TOO CLOSE
2594 Words
Aria had been avoiding Kael.
She knew it was obvious.
That was the worst part.
Every time she heard his voice somewhere in the village, she suddenly remembered something very important she had to do in the opposite direction.
If she saw him walking toward her, she changed paths.
If he entered a room, she found an excuse to leave.
It had been three days.
Three completely ridiculous days.
And she still hadn't decided how she was supposed to explain herself.
Not that anything had happened.
That was the problem.
Nothing had happened.
Yet every time she remembered the way he'd stood beside her after Damon confronted her, something uncomfortable tightened inside her chest.
And she hated it.
She didn't understand why Kael had started affecting her this way.
Perhaps Damon was right.
No.
She immediately pushed that thought away.
Damon didn't get to be right about anything.
Not after what he'd done.
Aria rounded the corner toward the market.
Then stopped.
Kael stood directly in front of her.
Aria's eyes widened.
Kael stared back.
For several seconds, neither moved.
"Hello," he said.
Aria turned around.
She took one step.
"Aria."
She stopped.
Slowly, she turned back.
"Yes?"
Kael's eyebrows drew together.
"Have I offended you?"
"What?"
"You have avoided me for three days."
Aria blinked.
"I haven't."
Kael stared at her.
"You walked into a storage shed yesterday when you saw me."
Aria looked away.
"That was unrelated."
"You remained inside for twenty minutes."
"I was busy."
"Doing what?"
Aria crossed her arms.
"Why are you interrogating me?"
Kael's expression didn't change.
"I am asking a question."
"Well, stop."
That clearly didn't answer anything.
Kael studied her.
Aria tried to remain calm beneath his gaze.
She failed.
"What?"
"You are acting strangely."
"Maybe I'm always strange."
"No."
Aria frowned.
"What do you mean, no?"
"You were not like this before."
She hated how observant he was.
Before she could respond, a voice called from behind them.
"Aria!"
Lena.
Aria nearly sighed with relief.
Then Lena appeared beside her.
Her eyes immediately moved toward Kael.
The relief disappeared.
"I've been looking for you," Lena said.
Aria raised an eyebrow.
"Apparently, everyone has."
Lena ignored the comment.
She touched Aria's arm.
"Come with me. I need to show you something."
Aria glanced at Kael.
Then back at Lena.
"What?"
Lena smiled.
"You'll see."
Kael's expression shifted slightly.
Lena noticed.
"Oh, don't worry. I'm not stealing her."
Aria almost laughed.
Kael simply nodded.
Lena pulled Aria away.
As they walked, Aria glanced over her shoulder.
Kael was still watching them.
Their eyes met.
Aria quickly turned away.
Lena noticed that too.
Her smile became slightly sharper.
---
"Okay," Aria said as soon as they were far enough away. "What was so important?"
Lena released her arm.
Then shrugged.
"Nothing."
Aria stopped.
"What?"
Lena turned toward her.
"I just wanted to talk."
"You dragged me away from Kael to talk?"
Lena smiled.
"Maybe."
Aria stared.
"Why?"
Lena began walking again.
Aria followed.
"I just think you're spending a lot of time with him."
Aria's expression hardened.
"Is that a problem?"
"No."
Lena's answer came too quickly.
"I'm just worried about you."
Aria sighed.
"Not you too."
"What does that mean?"
"Damon gave me almost the exact same speech yesterday."
Lena's eyes flickered.
"Did he?"
"Yes."
"And what did you say?"
"Nothing."
Lena smiled.
"Nothing?"
Aria looked at her.
"I told him Kael was none of his business."
Something flashed across Lena's face.
Disappointment?
It disappeared quickly.
Lena's smile returned.
"I think you're moving too quickly."
"With Kael?"
"He's a stranger, Aria."
"So?"
"So you barely know him."
Aria stopped.
Lena stopped too.
"What's this really about?"
Her friend's smile faded slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"You've been acting strange around Kael."
Lena's eyes widened.
"Me?"
"Yes, you."
Lena laughed lightly.
"Aria, I was just being friendly."
"Are you sure?"
The words came out before Aria could stop them.
For a moment, Lena simply stared at her.
Then her expression softened.
"Are you jealous?"
Aria blinked.
"What?"
Lena smiled.
"You are."
"I'm not."
"Then why are you questioning me?"
Aria's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Because she didn't know.
Lena laughed.
"Relax. I would never do anything to hurt you."
The words should have been comforting.
Instead...
They made Aria uneasy.
Lena linked her arm through Aria's.
"Besides, Kael clearly prefers your company."
Aria felt her face warm.
"That's not true."
Lena smiled.
"Really?"
Aria pulled her arm away.
"Can we talk about something else?"
"Sure."
But Lena's smile remained.
And Aria couldn't stop wondering why.
---
Later that afternoon, Aria found herself near the training grounds.
She had not come looking for Kael.
She told herself that repeatedly.
She had simply been walking.
Near the exact place where Kael trained.
At the exact time he usually trained.
That was completely different.
She stood behind a wooden fence and watched him.
Kael moved with the same quiet control she had seen before.
But today, something was different.
Aria immediately stepped forward.
Kael's body tensed.
For one brief moment, silver light moved beneath his skin.
Then it vanished.
Kael stumbled.
Aria was beside him before she could stop herself.
"Kael!"
He straightened quickly.
"I'm fine."
"That's becoming your favorite lie."
"I am not lying."
Aria folded her arms.
"You nearly fell."
"I did not fall."
"Because I caught you."
Kael looked at her.
Aria suddenly realized her hands were still gripping his arm.
She let go.
Too quickly.
Kael noticed.
Aria looked away.
"What were you doing?"
"Training."
"That wasn't training."
Kael was silent.
Aria stared at him.
"Was it?"
"No."
"Then what was it?"
He looked toward the forest.
"I was attempting to remember something."
"Remember what?"
"How to become stronger."
Aria's expression softened.
She didn't understand everything Kael had lost.
But she understood that it mattered.
"You'll get there."
Kael looked at her.
"You sound certain."
"I am."
"Why?"
Aria shrugged.
"Because you're annoying enough to keep trying."
Kael smiled. He shook his head, then began walking away.
Aria followed closely beside him.
"Where are you going?"
"Somewhere quiet."
Aria stopped.
"Oh."
Kael looked back at her.
For a moment, he seemed to consider something.
Then he spoke.
"Do you wish to come?"
Aria blinked.
"With you?"
"Yes."
Her heartbeat stumbled.
Why did he have to ask things so casually?
"I—"
Kael waited.
Aria tried to find a reason to say no.
She couldn't.
"Fine."
They left the training grounds together.
Aria didn't notice Damon standing near the far end of the field.
Watching.
His expression darkened as Kael and Aria disappeared into the trees.
But he didn't follow them.
Instead, his eyes narrowed.
And for the first time since rejecting Aria...
Damon began to wonder why watching her walk away with another man bothered him so much.
Absolutely. Since **Part One already builds the tension**, Part Two will let Aria and Kael spend time alone, open up a little, and then deliver their first accidental kiss without making it feel rushed.
The forest grew quieter the farther they walked.
Aria followed Kael along a narrow path she didn't recognize, stepping carefully over roots and fallen branches.
After a while, she folded her arms.
"Are you going to tell me where we're going?"
Kael glanced back at her.
"You agreed to come."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"I know."
Aria narrowed her eyes.
"You're learning how to annoy me on purpose."
"I thought I was already successful."
She stared at him.
Kael kept walking.
Aria hurried after him.
"Did you just make a joke?"
"I have made several."
"No, you've said things that accidentally became funny. That's different."
Kael looked almost offended.
"How do you know the difference?"
"Because I've spent enough time with you."
The words slipped out naturally.
But Kael slowed.
Aria realized what she'd said and immediately looked away.
Fortunately, he didn't mention it.
Or perhaps unfortunately.
She wasn't sure.
They eventually reached a small clearing surrounded by tall trees.
Aria stopped.
It was beautiful.
A narrow stream cut through the center, its water catching the afternoon sunlight. Wildflowers grew along the banks, and the air smelled clean after the morning rain.
Aria turned slowly.
"I've lived here almost my entire life."
Kael stood beside her.
"And you've never seen this place?"
"No."
"Then you have not been paying attention."
Aria looked at him.
"Excuse me?"
Kael walked toward the stream.
"I spent my first day here observing the settlement. This place was not difficult to find."
Aria followed him.
"You've been awake for less than a week."
"I was asleep for a very long time. I am attempting to make up for it."
Aria's smile faded slightly.
Kael sat beside the stream.
After a moment, she joined him.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
It was strange.
With Kael, silence didn't always feel uncomfortable.
Aria picked up a small stone and tossed it into the water.
"Do you remember everything from before?"
Kael's expression changed.
"Not everything."
"What do you remember?"
He looked down at the water.
"My home."
Aria waited.
"The people who followed me."
His voice was quiet.
"My family."
Something tightened in Aria's chest.
She wanted to ask about them.
But something told her not to.
Instead, she picked another stone from the ground.
"I don't think I could handle waking up after a thousand years."
Kael glanced at her.
"You would adapt."
"You sound very sure."
"Because I know you would."
Aria blinked.
"That's a strange thing to say."
"It is?"
"Yes."
Kael frowned.
"Why?"
Aria shook her head.
"Never mind."
His expression remained confused.
Aria smiled.
Then she threw the stone.
It skipped once across the water.
Kael watched.
"What was that?"
"Throwing a stone."
"I can see that."
Aria laughed.
"It skipped."
"Why?"
"Because I threw it correctly."
Kael reached down and picked up a larger stone.
Aria immediately sat up.
"Don't."
He threw it.
The stone sank straight into the water.
Aria covered her mouth to stop herself from laughing.
Kael stared at the ripples.
Then looked at her.
"You did not explain the correct technique."
"You didn't ask."
"I assumed it was simple."
Aria laughed harder.
Kael watched her.
And something changed in his expression.
The laughter slowly faded.
Aria looked at him.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You're staring again."
"So are you."
Aria's face warmed.
She looked away.
For some reason, the silence felt different now.
Too quiet.
She could hear the water.
The wind.
Her own heartbeat.
Kael shifted slightly closer.
Aria noticed immediately.
Noticed the warmth of his arm near hers.
Noticed the scent of rain and forest that seemed to follow him.
Then her mark pulsed.
She inhaled sharply.
Kael looked down at her arm.
"It is reacting again."
"Why does it keep doing that?"
"I do not know."
The symbol warmed beneath her sleeve.
Kael reached toward her.
Then stopped.
His fingers hovered inches above her skin.
Aria looked at his hand.
Then at him.
"You can touch it."
Kael's gaze lifted to hers.
"Are you certain?"
Her heartbeat stumbled.
She nodded.
Kael gently pushed back her sleeve.
His fingers brushed her arm.
The moment he touched the mark, heat rushed through her.
Aria gasped.
Kael immediately pulled his hand away.
"Does It hurt?"
"No."
She swallowed.
"It just..."
"What?"
Aria looked at him.
"I don't know."
Kael studied her expression.
Then, more carefully this time, placed two fingers against the mark.
The heat returned.
But it wasn't painful.
It moved through her slowly.
Warm.
Strange.
Comforting.
Aria closed her eyes.
And suddenly—
Something flashed through her mind.
Darkness.
A battlefield.
Silver light.
A man's voice shouting in a language she didn't understand.
Aria pulled away with a gasp.
Kael stood immediately.
"What did you see?"
She stared at him.
"What was that?"
"What did you see?"
"A battlefield."
Kael went still.
Aria struggled to breathe.
"There were people fighting. Wolves. I think..."
She looked at him.
"I think I saw you."
Kael's expression hardened.
"The mark showed you something."
"Why?"
"I do not know."
"That's your answer to everything."
Kael almost smiled.
But his attention remained on the mark.
Aria stood.
"Wait."
Kael turned toward her.
"What?"
She suddenly felt dizzy.
The forest shifted around her.
Kael caught her before she could fall.
His hands settled firmly around her waist.
Aria grabbed his shoulders.
"I'm fine."
"You are falling."
"I noticed."
Kael didn't let go.
Aria looked up.
She was closer than she'd realized.
Far too close.
For a moment, neither moved.
Aria's heartbeat thundered.
Kael's eyes dropped briefly to her lips.
Then immediately returned to her eyes.
Aria saw it.
And suddenly, she couldn't breathe properly.
Kael's grip tightened slightly.
"Are you still dizzy?"
Aria nodded.
It was a lie.
Kael leaned closer.
"Then do not move."
That was exactly the wrong thing to say.
Aria tried to step back.
Her foot caught against a stone.
Her eyes widened.
Kael reacted instantly.
But instead of catching her properly, his balance shifted with hers.
They fell.
Aria landed on top of him.
For one breathless second, she didn't move.
Kael's hands remained around her waist.
Her palms rested against his chest.
Aria pushed herself up.
"Are you—"
Her hand slipped.
She fell forward.
Their lips met.
Everything stopped.
Aria's eyes widened.
Kael went completely still.
The King's Mark flared.
Heat rushed through both of them.
For one heartbeat—
Then two—
Neither moved.
Aria pulled back so quickly she nearly fell again.
Her face burned.
"I'm sorry!"
Kael sat up slowly.
Aria scrambled to her feet.
"It was an accident."
"I know."
Silence.
Aria stared at him.
Kael stared back.
Then she touched her lips.
Aria's face became even hotter.
"What are you doing?"
Kael looked at her.
Aria closed her eyes.
"Please don't just say anything."
"What happened."
"We kissed."
Kael went quiet.
Aria realized what she'd said.
She opened her eyes.
His gaze remained fixed on her.
The mark pulsed.
Neither of them moved.
Then Kael spoke.
"Yes."
Aria's heart jumped.
"Yes?"
She stared at him.
"Kael."
"Yes?"
"Please don't make this worse."
His brow furrowed.
"How so?"
Aria laughed despite herself.
A nervous, breathless sound.
Kael watched her.
Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.
A real one.
Aria stopped laughing.
For a second, she simply stared.
She didn't know what to say.
The words settled between them.
Quietly.
He looked at her again.
And Aria felt the strange warmth return to her chest.
She took a step backward.
"I should go."
Kael's smile faded slightly.
"You do not have to."
Aria's heart stumbled.
She looked away.But she stayed.
Not because she didn't want to leave.
She did.
Probably.
The problem was that standing there, with Kael watching her like that...
She wasn't entirely certain she wanted to.
And that frightened her more than the mark ever had.
---
Neither of them noticed the figure standing among the trees.
Damon had followed after all.
He had seen Aria fall.
He had seen Kael catch her.
And from where he stood, hidden behind the trees, he had seen enough.
His hands curled into fists.
Something hot and unfamiliar twisted inside his chest.
Anger.
No.
It was more complicated than anger.
Damon stared at them for several seconds.
Then turned away.
His jaw clenched.
He had rejected her.
He reminded himself of that.
He had every right to make that decision.
So why did it feel like something had just been taken from him?
Damon didn't have an answer.
And for the first time...
That frightened him.
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