah started ruffling his hair roughly, pretending to hit him with her nails.

"Can't you do it lovingly?" he asked and turned to face her. He smiled at her sweetly, batting his eyelashes.

"You look like honey personified." She gagged.

"There are a lot of things I could do lovingly," she muttered under her breath.

"I heard that Princess," he said amusedly.

"What?" Kyrah asked, her cheeks tinted with pink.

"You are jealous because I look sweeter than you."

"In your dreams." She scoffed.

Zuber took her hand in his and ruffled his hair smoothly. He continued a few strokes and closed his eyes. Kyrah continued stroking his hair, which felt very smooth in her hand. She loved its feel. She had an urge to kiss Zuber's forehead, but she couldn't muster up her courage.

"Good night, Zuber, sweet dreams," she murmured.

Jeanette who was outside listening to their conversation tiptoed back to the living room. Drawing the covers on herself, she whispered, "Interesting, nightmares huh? Better find out what it is all about. The information or my life. I choose my life, however worthless it has been."

***

After an hour of peaceful sleep, Zuber woke up from Kyrah's lap. He found her resting her head on her shoulder with one her hand in his hair. Taking her small hand in his, he kissed it gently, getting up as quietly as possible.

Taking her in his arms, he made her sleep properly and drew the covers over her. He took a pillow and slept on the floor, chuckling to himself.

***

The next morning woke up Kyrah first. Her eyes fell on Zuber's sleeping form. She chuckled and left his room. She went straight to the bathroom, freshened up quickly and came out. While drying her hair with the towel, she caught a look of Jeanette's lost face.

Sitting near her, she glanced at her quietly. She is so pretty. She could have any boy she wished for.

Little did Kyrah know what Jeanette's life was all about...

"Hey, Jean! Are you alright?"

Jeanette looked at her, her face filled with worry.

"I couldn't sleep last night. I had terrible nightmares."

"Oh. I understand Jean. I have them too lately."

"Really? I thought I was the only one having them."

"Some snake haunts me in my dreams. I had glimpses of my parents, myself in a dark room, running away and last night I was trying to hide somewhere. There was chaos and fighting and my parents were screaming my name. God, it was frightening," Kyrah gushed.

"Somehow, I feel these are premonitions, though I don't know why I feel this way. I'm just so worried, you know?"

"Kyrah, everything will be alright. Don't worry."

This quietness was just the beginning of the storm. Jeanette felt that Kyrah was oblivious to everything. She couldn't  blame her. Yet, saving Kyrah meant putting herself in danger and she wouldn't do that. She had to inform him about this. Jeanette's calm face hid all her inner turmoil and struggles.

Hey, everyone! How are you all? As promised, this chapter is about Zurah (I just love this ship name) and Jeanette. Well, technically, most about Zurah. But I just love them❣
I have a sort of motherly attachment to them as they are my main characters. No, no, no, don't be weirded out. 😉

Hmmm! So what do you think? How was the update so far? I would love to have your opinions and views. Comment in soon. Hurry! LOL! 😉

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