LOGINI swallowed and kept my gaze forward, silently counting the minutes as the bus rolled on.About twenty minutes later, the bus stopped and everyone filed out. I stayed seated, waiting until I was the last to step down, not wanting to provoke anything further.Outside, the area buzzed with life. Small shops lined the street, people moved in hurried clusters, and carts rattled over uneven ground. I adjusted my jacket and headed toward the narrow path that led to the woods where I had waited for Kaelith the day before.I didn’t know exactly where she lived, but I was sure it was nearby. If I got past the woods, I could always ask someone.As I walked, dry leaves crunching beneath my boots, my thoughts drifted to her. I imagined the look on her face when she saw me. She would probably stiffen, glare, then fire off her usual lines at me.“I don’t like you. Stay away from me.”I mimicked her soft voice under my breath and laughed softly, lost in my own little daydream.I kept replaying my im
Iris’s sudden outburst earlier still echoed in my head, her words cutting sharper than any blade. “Kaelith is back to where she belongs.”What did that even mean? I couldn’t get it out of my mind.Iris… she had been the first girl I met the day I arrived in Ashwood. Lost, drained from wandering the streets trying to find my apartment, I had nearly given up when she appeared.She moved with effortless elegance, tall and poised, her smile bright enough to stop time. That smile—confident, disarmingly beautiful—made it easy to see why every gaze followed her as she kept pace with her younger sisters, Uri and Ina.I met all three that day, but Iris… she left a mark. Her presence alone could sweep a man off his feet. She and her sisters guided me to my apartment, making sure I didn’t get lost again.Days became weeks, and she started dropping by regularly, sometimes with her sisters, sometimes alone. She became a quiet, constant part of my life.Over time, a subtle closeness formed between
Katherine was smiling like she always did, a woven basket balanced neatly in her hands. I didn’t need to look inside to know what it held. She brought food every morning without fail.“Hi, Veylor,” she said brightly. “Did I wake you?”I stared at her for a second, then forced a smile. How else am I supposed to tell her to stop without sounding rude and ungrateful?“It’s fine,” I answered. “I was already up.”“Can I come in?” she asked, still smiling, leaning forward as if the answer didn’t matter.My smile slipped.“Katherine—”“It’s Katherina,” she cut in quickly.“Sorry,” I said, exhaling. “Katherina. The thing is, I don’t think you coming in is a good idea. I’m working, and I really don’t need distractions. Maybe we could do this some other time?”I forced a tighter smile.“Oh,” she said, unfazed. “I can be quiet. Very quiet. I promise.” She lifted the basket slightly. “I can help you clean, heat your food, do your laundry. Anything.”She tried to step past me. I blocked the doorwa
Veylor Caith’s POVSeventy-five days in Ashwood hadn’t felt this magical until today. I got to see Kaelith again—and damn, she looked gorgeous in that dress. The bright colors in her eyes, the softness of her lips, her skin like morning dew—I couldn’t get her out of my head.The woods earlier had been like a dream. Her voice still echoed in my mind, soft, shy, yet bold enough to haunt me. And that kiss… it rewired my brain. I came home grinning like a fool.Kissing Kaelith felt like hitting a jackpot I never even gambled for. I would do anything to keep having those intense moments with her. Hours passed, yet my day stayed trapped in her web. I tried to focus on work, editing a batch of photos, but I couldn’t concentrate.Photographs… I froze mid-thought. Realization hit me.“Wait—my camera!”I rushed to the sitting room where I’d left it on the couch. The space wasn’t fancy, just comfortably modern: grey couches, soft lighting, a small shelf with random books and camera lenses. It s
I stared at the slightly bent doorknob, breathless and frozen to the spot.For a split second, everything went quiet.Then my eyes shifted behind me.My room was right there. Just inches away.Panic flooded my body. Adrenaline surged so fast it felt like something else had taken control of me. Papa must not see me like this. He could not. I would not survive the look that would cross his face.I began pushing myself backward.I had not even moved an inch when the door finally creaked open.I gave up.I shut my eyes and let my body fall flat against the floor. Whatever was coming, I could not fight it anymore.But instead of Papa’s voice, I heard another.My eyes snapped open.“Kaelith.”It was Corven.He stood in the doorway, staring at me, his eyes wide. Shock, confusion, and rising anger battled across his face. His bag slipped from his shoulder and hit the floor, forgotten. His lips trembled as he stepped closer, fighting tears that were already spilling.“Who did this?” he asked,
The doorknob shook again, harder this time—so hard the sound echoed through the room.Iris spun toward Uri and whispered sharply, “I thought you said Katherina was on the lookout for us?!”Uri froze, her face draining of color.“Yes… she said she’d call if anyone was approaching the house.” Her voice trembled. “Where’s my phone?”Her eyes widened in panic. She slapped her hands against her pockets, her waist, the floor around her—anywhere the phone could have fallen. Nothing. Uri tiptoed toward the dining table, whispering frantically to herself as her hands moved across every surface.“Where is it… where is it…”Then—A loud, violent bang slammed against the door.All three sisters froze.Silence swallowed the room. Their breaths hitched. Their eyes darted at one another, searching for answers no one seemed to have.Then a voice sliced through the stillness from outside.“Kaelith, are you okay?” Kayla called. “I’ve been searching everywhere for you, and I know you’re in there. Please







