---
The kiss broke.
Slowly.
Her lips lingered on his like she was reluctant to let go. As if she'd found something in him that needed more time. More pressure. More warmth. But she pulled back—just an inch—and looked down at him with that expression.
A little flustered.
A little smug.
And dangerously tender.
"Tch," she clicked her tongue softly, brushing his cheek with the back of her hand. "You're always like this."
"Like what?" Kai asked, breath still shallow.
She looked away—not far, just enough that moonlight caught the edge of her lashes.
"Too honest," she murmured. "Too fast. You say the things I pretend I don't want to hear."
Kai swallowed. His heart pounded louder in this illusion than it ever did in battle.
"And do you?" he asked quietly. "Want to hear them?"
