Hard

Ethan crossed through the gates of Eldranor, feeling the pleasant weight of his newly won power. The cold, ancient air of the kingdom seemed to greet him, reminding him of what he had already achieved, and what he still intended to claim.

Aeris was waiting for him in the main hall, her staff lightly resting on the ground. It seemed the Guardian had warned her of his arrival.

The calm smile she always wore appeared when she saw him, but it didn't escape his notice that it took a second longer to form. Her eyes, usually serene, seemed more restless than usual.

"You returned sooner than I expected," she said, her voice a bit firmer than usual.

"Did you miss me?" Ethan replied, wearing that faint, teasing smile that could provoke more than a thousand words.

Aeris hesitated, lowering her gaze slightly, but didn't answer right away. When she did speak, her voice came out sharper. "I just found it… odd. You stayed at the castle so long, I didn't expect you back so soon."

He stepped closer, looking directly into her eyes. "Who do you think I was with, Aeris?"

She tried to hold her expression, but the slight press of her lips gave her away. "With the princess," she almost whispered.

Ethan tilted his head, feigning surprise. "Jealous?"

"No… it's not jealousy," Aeris replied too quickly, looking away. "It's just… strange. That's all."

"You look even more beautiful when you lie," Ethan teased, almost whispering. He reached out and brushed aside a strand of hair that had fallen over her face.

Aeris seemed to freeze, her eyes widening. A flush deepened on her cheeks, and she swallowed hard, her staff trembling slightly in her hand.

"My lord… don't tease me like that," she said, her voice softer now, though she didn't step back.

"I'm not teasing," he said, his expression growing more serious. "You don't have to compete with anyone, Aeris. I know who's always by my side."

For a moment, the place felt too quiet, as if even the kingdom itself had paused. Aeris didn't answer, but her shoulders relaxed, and the look she gave Ethan was a mix of gratitude and something harder to name.

He stepped even closer, closing the distance between them. His hand hovered near her face, the warmth of his touch almost reaching her. "You know I'll always need you, don't you?"

Aeris took a deep breath, closing her eyes for a second. When she opened them, her expression had softened, almost surrendered. "I… know," she murmured.

He smiled, satisfied with the answer. "Good," he said, stepping back just enough to see her relax, though still keeping close. "Because I have big plans, Aeris. And I want you in them."

"What plans?" she asked, trying to sound steady, but her voice came out softer.

Ethan simply shook his head, his smile returning. "Soon, you'll see," he replied.

For a moment, they just looked at each other. Aeris seemed on the verge of saying something, but held back. Ethan, meanwhile, kept his gaze steady, pleased to see that even someone as powerful as her could be unsettled by a simple gesture from him.

In that moment, Aeris realized something she herself didn't want to admit: she was starting to see him not as the Herald, but simply as Ethan. The way he looked at her, as if she were the only one who truly mattered, made it impossible to see anything else.

"I need to stop by my room first, want to come with me?" Ethan asked.

Without speaking, Aeris just nodded.

On the way, they passed several cultists who bowed and saluted as soon as they saw their beloved Herald. Ethan merely nodded back with a smile, while Aeris walked beside him, watching silently.

The halls of Eldranor seemed to echo each of their steps. Aeris followed beside Ethan, her face still flushed, but her expression resolute.

When they reached Ethan's quarters, a large hall marked by marble columns and tapestries bearing Aurelia's symbol, gifts from the cultists, Ethan turned to face her.

"You were quiet the whole way," he remarked, his voice low, laced with teasing. "Thinking about something?"

Aeris looked away, lightly biting her lower lip. "I just… was reflecting."

"About me?"

She hesitated, and that small silence was all Ethan needed to smile, pleased. "So it was."

"Et- My lord… don't tease me like that," she said, almost in a sigh. "You know how… how that makes me feel."

"I know." He stepped closer until he was near enough to feel her breath. "And that's exactly why I keep doing it."

He didn't want her to follow him just because he was the Herald, that would mean she might betray him if he ever went against the goddess. She had to be loyal to Ethan Blake.

Aeris lifted her face, meeting his gaze. There was longing, hesitation… and something even she couldn't name. Ethan raised a hand, brushing the back of his fingers gently along her cheek.

"You don't have to be afraid," he said softly.

"It's not fear…" Aeris murmured, closing her eyes for a moment, her whole body seeming to tremble at his nearness. "It's just… hard."

"Hard?" Ethan teased, lowering his head until their foreheads nearly touched. "Or inevitable?"

The words hung in the air between them.

Aeris drew in a deep breath, her staff slipping from her hand and resting against the floor. "Ethan…"

But before she could say more, he moved, trapping her against one of the marble columns. The cold stone at her back contrasted with the heat radiating from his body so close to hers.

"I told you I needed you," Ethan whispered, his voice husky. "And I wasn't lying."

Aeris's eyes widened, but instead of pulling away, she stayed there, caught in his warmth and scent.

"What do you want from me… right now?" she asked, her voice nearly breaking.

"Everything," Ethan answered without hesitation. "But for now, I just want you to trust me."

Aeris swallowed hard, nodding faintly. "I already do…"

His hands came to rest at her waist, firm but not forceful. "Then prove it."

"Prove it?" she repeated, blushing even deeper.

Ethan didn't answer; he only leaned closer until his lips almost brushed hers.

"Do you want me to stop?"

Aeris hesitated, just for a heartbeat. "No…"

His smile widened, pleased with her answer. His hands moved a little higher, brushing against her back, and the heat between them grew.