Chapter 77: It’s Gonna Be An Amusing Day

Cyrus lay in his massive bed, staring at the ceiling through the darkness.

Sleep eluded him as fragmented images played behind his closed eyes—Kane walking away, Kane’s empty office, Kane’s laughter fading into silence.

Cyrus shifted restlessly against the silk sheets, his jaw clenched with frustration.

The rational part of his mind insisted these were merely echoes of the day’s separation, nothing more than the residual anxiety from their severed bond.

But something deeper gnawed at him—a hollow ache that had nothing to do with karmic magic and everything to do with the fox spirit’s absence from his carefully ordered world.

Was this simply the aftermath of their supernatural connection? Some lingering attachment born from shared trials and forced proximity?

Or had something fundamental shifted between them, something that transcended debt and obligation?

Cyrus couldn’t untangle the threads of past and present, couldn’t separate the ancient pull he felt from whatever was growing between them now.

What he did know, with certainty, was that he needed Kane close.

The admission sat uneasily in his chest, foreign and unwelcome.

Dragons didn’t need anyone. Dragons survived alone.

But Kane had somehow become essential, like air or sunlight—taken for granted until threatened with removal.

Unable to bear another moment of restless torment, Cyrus threw back the covers and padded barefoot through his bedroom.

He moved silently down the hallway, drawn by an inexplicable need to confirm Kane’s presence.

In the living room, the city lights streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating Kane’s sleeping form on the leather couch.

The fox spirit had curled up beneath a throw blanket, silver hair catching the pale light.

Cyrus’s shoulders sagged with relief he refused to examine too closely.

Kane was here. Kane was safe.

For now, that had to be enough.

The next morning, the rich aroma of coffee and something cooking pulled Cyrus from sleep.

He found Kane at the stove, spatula in hand, dark circles under his amber eyes suggesting he hadn’t slept much better.

"Morning, Cyrus." Kane glanced over his shoulder, gesturing at two plates on the counter.

"I made breakfast."

Scrambled eggs and buttered toast sat beside steaming mugs of coffee.

"I was aiming for sunny side up," Kane continued, stirring the eggs with vigor.

"But apparently I’m cursed when it comes to keeping yolks intact. They kept breaking on me."

Cyrus moved closer, noting the slight tremor in Kane’s hands, the way he avoided direct eye contact.

"Scrambled is fine."

Kane’s ears twitched—barely visible beneath his silver hair, but Cyrus caught the movement.

"Coffee’s fresh. Used that fancy machine of yours." Kane finally turned, offering a tentative smile.

"Figured you’d want the good stuff for your day off."

Cyrus accepted the mug Kane handed him.

"Thank you."

The words came easier than expected, carrying more weight than simple gratitude for breakfast.

They ate in comfortable silence, the morning light streaming through the penthouse windows.

Kane stabbed at his eggs, stealing glances at Cyrus between bites.

"So," Kane said, setting down his fork. "What’s the plan for this mysterious day off?"

Cyrus paused mid-sip of his coffee.

"I haven’t decided."

"Come on." Kane leaned back in his chair, amber eyes brightening. "The great Cyrus Veyr Drakhal takes a spontaneous day off and has no agenda? I don’t buy it."

"Perhaps I simply wanted to ensure you didn’t burn down my kitchen while unsupervised."

Kane snorted. "Right. Because scrambled eggs are such a fire hazard."

Cyrus’s lips twitched—not quite a smile, but close.

Kane picked up his coffee mug, wrapping both hands around it.

"But seriously, what do you do when you’re not being a mysterious dragon CEO?"

Cyrus studied Kane’s expectant face, realizing he couldn’t remember the last time someone had asked what he wanted to do, rather than what he needed to accomplish.

"I usually spend my free time alone," Cyrus said, gesturing vaguely toward the hidden room.

"Reading, gaming. The usual solitary pursuits."

Kane nodded, understanding flickering across his features.

"Makes sense. But look at that weather." He pointed toward the windows where brilliant sunlight painted the city in gold.

"It’s gorgeous out there. Seems like a waste to hide away when you could be enjoying everything Feilun has to offer."

Cyrus followed Kane’s gaze to the sprawling cityscape below, considering.

"Where would you suggest we go?" Cyrus asked, slipping into his executive tone.

"As my assistant, you would presumably know what locations might be... suitable for someone in my position."

Kane’s eyebrows shot up at the careful phrasing, amusement dancing in his amber eyes.

"Right. Your assistant." He set down his coffee.

"Well, in my professional opinion, sir, there’s this amazing farmer’s market downtown. Great for blending in with the common folk. Or we could hit the art district—very respectable, very CEO-appropriate."

Kane’s mock-serious expression cracked into a grin.

"I’m not particularly fond of those places," Cyrus said, his tone measured but not dismissive. "However, if that’s what you want, I’m willing to go."

Kane blinked, his coffee mug hovering halfway to his lips.

"Wait. You’re actually letting me choose? No executive decision-making? No ’we’re going here because it’s efficient’?"

Cyrus’s jaw tightened slightly, as if the admission cost him something.

"It’s your day as well."

Kane set down his mug, amber eyes brightening with something that looked dangerously like mischief.

"Okay, in that case..." He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the counter. "Have you ever been to an amusement park?"

Cyrus went very still.

"An amusement park."

"Yeah, you know—roller coasters, cotton candy, games where you try to win stuffed animals that cost more than they’re worth."

Kane’s grin widened at Cyrus’s expression of dawning horror.

"Crowds of screaming children, overpriced nachos, rides that spin you until you’re dizzy."

"Kane, you can’t be serious—"

"Come on, when’s the last time you did something completely ridiculous? Something that serves no corporate purpose whatsoever?"

Cyrus stared at Kane as if he’d suggested they strip naked and run through downtown Feilun.

"I don’t do ridiculous."

"That’s exactly why you should." Kane stood, moving closer with predatory grace.

"Unless the great dragon is afraid of a little fun?"

Cyrus’s red eyes flashed with something that might have been irritation—or intrigue.