Chapter 26

RI

I can't take my eyes off her. Swyn's presence fills the room in a way that feels electric. Every laugh, every smile, every moment she steals glances at me makes my heart race.

She's beautiful, and it's not just her looks; it's the way she moves, the way she interacts with Sol and Kel, that warmth she radiates. I'm drawn to her more than I ever thought possible.

I've not been able to stop thinking about that kiss and my damn dick has been hard ever since.

As the credits roll on the film, I notice her yawn, a delicate yet adorable thing that pulls at my heartstrings. She stretches, and for a moment, I can't help but picture how perfect she would look curled up next to me, safe and sound.

The thought ignites something possessive within me, and before I can second-guess myself, I say, "Alright, Swyn, it's time for bed."

She turns to me, her eyes wide with mock indignation. "Oh, really? Who put you in charge?" There's a playful lilt to her voice, but I can see the weariness etched into her features.

"I'm not the boss of you, but you've had a busy day," I counter, firm but gentle. "You need to rest. You can't keep pushing yourself like this."

"Yeah, well, I'm a grown woman. I can decide when I need to sleep," she retorts, a smirk dancing across her lips.

I meet her gaze, unyielding. "And I'm saying you need to stay here. You're not going back to your room alone."

"Ri," she huffs, rolling her eyes. "I'm perfectly capable of walking down the hall by myself. I appreciate the concern, but?—"

"But nothing," I cut her off, the protectiveness bubbling to the surface. "What if something happens? What if that dark magic comes back? You think I'm just going to let you wander around here on your own after what we encountered earlier?"

Her expression shifts, a flicker of understanding passing through her eyes. "I get it, but you can't just decide things for me."

"Actually, I can," I insist, crossing my arms and leaning back against the wall, unwilling to back down. "I care about you, and I'm not risking your safety by letting you go off by yourself, especially after the day you've had."

Swyn stands up, tossing her hair back defiantly. "And I appreciate that, I really do, but I can take care of myself. I'm not some fragile damsel in distress."

"Never said you were," I reply, keeping my tone level. "But I'm not taking any chances. You might be strong, but even the strongest need help sometimes. You don't have to do this alone."

She opens her mouth, ready to argue again, but I see the conflict in her eyes. The tension hangs between us, a mixture of frustration and something deeper, something that flutters just beneath the surface.

"And what if I don't want to be coddled?" she says finally, crossing her arms over her chest, a stubborn glint in her eye.

"Then let's make it a compromise," I suggest, attempting to soften my stance. "You stay here with us tonight, and we'll all look out for each other. You can go back to your room tomorrow, but not now. Not after everything."

Swyn exhales sharply, looking from me to Sol and then to Kel, who has been quietly watching our exchange. "You're all ganging up on me now?"

"Not ganging up," Sol pipes in, clearly amused. "Just trying to keep you safe, clover."

"See, princess? Even Sol agrees with me," I say, unable to resist the smirk creeping onto my lips.

Swyn glares at me, but I can tell she's fighting back a smile. "Fine. You win for tonight. But I'm definitely going to get my way eventually. And I'm taking the sofa, or I'm walking."

I chuckle softly, feeling the warmth of victory wash over me, even as I want to argue that she's sleeping in my bed - with me. "I'll hold you to that. But for tonight, you're stuck with us."

As she moves closer to the couch, I can't help but admire the way she carries herself, a mixture of confidence and defiance. She's captivating in every way, and I want to know her, every layer, every hidden secret.

With her giving in, I can finally breathe a little easier, knowing she's here, safe with us. It's a small victory, but I can't shake the feeling that it's just the beginning of something much bigger—a bond that's growing stronger, something we're all part of.

And as I watch her settle in, I realise I don't just want to protect her; I want to be a part of her life in every way possible.

I drift into a restless sleep, my mind still buzzing with thoughts of Swyn. The warmth of the room surrounds me, but it doesn't quite shield me from the slight chill that creeps in through the window.

I turn over, burying my face into the pillow, hoping that the darkness will swallow my thoughts and let me rest.

A beam of light slices through the darkness, striking me directly in the face. I squint, groaning as I roll over to shield my eyes. It takes a moment for me to shake off the remnants of sleep and piece together what's happening.

I glance at the clock on the bedside table—it's barely past three in the morning.

Just as I'm about to pull the blanket over my head, a shadow crosses the threshold of the door. I blink hard, focusing on the figure outlined against the light.

It's Swyn, but something feels off. She's standing there, her eyes closed, swaying slightly.

"Swyn?" I whisper, my heart racing as I sit up in bed.

She takes a tentative step forward, sleepwalking and oblivious to the world around her. My instincts kick in, and I throw off the covers, ready to reach out and stop her if she gets too close to the edge of the bed.

But before I can react, she climbs in beside me, snuggling against my side like it's the most natural thing in the world.

My breath hitches in my throat. I'm not sure what to do. This wasn't how I imagined our night would unfold. Part of me knows I should gently guide her back to her own bed, but the other part —one that's been yearning for her closeness since the moment we met—wants to revel in this unexpected intimacy.

She's still sleeping, her soft breaths mingling with the cool night air. I find myself frozen, both enchanted and terrified. The warmth radiating from her body draws me in, and against my better judgement, I let myself relax.

As I contemplate moving to the couch, Swyn shifts, wrapping her arms around me and pressing her cheek against my chest.

"Ri…" she murmurs, sending a bolt of warmth coursing through me.

I stifle a chuckle, unable to help the smile that spreads across my face.

The way she clings to me feels so innocent, so trusting, and I don't want to ruin it. Maybe this is a dream, I think, and if it is, I'm not ready to wake up just yet.

"Swyn, what are you doing?" I whisper gently, but she doesn't respond, lost in her dreams.

I take a moment to breathe in the scent of her hair, a combination of vanilla and something uniquely hers, and feel an overwhelming desire to protect her.

My heart swells as I look down at her, completely at ease, nestled against me.

Just then, my conscience kicks in. What if she wakes up? What if she's horrified to find herself in bed with me? I shift slightly, preparing to slide out from under her hold, but as I do, she grips me tighter, a sleepy murmur escaping her lips.

"Don't go," she whispers, and it's as if every logical thought I had evaporates in that instant.

"Okay," I reply, my voice soft. I decide to give in, to just enjoy this moment. I lean back against the pillows, bringing her closer, and we both sink into the warmth of the blankets.

As the minutes tick by, I find my eyelids growing heavy. The weight of her presence beside me feels grounding. I know I should probably be worried about what tomorrow holds, the darkness still looming over us, but right now, all that matters is her.

Entwined in each other's arms, I close my eyes, letting the gentle rhythm of her breathing lull me into a peaceful slumber. There's a certain magic in the air, one that I can't quite explain, and as I drift off, I know this is a moment I want to hold onto forever.