The following evening, Lyria was quieter, the chaos of the Twilight Market replaced by the soft hum of lanterns floating through the misty streets. Althea moved with care, her senses alive to every flicker of emotion around her. Something about the city seemed to pulse in response to her own heartbeat, a rhythm she had always felt but never understood fully—until tonight.Kael waited at the edge of the Old Quarter, leaning against a stone archway. The moonlight, pale and silver, reflected in his golden eyes, giving him an almost otherworldly aura. He looked calm, composed, but Althea sensed the tension coiled beneath his skin like a spring. The pull between them was undeniable, stronger than any thread of emotion she had ever felt."You found me," he said, his voice low, yet carrying a weight that seemed to vibrate in the very air."I… felt you," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don't understand it, but I know when you're near."Kael studied her for a long moment, the corner of his mouth tugging into a faint smile. "Then you understand more than you realize. Lyria has a way of revealing truths in small increments, but sometimes… it pushes people together before they're ready."
The city around them seemed to fade, leaving only the two of them beneath the silver glow of floating lanterns. Kael stepped closer, and the warmth of his presence pressed against her, overwhelming her senses. She felt the invisible thread pulling them together, a bond neither could ignore.Why are you here?Althea asked, though she already knew the answer.
Kael's gaze softened, vulnerability flickering for the first time in her presence. "Because I cannot stay away."Their hands brushed, and electricity shot through her, sharp and consuming. It was a connection that went beyond mere attraction; it felt like recognition, as though their souls had known each other across lifetimes. And in that instant, Althea understood that her life had changed irreversibly.They walked through the winding streets together, their conversation a careful dance of revelation and restraint. Kael hinted at a past filled with danger, loss, and secrets he could not yet share. Althea, in turn, revealed small parts of herself—her gift, her solitude, and the fear that had kept her isolated. Each confession, each glance, drew them closer, cementing a bond that neither time nor distance could break.By the time they reached the edge of the Silver River, the city stretched silent and vast around them. Kael turned to face her, his golden eyes intense. "Althea… there are dangers you cannot imagine. And yet, I find myself wishing you would face them with me."
"I will," she whispered. "Even if it destroys us."
He drew her close, their foreheads touching, the river below reflecting the silver glow of the night. "Then we are bound," he murmured. "By choice, by chance… by everything."