Transmigrated Into a Cannon Fodder Phoenix, Stuck With the Ice Dragon-Chapter 113: His Mother’s feather

Auren turned and put the feather on the table carefully, "Bring her here," he said.

Vaylen looked up sharply. "What?"

"Celeste," Auren repeated, his voice steady but carrying something final beneath it. "Bring her body to the manor. Right now."

Lucian turned toward him, brows drawing together. "Auren... you’re sure?"

Auren nodded once, firm.

"If I’m going to pull her soul back, then her body needs to be here. The feather can guide her spirit, but it still needs somewhere to return to," he explained. "Without that... even if I reach her, she’ll have nowhere to go."

Vaylen’s hands clenched at his sides, hesitation flashing across his face like a shadow. "But her condition—"

"I know," Auren cut in gently, though urgency threaded through every word. "Wrap her in warming spells. Have your best healers go with her. Do not let her flame weaken any further while she’s in transit."

Silence settled.

Then Vaylen bowed deeply, not just as a lord... but as a father.

"I will bring her myself," he said hoarsely.

The moment he left the room, soft footsteps sounded at the doorway.

Seraphina peeked her head inside, her fingers lightly gripping the doorframe.

"Do you need my help?" she asked quietly.

Lucian turned toward her at once, the tension in his posture easing just a little when he saw her standing there.

"You should go back and rest," he said gently, walking toward her. "Your body still needs time. You’ve done more than enough today."

She shook her head before he could finish.

"I’ve rested enough," she murmured, stepping inside. "And you know... my flame might help stabilize her body. Even a little would be enough."

Lucian opened his mouth to object, then closed it again.

He studied her face carefully, as if trying to look past her determination and glimpse the fragility she refused to show. Her eyes were tired, yes... but there was fire in them too. The same quiet, stubborn warmth that had pulled her back from the edge of death itself.

Auren glanced between them before speaking softly, "He’s right to worry. But you’re right too."

Lucian still shook his head, his voice low and strained. "You know what happened after you used your flame last time. I can’t... I won’t pretend that didn’t almost take you from me." He stepped closer, his hands tightening at his sides. "Please. Listen to me this time."

"But—" Seraphina started, then stopped herself and drew a slow breath. She lifted two fingers with a faint, crooked smile, blinking hard as if it were an oath. "Last time, I pushed past my limit without thinking. I know that."

Her gaze lifted to meet him again, softer now.

"I promise... the moment I feel even a little wrong, I’ll stop. I won’t force it again. Not like before."

Lucian searched her face like he was trying to find a crack in her words. Any hint of doubt. Any sign she was lying to him.

Instead, all he found was quiet resolve.

Auren exhaled and rubbed the back of his neck. "If she’s going to do this," he said carefully, "then we make it controlled. No heroics. No overreaching. We stop the instant her flame reacts strangely."

Lucian closed his eyes for a brief moment.

"Fine," he said at last, as if the word tasted bitter. "But only because I’ll be standing right here."

Seraphina stepped closer and gently locked her arm with his.

"I wouldn’t want you anywhere else."

Lucian lifted a hand and tapped her nose lightly, the smallest hint of a smile curving his lips despite the storm in his eyes.

"Promise me you won’t overdo it again," he murmured. "No rushing. No forcing your flame just because you think you should be able to handle it."

She caught his hand before it could fall away, holding onto his fingers as if anchoring herself there.

"I promise," she said quietly, then added with a faint grin, "I’ve died enough for one lifetime, don’t you think?"

The attempt at humor made his chest tighten instead of easing.

He leaned forward, resting his forehead briefly against hers, "Don’t joke about that."

Her smile softened, and she nodded, "I won’t. I mean it."

Nearby, Auren cleared his throat gently, not trying to intrude but unable to pretend the air wasn’t thick with feeling.

"As heartwarming as this is," Auren added with a faint, careful smile, "we should probably prepare before Vaylen returns with a very confused... and very unconscious daughter."

Seraphina slowly loosened her hold on Lucian’s hand and turned toward Auren, her posture straightening despite the fatigue still clinging to her.

"Then let’s not waste any more time," she said, her voice soft but certain.

"Wait—" Lucian stepped forward instinctively, worry tightening every line of his face. Even though he wanted to agree, his heart was still heavy with fear.

"Listen to me," he continued more quietly. "I need to make sure Elyndra can’t force her way into you again. Not when you’re vulnerable. Not when you’re using your flame."

His hands hovered near her arms, as if torn between holding her back and letting her go.

"I won’t survive watching you disappear like that again," he admitted, his voice low and raw. "Not if there’s even a chance she could reach you."

Seraphina didn’t pull away this time.

Instead, she reached out and placed her hand over his chest, right where his heartbeat thudded wildly beneath his ribs.

"Then protect me," she said gently.

Lucian’s expression tightened. His gaze dropped for a brief second, then lifted sharply toward the edge of the room.

"Sebastian."

Sebastian, who had remained silent like a shadow the entire time, moved at once to his side.

"Yes, my lord."

Lucian didn’t take his eyes off Seraphina as he spoke.

"Seal the perimeter. Every corridor, every window, every passage out of this wing. I want nothing to enter without my permission."

Sebastian straightened instinctively. "And Lady Seraphina?"

Lucian’s hand closed gently around Seraphina’s wrist, drawing her just a little closer.

"She stays within my sight at all times," he said, voice cold with command and warning all at once. "If anything feels off... even for a second—"

"I intervene immediately," Sebastian finished.

Lucian gave a single nod.

Only then did he look back at her, the steel in his eyes softening just enough to hurt.

"I’ll protect you," he said quietly.