The days blurred together, each one more painful than the last. Yshari's body ached from the hours of work, from the constant strain of labor, and the overseers' cruel treatment. But it was the mental exhaustion that drained her the most—the constant reminders that she was nothing but property, nothing but a slave.
But Kael—he had been there since the beginning. He had helped her adjust, taught her how to survive. How to hide her pride.
Her eyes wandered over to him now, watching him move among the other slaves, his posture tense but graceful. It had taken time, but she had learned to trust him—not only because of what he had done for her but because of the way he made her feel like there was something more, something beyond this life.
The first time she had kissed him, she had felt guilty right afterward, but it had lingered on her lips. The way his scarred face had softened when she pulled away—it had been a promise, unspoken but felt.
Today was no different. Kael came to her as usual, carrying a bundle of wood. She had to pretend she was fine, that nothing had changed. But she couldn't. Not with him so close.
He handed her the bundle without a word and gestured for her to follow him to a quieter corner of the stables, away from the prying eyes of the overseers.
Yshari felt her heart beat faster, not from fear, but from the tension that had built between them. It was the same feeling she had felt in the moment they kissed—the one she tried to ignore.
"I made you something," Kael said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper.
Yshari took the bundle and unwrapped it. Inside was a carefully crafted bow. Not perfect, but functional—made of wood and sinew, simple but strong.
She looked up at Kael, eyes wide. "You made this for me?"
He nodded. "I figured you could use a better one." His voice was steady, but there was an unspoken something beneath it—something that made Yshari's chest tighten. "You've been practicing with the other one, but it's not good enough for you."
Yshari's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't known what to expect from Kael, but this... this was something she hadn't anticipated. He had put his time and effort into something for her—no one else, just her. It made her want to believe again. Believe that maybe, just maybe, there was hope.
"I'll make it work," she said, her voice soft but filled with determination.
Kael's eyes softened, and before she knew it, he was right there, standing close. Without thinking, she reached up to touch the scar on his cheek, her fingers grazing the rough skin. She couldn't help it—it was a part of him now, a permanent reminder of what he had done for her.
His hand came to rest over hers, stilling her movements.
"You don't have to do this alone," Kael whispered, his voice low. "I'm here. And I always will be."
Yshari felt the warmth of his words spread through her chest, and before she could stop herself, she leaned in. Her lips met his in a slow, tender kiss—one filled with promises they couldn't yet speak aloud. The kiss deepened as she felt her heart race. The kiss that had been a long time coming.
When they finally broke apart, she felt a surge of guilt, but it was quickly replaced with a quiet sense of peace. They stood there for a moment, their foreheads resting together, as though sharing the same silent vow.
"I'll change my fate," Yshari whispered, her voice fierce, full of conviction. "I swear it."
Kael's hand found hers, squeezing it gently. "We will," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "You're not alone anymore."