Just as Kael was about to steal another kiss, a foot step of someone
And they froze.
Kael slowly turned his head.
a little old man was standing with a cart full of squawking chickens. He was staring at them like he'd just walked in on something scandalous.
"Oh, don't mind me," the old man said, waving his hand dramatically. "Young love, huh? Sweet. Very sweet. But maybe not the best place to start a family."
Ivy let out an embarrassed squeak and immediately hid her face in Kael's chest.
Kael blinked, then let out a small laugh. "We're not starting a family, old man."
"Well," the man said, shaking a finger, "the way you were holding her said otherwise!"
Ivy groaned against Kael's shirt. "I'm never coming back to this market again."
Kael leaned down to whisper in her ear, teasing, "He's not wrong, you know. You were practically melting in my arms."
She smacked his chest lightly, trying not to laugh. "You were the one that started it in the first place"
The old man started moving his chicken cart again, mumbling as he went, "Kids these days… no shame"
Kael watched him go, then looked down at Ivy with a grin. "Well. That ruined the moment."
She rolled her eyes. "It definitely did."
"Want me to find another secret place?" he asked with a wink.
"Only if there are no chickens," she muttered, giggling now.
Kael offered her his hand again. "Come on, jealous Ivy. Let's finish exploring before someone else walks in and accuses us of scandal."
As they walked back toward the market, Ivy leaned closer and whispered, "You're lucky I love you."
Kael squeezed her hand. "I know. I hear it in your thoughts all the time."
.
.
.
.
The waves rolled gently onto the shore, the moon casting silver light over the quiet beach. The ocean breeze danced around them, cool and soft. Kael and Ivy sat side by side on the wet sand, their shoes tossed aside, their toes curling into the wet grains. The half-eaten loaf of warm market bread sat between them
Kael broke off another piece of bread and handed it to her without a word.
"Kael," Ivy said softly, looking at him instead of the sea.
He turned his head slightly, his gaze landing on her. "Hmm?"
"Apart from hearing thoughts and teleporting… what else can you do?"
He raised an eyebrow, a slow smile pulling at his lips. "Ah… a lot."
"Really?" Ivy leaned in a little, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Tell me!"
Kael chuckled and brushed some hair from her face. "I can make myself invisible… turn into shadows… move like smoke."
Her jaw dropped slightly, eyes wide. "Wow! That sounds like so much fun!" She clapped her hands once, like a little girl hearing about magic for the first time. Her excitement made Kael smile even more.
"It can be fun," he admitted, looking out at the waves, "but I never really appreciated any of it until now."
"Why?"
He looked back at her, a gentle expression on his face. "Because now I have someone who actually wants to know these things about me."
Ivy's chest tightened a little, warmth rising in her heart. "I want to know everything."
Kael reached for her hand, his fingers brushing hers lightly before lacing them together. "I can also manipulate people's thoughts. Change what they feel. What they want."
Her eyes widened again. "Wow… how I wish you could use that on your father," she said with a laugh, her eyes sparkling.
Kael laughed out loud and free. "That's exactly what I thought Elysia would say."
Ivy tilted her head. "Who's Elysia?"
He smiled fondly. "My childhood best friend. She's the funniest person I know. Says the craziest things and somehow makes everything feel lighter."
"Hmmm…" Ivy tried to keep her tone neutral, but her lips formed a small pout.
Kael noticed immediately and grinned. "She's helped me a lot. Especially when things get heavy with my family."
"I really want to see what she looks like," Ivy said quietly, her eyes now fixed on the ocean. "You look so happy talking about her…"
Kael gently tugged her chin so she would look at him. "Hey," he said softly. "I'm happiest right now. Sitting here. With you."
Ivy bit her lip, her cheeks turning a soft pink.
"Especially when you get jealous," he teased, brushing his thumb along her cheek. "It's kinda adorable."
She groaned and buried her face in his shoulder. "Stop saying stuff like that."
"Never," he said with a grin, kissing the top of her head. "You're stuck with me now."
They sat there in silence for a moment, just listening to the waves and the distant cries of seagulls. Kael reached for more bread, broke it in half, and handed it to her again.
"You know," Ivy said, chewing thoughtfully, "if you turn into smoke, and I try to hug you, would I just fall through?"
Kael laughed again, shaking his head. "Guess we'll have to try it and see."
She smiled and leaned against him, feeling the steady beat of his heart. "Promise me you'll never disappear like smoke."
He looked down at her, his voice soft and full of promise. "Never. You're my anchor now, Ivy. I'd always find my way back to you."
"You said you want to see what Elysia looks like, right?" Kael asked, his eyes dancing with mischief.
"Hmmm… not really," Ivy replied, shrugging and trying to sound casual. "Just curious."
"Okay then," Kael smirked. "Let me satisfy your curiosity."
Ivy looked up at him, confused. "How?"
Kael closed his eyes, his expression relaxing.He spoke directly into Elysia's mind something she absolutely hated.
Suddenly, with a faint shimmer of smoke and shadows, a figure appeared on the sand a few steps away. Hands on her hips. Brow raised. And eyes locked directly on Kael like she was about to throw him into the ocean.
"KAEL," she said, slowly and loudly, her voice sharp with annoyance. "I was in the middle of soaking my feet. In peace. Then I hear your annoying voice in my head like a bad dream. Again."
Kael just chuckled, clearly pleased with himself. "Nice to see you too."
Ivy sat there, wide-eyed, her heart skipping. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she looked up at the stunning woman now standing before them.
Elysia was… beautiful. Like something straight out of a painting. Her skin pale and flawless, like she had never walked under the sun. Her off-shoulder gown hugged her waist perfectly, and the deep cut at the chest made Ivy feel instantly underdressed. The dress flowed behind her like silk in the wind, and she stood there, barefoot, glowing with power and confidence.
Ivy blinked, unsure what to say. She's like a goddess… she thought, then glanced quickly at Kael.
He was watching her reaction closely, and when he saw her shift uncomfortably and look away, a flicker of amusement crossed his face.
"You could've warned me," Ivy whispered, nudging him.
"Why?" Kael said, whispering back, clearly entertained. "You're cuter when you're jealous."
Ivy rolled her eyes but crossed her arms, trying to act unaffected.
Elysia finally turned her sharp eyes on Ivy and tilted her head, a small smirk forming on her lips. "So this is the girl who's got Kael all twisted."
Ivy straightened her back quickly. "I..uh..hi."
"She's adorable," Elysia said, her expression softening as she looked Ivy over again. "I see why you're acting different now, Kael. You've got taste."
"Of course I do," Kael said, leaning back like he deserved a medal.
Elysia shot him a glare. "You're still annoying."
"And you still love me," he replied with a grin.
Ivy's eyebrows rose at that, but Elysia just laughed. "In the same way I love stepping on thorns."
That made Ivy smile, and some of her nervousness melted away.
Elysia gave her a warm look. "Don't let him get away with too much. He needs someone to keep him in check."
"Oh, I try," Ivy said, her confidence growing a little. "He's very stubborn."
"Ugh. Tell me about it," Elysia sighed dramatically. "Anyway, now that I've been dragged here against my will, I'm stealing some bread." She reached over and snatched a piece, sitting down like she owned the place.
Kael leaned over to Ivy and whispered, "Still jealous?"
"Maybe just a little," Ivy whispered back with a playful pout. "She's stunning."
Kael smiled and kissed her temple. "So are you. And only one of you has my heart."
-----------------------
Elysia bit into the bread and leaned back on her elbows, glancing at Kael with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"You know," she began, looking between him and Ivy, "if you're going to fall in love with him, there's something you should know."
Kael narrowed his eyes. "Elysia… don't."
"Oh, I must," she said dramatically, as if it were her duty. "You see, Ivy… your mighty, brooding demon prince here once…" she paused, chewing her bread thoughtfully, "tried to impress me by summoning a fire wolf when we were teenagers."
Ivy's eyes lit up with interest. "A fire wolf?"
"Yes," Elysia said, nodding. "And instead, he summoned a flaming chicken."
Ivy blinked. "Wait. What?"
"Oh yes," she said with a grin. "It squawked, flapped its tiny wings,completely on fire and chased Kael around the training yard while he screamed."
"I did not scream," Kael muttered, covering his face with one hand.
"You did scream," Elysia insisted, laughing now. "You ran like your soul was being dragged to the underworld. I almost passed out from laughter. General Dain had to put the chicken out with a water."
"Okay, it was one time" Kael started, but Ivy was already laughing, leaning against his shoulder with tears in her eyes.
"A flaming chicken?" she repeated between giggles.
"It was traumatizing," Kael groaned.
"It was hilarious," Elysia corrected. "He didn't try to show off for a full month after that."
Ivy wiped her eyes, still smiling. "I love this. You always look so serious… I never imagined you running from a chicken."
"Not just a chicken," Elysia said as she hold up a finger with a fire, "a flaming one."
Kael let out a long sigh. "I regret ever contacting you."
"No, you don't," Elysia grinned. "You missed me."
Kael gave her a side-eye, then glanced at Ivy,her smile wide, cheeks glowing, her laughter softening the whole world around them.
"Alright," Kael muttered with a reluctant smile. "Maybe a little."
Ivy nudged him playfully. "I like her."
"Of course you do," Kael said. "The both of you are going to gang up on me now, aren't you?"
"Obviously," Elysia and Ivy said at the same time.
And just like that, laughter echoed over the sound of the waves, warm and easy, as if the world outside that little moment didn't exist.