I wake as sunlight brushes against my eyelids.
The warmth coaxes me awake, and when I open my eyes, I see him—Kaelith—still asleep beside me. His arm is outstretched, fingers lightly tangled in my hair. I stay still, just watching him.
He looks peaceful. His black hair is slightly messy, brushing against his eyebrows, and his breathing is steady, deep, strong.
When I shift slightly, his eyes flutter open. For a moment, he looks dazed, as if caught between two worlds.
"Good morning," I say softly, a small smile tugging at my lips.
He blinks rapidly, scanning the room as though trying to remember where he is, before his gaze settles on mine.
"Good morning… Nyra?" he says, almost uncertainly.
"I think it's morning, at least," I giggle, and he smiles faintly in return before sitting up.
"So, brunch then," I say cheerfully. "I wonder what Mary whipped up this time."
He stretches, his tone amused. "Seems someone's excited for food."
I grab my clothes for the day and head toward the bathroom. "Maybe I am," I reply over my shoulder. "Let day two commence."
Brunch
Mary's cooking, as always, is divine.
"I still have so much to learn from you," I say between bites. "Your spice work is phenomenal."
Mary chuckles. "Come now, Nyra. I've just got a few more years of experience, that's all."
Kaelith glances up. "You learned cooking from her?"
I nod. "Yep. Merchant work might be my dad's specialty, and my mom's an amazing baker, but when it comes to pure spice and technique? Mary has them both beat. I spent a whole year studying under her."
Mary grins proudly. "And Nyra here was my best student."
Kaelith smirks. "That doesn't surprise me. She tends to take things a little too seriously."
"Look who's talking, mister," I shoot back.
He shrugs, and Mary laughs, the sound full and bright.
"You two act like you're already married," she teases.
My entire face burns. I can't even look at either of them, which only makes her laugh harder.
After she recovers, she smiles warmly. "Are you two going on the path today?"
"Oh, that's right!" I say. "Yes, we are."
"Then dress warmly," she says. "And don't worry about being back before sundown. I'll have a big meal waiting for you both."
She leaves us to finish our food, and Kaelith gives me a questioning look.
"The path?"
I grin. "You'll love it. Just make sure to bring your bathing clothes."
He nods, and we head upstairs to pack our things. I tuck my bathing clothes into a small bag, and he does the same. Once ready, he offers his arm with that subtle, old-world charm of his.
I take it.
The Path
We leave the baths behind, following a narrow trail winding through the forest. The world feels untouched here—snow dusts the trees, and though their branches are bare, life still stirs beneath them.
Rabbits hop across the trail. Squirrels dart between trunks. The air is crisp and alive.
"It's so beautiful here," I murmur. "It makes me wish I could live in a place like this."
He smiles and pulls me gently closer, sharing his warmth. "Once I bring you to my home, I'll show you a place that rivals this."
"I'd love that," I say softly.
But his smile falters for just a moment—the kind of fleeting shadow you'd miss if you weren't looking closely. I notice it. I just don't ask.
I want this moment to stay perfect.
The Hidden Spring
After a few miles, we arrive.
The hidden spring stretches before us — a pool fed by a steaming waterfall, framed by high stone walls and surrounded by the quiet forest. Candles float on the water's surface, flickering against the mist. A bottle of wine and a basket of snacks sit on the rocks.
Mary. Of course she knew.
I make a mental note to thank her later.
"This," I say, setting my bag down, "is the best part of the resort. Nature makes everything ten times better."
Kaelith stares in quiet awe. "This is… beautiful."
I smile, slipping into my bathing clothes while he changes behind a screen of trees. When I step into the water, the warmth embraces me instantly. A few minutes later, he joins me—wearing his long sleeved bathing outfit.
I raise an eyebrow. "Do you not like other clothing styles?"
He freezes, just for a heartbeat. "…No. I just have to wear these."
There's something in his tone — a shadow I don't quite understand — but I don't push.
"I could play the role of your dresser," I say playfully, lounging on my stomach, one leg dangling in the water. "You might actually enjoy some new clothes."
He shifts awkwardly, eyes flicking away. "You don't seem that interested in clothes yourself."
I blink, unsure if he's teasing my outfit or my priorities. "With my father being a prominent figure, I know a thing or two about fashion. I just choose not to waste money on useless things."
"Even though you could?" he asks.
"Yes," I reply. "The best thing someone with power can do is use it to help others."
He studies me for a long moment, then asks quietly, "When was the last time you did something for yourself, Nyra? Something you wanted — not for anyone else."
The silence that follows is answer enough.
He sighs softly. "It's okay to want things too, Nyra. You can't keep giving until there's nothing left."
A spark of frustration rises in me. "What about you, then? Have you ever done anything just for yourself?"
His gaze hardens. The air changes.
"When I didn't complete a job," he says finally, "it cost me everything. That was the last time."
My anger fades instantly. I shouldn't have pushed him.
"You're still here," I whisper, moving closer until the water ripples between us. "Whatever it cost you… I'm glad you're here."
His eyes soften, but behind them, there's something broken—something that almost surfaces, but doesn't.
I wrap my arms around him. "Just like you won't leave me… I'll never leave you."
He hesitates for a moment—then his arms come around me, slow but sure.
And in that moment, surrounded by the forest, the waterfall, and the warmth of the spring, we stay there—saying nothing, letting the world hold its breath around us.