They camped near a waterfall made of light. Naia guarded. Korrin pretended to sleep. Elyse hummed to keep her hands from trembling.
And Thessaly sat beside Liss, both legs pulled up under her armor.
"Still with me?" Liss asked.
"Always," Thessaly said.
Liss rested her head on her shoulder.
"I could break the world."
"Then I'll hold the pieces with you."
Liss turned. Their foreheads touched.
This time—no hesitation.
They kissed.
No war. No noise. Just lips and stars and the sound of reality holding its breath.
And the void inside her ribs—
for the first time—was quiet.