The urge to protect her.

Adian's POV

Even hours after the fact, I remained tense.

I hadn't needed to completely enter her room. A slight peek was enough to tell me that she was safe. Her soft breaths and steady heartbeat showed that she was asleep and wouldn't detect my presence.

I wasn't blind to the nightmares she would have in the morning. Even though I heard them, I couldn't comfort her. I wasn't him after all and I was sure that my actions no matter how well meaning they were, wouldn't be taken.

The least I did was to come by every afternoon to distract her. The shadows of fear which were once in her gaze faded away. Although now she was no longer in the same way, displaying slight worry and annoyance than the initial haunted look. It was a testament to her bravery.

With a swift perusal of the room, there were no signs of shadows lurking behind the corners. No other heartbeats but hers.

That was comfortable enough to close it, at ease that there weren't going to be any attacks. The soldiers standing by