The forest seemed to hold its breath alongside them, the hum of crickets and the rustling of leaves fading into a faint backdrop. Cerys's words hung in the air, soft and unassuming, yet carrying the weight of a cannonball. Mikhailis blinked, his mind struggling to process the implications of her question.
"Do you want to… continue where we left off?"
Her voice was steady, but her green eyes betrayed a mix of emotions—curiosity, nervousness, and perhaps a spark of something bolder. Her cheeks, still tinged with a blush, made her look both fierce and vulnerable. Mikhailis swallowed hard, his gaze briefly darting to her lips before returning to her eyes.
"That's… quite the question, Lone Wolf," he managed, his usual sharp wit faltering under the sheer gravity of the moment. His voice was softer than usual, stripped of its usual sarcasm and bravado. He sat up slightly, his back pressing against a tree as he tried to gather his thoughts.
