Vlad woke slowly, a rare warmth lingering in his chest.
A faint, genuine smile formed on his face as his gaze fell upon the naked woman resting beside him. Freya lay curled in the sheets, her breathing steady, a peaceful and almost innocent expression softening her sharp, battle-hardened features. For once, there was no tension in her posture, no readiness for violence etched into her muscles.
Only rest.
Lately, their lives had become an endless cycle of blood and struggle. Fight, bleed, break—then rebuild themselves stronger, only for the cycle to begin again. Even a will forged from steel could not endure such a rhythm forever without consequence.
That was why, after completing the Six Suns Galactic Trading Realm, the True Depravita of Wrath had led the forces of the Xaos Kingdom back to Terra immediately.
They had earned rest.
