Chapter 102 SAFE HAVEN

Chapter 102 SAFE HAVEN
Xyra's eyes opened slowly, and the heavy reality of the night before came flooding back. She looked up to find Magnus still asleep, his eyes closed peacefully. His arms were wrapped tightly around her, holding her fast against his chest. Even if she had wanted to move, she couldn't.

Glancing toward the window, she noticed the rain had finally stopped. Bright sunlight washed over the broken city outside, but she quickly looked away, unable to face the destruction just yet. It was too much to process. For now, she chose to focus entirely on the man holding her. She prayed he wouldn't look so broken when he finally woke up. Hearing the sorrow in his voice last night had been agonizing; she wanted nothing more than to see him smile again.

Slowly, she freed her arms and reached up to embrace the sorcerer. Pressing her hands against his back, she pulled herself closer, burying her face against his chest. Still asleep, he responded unconsciously, shifting his weight and tightening his hold to fit her new position. Now she was truly trapped — yet she found herself tracking no desire to escape. Not long ago, she would have panicked, shoving him away or digging an elbow into his ribs to keep her distance. He used to make her so incredibly nervous. While that deep unease had mostly settled, a faint trace of it remained. His sheer presence could still catch her off guard.

Xyra lay there quietly, listening to the steady thud of his heartbeat and the rhythm of his gentle breathing. A small smile touched her lips as she realized where she was. This was Albus — a man feared by many, blamed for countless disasters, and branded as dangerous. Yet just yesterday, he had been on the verge of tears. He had needed comfort, and she had been more than willing to offer it.

The words he whispered to her last night, after she had simply sat and listened to him, would stay with her forever. He had told her that he needed her — that she was the only one who never left his side. Even though she had wrestled with doubts about her loyalty since the beginning of this journey, he still viewed her as someone precious. He cared for her. He needed her. The thought alone made her feel wonderfully lightheaded.

She pulled back just enough to study his face. He looked entirely at peace, free from the burdens of their reality. She hoped his mind would remain quiet and peaceful. After the horrors of yesterday, he deserved a moment of peaceful rest. Sleep was meant to be a sanctuary, a place where the suffering of the waking world couldn't reach him.

Releasing one of her hands on his back, she brushed a stray lock of hair away from his eyes. A soft smile graced her face as a sudden realization washed over her. In that quiet moment, she finally understood what Meryel must have loved about him, a quality she had likely witnessed a thousand times. It was the reason he was so inherently approachable, the effortless way he drew people in.

Magnus was a remarkable person, and being near him felt like finding a safe haven. He would shield anyone he cared about with his life. He made those around him feel completely secure, and they were. His status as a sorcerer certainly helped, but his warmth went deeper than magic. There was an innate charm to his personality that made him impossible to dislike. He was kind, clever, and highly intelligent, yet wonderfully spacey at times. His determination was unmatched; he never surrendered, never let his own weaknesses break him. He truly inspired awe.

He was handsome, too — a fact no woman could easily ignore. Most people stared when he walked past, though he seemed completely oblivious to his own effect on others. It simply wasn't something he thought about. Xyra knew she was no different from those other women, except her feelings ran far deeper than appearances. His striking features were certainly a plus, but she loved the whole package. She cherished everything about him.

Tracing a gentle finger along his cheek, she found herself wishing this moment would last forever. Here she was, held by a powerful yet gentle sorcerer, a man she would gladly do anything for. Magnus… you have no idea just how much you mean to me. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she melted further into his embrace. I’m so foolish. It’s barely been a month, and yet… I think I might love—

She caught herself, her heart skipping a beat. What am I thinking?! It’s just the intensity of the situation. I don't look at him that way. I can’t. It wouldn't be right. I’m nothing compared to him. He deserves someone far better anyway.

Her smile faded as she gazed down at him. His eyes remained shut, his lips parted slightly as he breathed. A deep blush crept up her neck as her mind drifted to dangerous territory — thoughts she knew she shouldn't be entertaining. Her memory flashed back to the vision of Vekta. She had watched Magnus kiss Meryel, and it had looked so breathtakingly beautiful. His lips looked soft, his touch incredibly tender. Her pulse raced as she wondered what it would feel like to experience that.

The temptation teased her, whispering that the perfect opportunity was right in front of her. He was right here, completely unaware. I could just do it. He’d never know. Just one kiss. One little kiss.

Hesitantly, she leaned her face closer to his. Her heart hammered against her ribs, her hands trembling at the audacity of what she was about to do. It was only a fleeting touch, nothing major. She just wanted to know the feeling. He would sleep right through it.

She was only inches away when a voice shattered the silence from the doorway.

"Magnus? You awake yet?"

Darren stood at the entrance. Terrified of the hunter catching them and getting the wrong impression, Xyra scrambled backward and tried to make herself scarce. If Darren found out she was sharing Magnus's bed, the teasing would be endless.

She froze as the sorcerer began to stir. Magnus blinked his eyes open, looking thoroughly exhausted — a natural one since he had just woken up. Slowly, he turned his head toward the door, casting a mild glare at Darren that clearly demanded to know why the half-dragon had disturbed him.

"Uh… sorry," Darren muttered quickly, taking a step back. "I’ll let you rest a bit longer."

Once the hunter’s footsteps faded down the hall, Magnus sighed and turned his gaze to Xyra. He offered her a warm smile, a sight that caught her completely off guard. Had he really moved past yesterday so quickly? Then again, he had promised her he would be better by morning. She wondered if the smile was forced, but looking closely, it seemed genuine.

"Thank you," he murmured softly. "You’ve done so much for me."

The urge to protest rose in her throat. She wanted to tell him it was a lie, that she hadn't done anything at all, but the words choked her. She couldn't bring herself to admit how useless she felt. All she ever did was cause him trouble; she was never the one doing the rescuing. She could offer comfort when his heart and mind were aching, but otherwise, she felt like dead weight — worthless, even with a khukuri blade in her hand. But confessing that out loud to him, or even to herself, was too painful.

"You're welcome," she replied quietly, her cheeks still burning. She prayed he wouldn't question her obvious fluster. There was no way she could explain that she had been seconds away from stealing a kiss; he would either be furious or incredibly uncomfortable. Both options terrified her.

"I suppose we should get up," Magnus said, slowly releasing his hold and swinging his legs out of bed. He retrieved his cloak from the floor and threw it over his shoulders, hiding the tattered ruins of his shirt. He hated looking like a mess in public. People would gossip, and he despised drawing unnecessary attention to himself, even if his reputation usually did it for him.

As he walked out, Xyra followed closely on his heels. She was eager to leave Drester; the sight of the ruined city was suffocating. The sheer scale of the tragedy was heartbreaking. Too many lives had been lost.

When they reached the lobby, they found Darren standing amidst a massive crowd. The innkeeper was busy ushering people into various rooms, tending to those who were injured or desperate for a meal. As one of the few structures left standing on stable foundations, the inn had become a shelter. The survivors of Drester had gathered here, though Xyra suspected other buildings were being used the same way. Darren was right in the middle of the chaos, guiding families to open rooms and directing the wounded toward medical help.

Magnus walked toward the hunter, and Xyra kept close behind him. She already knew exactly what he intended to do. If there was one thing the sorcerer excelled at during a crisis, it was healing. His magic worked far faster than any medicine a doctor could provide.

"Let me help," Magnus offered, stepping up to a man Darren was about to send to the doctor.

The hunter didn't argue and immediately stepped aside. Within seconds, a glow of magic emanated from Magnus's hands, knitting the man's wound closed. Seeing the miracle, the rest of the injured in the room quickly swarmed the sorcerer. Magnus patiently tended to every single one of them. Fortunately, the process didn't take long, as most of the injuries were minor cuts and bruises.

The three of them remained at the inn for hours, helping the people of Drester find some semblance of calm. Rations had arrived from the nearest town, which was only a half-day's journey away. A few courageous local hunters had volunteered to make the trip, returning with food, medical crates, clothing, and essential supplies. Slowly but surely, through sheer collective effort, the city would learn to stand on its own again. Just like Vekta, they would endure.

"We can head out," Darren said eventually, walking over to Magnus and Xyra. He stood by the door, casting a final glance over the busy lobby. "Everything is under control here. The doctor promised to keep an eye on Gareth, too. He said the old man is stable and will make it, so you can stop worrying."

Magnus smiled, a genuine look of relief washing over him. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it. Come on, let's move."

"Where to?" Xyra asked as they stepped out into the crisp air, navigating the quiet, debris-strewn streets.

Darren quieted for a moment before looking back at them. "Do you two still want to accompany me to the Andagon Valley?"

Magnus smirked, with a playful glint in his eye. "As if you even have to ask. I have my own business to discuss with Xerxes, so, of course, we're coming."

"Then we should set a fast pace. It’s a solid two-week trek from here. Fortunately, I doubt we’ll encounter much trouble along the way."

"That's a relief," Xyra murmured. It was the best news she had heard in days. Everything around them felt so bleak and desolate that the prospect of an easy journey felt like a blessing. Now that Darren was no longer hiding his dragon abilities, any battles they faced would be much easier to handle.

Let’s just hope it stays quiet, she thought, looking up at the sky. We can’t handle another tragedy. I don't think any of us would survive it.