“Caelum…” Aurelia Delensar’s voice trembled, her scream cutting through the tension like a blade. “Stay back—don’t come any closer!” Her eyes were tightly shut, tears streaming down her cheeks as she curled into herself, trembling with fear. She was utterly terrified.
Caelum Valtaris sighed, his shoulders slumping as he withdrew the tail he had tried to nudge toward her. He didn’t want to push her too far, not when she was this frightened. Reluctantly, he shifted back into his human form, though the lingering presence of his tail betrayed his frustration. He couldn’t understand why she adored the soft fur of other creatures but recoiled from him.
Hoping against hope, he tried once more, gently brushing his tail against her hand. “Ah—!!!” Aurelia’s scream pierced the air, and Caelum’s hea
