The next week, Urag disappeared again.
There were no explanations. Just absence.
Eiravyne told herself she was used to it by now.
She moved through her days as she always did, in her room as if she was grounded.
When his name crossed her mind, she smoothed it away with practiced ease.
He must have gone to see the princess, she thought.
Then, one morning, she woke to what felt like hundreds of kisses scattered softly across her cheek.
Not hurried. Not demanding.
Just there.
Warm lips brushing her skin again and again, light as breath.
Eiravyne stirred, a quiet sound leaving her throat before she could stop it.
Her brow creased faintly in confusion, lashes fluttering as sleep loosened its hold.
Her fingers twitched against the sheets.
"…Urag?" she murmured, voice thick with sleep, the name leaving her mouth before her mind could catch up.
He chuckled softly against her cheek, the sound vibrating just enough for her to feel it before she fully heard it.
