Chapter 30: Chapter 30

Liora's POV

I couldn't believe my ears.

Did he just admit he has feelings for me?

My heart thundered against its cage, threatening to break out, as I stared at him in shock.

I struggled to find my words and when I finally did, they barely made any sense.

“But you're Kysen,” I said dumbly, and he frowned, clearly confused.

“Huh?” He asked and I blinked rapidly, trying to collect myself, before clearing my throat.

“Are you saying you have feelings for… me?” I asked, clearly in shock, without thinking much.

“Yes,” he replied without missing a beat.

This had to be a dream or something, it just had to be.

“H- how?” That was honestly the only thing I could ask, “We’ve only just started talking without lunging at each other’s throat”

“I did not just start liking you overnight, Liora,” he paused, a soft sigh escaping his lips before he continued, “I’ve felt this way for a long time, a very long time”

If I was shocked before, then I wasn’t sure what word would perfectly describe what I now felt.

Him saying he had feelings for me was one thing, but him saying he has felt that way for quite a while was another thing completely.

Silence settled between us, our eyes trained on each other.

I looked away first.

He sighed and moved closer to me, closing the gap between us. This time, I didn't move back. I just stayed rooted on the spot.

He was totally in my space but I didn’t move, I was too distracted by the rapid beating in my chest.

“Altharos, tell me you don’t feel what I feel, or even anything at all, and we never have to talk about this again,” he said and I felt my stomach fold in fear.

I wasn’t sure exactly what I felt, but all I knew was that I couldn’t breathe right when I was around him, found myself staring at him when he wasn’t looking, he made me nervous, his eyes made me feel like a puddle, and I always looked forward to meeting him.

I was not sure when I started feeling that way, but it just… happened.

His eyes begged for an answer, but I knew he wasn’t pressuring me.

I decided to be honest.

“I-” I started to talk, but I got cut off by a loud sound.

We turned our heads in unison in the direction of the sound.

Joan.

An annoyed sound escaped my lips.

“Kysen,” she said as she stared at both of us, examining the space between us.

I rolled my eyes before stepping away from him, and walking towards the table to take a seat.

“What are you doing?” She asked, as she moved closer to him.

She sounded so innocent, like she didn't just almost push me to the edge just a moment ago.

I sat down and crossed my legs as I watched the scene unfold.

“Joan.” Kysen finally spoke, “Do you need something?”

From his tone and face, I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

“I just feel like I should say something about this entire thing,” she started and I raised a brow in amusement.

Well, she was pretty straightforward, I’d give her that.

Impressive.

She continued, after throwing me a nasty look, “I don't know the kind of spell she has on you, but-”

“Spell?” He asked, cutting her off.

“Spell?” he repeated, his voice sharp now. “What are you talking about?”

Joan lifted her chin. “You’ve been acting strange ever since she started hanging around you. So distracted, careless, soft.”

My jaw tightened.

“Soft?” Kysen echoed, incredulous. “That’s your issue?”

“Yes,” she said immediately. “You’re not supposed to be soft.”

I let out a dry laugh from where I sat.

“Wow. Sorry for the inconvenience, Joan. I didn’t realize emotions were against protocol.”

She shot me a glare. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“Oh, it absolutely does,” I replied as coolly as I could muster. “You’re talking about me like I’m some cursed artifact.”

Kysen turned fully toward her now, his body subtly angling between us without him even seeming to realize he was doing it.

“No one put a spell on me,” he said firmly. “And Liora isn’t manipulating anything, if that's what you're trying to say”

Joan’s mouth tightened.

“That’s not what I meant,” she said. “I just… I don’t trust her.”

“Based on what?” Kysen asked flatly.

Joan hesitated. Just a fraction.

“On… how she looks at you.”

I let out a soft, disbelieving laugh. “That’s your evidence?”

Her eyes flashed. “Don’t play innocent.”

“I’m not playing anything,” I replied coolly.

Kysen stepped forward, his voice sharper now. He was starting to sound annoyed, but I could tell he was trying to control it.

“Joan. Stop.”

She turned to him. “You’ve changed.”

“No,” he said. “You’re just paying attention for the first time.”

Her jaw dropped. “Excuse me?”

“I’ve always been like this,” he continued.

“Focused and reserved. Caring…” He glanced at me briefly before looking back at her. “And most importantly, I don’t make promises I can’t keep.”

“Joan, I have never led you on.” he added.

That clearly hit her.

I even felt it. I didn't expect him to be so blunt.

Joan’s face flushed. “You don’t have to say it like that.”

“Yes,” he said calmly. “I do.”

The room felt smaller. Should I even be here?

“You see something between us,” he went on, “because you want to. Not because I gave you a reason to.”

I crossed my arms. “Thank you for finally saying it out loud.”

She shot me a venomous look.

Okay, maybe I shouldn't have said anything. But I couldn't help my ‘I told you so’ urges.

“I was here first,” she snapped.

Kysen didn’t even blink. “And that still doesn’t make me yours.”

Silence crashed down hard.

Her hands curled into fists. “So she just walks in and suddenly she matters?”

“Yes, she does matter,” he replied. “Because I care that much about her.”

Joan laughed, brittle and sharp. “So you admit it.

“I never denied it.” he said without missing a beat.

Her eyes glistened with something angry and wounded. “You didn’t even look at me like that.”

“That’s because I never felt that way about you.”

The words were quiet but they clearly struck a nerve, as she took a step back like he’d actually struck her.

“You’re cruel,” she whispered.

“Maybe,” he said. “But I’m being honest.”

She looked between us, jaw tight, pride fighting humiliation.

Then she scoffed. “Fine. Have her.”

She turned sharply and stormed out.

The air buzzed in the aftermath of her dramatic exit.

I let out a breath. “Well. That was… intense.”

Kysen turned to me, his expression softer now, but serious.

“She doesn’t get to decide what I feel,” he said. “Or who I feel it for.”

My pulse kicked up again.

“So,” he added quietly, taking a step closer.

“You were saying something before she interrupted.”

My throat went dry.

“Well…” I drawled, “I was about to give you an answer”