That afternoon, Asher and I walked through the forest, alone for the first time in what felt like forever. We didn’t talk about battles, threats or relics. We didn’t even mention the Eclipse. We were just present, letting the sunlight filter through the trees, letting the forest breathe around us.
We stopped near the lake, where the water was clear and still. Asher took my hand, looking into my eyes. “We deserve this.” He whispered.
I nodded, smiling softly. “We do.”
We sat on a large rock at the edge of the water, watching the sunlight dance across the surface. No energy thrumming in the air, no tension, just quiet and warmth. For a while, we didn’t say a word, simply letting the bond between us pulse gently.
After a while, we leaned into each other, lips meeting in a quiet kiss that
