The next morning arrived far earlier than either of them would have liked.
Aiden stifled a yawn as he locked the front door behind them, giving the handle an absent-minded tug to make sure it was secure before slipping the keys into his pocket. The cool morning air bit at his cheeks, carrying the scent of damp earth and dew-covered grass. Dawn had barely begun to colour the sky. A pale strip of orange rested along the horizon while the rest of the world still lingered in shades of blue and grey.
The quiet little street seemed almost abandoned. Not a single neighbour was awake, and even the birds had only just begun their morning chorus.
Their bags had already been packed the night before, so loading the last two into the boot only took a moment.
Aiden climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine.
The familiar rumble of the car filled the silence between them.
Beside him, Kael settled comfortably into the passenger seat and adjusted it with surprising familiarity. He leaned back, folded his arms across his chest and let out a long breath.
"You look like you're preparing for hibernation," Aiden said as he pulled away from the curb.
"I am preparing to sleep."
Aiden glanced at him with an amused smile.
"We just left."
"You insisted on leaving before sunrise."
"I also remember someone agreeing it was the smartest idea."
"It was." Kael closed his eyes "That does not mean I have to enjoy being awake for it."
Aiden laughed quietly, "So you're just going to leave me to drive by myself?"
"You appear quite capable."
"I was hoping for conversation."
"You have the radio."
"I like your company better."
"I know you do."
Aiden raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"I am excellent company."
Aiden let out a laugh and shook his head.
"Unbelievable."
He shifted slightly in his seat before adding, "Wake me up later ."
"We're driving through farmland."
"You never know."
"I'll be sure to let you sleep through it, then."
"Thoughtful."
Aiden smiled despite himself.
"Fine. Be the passenger princess."
Kael cracked one eye open.
"What is a passenger princess?"
"I'll tell you later."
"Hm."
Apparently satisfied with that answer, Kael closed his eyes again.
Within minutes, his breathing evened out.
Aiden glanced across the centre console and chuckled under his breath.
"He actually fell asleep."
The roads remained blissfully empty as the town disappeared behind them.
The rising sun slowly chased away the last traces of darkness, revealing wide stretches of countryside that rolled endlessly into the distance. Fields shimmered with morning dew, and small clusters of sheep dotted the hills like scattered clouds. Every so often they passed a sleepy village where the first shopkeepers were dragging signs onto pavements or unlocking café doors for the morning rush.
Aiden turned the music down until it became little more than a soft murmur in the background.
He found that he didn't mind the silence.
It wasn't awkward.
In fact, it was strangely comforting.
Every now and then he caught himself stealing a glance at Kael.
Sleeping suited him.
The usual sharpness in his expression had melted away, leaving him looking unexpectedly peaceful. The morning sunlight spilled through the window, catching the loose strands of black hair that had escaped his ponytail and painting faint golden highlights across them.
Aiden smiled to himself.
It was difficult to believe this was the same man who had once demanded to be worshipped within five minutes of meeting him.
Not that the arrogance had disappeared.
It had simply... softened.
These days Kael fe.lt more human. Progress.
The thought made Aiden smile a little wider.
Hours slipped by almost unnoticed.
The scenery gradually changed from farmland to dense woodland before opening into long, winding roads bordered by mountains in the distance. The radio cycled through songs Aiden only half listened to as he drove, occasionally humming along whenever one of his favourites came on.
Around midmorning, movement beside him caught his attention.
Kael stretched slowly, blinking against the sunlight before rubbing one hand across his face.
"You've finally decided to join the living."
"I was already among them."
"Barely."
Without taking his eyes off the road, Aiden reached into the paper bag resting on the centre console.
He pulled out a wrapped sandwich and tossed it across.
Kael caught it neatly without so much as fumbling.
"You packed breakfast?"
"I packed enough food to stop you complaining."
"I would not have complained."
"You absolutely would have."
Kael considered that for a moment before giving a small nod.
"That is fair."
Aiden grinned.
"I know."
Kael unwrapped the sandwich and took a thoughtful bite before looking out through the windscreen.
The road stretched ahead in a long ribbon between endless green fields.
In the distance, rows of wind turbines turned lazily against the bright blue sky.
"How far have we travelled?" he asked.
Aiden glanced at the navigation screen.
"Just over three hours."
Kael gave an approving nod.
"We are making good time."
"We should reach the halfway point before evening if traffic stays like this."
"I had forgotten how much the human world has changed."
Aiden smiled.
"The roads?"
"The speed."
Kael watched another car overtake them before disappearing around a bend.
"In my time, a journey like this would have taken several days."
"You travelled on horseback?"
"Sometimes."
"And sometimes?"
Kael's lips curved into a small smile.
"Sometimes I travelled another way."
Aiden looked over curiously.
"In your naga form?"
Kael nodded once.
"It was much faster."
"I wish I could see that."
"You have."
"I mean properly."
Aiden laughed.
"I wasn't exactly paying attention the first time. I was too busy trying not to die."
A quiet chuckle escaped Kael.
"You exaggerate."
"I most certainly do not."
"You survived."
"Barely."
"You were dramatic then as well."
"I had just met a giant snake."
"You met a naga."
"I stand corrected."
Kael shook his head, amusement lingering in his eyes as he looked back out at the passing countryside.
"I think I prefer these roads."
"You do?"
"They are less muddy."