The city streets glistened under the early morning sun, but Kiara barely noticed. She squinted at her car, now stubbornly refusing to start. A soft sigh escaped her lips. "Looks like I'll have to hail a cab," she muttered to herself, shrugging her shoulders. The heels of her gown clicked against the pavement as she walked forward, adjusting the delicate chain of her wedding necklace.
Her eyes drifted across the street, scanning for passing vehicles—or any hint of help. And then she saw it: a woman, completely absorbed in a phone call, walking with a little boy about ten, who was chasing a bright red balloon that danced carelessly in the wind.
Her heart jolted. The balloon rolled into the road. And the boy—oblivious—chased it.
Kiara's chest tightened. Her instincts screamed before her mind could catch up. "No, no, no!" she breathed. Every muscle in her body tensed as adrenaline surged through her veins. She could see the truck, far down the street, growing larger, roaring closer with every passing second.
Time seemed to stretch. She sprinted, her heels sinking slightly into the asphalt with each step, hands reaching forward. Concentration burned behind her eyes, and in a single, focused thought, she extended her telekinetic power. The boy lifted slightly, sliding safely onto the sidewalk as if guided by invisible hands.
But the truck didn't stop.
The next moment, Kiara felt a violent impact. The world spun in an excruciating blur, air rushing past her ears, and then the asphalt slammed against her back. Pain exploded across her body as she was thrown backward, hitting her head against the ground. Stars danced in her vision, and her breath left her in a ragged gasp.
---
Above her, the world shifted in a flash. A figure appeared—powerful, unstoppable—landing like a tempest on the street. Yuvaan. His eyes widened, taking in the scene, heart thundering in his chest. His gaze locked on Kiara, and an icy fear gripped him: she was still too late.
"No…" he whispered, voice low but charged with raw emotion. The fourth orb appeared in his hand. Without hesitation, he swallowed it. Time itself twisted, bending backward, undoing the accident in a golden shimmer.
Kiara's telekinetic shove sent the boy to safety again. But this time, Yuvaan was faster—so fast she barely noticed him until he was there, arms wrapping around her just as the truck bore down. The world tilted as they fell together, landing on the asphalt. Yuvaan's chest heaved; Kiara's heart raced violently against her ribs.
For a long, suspended moment, they just lay there, almost breathless. Foreheads near enough to touch, fingers brushing, the warmth of his body pressed against hers. Yuvaan's hands lingered, holding her tightly, almost as if he could will the danger away just by the strength of his grip.
Her eyes met his—wide, terrified, but filled with a mixture of awe and something unspoken. Relief, fear, and the quiet recognition of how much they truly mattered to each other filled the space between them.
Yuvaan's voice broke the silence, soft and hoarse, laden with emotion. "Kiara… I won't let anything happen to you. Not ever."
Kiara's breath caught. Her chest heaved as the adrenaline slowly drained, leaving her trembling in his arms. Her mind struggled to process the near-death, the relief, and the overwhelming heat of the moment. She swallowed, her lips barely moving, but she managed, "I… I know."
And for a heartbeat, the world stood still—two souls locked in a fragile bubble of safety, love, and tension, just before reality began to creep back around them.
Yuvaan's hands lingered on Kiara's shoulders as they both rose from the street, her gown slightly scuffed, hair tousled by the rush of wind. His sharp gaze searched her face, voice low but tense. "Are you okay?"
Kiara exhaled, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "Yes…" she murmured, though her pulse still thudded violently. Then she paused, eyes narrowing as she spotted the boy a few feet away.
"Wait a minute." She moved toward him, steady but quick, taking the shaken child in her arms. His mother, completely absorbed in her phone call, hadn't even noticed the near-accident. Kiara's fingers gripped the device, and with a decisive snap, she broke the phone.
The woman's head shot up. "What did you—how dare you!"
Kiara's voice rang sharp but controlled, tinged with anger. "How dare you ignore your son for a phone call? Look at him! He could have—he nearly…" Her tone softened slightly, but her words carried the weight of authority and concern. "You need to be responsible. Children are not distractions—they are lives in your hands."
The woman's face crumpled as she took in her child's frightened eyes and then the reality of what had almost happened. She dropped to her knees, clutching her son tightly. "I… I'm so sorry. Thank you… thank you for saving him."
The two shared a brief, wordless moment of relief before the woman stood, holding her son close, tears glistening, and hurried away, finally aware of the world outside her phone.
Yuvaan watched all of this, a mixture of exasperation and relief playing across his face. When the woman disappeared, he turned to Kiara, his voice low and firm, though his fingers still brushed hers. "Now it's my turn to reprimand you."
Her lips quirked in a small, knowing smile, but she stayed silent, sensing the seriousness in his tone.
"Why did you leave the house? Why put yourself in danger like this?" Yuvaan asked, eyes searching hers, the faint glow of his warlock aura subtly rippling as he restrained his anger.
Kiara drew a deep breath, straightening her posture despite the lingering adrenaline. "I… I couldn't just sit around. I had to meet my dad and Varun. We need to find a way to finally resolve this curse. Only then can we marry peacefully, without worrying that some old hag's curse will ruin our lives."
Yuvaan's jaw tightened, a flash of worry passing through his eyes. "And risking your life on the way?"
"I didn't have a choice," Kiara said, her voice steady despite the tremor of emotion. "If I don't act, the curse continues. We won't get a moment of peace. We need a solution… together."
Yuvaan exhaled slowly, letting his hands fall to his sides. He studied her—the determined set of her jaw, the unyielding fire in her eyes. For a moment, he simply admired her courage, even if it drove him to distraction.
"You're impossible," he muttered, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. He reached out, gently guiding her toward the car, their fingers brushing and holding briefly, the silent acknowledgment of their bond grounding them amid the chaos of curses, time travel, and near-death moments.
Kiara nodded, gripping his hand lightly. "I know. But this… this is important. For us."
Yuvaan's eyes softened as they shared a fleeting look, and he allowed her to take the lead this time, knowing that rushing her back home wouldn't solve anything. Instead, he silently vowed—no curse, no power, no dark magic—would ever keep him from protecting her again.
The wind stirred around them, carrying the faint scent of rain, and for a heartbeat, the world seemed suspended between danger and hope.