Chapter 166: Stay

Four days after our conversation, Darian was strong enough to walk without help. The fever was gone. The burns were healing cleanly.

He still tired easily. Still needed rest. But he could move through the house. Could sit up for hours without exhausting himself.

Progress.

"I need new clothes," he said one morning.

I looked up from the report I was reading. "What's wrong with your clothes?"

"They're destroyed. Blood. Tears. I can't keep wearing your spare shirts."

He had a point. My clothes were too small for him anyway. The shirts pulled across his shoulders. The pants were too short.

"We can go to the market," I said.

"We?" He smiled. "Are you offering to take me shopping?"

My face heated. "It's not a date. It's practical."

"Of course."

But his smile said he didn't believe me.

We left after breakfast. The market was in the settlement center. Rows of stalls selling everything from food to fabric to weapons.

It was busy. People moved between vendors. Voices called out prices. The smell of fresh bread and cooking meat filled the air.

I'd been here hundreds of times. Knew every stall. Every vendor.

But today felt different.

Because I was here with him.

People noticed. Eyes followed us as we walked. Curious. Interested. Not hostile. Just aware.

The vampire representative and the pack warrior. Together.

I kept my head up. Refused to look uncomfortable.

Darian walked beside me. Calm. Unbothered. Like he belonged here.

We reached the clothing stall. The vendor greeted us with a friendly smile. Showed Darian the available options.

He picked out two shirts. A pair of pants. A new coat to replace the one ruined in the attack.

Simple. Practical. Nothing fancy.

The market was getting more crowded. People pressed close on all sides.

Darian's hand found mine. "So we don't get separated," he said.

I nodded. Let him hold my hand.

We moved through the crowd. His fingers warm against mine.

I didn't let go even when the crowd thinned.

We browsed a few more stalls. Looked at weapons. At leather goods. At nothing in particular.

Just existed together. In public. Where everyone could see.

It felt normal. Easy.

Like we'd been doing this for years.

"Hungry?" I asked.

"A little."

We stopped at a food stall. Bought meat skewers and bread. Found a place to sit at the edge of the square.

Ate in comfortable silence.

I watched people move past. Saw some of them glance our way. Saw them notice our joined hands.

No one looked angry. No one whispered insults.

Just acknowledgment. Acceptance.

"This is nice," Darian said.

"What is?"

"This. Being here with you. Not hiding."

I looked at him. At the easy expression on his face. At the way he looked relaxed. Happy.

"You like being seen with me?" I asked.

"Yes. Is that surprising?"

"A little."

"Why?"

"Because I'm difficult. And aggressive. And I destroyed half a wine shipment."

He laughed. "You did destroy half a wine shipment."

"Exactly."

"And I like you anyway. Weird."

I shoved his shoulder lightly. He grinned.

Movement caught my eye. Elizabeth stood near one of the stalls. Watching us. She met my gaze and smiled.

Not teasing. Not mocking. Just genuinely happy.

She waved once. Then turned back to her shopping.

Something warm settled in my chest.

I liked this. Liked being here with him. Liked that people saw us together and accepted it.

Liked that I wasn't hiding anymore.

We finished eating. Walked back through the market. Darian carried his new clothes.

"I should get back," he said. "Rest before I push myself too hard."

"Good idea."

We walked toward my house. The settlement was familiar. Home.

But different now. Because he was here with me.

"Lyra," he said as we reached my door.

"What?"

"I need to ask you something."

My stomach tightened. "Okay."

"I'm mostly healed now. Strong enough to travel. The vampire delegation will expect me back soon."

Oh.

Right.

He'd have to leave. Eventually. Go back to his responsibilities. His life.

"When?" I asked.

"Soon. Unless there's a reason to stay."

He looked at me. Waiting.

I knew what he was asking. What he wanted to hear.

Ask me to stay. Tell me you want me here.

My throat felt tight.

"Do you want to stay?" I asked instead.

"That depends on you."

"How?"

"I'm not staying if you don't want me to. If this is still just obligation. If you're still deciding."

He wasn't angry. Wasn't pressuring. Just honest.

I looked at him. At his gray eyes. At the patience there. At the hope he was trying to hide.

He'd given me time. Space. Let me figure this out at my own pace.

But he needed an answer now.

And I had one.

"Stay," I said.

"What?"

"I want you to stay. Here. With me."

My voice was stronger than I expected. Clear. Certain.

He studied my face. "You're sure?"

"Yes."

"This isn't the bond talking?"

"No. This is me. I'm choosing this. Choosing you."

Something shifted in his expression. Relief. Joy. Like he'd been holding his breath and could finally exhale.

"Okay," he said.

"Okay?"

"I'll stay."

Just like that. No argument. No conditions.

He'd stay because I asked him to.

My chest felt tight. But not from fear this time. From something else. Something warm and overwhelming.

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"For what?"

"For waiting. For giving me time."

"Of course."

He reached up. Tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was gentle. Intimate.

I leaned into it without thinking.

"Should we go inside?" he asked.

"Yeah."

We went inside. He put his new clothes away. I made tea.

Normal. Domestic. Easy.

Like we'd done it a hundred times before.

He was staying. Really staying.

Not because of the bond. Not because of obligation.

Because we chose it.

Both of us.

The messenger arrived the next morning. A vampire I didn't recognize. Young. Formal. Wearing the Citadel's colors.

He asked for Darian. I showed him inside.

They spoke in low tones. I caught fragments. Official report. Council summons. Trade agreements.

The messenger left after a few minutes.

Darian turned to me. His expression was careful. "I have to go to the Citadel."

"When?"

"Soon. Within the week. The Council wants a formal report on the attack. And I need to present the finalized trade agreements."

I nodded. Expected this. Knew his responsibilities didn't end just because he was staying in the settlement.

"How long will you be gone?" I asked.

"A few days. Maybe a week."

"Okay."

He crossed the room. Stood in front of me. "You don't have to come."

"What?"

"To the Citadel. You can stay here. I'll come back when it's done."

I looked at him. At the careful way he was watching me. Like he was trying to give me a way out.

"I'm coming with you," I said.

"Lyra—"

"I'm coming. You're not going alone."

"It's a long journey. And you've barely had time to recover."

"So have you."

"That's different."

"No. It's not."

We looked at each other. I saw him trying to decide whether to argue.

"I'm coming," I said again. Firm. Final.

He nodded slowly. "Okay."

I wouldn’t leave on his own never again.