🌕 Chapter 12: Close Enough to Burn
544 Words
The sun was low in the sky when they reached the cliff overlooking the silverwood canyons. Below, fog rolled like waves between sharp stone spires. The wind howled across the edge, lifting Kaira’s curls around her face.
“We’ll rest here for the night,” Riven said, dropping his pack. “Safer above than inside the wilds.”
“Safer how?” Kaira asked. “One misstep and we fall into fog and death.”
He cracked a small smile. “I meant from Hollow Beasts. Not gravity.”
They sat beside a small fire — one Kaira lit herself, with just her fingers and a thought. It surprised her how easily the flame responded now. Not wild. Not unstable. Just… warm.
Riven watched her hands for a moment longer than necessary.
“You’re getting stronger,” he said quietly.
“I had a good reason to,” she replied, eyes flicking toward him.
Silence stretched between them. Not awkward. Not empty.
Just charged.
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đź’« A Moment Too Honest
“Do you ever wish things were simpler?” she asked.
Riven leaned back on his elbows. “I hope a lot of things. But I’ve never been good at simple.”
“Like what?”
“Like talking.”
“You’re doing fine.”
“No. I mean... feeling. And explaining why I do.”
He paused, then added, “Especially around you.”
Her breath caught. “Why me?”
He glanced at her then — eyes seriously.
“Because when I’m around you, the beast doesn’t snarl. The fire doesn’t scare me. And for the first time in my life… I want to be seen.”
Kaira stared at him.
Then: “Say that again.”
“Absolutely not.”
She laughed. The sound surprised both of them.
“That’s the first time you’ve made me laugh,” she said.
“It’s a dangerous habit. You might like me.”
“Don’t tempt me,” she murmured.
Their eyes locked.
Riven leaned forward, just a little. Close enough to feel her warmth. Her heartbeat echoed through the space between them.
“I’m not going to kiss you,” he said lowly, voice ragged. “Not unless you’re sure.”
“I’m already burning,” she whispered. “What’s a little more fire?”
And she kissed him.
Not a fairytale kiss. Not a perfect one.
But real.
Tender and trembling and brave.
The flame at her fingertips rose like breath — wrapping them both in golden light.
When they pulled apart, Riven rested his forehead against hers.
“Still afraid?” he asked.
“Terrified,” she whispered. “But I don’t want to run anymore.”
“Then don’t. Stay with me. Until this ends. Until it all burns down.”
She nodded.
And the fire crackled quietly — not in a rage or warning.
But in promise.
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🌕 That Night
She fell asleep with her head on his shoulder. Riven didn’t move — not even when the night grew cold, not even when the hollow fog rose below them.
Above, the twin moons glowed brighter than usual — like they were watching.
And for the first time since she awakened her power…
Kaira dreamed of nothing at all.
- Writer
