Chapter 82 – Between the Stars and Shadows
Time moved differently when they were together.
Hours passed, but it felt like mere moments.
They sat near an open window, Aetheria leaning against Leonhardt's chest, his arms wrapped loosely around her waist.
Outside, the sky stretched in endless dark blues and silvers, the moon reigning over the heavens like the goddess she was meant to be.
"We should talk about what happens next," Leonhardt said after a long silence.
Aetheria hummed. "We should."
Neither of them moved.
Neither of them wanted to.
Leonhardt smirked. "You're avoiding the conversation."
Aetheria tilted her head back slightly, looking up at him. "And you're letting me."
He chuckled, pressing a kiss to her temple. "For now."
She sighed softly. "We both know what's coming."
Leonhardt's gaze darkened. "They won't stop hunting me."
Aetheria's eyes flashed dangerously, her usual cold, ruthless aura returning in full force.
"Then we'll make them regret it."
Leonhardt grinned, his fingers tracing slow patterns over her skin. "You always did have a cruel side."
She arched a brow. "And you always loved it."
Leonhardt kissed her again, deeply, as if sealing that truth between them.
Outside, the world plotted.
Kings schemed.
Empires raged.
But in this moment, beneath the endless night, surrounded by nothing but moonlight and whispers of eternity…
They belonged only to each other.
And nothing—not gods, not empires, not fate itself—would ever tear them apart again.
To Be Continued…