Liora's delicate fingers traced the edge of the rain-streaked window, her thoughts drifting with the steady rhythm of the downpour. The gray sky above seemed endless, its gloom
pressing heavily against the glittering towers of the city.
From her perch on the upper levels of the grand tower, she could see the world below, a chaotic maze of twisting streets and flickering neon lights. It was a world she'd left behind long ago, yet the rain always seemed to bring it back to her.
Her reflection in the glass stared back, beautiful and distant, draped in a silk robe of emerald green—a gift from
Darruk. Everything about her screamed luxury, from the diamond necklace at her throat to the plush carpet underfoot.
Yet, the ache in her chest told another story.
You chose this life, she reminded herself, but the thought did little to soothe the melancholy stirred by the rain.
A sharp knock at the door shattered her reverie. She turned, hastily smoothing the fabric of her robe. Before she could
answer, the door swung open to reveal Darruk, her husband. His towering frame filled the room, and the scent of leather
and smoke clung to him as always. His tusks gleamed against
his dark green skin, and his sharp eyes—amber and unrelenting—fixed on her.
"Enjoying the view again?" he asked, his voice a deep rumble.
He didn't wait for an answer, striding into the room with the confidence of a man who owned everything in sight.
Liora offered a soft smile.
"The rain is... distracting."
Darruk chuckled, a sound that sent a ripple of unease down her spine.
"I've got something that'll keep your mind off the rain"
He gestured toward the doorway.
"Come in."
The man who entered made Liora's heart stop. He was tall, his dark hair cut short, his angular face marked by faint scars that hinted at a brutal past. His piercing
gray eyes scanned the room with a calm efficiency, and his broad shoulders filled out the plain black uniform of a bodyguard. He moved like a predator—controlled, measured, and ready to strike. Liora's breath caught, and she gripped the back of a chair to steady herself.
"This is Kael,"
" Darruk said, clapping a hand on the man's shoulder"
"Your new bodyguard. Pulled him straight out of the pit fights of the lower levels. You'll be safe with him."
Kael's gaze settled on her, and for a moment, Liora thought she saw a flicker of something—recognition? Pain?—in those
stormy eyes. But it was gone before she could be sure. He extended a hand.
"Ma'am," he said, his tone neutral.
Liora hesitated before placing her trembling hand in his. His grip was firm, his skin rough against hers. A thousand memories surged to the surface—stolen kisses under the rain,
whispered promises, and the look of betrayal in his eyes when she left him behind.
But there was no sign of recognition in his expression now.
"She's a bit shy,"
Darruk said with a laugh, clearly unaware
of the storm raging inside her.
"Don't take it personally, Kael. She'll warm up to you."
Liora pulled her hand back quickly, forcing a polite smile.
"It's... nice to meet you."
Kael nodded, his face unreadable.
"Likewise."
"Well, that's settled then," Darruk said, already turning toward the door.
"Kael will be stationed outside your room,
Liora. If you need anything—or if there's any trouble—he's your man."
With that, he left, and Kael followed, leaving her alone once more.
As the door clicked shut, Liora sank into the chair that had been her balance, her hands trembling in her lap. The rain outside blurred the city into a haze, and she stared at it, her mind racing.
"Kael."
She whispered his name in the silence, a name she hadn't spoken in years. Her childhood sweetheart. Her first love.
The man whose heart she'd broken without looking back. And now, somehow, he was here, in her home, as if the universe
itself was playing a cruel joke.
The rain continued its relentless drumming, echoing the turmoil within her. She couldn't decide what frightened her more: the fact that Kael was here, or the fact that he didn't
seem to remember her at all.