Morning rays of sun started to melt the snow.the trees and roads covered in dew drops.it was very refreshing sight food any young lovers.
Nature was at its finest.Sunlight slowly filtered through the thin white curtains, painting soft glow across the room. The hearth had long gone cold, embers faint and grey. Outside, the inn stirred—footsteps on wood, murmured voices, the clatter of bowls and bread.
Mirel opened his eyes he turned his body carefully towards kalies
He didn't move.
Kalies was still asleep.
For a moment, Mirel's heart started to beat fast.
Kalies lay on his side now, beautiful silver hair loose across the pillow, lashes dark against pale skin. His breathing was deep and relaxed .Whatever storm had torn through him the night before had settled, at least for this moment.
Mirel smiled to himself.
"You look much less terrifying when you are asleep he whispered.
Kalies opened his eyes
Mirel immediately closed his eyes.
A breath passed.
"You are staring." kalies said.
"No iwas meditating youbknow it helps to calm down you should try"
Mirel grinned wit
Kalies sat up slowly, testing his body. No dizziness. No pain. Strength had returned like a tide pulling itself back into place. He flexed his fingers once, twice.
Kalies swung his legs off the bed. "How long have you been awake?"
"I never slept who knows you will kill me or not" Mirel replied, finally sitting up.
Kalies stood, rolling his shoulders. He looked at the boots mirel removed ."I don't remember calling you to my bed".
Mirel yawned and stretched. "And yet, here I am.
May be you should try not to be unconscious everytime people can do certain things to you.
Mirel bites his lips.
Kalies ignored him and moved toward the water basin, splashing his face. When he looked up again, his eyes were sharper—focused. Awake.
"Thank you," he said stiffly. "For last night."
"I'm kalies"
Mirel blinked. "Okay did pigs started flying".
"Do not mistake gratitude for permission," Kalies added immediately.
Mirel laughed." Well that's my man"good to know your name though kalies
Kalies turned. "What?"
"That defensive tone," Mirel said. "You put it on like armor."
"I don't need armor," Kalies said coldly.
"Sure you do," Mirel replied easily. "Everyone does. Yours just happens to be dramatic."
Kalies reached for his cloak and boots
"I am leaving."
"After breakfast."
"No."
Mirel was already on his feet, grabbing his coat. "Too late for the reply dear wait for me don't leave".
Before Kalies could say anything Mirel was at the door.
"Don't move," Mirel said over his shoulder. "Or do. I'll come back either way hoping you are here".
The door closed.
Kalies stood alone, irritation simmering beneath his calm. He drank water from the pot .he was surprised that he is waiting for mirel.
After sometime Mirel returned, arms full of bread, fruit, and steaming bowls, Kalies was still there.
Mirel placed the food on the table with a flourish. "See? We eat food like civilized people and moveon with our life.
"I am not pathetic or helpless Kalies said, sitting anyway.
"Never said you were," Mirel replied, pushing a bowl toward him. "Just hungry".
Kalies eyed the food suspiciously.
Mirel gasped. "I carried it for you and you don't even trust me.
Kalies picked up a piece of bread and took a careful bite.
Silence followed.
Then—
"This is… acceptable," Kalies admitted.
Mirel smirked. "High praise young man".
They ate together, the quiet strangely comfortable.
After a moment, Mirel spoke again. "So. You faint often?"
Kalies stiffened." Yeah that's my hobby you should try sometime"
" okay but when you do do it Only around me?"
Mirel grinned.
Kalies set his bowl down. "You should stop following me."
Mirel sipped his drink. "then stoop dying".
Their eyes met.
Something unspoken lingered there.
Kalies looked away first.
"I belong to someone else," he said quietly.
Mirel's tone softened, but only slightly." Do you think I'm trying something with you ha ha no way"Mirel said. "I like honorable men. Makes teasing them more fun."
Kalies frowned. "You are insufferable."
"And yet, you didn't left " Mirel said, leaning back closely towards his face.
Kalies didn't resist.
Outside, the day fully awakened people where busy with their lives market become crowded.
And somewhere far beyond the inn, the Seven Gates stirred.
Kalies and Mirel stepped out of their room.there are more people in inn today it was alive with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of mugs. People were eating, drinking, and gossiping, the scent of roasted meat and alcohol mingling with smoke from the hearths.
Mirel's eyes sparkled as he looked around the room. A group of men huddled near a corner table, smoke curling around their faces. A strange smile appeared on Mirel's face .
"Gentlemen," Mirel called, striding toward them with a confident smirk, "you look like the sort of people who know things about hunting…
Kalies stiffened beside him he felt embarrassing. He started to turn away. but Mirel grabbed his hand, tugging him closer.
The men blinked in surprise, then laughed. "Well now, you're bold," one said, gesturing to the empty chairs they felt charmed by Mirel's presence"Sit with us, why don't you?"
Mirel plopped down, motioning for Kalies to sit too. Kalies hesitated and he stand there but after obeyed, lowering himself reluctantly. He listened quietly as the men gossiping about their hunts, tales of distant lands, and close encounters with beasts. Mirel said "i heard the Arkan king is a good hunter."
One of the men muttered, "It's a shame about the Arkan Clan… they've crushed every kingdom they've conquered. Soldiers everywhere, even people are seeing arkan beasts flying over our heads.
Another shrugged. "They're only doing what any strong rulers would—take what's theirs. They are liberating people
The Arkan king is so generous that he didn't even invade common people's home.peope are getting more food now a days .
A third snorted. What ever this is More like oppression. They've taken kings and queens as puppets.
The second man said i believe Arkan clans as better rulers than your fat kings and queens
They let traders move freely, reward cleverness, and punish injustice. Freedom has many faces."
The first hunter scowled. "Freedom? Their soldiers patrol the lands like vultures. Anyone who resists dies. That's not freedom."
The second hunter waved dismissively. "You sound like you're jealous. A kingdom that actually works… I say they're better than weak rulers who let their people starve or fight pointless wars."
Mirel's eyes danced with amusement as he glanced at Kalies. "See? Mister Even among hunters, the world's full of arguments. Some see tyrants, some see liberators." He leaned closer, whispering just loud enough for Kalies to hear what do you think of me in your liberator.mirel laughed.
Kalies' fingers twitched, his jaw tightened, but he said nothing, he is uncomfortable with the sudden closeness he felt to Mirel.
After some time mirel climbed on the table and started dancing, Mugs rattled and a rice-beer pot teetered before crashing to the floor with a loud smash. The inn owner's face went red as fire.
"Get out! Both of you—NOW!" he roared.
Kalies' hand twitched toward restraint, but Mirel grabbed it. "Relax, big guy. Enjoy the ride!"
Outside, a burly guard lunged forward, swinging a fist at Mirel. Kalies reacted instantly, catching the man's hand and throwing him several feet back with a strength that made even Mirel whistle.
"Wow," Mirel said, eyes wide. "Didn't know you had that in you! My giant protector." He flexed theatrically, grinning. "Come on, show 'em some magic!"
The inn owner stormed out, red-faced, brooms and pots flying. "I said—GET OUT!"
Mirel twirled, snapping his fingers. Golden dust erupted around them, sparkling like tiny stars. Patrons gasped and ducked. Kalies could only stare, jaw tight, as Mirel bowed dramatically, letting the glitter trail around him.
"You're unbelievable," Kalies muttered, tugging at his cloak, trying to hide his faint smile.
Mirel winked. "And you love it."
The inn owner, furious beyond reason, hurled a broom that narrowly missed Kalies' head. Mirel only giggled. "Okay, mister, that's your last warning!" he said, spinning once more in the golden haze.
Kalies' eyes narrowed, a low rumble in his chest. "You're impossible," he said, but he didn't move to stop him.
Mirel laughed, brushing a stray lock of hair from his face. "Impossible? Nah… I'm just fun." He leaned toward Kalies, voice softer. "And you… you need a little fun in your life"
Kalies froze, the weight of Mirel's teasing warmth settling over him. He opened his mouth to protest but found no words, only the faintest tug in his chest he didn't dare name.