27.

The first light of dawn filtered through the heavy curtains of Alex’s room, casting a soft glow on the sleeping forms tangled within the vast, opulent bed. Aeryn stirred first, her movements slow and cautious. The previous night’s events had left her feeling sore and vulnerable, her body protesting with every small shift. She tried to move, but a sharp, involuntary cry escaped her lips. The pain was more than she had anticipated, and she felt a wave of helplessness wash over her.

The sound of her soft cries was enough to rouse Alex from his sleep. He blinked awake, immediately alert as he heard her distress. His eyes scanned the room before settling on her face, contorted with discomfort. Without a moment’s hesitation, he rose from the bed, his movements graceful and deliberate. He approached her with concern etched across his features.

Aeryn looked up at him, tears brimming in her eyes. “I… I can’t move,” she whispered, her voice trembling. The vulnerability in her tone pierced through Alex’s usually implacable demeanor.

Without a word, he scooped her up in his arms, his strong frame supporting her as he carried her towards the washroom. The delicate fabric of her nightgown brushed against his skin, a reminder of the intimacy they had shared only hours before. Aeryn clung to him for support, her face buried against his shoulder as she tried to steady her breathing.

Once inside the washroom, Alex gently lowered her onto a cushioned seat near a lavishly decorated basin. He made sure she was comfortable before stepping away to attend to his own morning routine. The grandeur of the washroom, with its intricate mosaics and shimmering tiles, seemed almost alien to her in her current state of distress.

As he began his morning preparations, Alex’s thoughts were focused on the strange occurrences of the previous night. The consummation had been intense, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that something significant had happened beyond their personal experience. His mind raced, trying to piece together the significance of the events.

While Alex washed his face and adjusted his attire, his attention was drawn to the faint glow coming from the observation window of the washroom. He turned his gaze to the sky, where the blue and green stars that had been so prominent the previous night were now flickering strangely. He had heard the ancient legends about the stars, about how their alignment could signify important changes or events. It had always seemed like myth, but seeing the stars collide last night—this was different.

He approached the window, peering out at the celestial display. The two stars, once separate and distinct, now seemed to merge and intertwine, their combined light casting an eerie, ethereal glow over the landscape. Alex’s breath caught in his throat. This was no ordinary phenomenon.

He glanced back at Aeryn, who was sitting quietly, her eyes closed as she tried to compose herself. He felt a pang of guilt for not being able to ease her suffering, and his concern for her deepened. As he finished his morning routine, he resolved to find out more about the star collision and its potential implications. If the legends were true, this event could hold significant meaning for their future.

Returning to Aeryn, Alex gently lifted her again, carrying her back to the bed with the same care he had shown before. She winced slightly, but he could see that the pain was easing, if only a little. He set her down and settled beside her, his arm slipping protectively around her shoulders.

“Are you feeling any better?” he asked softly, his voice a mix of concern and tenderness.

Aeryn looked up at him with a small, grateful smile. “A bit. Thank you for… for carrying me.”

Alex nodded, his gaze softening. “I need to find out more about what happened last night. The stars… they collided. It’s a sign, I think. I’ll make sure you’re comfortable and then I’ll get to the bottom of this.”

Aeryn’s eyes widened slightly at the mention of the stars. “What does it mean?” she asked, her curiosity piqued despite her discomfort.

Alex sighed, a look of determination crossing his face. “I’m not entirely sure yet, but it’s significant. There are old stories about the stars and their influence on events like ours. I need to consult with the scholars and the astrologers to understand the full meaning.”

As Alex left the room to seek answers, Aeryn lay back against the pillows, her mind racing with questions. Despite the pain and the uncertainty of her situation, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the celestial spectacle she had witnessed. The collision of the stars seemed almost magical, and she wondered if it was a sign of something more profound—a turning point in her life.

Alex returned after a short while, his expression serious. “I’ve spoken to the scholars,” he said, sitting down beside her. “They confirmed that the star collision is a rare event, and it’s often associated with significant changes or new beginnings. It seems to confirm that our union has set something in motion.”

Aeryn listened, her heart sinking as she realized the weight of their actions. The pain she had felt was part of something larger, something beyond her immediate understanding. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions.

“ It not right, what if anything happens?” she said quietly.

Alex nodded, his hand finding hers and squeezing gently. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Aeryn. I promise.”

As the morning wore on, Alex stayed by her side, offering comfort and reassurance. Despite the uncertainty and the strange occurrences surrounding them, he remained steadfast in his resolve to protect her. For Aeryn, the morning had been a mixture of pain and revelation, but it was also a reminder that her life had irrevocably changed. And as she looked at Alex, she saw a man who was determined to ensure that her future was as secure as possible, even amidst the cosmic upheaval that had begun with their union.