The thorn crown

It was past midnight when I felt him jolt beside me.

Kael.

Chest rising too fast. Hands clenched in the blanket. Sweat slicking his skin like heat from a fever.

"No—no—get away—"

He thrashed.

I sat up, slow. Careful.

"Kael."

He didn't hear me.

Didn't see.

He was somewhere else. Somewhere burning.

I reached for him.

His fist jerked toward me then stopped. Inches from my throat.

Gold eyes snapped open, wide and feral.

He was breathing like he'd been underwater.

"Easy," I whispered. "You're here. With me."

His body was still tense.

But I didn't pull back.

I laid my hand gently on his wrist.

He flinched...but didn't move away.

"The dream?" I asked softly.

He nodded once.

And then again, slower.

"It was them," he rasped. "Again. My parents. But this time… it was you too."

I stilled.

"You died," he said. "And I I killed you."

"Hey." I shifted closer. "I'm real. I'm here."

His gaze met mine.

And something inside him cracked open.

"I don't know how to do this," he said. "I don't know how to keep someone without destroying them."

I placed my palm on his chest, right over his heart.

It was pounding.

"You don't have to know how. Just… don't push me away."

He looked at me like that was harder than breathing.

But he didn't move.

So I did.

Carefully, I leaned forward and pressed my forehead to his. Soft. Barely there.

"Let me stay."

His fingers curled into the blanket.

"Every time someone touches me," he said, voice shaking, "I wonder if it's the last."

I didn't answer.

I slid my hand up to the side of his neck, thumb brushing his jaw.

Not pulling him closer.

Just being there.

"I'm not afraid of your magic," I whispered.

"You should be."

"I'm not."

His breath hitched.

"Ariya…"

"Lie down," I said.

"What?"

"Lie down with me. Let it be quiet."

He did.

Carefully. Slowly.

I curled beside him, resting my head just under his chin, my hand still on his chest.

His arm came around me like he wasn't sure he was allowed. Gentle. Bare.

The silence stretched.

Not awkward.

Just… full.

Of things we weren't saying.

Of things we felt.

And for once, I didn't need words.

His heartbeat slowed.

His body relaxed.

And when I whispered, "I'm not going anywhere,"

He finally believed me.