CHAPTER 283: CHAPTER 283: THE NIGHT BEFORE DEPARTURE

The lights were dim in the bedroom, and a soft lullaby hummed quietly from the panel embedded in the wall. Liora stood by the bed, gently lowering Aerish onto the mattress.

Her little girl stirred for only a second, then let out a tiny sigh and curled closer to her pillow, already drifting into sleep. Her soft breaths were steady, her small hands tucked under her chin.

Liora stood there longer than necessary, just watching.

So peaceful.

It was hard to believe that this was the same child Kazren had once claimed could conquer the world.

"She’s just a baby..." Liora whispered under her breath, more to herself than anyone. "Just my baby."

But no matter how quiet the room, the weight in her chest didn’t ease. Her fingers were trembling as she pulled the blanket up over Aerish’s tiny shoulders. The moment her daughter’s warmth left her arms, a chill settled deep in her bones.

They were leaving tomorrow.

And as much as she believed in the decision... she couldn’t ignore the rising anxiety clawing through her ribs.

What if something went wrong?

What if Kazren was waiting?

What if Aerish got hurt?

Liora turned away from the bed and moved to the living room. Her movements were shaky as she began sorting through items—spare clothes, nutrient packs, a small medical kit, toys, a small barrier generator in case they needed to hide mid-transit.

Her hands were too unsteady. She fumbled a bottle, and it rolled across the table with a loud clatter.

"Dammit..." she whispered, voice filled with frustration.

She gripped the edge of the table, trying to steady herself. But her breath was coming faster now, her vision blurring.

I can’t do this. I can’t let anything happen to her.

"Liora."

A familiar hand gently touched her shoulder.

It was Xu Kai.

She hadn’t heard him enter the room, but the moment he spoke, her legs nearly gave out. His arms caught her immediately.

"I’m okay," she muttered against his chest, though her body trembled with the lie.

"No, you’re not," he said softly, pulling her in tighter. "And that’s okay."

He held her without saying anything else, just letting her break slowly against him. For a long while, the only sound was the quiet hum of the lullaby from Aerish’s room and her breathing trying to find rhythm again.

"You’ve carried everything alone for so long," he murmured against her hair. "You don’t have to anymore."

"I just... I’m scared," she admitted, voice muffled. "I’m so scared, Kai. What if I lose her? What if I lose everything again?"

He pulled back just enough to look into her eyes. His expression was calm, steady, and achingly gentle.

"You won’t. I won’t let that happen. We’ve survived hell before. And this time, we’re stronger. We’re not the same people who lost everything two years ago."

She swallowed hard, searching his eyes. "You really think we can do this?"

"I know we can." He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "But more importantly... I trust you. I’ve always trusted you, even when the world didn’t. And now that you’ve come back to me, I’m not letting you shoulder this alone ever again."

Liora felt the lump in her throat swell, but it wasn’t fear anymore—it was emotion, heavy and real. The kind that only came when someone truly saw you.

"I missed this," she whispered. "I missed you."

Xu Kai smiled, a warmth tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Then come back to me."

Before she could speak, he leaned in and kissed her.

It wasn’t rushed, but it stole her breath all the same. His mouth pressed to hers gently, lingering, coaxing her to melt into him. She did—her fingers clutching at his shirt as though she could anchor herself there forever.

His hands slid firmly along her waist, pulling her into his body until the world shrank to nothing but his warmth and the soft brush of lips against lips.

When he finally drew back, his forehead rested against hers.

"You know," he murmured, voice low and teasing, "you really don’t have to worry when I’m here. Between the two of us, I’m clearly the better fighter, the better cook, and... well..." his mouth brushed her jaw, "the better at this, too."

Liora huffed a shaky laugh, swatting at his shoulder even as her cheeks warmed. "You’re insufferable."

"And you love it," he replied smugly, kissing the corner of her mouth before she could protest.

"Mm." His grin widened as he caught her wrist easily and brought her palm to his lips. "And you’re still pretending you don’t like it."

Before she could argue, he kissed her again, this time deeper. His tongue brushed against hers, slow but insistent, drawing a soft gasp from her. His other hand came up to cup her jaw, tilting her head as if he wanted to savor every inch of her mouth.

Liora’s knees weakened. She clung to his shoulders as he guided her backward until her hips bumped against the edge of the table. Xu Kai’s fingers slipped beneath the hem of her shirt, skimming her skin, making her shiver.

"Kai..." she breathed, half protest, half plea.

"Shh." His lips trailed along her jaw, then down her throat, where he pressed lingering kisses that made her toes curl. "Let me take care of you for once."

She tilted her head without thinking, giving him more of her skin. His teeth grazed lightly at the hollow of her neck, playful enough to make her gasp, tender enough to make her laugh breathlessly.

Her laughter died into another kiss when he lifted her onto the table in one smooth motion, stepping between her legs to close the space. His hands roamed her back, her thighs, everywhere that had ached for touch in the years she had been alone.

And for a while, there was no room for fear. Only the press of his body, the warmth of his breath, the way he whispered against her lips, "I’ve missed you every single day and night."

When they finally stumbled to bed, their touches softened. They lay tangled together in the dim light, her cheek pressed to his chest, his arm wrapped tightly around her. Liora’s body ached with the sweet exhaustion of closeness.

It didn’t take long before she fell asleep from exhaustion.

"If anything comes for you or our baby," Xu Kai whispered against her hair, his voice steady even as sleep tugged at him, "I’ll be the first to bear the brunt."

He tightened his hold around her, protective, unyielding.