Chapter 16

The next morning arrived quietly, sunlight spilling through the tall windows in soft golden ribbons. The room still held the warmth of the night before, the sheets tangled loosely around us like they didn’t want to let go. I stirred first. Careful not to wake her too quickly, I leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to Lexie’s head, brushing my lips against her hair. She shifted slightly, letting out a soft hum, her body instinctively leaning closer to mine. “Baby,” I murmured, my voice low and warm, “what do you want for breakfast?” She rolled onto her back, blinking sleep from her eyes before looking up at me with a small, sleepy smile that made something in my chest tighten. Even half-awake, she had that effect on me. “Chocolate chip waffles,” she said, her voice still thick with sleep. Then she added, almost like it was essential to her survival, “and a mocha iced coffee.” I chuckled softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “A very specific order. I like it.” She smiled wider, clearly pleased with herself, then curled back into the pillow. “I’ll have the cook fix it for you,” I said, slipping out of bed. The air felt cooler without her beside me. I quickly got dressed, pulling on a dark shirt and fitted pants, adjusting my sleeves as I glanced back at her. She had already pulled the blanket up around herself again, only her face visible now. A maid knocked softly before entering, carrying a neatly folded outfit. Lexie sat up, clutching the blanket to her chest as the maid approached with practiced grace. I gave Lexie one last look, a small smile lingering on my lips, before stepping out of the room to give her privacy. The halls were already alive with quiet movement. Servants moved efficiently, soldiers passed by in armor, and the distant echo of training rang faintly through the stone corridors. I made my way toward the kitchen, tracking down the cook. “Good morning,” I said. He turned immediately, straightening. “Good morning, sir.” “Lexie would like chocolate chip waffles and a mocha iced coffee,” I told him. “Make it fresh.” “Of course.” With that handled, I stepped further into the kitchen area—and immediately spotted Destiny. She was leaning casually against the counter, already dressed and fully awake, as if she’d been up for hours. “Morning, sister,” I said. “Brother,” she replied, giving me a knowing look. Before either of us could say more, footsteps approached—and I didn’t need to turn to know it was Lexie. I did anyway. She walked in wearing a soft yellow sundress that caught the light just right, the black belt at her waist giving it shape, paired with simple black flats. Her hair fell naturally around her shoulders, and she looked… effortless. Beautiful didn’t quite cover it. She came over and sat beside me, her presence instantly grounding. Servants moved quickly, placing plates and drinks in front of us. The scent of warm waffles and rich coffee filled the air. Destiny watched her for a moment, then smiled slightly. “I’m going shopping today. Would you like to come, Lexie?” Lexie’s eyes lit up immediately. “Yes.” I couldn’t help but smile at that. “I’ll be home late,” I said, glancing at her. “I’ve got paperwork to finish.” She nodded, understanding, though there was a flicker of something softer in her expression. “I won’t be too long,” she said. “Take your time,” I replied. Breakfast passed easily, filled with small conversations and quiet comfort. It felt… normal. Rare, but welcome. Eventually, I stood, brushing my hands off as I pushed the chair back. “I’ll see you later,” I said. Lexie looked up at me and smiled. “Okay.” I leaned down, pressing a brief kiss to her forehead before turning and heading out. --- The walk to my office was lined with activity. Soldiers trained in the courtyard, the clash of weapons ringing sharp and steady. Commands echoed, boots hit the ground in unison, and the air carried that familiar tension of preparation. War didn’t wait. Neither did responsibility. By the time I reached my office, my mind had already shifted into focus. Papers covered the desk, maps spread out, notes marked in sharp ink. I sat down, rolling my shoulders once before diving in. Hours passed. Strategies were reviewed, rewritten, adjusted. Reports came in, and I read every one carefully. Positions, defenses, weaknesses—everything had to be precise. Every decision mattered. At some point, I leaned back slightly, rubbing my temples. That’s when I heard it. A soft knock. “Come in,” I said without looking up. The door opened gently. “I thought you might be hungry.” I looked up—and there she was. Lexie stepped inside, carrying a small tray with a snack and a glass of blood wine. She walked over carefully, placing it on my desk. I smiled instantly, the tension in my shoulders easing just from seeing her. “Thank you, my little deer,” I said softly. Her cheeks turned pink at that, her eyes flicking away for a moment before she looked back at me. “You’ve been working for hours,” she said. “I didn’t notice,” I admitted. She glanced down at the papers spread across my desk, her expression shifting slightly. “Battle strategies?” I nodded. “We needed new ones.” She hummed softly, processing that, then moved closer. Without hesitation, I reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her gently toward me. She let out a small surprised breath before settling easily into my hold. I pressed a slow kiss to her shoulder, my lips lingering just for a moment. “Everything’s changing,” I said quietly. “We have to be ready.” She didn’t argue. Instead, she shifted slightly and sat on my lap, facing me. Her arms rested lightly around my shoulders as she looked at the maps again, then back at me. “I know,” she said. There was something steady in her voice. Not fear. Not uncertainty. Trust. I studied her for a moment, then let out a soft breath, resting my forehead briefly against hers. “You always bring me back,” I murmured. She smiled faintly. “Someone has to.” I huffed a quiet laugh, my hand resting at her waist, keeping her close. The room felt different now. Still filled with responsibility, still heavy with plans and strategy—but softer at the edges. War might be waiting outside those walls, but in here, for just a moment, there was something else. Something worth protecting. I picked up the glass she’d brought me, taking a slow sip before setting it back down. “You should be out enjoying your day,” I said. “I was,” she replied lightly. “Then I thought about you being stuck in here all alone.” “I’m not alone anymore,” I said. Her expression softened again, and she leaned into me slightly. For a while, neither of us spoke. She stayed there, sitting in my lap, occasionally glancing at the papers, asking small questions, listening as I explained parts of the strategies. She didn’t interrupt much—just enough to remind me she was there. And somehow, that made everything feel a little lighter. Eventually, I set the papers aside. “They can wait a few minutes,” I said. She raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure?” “I outrank the paperwork,” I replied. That earned a quiet laugh from her. I leaned back in the chair slightly, keeping one arm around her as the other rested loosely on the desk. “Tell me about your day,” I said. And just like that, the war faded into the background—replaced by something far more important.