Chapter 212: Ashes To Answers

The rumble of an engine echoed through the empty garage less than ten minutes later.

Kane didn’t lift his head. Couldn’t bring himself to.

Tires screeched against concrete as the Lamborghini swung into the space, headlights cutting through the dimness before dying.

A car door slammed.

Footsteps pounded toward him—fast, urgent.

"Kane!"

Cyrus dropped to his knees beside him, hands immediately framing Kane’s tear-streaked face.

"I’m here. I’m right here."

Kane couldn’t speak. Could only stare at Cyrus through blurred vision, nine tails curled protectively around himself like a wounded animal.

Cyrus pulled him up in one smooth motion, gathering Kane against his chest with devastating gentleness.

That broke him completely.

Kane’s fingers twisted in Cyrus’s shirt, clinging with desperate strength as sobs wracked through his frame.

His face pressed into the hollow of Cyrus’s throat, tears soaking expensive fabric.

Cyrus’s hand moved through Kane’s hair in slow, soothing strokes.

"The movers work fast. I didn’t think they’d finish before you got back." His other arm tightened around Kane’s trembling shoulders. "It’s just a building. We’ll find somewhere better."

Kane’s breath hitched against his throat. The words didn’t register—couldn’t penetrate the fog of panic.

"I know it’s overwhelming," Cyrus murmured. "All your things packed up without warning."

His palm settled at the base of Kane’s skull, thumb tracing gentle circles. "I should have told you this morning. Given you time to prepare."

Kane’s fingers clutched tighter, nails digging through fabric.

You’re leaving. You packed everything. You took the egg.

The thoughts screamed through his mind, but his voice remained locked behind the lump in his throat.

Cyrus pressed his lips to Kane’s temple.

"I’ve been inconsiderate. Forgive me."

His warmth surrounded Kane completely—solid, real, present. But Kane felt him slipping away with every heartbeat.

Don’t go. Please don’t leave me behind.

The words died unspoken as another sob tore through his chest.

Cyrus shifted his grip, one arm sliding beneath Kane’s knees. He lifted Kane effortlessly, carrying him toward the Lamborghini like precious cargo.

"Easy," Cyrus murmured when Kane’s breath hitched again. "I’ve got you."

He maneuvered Kane into the passenger seat with practiced care, buckling the seatbelt across Kane’s lap before reaching into the center console.

A box of tissues appeared—expensive ones, naturally.

Cyrus pressed several into Kane’s trembling hands.

"Breathe."

Kane’s gaze slid past Cyrus to the backseat.

The obsidian egg rested in its reinforced case, wards glowing softly through the tempered glass.

Still there. Still safe.

Some of the panic loosened its stranglehold on his chest.

Cyrus crouched beside the open car door, one hand settling on Kane’s knee.

"The egg hasn’t left my sight." His thumb traced slow circles through the fabric of Kane’s slacks. "Neither have you."

Kane clutched the tissues, vision swimming.

"Then why—" His voice cracked. "Why pack everything?"

Understanding struck Cyrus with uncomfortable clarity.

The bucket list. The demand for normal couple activities. Then coming home to movers dismantling their entire life together.

Kane thought Cyrus was leaving him.

Although it was dramatic, Cyrus couldn’t fault the logic behind it.

Not after Elias’s violation last night, followed by Cyrus’s cryptic insistence on planning ordinary dates like a man arranging final wishes.

The decision to move had been last-minute. Impulsive, even by Cyrus’s standards.

He’d contacted the storage company at dawn, arranged the movers during Kane’s morning commute, and signed the lease termination without discussion.

Because staying in a compromised sanctuary was unacceptable.

Cyrus had calculated risk assessments and security protocols. He hadn’t calculated Kane’s terror at finding their shared space erased.

Cyrus gathered Kane close despite the awkward angle.

"I’m not leaving you."

Kane’s breath hitched against his throat, fingers twisting in Cyrus’s shirt.

"The movers are putting everything in storage because this building isn’t safe anymore." Cyrus kept his voice steady and grounding.

Kane’s trembling eased slightly.

"I secured a property outside the city—forty acres." Cyrus pressed his lips to Kane’s temple. "I was going to surprise you."

Cyrus pulled back enough to meet Kane’s tear-bright eyes.

Kane stared at him, processing.

"You’re... we’re moving?"

"Together." Cyrus thumbed away the moisture on Kane’s cheeks. "With our egg."

Kane brushed away his tears with the back of his hand, embarrassment creeping through the panic.

"I might have jumped to conclusions."

"You think?" Cyrus’s lips quirked despite himself.

Kane’s ears flattened against his hair.

Cyrus settled his palm against Kane’s jaw, his thumb tracing the sharp line of his cheekbone.

"We’re going to need a bigger house if we’re raising a baby dragon." His voice gentled.

"This penthouse has no yard. Not nearly enough space for a hatchling to learn proper flight patterns."

The image struck Kane sideways—a tiny obsidian dragon attempting takeoff in the living room, crashing into expensive furniture.

"The new place isn’t ready yet." Cyrus shifted his grip, fingers threading through silver strands.

"Construction crews are reinforcing the structure. Installing wards that won’t fail when Elias decides to test them again."

Kane’s breath steadied further.

"Once everything’s finished, I’ll bring you to pick out paint colors, furniture, and decor." Cyrus’s expression softened almost imperceptibly. "Things normal couples do when they move in together."

Kane’s throat worked.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah." Cyrus smiled warmly. "You and me. Making terrible decorating decisions as a team."

Kane let out a slight laugh, the sound watery but genuine. "Okay, but where are we supposed to stay in the meantime?"

Cyrus stood, brushing invisible lint from his slacks. "That’s why I asked you to write the bucket list."

Kane blinked up at him, confusion flickering across tear-stained features.

Cyrus closed the passenger door with deliberate care, then rounded the Lamborghini to slide behind the wheel.

The engine purred to life.

"I can bring you anywhere in the world." Cyrus’s hands settled on the steering wheel, knuckles relaxed. "Anywhere Elias can’t find us."

Kane twisted in his seat, nine tails shifting restlessly.

"Wait, you’re serious?"

"I’ve already decided." Cyrus backed out of the parking space with practiced ease. "We’re taking a long vacation."

"Define ’long.’"

"However long it takes for the house to be finished." Cyrus navigated through the garage’s exit ramp. "Six weeks. Maybe eight."

Kane’s jaw dropped.

"You’re closing Veyr Corp for two months?"

"Isabelle’s capable of running operations." Cyrus merged into the evening traffic. "She’s been waiting for an excuse to prove it."

Kane stared at him like Cyrus had sprouted a second head.

"Who are you, and what did you do with my workaholic dragon?"