Nightfall
The bonfire's last embers faded.
Nyxar stood silently while the others yawned.
Bug curled up near Ember without ceremony.
Spirit gave a lazy glow and drifted upward. "Going invisible. Call it…sleep." Pop. Gone.
Nyxar lingered. He stroked Bella's plated head, murmured a brief command.
The Antler Stalker and the bears quietly stacked the leftover wood and meat.
With a soft rumble Bella lowered herself for one last pat, then vanished into shadow at his gesture.
Inside, the cottage was warm with the scent of charred boar. Ember and Bug were already out, breathing slow. Nyxar's eyes stayed sharp.
The Book Appears
A ripple of dark ink in the air: The Book. Its pages fluttered open, words forming in glowing script.
What are you thinking about?
Nyxar didn't even blink. "She is…weird."
Ember? How so?
"She trusts too easily. Invites strangers inside. Sleeps…vulnerable."
The Book's letters reshaped themselves. And will you return the favor?
For the first time in memory, a faint warmth flickered in Nyxar's crimson-and-black eyes. A ghost of a smile curved his mouth.
"Maybe," he said quietly.
Then, astonishingly, he stretched out on the floor and…slept.
Morning Shock
Bug awoke first, groggy. "Morn—" He froze.
There, beside Ember, was Nyxar. Sleeping.
Bug nearly fell off the blanket. "No. Way. No. This man hunts everything within a mile before he shuts an eye. And he's just—out?!"
A soft pop: Spirit reappeared, halo bright with mischief. "Guess he feels safe."
Bug flapped in frantic circles. "Safe? Nyxar would rather fight a dragon bare-handed than 'feel safe.' Something is wrong."
Spirit floated closer, studying the sight. "Look at him…he's even copying Ember's sleeping posture. Like he's never done it before."
Bug squinted. "…He's…mimicking? Oh that's actually kinda—creepy-cute."
A Mischievous Plot
Spirit's glow brightened. "I have an idea."
Bug's antennae twitched. "Dangerous words."
"What if," Spirit whispered, "we make Ember hug him?"
Bug tilted his head. "What's a hug?"
"It's…a human closeness ritual. Trust me, it'll be hilarious."
Bug shrugged. "If you say so."
They hovered over Ember, careful to avoid Nyxar. Everyone knew touching him meant instant wake-and-stab. But Ember? Moveable. In theory.
They tugged her blanket. Nothing.
They pushed her shoulder. She barely stirred.
Spirit groaned. "Not strong enough."
The Book's Twist
A sudden shimmer: The Book materialized again, pages flipping by themselves.
Need help? it wrote.
Bug whispered, "Uh…yes?"
The next words scrawled across the page: Always ;)
Without Nyxar's command, a giant bear—one of his own summons—stepped silently from the shadows. Bug's wings clattered in shock.
"Since when can you summon things on your own?!"
The Book's reply formed in silver ink: Always could.
The bear gently scooped Ember, like a plush toy, and placed her against Nyxar's chest.
Then—poof—the bear vanished. The Book closed itself with a smug snap and disappeared.
Bug and Spirit hovered, equal parts impressed and terrified. "Okay," Bug whispered, "remind me never to make that thing angry."
Awakening
Morning light crept through the shutters. Ember stirred first, yawning—then froze.
Her head rested against a warm chest.
An arm, strong and strangely gentle, was wrapped around her.
She tilted her gaze upward—straight into Nyxar's peaceful face. Black-and-scarlet eyes still closed.
Her entire body flushed red. Why…how…what?!
She tried to slide away. Nyxar's sleeping grip instinctively tightened. Not painful, just firm—like a living lock.
Bug, biting back laughter, whispered, "Good morning, Ember. Nice…hug."
Spirit added, barely containing a giggle, "See? My idea was brilliant."
Ember shot them both a death glare, cheeks on fire. "You—You—shut up!" she hissed.
But Nyxar didn't stir. He simply held on, steady as stone, as though in dreams he had finally found something worth keeping.