Chapter 13 The Distance That Decides
1057 Words
The days did not return to normal.
They moved.
They passed.
But they didn’t soften.
Amara kept her distance.
Not dramatically.
Not in ways others would easily notice.
But enough.
She no longer waited where Lucian might find her.
No longer waited where Lucian might find her.
No longer lingered where their paths might cross.
And when she did see him—
She didn’t stop.
Lucian noticed.
Of course he did.
He said nothing at first.
But the space between them grew anyway.
🌿
The mark did not stay quiet.
At first, it was only a faint warmth.
Easy to ignore.
Then—
It began to pulse.
Not constantly.
But at moments that made no sense.
When she was alone.
When she was thinking.
When she tried not to think at all.
Amara sat by the window one evening, pressing her fingers lightly against her arm.
It burned.
Not like fire.
Something deeper.
Alive.
“You’re hiding it poorly.”
Amara didn’t turn.
Mireya stepped closer.
“I’m not hiding,” Amara said.
Mireya raised an eyebrow.
“No?” Because it looks like you’re pretending it doesn’t matter.”
Amara exhaled slowly.
“It doesn’t change anything.”
Mireya’s gaze sharpened.
“It changes everything.”
Silence.
Amara’s voice dropped.
“I’m leaving.”
Mireya stilled.
“Soon?”
Amara nodded.
“They already know.”
She didn’t need to say who.
Mireya sighed.
“I was wondering when that would happen.”
A pause.
“Will you tell him?”
Amara’s fingers tightened slightly over the mark.
“No.”
🌿
Lucian found her the next day.
Not by chance.
On purpose.
He stepped into her path before she could turn away.
“We need to talk.”
Amara didn’t stop.
“There’s nothing to talk about.”
Lucian’s jaw tightened.
“There is.”
She finally looked at him.
And for a second—
Something flickered.
Then it was gone.
“You had your chance,” she said.
The words came out steady—but her fingers curled slightly at her side, like she was holding something in place.
Not anger.
Something harder to control.
Lucian stepped closer.
“And you’ve decided that’s enough?”
Amara held his gaze.
“Yes.”
That word landed harder than anything else she could have said.
Lucian let out a quiet breath.
“You don’t believe me.”
“No.” Amara said simply.
Silence.
Lucian nodded once.
“Then there’s nothing I can say.”
Amara didn’t respond.
Because that was the truth.
And that was the problem.
The mark pulsed again—sharp this time.
Not random.
Not distant.
It reacted when he stepped closer.
Amara flinched.
Lucian noticed immediately.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
“Don’t—”
“I said it’s nothing.”
The edge in her voice stopped him.
For a moment—
Neither of them moved.
Then—
A sound.
Hooves.
Fast.
Familiar.
Amara turned—
And her breath caught.
A figure rode into the village like he belonged to it—
Like the ground had always known his steps.
Tall.
Confident.
Too easy in his movements.
He dismounted smoothly—
And the moment his eyes landed on her—
He smiled.
“Amara.”
She froze—then smiled before she could stop herself.
“You’re late,” she said softly.
Auren grinned.
“You used to say that every time I climbed the ridge slower than you.”
That did it.
The years between them collapsed into something easy. Familiar.
She crossed the distance before she could stop herself.
Relief hit first.
Then something softer.
Warmer.
“You came,” she said.
The man laughed lightly.
“Of course I did. You didn’t think they’d send anyone else, did you?”
Amara shook her head, a small smile breaking through.
“No… I was hoping it would be you.”
He placed a hand lightly on her shoulder.
Familiar.
Comfortable.
“I’m here to take you home.”
Lucian stood still.
Watching.
Something in his chest tightened—
sharp and immediate.
He knew him.
Auren.
One of the most well-known tikbalang warriors—
and just as well-known for everything else.
Charming.
Reckless.
Never staying anywhere too long.
Lucian’s gaze darkened slightly.
“You didn’t mention you were expecting someone,” he said.
Amara turned.
Her expression shifted again.
Closed.
“I wasn’t,” she replied.
Auren glanced between them.
Amused.
“And who is this?” he asked casually.
“Someone I met,” Amara said.
The words came too easily.
And that—
that was what made them sting.
Lucian’s jaw tightened.
“Just someone?” he asked quietly.
Amara didn’t answer.
Auren smiled faintly.
“Seems I arrived at a bad time.”
“You arrived at the right time,” Amara said.
And that—
That was the line.
Lucian held her gaze.
Searching.
Waiting.
But she didn’t give him anything.
Not a look.
Not a pause.
Nothing.
“Then you should go,” Lucian said.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
Amara nodded.
“I will.”
Auren stepped beside her.
“Come on,” he whispered to her ear lightly.
“Before your parents decide to send a whole army next.”
Amara hesitated—
Just for a second.
Then—
She turned.
And walked away.
Lucian didn’t follow.
Didn’t stop her.
Because from where he stood—
It was already clear.
She had made her choice.
And it wasn’t him.
🌿
The village grew quiet again.
But not the same quiet as before.
This one felt… final.
Lucian stood alone.
Sarian appeared beside him after a moment.
“You’re just going to let her go?” he asked.
Lucian didn’t look at him.
“She made her decision.”
Sarian tilted his head slightly.
“Did she?”
Lucian’s expression didn’t change.
“It doesn’t matter.”
But it did.
More than he wanted to admit.
🌿
Beyond the edge of the village—
The air shifted again.
Not like the Dalaketnon.
Something older.
Different.
Auren slowed.
Amara frowned slightly.
“You feel that?”
Auren nodded.
“I do.”
The path ahead—
Was no longer simple.
And somewhere far beyond—
A place waited.
Not the human world.
Not the Dalaketnon realm.
Something in between.
Watching.
Waiting.
- Writer
