Alex’s POV
The valley blushed beneath the hush of late afternoon.
Sunlight spilled like golden syrup across the tall grass, setting the fields ablaze in shades of amber and honeyed fire. A warm breeze rippled through the blades, weaving invisible paths that brushed against our legs as Sasha walked ahead of me, barefoot and wild. Her dress danced around her thighs, fluttering like flame, and her hair... gods, her hair streamed behind her in molten waves as she spun beneath the open sky.
Her laughter, bright, unburdened, rose like birdsong over the hills.
And for one perfect breath in time, I forgot the world was breaking.
“Slow down, firefly,” I called out, the grin in my voice undeniable.
She twirled mid-step, face tipped to the sun, eyes glowing like starlight caught in forest ambe
