The sun rose very high, its golden rays pouring across the training fields where Isla and Kael moved in unison. Their bodies were fluid like water, their movements sleek and the same as they practiced hand-to-hand combat drills. Isla's laughter echoed across the field, melodic and light, warming the air surrounding them. The scrunching sun makes them sweat.
Zane hid behind a tree, his body rigid as he watched them. His chest tightened painfully with every shared smile, every lingering glance. He had never seen Isla laugh so freely before. Her face radiated joy, her eyes sparkling with delight as she taunted Kael with dodging movements.
His fists clenched, whitening at the knuckles. It grated to see her so comfortable with Kael. The way Kael's eyes softened when he looked at her, the rela
