The palace stood as a silent sentinel under Vrasnia's eternal night, its crystalline spires piercing the indigo sky, reflecting the purple moon's glow like a thousand fractured stars. Kazimir stepped through the grand halls, his footsteps echoing softly, the weight of the night's revelations heavy on his shoulders. Neve's story—her scars, her survival, her confession—lingered in his mind like a haunting melody. He reached his private chambers, the air cool and tinged with the scent of lunar jasmine, and headed for the bath, seeking solace in the ritual of cleansing.
The bath chamber was a cavernous sanctuary, its centerpiece a vast, pool-like tub carved from obsidian, filled with steaming water that shimmered under the soft glow of bioluminescent orbs embedded in the walls. Kazimir sank into the warmth, the water enveloping him like a lover's embrace, soothing the aches of both body and soul. He leaned back, his galactic eyes—swirling with stars and a crescent moon pupil—staring at the vaulted ceiling, where holographic constellations danced in a mimicry of the night sky. Honestly, I never expected someone like Neve would have to endure so much, he thought, his heart clenching at the image of her scars, both visible and hidden. Who would've thought someone who shines as bright as her would carry such a deep, dark past?
The door creaked open, a soft sound that broke the silence, followed by the gentle patter of footsteps. Kazimir's senses sharpened, though he didn't turn. "Is that you… Riah?" His voice was a low murmur, carrying the weight of the night's revelations.
"Yes, it's me, Kazimir." Her voice was a melody of fire and silk, warm yet tinged with a quiet uncertainty. Riah stood at the edge of the pool, wrapped in a towel, her red-and-white striped hair catching the orbs' glow, her crimson-red and black eyes fixed on him. The steam curled around her like a veil, softening her silhouette as she stood, poised yet vulnerable, her presence filling the room with an unspoken tension.
Kazimir remained still, his back to her, the water lapping gently against his shoulders. The silence stretched, heavy with the weight of words unsaid, until Riah spoke again, her tone softer, probing. "So, you have nothing to say? I think it's because you already know I can hear your conversations, no matter where you go."
Kazimir's lips curved faintly, a bittersweet acknowledgment. "Riah, I haven't forgotten that we resonated with one another through the Exo Heart. I'm aware you know what I know, and I know what you know. Just say what's on your mind."
Riah hesitated, her fingers tightening on the towel, her gaze dropping to the water's surface, where ripples danced in the dim light. "Am I enough for you?" The question hung in the air, fragile and raw, her voice trembling with a vulnerability she rarely showed.
Kazimir turned, his galactic eyes meeting hers, the stars within them pulsing with quiet intensity. "What do you mean, if you are? You're everything I need, Riah." His words were a vow, steady and unwavering, yet the air between them crackled with unspoken questions.
Riah stepped closer, lowering herself to the edge of the pool, the towel slipping slightly as she sat, the steam curling around her like a lover's touch. "Am I really? You don't feel anything toward Neve?" Her voice was soft, not accusatory, but searching, her eyes holding his with a mix of love and uncertainty.
Kazimir's gaze softened, his hand breaking the water's surface to rest on the pool's edge, inches from hers. "I do have love for Neve, but I never thought she'd love me in a deeper way. Not until tonight."
Riah's breath hitched, her fingers brushing the water's surface, sending ripples outward. "You're strong—one of, if not the strongest man in this universe. It's natural you'd draw attention, and I'm not jealous. I like Neve a lot, but I know she's closer to you. I just want to know—do you see her as a potential partner?" Her words were careful, each one measured, as if she were navigating a delicate path between her heart and his.
Kazimir leaned back, his eyes drifting to the holographic constellations above, their light casting fleeting patterns across his face. "I have you, Riah. That's all I've ever needed." His voice was quiet, resolute, but the weight of her question lingered, a shadow in the steam.
Riah slid into the pool beside him, the water parting to embrace her, her towel discarded on the edge. She leaned against him, her shoulder brushing his, the warmth of her presence a contrast to the cool air. "But what if this is what I want, Kazimir?" Her voice was a whisper, her breath warm against his skin, her crimson eyes searching his for any flicker of understanding. "Think about it—me, Neve, and Vanessa as your wives. Wouldn't you want that?"
Kazimir turned to her, his brow furrowing, his heart caught in the tide of her words. "And what made you want this all of a sudden?" His voice was gentle, but there was a curiosity there, a need to understand the depths of her heart.
Riah slouched deeper into the water, her hair floating like tendrils of flame on the surface, her gaze distant, as if peering into a future only she could see. "I don't know," she admitted, her voice barely audible over the soft lapping of the water. "Maybe it's because I see the way you light up their worlds—Neve, Vanessa, even me. You've carried so much, Kazimir, and yet you give us all strength. I want you to have everything—every piece of love you deserve. And if that means sharing you, with Neve, with Vanessa… maybe that's the path we're meant to walk together."
The steam rose around them, a veil that shrouded the world beyond, leaving only the two of them in this intimate sanctuary. Kazimir's hand found hers beneath the water, their fingers intertwining, a silent promise woven into the touch. The constellations above seemed to pulse brighter, as if the universe itself bore witness to the tides of their hearts, shifting under the eternal night's embrace.