Chapter 31: Chapter 31
Liora's POV
“Well…” I drawled, my voice coming out steadier than I felt, “I was about to give you an answer.”
Kysen didn’t say anything, he just waited patiently. And somehow, that was worse than if he had rushed me instead.
His eyes stayed on mine.
“I don’t know how to do this,” I admitted, finally speaking.
“I don’t know how to… say things without turning them into armor… like sounding defensive”
His brow creased slightly.
“But,” I continued quickly, before I could talk myself out of it, “I also don’t know how to pretend you don’t matter.”
The words landed between us, fragile and exposed.
His jaw tightened, not in anger, but in something like restraint.
“You matter,” I went on, my voice lower now. “You always have. And I definitely feel something… I don't know what it is, but it's something. I just-” I shook my head. “I don’t like how you make me feel things I can’t control.”
He took one slow step closer, and I tensed up on the chair I sat on, my arms slowly falling to my sides.
“Like what?” he asked quietly.
I swallowed. “Like I feel unguarded around you, I forget how to lie, I can't concentrate... My wings don’t even listen to me anymore.”
It was a frustrating feeling. Did it mean I liked him?
That earned the smallest smile from him.
“That’s not a bad thing, Liora.”
“It is just… when you’re used to surviving by not needing anyone.”
Silence fell between us again, and I stood up, slowly leaning on the table instead. It was a nervous act, something to distract myself.
“I’m not asking you to need me,” he said, breaking the silence. “I’m just asking you not to lie to yourself about me.”
My heart stuttered.
“So,” he added softly, “what exactly do you feel?”
I met his eyes. His eyes… those darn beautiful orbs.
I didn’t dodge his gaze. I couldn't if I wanted to.
“I don't know what this feeling is,” I whispered.
“I just know that I feel excited to see you, every single time… I can barely breathe properly when you're close to me, I care and even worry about you a lot, and I- I… I think-” I paused, taking a deep breath in before I continued, “If that is what liking someone feels like, then I think I might feel the same thing you do”
The moment the words left my mouth, the air between us changed. My heart wouldn't sit still. I felt so bare, it was probably the most honest I have been since we had started talking.
He didn’t move or even smile, he just stayed still.
He didn’t even breathe for a second.
Then slowly, carefully, like he was afraid I might take it back, he exhaled.
“You… think you feel the same?”
I nodded once. Just once. Like if I did more than that, I’d lose my nerve.
“But don’t get the wrong idea,” I added quickly, heat rushing to my cheeks. “I’m not saying I’m ready for anything reckless. Or dramatic. Or-”
“Liora,” he interrupted gently.
I stopped. Crap, I lost my nerve.
His voice had dropped.
“I’m not asking you for promises. I’m asking you for the truth.”
That shut me up.
He took another step closer. Now he was standing right in front of me, close enough that I could feel the warmth of him. My wings shifted again behind me, traitors. I consciously held them in.
“You feel something,” he said quietly. “So do I.”
My throat went dry. I felt so called out.
“And that’s enough for now.”
I scoffed softly, trying to recover my edge. “You’re making this sound way too simple.”
“It’s not simple,” he replied. “It’s just… clear, and honest”
Then, just when I thought he was about to lean in-
He stopped.
Deliberately.
“I’m not going to touch you,” he said.
That surprised me more than anything else.
“You’re already fighting yourself. I’m not going to make you fight me too.”
My breath caught at that.
Damn him for being considerate now. For Green's sake Dravon, of all times!
I tried desperately not to stare at his lips.
“So what happens now?” I asked, folding my arms, trying to look unimpressed. “We just… stare at each other forever?”
I didn't sound like I felt at all.
The corner of his mouth lifted.
“No. We keep training. We keep arguing, like we always do, and you keep pretending you’re not soft inside.”
“I am not-”
“And,” he added, cutting me off, and his eyes locking onto mine, “we stop lying about the tension.”
My wings twitched again, this time popping right out, and he glanced behind me, a knowing look on his face.
Heat crept up my cheeks.
I hated that he noticed.
“You’re impossible,” I muttered, as I slowly tucked them back in.
“And you’re clearly terrible at hiding,” he shot back.
Then, quietly and ever so softly, he reached out and lifted one of my braids between his fingers.
He didn't pull it, he didn’t toy with it.
He just… held it. Weirdo.
“Next time you stare,” he murmured, “at least admit it.”
My face burned.
Dear Green.
“I wasn’t staring.” I argued.
He smiled.
“Sure you weren’t,” he repeated, still smiling.
I rolled my eyes, but my pulse was doing something reckless beneath my skin.
I pulled my braid gently from his fingers, not because I wanted him to let go. Just because if I didn’t, I might forget how to stand on my own two feet.
“You’re enjoying this way too much,” I muttered.
“Only a little,” he said honestly.
That made me huff out a quiet laugh before I could stop myself. It slipped out, unguarded, and the sound seemed to surprise both of us.
His smile softened.
For a second, we just stood there.
Then he straightened slightly, like he was forcing himself back into control.
“We should get back to training,” he said.
Yup, there it was. The normal, the safe.
“Right,” I replied quickly. “Before someone walks in and makes it awkward.”
He chuckled under his breath. “Too late. It’s already awkward.”
“Excuse you,” I said. “This is emotionally charged, not awkward.”
“Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
I turned towards the table, my back now turned to him, as I fiddled with my duffel bag, grabbing my blades with more force than necessary. My hands were shaking, and I hated that he could probably tell.
“If we're training, then let's actually fight,” I said. It was a part of the training we'd been doing for the past two weeks. Although that wasn't what we were doing today, I felt like it.
Maybe I just needed to sweat my nerves out.
“Liora,” he called softly.
I paused.
“I meant what I said,” he added. “I’m not in a rush. I’m not here to corner you. I just… wanted you to know where I stand.”
I didn’t turn around.
“I know,” I said quietly. “And for the record… I don’t hate that you do.”
That earned silence behind me, but I didn't turn immediately.
When I finally faced him again, his expression had changed.
It was more serious now.
“We’ll take this slow,” he said.
I lifted a brow. “Who says I’m slow?”
His lips twitched. “Your wings do”
How does that even correlate?! He just wanted to tease me.
Who knew someone who looked this serious could still be such a big tease.
I groaned. “They’re traitors.”
“Yeah,” he said softly. “But they’re honest ones.”
I didn’t respond. I just took my stance, blades ready, heart still doing ridiculous things in my chest, and my fingers only slightly less shaky.
“Try not to get distracted,” I warned him, deflecting my own problems.
He smirked.
“Right back at you, Liora.”
Right, I need that.