Northstar Vale But try as I might,

His eyes drifted upward, watching her as she spoke. Her gaze seemed distant, as if the words leaving her mouth were automatic—practiced. This talk of becoming matriarch, of succession, felt more like duty than a fulfillment of the heart. As if she had been born to continue a lineage rather than to live a life of her choosing.

But what did he truly have to say about such matters? He knew nothing of this life and could hardly judge how another chose to live theirs. Though, was it truly a choice for Viskani? Or was it merely obligation? The former, he could accept. But the latter? That was harder to swallow.

He felt as if she were trapped, bound by the same chains that encircled his own neck. And more than anything, he wanted to break them. She should never feel caged. Never.

Anger sparked in his chest, but her next words extinguished it before it could fully catch.

Lost in his thoughts, he hadn’t noticed her closeness until he felt her breath on his nose. His eyes refocused, locking onto hers—an amalgamation of golds and yellows, as if the sun itself had fallen from the sky to nestle within them. They were bright, warm. He could gaze upon them forever, without fear of going blind.

He smiled, brushing his nose against hers, his eyes glinting with an emotion he couldn’t quite name—but he felt its warmth nonetheless.

“I have found beauty here. How could I say no?”