With a gentleness that almost broke her, Eyrx pulled her off his lap, cradled her like she weighed nothing, and laid her down onto the thick hide that had been spread across the floor. The fur was warm against her skin, still infused with his body heat. It smelled like smoke, forest, and something distinctly him.
Before she could even sit up, he draped a heavier hide over her, tucking it around her with practiced ease. His hands lingered for a moment, fingertips grazing her shoulder, then her jaw.
"You did well today, little flame," he murmured, his eyes catching hers for a heartbeat too long.
She swallowed, biting the inside of her cheek. "You're just going to leave?"
Eyrx didn't answer right away.
He leaned down, close enough for her breath to catch, and kissed her forehead. Just once.
Then, with a whisper of scales brushing against stone, he pulled away and began to slither across the floor.
