CHAPTER 222: CHAPTER-222

The wind whipped past them as the ground shrank away. Kaya stared downward, expression unreadable, calm even at this height. She was already used to soaring with him—he couldn’t frighten her with altitude anymore.

"What were you doing so long inside?" Veer’s voice was rough, strained, almost accusing. "Do you have any idea how worried I was?"

Kaya’s eyes stayed fixed on the horizon, her face stone-hard. "And who the hell told you to march into a tribe without even speaking to me first?"

Veer blinked, taken aback. "I thought you were sick—"

"So if I don’t talk to you for a while, you decide I’m sick?" Kaya snapped, finally turning her gaze on him, her voice laced with ice. "And not just sick—you said I was about to die? Are you insane?"

Veer looked at her helplessly.

"How would I know? I just thought... maybe you were going to die. People change when they’re near death, don’t they?"

Kaya’s eyes narrowed, her expression pure judgment. "Do you know what I’d do if the roles were reversed? If you were the one in my arms and I was the one flying?"

Veer’s cheeks turned pink, and he gave her a sheepish grin. "Of course... you’d hug me, right?"

Her hand shot up, gripping his head firmly as she leaned close. Her voice dropped, cold and merciless.

"No. I’d let go of your hand and watch you fall."

Veer froze, then gave a dramatic sigh. "Oof, sweetheart... you’re too cruel." He tilted his head, his tone turning cheeky again. "But what can I do? I can’t let you go like that. If I did, I’d die too."

Kaya rolled her eyes so hard it hurt. Already drained by his endless chatter, she thought to herself bitterly: Vultures talk even more than crows.

Kaya and Veer flew for quite some time, not daring to stop near the trees. After everything that had happened in the last two days, neither of them felt safe staying anywhere close. So instead, they headed for a nearby mountain where several caves lay hidden in the rocks.

At the mouth of one cave, the darkness was heavy and uninviting, swallowing the entrance whole. But thanks to the fire veer lit, the path inside became easier to see.

Still, one thing kaya must admit —these caves were bitterly cold. Even with her blazer wrapped tightly around her, Kaya’s shoulders trembled, a faint shiver running through her as we walked deeper inside.

As Kaya walked further in, she noticed how empty the cave was. Nothing to sit on, nothing to lean against—the stone floor looked almost polished, as though someone had scrubbed it bare.

Before she could complain, Veer stepped up beside her. "I’m sorry," he murmured, and without waiting for an answer, he scooped her up into a princess carry.

This time, Kaya didn’t react too strongly. She was already starting to get used to Veer’s ridiculous touchiness. Besides, the air inside the cave was freezing, each breath a sharp bite against her skin.

As if sensing that, Veer wrapped his wings around her, cocooning her like a mother bird shielding its chicks from the rain.

Warmth immediately sank into her chilled body, soft and enveloping. For the first time since they entered the cave, Kaya allowed herself to relax just a little.

.

.

.

Kaya drifted into sleep, her body finally relaxing in Veer’s arms. But her dreams were far from peaceful—snakes slithered after her in endless coils, their hissing echoing in her mind. Her brows furrowed deeply, and even in her sleep she turned, struggling against nightmares that refused to let her go.

Veer stayed awake through the night, his gaze never leaving her face. Every time her frown deepened, he would brush his thumb gently against her brow, trying to smooth away the tension, whispering silent reassurances she couldn’t hear.

He watched her like that for hours, the weight in his chest pressing heavier than the mountain around them. He wanted nothing more than to take her back to his tribe, to make her stay where he could protect her—shield her from the venom in her blood, from the hostile stares, from everything. But he knew... that wasn’t what she wanted. Kaya wasn’t someone who could be caged, even if the cage was gilded with love and protection.

His arms tightened around her, unable to stop himself. His voice was low, almost broken against her hair.

"Why do you stir so much trouble everywhere you go...?"

The memory of today burned in his mind—the healer’s eyes lingering too long, too interested, as if he wanted to claim what wasn’t his. Just like all the other beastmen whose gazes turned sharp and hungry whenever they looked at Kaya.

And through it all, she remained utterly oblivious. Completely clueless that the world seemed intent on stealing her away.

Veer closed his eyes, hugging her closer as if that alone could keep her safe.

The next day, an unwanted visitor disturbed the stillness of their cave.

When Kaya’s eyes fluttered open, the first thing she saw was Veer—sitting silently beside her, his eyes watchful and unwavering, like a sentinel who hadn’t moved all night. The soft glow of firelight played over his face, sharpening his features, making him look almost too perfect, too untouchable.

For a moment, Kaya forgot to breathe. What kind of material did the gods use to craft someone like him? The thought slipped unbidden, and she almost laughed at herself.

Before she realized it, her hand had lifted slightly, reaching toward his face, drawn as if by its own will. But before her fingertips could touch him.

Veer suddenly jolted back.

"Huh?"

He looked at Kaya, startled. Kaya, whose hand had been half-raised, slowly lowered it. Her eyes held no light, and her voice came out flat, devoid of emotion.

"Release me."

Veer exhaled, a helpless sigh escaping him. "Don’t you think you should at least greet in the morning first?" His words carried a trace of weariness, almost like he was trying to lighten the moment.

Still, despite what he said, he spread his wings and let them fall away, setting her free.