CHAPTER 159: CHAPTER 158: BEFORE THE WORLD CALLS AGAIN

It was already midday when they finally stirred.

Sunlight filtered lazily through the thin curtains, casting dappled golden light across the sheets. Aurelya lay curled beside him, her bare skin half-covered by the tangled blanket, clinging to his right arm like a sleepy kitten. Her breath was soft, steady, her golden hair fanned across his chest.

Then her lashes fluttered. Her eyes blinked open, molten gold meeting icy blue.

"Morning, sleeping beauty," Lumberling said, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips. "Sleep well?"

Aurelya squinted, shifted, and let out a low groan. "My body’s stiff," she muttered, her tone dry and accusing. "And you’re a monster."

"I am," he admitted shamelessly, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "But I’m more surprised that you were the insatiable one."

Her cheeks flared. "Tch. I was not." She pulled the sheet up over her chest in faux modesty. "You were like... some kind of beast on heat."

"I don’t remember hearing any complaints," he teased, turning to face her fully. "In fact, I recall someone begging for..."

"I will stab you," she grumbled, though her lips twitched, trying to hold back a smile.

"And risk another round? Dangerous game you’re playing, Aurelya."

"Ugh," she flopped backward, clutching her sore hips. "Gods, you’re hopeless."

Lumberling chuckled, then leaned over and kissed her exposed shoulder, his voice softening. "You’re the one who said ’again’ after the fourth time."

"I thought you’d tire eventually," she muttered, throwing him a glare over her shoulder. "You didn’t."

"Nope. Knight’s stamina," he said smugly.

"I’m a Knight too, and I’m higher stage than you!"

"Which is why you kept up so well," he said, hugging her from behind, arms wrapping around her bare waist.

Aurelya tried to stay annoyed, but it crumbled the moment his warmth pressed into her back. She let out a small sigh as she relaxed into him.

He rested his chin on her shoulder, holding her there in silence for a long moment, just breathing with her. Then his voice dropped.

"How long are you staying here before you leave?"

Aurelya’s fingers curled around his arm. "Lady Vaenyra said... a few more weeks."

He nodded faintly. His lips brushed her neck, absent, thoughtful.

"Yesterday... why did you ask me to come with you to your empire?"

She was quiet.

Then she rolled onto her back and looked up at the ceiling. "Isn’t it obvious?"

He looked at her, waiting.

She turned to him, eyes soft. "You know I can’t, right? I’ve still got things to do here."

"I know," he said, with a nod. "But still..."

She bit her lip. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "The days I spent here with you... they were fun. I’ll miss them. I’ll miss you."

A pause.

"It’ll be boring without you," she murmured, cheeks pinkening. "Especially now that... that we did it..." Her voice dropped to an inaudible squeak, like a mosquito’s whisper. "...it’s all your fault."

Lumberling laughed, a deep rumble in his chest.

"Oh? So now it’s my fault?"

She pouted, an expression so cute he felt his chest squeeze.

"I was training, you know," she said with mock indignation. "Focused. Disciplined. Then you happened."

"Guess I’m a bad influence."

"The worst."

He pulled her close, his breath brushing her ear. "Then let’s spend our time wisely... before you go."

Her heart skipped, and she looked at him, vulnerable, golden eyes soft.

"Haven’t you had enough?" she whispered.

"Just kidding," he said, chuckling.

But as the laughter faded from his lips, his tone softened. He brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. "I know you’ll do well even without me, Aurelya. You’re far stronger than you think."

She gave a proud, half-smirk. "Of course I am."

"I know." He let out a breath of admiration, almost wistful. "You could crush half the men I’ve met, and look flawless doing it."

He paused, then added, "Still... you can always come back. And maybe, who knows we’ll be the ones visiting you in your empire."

Her ears twitched, her golden gaze searching his face for sincerity. "Really?" Her voice lost some of its teasing. "You said that, don’t go back on your word."

A beat of silence passed.

"Because if you do..." Her voice dipped, velvet and sharp, tainted with something dangerous. "I’ll find you, even if you’re halfway across the world. And when I do..." She leaned close, her lips grazing his ear. "You’re going to take responsibility for me."

There was something raw in her eyes, want, affection, obsession, the subtle ache of longing for something uncertain.

He didn’t smile. Just looked at her, deadly calm. "You won’t need to cross the world, Aurelya. You already tied yourself to me the moment you said that." His hand curled lightly at her waist. "And I don’t let go of what’s mine."

Her breath caught. Her cheeks turned scarlet, and she looked away, trying to suppress the tremble in her lips.

A long, quiet moment stretched between them, warm with unspoken promises.

Eventually, Lumberling leaned back with a sigh. "Won’t Vaenyra and Thessalia be wondering where you are?"

"I bet they are," Aurelya chuckled, slipping from his embrace. She stretched, graceful and smug, before strutting toward the bath, her hips swaying just enough to taunt.

Lumberling smiled faintly but stayed where he was, arms behind his head. His body ached for sleep. For once, he didn’t chase after her.

From the bath, he could hear the splash of water and the quiet hum of her voice. She was humming some foreign tune, light and carefree.

Minutes later, wrapped in a towel, she returned to the room. Her golden hair was damp, skin flushed from the steam. She paused at the doorway.

"I’ll go ahead," she said softly.

He nodded.

Just as she turned, he reached out and gently pulled her back in by the wrist. Their lips met in a slow, lingering kiss, one that said all the things they couldn’t bring themselves to say.

When they parted, he whispered against her lips, "I love you."

Aurelya’s breath hitched. Her cheeks colored deeper than before. She didn’t reply, not with words, but the look in her eyes said everything.

Then she left, one hand brushing her lips as if to hold onto the warmth of his.

Lumberling watched her retreating figure with a soft smile, the warmth of her presence still lingering in the air. When she vanished from view, he exhaled, shaking his head with a quiet chuckle.

Then, with the lingering scent of her skin and the echo of her kiss still clinging to him, he turned away and began preparing to resume his training.