CHAPTER 95: MIDNIGHT LONGING: GOLD TO GREY

Days had passed, and Zavren was still not back. The worry Ariana felt kept increasing as each day went by. This was the longest he had ever been away, and it only showed her how busy he must be. Of course, tightening the borders wasn’t something that could be done in a day—it required extra caution and attention to avoid any flaw and to make it perfect.

Ariana sat in the royal garden. It was already past midnight, but she had decided to sit there anyway.

Leah had refused to go inside. She didn’t want to leave Ariana behind.

Ariana had told her to go countless times, yet she still didn’t agree. She was too worried about Ariana.

"Lady Leah, how about going inside? Jacky will be looking for you... What if he wakes up and doesn’t see his mother beside him?" Ariana signed.

Now, it was Ariana who was worried—for Leah’s sake. She didn’t want little Jacky to be scared or feel alone. But Leah shook her head respectfully.

"Queen Ariana, you don’t have to worry. He’s safe. He’s with... his father. And it is also my duty to make sure you are safe," she said gently.

Ariana knew this was more than just duty. Leah was truly trying her best to care for her, even though her shift was long over. She had noticed the queen’s uneasiness, even though Ariana tried to hide it. Leah had seen that look—that quiet longing. She was really missing His Highness. And Leah couldn’t help but silently pray that he returned soon.

She didn’t like the queen’s dim mood. Ariana had just been sitting there, almost distant, staring into thin air. If it weren’t for her occasional reminders to go inside, Leah might’ve thought something was truly wrong and gone into full panic. Ariana had tried not to think too deeply. That was why she’d been sleeping early these past few days—to avoid overthinking. But today... today was different. She felt uneasy. She wanted to see him, even though she knew he wouldn’t just appear. He had responsibilities. He was a king, after all.

She even put her mind to every task given to her these past few days and made sure to follow her physician’s instructions not to stress herself. But despite all that, she still couldn’t deny that she just wanted to see his face—even if it was just a glimpse. That would be fine. At least it would ease the worry.

She needed to remind herself to be understanding. Zavren had many duties, especially with the upcoming war. It could start at any moment.

She slowly rubbed her hands over her shoulders. The wrapper she had used to cover her chest and arms kept some of the cold away, but her thin nightwear still let the wind in. She raised her gaze and looked up.

She stared at the moon. The soft breeze blew her golden hair back, gently easing her body into a fragile calm.

Other nights, she would’ve slept early to avoid stress. Or read a book. But tonight, she had tried reading yet nothing worked. She had tried sleeping—still uneasy. Maybe fresh air was all she needed. Maybe she just hadn’t realized it until now.

She finally took a slow, deep breath and stood up. She didn’t want to keep Leah out here any longer. Her son might wake and look for her. And besides, Ariana knew Leah had only stayed because of her.

They walked back toward the entrance. Leah gently guided Ariana to her and Zavren’s room. A small smile curved Leah’s lips—she was glad the queen was finally going to rest.

Ariana was glad that Leah followed her. Ever since that painting incident when she saw the eyes of a painting move—she had stopped looking at any paintings at night. Her gaze always remained straight ahead until she reached the door to their room.

As they reached the door, Leah bowed and said,

"Have a good night’s rest, my Queen. Sleep well."

Ariana nodded, understanding her perfectly as she noticed the worry in her tone. She entered the room as Leah closed the door quietly. Ariana moved to the bed and lay down. Her face was calm as she closed her eyes.

Time passed, and she finally fell asleep.

A figure walked into the castle, moving silently through the hallway. His expression was unreadable as the sound of his footsteps echoed against the marble floor. Candlelight flickered gently, casting shadows as he moved.

Meanwhile...

Ariana sat up immediately, her sleepy eyes flying open.

What just happened?

She hadn’t even had a bad dream, yet she woke so suddenly.

Her hands rested on her chest, as if that alone would calm the fast beating of her heart. She turned, looking around the room, her breath escaping slowly as though she were trying to steady it

Ariana stood and walked toward the window, opening it calmly and letting the breeze blow her hair back. She turned away, deciding to go back to bed. She was simply worrying too much.

And this would only bring stress..

Besides, she wasn’t supposed to get too attached to him. That wouldn’t be good for her in the long run.

But just as she approached the bed, the doorknob moved.

Her body tensed as her eyes locked on it, waiting.

It opened.

Her lips parted as Zavren stood at the door. The expressionless coldness in his eyes softened the moment they landed on her—as if a fire had just been extinguished. A small, barely-there smile touched his lips.

Ariana stared at him, frozen. Was she dreaming?

Had she missed him so much that her mind was now playing tricks on her?

But the way her heart was drumming in her chest was very real. Her lips opened and closed, uncertain.

Zavren moved his hands.

Ariana’s body stiffened.

Her heart pounded harder as she realized—

He was signing.

"My wife... did you miss me?" he signed slowly.

Ariana’s eyes stretched in shock. He was signing—his large hands forming each sign carefully. How did he learn that?

Her mind spun with thoughts and questions, and before she knew it, her eyes watered with emotions.

Zavren’s body stiffener. He hadn’t expected her to cry.

Tears fell down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe it—he had just signed that.

Her body refused to move, emotions crashing into her all at once. Her husband kept surprising her in ways that touched her soul. And this... this was so deeply personal.

Her heart fluttered—was it because it was Zavren? She hadn’t expected that, not in the least. If only she knew how that night, Raven hadn’t slept until dawn. Zavren had kept practicing, and just when Raven thought His Majesty was finally done, he would settle on the mat to sleep—only for Zavren to wake him again, asking if he had gotten a particular part right. It made Raven start to rethink his decision to sleep in His Majesty’s tent at all.

Zavren took a step closer, his calm expression now betraying a flicker of worry.

Ariana panicked slightly—what if this wasn’t real? What if it was all just her imagination?

But if it was... she didn’t want him to leave.

Maybe that was why she couldn’t sleep.

"My wife... did I not get it correctly?" he asked softly, voice uncertain.

As he reached her, he raised his hands—but stopped midway, afraid of startling her.

Then she moved—hugging him tightly.

His body turned rigid in surprise.

Her small hands slipped under his shirt, caressing the firm muscles of his back.

Zavren’s pupils dilated.

He hadn’t expected such a bold move from his wife.

Ariana’s shoulders trembled. Her small, slender hands remained on his broad back.

I..It was him.

She wasn’t imagining it. Her heart had known it, but now—touching him, feeling him her entire body relaxed.

She didn’t realize what that innocent act was doing to Zavren.

His body remained tense as he fought back the urge to ravish her. He knew she was only trying to confirm he was real.

Yet her cold hands on his warm skin made something primal in him stir.

She pulled away slowly.

Zavren wiped the tears from her cheeks as her body shook lightly. Their eyes locked—gold to grey

And to his surprise, she nodded in response to his earlier question.

His body stilled.

"Fuck, Aria," he muttered as she brushed his hair back, his eyes flickering with something raw and unspoken.

"I really want to know what’s going on in that head of yours, sweetheart... I fucking want to know," he said, a slow, dangerous smile curling on his lips.

"I don’t think I can be patient anymore, my Ariana. I want us to mind link now."

He pulled away gently.

Ariana’s eyes widened. His lips parted, and his fangs began to elongate. Her gaze locked on his canines.

D..Does he... want to bite me? she wondered.

His eyes blazed a dark red. She didn’t move—not from fear, but from something else... something she couldn’t name.

And then, to her shock, he bit himself...his wrist.

Her body froze.

The scent of his blood made butterflies flutter in her stomach. She swallowed as a strange desire rose in her chest.

She wanted to tas...

"Drink it... Aria," he whispered huskily.