Seraphina sat in the dimly lit library, her fingers gently brushing over the surface of the magical stone she had been working to understand for five long months.
As always, she was able to feel the enigmatic power that the stone held, one that seemed to resist her every effort to connect with it.
Lucian sat right in front of her, merely at an arm's reach, as he had every day. His presence was a calm, steady force beside her. His ocean blue eyes were focused on her, full of patience and quiet encouragement.
"Take your time, Sera," he said softly, his voice like a soothing breeze. He never rushed her, never pushed her beyond what she could handle. That was something she had always admired about him.
The connection session lasted about half an hour like usual before she finally placed the stone back into its wooden box, relief washing over her. Being near the stone always filled her with anxiety, a tension that she couldn't quite shake.