(Xiran’s POV)

A seething sense of incompleteness permeated inside me like a scorching sun, burning and branding me with every breath. I had to leave her behind, yet again, not knowing how much time she would require of me.

The journey back to Fritez City from Lahoire was passed in agony, every second without her was somehow harrowing. Frila shook my shoulder as we landed and I was jerked out of the deep thoughts. Seeing Frila’s worried face I knew she must have been calling me before shaking me.

"Señor, are you feeling alright?" she asked with concern written all over her face.

"Yes," I got up and we made our way out. Zilver was waiting for us in the car.

"Take me home," I instructed as he opened the door for me and I settled inside. Frila sat with Zilver in front. I could sense them passing concerned looks to each other but they said nothing.

The night had taken over from the day when we arrived at my home. Zilver dropped me and left with Frila. The drowsiness was finally getting to me and it had almost been a week since I slept in a bed back at Emeradius City. So much had changed since then.

Entering my house another pang of loneliness hit me and I trudged myself forward. Irlana and Elrine were waiting with wide smiles. Irlana rushed forward and hugged me as she couldn’t hold her tears back and whimpered:

"You are back."

My heart eased up with her embrace and I gently stroked her hair before replying:

"I am," her eyes wandered to the door and I knew she was expecting to see Aselia, a flash of disappointment appeared on her face but was gone as quickly as it had come and was replaced by her radiant smile as her eyes darted to me.

Seeing my condition, she didn’t make any queries and I was thankful because I had no strength.

"Come! Freshen up I made all your favourite dishes," she took my hand and dragged me behind her. We stopped in the living room and I made pleasantries with Elrine and she offered a soft smile.

"I will get changed and then we will have dinner," I told them and made my way to my room and locked the door.

Walking to my washroom I stripped to my butt and adjusted the shower tap to the hottest setting. I stood underneath it, wiping away all the dried-up blood, dirt, grime and filth.

The water took it all away, leaving me with unseeable wounds and scars, the ones which will never wash away, they might fade with her in my arms but didn’t seem like a possibility for now.

My gaze went to the patterns that had appeared on my body and I traced my finger on them. Unlike when Aselia did, they didn’t glow and remained in their passive state and I wondered how and why they gleamed. Maybe, it only did with her touch or when she needed protection.

This was a complete mystery and I knew it was something from my mother’s side as well. Her diary might hold answers, I had given it to Rivan for safekeeping and soon I would need to read it.

After spending a substantial amount of time under the water and scrubbing myself clean I walked out and dried myself before changing into pent trousers and a t-shirt. I let my hair open so it would naturally dry.

Walking out of the room I found Irlana and Elrine had set the table and were waiting for me, I advanced to the table and settled down. The aroma of freshly cooked food permeated the air and I took a deep breath.

Irlana was an exceptional cook and I loved every time she cooked for me, a small smile crept up on my face seeing all the variety of food and I felt like Aselia.

"Feeling better?" Irlana softly inquired as she served me pasta and Elrine intently watched, quietly passing dishes to Irlana.

"A bit, I haven’t slept in a while so I am dizzy and jet-lagged. After dinner, I would like to have some uninterrupted sleep," I sighed and took a bite of creamy pasta, it tasted divine and melted in my mouth.

"We will be here. Turn off your cell phone and just sleep as long as you want. I will inform Rivan and he will handle everything," Irlana patted my arm and Elrine nodded.

Silence prevailed after that, they gave me space, seeing how tired and disturbed I seemed. Both of them didn’t bombard me with a million questions, concerning what went down with my father and I was only glad. They indeed were very wise women.

Once I was done, Irlana made me tea and I silently sipped on it until I couldn’t keep my eyes open. Even the caffeine in tea didn’t help.

"Xiran! You should sleep. Leave everything to us," Elrine spoke in her soft tone, her hands elegantly resting on the table as she sat opposite me. I nodded and placed the cup back on the saucer before getting up. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Thank you for liberating us. We know it’s the last thing you want to talk about and we will never pester you, but we are very grateful and forever indebted to you," Elrine’s gentle voice was almost soothing to the senses, Irlana held the same emotions as her mother.

"I will sleep better knowing he will never hurt any of the women whom I hold dear in my life. Let me get some rest and we will talk in detail," I slightly dipped my head and walked away. My heart thumping ferociously.

Reaching my bed I slumped over it and soon the sleep engulfed me. Aselia’s dreams dominated my sleep and there was nothing I wished for more than to be with her.

A scintillatingly delicious and mouth-watering smell woke me up. Something soft and cold rested against my face and I wanted it to envelop my entire body. I wanted to wake up and see but tiredness made my eyelids so heavy.

"Xiran!" her honeyed voice melted in my ears and I lethargically opened my eyes and found myself staring into a turquoise ocean. Her rosy lips curved into an enticing smile and my heart pounded knowing it was just a dream before she leaned in and shrouded my lips with her tender ones.