Zeph’s POV

I was looking at her exquisite face as her eyelashes began to droop and soon she was asleep looking as serene as her name. I pulled her closer to me so she won’t feel cold, her beautiful silky hair waving and fluttering in the gayle which was blowing. I was hoping I had taken her mind off the turmoils she has been facing lately. She looked so peaceful now, sleeping in my arms. Never in my wildest imagination, I had thought that I would ever fall in love with a princess. I wasn’t even sure how to tell her, although I knew she had feelings for me as well but to what extent? And what if her family didn’t approve of me?

I didn’t want to put both of us through heartbreak, so I rendered it safe to not go down that lane yet. My thoughts kept me awake for quite a while but soon I drifted into folds of sleep as well.

I jolted up hearing her screams. "No, nooooooo," she was squirming and crying out while still asleep. She was having a nightmare, so I tried to wake her up by gently slapping her face while shifting her in my lap: "Serene, wake up, wake up."

"Let me gooooo," She shouted at the top of her lungs before jolting up and sitting straight. Her breathing was irregular and her eyes were wide with terror.

I moved in front of her taking her face in my hands and trying to calm her down, she was shaking. "Where am I?" she asked me in bewilderment. "We are outside in the forest, you fell asleep. Are you alright?" She was still not in her proper senses.

"Oh, right." As she looked around the dark forest, it was still the middle of the night. "Did you have a nightmare?" I let go of her face as traces of fear faded from it. "Yes, I occasionally have nightmares, sorry I disturbed your sleep as well." She covered her face with her hands.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She looked at me with her huge violet eyes which almost looked sad right now. " Zeph can you keep this a secret? Because I am not supposed to talk about it, Artins Sensei has forbidden me." The revelation shocked me that this was a spontaneous occurrence for her but I was glad she had spoken to a Sensei about it.

She then narrated in detail how her nightmares seemed to be linked with Dark Realm and the incidents in which she lost consciousness as Dark Realm tried to pull her in. I was flabbergasted at the details. "Artins Sensei is right, you have to be extra careful. This is not something we should take lightly. Our world will be plunged into darkness if that barrier ever got lifted. Once our exams are over, we will look for answers together. And, don’t worry this will remain between me and you only."

She seemed satisfied with my reply as she continued: "They are getting worse and more frequent now. Artins Sensei promised me he will talk to someone who can interpret dreams. Hopefully, we will have an answer soon."

"Absolutely, and I am glad you placed your trust in me." A smile appeared on her face following my answer: "I have always trusted you just didn’t want to trouble you with my burdens."

"You don’t have to carry them alone, that’s what friends are for." I shrugged making her chuckle and nod in approval.

"We should head back now." She said standing up and I followed her pursuit. We walked back in silence, I peeked at her occasionally but she seemed to be lost in her train of thoughts.

We reached the main building and fortunately no one was around. I left Serene at the stairs of the Girls’ dormitory, "Are you sure you are alright? I will be here if you need me." I didn’t want to leave her alone but she had Ayrden so I knew she would be in good hands.

"I am alright, thanks for everything today. Do you need your jacket back?" There was a bit of reluctance in her question. "No, you keep it, suits you." And her face lit up like a candle in the darkness, at my answer. "Thank you, Zeph." She hugged me briefly before sauntering off toward her dorm.

I made my way back to my room. As I opened the door I found Arlo standing by the window. He lazily turned his head in my direction, gave me a stern look and then went back to staring outside. I crashed on my bed, sleeping on that boulder was not a wise decision as my back told me. Mikasim was fast asleep on his bed and his snores filled the tense atmosphere of the room.

Arlo hardly ever spoke to me and we seldom saw him even though we shared the room with him. I remembered his threats but then he did help me get rid of Lourden. I had tried to thank him for what he did for me but never got any response from him.

"Is she alright? I hope you didn’t hurt her again." There was so much edginess in his voice as if he was trying not to grind his teeth or show his anger. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

"And, why would I hurt her?" I replied with a bit of anger in my voice, he was still staring outside. Our window faced the forest. Did he see us coming from the forest at this hour? I wondered.

"Habit," that was the one-word answer he gave me but it hit me like a sharp rod. So, that’s what he thought about me? Did he see her cry earlier and blames me for that too? Why did he care about her so much when he had a girlfriend of his own?

"I didn’t make her cry today in the dining hall if that’s what you are referring to. I am as clueless as you are about what’s going on with her lately." I could hardly contain my anger but his reaction to my words was nothing I had anticipated. He clenched his fists and his jaw became tightened as he closed his eyes to let it subside. A few seconds passed but he didn’t seem to relax, and without looking in my direction he took quick strides toward the door, opened it and left. Slamming the door behind him with a loud thud, leaving me more perplexed than ever. What was the deal with him?