Holding the ring felt as if Lanling's heart had been set back in place, the cold that had seeped into him vanishing as he carefully slid it onto Haruki's ring finger. Without thinking, he pressed a soft kiss to it, just as he had done countless times before.
The kiss felt like a bolt of lightning. Haruki jerked his hand back, his heart hammering against his ribs, his face burning red. "W-What…? I—"
Utterly bewildered, he let the wind carry him away, vanishing in an instant.
Stunned, Lanling swerved around, searching for any trace of his beloved—only to find none. Exasperated, he stomped his foot. "What are you being shy about? You've done far more embarrassing things than me!"
He waited, hoping the man would come back. But to his frustration, only a gentle breeze stirred, brushing his hair back. Clicking his tongue, he turned to head back to his courtyard.
Then he froze.