Zilayefa slept in the same tent as the Duke, the darkness outside illuminated only by the faint moonlight that filtered through the canvas. She had been sleeping fitfully, her dreams troubled by the uncertainty of their journey. Suddenly, she was jolted awake by a bad dream, her heart racing and her breath coming in short gasps. She woke up with a startle, her eyes wide with fear.
As she sat up, she realized that the Duke was staring at her, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. She was shocked and almost screamed, but he quickly covered her mouth with his hand. "Hush," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. "You were having a nightmare."
Zilayefa's eyes adjusted to the darkness, and she saw the concern etched on the Duke's face. He removed his hand from her mouth, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She realized that she was soaked with her own sweat, and she was still shivering from fear. The worst part was that she didn't remember what she had dreamt about.
The Duke looked at her for a moment, his eyes searching hers. Then, he nodded and said, "Put your mind at ease and go to bed. We have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow."
Zilayefa nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the Duke. She lay back down, trying to calm her racing thoughts. The Duke settled back into his own bedroll, and soon, his gentle snores filled the tent. Zilayefa closed her eyes, feeling a sense of safety wash over her. She eventually drifted off to sleep, lulled by the sound of the Duke's breathing.
The following morning, Zilayefa woke up feeling refreshed and renewed. She emerged from the tent, blinking in the bright sunlight. The Duke was already up, sipping a cup of coffee by the campfire. He nodded at her as she approached, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Good morning," he said, his voice low and gravelly. "I trust you slept well after...your episode?"
Zilayefa felt a flush rise to her cheeks as she recalled the previous night's events. "Y-yes, thank you," she stuttered, trying to compose herself.
The Duke nodded thoughtfully and handed her a cup of coffee. "Drink this," he said. "It will help you feel better."
Zilayefa took the cup gratefully, feeling a sense of gratitude towards the Duke. Despite his gruff exterior, he seemed to have a softer side, one that he only revealed in rare moments.
As they finished their breakfast, the guards began to pack up the campsite, and soon they were all mounted and ready to continue their journey. The Duke helped Zilayefa into the carriage, his hand brushing against hers as he did so.
"Today, we will reach the mine," he said, his eyes glinting with a fierce intensity. "Be prepared for what you will see."
Zilayefa felt a shiver run down her spine as she met the Duke's gaze. What would she find at the mine? Would she finally be reunited with her mother? The questions swirled in her mind like a maelstrom, but she pushed them aside, focusing instead on the journey ahead.