Aselia woke up and found herself alone in Xiran’s bed. She vaguely remembered him dressing her up, glancing down at her body she found herself to be wearing one of his white t-shirts with wings printed in front.

But where was he and what time was it? Her eyes wandered to the clock and it was 9 am, she yawned and got out of bed to get freshened up. Heading to the bathroom, she took a hot bath but had no clothes to wear as he had brought her to his room. So she wore his T-shirt and her panties again.

Getting out she hopped in bed again and ducked under the duvet. Her clutch was lying down on the table, grabbing it she extracted her phone from it and called Xiran. He picked up instantly.

"Hey! Where are you?" She asked in a soft tone.

"Hello! You are up, I am coming. Call Frila to send over breakfast, I have so much to tell you," he answered.

"Alright, I am waiting," she cut the call and called Frila for breakfast. After that, she called Yurian and filled him in on what had happened, at least the shorter version of it.

"I am coming over partner, you are in danger," Yurian was furious.

"No, Yuri. I can handle myself, the next time I am taking a weapon with me. Stay put, I will keep you updated," Aselia reassured him.

"Are you sure? Because I am having a bad feeling about this," Yurian replied with dread falling over him.

"I am, Xiran is here with me too. Please, don’t worry."

"Alright, but keep me informed and if you need me, I am just a call away you know. Take care," Yurian’s heart was still not at ease but he wanted to respect Aselia’s wishes.

"I will, until next time," Aselia cut the call after that and began to process all that had transpired in the last 24 hours. She wasn’t even getting time to process what had happened to Xiran and then they were attacked.

She heard footsteps and knew he was there, the door opened and Xiran stepped inside. He was still wearing his attire from yesterday and he appeared tired and bleak.

"Hey!" he gave her a half smile and made his way to her. She seemed so fresh and smelled like citrus, her hair was a bit damp.

"Hey! Handsome, you alright," she inquired seeing how slumped his shoulders were as he moved slowly toward her.

"Not really," he responded in a glum tone and sat down near her legs. Aselia took off the duvet that covered her body and opened her arms before whispering:

"Come here," just the way he always said to her. He smiled at her beautiful gesture and gave himself into her arms. Resting his head over her heart, Xiran closed his eyes and listened to her heartbeat.

The slow thumping of her heart was like a relaxing keynote, every beat took away a tiny bit of mammoth of worries his own held. His hands held Aselia’s waist while hers pressed his head against her chest, giving him all of her warmth today.

"Talk to me when you feel like it," she murmured to him, her fingers stroking his silvery hair. The turmoils in his mind and tempest in his heart subsided for the time being.

"Mhm," he mumbled, and without wanting to he fell asleep in her arms. She covered him with the duvet and just held him there.

Frila came and left them breakfast but Xiran was sleeping and Aselia didn’t want to move, she wanted him to sleep as much as he could.

At noon Xiran finally stirred and opened those gorgeous greyish orbs. He peeked at Aselia who was intently watching him with her turquoise ones.

"Damnit, I dozed off," he cursed and sat up straight from her warm embrace.

"You needed sleep, you were too tired," Aselia rubbed his arm, ensuring him it was alright to sleep.

"You must be hungry and I had to go visit Warise to see what they have unearthed about those hounds and if they have found anyone else," he raked his hair with his fingers seemingly tensed and frustrated.

"We will eat together and then you can go, you need breakfast too, stop worrying this much," with that said Aselia got up and brought the food tray to the bed.

Picking up a sandwich Aselia started to feed him and he quietly ate, he was still lost in his train of thought.

"Talk to me," Aselia asked him softly and he lifted his lashes before giving her a forlorn look. Xiran inhaled deeply and began to pour his heart out to her. He told her everything about Irlana and what she had said.

Aselia gasped at the revelation and understood the looks Irlana was always giving Xiran. She was most probably trying to understand her brother.

"Oh! Xiran, this is big news. You have to protect her and keep her safe from your father, I can’t even imagine what she must have been through and forget about what she did," Aselia wholeheartedly believed Irlana was indeed Xiran’s step-sister.

"Once it is confirmed that she is my sister, I will do everything in my power to protect her. But, father has her mother and if she decides to return to him, I don’t know how I will stop her," Xiran confided to Aselia. His heart was extremely burdened at the thought of his sister being used against him.

"Where is she now?" Aselia asked offering him another bite.

"She is with Rivan, he doesn’t trust her and didn’t want to leave her in my care until the tests reveal her true identity," Xiran answered and took a bite, and began to slowly chew.

"I am sorry you are hurting," she caressed his cheek and he half smiled.

"Well, that’s my fucked up life, and now I have dragged you into it too. I don’t know why I am so selfish when it comes down to you," he lifted his eyes to gaze at her with a wounded expression.

"That’s because you love me and I came willingly, I am not some flimsy girl and can handle whatever is thrown my way. That’s why your heart chose me," Aselia then stepped closer and hugged him easing the burdens his heart held as he embraced her back.