"Alera," Pyris whispered, his voice deep and soothing, "I've always known how you felt."
Her eyes shot up to meet his, wide with surprise. "You did?"
Pyris nodded, stepping closer until their bodies were only inches apart. "You've been by my side since. Naturally, I always knew... but I didn't want to force anything."
Alera's cheeks flushed, her hands trembling slightly as she reached up to touch his chest, her fingers tracing the hard muscles beneath his shirt. "I was afraid, Pyris. Afraid that if I told you how I felt, it would change everything between us."
"And now?" Pyris asked, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from her face, his touch lingering on her soft skin. "What do you feel now?"
Alera's breath hitched, and for a moment, she seemed to struggle with her words. But then, something in her broke, and the floodgates opened.
