Naomi was fully aware it was the middle of the night, but despite that, she couldn’t figure out why she wasn’t feeling sleepy. She shifted slightly in her position, trying to get comfortable, but the restlessness within her refused to settle. Zylan’s eyes were closed, though his breathing remained steady, rhythmic, and calm. Naomi wasn’t sure if he was asleep or simply trying to drift off. It was a strange feeling, knowing he was right beside her, but also unsure of his exact state.
And then, as her gaze wandered, sothing caught her attention—his face. She had seen him countless tis before, but tonight, in the dim light, she noticed things she hadn’t quite taken in. From the side, his sharp jawline was more prominent than usual, his long lashes fluttering lightly with each breath he took. The lashes were so beautifully dark and thick that she couldn’t help but admire them, as odd as it might seem. The way they frad his eyes made his face seem even more striking. His nose, perfectly straight and defined, only added to his otherworldly beauty. Everything about him scread perfection—his features, his skin tone, the way he seed to glow in the moonlight. Even his hair, dark and effortlessly glossy, seed to have its own aura, surpassing any model’s appearance Naomi had ever seen.
If anyone had asked her, she would’ve told them that this—this man lying next to her—was the most handso person in the world. The re thought of being this close to him made her pulse quicken, and she fought to push aside the fluttering in her chest.
Just then, Zylan spoke, his voice soft and low yet deep. "Eaglet, sleep it’s late."
Naomi pouted, her lips curling in amusent as she saw his eyes flicker open, his gaze eting hers, though his words still lingered in the air. "How can I sleep when such a gorgeous being is right beside ?" she teased, her voice playful, the words flowing effortlessly from her lips.
Zylan cleared his throat, his body shifting slightly as he turned to the side. Naomi’s eyes caught the faintest hint of pink blooming on his ear. Was he blushing? The thought made her heart skip a beat. Zylan, the stoic and commanding figure she’d co to know, was flustered? She couldn’t suppress her grin. Her playful remarks had apparently left an impact on him, and she was struck with a strange warmth in her chest. The way he looked at her, even now, seed different—softer sohow. Was he truly that affected by her words?
He spoke again, his voice quieter now, almost like a whisper, "Naomi, don’t be naughty. Now sleep."
Naomi’s lips curled into an even wider grin, her voice slow and teasing as she responded, "I will... but promise you’ll stay till I wake up."
Zylan shook his head, a small but genuine smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. The sight of it made Naomi’s heart flutter, and she felt a warmth spread through her, more intense than any physical sensation. "I will."
Naomi smiled back, her eyes gleaming with mischief, then she pouted her lips, clearly teasing him. "Zylan..." she whispered, leaning in slightly, her voice carrying a note of challenge.
Before she could return her lips to normal, she felt a quick, gentle peck on them. It was soft, fleeting, but unmistakable. Had Zylan just kissed her? Her breath hitched as the softness of the kiss lingered in her mind, sparking a new, unfamiliar warmth in her chest. A sensation that felt both comforting and thrilling all at once.
Zylan’s voice broke through her dazed thoughts as he murmured softly, "It’s a good night kiss. Sleep."
With that, he pulled her into a cuddle, his arms encircling her gently. Naomi’s head ca to rest on his chest, his heart beating steadily beneath her ear. He caressed her back, his fingers tracing soothing patterns on her skin, as though trying to lull her into a peaceful slumber. The rhythmic motion of his hand and the sound of his heartbeat beneath her ear were like a lullaby, coaxing her body to relax.
Naomi’s eyes widened slightly. This wasn’t part of the plan. But, sohow, it felt... right. What he was doing worked. Her muscles relaxed, and her mind slowly started to quieten. She hadn’t expected to fall asleep so quickly, but Zylan’s presence was calming in a way she hadn’t anticipated. She was already drifting off, her eyelids growing heavier with each passing second, until, eventually, she succumbed to the warmth and comfort of his embrace and fell into a deep, peaceful sleep.
Zylan’s eyes opened slowly as the first rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting a soft glow across the room. He glanced down at Naomi, her breathing slow and even, her face serene as she slept soundly on his chest. He hadn’t expected to fall asleep himself, but sohow, he had. The peaceful mont stretched on for a while, but eventually, he beca aware of the book resting on the small table beside the bed. His gaze lingered on it for a mont, his expression darkening briefly before the mont passed, and he closed his eyes again. He was unsure whether it was the book itself that unsettled him, or the mory of what it represented.
But for now, there was nothing more to be done. He let sleep take him once again, his mind quieting as he rested, his arms still holding Naomi close.
....
Naomi’s lashes fluttered slowly, the soft sunlight filtering through the windows, casting a golden hue across the room. She blinked a few tis, trying to adjust to the light, and then sothing registered in her mind—sothing that made her freeze for a mont. A strong arm was wrapped around her, and her legs were draped over sothing large. It took a mont for her to fully process the situation, but then realization dawned on her. She was lying on top of Zylan.
Her heart skipped a beat, and her eyes widened slightly. She was still in his arms, his chest warm beneath her. The events of the previous night rushed back to her in a whirlwind—the playful banter, the kiss, the unexpected intimacy. She was acutely aware of his steady breathing, the rhythm of his heart beneath her, and it made her pulse quicken again. But sothing was different now. It was early morning, the light was soft, and Zylan, despite his usual command, seed... vulnerable.
Naomi couldn’t help but take in the sight of him more closely. He was still asleep, his features relaxed and peaceful. It seed so unlike the strong, stoic figure she had co to know. There was sothing almost delicate about him in this mont. Naomi reached up, her fingers lightly brushing his face, her touch gentle as she swiped across his skin. Usually, Zylan was alert—his eyes sharp, never missing a thing. But now, he didn’t even flinch, his expression remaining calm and undisturbed.
Curiosity surged within her. She poked his cheek gently, then tugged on his ear playfully, as if testing whether he was truly asleep. The lack of reaction made her giggle. Zylan would never allow such teasing if he were awake—he would have stopped her by now, probably with so teasing of his own. But nothing. He remained motionless.
Amused, Naomi continued, her fingers now strumming his ear lightly, as though she were playing a guitar. It was a silly thing to do, but it felt freeing in so strange way, the simple, playful act making her feel closer to him. She continued for a while, enjoying the rhythmic motion of her fingers as they traced patterns over his skin, savoring the mont in an almost childlike way.
But as she continued, sothing shifted within her. She found herself staring at him, unable to tear her gaze away. How could soone be so handso? How could soone look so perfect, even in the soft morning light? There was a vulnerability to him now that she hadn’t seen before, and it made him even more magnetic in her eyes.
Just as she was about to tug on his ear again, sothing unexpected happened. Zylan stirred. His arms tightened around her, pulling her closer, as though he were afraid that if he let go, she might disappear. Naomi’s breath caught in her throat at the sudden movent. Her body tensed for a mont, but then she relaxed into his embrace, the warmth of it enveloping her.
And then, the voice that left his lips stunned her to the core.
"Noelle," he whispered, his voice soft but filled with a depth that made Naomi freeze.
It wasn’t just the na—it was the way he said it. His voice was broken, as though that na carried a weight of history, a mory that hurt him. Naomi’s heart lurched at the sound of it, and she felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow and confusion. Who was Noelle? Why had Zylan spoken that na?
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