They moved fast after the fight.
No one wanted to stay in that clearing. The bodies were already fading into ash, magic burning through what was left of them. That alone told Kael more than he wanted to know.
The clans were no longer sending scouts.
They were sending warnings.
The sun was just rising when they reached the edge of a rocky slope overlooking the river valley. Mist hovered above the water, slow and quiet. It should've been peaceful.
It wasn't.
The Hero walked ahead, focused, silent. Seraphine followed behind him, her steps sharper than usual. Kael stayed at the back, eyes scanning everything.
No one spoke.
Not until Seraphine stopped walking.
Kael noticed immediately. He turned. "What?"
She crossed her arms. "We're not doing this."
"Doing what?" he asked.
"Pretending everything is fine."
The Hero stopped too. He turned slowly, sensing what was coming.
Seraphine looked at Kael, eyes burning with something she'd been holding back too long.
"You keep deciding what we know, where we go, what risks we take," she said. "And you never ask."
Kael's jaw tightened. "Because I already know the answers."
"That's not your right," she snapped.
"It is when people get killed," Kael replied.
Her voice rose. "So you just take control?"
"Yes," he said flatly. "I do."
The Hero stepped in. "Kael—"
"No," Seraphine said, holding up a hand to stop him. "This is between me and him."
She stepped closer to Kael. "You think pushing me away keeps me safe."
"It does," he said.
She laughed sharply. "From what? You?"
His eyes flashed. "From what follows me."
She stared at him. "You don't get to decide that I can't handle it."
Kael's voice dropped. "You can't."
That hit harder than anything else he'd said.
Seraphine took a slow step forward. "Say that again."
"You can't," he repeated.
The air felt tight now, like the world was leaning in.
"You don't trust me," she said.
"I do," Kael replied.
"Then why won't you let me in?"
Kael hesitated.
Just a breath.
"I've seen what happens to people who get close," he said quietly.
Seraphine's voice softened, but only a little. "And you think leaving me out will stop that."
"Yes."
She shook her head slowly. "That's not protection. That's control."
Kael snapped, "You don't understand."
She stepped closer. "Then make me understand."
He didn't answer.
The Hero watched them, uneasy, but didn't interrupt.
Seraphine's voice dropped. "You saved me back there."
Kael nodded. "Yes."
"You didn't hesitate."
"No."
"Then why hesitate now?"
Kael looked at her, something raw behind his eyes.
"Because this is where people get hurt," he said.
Seraphine was close now. Too close for comfort. Too close for distance.
Her voice was low. "I'm already in this, Kael. With or without you."
He breathed out sharply. "That's what I'm afraid of."
She stared at him, frustrated, angry, and something else tangled underneath it all.
"Stop acting like I'm fragile," she said.
"You're not," he replied.
"Then stop treating me like I am."
He didn't answer.
The silence stretched.
Then Seraphine said, "Say it."
"Say what?"
"Say you don't care."
Kael's eyes widened slightly. "I didn't say that."
"Then say you do," she challenged.
Kael froze.
The Hero looked away.
Kael exhaled slowly. "That's not something I should say."
"Why?"
"Because it changes things."
Seraphine whispered, "They're already changed."
Kael took a small step forward without meaning to.
So did she.
They were standing too close now. Close enough to feel each other's breath. Close enough that the argument wasn't loud anymore.
It was sharp.
Quiet.
Dangerous.
"You're going to get yourself killed," Kael said.
Seraphine replied, "So are you."
He shook his head slightly. "You don't see what's coming."
"Then walk with me into it," she said.
His voice broke just a little. "I can't."
"Why?"
"Because I won't survive losing you."
The words came out before he could stop them.
The world seemed to freeze.
Seraphine stared at him.
Kael realized what he'd said.
Too late.
Her anger faltered. Her eyes softened. Just a little.
"Kael…"
He swallowed. "That's why."
They stood there, everything unguarded now.
The tension didn't fade.
It snapped.
Kael moved before his brain caught up.
It wasn't slow. It wasn't planned.
It was a mistake made out of too much feeling and too little control.
A quick kiss.
Not gentle. Not rough.
Just sudden.
Then it was over.
They both froze.
Seraphine's breath hitched.
Kael pulled back immediately, eyes wide, like he'd just crossed a line he never meant to touch.
"I—" he started.
Seraphine stepped back too.
The Hero cleared his throat loudly, looking away.
The silence after was louder than the argument before.
Kael ran a hand through his hair. "That shouldn't have happened."
Seraphine nodded slowly. "No."
But neither of them sounded sure.
"We can't do this," Kael said.
Seraphine looked at him. "Then stop pretending it didn't matter."
He didn't reply.
They stood there, the moment hanging between them, heavy and unresolved.
Finally, the Hero spoke.
"We're being watched."
Kael straightened instantly. Seraphine did too.
The world rushed back in.
Enemies still existed.
The war was still coming.
And whatever had just started between them didn't have room to grow.
Not now.
Not here.
They moved on.
But none of them were the same.
End of Chapter 20 🛡️