The night had already advanced past midnight. The moon remained suspended, silvering the world with its soft light, and the steady sound of water falling over the stone became a background melody. The surrounding forest, normally menacing, now seemed to bow in silence, respecting what had happened there.
Exelia and Kael sat side by side on the same stone where minutes before they had given in to the heat of a repressed desire. Now, dressed again, they stared at the stream running between the stones, as if searching for some answer they couldn't quite put into words.
Kael broke the silence first.
"That was quite... intense," he said, his voice deep but without arrogance, simply stating the obvious.
Exelia didn't look away from the water. Her long, damp hair still clung to her shoulders, a silvery lock swaying in the wind.
"That's just how it is," she replied simply.
Kael arched an eyebrow, intrigued by her serenity.
