The wind howled through the trees, carrying whispers only Aria could hear. She didn't know if they were remnants of her past, a warning of what was to come, or a cruel trick of her mind. But one thing was certain—she couldn't ignore it anymore.
Kael walked beside her, silent but watchful. She had felt his tension since they left his grandmother's cabin, and though he had yet to say a word, his energy was unmistakable.
"You're too quiet," she murmured, breaking the silence.
Kael glanced at her, his silver eyes dark with unreadable emotions. "And you're keeping secrets."
Aria stiffened. He wasn't wrong, but she wasn't ready to admit it. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Kael exhaled sharply. "Don't lie to me, Aria." He reached for her hand, his grip firm but not forceful. "I know you recognized something in that prophecy. You were shaking."
Aria tried to pull away, but he held on. Not in a way that caged her, but in a way that made her feel... safe. Wanted.
"I just—" She hesitated. The truth burned her throat, but something stronger held her back. A dark presence, unseen yet suffocating, made her blood run cold.
Kael's gaze sharpened. "Something's wrong."
A flicker of movement from the shadows sent a shiver down Aria's spine. She spun, searching for whatever lurked in the darkness. Kael pulled her closer, his arm sliding around her waist.
The moment his body pressed against hers, warmth flooded her, pushing back the icy fear that gripped her heart. The pull between them was undeniable.
"Kael..." she whispered, staring up at him.
His fingers trailed down her arm, his touch feather-light but electrifying. "Whatever happens, I won't let anything take you from me."
Her heart pounded as his face hovered inches from hers. Time slowed. The danger around them momentarily forgotten. His lips brushed hers, soft yet demanding, pulling her into a moment of weakness she wasn't sure she wanted to fight.
But before the kiss deepened, a sudden growl ripped through the air.
Kael snapped back into warrior mode, pushing Aria behind him as glowing yellow eyes appeared in the darkness.
The shadows moved, circling them. The danger was real. And it had finally found them.