The morning was heavy.
Light had filled the house, but it brought no warmth; it was as if even the sun needed permission to rise in this world.
Zeythara was awake. She sat on the edge of the hard bed, pressing her fingers into her knees. This body was weak. Muscles reacted slowly, breath came in short gasps. But her mind… her mind was intact. Perhaps even too alert.
Kaelric was standing. Leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze on Zeythara measured but not prying; weighing, not judging.
"We're going outside today," Kaelric said.
Zeythara lifted her head.
"An order… or a suggestion?"
The corner of Kaelric's mouth twitched.
"A warning."
Zeythara rose to her feet.
"If all eyes are going to be on us," she said, "let them get used to it."
Kaelric moved toward the door, then paused.
"All eyes are going to be on us," he repeated.
Zeythara shrugged.
"Let them be."
When they stepped into the street, the village was silent. Not with peace, but with habit. People were watching, but no one spoke. Yesterday had not been forgotten—just left unspoken.
From the fields, the returning women appeared. Bent shoulders. Slow steps. The earth clung to their feet. No one lifted their head.
Zeythara looked at them, long and steady.
"This much silence… it can drive a person mad."
Kaelric glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
"In this world, silence is survival."
"Surviving is one thing," Zeythara said. "Living is another."
In the marketplace, a man shouted. He stood before a woman, hand raised. She did not kneel, but her body was tense—ready. It was only a matter of moments.
Kaelric stepped forward.
"That's enough."
The man turned, grinning.
"What did you say?"
The crowd slowly closed in. Men. Habitually observant.
Zeythara moved closer to Kaelric.
This time the man looked at her. Eyeing her from head to toe.
"Go back to your place, woman."
Zeythara did not lower her head.
"I will not."
The man's brow furrowed.
"Kneel."
"No."
The word fell into the air. Strange. Discomforting.
The man raised his hand.
Kaelric stepped forward just half a step.
"If you touch her," he said calmly, "things will get ugly."
The man looked at Kaelric, then at the crowd. A few faces remembered yesterday. Whispers. Yet no one stepped back.
The man spat.
"Because of a woman?"
Kaelric's voice hardened.
"Because of me."
A moment passed. Then another.
The man did not strike. But he did not retreat either. Reluctantly, he stepped aside. The woman hurried away.
The crowd dispersed. The matter was over—but not forgotten.
As they walked, Kaelric spoke.
"Don't make this a habit."
Zeythara glanced at him sideways.
"Jealous, are you?"
Kaelric let out a short, teasing laugh.
"You overestimate yourself."
"Clearly," Zeythara said. "You couldn't take your eyes off me."
Kaelric said nothing. But the corner of his mouth twitched—more noticeably this time.
When they returned, Kaelric closed the door with a firm click of the latch.
"You need to be careful with this body," he said.
Zeythara stepped closer. A single step remained between them.
"Trying to protect me?"
"Controlling," Kaelric corrected.
"Have you succeeded?"
Kaelric did not avert his gaze.
"Not yet."
Zeythara smiled—a defiant, challenging smile.
"If you want, try."
Kaelric paused. Then suddenly made a move.
Zeythara reacted instantly, blocking the angle—but the body lagged. Balance faltered. She stumbled backward, but did not fall.
Kaelric pulled back.
"Your technique is solid," he said.
"The body is not," she replied, catching her breath.
"This body will learn," she said.
"It will," Kaelric admitted. "But it will hurt."
Zeythara shrugged.
"I'm used to it."
Kaelric stepped closer. This time the distance was not threatening. More… curious.
"Are you really not afraid?" he asked.
Zeythara met his gaze.
"I am," she said. "But I do not kneel."
After a brief silence, Kaelric tilted his head.
"You will be trouble."
Zeythara smiled.
"So will you."
As night fell, Zeythara sat on the bed. There was a familiar warmth inside her chest. Not lightning. Not emptiness either.
Beneath the skin, deep down,
a small but stubborn spark glimmered.