Korra’s fingers were still curled in the fabric of Kael’s tunic; his hand remained gently cupping her cheek, the warmth of him lingering on her lips. Her heart beat so fast it felt as if it had been ripped out of her.

Kael looked at her as though he had waited lifetimes for this. His gaze held a fierce tenderness buried beneath layers of discipline and duty.

“Korra,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotions he had spent years hiding, “I meant what I tried to say in the council ...