The air grew cooler as we reached the far edge of the rooftop, where the view opened up like a shimmering tapestry. From this vantage point, Visu City sprawled out beneath us, its lights twinkling like a field of stars fallen to earth. The cityscape was a mesmerizing dance of golden hues and shadowed streets, framed by the vast expanse of the night sky. The stars above seemed to mirror the lights below, creating a seamless blend of celestial and terrestrial beauty. Here, away from the clamor of the party, the stillness wrapped around us like a comforting embrace. His hand remained connected to mine, the calm between us was soothing, comfortable. The noise of the celebration faded to a distant murmur, and the space between us felt intimate and serene. Being alone with Lennon in this moment, surrounded by the quiet grandeur of the city, was a balm to the whirlwind of emotions and experiences of the evening. The connection between us deepened in the solitude, his presence a grounding force as we stood together, sharing the breathtaking view and the tranquil silence. I turned to look at him, the city lights reflecting in his eyes, catching the edges of his sharp features. His jaw was set, the familiar stoicism of his mask returning, though something about his posture softened. Like the weight of the evening had slipped from his shoulders too, now that we were away from the crowd."It's beautiful," I whispered, my voice barely carrying on the wind.Lennon glanced at me, and a small, rare smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You're beautiful" he said, his voice low, carrying a tenderness that made my heart skip. A rune of his disappeared.I flushed, my gaze dropping for a moment. "Thank you for bringing me... for helping me."He let out a soft chuckle, and the sound wrapped around me like a gentle embrace. His hand tightened slightly in mine. "You don't have to thank me. In fact, I should be thanking you. Thank *you* for waking up on that bridge Ace." he murmured, and there was something in the way he said my name that made my chest ache—in the best way.The stars overhead shimmered like they were listening, and for that moment, it felt like the whole world had paused just for us. I turned to him, drawing in a deep breath before letting the words spill out, the vulnerability weighing heavy on me. "After that day at the vendors... those males made me feel disgusted with myself. Tonight, though, I'm really starting to feel accepted, like I belong. It's a gratitude I can't fully express, so a thank you is the least I can offer."Lennon's face softened, but behind that calm exterior, I saw something that twisted in him, something close to sorrow. His voice, low and careful, carried the weight of his concern. "What did they say to you?"I shuddered at the memory, the cruel voices echoing in my mind. "They just... kept picking me apart. Especially my appearance. Being human..." I trailed off, the words catching in my throat as I got lost in the memory of that day, the sharp edges of their ridicule cutting deeper than I wanted to admit.His entire demeanor changed. Fury flickered in his eyes, a storm rising in the depths of his gaze. "They listed every possible flaw they could muster up about you and framed it as their opinion?" he asked, his tone laced with anger, as if he already knew the answer.I blinked, surprised that he had hit so close to the mark. "Yes. Exactly. It was so bizarre, but I couldn't help but sink into myself as they spoke. The fear on top of everything..." My voice drifted off again, the weight of that day threatening to pull me under.He turned fully toward me, his hand reaching out as if he could physically pull me from that darkness. "Ace," he began, his voice gentle but insistent. "As long as the truth farmers frame everything as an opinion, it's marked as honesty if you have an emotional reaction. But you—" His voice hardened, "—you need to learn to detach from the opinions of other Sidhe, especially when they're offered unsolicited."Despite his reassurance, it felt like his explanation barely made a dent in the way those words had latched onto my soul. My silence must have said enough, because he exhaled sharply. Then, with swift, deliberate movements, he began unbuttoning his jacket. His gloves were next, the leather falling to the side as he pulled them off, revealing the intricate, glowing runes etched into his skin."Listen to me, Ace. Pay attention to my runes," he said softly, but there was a command in his tone that rooted me in place, pulling me from my spiraling thoughts. His hands, bare now, moved closer to mine, his runes shimmering faintly in the dim light. "I want you to hear me." He leaned closer, and the intensity in his eyes was almost overwhelming. That golden fire burned through me as he said with such conviction, "You are beautiful. Stunning, in every way." His gaze swept over me, and I felt laid bare beneath the weight of his words. "Your hair... it catches the light in ways that would make any artist weep. Your eyes, sharp and grey like ice yet full of life, they hold a world of strength. You are gorgeous. Exquisite. Lovely." His voice grew rougher, his words softer. "You are like a fallen angel, Ace of Spades."I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I could only stare at him, my heart pounding in my chest, every compliment like a balm against the wounds I had carried since that day at the market. His runes glowed faintly in the night air, as if responding to the tenderness of his words, their light wrapping around us like a protective barrier against the world beyond, and then they disappeared. One after the other, for each honest statement. I marveled at the absurdity of it all. Here I was, standing in a world filled with ancient magic, creatures beyond imagination, and powers that could bend reality. I had witnessed marvels—endless, stunning displays of magic that most humans would never dream of seeing. Yet, none of it—not the glowing runes, the ethereal music, or even the breathtaking beauty of this city—had made me feel as magical as I did in this moment. It wasn't spells or enchantments that made my heart race, nor the shimmering lights of the Visu night that left me breathless. It was Lennon. His words—simple, heartfelt, and unflinchingly honest—had done what all the magic in this world hadn't managed to do. His praise, his sincere admiration, wove something deeper around me, something that touched a part of me no magic ever had. The world could be filled with the most wondrous things, but none of it compared to the way his eyes softened as he spoke, to the way his words made me feel truly seen. In this moment, I didn't feel like a human trying to fit into a world that wasn't mine. I felt... enough. Magical, even, in my own right. I wasn't just a human girl in a land of immortals anymore. I was someone he saw—someone he valued. And that, somehow, made everything else fade away. I didn't know what to say, so I just stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him, letting the warmth of his body ground me. His strong, muscular arms encircled me, pulling me close, and for a moment, everything else vanished—the rooftop, the distant laughter of the royals, the worries that had gnawed at me since the day we met. His hand lazily grazed my lower back, sending a warm shiver through my spine and into my core. I melted into him, feeling his steady heartbeat against my cheek, the warmth of his skin seeping into mine. It was the kind of embrace that made me feel secure, cherished, like nothing in the world could touch me as long as I was in his arms."One more week," I whispered against his chest, my voice barely audible over the soft breeze. "I don't want to go to Anahate without you."His arms tightened around me, and I felt the conflict in him, the silent war between what he wanted and what he thought was best for me. He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes, his expression gentle but firm. "Ace," he said softly, his hand brushing a stray piece of hair from my face. "Give Anahate a chance. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I kept you trapped in The Dread with me. You deserve more than that. I think you'll love it there. You'll thrive in ways you can't even imagine yet."I opened my mouth to argue, but he shook his head, a small, reassuring smile tugging at his lips."We'll see each other every month. I promise." His thumb brushed my cheek as he held my face in his hands. "And I'll work on ridding myself of these damn runes. I want to be free, too. For us."His words sank deep into my chest, and though the thought of leaving him—leaving this strange, complicated connection we'd formed—tugged painfully at my heart, I couldn't deny the truth in what he was saying. He was offering me freedom, even if it meant being apart for a while. I could see the care in his eyes, the weight of his desire to see me flourish beyond the confines of The Dread. And still, all I could do was hold on to him, unwilling to let go of this moment just yet. Lennon's gaze softened and he leaned in, his eyes closing as his lips brushed against mine. The kiss was heartbreakingly gentle. It felt like the world had stilled around us. My lips melted into his, his warmth enveloping me as he pulled me closer, pressing me flush against his chest. The kiss deepened as my mouth parted, welcoming him. His tongue drifted over mine, a slow, deliberate dance that sent waves of sensation through every nerve in my body. I became acutely aware of the heat and the soft, electrifying caress of his lips, each touch heightening the connection between us. His fingers threaded into my hair, grasping it with a purposeful intensity that seemed to echo the feelings racing through me. As he tilted my head with purpose, the kiss grew even more intense. His heat flowed through me, a sacred warmth that surpassed even the beauty of the choir's songs we'd heard. I felt a soft, involuntary sound escape my lips, a sound that seemed to unravel him just a bit more. Some primal energy within him unlocked and I felt him harden against me. I placed a hand gently on his chest, pushing him back slightly, and let out a breathless giggle."You're going to make me... respond," I murmured, my voice a teasing whisper. "And all those Sidhe will scent it!"He pulled back, panting and breathless, a fiery gleam in his eyes. The primal intensity in his gaze was palpable, a raw surge of emotion that only deepened the connection we were forging. But with a sigh, he nodded in agreement."You're right, we've already made enough of a statement tonight," he said, his voice low and laden with unspoken promise.The decision hung between us, a delicate balance of desire and restraint. As we stood there, both of us breathless and touched by the evening's magic, it felt like the world had slowed just for us, allowing us a moment to savor the depth of our connection. Lennon's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief as he took my hand, his thumb gently brushing over my knuckles.His gaze was warm, and there was an undeniable excitement in his voice as he spoke. "There's something I want to show you," he said, his tone laced with anticipation. "I'd like to take you to the Blue Mountains of Visu." The mention of the Blue Mountains sparked an immediate reaction in me. My eyes widened with interest, and a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. His smile grew, clearly pleased with my enthusiasm. "We can be alone there, away from everyone and anyone," he continued, his voice soft and inviting. "There's something special about the Blue Mountains that I think you'll love. I want you to experience it with me."My heart raced with anticipation as I imagined spending more time with him. The unknown adventures he had in store for us, paired with the allure of being alone and creating cherished memories together, ignited a fire of pleasure and intrigue within me."Sounds amazing," I said, my voice brimming with genuine eagerness. "I can't wait to see it with you."