Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]
Chapter 180 180: No Flames

Seraphina's POV

The room was surprisingly darker than I expected when I opened my eyes, and I blinked a few times, trying to shake off the haze of sleep.

Looking around, I realized immediately that Electra and I had been in bed all day, and we had been so busy messing around that I didn't even remember when and how we ended up falling asleep.

Turning my head slightly, I saw her lying beside me, her chest rising and falling calmly. She looked so peaceful, and for a moment, I forgot about the world outside this room.

Snapping out of it momentarily, I reached for my phone on the bedside table, the screen lighting up as I checked the time. It was 7:30 p.m., just thirty minutes before dinner, and my stomach growled in protest.

I hadn't eaten since breakfast, and the thought of missing dinner made me sigh heavily.

I turned back to Electra, debating whether to wake her up. She needed to eat too, and there was no way I was going to leave her here and go alone. My hand hovered over her shoulder, ready to nudge her awake, but then I hesitated.

For a moment, I just stared at her.

Her face was relaxed, her lashes fanning out over her cheeks, and the corners of her lips were slightly turned up, as if she were dreaming about something pleasant.

The vulnerability in her expression would always be a contrast to the confident and sometimes aloof girl I was used to seeing, and the only thing I could think of was how beautiful she was.

I sighed quietly, lowering my hand.

What were we now?

I replayed the past few days in my mind, as well as the moments we had shared in this strange reality. The lines between what we were now and what we might become had blurred, leaving me with more questions than answers.

Was Electra finally my girlfriend? Or was this just a temporary connection, something that would evaporate the moment we returned to our real lives?

A feeling of doubt crept in.

Back in our real lives, Electra was the queen bee, the untouchable, and I had been... well, invisible, and the thought of her returning to her old life, to the person she used to be, made me feel more nervous than I'd like to admit.

What if this was all we would ever have? What if the version of Electra I was lying beside now—the one who had shown me glimpses of vulnerability and kindness—disappeared once we were back in our world?

I shook my head, trying to push the thought away.

This wasn't the time to dwell on uncertainties. Right now, she was here, beside me, and I didn't want to waste another moment worrying about what might never come.

Summoning my courage, I finally reached out and lightly tapped her shoulder.

"Electra," I whispered, my voice soft.

She stirred slightly, her brows furrowing as she let out a small, sleepy groan.

"It's time to wake up," I added, tapping her again. "Dinner's in thirty minutes, and I'm starving."

Her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked at me, her gaze unfocused at first before it settled on my face. A lazy smile spread across her lips.

"Didn't realize you cared so much about dinner," she teased, her voice husky from sleep.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the smile tugging at my own lips.

"Well, I didn't have lunch, and I'm not about to miss dinner too," I replied, standing up and stretching.

She sat up slowly, running a hand through her hair as she yawned.

"What time is it?" she mumbled.

"7:30," I replied, sitting up and stretching. "As it turns out, we've been in bed all day."

She groaned, running a hand through her messy hair. "I don't even remember falling asleep."

"Well, you were pretty tired after... everything," I said, not wanting to directly mention how we spent all day having sex.

"Everything, huh?" she teased, raising an eyebrow at me.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at my lips. "Come on, we need to get ready."

I started making my way towards the bathroom, but paused in front of the door with my hand resting on the handle when Electra's voice stopped me in my tracks.

Her tone was suddenly cautious, and it made me curious. Turning around, I saw that she was now seated on the edge of the bed, her brows furrowed in thought.

"Sera, have you felt any pain recently?" she asked, tilting her head slightly. "Like, any weird bursts of heat or burning sensations in your chest?"

I blinked, taken aback by the sudden question. "What?" I echoed again, this time with more confusion. "Why would I be feeling pain? Is something supposed to hurt?"

Electra stared at me for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she shook her head, sitting up straighter. "No, it's just… odd. I mean, since that first time you had your combustion—when you almost burned out—I figured you'd go through it again by now. Phoenixes usually experience flare-ups every few weeks or even days, depending on how badly you're suppressing yourself."

I blinked, the memory of that awful, searing pain flashing in my mind. It had been unbearable, like every fiber of my being was being torn apart and rebuilt all at once, but since then? Nothing.

Not a single twinge, and no sign of any Phoenix powers inside me. Honestly, I'd even forgotten about it until now.

"No," I said slowly, shaking my head. "I haven't felt anything since that day. Not even a twinge."

Electra's brows knitted together as she processed my words. "Not even a little burn or sudden surge of heat? Nothing?"

"Nope," I replied, popping the 'p' for emphasis. "I honestly forgot about the whole Phoenix thing for a while."

I gave a small shrug, leaning back against the door. "It hasn't exactly been on my mind, so I guess I should consider myself lucky?" I added, though a part of me now wondered if this was some delayed punishment waiting to ambush me.

Electra leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees, and her fingers played absently with the edge of a pillow.

"It's strange," she murmured, almost to herself. "The fact that you haven't had even a flicker of it… It doesn't make sense. That's not how it works."

"Maybe it's because I'm not actually a Phoenix," I offered, half-joking. "I'm just… borrowing your life for now, remember? Maybe the universe knows this isn't permanent and decided to cut me some slack."

Electra's lips quirked into a small smile, but her eyes remained thoughtful. "That's a nice theory, but power doesn't care about who owns it temporarily or permanently. It's in your veins now, Sera, except of course, we end up waking up in our real lives tomorrow."

"Well," I said, pushing off the door and standing a little straighter, "maybe I'm just special, or maybe the Phoenix gods know I'm already dealing with enough in this world and decided to be nice."

Electra let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "If only it worked like that." Her tone softened as she added, "But seriously, let me know if you start to feel anything—anything at all. Even if it's just a little warmth or dizziness."

I gave her a small nod, touched by the concern in her voice. "I will," I promised. "But so far, I feel fine. No flames, no heat, no weirdness. Just… me."

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