"How he feels about you"

The word seemed ordinary just slipping off Auryn’s tongue but the importance to Lyra was much different.

She felt her heart skip a beat and it wasn’t just a hint of love but also guilt. The guilt that had lingered from the inception of this marriage.

"But I’m more now. Someone else layered on top. I don’t know who. Don’t know why this happened."

Auryn’s words broke her from her tension.

"I just know I woke up different. And I can’t undo it." Auryn finished even as his jaw tightened.

She looked down at her hands. Fingers twisting together. If only her thoughts could easily find their way like her fingers.

"I mourned him, you know." Her voice cracked. "The Auryn I married. When I realized something had changed."

She looked up. Tears threatening but held back.

"But then you—" Her voice caught. Held back bynthe feeling.again.

"You were better, smarter and stronger. You looked at me different."

She couldn’t raise the volumes of her voice as she continued.

"I hated myself for preferring you to him. What does that make me? What kind of person am I?"

She chose me over the original. Even drowning in guilt about it?

Auryn interpreted her words in shock that he desperately tried restraining by keeping his countenance stoic.

Auryn reached out and caught her hand before she could pull away.

"You don’t have to feel guilty."

"Don’t I?" Her voice was sharp. Self-directed anger bleeding through. Even as hoped for the right excuses in his words.

"No." He answered firmly. "Because whoever I am now, I’m here. I’m real. And the bond..."

He paused. Allow the weight of the next words to settle

"The bond doesn’t care about memories or history. Only our souls. Whatever I am now, whatever changed. Your soul recognized mine."

His thumb traced across her knuckles softly.

"Whatever I am, however many people exist in this body. Your soul still chose mine. Recognized something alike."

Her breath hitched. The tears she’d been holding finally spilled over.

"And I’m choosing you back." He said it simply but with certainty. "Not just because magic says we’re compatible. Because I want you here."

She stared at him for a long moment, trying everything mythically possible not to stare away..Tears tracking down her cheeks.

"What does that mean?" Her voice was careful. "Choosing me?"

"It means I want you beside me. Not behind. Not decorating my arm at meetings or my bed."

He shifted closer. Ignoring the pains in his chest as best he could.

"I want Aurelia to mean something. To grow beyond one province. To be safe. Prosperous and strong!"

His eyes held hers with intensity.

"And I want you ruling her with me. Not as a wife performing duty. As my partner."

Her eyes searched his. She was suspicious yet hopeful.

Was he doing this as a way to avoid the consequences of his deceit ?

The thought lingered in heart but all she said was

"Why?"

The word came out almost wounded. "Why would you give me that? When you don’t need to."

Because you’re useful, smart and connected. Dragon bond makes you loyal. That’s a strategic asset.

His mind ran through reasons while his lips parted. His voice soft and slightly defeated between winces.

"Because I can’t do this alone." He mixed truth with strategy. Allowing his vulnerability show.

"I don’t know this province the way you do. Don’t have your family’s connections."

Lyra was smart and he hoped to bring it to her attention. Something he was certain the original Auryn didn’t do.

"You’re smarter than half my council. More observant than most nobles I’ve met."

He paused. Let the next part come quieter. More genuine.

"And because..." He hesitated. Genuine this time.

"I want you here. Near me. Not just because of politics. I want your voice in my ear when I’m making decisions. Want to see your face across the table. Want to fall asleep knowing you’re—"

He cut himself off. He was been too honest now or overplaying his hand. But her hand had tightened on his. The force of her grip increased.

"Council adviser." She said it slowly. Testing the weight. "Real power? Real voice?"

"Yes."

"Not decoration?"

"Never." His voice was firm and absolute. "I need your mind, Allyrae. Not your face."

He called her by her full name. Something she hadn’t heard in years.

Her mind nearly went numb as she studied him. Her mind shifting and churning. She knew she had to approach this not only with her heart.

"I need to think." She concluded.

A lie... He didn’t need Author’s eyes to tell it was. He saw it. The way her hand hadn’t loosened its grip. The way her eyes stayed locked on his face. The tiny blush when he called her full name.

She’s already decided. Just needs to feel like the choice is hers.

He smiled brightly.

"Take all the time you need."

Even after that her hand still glued to his. They sat like that. Comfortable even in the silence.

Then she finally spoke.

"If I do this..." Her voice was quiet and serious. "I need you to promise me something."

"What?"

"Don’t lie to me." Her eyes carrying a burning intensity. "Not about who you are. What you want. What you’re planning."

She leaned forward. Close enough he could count the silver flecks in her irises.

"I’m not asking for constant truth. I know politics requires masks. I also know you can’t tell me everything."

"But when I ask you directly. when I need to know who you really are, don’t hide from me."

She paused---

"I need to know you. Really know you. Not the mask you wear for the world to see."

Her free hand came up as she cupped his face.

"The person who caught me while dying. Who held me all night. Who’s trusting me with power when he doesn’t have to.

That person. Promise me I will get to know that person.."

The request was reasonable but actually impossible. He held her gaze. Practiced sincerity in his eyes.

"I promise."

I’ll tell you what you need to know. Nothing more.

The amber of her gaze looking for deception in his eyes. She found only the earnestness he’d carefully constructed.

She nodded slowly. "Okay."

Her hand squeezed his. Refusing to let go. And Auryn knew.

She was now his partner. His wife. His Ally. Both useful and wanted. Definitely worth the risk.

Outside the chamber, the morning was brightening over mountain peaks.

But inside, something had shifted. A partnership forged on half-truths and whole want.

He’d told her enough to satisfy. Hidden enough to survive. That was what’s best

.. Atleast.. for now..