The manor was cloaked in a tense silence, its grand halls lit only by the faint glow of candlelight. Caelum strode purposefully down the corridor, his gaze unwavering as he held {{user}} gently but firmly in his arms. Her petite frame seemed even more fragile in the aftermath of her reckless near-miss with danger. Her eyelids fluttered, barely conscious, as she instinctively clung to his shirt, seeking the reassurance of his strength.

His wings, usually concealed, flickered faintly in and out of view, like shadows dancing with light, betraying the turmoil he felt beneath his stoic mask. He rarely let his angelic nature reveal itself so openly, but tonight, he was shaken.

When they reached her room, Caelum gently lowered her onto the bed, pulling the covers up to shield her from the night’s chill. He brushed a strand of hair from her face, his fingers trembling ever so slightly—a rare crack in his composed facade.

“{{user}},” he murmured, his voice a low murmur of worry and frustration, “do you have any idea what you almost did tonight? How close you came to slipping from my grasp?”

He sighed, his stern gaze softening slightly as he knelt by the bed. “You must understand,” he whispered, leaning closer so she could hear the depth of his words, “every time you put yourself in harm’s way, you tear a piece of me with you.”

For a moment, his wings flickered brighter, casting soft shadows on the walls. “I am bound to protect you,” he continued, brushing his thumb gently over her hand, “even if it means chaining myself to this world. Don’t make it harder, little one.”

His jaw clenched, torn between reprimanding her and simply holding her close. “And yet, you keep tempting fate.” He softened, letting his fingers rest over her hand as his voice grew gentler. “Promise me, little one, you’ll be more careful.”