—Alexia—
The first thing I felt when I woke up was warmth. Not the choking heat of fire or the biting, restless magic under my skin, but something softer, steadier—like the sun through a window on a cold morning. The second thing I felt was Finn's arm around my waist, holding me close. His breath was warm against the back of my neck, slow and even, the bond a quiet hum of contentment, as if the world were exactly as it should be.
I didn't move. I didn't want to break the moment. I let myself sink into it, let myself believe I could have this, even just for a little while.
A cold nose shoved against my foot, making me jump. Zeus was staring at me, tail wagging, tongue lolling in a silent "good morning." I groaned and shifted, and Finn's arm tightened instinctively, pulling me closer with a sleepy grumble. Then:
"Oh. My. God."
I froze. Finn froze. Zeus let out a happy boof. Slowly, I turned my head to see Kaia standing in the doorway, hair a wild halo, coffee in hand, eyes wide and way too amused. She blinked once, pointed at us with her mug.
"You're sleeping with your dragon."
Heat shot up my neck. I tried to pull away, but Finn just tightened his hold, burying his face in my hair with a muffled groan.
"Kaia," I hissed.
She took a sip, eyes dancing. "What? I'm just observing. You, in bed. With him. Sleeping with your dragon. It's like a romance novel, but with more dog breath."
Zeus boofed again, like he agreed. Finn lifted his head, hair a mess, eyes half-lidded.
"Morning," he said, rough, a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Morning, dragon boy," Kaia shot back.
I groaned into my hands, but Finn just chuckled, pressing a kiss to the back of my neck before sitting up.
"Don't you have something else to do?" I muttered.
Kaia gasped, hand over her heart. "Excuse me, I am savoring this. You, cuddling your giant fire-breathing boyfriend like he's a teddy bear, is exactly what I needed today."
Finn stood, stretching, the blanket slipping to reveal the faint glow of the mark on his collarbone.
"Oh, you really sealed the deal, didn't you?" Kaia's eyes widened.
"Kaia!" I yelped, throwing a pillow.
She cackled, ducking, coffee sloshing. "No regrets!"
Finn ruffled her hair as he passed. "Don't start a fire while I'm gone."
"I make no promises, dragon boy."
When the door clicked shut, Kaia's teasing grin softened.
"You okay?" she asked.
I hugged the pillow to my chest, the bond's warmth humming under my skin. "Yeah," I whispered. "I think I am."
Kaia's grin returned, and she bounced onto the bed, nearly knocking Zeus off as she wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
"Good," she said. "Because I'm not letting you back out of living, chaos queen."
I laughed, leaning into her, the laughter mixing with the quiet joy in my chest that I didn't quite know how to hold. Not yet. But I was learning.
Kaia perched on the bed, knees to her chest, Zeus draped dramatically across her lap. I sat cross-legged, clutching the pillow, the bond grounding me. Kaia sipped her coffee, giving me that look.
"So," she said, "you really did it."
"Kaia—"
"You mated with a dragon, Lex. The girl who used to cry over parking tickets is now magically bonded to a dragon prince."
I buried my face in the pillow. "Don't remind me."
Kaia cackled, scooting closer, poking me until I peeked out.
"But also," she said, softening, "I'm proud of you."
"For what?"
"For letting yourself have something good."
The bond pulsed softly, like Finn's hand over mine even though he wasn't here.
"It's scary," I admitted. "It's all moving so fast."
"It's okay to be scared," Kaia said, squeezing my hands. "But you're allowed to be happy too."
"What if I mess it up? What if I lose control again, or... what if he realizes I'm not worth the chaos?"
Kaia's eyes flashed. "Alexia. He literally fought chaos to get to you. You think messy feelings will scare him?"
A watery laugh slipped out. Kaia grinned.
"And if he does something dumb, I'll kick him in the shin."
"Kaia—"
"I'm serious. Dragon prince or not."
The door opened. Finn stepped in, carrying coffee, hair damp from the misty rain, the mark on his collarbone peeking under his shirt. Jasper sauntered in, followed by Soren, who already looked like he regretted it.
"Oh, look," Kaia announced, "your dragon's back."
Finn arched a brow. "Really?"
Kaia snatched a coffee. "Really."
His eyes found mine, softening, the bond humming.
"You okay?" he asked, setting the tray down and sitting beside me.
"I'm okay," I said, and meant it.
Jasper plopped on the floor, flipping a coin. Soren stood by the window, coffee in hand.
"So," Jasper drawled, "did we miss the emotional bonding moment, or is it still happening?"
Kaia tossed a pillow at him. "It's still happening."
Soren sighed, but the corner of his mouth twitched. Zeus boofed and climbed into Jasper's lap.
"Why does your dog hate me?" Jasper demanded.
"He doesn't," I said, hiding a smile. "He just likes you."
"Tragic," Jasper muttered, not moving Zeus.
The room was warm and chaotic, filled with laughter, the soft drum of rain, the steady warmth of Finn's arm around me. For the first time in forever, I could breathe.
Kaia caught my eye over her coffee, her grin softening into something fierce.
"You've got people now, Lex. Don't forget it."
I looked around—Kaia's sharp honesty, Jasper with Zeus drooling on him, Soren quietly watching, Finn steady beside me, the bond wrapping around me like a promise.
And in that moment, I made a vow to myself:
I will not run from this. I will not let the fear take this from me. I will learn to hold the fire inside me without letting it burn everything I touch. I will not let the past decide what I am allowed to have. I will protect this, these people, this warmth, even if I am scared, even if I stumble. I will fight for this, for them, and for me.
And for once, I let myself believe I could.