The palace corridors watched in silence as Elara and Dareth returned to the royal suite. Their clothes were rumpled, the sweat of their sparring still glistened on their skin, but neither of them cared about appearances. Every step, every breath pulled them closer, like two magnetic poles that had spent too long orbiting one another without ever truly touching.
When the door clicked shut behind them, Dareth paused, leaning his back against it, watching Elara as she stepped slowly, deliberately into the room. Her movements were no longer human. Not cautious. Not hesitant. She knew who she was now. And what she wanted.
A dark flame lit in Dareth's eyes.
Elara turned-and met that gaze.
"Took us long enough, didn't it?" she asked softly.
Dareth pushed away from the door, closing the space
