Sahir broke the kiss, but only to gaze into Teju's eyes, his own filled with a love and desire that needed no more words. In one smooth, effortless motion, he bent and scooped her into his arms, her surprised gasp melting into a soft laugh as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He carried her the short distance to their bed, the one now blanketed in soft rose petals that released their fragrance with every step. He laid her down amidst the sea of red and white, the petals clinging to her hair and skin like natural jewels in the candlelight.
He joined her, his body a familiar, welcome weight. The world outside-the prophecies of danger, the lingering magic, the cryptic warnings-ceased to exist. There was only this room, this light, this man who knew every part of her soul.
His kisses traced a path from her lips to her jaw, to the pulse point on her neck, each one a whispered promise. His hands, usually so precise and controlled with books and experiments, were now reverent and sure as they explored her body, rediscovering a territory more beloved than any other.
Teju arched into his touch, her own hands sliding beneath his shirt to feel the warm skin and solid muscle of his back. This was their language. The slow, building rhythm of their bodies moving together was a conversation more intimate than any poem, a confession more powerful than any vow. It was a reclaiming of joy, a defiance of the darkness, a celebration of the life and love they had fought so hard to protect.
In the quiet of the night, surrounded by the scent of roses and the glow of candles, they found their way back to each other, becoming whole not just in spirit, but in the most primal, beautiful way two souls in love can.
The candles burned low, casting long, dancing shadows that witnessed a love as deep and enduring as the ancient magic that swirled around their family. For tonight, love was their only magic, and it was more than enough.
Meanwhile
The silence in **Mihir** and **Maira's** room was deep, broken only by their steady breathing. Mihir was sprawled on the couch, one arm thrown over his eyes, lost in a exhausted sleep. Maira slept fitfully on the large bed, the day's terrors haunting the edges of her dreams.
The air near the door grew cold. A shadow deeper than the room's darkness coalesced, forming into the tall, imposing figure of **Daavansh**. His crimson eyes glowed faintly as he observed Mihir's sleeping form, a look of cold necessity on his face. He began to dissolve, his form unraveling into a swirling, silent **black fog** that crept across the floor toward the couch.
In her sleep, Maira stirred. A nightmare took shape-a chilling darkness, cold and hungry, slithering toward Mihir. She saw it touch him, saw him gasp and grow still. With a jolt, her eyes flew open.
It wasn't a dream.
The same inky black fog was inches from Mihir's chest, tendrils reaching out to envelop him.
Pure, unthinking instinct took over. Maira launched herself from the bed, crossing the room in a heartbeat. She threw herself on top of Mihir, covering his body with hers just as the fog made contact.
A silent, powerful shockwave repelled the darkness. The fog recoiled as if burned, swirling violently before dissipating into nothingness with a soundless hiss.
The impact, however, woke Mihir with a start. He grunted, disoriented, finding himself suddenly with a very awake, very determined Maira on top of him, her heart hammering against his chest.
**"Maira?!"** he gasped, blinking the sleep from his eyes. **"What in the-? Is this a new game? Because usually, I like a little warning before I'm used as a mattress."**
Maira, still panting with adrenaline, looked around frantically. The room was empty. The darkness was gone. Had she imagined it?
Mihir, now more awake, took in her panicked expression, her body pressed against his. A slow, teasing grin spread across his face, his natural flair for drama pushing aside his confusion. He relaxed beneath her, raising an eyebrow.
**"Or..."** he drawled, his voice a low, playful murmur, **"...was the near-death experience today just a really elaborate excuse for this? Because, Mrs.Pa, if you wanted to get close, you could have just asked. My couch is always open for you."**
He winked, trying to lighten the palpable fear he still saw in her eyes, using humor as his shield, all while secretly thrilling at the feel of her so close, protecting him even in her sleep.
Maira's breath hitched. The frantic adrenaline that had fueled her leap began to recede, leaving in its wake a sharp awareness of their position. Her body was draped over his, their faces mere inches apart. She could feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat beneath her palm, a counter-rhythm to her own racing pulse.
**"I... I saw..."** she stammered, her voice a soft, flustered whisper. **"There was... a fog. It was coming for you. It was..."** Her words failed her as his gaze held hers, the teasing glint in his eyes softening into something warmer, more intimate.
The playful accusation died on his lips. Seeing her genuine fear, the way she was still trembling slightly, shifted something in him. The humor faded, replaced by a tender seriousness.
**"Shhh,"** Mihir murmured, his voice losing its theatrical edge and becoming surprisingly gentle. **"It's okay. I'm right here."**
Slowly, giving her every chance to pull away, he brought his hand up. He didn't grab or pull. He simply brushed his knuckles along her temple, his touch feather-light, before gently tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. His fingers lingered for a moment against her cheek, his thumb stroking her skin in a soothing, rhythmic motion.
**"You're always saving me, Maira,"** he said, his voice barely above a whisper, filled with an awe that was completely genuine. **"Even from bad dreams."**
The close proximity, the darkness of the room, the lingering scent of roses from downstairs, and his unexpectedly tender touch created a bubble of intense intimacy around them. The fear of the shadow was momentarily forgotten, replaced by the electric charge of their connection. For a long moment, they just stayed like that, breathing each other's air, lost in the silent language of their shared gaze.
The tenderness in Mihir's touch, the raw honesty in his whispered words, sent a shiver through Maira that had nothing to do with fear. His confession hung in the air between them, fragile and profound.
**"I don't know why,"** he continued, his voice a low murmur against her skin, his breath warm on her cheek. **"The whole world could be falling apart, chaos everywhere... but the second I'm close to you, it all just... stops. I feel peaceful. I feel... safe."**
His words were a key turning in a lock deep inside her. Her heart, already racing from the adrenaline, began to pound for an entirely different reason. This vulnerability from him, the man who hid behind bravado and drama, was more disarming than any magical attack. It was too much, too intense. The walls she'd been trying so hard to keep up between them felt like they were crumbling.
Flustered, her cheeks burning, she placed her hands on his chest to push herself up. **"Mihir, I... I should go..."** she stammered, needing space to breathe, to think.
But as she tried to rise, his arm-which had been resting loosely around her-tightened. It wasn't a harsh grip, but it was firm, resolved.
**"No,"** he whispered, his voice leaving no room for argument.
In one fluid motion, he gently pulled her back down. She landed against him not with a jarring impact, but with a soft sigh of surrender. He shifted, turning her slightly so her back was against his chest, his arms wrapping around her from behind, holding her snugly against the solid warmth of his body.
She could feel the steady beat of his heart against her back. He buried his face in the curve of her neck, his lips finding the sensitive skin there.
And then he kissed her.
It wasn't a demanding kiss, but a slow, lingering one. A press of his lips that spoke of longing, of comfort, of home. It was a kiss that said everything words couldn't. Maira's breath escaped in a shaky gasp, her eyes fluttering closed as every nerve ending came alive. All thought of leaving evaporated, lost in the sensation of his lips on her neck and the safety of his arms holding her close.