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The knowledge burrows into my soul and etches itself into the marrow of my bones. The silver pool in my chest swirls happily.
Idril blinks. The world beyond her sharpens back into focus. It’s jarring compared to the moment we just shared.
With hesitant movements, she pushes herself up. I lean back to give her space, despite every atom of my being rebelling against the new distance between us.
She tucks her legs under her and turns until she’s facing me. I wait silently, content to let her take the lead. It still feels like we’re in our own little bubble and I’m afraid that if I speak, I’ll break the spell completely.
Idril tilts her head to the side. Her long white hair spills over her shoulder in tumbling waves. She studies me openly for long moments. I let her. Her lips part and I hold my breath, equally terrified and excited to hear her voice.
“You,” she breaths, frowning in confusion. “I felt you. Didn’t I?”
She looks so lost, like she’s not sure if this is real life or a dream.
And Fates help me, I don’t know either.
I remember what she said to her cat that night on the balcony—how she felt like someone was outside watching her. I nod, affirming her suspicions.
Her nose scrunches, and her teeth dig into her lower lip. Without thinking, I reach out, intending to save the abused flesh.
Her eyes follow the movement. I give her plenty of time to away, but to my relief, she doesn’t.
The tips of my fingers gently brush across her cheek before gliding down toward her mouth. I press my thumb under her lower lip and tug gently.
The moment my skin touches hers, my nervous system goes haywire.
My hair stands on end, my hands, which have only just stopped shaking, start trembling again.
Something coils tight under my sternum and fills my chest with warmth so intense I have to fight not to audibly gasp.
The silver pool.
It’s not just warm and swirling anymore. It’s alive. Insistent. Pulling, stretching, reaching out—to her.
She draws in a sharp breath, and those wide blue eyes find mine in the dark.
“Oh.”
One word. A single syllable that’s more of an exhale.
And it shatters me.
Gods, the way she looks up at me—like I’m the answer to a question she’s been asking her entire life—hits me right in the sternum, where the silver pool grows deeper and churns faster.
“What’s your name?” Her voice is soft, but she looks at me with so much expectation that I don’t hesitate to answer.
“Caelan.”
I keep my hand on her cheek, waiting, hoping she won’t pull away.
She doesn’t. She… smiles.
My entire fucking world lights up. The pool churns faster, swirling and singing and digging deeper like it’s stretching to make room in my soul for her.
Yes. That’s right. That space in my soul has always been meant for her.
The pool is a chaotic tempest, a mirror of my own emotions.
Mine.
