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The room was dark and cold, empty. Just like when he used dark magic. Callum could feel his heart pounding against his ear and his breath was cut short.
"It's just a nightmare." Callum told him, squeezing his eyes tightly as he tried to breathe "Just breathe, Callum. You're not using dark magic. Just breathe-"
"Awwww, is that what Mommy told you?"
Callum snapped his eyes opened to see the darker version of himself, smirking smug at his terrified face "N-No! You shouldn't even be here! I'm mage now! I-I'm connected to the sky arcanum!"
"And? Do you really think breathing and doing your little magic tricks could get rid of me?" Dark Callum chuckled, taking a step closer.
Callum stumbled back, falling to the floor "S-Stay away from me! Why are you even here!"
"Well, I guess you can say I'm always the thing that is holding you back." Callum yelped when Dark Callum appeared from behind "I know you still think about dark magic."
Callum flinched "B-Because it's wrong! I betrayed someone I love and hurt them!"
"And who's to say you won't do it again? Hm?" Dark Callum smiled widely "You're weak, Callum. And when you feel weak and useless like you did before, you will use dark magic again. And I will never go away. Every time you close your eyes or go to sleep, I will always be here, waiting for you in the shadows."
"Leave me alone! LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Callum gasped as he shot up from his bed, panting heavily. His hands gripped the sheets tightly, his knuckles turning white. His body was trembling to much and everything was to dark. He...He needed to-
"Breathe, Callum. Breathe."
He took in a large amount of air at the sound of his mother's voice. He cough harshly and tried to slow his breath just like Rayla taught him.
Rayla.
It's been 6 months after the final battle and after the search for Claudia and the supposedly dead Viren went dead, Callum, Ezran, and the rest all went back to Katolis. And with some convincing and a whole bunch of kisses, Rayla joined them. Having her at the castle had been the greatest time of Callum's life. She made everything bright and adventurous and so much fun. Even Opeli liked having her around.
Callum knew that she needed the rest. She's been training with the new crown guards with Soren all day and could barley keep her head up at the dinner table. But she also made him swore that he would come and wake her if he ever had nightmares, and vise versa. She was sleeping in Ezran's old room just next door since she refused to sleep down the hall, away from Callum.
Callum snapped out of his gaze when he heard a creak from the door. He and Ezran locked eyes, and from the little bit on moonlight coming from his window, Callum could see how shiney his little brother's eyes were and how tightly he was holding onto Bait.
"Ez," Callum stumbled out of bed and fell to his knees, his hands cupping Ezran's cheeks "Ez, what's wrong?"
"I...I had a nightmare." Ezran whimpered "A really bad one."
Callum hated anything that wasn't his brother's smile, or his teasing, playful look. He was so young and he had so much on his shoulders that Callum wished he could just, take away.
"Oh, Ez." Callum pulled him close "You too?"
Ezran sniffled, nuzzling deeper into Callum's shoulder as Bait grumbled "I guess this isn't our night, huh?"
"Yeah, buddy." Callum cradled Ezran's head "I guess it's not."
"Were you going to Rayla, too?"
"Too?" Callum was confused.
Ezran pulled back and sheepishly looked down at Bait "She made me promise to wake her if I didn't want to wake you up. She made Bait promise too."
Callum gave his brother a small grin "Me too. Want to go together?"
Ezran nodded and Callum stood up, grasping Ezran's free hand. The two slowly crept over to Ezran's old room, Callum slowly opening the door.
"Do you think she's awake?" Ezran whispered.
Callum looked down at him and shrugged "Probably not. She's been pretty tired today." The guilt and slight shame began to build up "M-Maybe we should-"
"What are you both doing in my room?" The two brothers jumped at Rayla's voice, and turned the to moonshadow elf staring at them, sitting up in her bed. She wore a light purple silk nightgown with see through bubble sleeves, her hair freshly brushed. She looked beautiful.
"O-Oh! H-Hey Rayla!" Callum said nervously, fidgeting under her stare "W-We were just-"
Callum was interrupted when Ezran shoved Bait into Callum's hands and ran to Rayla, jumping on the bed and burying his head into her stomach with his arms tightly around her.
"We're sorry! Callum and I got a nightmare and we're really scared and you said that you wouldn't be mad if we wake you up-"
"Hey, hey, woah. Ez, it's ok." Rayla easily pulled the rest of Ezran's small body into her lap and he curled around her "I'm not mad. Anything but it." She glanced at Callum "You said you both had a nightmare?"
Ezran sniffled and nodded "Do ya want to talk about it?" Rayla asked, rubbing his back smoothly.
The two shook their heads frankly, the last thing either of them wanted to do was recall their nightmares. Big Feelings Time can wait until the morning anyway.
"Why are you awake anyway?" Callum asked, walking closer to his girlfriend.
Rayla shrugged "I couldn't sleep. I'm a bit restless now that I think bout' it."
Ezran looked up at her with his big, glassy eyes "Can we stay here with you? Pretty please? I don't want to go back to sleep."
Rayla gave him a soft smile as she smoothed his fluffy hair "I don't think this bed is big enough for all three of us."
Ezran pouted before be brightened "Then let's go to the royal bedroom! The bed is huge!"
Rayla blinked and looked up a Callum with a soft look that made his heart flutter "What do you say, Sad Prince?"
Callum returned her smile "Sure. I kinda don't want to go to sleep either."
Ezran cheered pulled Rayla out of bed by her hand. She chuckled and used her free hand to hook her arm with Callum's free one. Together, the trio and Bait quietly but quickly treaded through the empty hallway and towards the royal bedroom. Callum snuck a glance at his girlfriend and couldn't help but fall a little deeper in love with her. She was looking at Ezran with this soft sweet look as she quietly joked with him, making him giggle and stumble. Ezran and Rayla had always gotten along from the beginning and even closer when they had all began to live in the castle together. It was sweet how fond they were of each other and it warmed Callum's heart to see his two favorite people getting along.
They made it to the royal room, shutting the door behind them, and they all snuggled in the large bed. Rayla was in the middle, Ezran on her chest and Callum nuzzling into the crook of her neck. Bait was on her lap, curled up and glowing softly. Her arms were around both the prince and king, squeezing them gently.
"Y'know, there was a song I always use to sing to myself when I was little. Something I made up. It always use to chase away the bad dreams." Rayla explained as the two looked at her in surprise "Do ya want to hear it?"
"Yes please!" Ezran's eyes twinkled.
Callum nodded sheepishly but he was also curious "If you don't mind."
Rayla grinned and pecked his cheek "Course not, dummy. Not for my boys. Now, try to get as comfy as ya can."
Ezran wiggled closer, causing Rayla to chuckle at his enthusiasm "Ok! Ready!"
"Me too." Callum whispered and Bait grumbled in agreement.
Rayla nodded and closed her eyes thoughtfully for just a few seconds, and she opened her mouth to the most beautiful melody Callum has ever heard.
'Sleep little one, close your eyes
You're body's cooling, through the night
Let your worries slip away
Tomorrow is a brand new day
Shimmering moon and Saturn skies
Soft wind breezes lullaby
Dreams are here to set you free
The dawn will bring you back to me'
The whole time Rayla was singing, it was like...she was glowing in pure moonlight. Not like her moon powers but in a soft purple glow. Her voice was the softest, calmest thing that ever soothed Callum's wild mind since his mother. But before he could even say a word, he was out like a light. And he didn't have any nightmares again for the rest of the night.
Rayla groaned as the light from the sun shined directly in her eyes. She sat up and stretched with a yawn, blinking blue at the open shades. She thought she closed those-
Wait. She wasn't in her room. Where was she again?
She around to see that she was alone in a very large, familiar bed.
'Oh,' She thought 'I came here with Callum and Ezran. But where are they? I hope they're alright.'
Bait licked her hand, bringing her out of thought, and she smiled down at the glow toad "Well, good morning Bait." She scratched his chin "How are you this fine morning?"
Bait cooed and crawled over to her side where Ezran once was, curling up and falling back to sleep. She laughed at the grumpy toad, remembering that Ezran told her that he was never fond of the morning. It was something they had in common.
Before she could even move to get out of bed, the doors kicked up with Ezran and Callum walking-well, more like bouncing-inside with Callum holding a tray of her favorite human fruit Callum had introduced her too; strawberries. There was also two slices of bread, a plate of scrambled eggs (another thing Callum introduced her too), and a glass of moonberry juice.
"Rayla!" Ezran beamed and ran the rest of the way towards her, jumping in her lap "Good morning!"
"Oof!" Rayla grunted, but smiled back at Ezran "Good morning Ezran. I see your in a good mood today."
Ezran hummed and nodded "Yep! That was the greatest sleep I ever had! Your song really help!"
"Why thank you." Rayla grinned.
Callum set the tray down on the nightstand and gave Rayla a slow, sweet kiss that she greatly returned "Morning, beautiful." Callum murmured against her lips when he pulled away.
Rayla giggled "Mornin' Cal. I see your a bit brighter today too."
"Thanks to you." He pecked her lips again.
"Eww! Can you guys not? I'm still here, you know!" Ezran pouted with a fake disgusted look "That should be illegal to do in front of a child."
Callum scoffed, ruffling his little brother's hair "Yeah, ok Mr. King of Responsibility." And turned back to Rayla "We brought you breakfast as a thanks for last night."
Her heart warmed as Callum placed the tray on her lap "Awwww! Ya both didn't have to, ya know that I'd do anything for ya."
"We know, and we wanted to let you know that we appreciate you!" Ezran said happily "Now eat!"
Rayla and Callum chuckled, and Rayla playfully saluted "Yes, your majesty." She laughed when Ezran pouted, giving her a glare.
She dug in as Callum and Ezran began to talk, occasionally giving Bait her sliced strawberries. The giddy feeling inside her stomach was warm and fuzzy. No one had ever brought her breakfast in bed before, not even Ethari and Runaan. It was so incredibly sweet and thoughtful and just like her boys. She thanks the moon's and stars again and again that she had them in her life.
"Hey, Rayla?" Rayla looked up and blinked at Ezran's shy expression "Can...can you singing that song every night? I promise I won't complain, even if I'm as old as my dad!"
Rayla laughed and brushed a piece of hair back behind her ear "Of course I will, Ez. You don't even need to ask."
Ezran beamed and gave her another hug "Thank you!" And turned to Callum "And can Callum be there too?"
Rayla nodded "Of course. He will even tuck you in."
"Sure thing." Callum grinned, batting his eyelashes innocently "Do I get a lullaby, too? My sweet moon beam."
Rayla and Ezran cringed, and Rayla shoved him playfully "Just for that, you're not getting any kisses until the afternoon."
Callum gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his heart "No more kisses until noon?! Oh, how tragic! What forever will my longing heart do?" Ezran laughed while Rayla rolled her eyes with a smile "Guess I'll just have to take my kisses as a sign of rebellion."
Rayla squealed when Callum placed multiple kisses on both her cheeks, forehead, nose, eyelids, and ears "You're the biggest dork in the world." Rayla laughed.
Callum pulled back with a bright, lovesick smile "I'm your dork, though." Rayla rolled her eyes.
"You guys are gross." Ezran gagged "I'm going to do my kingly duties now."
Rayla and Callum gave one another a look and nodded, before Rayla tightened her hold on Ezran so he couldn't escape "Not so fast. We'll see how gross it is when it's you." Rayla said with a devilish smile.
Ezran pale "No!" He shouted, trying to get away but it was to late. Rayla started kissing and blowing raspberries on his cheeks while Callum tickled his sides. Ezran bursted out laughing, trying and failing to kick them away. The trio failed to notice Soren and Opeli enter the room, to busy laughing and tormenting the young king.
"Let's give them a few minutes." Soren whispered.
Opeli nodded, smiling "God's know they need it."
Yeah. It was a really good morning.