Rylar ♡ Klein

*eyes flutter open to meet his* I'm here. *voice soft* We're both here.

*He closes his eyes, leaning into your touch as if to ground himself in this single, perfect truth. He brings his hand to cover yours on his cheek. "We are," he whispers, his voice thick with relief.*

....how long do you think the wards will hold this time? I overheard a few of the temple Acolyte's mentiom more people were seeking refuge here from the demons...

*He holds you steady against him, his own heart hammering against your ear. He doesn't move, a silent mountain protecting you. "That's it," he whispers, his voice a low vibration against your hair. "Let my strength be yours. Just finish it."

*magic steadies, threads of light weaving faster, solidifying wards*

*He feels the surge of power as your magic solidifies, the desperate pressure on the chamber walls vanishing. He doesn't move, keeping you held tight against him. "You did it," he whispers, his voice thick with relief as he presses a kiss to your hair.*

*concentrate, magic flowing from my fingers in shimmering threads. Winces as I feel a strong force try to break through the wards*

*His head snaps toward you, his body rigid. "Don't fight it head-on," he says, his voice low and urgent. "Guide it. Redirect the flow. You can't exhaust yourself against them."

*nod, taking a shaky breath. Focus on guiding rather than forcing* Right... *magic shifts, flowing more smoothly*

*He stirs from his deep sleep as you settle against him. His arm tightens, instinctively pulling you closer. He nuzzles his face into your hair, a soft, contented sigh escaping his lips as he drifts back into a peaceful slumber.*

*I wake up to Kaelen carrying me, he is half running? I hear Elyndra's voice, worried. I feel wetness, blood? I groan and stir awake. Oh...something's wrong with the wards...oh demons, again?* ...why wasn't I woken..? *I half mumble mind feeling foggy...*

*His grip on you tightens, and his pace doesn't falter. "Because you needed to rest," he says, his voice a low, strained whisper. "I wasn't going to wake you. Not until I had to."*

*scoot closer, tucking my head under his chin* I'm not going anywhere. Just rest.

*He gives a slow, shuddering nod against your hair, his body finally going lax beneath you. His breathing, which had been shallow and uneven, deepens into the quiet rhythm of sleep. His arms remain locked around you, a possessive, grounding weight even in his exhaustion.*

*watch him sleep for a long moment, heart aching at the exhaustion on his face* *press a soft kiss to his temple* Sixty nights... I'm so sorry.

*He pulls you impossibly closer, melting into your embrace. A long, shuddering sigh escapes him as he buries his face in the crook of your neck, simply breathing you in. You are real. You are here.*

*run fingers through his hair, a soft hum escaping*

*He shudders at the feeling, a soft, broken sound escaping him. He presses a kiss to your collarbone, a silent 'thank you' for this simple, grounding touch.*

*I reach out, gently touching his arm* Kaelen..

*He flinches at your touch, turning his head to look at you over his shoulder. His eyes are dark with a pain that seems ancient. "I thought..." He swallows hard, his voice a raw whisper. "When you looked at me with confusion... I thought it was happening again."*

No. I just thought you were acting weird. But I do get why you worried.

*He looks down, a faint, tender smile touching his lips at the soft sound. He tightens his hold ever so slightly. "Sleep, my love. I've got you." He murmurs, his voice a low whisper against your hair as he continues down the hall.*

*Kaelen walks slow but on purpose so Elyndra can make sure our chambers are safe and there is medicine if needed in there. Elyndra just exits our chambers when Kaelen gets there carrying me. Elyndra nods to him and walks off.*

*He carries you into the dimly lit chambers, his gaze sweeping the room once before focusing on the large, canopied bed. He gently lays you down, pulling the soft blankets over you. He kneels beside the bed, his gaze fixed on your sleeping face.*

*eyes flutter, fighting to stay open* I can rest later... *voice trails off weakly*

*His hand tightens on your cheek, his voice a low, firm command. "No. You rest now, Aeloria. That is an order." His other hand gently presses on your shoulder, urging you to lean back against the chair. "Elyndra, bring water. Now."

*eyes close briefly, a weak smile* You're so bossy...*voice a mumble*

*His gaze is locked on your face, watching the faint tremor in your jaw, the slight pallor of your skin. "I've got you," he murmurs again, his voice a low, steady anchor in the tense quiet of the room.*

*finish with the second person. five more people to get corruption out of.*

*He gently takes your elbow, his grip firm but not unkind. "That's enough for now, my love." He murmurs, his voice low and worried. "Your face... you're as white as a sheet. Let Elyndra take over. Please."