As I settled into the hammock on my balcony, the soft creak of the ropes a gentle serenade to the night, I let out a deep breath and allowed my gaze to drift upwards, towards the star-studded sky. The moon, a silver crescent glowing with an ethereal light, cast a gentle beam of illumination over the landscape of Anahate, making the shadows dance across the rolling hills and lush gardens below. The stars twinkled like diamonds scattered across the velvet expanse, their gentle sparkle a reminder of the magic that lay just beyond the reaches of this magical world. The night air was alive with the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the earthy richness of the forest, a heady perfume that filled my lungs and transported me to a place of serenity. The breeze whispered through the trees, a soft susurration that rustled the leaves and carried the faintest hint of the distant ocean, a reminder of the vastness of the world beyond our little haven. As I sat there, lost in the peacefulness of the night, my thoughts turned to the days ahead, and the reluctant goodbye that awaited me in the morning. I would return to The Dread, leaving behind the friends I had grown to love. The thought of saying goodbye, even if only for a couple of days, filled me with a pang of sadness, but it was Zane's face that lingered in my mind. Our training sessions had become a highlight of my days, our banter and sparring a constant source of entertainment. Despite his arrogant attitude, I had grown to appreciate the way he pushed me to be better, to test my limits and exceed them. Zane was so angry at the thought of me leaving, and I replayed today's training session over and over in my mind. And as I gazed out at the moonlit landscape, my eyes drifted to the manor itself, its ancient stones glowing with a warm, golden light. My gaze wandered over the balconies, taking in the intricate carvings and the way the moonlight danced across the stone, until it landed on a figure sitting a few balconies over. My heart skipped a beat as I realized it was Zane, his silver hair glowing like a beacon in the moonlight. He sat looking up at the sky, his eyes fixed on some point in the distance, his fingers running through his hair. I sank lower into the hammock, not wanting to be seen, as I watched him. He looked...stressed, the sharp lines of his face etched in the moonlight, his eyes narrowed in concentration. A small, delicate bottle sat on the railing beside him, and he raised it to his lips, taking a sip of what looked like wine. And then, to my surprise, he lit a small, rolled cigarette, the flame casting a brief, golden glow over his face. I had never smelled smoke on him before, and I wondered if this was a rare indulgence, a secret vice he kept hidden from the rest of us. As I watched, he took a long, slow drag, the smoke curling up into the night air, and I felt a pang of curiosity. What was it that troubled him, that he felt the need to seek solace in the quiet of the night, and the comfort of a vice? As I gazed at him, lost in the tranquility of the night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with him. It was as if we were two souls, seeking solace in the same celestial expanse, our worries and cares momentarily forgotten in the face of the stars. And as I studied him, I began to wonder if our constant bickering was a result of our similarities, rather than our differences. Perhaps our sharp edges and quick tongues were merely a reflection of our own inner struggles, our own demons that we couldn't quite tame. He was shirtless and wearing what looked like grey sweatpants. I’d never seen Zane shirtless, realizing he had some sort of glowing silver tattoos on his chest. As I took in the sight of him, bathed in the soft, lunar glow, I felt a flutter in my chest. He was, without a doubt, a breathtakingly beautiful male. The moonlight danced across his chiseled features, highlighting the sharp lines of his face, the piercing angles of his jaw, and the soft, full curve of his lips. His silver hair seemed to shimmer and glow in the night, like a river of moonlight itself. He was a warrior, honed and skilled, and every inch of his physique spoke to his prowess. I forced my gaze back to the stars, attempting to return to my own contemplations, but my eyes betrayed me, drifting back to Zane with a will of their own. I couldn't help but be drawn to him, despite the infuriating way he seemed to delight in pushing my buttons. He was, without a doubt, the most entertaining person I'd met in a long time, and even now, as he sat in silence, he entertained me more than the piercing night sky. As I watched him, a pang of loneliness struck me, and I found myself wishing I had the courage to slip into his room, to join him in his nocturnal reverie. After all, we were both doing the same thing, lost in our own thoughts, seeking solace in the night. Why not do it together? But the thought was quickly followed by a wave of guilt, as Lennon's face flashed into my mind. I could almost hear Sorelle's voice, whispering in my ear, reminding me that my only job was to enjoy my time with the males who piqued my interest, to follow my heart and my desires. But it was easier said than done. As I watched him rise from his seat, a sudden jolt of panic seized my chest, and my breathing hitched in my throat. I didn't want him to retreat back into the sanctuary of his room, leaving me to the darkness and the silence. Without thinking, I sat up, my fingers flying to my lips to let out a low, piercing whistle. His eyes snapped towards me, his gaze locking onto mine with an unnerving intensity. Centuries of training had honed his senses and reflexes to a razor's edge, and it was both captivating and unsettling to witness. A slow, knowing smile spread across his face as he shook his head, and a sheet of paper materialized in front of him. He scribbled something on it, and with a flick of his wrist, the paper drifted through the air, coming to rest in my lap. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I read the words, my eyes scanning the page with a mix of amusement and wariness.

'Stop watching me, creep.'

I couldn't help but laugh at the cheeky message, and as I did, a pen clattered into my lap, as if conjured by his magic.

I picked it up, my hand moving with a life of its own as I scribbled a response beneath his note. 'I wasn't watching you, I was just studying the art of 'how to be annoying from a distance'. You're a great teacher.'

The words flowed from my pen like a challenge, and I felt a thrill of excitement as I watched the paper disappear, only to reappear in his hands. His eyes scanned the page, and a huge smile spread across his face, mirroring the one that had taken up residence on mine.

He shook his head, a low chuckle rumbling in his throat, and replied with a message that made my heart skip a beat. 'Want to learn how to be annoying face to face?'

I hesitated, the pen hovering over the page as I weighed my response. A part of me yearned to say yes, to surrender to the thrill of his company and the promise of adventure that came with it. But another part of me, the part that had grown wary of getting too close, too fast, urged caution. In the end, I settled for a noncommittal 'maybe,’ the word feeling both cowardly and necessary. The paper disappeared once more, and he read my response with an arched eyebrow, his expression a mask of curiosity. Then, with a sudden movement, he vanished into his room, leaving me to wonder if he was retreating to bed or...or something else. A flutter of nervousness took up residence in my chest as I waited, my eyes fixed on his balcony.

Then he reappeared, a bottle of wine cradled in one hand, and a new letter drifting through the air to land in front of me. 'I'm coming over,' it read, the words sending a shiver down my spine.

I looked up, my eyes locking onto his, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, the air thick with tension. I smiled, a defiant spark igniting within me, and replied with a message that was both a challenge and a warning. 'Like hell you are.'

He read my response, and a low, husky laugh escaped his lips. And then, in a burst of white light, he was standing right in front of me, on my balcony.

I jumped, startled, my heart racing with a mix of fear and excitement as I stared up at him, my senses reeling from the sudden proximity. “Gods! You scared the shit out of me!”

He handed me the bottle of wine, laughing. “You should probably get that checked out.”

As I stood up to grab a glass of water, I crinkled my nose at him, and for a fleeting moment, our eyes locked in a silent challenge. His gaze drifted up and down my frame, and I could feel the weight of his attention like a physical touch. Shirtless in his grey sweats, he was a vision of lean, chiseled perfection, and I had to admit, it was a little distracting. I rolled my eyes, trying to play it cool, but my heart skipped a beat as I turned to disappear into the room.

I returned with a glass and a bottle of water, pouring myself a drink as I shot him a sideways glance. "Stop!" I teased, trying to sound nonchalant despite the flutter in my chest.

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Stop what? I'm just standing here."

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I rolled my eyes again, this time with a bit more force. "Eye fucking. Stop eye fucking me." I tried to sound stern, but my voice came out a little breathless.

He chuckled, leaning back against the balcony ledge with a lazy grin. "I wasn't eye fucking, I was trying to find the 'off' switch."

I glared up at him, taking a sip of my wine. "Wow, hilarious." My tone was dry, but Zane just laughed, grabbing the bottle and taking a swig.

"You eye fucked me," he said, his eyes glinting with mischief.

I rolled my eyes once more. "You wish."

He chuckled, lighting a rolled cigarette and taking a long drag. "What are you doing out here wallowing and spying on me in the middle of the night?"

I shrugged. "Oh, you know, just pondering how much I'm going to miss you."

Zane's mouth turned up into a grin. I walked closer to him, my silk nightgown rustling against my legs, and he tensed up, his posture straightening. His cigarette hung out of his mouth as he stared at me, wide-eyed, and I couldn't help but feel a little amused by his nervousness. Without warning, I snatched the cigarette from his mouth and took a long drag. His arm flew out, fumbling for the cigarette, but I held it out of his reach.

"Ace, don't!" he growled, his voice low and urgent.

But it was too late. As the smoke hit my lungs, a rush of tingles ran through my entire body. My vision shifted into a softer focus, and everything turned pastel. I felt the energy of love flowing through me like a raging river, and I looked down at my hands in wonder. They were glowing with an ethereal light, and I couldn't tear my gaze away.

"Whoa..." was all I could manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

I heard Zane's muttered curse, but I couldn't bring my attention away from my hands. They were mesmerizing, and I felt like I was drowning in the beauty of the moment.

"Fucking great," he muttered, snatching the cigarette out of my hand.

As I finally tore my gaze away from my glowing hands, I met Zane's eyes, and my breath caught in my throat. He was radiant, his entire being aglow with an otherworldly light. His eyes, normally a piercing blue, shone like sapphires in the dim light, and his features seemed chiseled from the very essence of the divine. He was beautiful, the most beautiful male I'd ever laid eyes on, and I felt my heart stumble in my chest. But it was the worry etched on his face that truly undid me. His brow was furrowed, his eyes creased with concern, and it was adorable. I felt my knees weaken, my legs trembling beneath me, and I stumbled, my gaze never leaving his.

I was astonished, my mind reeling with the wonder of it all, and I whispered, my voice barely audible, "You're an angel."

As I spoke, my legs gave out, and I fell backward into the hammock, the sky spinning above me like a kaleidoscope of colors. I felt weightless, free, and the sound of his laughter was like music to my ears. It sent warmth coursing through my body, and I felt my heart soar. As I gazed up at the sky, I felt a sense of wonder wash over me. The stars seemed to twinkle and dance, their light pulsing in time with Zane's laughter.

My eyes wide with amazement, "The sky has your laugh, Zane!" He laughed even harder, the sound echoing through the night air, and I felt my heart sing.

"Do you hear it?" I asked, my voice breathless with excitement, my eyes never leaving the sky.

His laughter faltered for a moment, and he choked out, "Yeah, Ace, I hear it. It's coming from my mouth."

I stared at the sky in amazement, as if I was having a conversation with the sky itself. "Your mouth," I breathed, “I love your mouth. But I also hate it sometimes.”

As I finally managed to lift my head, I met his gaze, and my breath caught in my throat. Love seemed to be pulsating off of him, a tingly energy that wrapped itself around me like a warm, golden light.

"Kiss me," I demanded, my voice husky and urgent.

But instead of swooping in to claim my lips, he choked on the wine he was drinking and laughed. "If you still want a kiss in about 5 hours, I'll kiss you, Ace," he said, his eyes glinting with amusement.

I pouted, my expression twisting into a scowl. "You're stupid," I said, my eyes locked onto his.

He chuckled, taking a drag of his cigarette as he held the wine bottle in the same hand. "If I’m stupid, you’re stupid. We're stupid."

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "We are stupid. We both like each other, but we're mean to each other."

His eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing as he took another drag of his cigarette. "You like me?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of surprise.

I struggled to stand, my legs wobbly beneath me as I pushed myself upright from the hammock. But I was determined to make my move, to show him that I was serious. I seductively walked towards him, my hips swaying with a confidence I didn't quite feel. For a moment, our eyes were locked, the air between us charged with tension. Then, my feet betrayed me, and I stumbled, my arms flailing wildly as I struggled to regain my balance. But before I could hit the floor, his arms closed around me, his low rumble of laughter seeming to echo around me.

I gazed up at him, "My hero."

He looked down at me as his eyes sparkled with amusement, his lips curling into a wicked grin. "You’re cute, little fawn."

As I gazed up at him, my expression of adoration morphed into a scowl, my pride and stubbornness rearing their heads. "I'm not a fawn, I'm a fucking dragon," I growled, my voice low and fierce.

But he just laughed, his expression turning suggestive, his voice dripping with innuendo. "I think you mean dragon fucker."

I was taken aback, my confusion written all over my face. But then, like a key turning in a lock, understanding clicked into place. "Are you a dragon?"

He chuckled, his eyes glinting with mirth, and nodded.

My eyes widened, my mind reeling with the implications. "You're my dragon," I said, my voice full of wonder, as I gazed up at him in awe.

His stance was solid, sturdy, like he could hold me upright all night. He looked beautiful, his face chiseled from the shadows, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. But then, like a cloud passing over the sun, his expression turned solemn, and my heart sank. I felt a pang of sadness, a deep ache that seemed to resonate through every cell in my body.

My hand reached up, as if of its own accord, and grazed his cheek. "It's gonna be okay, Zane," I said, my voice soft and gentle, though I had no idea what I was saying.

All I knew was that I didn't want him to be sad. His mouth turned up into a grin, but his eyes remained sad, like the smile was a mask he wore to hide his true emotions. I felt a surge of determination, a need to comfort him, to hold him close and never let him go. I managed to get myself upright, long enough to fling my arms around his neck, tumbling into him like a shipwreck on the rocks. Zane's balance didn't waver, his hands lightly resting on my hips, holding me in place as I buried my face in his chest.

"Hug me like you mean it!" I demanded, my voice muffled against his skin.

And then, like a dam breaking, his arms wrapped around me, holding me tight, his hug becoming even tighter as I squeezed him back. Zane and I had never hugged before. Warmth washed over me, a sense of safety and security that I'd never known before. We stood there, hugging each other, for what seemed like eternity, the world around us melting away, leaving only the two of us, lost in the depths of our own little universe. As I stood there, wrapped in his arms, a purr escaped me, a low, rumbling vibration that seemed to emanate from the very core of my being. I didn't even register that it happened until the remnants of the vibration hitched in my throat, as he swept me off my feet, throwing me over his shoulder with an ease that left me breathless. I felt a rush of excitement as he carried me to the bed, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum.

But instead of tenderly setting me down, as I had expected, he plopped me down on the bed with a laugh, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Bed time, little fawn-dragon. I'll see you at breakfast."

As he adjusted himself, his eyes grew hooded with lust, and I could see the tension in his body, the way his muscles seemed to ripple beneath his skin. I could hear him choking down a purr that was trying to escape, and I felt a surge of excitement at the sound.

I groaned, my voice coming out in vibrating rattles. "No, I'm not tired," I protested, but Zane just chuckled.

He hastily rushed to the balcony doors, locking them from the inside, and then turned towards the door. I watched his every move, mesmerized by the way he seemed to glide across the floor, his movements fluid and effortless, like an angel in flight. He reached for the doorknob, but hesitated, his hand hovering over the metal.

I whispered a single word, my voice barely audible. "Stay."

Zane's eyes locked onto mine, his pupils dilated with desire. "You're high, Ace," he seemed to choke out, his words muffled as he struggled to contain his own purr. "Come make that noise for me when you're clear-headed, and I'll fucking ravage you." He cracked open the door, locking it from the inside, and then turned to me, his eyes burning with intensity. "Go to sleep, woman, and keep these locked."

And with a click of the door, he was gone, leaving me alone. My thoughts were a jumble of emotions, a tangled web of desire and frustration. As I lay there, my body still humming with the aftershocks of my purr, my eyes fluttered closed as I let out an exasperated sigh, and I whispered a single phrase, my voice barely audible. "Fucking stupid dragon fucker." Then my body seemed to relax, my muscles releasing their tension, my breathing slowing. I felt myself drifting, floating on a sea of exhaustion, my mind foggy and unclear. And so, I let go, letting the darkness wash over me, letting the softness of the bed envelop me. As I felt myself sinking down into the depths of unconsciousness, I was aware of nothing but the faintest whisper of a smile on my lips, a smile that seemed to echo the words I had whispered just moments before.