Chapter 18: Unspoken Truths

The night pressed around them, cool and heavy with the scent of damp earth and pine. Karima and Haytham moved swiftly through the darkened forest, their breathing steady, their footsteps silent. The bounty hunters had been relentless, forcing them deeper into the wilderness with each passing hour. But for now, they had lost their pursuers.

Karima glanced at Haytham as they walked. He had barely spoken since their fight, though she had caught him watching her more than once. Something lingered in his gaze, something she wasn't sure she was ready to face.

"Are you going to tell me why you were looking for me?" she asked, breaking the silence.

Haytham sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I told you before—I wasn't the only one tracking you. The Council is tightening its hold, and you're at the center of it."

"That's not an answer," she said, her voice sharper than she intended.

He stopped walking, turning to face her. "I needed to know if you were alright."

Karima blinked. "Why?"

Haytham hesitated, his jaw tightening. Then, before she could press him further, he exhaled and kept walking. "Because you're important to all of this," he finally said. "And because I—"

He stopped himself.

Karima felt something shift in the air between them. Her heart pounded, and for once, it had nothing to do with the chase or the ring's pull.

She stepped closer. "Because you what?"

Haytham's eyes met hers, unreadable, but there was something different in them now—something raw. But before he could answer, a distant sound broke the moment. Horses. And they were getting closer.

Karima swore under her breath. "They found us."

Haytham was already moving. "We need to split up."

"No," she said immediately. "Not this time."

His eyes flickered with something she couldn't name, but he didn't argue. Instead, he nodded, adjusting his grip on his dagger. "Then we finish this."

The first wave came fast—four bounty hunters on horseback, their weapons gleaming in the moonlight. Karima and Haytham barely had time to brace before the attack began.

Karima moved instinctively, dodging a blade aimed for her shoulder. She countered with a sharp upward strike, catching the rider across the chest. He tumbled from his horse, his body hitting the ground with a heavy thud.

The ring pulsed.

She felt the now-familiar surge of energy, but this time, she didn't fight it. She let it strengthen her, fuel her movements. She was in control now.

Haytham fought beside her, swift and efficient. He disarmed one attacker with a well-placed strike, then turned just in time to deflect another. They moved in perfect sync, their training and instincts aligning effortlessly.

More riders appeared on the horizon, their torches flickering like specters in the night.

"We need to move," Haytham called, slicing through another opponent. "We can't fight them all."

Karima grit her teeth. He was right. They had already pushed their luck.

With a final strike, she felled the last of their immediate attackers, then turned to Haytham. "This way."

They sprinted toward the riverbank, the sound of rushing water growing louder. The river was wide, fast-moving, but it was their only chance.

Haytham shot her a look. "You sure about this?"

"No," she admitted. "But I'd rather take my chances with the river than with them."

With that, she took a deep breath—and jumped.

The cold water swallowed her instantly, the current pulling her under. For a moment, panic surged through her, but she forced it down, kicking hard, propelling herself toward the surface.

Haytham surfaced beside her, coughing. "Remind me—" he gasped, "to never let you make escape plans."

She managed a breathless laugh before the current dragged them forward, carrying them away from the fight, away from the bounty hunters, and into the unknown.

The river carried them for what felt like hours, its icy grip numbing their limbs. When they finally reached a calmer section, Karima pulled herself onto the bank, shivering, exhausted. Haytham followed, collapsing beside her, his breath ragged.

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The adrenaline was wearing off, leaving only exhaustion and the deep ache of bruises settling into their muscles.

Then, finally, Haytham turned his head toward her. "You're insane."

Karima smirked. "You followed me."

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Yeah. I did."

Silence stretched between them again, but this time it wasn't heavy. It was something else—something almost comfortable. The moon hung high above them, casting silver light over the water's surface. Karima stared at it, letting her mind drift.

Haytham's voice broke the quiet. "Back in the woods… you asked me why I was looking for you."

She turned to him. "And?"

He hesitated for only a moment before answering. "Because I wanted to."

Karima's breath hitched. She wasn't sure what she had expected him to say, but it wasn't that.

She studied his face, searching for some deeper meaning in his words. Haytham wasn't the type to waste them. Every word he spoke was calculated, precise. So for him to say something like that—to admit that it wasn't just about strategy, about survival—meant more than she could put into words.

A thousand replies ran through her mind, but none of them seemed right. Instead, she simply nodded, letting the moment settle between them.

Haytham shifted closer, just slightly. "We should rest before we move."

Karima exhaled, forcing herself to relax. "Yeah."

She lay back against the grass, closing her eyes. She could feel his presence beside her, steady and real, and for the first time in a long time, she felt safe.

Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't alone in this fight after all.