CHAPTER 134: EAVESDROPPING

Aelin

I awoke slowly to the sound of soft breathing.

Warmth pressed against my back—solid, steady, familiar. For a moment, I lay still, not moving, my thoughts floating somewhere between dreams and reality. The morning light peeked through the long, sheer curtains, painting golden lines across the floor and casting a soft glow over the room.

Draegon’s arm was draped around my waist, his hand resting gently just below my ribs. The weight of it was grounding. Comforting. And the way his body curled just slightly around mine made something inside me settle.

It wasn’t the first morning I’d woken up beside him—but it felt different somehow. Less tense. Less uncertain. Like a quiet understanding had bloomed between us, one neither of us dared to speak aloud yet.

I tilted my head slightly and peeked over my shoulder.

Draegon’s face was inches from mine, his dark lashes still resting against his cheeks. His lips were parted slightly, the rhythm of his breathing slow and calm. He looked... peaceful. Younger, even.

I smiled, small and to myself.

Carefully, I turned in his arms so I could face him, trying not to disturb the moment. But his eyes fluttered open just as I did, catching me mid-turn. His gaze met mine, warm and slightly hazy from sleep.

"Good Morning," I whispered.

He blinked once, then offered a soft, lopsided smile. "Morning."

His voice was lower, rough from sleep, and it sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.

We stayed like that for a beat—just looking at each other. I didn’t rush to get up, and he didn’t pull away. The air between us was soft. Intimate in a way that wasn’t heavy or demanding, just quiet and real.

"You slept well?" he asked gently, brushing a lock of hair from my face.

I nodded. "Yeah. I think I did."

He seemed pleased by that. And something in me fluttered when I realized how much he cared to ask.

"I have to leave for the forest in an hour," he said after a moment, his voice quieter now. "To the ritual site—the one where the gate opened."

That pulled me from the warmth of the moment just a little. I sat up slowly, propping myself on one arm as I looked down at him.

"Right," I murmured. "The one near the palace. In the woods."

Draegon nodded and sat up too, the blankets falling away from his bare chest. My gaze flicked there before I could stop it—and then quickly away.

"I’m taking Draken, Drakkar, Ariston. A few elite soldiers. We’ll investigate the site, see if there’s any trace left of the sacrifice or the magic used to summon the gate. And see who it leads back to."

I nodded, brushing my fingers through my hair. "You think there’s something still there?"

"Maybe." He looked at me for a long moment, then added, "Which is why I want you to come too."

I blinked. "Me?"

He nodded. "Your power might come in handy. The corruption... It reacts differently around you. And if there’s anything left behind—any trace of the Abyss—you’ll be able to sense it before we do."

"How do you know that?" I asked

"Words of my mother," He replied

"Oh,"

I stared at him, lips parted slightly. Not just because he was asking for my help, but because... he meant it.

"You want me to come?" I asked, a little breathless. "To help?"

He gave a faint smile, tilting his head. "Of course I do. You’re part of this now. More than any of us. I should’ve asked you before."

Something bloomed in my chest then. Something bright and real.

When I initially got it, and I was told I was to act as a savior, this power suddenly felt like a curse. A shackle. Something I carried alone. But now... now, it felt different. And the sole reason was because I get to go with my husband because of this power.

Because I am not a powerless person now.

!!!

Right!

I’m not a powerless person now!

I smiled, unable to stop it. "Alright. I’ll come."

He gave a quiet, pleased nod.

As he stood and stretched, I found myself watching him again—admiring the way the light hit the curve of his shoulder, the relaxed ease in his posture now. Things had changed between us. Maybe only in the smallest ways... but they had.

He turned toward the bath chamber, then paused and looked back at me. "Thank you," he said.

I frowned slightly. "For what?"

"For agreeing. For still wanting to stand beside me." His gaze lingered a moment longer, "Even after the two years you spend suffering." Then he disappeared into the steam-filled chamber.

I sat there in the quiet after he left, my heart full in a way I couldn’t quite explain.

***

The morning sky was painted in soft silver hues, the sun only just beginning to peek over the horizon. A light breeze stirred the long black banners hung across the rooftop, their embroidered crimson sigils catching the wind like silent sentries.

We were gathered on the uppermost terrace of the palace—the launch point for any expedition outside the capital. Draegon stood not far from me, his presence steady and composed as he reviewed the small escort team with Draken. A few soldiers checked their weapons, others loaded supplies into one of the floating carriages tethered by old magic near the stone railing.

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other, wrapped in the new light armor they’d sent to my chamber this morning. It was sleeker than I expected—silver leather lined with something soft and slightly warm to the touch beneath, flexible enough for movement, and tailored perfectly to my frame.

A faint breath escaped me, forming a thin puff in the cool air. My gaze scanned the rooftop out of idle curiosity—until it landed on Ariston.

He stood a few paces to my left, arms crossed tightly over his chest, his jaw rigid. He wasn’t looking at anyone, just staring out over the edge of the terrace toward the forest below. There was something... off about his stance.

I opened my mouth to greet him—but before a word could form, I noticed another figure storming across the rooftop.

Drakkar.

His dark brows were furrowed, his boots heavy against the stone. There was no mistaking the sharpness in his glare—or the way it was fixed directly on Ariston.

I instinctively took a half step back, confused but alert. Draegon hadn’t noticed—he was still deep in conversation with Draken, oblivious to the confrontation brewing only feet away.

Ariston must’ve sensed him too, because he shifted slightly, though he didn’t turn around.

But Drakkar didn’t wait for acknowledgment.

He grabbed Ariston by the wrist—firm but not cruel—and pulled him a few steps away from the rest of the group, closer to one of the shadowed arches framing the terrace.

They didn’t notice me. I didn’t think they even noticed anyone else. And though I knew it wasn’t right to eavesdrop... I couldn’t bring myself to look away.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Drakkar hissed, his voice low but sharp. "You always do this."

Ariston yanked his hand free, scowling. "Keep your voice down."

"I will not," Drakkar snapped, stepping closer. "You sneak out like a damn ghost every time. No hint. No word. You just vanish."

"I didn’t sneak out."

"Oh?" Drakkar’s voice was laced with bitterness. "So what would you call it then? Because I woke up to an empty bed. Again."

Ariston’s eyes flicked to the ground, a shadow of guilt crossing his features. "It’s complicated."

"No," Drakkar growled. "It’s not. You make it complicated. Every time."

A silence fell between them for a moment, taut and heavy. I held my breath, still frozen in place, watching without meaning to. I wasn’t even sure if I could move anymore.

"Look, you already know how different we both are,," Ariston said finally, his voice quieter. "And I’m not like you."

Drakkar scoffed. "That’s your excuse? That you’re not like me?"

"I don’t— I’m not good at this, And clearly you can’t be with one person either."

Drakkar was baffled at those words, "What the hell are you saying?"

"You know what I’m saying, you’re always surrounded by other demons who are all over you. You have to be sleeping with many of them. That’s how demon culture is, isn’t it? You’re all very free about sexual relationships. And you say you want to be with me? Do you want me to believe you?"

Drakkar stared at Ariston with his mouth open, "I..." He looked hurt, "I haven’t slept with any other person since the first time you and I spent the night together."

!!!

A muscle jumped in Ariston’s jaw. He didn’t respond but he was clearly shocked.

Drakkar stepped closer, his voice softer now, almost breaking. "You don’t have to love me back yet, Ariston. But don’t treat me like I’m something you need to erase the next morning."

"I-," Ariston was flabbergasted

"You push me away and then you come back to me again. What are you trying to do here?"

Another beat of silence passed. The hurt in Drakkar’s eyes made my chest tighten unexpectedly. I’d never seen him like this—never seen either of them like this.

"I thought this time would be different." Drakkar said, "You clearly enjoy the time we spend together... So this time, when you chose to come to me despite pushing me away, I thought-" He let out a sigh, then put his palm on his face as he looked away.

Ariston let out a slow breath and rubbed a hand over his face. "I," He was struggling for words, "I-"