Lyra didn’t mean to find him.
But somehow—
She did.
Kael stood near the edge of the trees, like he belonged there, like the shadows followed him instead of hiding him.
“You keep coming back,” he said without turning.
Lyra exhaled softly. “So do you.”
He faced her then, his gaze locking onto hers instantly.
Silence followed.
But it wasn’t calm.
It never was with him.
“You’ve been avoiding me,” Kael said.
“I’ve been thinking.”
“And?” he asked, stepping closer.
“What did you decide?”
Lyra didn’t answer immediately.
Because she wasn’t sure.
Or maybe—
She was.
“I don’t understand this,” she admitted.
Kael stopped just in front of her. “You don’t have to.”
“That’s not how things work.”
“It is with me.”
Her breath caught slightly.
Because he believed that.
Completely.
“An
