A ride and confession (4)

"I just kissed the person I love. Any problem with that?"

Lucavion flinched.

His grip on the reins tightened, his entire body locked in place as if those words had struck him harder than a blade to the chest.

His lips parted slightly, as if searching for a response—some excuse, some diversion, anything.

But—

"…Stop it."

His voice was low. A warning.

But Aeliana laughed.

Not cruelly. Not mockingly.

Softly. Warmly.

"Why?" she mused, tilting her head against his shoulder. "Can't handle it?"

Silence.

Nothing but the sound of their breathing, the distant rustling of the wind, the quiet hum of Aether shifting beneath them.

Aeliana's own heart was pounding, her pulse thrumming so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

But—

She could feel his heart too.

Thudding just as fast.

Matching hers.