The night air was cool, the garden shined in silver light. Iman walked slowly along the stone path, her thoughts heavy after the tense hours with Alaric.
Lucien followed at her side, silent at first, watching the way her shoulders carried weight she didn't speak aloud.
Finally, his voice broke the quiet. "You don't have to carry everything alone."
Iman hesitated, her gaze fixed on the moon above. "I know. It's just... hard to let go."
Lucien stopped, turning to face her. His eyes were steady, protective. "Then let me carry some of it with you."
Her heart tightened at his words. For a moment, she wanted to speak, to explain the storm inside her - but instead, she simply reached for his hand.
Lucien's fingers closed around, firm and warm.
They stood beneath the moonlight, the world hushed around them. Iman's silence was no longer heavy; it was shared.
Lucien leaned closer, his voice low. "Whatever comes, I'll be here. Always."
Her breath caught, and she whispered, "I believe you."
Their eyes met, the distance between them vanished. His lips brushed hers - gentle at first, then deeper, as if sealing a promise neither of them dared to speak aloud.
When the kiss broke, Iman's cheeks warmed. Shyness fluttered through her chest, and before words could form, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lucien.
He held her close, steady and protective, his chin resting lightly against her hair.
Iman closed her eyes, letting the quiet strength of his embrace ease the storm inside her.
The hug lingered, soft and unspoken, a bond forged in quiet challenge of the shadows that surrounded them.
Above them, the moon watched, silent witness to a love that was growing stronger - even as trials waited to test them both.