*Charles POV*
When Marisol jumped out of the canoe, my heart skipped a beat with her every step. I rushed to her in seconds, pulled by something stronger than the river’s pull. Wrapping my arms around her, I filled the hug with all the warmth and reassurance I could offer. Around us, the whispering waters and the soft twilight seemed to vanish into the background.
“Mon Soleil, I feared I’d lost you,” I whispered into Marisol’s hair, holding her tightly as though fearing this moment was just a fleeting dream.
“Ditto,” she said, her voice choked with tears. “How did you—?”
I gently pulled back, my hands cradling her face as I searched her eyes for understanding. “Crimson showed me your abduction. Solstace and I both had unfinished business with Mambo Celeste. They joined me to save you.”
