The days after the battle with Malric were meant to be a time of healing, but for me, they became something far more complicated.
As all of us recovered, Kyle and Van's presence became impossible to ignore. Their constant attention, their competing energies, and the silent tension between them weighed heavily on me.
Van, always protective and steadfast, stayed by my side as often as he could. His golden eyes watched me with a mixture of love and worry. Every touch of his hand, every word he spoke, was filled with an unspoken promise—that he would never let anything harm me again.
Kyle, on the other hand, was more lighthearted, teasing me in his usual way. But behind his jokes, I could sense something deeper—a longing he didn't bother to hide and also a promise that he would never let me hurt again, never wanting to repeat the same mistake again. Ready to snatch me from Van anytime. He lingered longer than he needed to, finding reasons to stay close.
It all came to a head one afternoon. Van had been helping me practice my new gained power of healing, when Kyle strolled in, leaning casually against the doorway.
"Can I borrow Amber for a day, Van?" Kyle said with a smirk, though there was an edge to his tone.
Van's jaw tightened, but he didn't look up.
"Amber isn't a thing that you can borrow, Kyle. In case you forgot, she's mine."
Kyle's smirk faltered, and he crossed his arms.
"Well... I just want to know if Amber still feels the same."
Van looked straight at Kyle's face. "What do you mean?"
The tension in the room was suffocating, and I felt my chest tighten.
"That's enough," I said.
Kyle looked at me, his expression softening.
"I'm sorry, Amber. I just..wanted to talk with you privately.. "
Van finally turned to face him, his golden eyes blazing.
"Privately? With my girl?"
"Van..it's okay. Don't worry." I said.
Kyle looked away, guilt flashing across his face, while Van's expression softened into one of quiet understanding.
"I'm sorry, Amber," Van said, his voice low.
"I just… I care about you. More than anything."
"And so do I," Kyle added, his voice barely above a whisper.
I looked at them both. I sighed.
"This is hard."
My thoughts were a whirlwind—Van's unwavering devotion, Kyle's playful yet sincere affection. They were both incredible in their own ways, and my heart was torn.
Even though Van is with me now, somehow I found myself thinking about Kyle as well.
I was lost in thought for a while
"Amber," Van's deep voice said softly.
"I'm sorry," he said, his voice filled with regret.
"I didn't mean to make this harder for you."
I nodded, my chest tightening.
"But i can see that when you're with him, you're really happy. I hope you still have a special place for me in your heart." he said, his hopeful gaze searching mine.
Before I could answer, another voice interrupted us.
"Maybe you'll be happier with me," Kyle said.
Kyle stopped a few steps away, his expression serious.
The two of them stood there, their eyes locked in a silent battle, and I realized that this wasn't something I could put off forever.
"Van...Kyle...," I said, my voice steady despite the weight of my words.
Van's golden eyes softened, while Kyle's playful smirk faded into something more solemn.
"You know that I really care for both of you, right," I began.
"But my heart… it always belong to..."
"Van."
Van's breath caught, his expression a mix of relief and happiness.
Kyle closed his eyes for a moment, letting out a soft sigh before opening them again.
"I knew that's what you'd say," Kyle said, his voice tinged with sadness but also acceptance. "And I'm happy for you, Amber. Really."
"Kyle, we still can be friends." I said.
He stepped closer, his gaze locking with mine.
"I know. But if Van ever messes this up, if he ever leaves you or forgets how lucky he is… I'll be here. Always."
I nodded.
"Thank you, Kyle. For everything."
Kyle gave me one last smile before turning and walking away, leaving Van and me alone.
Van pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly as if he never wanted to let go.
"I promise," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.
"I'll never let you regret choosing me."
"I know," I said, leaning into him.
And as we stood there, I felt the weight of the world lift.
Van pulled me closer and kiss me gently.
The darkness was gone, and so was the uncertainty. All that remained was love—a love that would guide us through whatever came next.
---
Next evening, as the moonlight bathed the wildflowers in a silver glow, I found myself searching for one more person who had been by my side through everything—Claire.
She wasn't at the library where she often read. But I knew where to find her.
"Hey," I said softly, approaching her.
Claire looked up, her usual composed expression melting into a warm smile.
"Hey, Amber?"
"I wanted to talk to you." I said.
She closed the book and set it aside, her full attention on me.
"What's on your mind?"
I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words.
"I feel like I've been so caught up in everything—with Malric, the wards, and now… this mess with Van and Kyle—that I haven't taken a moment to thank you. For being my anchor. For being my friend."
Claire's brows furrowed slightly, and then she let out a soft laugh.
"Amber, you don't have to thank me. That's what friends are for. Besides, you've been my anchor too. Do you think I would've had the courage to face all this without you?"
Her words made my chest ache in the best way.
"Still," I said, my voice wavering, "I don't think I've told you that I could've done any of this without your help."
Claire reached over and squeezed my hand.
"You've come so far, you know," she said softly.
"When I met you, you doubted everything about yourself. But now? You've faced the darkest force this world has known, and you came out stronger. I'm so proud of you."
Her words settled over me like a balm, soothing the lingering uncertainty in my heart.
We sat there in comfortable silence for a while, the sound of the brook filling the space between us.
Eventually, Claire spoke again, her tone light.
"So… Van or Kyle?"
I groaned, laughing despite myself.
"Van."
Claire smirked, her green eyes glinting with amusement.
"I knew it. Kyle's great, but Van? That man would fight the world for you."
I smiled, a warmth spreading through me.
"Yeah, he would."
"Good choice," she said, leaning back on her hands.
"But if either of them ever gives you trouble, just say the word. I have a few spells that could knock some sense into them."
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in weeks.
"I'll keep that in mind."
In the end, it wasn't just Van or Kyle who made me feel whole. It was the people I had fought alongside—the family I had found in the unlikeliest of places.
Claire, with her sharp wit and unwavering loyalty, was as much a part of my heart as anyone else. And as I walked back home that night, I felt ready for whatever came next. Because I wasn't alone. I never had been.
The End.