The Crown's Entrapment

At Cordon Castle

In their own room within the castle, Jayra and Bartos lazed about on their bed. It was already night, and there was still a lot more to do tomorrow. Despite this, they still stayed awake, casually enjoying each other's presence as they lay in bed without a care in the world.

"You're really spoiling me tonight, huh," Jayra giggled as she felt Bartos's embrace tighten with each passing second. "Aren't you supposed to be preparing for our journey to Ebodia?"

"As if you're any different," Bartos chuckled. "You still have that Bloodthread to look for. Not to mention that you're also coming with me anyway, so you also need the sleep."

Jayra let out a smirk as she replied, "That might be true, but if you're going to keep me awake, then you can't blame me for doing exactly that."

While he could say that they needed to rest as much as he could, her mate's actions were anything but. Ever since she had partially recovered enough to walk around on her own, Bartos had been protective of her at every waking moment. Always trying to check on her through the Bond... constantly trying to be by her side at every possible opportunity...

Frankly, if he was any other person, she would've been annoyed.

"Could you even blame me? I can't handle the thought of losing you," Bartos whispered into her ear, making tingles run through the back of her spine. "Even if you say that you're already fine, I won't leave anything to chance."

Jayra smiled. "That's true, but I don't need that much protection," she chuckled as she snaked an arm around Bartos's neck, pulling him closer to her as she stared him right in the eye. "I can handle myself just fine. This is a learning experience for the both of us, and I refuse to be caught off-guard like that the second time."

"And I refuse to see you fall like that in my arms ever again," Bartos quickly replied, cupping Jayra's cheek with one hand. "That's what I learned from that if that is what you'll ask."

Jayra let out a sigh before leaning down and giving her mate a comforting kiss. It wasn't a needy kiss. Instead, this was more of a reassurance coming from her as she turned to lay beside him once more.

"We've learned a lot of things from that. Namely, that security in Cordon is lacking when it comes to dark magic," she weakly scoffed. "I'll try and rectify that as soon as I'm able."

"And being able means only when you've fully recovered," Bartos sternly reminded her. "I won't have you dropping out of exhaustion on me, much less pushing yourself to the point of near-death..."

"Bartos..." she sighed, noticing the faintest hint of fear slipping into his tone. "I promise I won't willingly let myself tackle such a dangerous situation again. You don't have to worry anymore, alright?"

Bartos raised an eyebrow at her. "Willingly?"

Jayra smirked. "Well, there are some circumstances where we might just have to risk our lives for what we hold dear, you know?" she explained herself. "I'm sure you also have something to protect no matter what."

"Like you," Bartos replied with all of his seriousness. "I'd risk my life if it meant that you'd live to see another day."

"And likewise, I'd do the same for you," Jayra nodded. "That's why I say 'willingly.' If there's no other choice, I'll do it."

"Even at the cost of your own life..." Bartos grimly sighed. "And I'm sure you won't budge on this."

"I don't make promises I can't keep," Jayra faintly smiled, snuggling her face up to the crook of his neck. "That's why I use the right words whenever I make them."

It was a habit she picked up on after hanging around Ebodia's courts. Politicians used words to their advantage so that they could get away from their responsibilities using loopholes when they were questioned.

Of course, she wasn't going to use such skills in that sense. Instead, she used words so that her promises were as accurate as possible. It also helped that some spells, and curse-breaking in particular, needed precise wordings for them to work.

"Hmm... So you're also good at politicking if the need arose for it," Bartos casually commented.

"It comes with the job of being Queen Xenia's friend and confidant," Jayra proudly replied. "It also helps with spellcasting, so that's a plus for it."

Bartos let out a soft hum as he pulled Jarya closer to his chest. She let out a satisfied giggle as she followed his lead, rubbing her face all over his broad and powerful chest as she waited for his eventual reply.

"So I can't stop you if there's no other choice," Bartos remarked in thought. "If that's the case, do you wish to be a Lycan?"

Jayra blinked at the sudden question. "Uhh... Not really? What brought this on?"

"As you've said, you will have to risk your life depending on the situation," Bartos began his line of reasoning. "And you're only human, which means you need every advantage you can get if you want to keep on living."

"So you're offering me that option to make sure that I get to live longer..."

"Correct," Bartos nodded. "It will help you be strong enough to reach your goals, while also making sure that you'll be strong enough to survive far longer than regular humans."

Jayra took a full ten seconds to consider her mate's proposal. While she understood that she had a limited lifespan as a human, she honestly didn't see herself lacking in power any time soon. She was rather attached to her current status as a human at the moment. Besides...

"Hmm... I don't think I need to do that right now," Jayra answered back. "I already have my demonic heritage activated, which would surely add to both my power and lifespan. Add to that Queen Mineah's angelic bloodthread now also coursing through my veins, I'm pretty sure I'd get to live longer than you if I played my cards right."

"So you're planning on outliving me then," Bartos chuckled.

"Just long enough to see our descendants living the good life," Jayra teased, tracing a finger across his chest. "So don't worry, my love. I'm not leaving any time soon. In fact, you might as well group me with our Queen in being a Nephelim with how much non-human blood I have in me right now."

Bartos shook his head in mirth before closing his eyes. "I'll keep that in mind, Jayra. For now, let's just sleep. We've had enough talk for one day."

"I agree," Jayra whispered. "Let me just snuggle up into you then."

And with that, the couple finally went to sleep, preparing themselves for the day ahead.