I let go of Seraphina, both of us gasping for breath.
The cold air bit at my skin, but it didn't matter—my face felt hot.
Seraphina, too, seemed to realize exactly what position we'd ended up in. Her legs were still wrapped around my back, her body pressed close. A heartbeat later, she swiftly pulled away, and I gently set her back down on the snow-covered ground.
She looked at me, eyes unreadable.
"Arthur," she said, her voice softer than usual. "Thank you. For convincing me to come here. For showing me this."
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair in an attempt to ground myself. "Well, it's not over yet," I said. "There's still more to see."
Seraphina simply nodded. No teasing remark, no sharp retort—just quiet understanding.
We decided to set up camp right there, beneath the glowing iceflies.
Sleep should have come easily.
It didn't.
