Chapter 24: Of Rainy Nights and Unexpected Warmth

It started raining as we walked back.

Not the polite drizzle kind—but a full-on, storm-wants-to-drown-the-city kind of rain.

Naturally, I forgot to bring an umbrella. Because why wouldn't I?

By the time we reached the corner of my apartment block, I was soaked through.

She, on the other hand, stood perfectly dry under a faint shimmering shield of shadow energy.

I shot her a miserable look.

"You could've told me you were weatherproof…" I muttered.

She smirked under the hood of my oversized hoodie.

"You didn't ask."

Lightning cracked across the sky. Thunder rumbled so loud it shook the streetlights.

I shivered.

Without a word, she stepped closer. Before I could react, she flicked her fingers, and that strange warm shadow barrier expanded, wrapping around me too.

The cold disappeared instantly.

I turned to thank her but froze when I realized how close she was—barely a breath away. Her crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, and her golden hair, damp from the air, clung to her cheeks.

For once, she wasn't teasing.

She looked… thoughtful.

"You endure so much discomfort," she murmured. "Why don't you ever ask for more?"

I swallowed hard.

"Because… I've never really believed I deserved it," I admitted before I could stop myself.

She stared at me for a long, silent moment.

Then—without warning—she grabbed my hand.

"From now on," she said softly, "if you can't believe it for yourself… believe it because I say so."

My heart did something very stupid in that moment.

And for once, I didn't fight it.

Author's Thought

Is Liam finally starting to fall, Legends?

Do you think the Queen realizes she's falling too, or is she still pretending she's just teasing him?

Drop your thoughts below! And don't forget—hit that collection button so Liam doesn't get left out in the rain next time! Your support means everything!