Chapter 32 — The Breath Between Worlds
The Obsidian Wilds felt different after the Guardian's fall—quieter, sharper, like a landscape that had witnessed something sacred and wasn't sure whether to speak of it. The silver motes drifting around the forest dimmed, swirling gently back into the trees as if exhaling their last blessing.
Lyra didn't move for several minutes.
She sat in the soft moss with Kai resting in her lap, one arm wrapped protectively around his shoulders, the other clutching the still-glowing Compass. She could feel the faint rise and fall of his chest, but it wasn't enough. It didn't feel like proof that he would stay.
"Come on," she whispered, brushing her thumb along his cheek. "You're okay. You're here. I've got you."
Kai's skin was warm again—not hot, but no longer the terrifying cold she'd felt just moments before. The Compass lay beside them, pulsing faintly, as if exhausted from saving him.
Kai's eyelids fluttered, and he tried to speak.
"Lyra… you're crying."
She stiffened, quickly wiping her cheek with the back of her sleeve. "No I'm not."
His lips curved in the faintest smile. "You are."
Lyra swallowed hard. "Well… it's your fault."
Kai let out a weak but genuine laugh, his fingers twitching as if he wanted to reach for her. She caught his hand, squeezing it gently.
"I thought I lost you," she breathed, her voice breaking despite her effort to hold it together.
"You won't," he murmured. "Not while I still have a choice."
But she heard something else behind his words—something fragile.
"You didn't have a choice back there," she whispered. "That blast… Kai, it almost—"
Kai's hand tightened around hers. "But you brought me back."
Lyra looked down at the Compass, still pulsing with soft silver light. "I didn't know I could. I just—"
She looked at him again, heart pounding.
"I just couldn't let you go."
Kai's expression shifted—gentle, tender, aching. His eyes softened in a way she had never seen before.
"I'm glad," he breathed.
The forest rustled around them, as if giving them space.
The Walk Back to Camp
Kai eventually regained enough strength to sit up, though Lyra insisted on supporting him. His arm slipped around her shoulders, more for necessity than romance, but Lyra felt the warmth of him sink straight into her chest.
"You're stubborn," he said as they walked slowly through the trees.
"You nearly died," she countered. "If that makes me stubborn, I'll take it."
He smiled softly. "Then I guess I'll be more careful from now on."
"You guess?"
"Fine. I will."
The path back to their temporary camp was quiet except for the rustle of leaves and the distant cry of some forest creature. Lyra kept glancing at Kai every few steps, making sure his color was returning.
He caught her staring. "What? Do I look that awful?"
"You look…" She hesitated. "Alive. That's all that matters."
Kai stopped walking, turning slightly so she had to face him.
"Lyra."
There was something in his voice—something serious, deep.
Her chest tightened. "What?"
Kai's gaze held hers, steady despite his exhaustion.
"When I thought I was dying… the last thing I saw was you."
Lyra froze, breath hitching.
He lifted a hand to touch her cheek—slowly, gently, like he was afraid she might break.
"And I wasn't scared," he whispered. "Not because I wanted to die… but because I thought you were safe."
Lyra swallowed hard. "Don't say things like that."
"Why not? They're true."
"It's not fair," she murmured. "Hearing you say that when you almost—"
Her voice cracked, and she looked away.
Kai stepped closer—so close she could feel his breath warm against her temple.
"I'm still here," he said softly. "Because you saved me."
Lyra turned to face him again. Their noses were almost touching. For a heartbeat, the entire world felt suspended—just their breaths, the space between them, and the steady thrum of something neither of them dared name aloud.
Kai leaned forward just a little.
"Lyra," he whispered, "can I—"
A crack of branches snapped them apart.
Lyra jumped, instinctively stepping in front of Kai again. Kai tried to summon energy for a spell but ended up bracing on his knee instead.
A figure emerged through the foliage—tall, cloaked in emerald green.
Lyra braced herself.
Then the figure pulled back their hood.
"Relax," said a familiar voice. "If I wanted you dead, the Guardian would've finished the job."
"Thorne?" Kai breathed.
The rogue mage smirked. "Heard the woods explode. Figured you two might need help… or a burial. Glad to see it's the former."
Lyra let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding.
Thorne's golden eyes flicked between them. "You two look… close."
Lyra felt heat rising in her cheeks. Kai rubbed the back of his neck.
Thorne raised a brow but didn't comment. Instead he said, "Let's get you both back. The forest isn't safe yet."
At the Resting Clearing
Their campfire burned low by the time they returned. Thorne handed Kai a flask and ordered him—rather smugly—to drink the enchanted healing brew.
Kai grimaced. "This tastes like moss."
"It is moss," Thorne said. "But fancy moss."
Kai stared at him.
Thorne shrugged. "It'll heal you."
Lyra sat beside Kai, her shoulder pressed gently against his. She didn't move away—didn't want to. Not after almost losing him.
The fire's glow washed over Kai's skin, warming his face. He finally looked like he was truly coming back to himself.
Thorne pretended not to notice the way Kai and Lyra kept glancing at each other.
Pretended.
Because eventually he sighed. "Just kiss already."
Lyra nearly choked on nothing. Kai coughed violently.
Thorne rolled his eyes. "I'm not blind. You two look like a pair of moonstruck herbivores. If it gets it out of your system, I'd prefer it now so you can focus on survival later."
Kai groaned. "Thorne, shut up."
Lyra covered her face. "Please."
Thorne smirked and stretched out on his cloak. "Fine. But just so you know, I'm expecting the inevitable."
Kai leaned closer to Lyra. "Ignore him."
"You think I'm listening to him?" she whispered back.
He smiled, a small, warm thing that made her stomach flutter.
"You're staring again," he said.
"You're imagining things."
"Am I?"
Lyra bit her lip. "Not… entirely."
Kai's expression softened. He reached out, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Thank you," he whispered. "For saving me."
"You don't have to thank me."
"I do," he said. "Because losing me wouldn't have just ended… the mission."
He hesitated.
"It would've ended… everything I haven't told you yet."
Lyra looked up at him, her heart pounding. "Then tell me."
Kai leaned closer. "I care about you—more than I should, more than is safe. And when I thought I wouldn't get another chance to say it—"
Lyra didn't let him finish.
She leaned forward and kissed him.
It was soft—gentle—more breath than pressure. His hand rose immediately to cradle her jaw, pulling her just a little closer as if making sure the moment was real.
Lyra broke the kiss first, breath trembling. "You're not allowed to almost die again."
Kai smiled against her forehead. "I'll try my best."
From the other side of the fire, Thorne muttered, "Finally," before turning over and pretending to sleep.
Kai rested his head against Lyra's shoulder, exhaustion finally claiming him.
Lyra held him close, listening to the rhythm of his breathing. The warmth of the fire, the softness of the night, and the weight of Kai leaning on her felt like a promise—one she intended to keep.
"I'm here," she whispered.
Kai murmured something too soft to make out, but his hand found hers in the dark.
And didn't let go.