Having floated before, Mira had gotten used to the feeling of her feet leaving the ground-but it still stole her breath each time.
Caleb reached out with one hand, pulling her effortlessly into the suspended sphere. The world outside faded into a blur of shadows and light. Inside, the transparent water shimmered with iridescence, moonlight scattering across its surface like silken threads.
"Hold on tight," Caleb whispered.
He guided her hand behind his waist, securing her to him, then wrapped one arm around her shoulders with practiced ease. The crystalline bubble began to rise higher, breaking free from the last of the lake's gravity, floating silently into the night air.
Mira looked up at him, heart fluttering. "Caleb, is this another one of your magic tricks?"
He glanced down at her with a gentle smile. "A magician relies on illusions... but I want to make all your wishes come true."
Prismatic lights danced around them-refractions and reflections scattered by the floating water and the artificial moonlight above. It felt like being suspended inside a living crystal ball. Yet nothing shimmered brighter than his eyes-steady, calm, and full of promise.
"All my wishes?" she asked.
"Yes," he said, his voice low. "All of them."
Mira held him tighter, her grip firm with silent emotion.
She whispered, "Then the wish I had right now has already been fulfilled."
Time melted away as the sphere slowly descended and touched the ground once more. They stepped out into the quiet streets of the ruined city, the silence so complete that even their footsteps echoed like a lullaby.
Caleb tilted his head, watching her. "Why are you staring at the ground? Are you exhausted?"
She shook her head slowly. "Our footsteps..."
He raised an eyebrow.
She looked up at him, her expression distant and contemplative. "They sound like... they're going home."
He paused beside her, gaze warm. "You already think of it as your home, huh?"
She watched their steps fall in and out of rhythm. "I mean, us walking together is what feels like home."
Caleb slowed his pace, syncing their stride.
"Then I'll remember the rhythm," he said. "So from now on, we'll walk home like this. Together."
Mira's heart leapt. The word "home" from his lips sounded like a spell-a promise wrapped in comfort and wonder. He wasn't casting illusions, but it still felt like magic.
She must've slowed, lost in thought.
Caleb noticed immediately. "Now you're the one slowing down. What's wrong?"
He reached out, placing a steadying hand on her shoulder, and leaned down to meet her eyes. "Tired?"
His face was close, his expression so full of care it made her chest tighten. She nodded silently, too flustered to speak.
"We've been out for a while," he said, voice soft. Then he turned around, crouching slightly. "Hop on. I'll carry you home."
She blinked.
"It'll be faster this way," he added with a small smile. "Don't you want to go home soon?"
Feeling lightheaded, Mira nodded and stepped toward him.
As she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rested against his back, Caleb stood with ease. She leaned into him, her cheek brushing the curve of his neck.
"If you're tired, close your eyes," he murmured. "And when you wake up, we'll be home."
She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling the rise and fall of his breath.
"You remember everything I told you, right?" she asked quietly.
"Yes."
A beat.
"And I also like the way you say 'home'."
He smiled. "Then I'll say it every day. Mira, let's go home."
Mira no longer cared if he could feel her heartbeat-it was loud and clear. But so was his. Their rhythms matched. Quickened, warm, alive.
She smiled against his shoulder. "Good night, Caleb."
"Good night, my one and only."