Page 25 of Nebula Hearts
Then I hear it. Distant but growing closer. A roar that isn’t human or Zephyrian. The one that says something dangerous is coming.
The creatures scatter, bolting for cover.
Tynrax appears in the entrance.
His markings blaze with a violet light that fills the dim shelter. His eyes glow that impossible light. He moves like a natural disaster, each step covering distance that should take three.
He came for me. Even when he knew what it might cost him.
He stands framed in the shelter’s twisted doorway like something out of a myth. Breathing hard, limbs loose and dangerous, glowing like his bones are lit from within. Blood and chitin streak his arms. His jaw is clenched. And those eyes, gods. I can’t look away. But somehow he’s still Tynrax. Still mine. That realization hits hard. Sharper than fear. Because it means I have to reach him before that light devours what’s left. Before this version of him, this creature made of rage and protection, decides the fight isn’t over.
“Tynrax, stay back! You’ll lose yourself!”
He lets out that same inhuman roar and launched at the nearest creature.
It’s fast. Brutal. He moves between them, a whirlwind of controlled violence. One tries to flee. He catches it mid-leap, throwing it against the wall with a sickening crack of chitin. Two more attack together. He grabs one by the mandibles, uses it as a club against the second.
The last few bolt for the deeper passages. He lets them go. He stands there, chest heaving, markings blazing.
Then he turns toward me.
For a moment I see nothing but that violet light. But he doesn’t move. Just stares at me while his fists open and close. The markings pulse.
“Tynrax.” I keep my voice steady. “Look at me. Focus on my voice.”
His hands curl into fists. Then slowly, they uncurl.
“You came for me.” I take one step toward him. “Now stay with me. Don’t go away in your head.”
The glow in his eyes wavers. Dims.
I take another step. “You’re here with me. Aris. Stay with Aris.”
His eyes clear. The violet light fades to gold then to silver. His markings settle.
He sways. I lunge forward, catching him before he falls.
“I’ve got you,” I say. “You’re okay.”
“Aris.” His voice is rough. Scraped raw. “You’re safe?”
“Yeah. I’m safe. Because you came for me.”
He pulls back just enough to look at my face, hands gripping my shoulders. “I couldn’t leave you there.”
“I know.” My hands are on his chest. His heart is hammering. “But you risked losing yourself again.”
“Didn’t matter. You needed me.”
The words settle in my chest. Heavy. Significant. We’re standing very close, his face maybe fifteen centimeters from mine. His markings pulse a steady, bright gold.
“Aris,” he says. Reverent.
“Yeah?”
His gaze drops to my mouth.
I lean forward. His hand slides from my shoulder to cup the side of my neck, thumb resting against my jaw. His skin burned against my hand.
