The silence in the cave was heavy, broken only by the sound of their synchronized, ragged breathing.
Ren stared up into those eyes.
They were no longer the flat, crimson windows of a monster. They were liquid gold. They were warm, cognizant, and filled with a terrifying amount of confusion and overwhelming love.
"Ren?"
Kael breathed her name like a prayer. His large, calloused hands, which had been pinning her down only moments ago, softened. He cupped her face, his thumbs brushing away the sweat and tears clinging to her lashes. He looked at her as if he were trying to confirm she wasn't a hallucination induced by the poison.
"You..." Kael's voice cracked, deep and rumbly in his chest. "You are here? How...?"
"I'm here, Kael," Ren whispered, reaching up to cover his hands with hers.
Kael blinked, his brow furrowing as he tried to piece together the fractured shards of his mind.
