Before they parted, Aria pulled Adrian close one last time, her lips finding his in a tender, lingering kiss. The gesture carried an undercurrent of worry that made Adrian's heart ache.
"Keep yourself safe," she whispered against his lips, her voice carrying both command and plea. Then she stepped back, her silver hair catching the ethereal light of the distant lightning strikes, strands dancing in the domain's restless wind.
Adrian watched her retreating form until she disappeared into the shadows, his mind still processing their exchange when—
Cough.
The sudden sound nearly made him jump out of his skin. But as he remembered something, a wry smile crept across his face. He turned to find an all-too-familiar figure standing to his side.
