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~Thorne's POV
The silence between us stretched for a long time. The air in the room was warm, filled with the sound of our uneven breathing. Elara's eyes were still wet, her cheeks flushed from tears. I found myself moving closer to her.
She didn't move away. She just stood there, looking up at me, her eyes searching mine like she was trying to see into my soul.
"Elara," I whispered.
"Yes?" she said softly.
I reached out, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. My fingers lingered against her skin, warm and soft. She shivered slightly.
And before I could stop myself, I leaned in and kissed her.
It wasn't a hesitant kiss. It was deep, full of every emotion. Her lips parted under mine, and for a few seconds, everything else disappeared. No wars, no Lisa, no past. Just her.
When I finally pulled away, she was breathless, her eyes wide and glistening. "Thorne…" she whispered, still catching her breath.
I smiled faintly. "I just had to."
