Kael blinked, his hazel eyes questioning.
"I'll kiss you after," Freya said, her voice trembling, a quiet vow. "After you come back. Safe."
Kael nodded, his hazel eyes warm, understanding. "Fair."
He made it to the door, his boots soft on the hardwood, but stopped as footsteps followed.
A hand touched his shoulder.
He turned—and Freya kissed him, slow and deep, her lips warm, a promise without words, her platinum-cyan hair brushing his cheek, her blue eyes glistening as she poured her heart into the moment.
She pulled away before he could speak, her voice a low whisper, raw with emotion. "Come back to me."
Kael nodded, his hazel eyes steady, his voice quiet. "I will."
He stepped out, the morning light bright against his face.
Liss was waiting by the gate, car keys dangling from one finger, spinning them with idle grace, her blonde hair tied back in a high tail, the sun catching its golden strands.