They settled into the soft comfortable mattress and Xiran pulled her close and they snuggled against each other before drifting off to sleep.

The darkness on Tromalius only lasted five hours, their sun rose earlier while both of them were still sleeping. A single ray of light filtered through the crevice in the curtain and fell on Aselia, making her stir.

Xiran’s hold on her tightened even in his sleepy state, thinking she was leaving the bed. Her exquisite eyes fluttered open and his serene face was the first thing she saw. Her hand gently cradled his face.

A satisfied smile blessed her lips and the thought of spending the rest of her life and waking up to this sight eased into her heart. It fluttered and blossomed like a morning flower.

But then the notion of her getting old and all wrinkled up while he stayed the way he was hijacked her brain and that smile disappeared. She was going to die one day while he had been blessed with this eternal life.

What would happen in 15-20 years from this point onwards?

Would he lose interest in her and find someone younger?

How would he love someone who looked so much older than him?

What would the people around them think?

Even if he didn’t discard her, would he find love again once she would be gone?

All these negative but reality-based thoughts made her body stiff and her mood sour. The tenseness and rigidity of her body made Xiran open his hypnotic eyes and he instantly knew something was wrong. His brows instantly arched in question.

"Leia! What is it? Why do you have that look in your eyes?" He drew her near his heat, agitation filling him seeing her like that.

"Nothing," she lied, lowering her gaze. An unwanted sigh escaped her.

"Please! Did I say something?" He kissed the tip of her nose and she vehemently shook her head.

"You know you can talk to me about anything. Are you apprehensive about not knowing the language and meeting the rest of my family? Because I am apprehensive too," he stated.

"No, it’s not that."

"Then what is it? Tell me," he brushed his sensual lips against hers, trying to elicit a response from them.

"What will happen when I will become old and finally die?" she finally whimpered against his lips, still not meeting his gaze and this time it was Xiran who tensed. He had thought about this several times. And the only conclusion he had reached was to turn her into a vampire. But he knew she would hate the idea so he had never given words to his thoughts.

"I am not going to let you die," he simply whispered, their lips grazing each other.

"By turning me into a vampire? Is that your grand plan?" Aselia finally lifted her gorgeous eyes and gazed into his expectant ones.

"That’s the only plan I have so far. My father tried to turn you into a hybrid and we saw how that went. Artificial serums won’t work on you, you are special," Xiran’s hand reached out and began caressing her face.

"I don’t want to become a vampire, Xiran. That’s not what I was born as and I am not comfortable with the thought," she leaned into his touch and closed her eyes, hiding away the pain that was descending in her eyes.

"Oh! Leia. I would never do anything against your wishes. I promised you that much. And we still have plenty of time to figure this out, besides we are on a magical planet now and from what I have seen people here have extended life spans. Sulran almost seems my age and so does Nirjla. I will talk to him and we will figure something out. Don’t let this beautiful heart be burdened," he gently kissed both of her eyes and found her nodding at him. Xiran knew her fears had not subsided but at least it was a start. Together they will figure it out.

"We should get up and change. It’s bad manners to keep our hosts waiting when we haven’t even met all of them," Aselia gradually opened her eyes and Xiran could see the clouds of uneasiness had subsided to some extent.

"Not before you kiss me," Xiran grabbed her chin, edging her towards him and her face finally broke into a small smile and her eyes darted to his mouth. She pressed her supple lips on his needy ones, letting his wandering tongue invade her warm mouth and fervently explore.

The sensual dance of his lips and tongue against hers was fulfilling and she couldn’t help but shamelessly moan as he deepened the kiss, tasting every part of her mouth.

They finally separated and Xiran held her close, "I can never get enough of you, Leia. And I don’t want us to ever part. There can’t be another woman for me."

This eased Aselia’s fears further and she answered:

"Same here."

They got up after that and freshened up. There was this white mixture in a container in the wash area and they guessed it was used for gargling. There was also gel-like soap so they washed and changed into the attires and sandals that had been provided for them.

While Xiran’s was something similar to Chiton Aselia’s was a white and silver gown of soft and flowy material with hundreds of little sparkling stones adorning its blouse and was held together by a belt. Xiran helped her in tying up the belt and holding the gown in place.

"You look gorgeous," he said, turning her towards him as she combed her hair. He took the comb from her hand and declared:

"I will braid your hair," Xiran had noticed that people here braided their hair.

"I would love that," she turned back so he could properly comb and braid them. Once Xiran had placed two braids in her hair, he was satisfied and they were ready to leave.

Opening the door they stepped outside and a girl was waiting on them ready to guide them to the chambers of Xiran’s grandmother. They passed through several corridors before arriving outside her room.

Taking permission they entered her chambers with thudding hearts. Xiran was almost on the verge of fidgeting at the thought of meeting her. Aselia was simply curious to see the lady of the house.

Sulran greeted them, "Kahuis! I hope you people had a peaceful night and were able to get some rest. His eyes roamed on their attire and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

"We did and thank you for the clothes and especially the shoes," Xiran offered his gratitude.

He led them to where his mother rested in her white silken bedding, like a celestial fairy. Her mesmerising eyes were swollen and red and it was clear she had been crying. The news of her only daughter’s demise had hit her hard.

But as soon as she saw her grandson, the frail woman tried to get up, a beaming smile appeared on her glowing face which held wisdom. Aselia edged Xiran forward while she stayed behind, trying to give them this private moment.

"My boy!" she tenderly spoke, her voice quivering with the emotional turmoil going through her mind as they met his astonished ones. Xiran stepped closer and held her. She melted in his steady arms and buried her head in his chest to openly cry.

Xiran was too stunned to speak. He didn’t even know how to address the frail woman in his arms. He never thought he would meet his grandmother, let alone hold her.

An overwhelming sense of warmth and love enveloped him. Her gentle presence brought solace to his mind and soul. In that cherished moment, he felt the weight of his whole life’s worries lift, replaced by a profound sense of belonging and connection.

This embrace with his grandmother became a treasure he would carry in his heart, a reminder of the enduring power of family and the invaluable gifts of affection and care. Xiran closed his eyes and cherished this moment.

Sulran and Aselia watched with teary eyes, their hearts brimming with the joyous satisfaction they experienced at this reunion.

Xiran’s grandmother finally lifted her head and lovingly held Xiran’s face in her trembling hands.

"You are my Surilla’s boy, you look exactly like her," and he gently nodded at her, fighting back tears which threatened to shed from his deeply turbulent eyes.

"Can I call you Grandma?" He finally spoke in a gentle voice which cracked due to emotions.

"Yes, my boy. Grandma Asfarla," she introduced herself and he gently swiped away her tears.

"Don’t cry, Grandma Asfarla. I am here now and I am sorry for being so late."

"You are here and that’s all that matters. I am not letting you go that soon now. You have to tell me everything about your mother, your world and of course your Sernera," she finally tilted her head and found Aselia standing at a distance with her hands clasped in front, watching them with an affectionate smile and tear-filled eyes.