The day started with Thalen handing me a map, a warning, and exactly zero patience.
Thalen called it a "light assignment."
Which meant someone had died recently, but not in a way that required him to show up personally.
—It's a clean-up run —he told me. —A corrupted creature near the east ridge. Small. Predictable. Burn it. Bury it. Be home by dark.
He handed me a folded note with a location and a sketch that looked like it had been done with his non-dominant hand. Kael glanced at it, snorted, and asked if the thing we were hunting had a face or just teeth.
—You're not going alone —Thalen said, ignoring him. —You'll meet two spellhunters in the next clearing. Dareth and Seren. Trust them. Or at least don't piss them off.
—That sounds promising —I muttered.
—They owe me favors. That's enough.
Kael crossed his arms.
—Why not just go yourself?
—Because I'm tired. And because Maeryn needs field work.
I raised a brow.
—Field work?
—You've burned trees. You've burned monsters. Let's see if you can deal with actual people.
---
Dareth was already smiling when we arrived.
He stood with one boot resting on a tree stump, arms crossed, hair wind-swept in that deliberate way that meant he cared. Lightning flickered faintly from the rings on his fingers — not enough to be dangerous. Just enough to make you look.
—You must be the fire girl —he said.
I narrowed my eyes.
—You must be the lightning boy.
Kael made a sound between a cough and a snort.
Dareth grinned wider and offered a casual bow.
—Name's Dareth. Fast with a spark. Faster with a smile.
—She's immune to both —Kael said flatly.
—Pity.
The girl beside him said nothing. Younger than us. Hood up, silver hair tucked behind her ears, eyes sharp even though she barely made a sound. She gave me a polite nod but didn't offer a name.
Kael stepped closer to me.
—Let's make this quick.
We moved through the trees in silence for a while, the forest quiet but not unfriendly. According to Thalen's scribbled map, the corrupted creature was sighted near an old supply route, dragging off livestock and leaving behind bones that hummed with leftover magic.
—They said it can mimic sound —Dareth explained, walking beside me. —People. Animals. Sometimes even music.
—Great. A shapeshifter with taste —I muttered.
He laughed.
—You're quick.
—You're trying too hard.
He grinned.
Kael was walking behind us now. Definitely on purpose. I didn't have to look to feel the heat of his glare every time Dareth got a little too close.
Which, of course, made me slow down just enough to let Dareth walk next to me again.
—So how'd you end up with the mysterious exile and the forest dad? —Dareth asked.
—Long story.
—I like long stories.
Kael said sharply from behind us:
—Eyes forward, Dareth.
—Just trying to be friendly.
—Try quieter.
I bit back a smile.
This was fun.
We reached the ridge near mid-afternoon. The trees thinned out into fog-covered rock, and everything smelled like damp ash.
Seren finally spoke.
—It's here.
Her voice was soft. Not shy — just used carefully.
She crouched beside a dark patch of soil and ran her hand over the ground. A faint shimmer pulsed from her palm, revealing a trail of glowing red marks in the dirt — clawprints. Not human. Not natural.
Kael drew his blades.
—We should split. Circle it.
Dareth cracked his knuckles and raised a brow at me.
—Want to pair up?
—Sure —I said, just to be petty.
Kael said nothing, but his jaw tensed hard enough to crack a stone.
---
The thing found us first.
It dropped from a tree with a snarl, all teeth and shadow. It didn't look like anything I recognized — not fully. Just wrong. Like it had been stitched together from different creatures and wrapped in leftover magic.
Dareth flung a bolt of lightning at it. It absorbed the hit, staggered, then charged.
I stepped forward and lit my hands.
It swiped at me — claws like broken glass — but I ducked, twisted, and sent a clean line of flame into its chest. It screeched, smoked, didn't fall.
—Not enough juice! —Dareth yelled.
—Then distract it!
—Way ahead of you.
He danced around the thing, throwing sparks and taunts, just fast enough to keep it looking the wrong way.
I focused. Called the fire deep — not from anger, not from fear. Just from control.
When it lunged again, I met it head-on.
My flame hit harder this time — a full strike straight through its ribs.
It dropped.
Burning from the inside out.
Kael arrived three seconds too late.
He saw the smoking corpse. Saw Dareth pat me on the shoulder with a proud little smirk.
And said nothing.
Nothing at all.
He just turned and started walking back the way we came.
Later, while Seren patched a small cut on Dareth's arm, I caught Kael pacing near the edge of the clearing.
He wasn't injured. Just tense.
He avoided my eyes the whole walk back.
Which was hilarious.
When we got close to the cottage, I bumped his shoulder lightly.
—You've been quiet.
—We were working.
—You jealous?
—Don't start.
—You're jealous.
—Maeryn.
—Admit it and I'll let it go.
—Go inside.
—Say it.
He stopped walking.
Turned to me.
And said absolutely nothing.
Just glared. Jaw tight. Chest rising a little too fast.
I grinned and pushed past him.
—You're adorable when you sulk.
His muttering was incoherent but deeply satisfying.
We were home by dark.
Thalen didn't ask questions.
And Kael didn't speak to me for the rest of the night.
Which, honestly?
Was better than a thousand words.
Kael didn't talk to me the rest of the day.
He didn't have to.
The silence was loud enough.
By the time night hit, he was on the roof, sprawled like a sulking cat with a sword.
I let him stay there.
Didn't poke. Didn't tease.
Not until the moon was high, and I found him outside again — alone, sharpening his blades by the edge of the firelight like he planned to stab something in his sleep.
I leaned on the doorway.
—Still mad?
He didn't look up.
—No.
—You're sharpening that like it insulted your mother.
He kept going.
—I'm not mad.
—So this is you being friendly?
Kael finally looked at me.
His eyes didn't match his voice.
—You didn't need to say yes.
—To what?
—To him. Dareth. The whole "pair up" thing. You knew it would get under my skin.
—And?
—And you did it anyway.
I crossed my arms.
—You followed me into a fight when I didn't need help. You glare at anyone who gets near me. You act like I'm your problem to solve.
Kael stood, fast, blade still in hand.
—That's not what I'm doing.
—Then what are you doing?
He didn't answer.
Not right away.
He stared at me, jaw clenched, pulse sharp in his neck.
—I'm trying to keep you alive.
I stepped closer.
—No. You're trying to keep me small. There's a difference.
Kael's expression flickered — something between guilt and frustration.
—I've seen what happens when people start thinking they're invincible.
—And I've seen what happens when they let fear call the shots.
The air between us burned without flame.
Kael ran a hand through his hair, voice lower now.
—I just didn't like the way he looked at you.
I blinked.
Once.
Then smirked.
—There it is.
—I didn't mean—
—No. Say it again.
He groaned, turned his back to me.
—I didn't say anything.
—You didn't have to.
—I'm serious.
—So am I.
Silence again. But it didn't sting this time.
I stepped up beside him.
—You don't have to get mad when someone flirts with me, Kael.
—Wasn't mad.
—You were jealous.
He exhaled sharply.
—It's not like that.
—Sure.
—It's not.
I tilted my head.
—Then what's it like?
He looked at me then, finally, and said:
—I just don't like the idea of someone thinking they can get to you that easily. Like you're... available.
My brows rose.
—Wow. You make me sound like stolen fruit at a market stall.
He sighed.
—I'm saying I know you're not his. Or mine. But people looking at you like they could have you? It pisses me off.
That shut me up.
Not because I was offended.
Because it was honest.
Raw.
I stepped back.
—You've had plenty of chances to say things like that before.
—Didn't seem like the right time.
—And now?
—Still doesn't.
He looked away, muttered something like, "gods, I hate this," and sat back down with a thud.
I sat next to him.
Close. But not touching.
—For what it's worth —I said —I knew what I was doing with Dareth.
Kael glanced at me.
—I know.
—Didn't mean I liked him.
He looked at me then.
Longer this time.
—Didn't mean you didn't, either.
I didn't answer that.
And he didn't push it.
We sat there, quiet and too aware of each other.
Until I stood.
—I'm heading to town.
Kael looked up.
—Alone?
—Yup.
—Drinking?
—Indeed.
He hesitated.
—Don't get into trouble.
I grinned.
—That's not a promise I can keep.
And I left him there, still brooding, still holding onto something he wasn't ready to admit.
But at least he said one honest thing and that was a start.
The tavern was loud, warm, and half-lit by lanterns that probably hadn't been cleaned in a decade. I liked it instantly.
I found a seat near the back and ordered the darkest drink they had. Something that tasted like smoke and made my chest burn.
A girl slid onto the stool next to mine a few minutes later. No warning. Just a confident smirk and a full glass in her hand.
—You always drink alone, or is today special?
I looked at her. Mid-twenties, maybe. Dark braided hair. Sharp eyes, casual posture. Dangerous in a friendly kind of way.
—Depends on who's asking.
—Name's Lia. And I'm asking because I saw you in town a few days ago. You were with that tall, broody type.
I raised an eyebrow.
—Kael.
She nodded.
—Yeah. The one with the intense eyes and the 'don't talk to me or I'll kill you' aura.
I snorted.
—That sounds about right.
—You two together or just tense roommates?
I took a long sip of my drink.
—Something in between.
She laughed and clinked her glass against mine.
—That's the worst kind.
We talked for a bit. About nothing important. Her favorite drink. A weird bard who fell asleep on stage last week. The usual tavern chatter. But then she got quiet.
—You look like you're carrying something heavy.
I shrugged.
—Aren't we all?
—Sure, but most people don't wear it like armor.
I didn't answer.
—It's not about the guy, is it?
—Not entirely.
—But partly?
I smiled, just a little.
—You don't miss a thing, huh?
—Only the boring stuff.
I looked into my glass. The last of the drink caught the light.
—He cares about me. And I care about him. But it's complicated. There's too much going on. Too much at stake.
—So what's stopping you?
—Everything. I can't afford to get distracted. I want peace. I want to be free from this constant weight. But deep down...
I paused.
—I want him by my side.
Lia nodded like she understood something deeper than the words.
—You should tell him.
—Maybe someday.
We sat in silence for a while. Comfortable.
She looked down at her drink.
—You said his name was Kael?
—Yeah.
—Figures. I know him.
I blinked.
—What?
—Didn't want to say it earlier. Thought you might shut down. But yeah. We've trained together before. He used to come into town for supplies. We're... friends. Sort of.
I stared at her.
—And you just let me go off about him?
She grinned.
—It was honest. He should hear it.
—Don't you dare—
—No promises.
I groaned and finished my drink.
—You're dangerous.
—That's why we'll get along.
We laughed, and just like that, I had a new friend, even if she was going to betray me the second she saw him next.
---
Kael didn't say anything the next morning.
Didn't glare. Didn't sulk. Just acted perfectly normal.
Which was worse.
He trained with Thalen like usual. Ate like usual. But I caught him watching me more than once. Studying me like he already knew something.
Lia.
Of course she told him.
By late afternoon, I found a note tucked under my blade.
Come to the grove by the river. Sundown.
I almost ignored it.
Almost.
Instead, I showed up late, arms crossed, still unsure what kind of conversation I was about to walk into.
Kael had built a small fire near the riverbank. He was sitting on a blanket, sleeves rolled up, roasting something that might have been food if I squinted hard enough.
—This isn't an ambush, is it?
—If it was, I'd have brought wine.
I sat across from him, keeping the fire between us.
—You talked to her.
Kael didn't look up.
—She's a good listener.
—She's a traitor.
He smirked. A little.
—She's now, your friend.
I poked the dirt with a stick.
—So? You going to make this weird?
Kael glanced at me finally.
—No. Just wanted to talk. Without noise. Without the others. Without... tension.
—That last one's impossible.
—Figured.
He handed me a piece of bread that was only half-burned.
—You cooked this?
—Tried to.
I took a bite.
—Not the worst thing you've done.
We ate quietly for a while. The fire crackled. The river hummed nearby. It felt... almost normal.
Then he said:
—I do care about you.
I froze. He didn't look at me.
—I know.
—But you're right. Timing's shit.
—That doesn't make it easier.
Kael nodded.
—No. But maybe it makes it clearer.
I tossed the rest of the bread into the fire.
—I want peace, Kael. I want quiet. But when you're around, everything gets louder.
He smiled faintly.
—Then maybe I'm the wrong kind of flame.
—Maybe. Or maybe you're the only one who doesn't burn me.
Silence again.
But softer this time.
We sat there until the fire burned low and the stars came out.
He didn't try to touch me and I didn't move away. Whatever this was, it wasn't resolved at all but it was real, and that was enough for tonight.
We stayed by the river.
Neither of us moved when the fire died. It was just the sound of the water and the quiet that lived between two people too stubborn to name what they wanted.
Kael lay back, hands behind his head, staring up like the stars were going to spell out answers.
—You always this dramatic? —I asked.
—Only when I'm trying to impress someone.
—Failing, by the way.
—Rude.
I stretched out next to him, close but not touching.
—So, what happens now? We ignore this again?
—We could.
—Or we don't.
He turned his head slightly toward me.
—What are we, Maeryn?
—Right now? Friends who occasionally flirt with poor impulse control.
He laughed.
—That's not wrong.
—You okay with that?
Kael was quiet for a second.
—I think so. For now.
We looked at each other. Just long enough.
I leaned in first.
It wasn't a perfect kiss. It was sharp, fast, a little too hungry to be careful. But it worked.
Kael didn't pull away.
He kissed back.
And for a moment, the rest of the world stopped being so loud.
When we pulled apart, I didn't say anything.
Neither did he.
Because we didn't need to. It was simple and at the same time, complicated and dangerous. But it was ours.
---
We laid there a while, side by side, not touching but not moving away. I could feel his presence beside me like the edge of a flame I didn't want to lose control of.
—You ever think about what we'd be like without all this?
Kael looked at me.
—Without the prophecy, the training, the weird creatures trying to eat us?
—Yeah. Just... people.
—You'd still be annoying.
—And you'd still be brooding in a corner somewhere.
—Probably with better hair.
I laughed. Not because it was funny, but because it felt like something that hadn't been stolen from me yet.
—I think I could like that version of us.
Kael was quiet for a moment.
—Me too. But I don't hate this one.
I didn't reply. Not because I disagreed. Just because I didn't know how to say what I felt without sounding like I cared too much.
And that was dangerous.
He shifted closer, but didn't reach for me. Didn't test the line we weren't ready to cross.
—You cold? —he asked.
—A little.
He tossed his cloak over both of us. It smelled like cedar and a hint of ash. I let it happen. Let him.
—You going to regret that kiss tomorrow? —I asked.
—Only if you pretend it didn't happen.
—Not planning to.
—Good.
The fire had faded, but the warmth lingered.
And the silence was better than any promise we weren't ready to make.
---
Eventually, Kael sat up and started putting out what was left of the fire.
—We should head back soon. Before Thalen sends a search party or something worse.
—You mean like guilt?
—Exactly.
I stood, brushing off the leaves and grabbing the blanket.
—We keeping this... us thing... casual?
Kael looked at me like he was reading a battlefield.
—Casual for now. Real when it matters.
I nodded.
That was fair. That was smart.
That was also a lie we were both pretending to believe.
We walked back in near silence, but something between us had changed. Something settled. Not fixed, but no longer fraying at the edges.
He didn't take my hand.
I didn't ask him to.
But the space between us felt smaller than ever.
The next day, we pretended nothing had happened, sadly for me I guess.
Kael was back to normal—a little too normal. He cracked a sarcastic comment at breakfast, sparred with Thalen like he hadn't kissed me under the stars, and offered me half a dried fruit bar like that was enough to fix the world.
I didn't call him out.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to.
Around midday, I said I needed to go into town for herbs.
He didn't offer to come.
I didn't ask him to.
The tavern was louder this time. Busier. I didn't mind. It gave me space to think without anyone expecting me to.
I found Lia near the back again, her boots propped up on the bench across from her, a drink in each hand.
—You look like someone who kissed the wrong guy and then had to look him in the eye the next day,— she said, without missing a beat.
I slid into the seat across from her and stole one of her mugs.
—Maybe. Or maybe I kissed the right guy at the wrong time.
Lia took a sip of her own drink and shrugged.
—Same curse, different wording.
I let out a low laugh.
—It wasn't supposed to mean anything.
—Then why do you look like it did?
I didn't answer right away. Just stared into the drink like it held some kind of truth.
—Because I think I'm already too far in.
She tilted her head, watching me.
—You told me you wanted peace. That you weren't ready for him.
—I still want peace. But now I want him too. And that's not helping anything.
Lia leaned forward.
—You know what I think?
—No, but I'm sure you'll say it anyway.
—I think you're scared because he's not something you can burn or outsmart.
I frowned.
—You think I can't handle him?
—I think you don't want to handle what he brings out of you.
I stared at her for a second.
Then drank.
—You're annoying.
—You're predictable.
We sat in silence for a minute.
Then I said:
—What do I do?
—Talk to him. Or don't. But don't pretend like nothing's happening. It'll eat both of you alive.
I sighed.
—He's not the only thing happening right now.
—No. But he's the one you're letting distract you the most.
—And yet here I am, hiding in a tavern.
—Welcome to my coping strategy.
I laughed again. A little louder this time.
—You know,— I said, pointing my mug at her, —I think I like you.
—I know.
She leaned back and smirked.
—And I think he does too.
My smile faded a little.
Because deep down, I knew she was right and eventually, I'd have to face that.
Kael showed up halfway through our second drink.
He didn't sneak in. Didn't hesitate at the door. Just walked in like the tavern belonged to him. Like he'd planned this.
Lia noticed him before I did.
—And here comes the storm in black.
I turned and caught his eyes. He was already heading our way.
—You followed me,— I said when he sat down.
—You weren't exactly subtle about where you were going.
—I didn't say anything.
—You didn't have to.
Lia slid a fresh drink his way.
—Kael. Good to see you. Maeryn was just telling me about your emotionally repressed flirtation.
He gave her a flat look.
—I didn't think we were talking about me.
—We always are,— she said cheerfully. —You just don't know it.
I sighed.
Kael took a sip of the drink. Made a face.
—What is this?
—It's called 'bad decisions,'— Lia said. —Pairs well with unresolved tension and questionable life choices.
—You two have been here a while.
—Long enough,— I said.
He sat back in his chair, stretching out like he wasn't just a walking contradiction with knives.
—So. Are we going to pretend last night didn't happen?
—Oh, she already tried,— Lia said. —Didn't last.
Kael looked at me.
—Did you tell her everything?
—Not everything.
—Just enough to get her invested?
—Exactly.
—I feel used,— Lia said.
Kael and I said in unison: —You love it.
She raised her glass in mock toast.
—You're both terrible. And very entertaining.
The conversation drifted for a while. Jokes. Old stories. Lia recounting the time she punched a bard for calling her a forest witch. Kael actually laughed at that one.
Then Lia leaned in again.
—You two ever think about not dancing around each other like it's some cursed ritual?
—Yes,— I said.
Kael said nothing.
—He's thinking about it now,— Lia added.
—Stop encouraging him.
—Someone has to.
Kael set down his mug.
—You really that curious?
Lia grinned.
—Absolutely. You two are driving me insane. There's so much tension I'm surprised the table hasn't caught fire.
—That would be Maeryn's fault,— he muttered.
—You kissed back.
—You started it.
—Children,— Lia said. —Gods. Just kiss again already or arm wrestle or something.
—That escalated,— I muttered.
Kael smirked.
—We're not exactly subtle.
—No,— Lia said. —But you are stubborn.
We kept talking. Kept drinking. The tavern got louder, but our little corner stayed close.
Then, as things settled, Kael shifted in his seat.
—You want to walk?
I blinked.
—Now?
—Just for a bit.
Lia waved us off like a proud parent.
—Go. Be mysterious and complicated together.
We left without saying much.
Outside, the night was cooler. Stars overhead. Quiet.
We walked side by side.
Kael didn't say anything for a long time. Then:
—I liked tonight.
—Even with Lia pressing all your buttons?
—Especially because of that.
We stopped near the edge of the trees.
He looked at me.
—You still want this casual?
I thought about it. About the fire. The way he looked at me last night. The kiss.
—I want... something real. But not yet. Not while everything else is still burning around me.
—Then let me stay close. No pressure.
—Friends with accidental intimacy? —I said laughing.
—Something like that —He was serious about it though.
We stood there for a second longer.
Then he leaned in. Not fast. Not demanding.
Just close.
His lips brushed mine, soft, short.
Just once.
Then he stepped back.
—See you at home.
He turned and walked away.
And for the first time in a while, I didn't feel like running after him, because maybe, for once, we were moving at the same pace.