I carry him in my arms out of the shower, his frail body trembling against mine. His silvery hair is soaked, clinging to his nape and pale cheeks. His white wings, marbled with black stains, hang limply behind him, exhausted. He hides his face against my neck, breathing quickly, his small hands gripping my shoulders as if his life depended on it. His cold skin shivers under my burning hands, but I feel his warmth slowly growing, fed by mine.

I lay him gently on the bed, covering him with a black fur blanket and silk sheets. I lie down beside him, pulling him against my powerful chest. His cheek rests on my pec, his slender fingers drawing trembling little circles on my skin. I run a hand through his damp hair, brushing it back from his forehead before placing a long, slow kiss on his cold temple.
He closes his eyes at the touch, a broken sigh escaping his pink lips. His breathing slowly calms, his frail body sinking into the heat of my embrace.

I watch him in silence. His face is flushed from the heat, his eyelids heavy, his silver lashes clumped from water and tears. His cheeks are streaked with dried tears, his lips swollen and parted, revealing the tips of his small canines. He is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. My heart clenches so tightly it hurts. I have never… never felt this. Not even before my fall.

I slip my fingers under his chin, forcing his clear eyes to meet mine. He looks at me, tired, broken, but I see… I see the light growing in his pupils. That spark I always wanted. That spark that saves me.

I lean in, pressing my forehead to his, closing my eyes for a moment. My voice comes out deep, hoarse, trembling with a love so violent it frightens me.

“Listen to me…”

I feel his breath tremble against my lips. He stays still, frozen, his gaze locked to mine.

“I love you, Caël…” My voice breaks on his name. “I love you more than anything. More than this realm. More than my throne. More than my life itself…”

I breathe deeply, his pure, sweet scent wrapping around me, calming me and burning me all at once. My fingers caress his damp cheek with infinite tenderness.

“And I swear to you… one day, you will bear my name. One day, I will marry you. And you will be mine… for eternity.”

His eyes widen, two silent tears rolling down his temples. His lips tremble, his small hands grip my arms tighter, as if holding onto my promise. I smile softly, a tender, broken smile, before pressing a kiss to his trembling lips. A pure kiss, slow, deep. A kiss that is not possession, nor desire… but a kiss of love. Absolute. Immortal.

I hold him tighter against me, burying my face in his damp hair, breathing in his light. His warmth. His life.

“Sleep, my angel…” I murmur in a deep, calm voice. “Sleep… because tomorrow… I will begin to show you what eternal love truly is.”

And as his eyes slowly close, his wings fluttering weakly, I make a silent promise…
I will never let him go again.
Because he is my salvation.
My light.
And soon… he will be my husband.
For eternity.