Selene’s POV ~
The evening passed in warmth and laughter, the kind of comfort that wrapped around so gently I almost forgot the ache inside my chest. By the ti the al was finished and the stories had slowed, I knew it was ti to go.
Sara’s parents tried their best to make us stay longer. Her mother insisted on bringing out more food, while her father told us it was late and we should rest here. But we shook our head softly, our smile kind but firm.
"Next ti, Aunt," I promised, holding her mother’s hands. "We’ll co again soon. But tonight...."
Her mother sighed but didn’t push further. Her father gave a quiet nod, though his eyes lingered on us with the heavy love of a parent who hated goodbyes.
And so, despite their efforts, we left the warmth of the house.
The air outside was cooler now, the sky deepening into twilight. The flowers in the garden swayed gently in the breeze, and for a mont I looked back at the house. The golden light spilled from the windows, and I felt that ache again—the longing for sothing I could never quite hold.
Aswin and Rael walked with us only a short while before they stopped. "We have so things to take care of," Aswin said, glancing between Kieran and . His voice was calm, but there was a weight in it that made wonder what those things were.
Rael only gave a short nod, his expression unreadable as always. Then, without another word, the two of them turned and disappeared into the dimming streets.
Just like that, it was only Kieran and .
The air between us felt heavy, almost awkward. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye, but he said nothing, only walked with that sa calm stride, his hands loose at his sides.
I hesitated. Should I bring him to my ho? Should I let him go his own way? I wasn’t sure what was right. He wasn’t saying anything, and his silence made it harder to decide.
My steps slowed, and I felt a little trapped in my own thoughts. But then, suddenly, an idea ca to .
"Do you want to see the coven?" I asked softly, my voice breaking the silence.
Kieran turned his head toward , his eyes steady. He didn’t answer right away, but after a mont, he gave a small nod.
Relief slipped through , and I smiled faintly. "Then co with . I’ll show you."
I led him through the winding streets until the market of the coven ca into view. Even at this hour, the place was alive. Lanterns glowed softly, and the hum of voices carried through the air. Just behind the coven grounds stretched a row of stalls, the little souvenir market that always drew both witches and humans alike.
As we stepped into the market, the air filled with color and sound.
Kieran slowed his steps. His eyes, usually so unreadable, flickered with curiosity. He moved closer to a stall where tiny crystals glowed faintly in the dark, picking one up between his fingers. The soft light caught in his gaze, and for the first ti that night, I saw sothing other than calm in him.
Interest. Wonder, maybe.
I watched him quietly, my heart softening. Bringing him here had been the right choice. And I thought, perhaps, this was the first ti Kieran had seen a place like this.
The thought made glad I had brought him here.
We were still walking through the market, the glow of the street lamps painting soft colors across the night. Kieran stayed close beside , his eyes moving from stall to stall, quiet but watchful. I thought maybe the evening would pass gently.
But then I heard it.
A high, sharp tone that instantly scraped against my nerves.
"Well, if it isn’t the little stray," the girl sneered from behind .
I didn’t even need to look to know who it was. My hands curled faintly at my sides, irritation rising in . I had no patience for her, not tonight.
I turned slightly, ready to snap back, but before I could move, sothing unexpected happened.
Warmth.
Suddenly I was pulled into a strong embrace. My body froze in surprise, my face pressed against the solid warmth of a chest. Gasps broke out around us, voices whispering and rising.
"What happened?"
"Who is he?"
"Did you see that?"
Confused, I lifted my head. And then I saw it.
The girl stood only a few steps away, her lips twisted in a cruel smile. In her hand was an empty bowl, dripping with dirty water.
"You—" she hissed, her eyes narrowing at .
My breath caught as realization struck. She had thrown it at to humiliate in front of everyone.
But it hadn’t touched at all.
Kieran was the one who had shielded , his arms tight around , his body taking the full splash. His clothes clung to him now, soaked and stained, but not a single drop had reached .
Kieran said nothing. He only stood there, silent, his arm still wrapped firmly around as if daring anyone to co closer.
Sothing twisted in my chest. Anger, and yet, beneath it, a strange warmth too. I could still feel his arms around , strong and steady, as if he were a wall between and the world.
For a mont—just a mont—I almost forgot myself.
But then reality snapped back.
I stepped forward, pushing the warmth away, and my gaze locked on her.
"What’s your problem?" My voice rang cold through the air. "If you’ve turned into a rabid dog, then go bite soone else. Not . Or I swear, I’ll..."
Gasps spread through the crowd again.
Her eyes burned with hate. "Don’t dream about the Witch Queen’s title. It’s mine. You—" she jabbed a finger at , her voice dripping venom. "Do you think you’re still qualified to fight against ?"
Slowly, I stepped closer to her, my voice steady and sharp. "Whether I want the Witch Queen’s title or not, one thing is certain—it will never belong to you."
"You—" she stamred, her face pale.
"You heard ," I said, my eyes narrowing. "It will never be yours."
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