Amara found herself unable to sleep. The night had left her unsettled—the biting comments, the inquisitive glances, and most importantly, James's constant presence. She quietly slipped out of her room, wrapping a shawl around her shoulders as she meandered into the moonlit gardens. The cool air and the gentle rustle of leaves calmed her frayed nerves. She exhaled deeply, gazing up at the stars.
"Having trouble sleeping too?" She turned, surprised to see James standing a short distance away, his coat casually slung over one shoulder. His shirt was only half-buttoned, presenting a relaxed look that was a stark departure from his usual polished appearance. "You seem to pop up everywhere," she remarked, attempting to hide her astonishment. "Only when my presence is required," he replied, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.
As they strolled side by side, the silence felt easy and natural. Gradually, their discussion became more intimate. Amara found herself revealing bits of her story—her passion for history and her quest for belonging. James listened with genuine interest, his typically reserved nature beginning to melt away. "You're truly one of a kind," he confessed softly. Amara chuckled lightly, though it lacked true amusement. "I could say the same about you. This place… your world. It's so unfamiliar, yet…" "And yet you fit right in," he completed her thought, his tone unwavering.
They paused by a stone bench, the moonlight casting a silvery glow around them. James reached out, gently tucking a stray curl behind her ear. The intensity in his gaze made her heart skip a beat. Gradually, he leaned in closer, his hand lingering near her face. For a fleeting moment, she allowed herself to be drawn in, the outside world fading away until it was just the two of them. But as his lips hovered tantalizingly close to hers, she turned her head, her heart racing. "I can't," she murmured, stepping back. James regarded her thoughtfully, his expression inscrutable. After a pause, he exhaled deeply. "You're a mystery, Miss Blake. And one I'm determined to unravel." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her alone beneath the stars.