POV: Seliora Veyne

The library was nearly empty at this hour, shadows stretching long between the shelves. Seliora ran her fingers along the spines of books, searching more for calm than for anything she actually wanted to read.

Her world was noise too often—voices that demanded, expectations that choked. But here, surrounded by words that belonged to others, she could breathe.

“Still hiding here?” a voice teased softly.

Seliora turned, and there she was—Kaelyn Drosia, leaning against the end of the aisle, the faintest smirk tugging at her lips. Moonlight from the high windows caught in her hair, making it glow pale silver.

Seliora’s chest tightened, as it always did when Kaelyn appeared. Calm wrapped in fire—that was what she was.

“I’m not hiding,” Seliora murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I’m… thinking.”

Kaelyn’s eyes softened, though her smile stayed sly. “You think too much. That’s why you miss what’s right in front of you.”

Before Seliora could reply, Kaelyn stepped closer, the faint scent of her perfume curling around her. It was dangerous how easily Kaelyn could close the distance between them, how naturally she stripped the armor Seliora wore for everyone else.

“Do you know what I see when I look at you?” Kaelyn asked.

Seliora swallowed, shaking her head.

“A flame,” Kaelyn said simply. “One you keep caged because you’re afraid it’ll burn. But I…” Her fingers brushed Seliora’s wrist, feather-light. “…I want to see it blaze.”

Seliora’s breath caught. She should pull back, should laugh it off, should do anything but stand there trembling under Kaelyn’s gaze. But she didn’t. She couldn’t.

Because Kaelyn’s presence wasn’t just fire. It was gravity.

And Seliora had already begun to fall.

---

POV: Kaelyn Drosia

Kaelyn watched the way Seliora’s lips parted, the way her eyes darted down as though the weight of her gaze was too much to bear. A thrill curled through her chest.

Seliora was beautiful in ways she didn’t even realize—quiet strength, hidden edges. And Kaelyn loved nothing more than coaxing those edges into light.

“Careful,” Seliora whispered, her voice unsteady. “Someone could see.”

Kaelyn tilted her head, smirking. “Let them. Or does the thought scare you?”

Seliora’s silence was answer enough.

Kaelyn leaned in, close enough for her breath to warm Seliora’s ear. “Don’t worry. Your secrets are safe with me. But one day, Seliora Veyne, you’ll stop hiding. And when you do…”

Her smile curved sharp and soft all at once. “…I’ll be the one you burn for.”

Seliora’s heart thundered. She wanted to deny it. But she already knew Kaelyn was right.