Elias and Leena settled at a corner table in the café, the sunlight filtering through the window painting soft golden lines across the floor. A moment of quiet passed between them, neither speaking as they studied one another.
“I’m Elias,” he said, his voice low and steady. “I believe I’ve been waiting for you.”
Leena smiled softly, her fingers wrapping around the edge of her cup. “I’m Leena. And I think I’ve been dreaming of you for the past week.”
Elias tilted his head, intrigued. “The Moon Goddess told me that I would meet the woman with purple hair—that she would be my mate. But I’ve been waiting for a long time. When I saw Mouse… I had a quick panic. She’s too young, too small. Cute, but in a little sister sort of way.”
“I know,” Leena said gently. “I saw your face. That wasn’t de
