Strax's breathing had subtly changed, becoming a little heavier, though he remained perfectly still. His eyes, fixed on hers, now seemed even more intense, almost shining in the candlelight, as if carrying an energy that settled in his gaze. His hand, still resting at the base of her back, moved slightly, not to press, but to confirm—a silent reaffirmation of what had just happened.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still—the water, the candles, their very breath. It was as if time had stopped for a moment, just to register the change between them, the process that had led them to this point. To that kiss which, however brief, made it clear that something had changed.
