Where the Runes Wake

"Sure," she said, her voice steadier than before.

They walked side by side for a few steps until Rhea realized she was staring at him. Quickly, she looked away, clearing her throat. Her heart beat a little faster, and she silently berated herself for acting like a schoolgirl.

They caught up to the group, and Rhea found herself falling back into her usual posture—arms tense, eyes scanning the corridor. But something in her chest felt lighter. She couldn't put it into words, and she wasn't sure she wanted to.

Mikhailis moved ahead, taking the lead now, cracking another joke under his breath about how the catacombs needed better interior decorating. Rhea rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth quirked up in a smile before she could stop it. She noticed Lira smirking knowingly, which made Rhea's cheeks grow hot.

I must be losing my mind, she thought, but somehow, it didn't feel so bad.