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I wasn’t dreaming this.

A dangerous, wonderful thought bloomed in my chest. Maybe I never would be dreaming about things I couldn’t have again.

The cool night air wrapped around us as we stepped away from the fire, but the warmth of Ruugar’s hand in mine held back my shivers. The quiet hum of the otherssettling in for the night faded behind us, leaving only the steady rustle of leaves and the distant rush of water.

We walked without speaking, side by side, the space between us alive with something unspoken. The falls loomed ahead, gleaming silver in the moonlight, their roar growing louder with each step.

I stole glances at him, taking in his strong profile. His brow was furrowed, his jaw tight, and I suspected he was thinking things he wasn’t ready to share. But his hold on my hand never wavered. I sensed he was afraid of letting go.

We reached the river and stood at the top of the bank with grass dotted with tiny wildflowers below our feet. A tug on his hand was all it took. He looked down, his brow raised, but when I settled on the ground, he followed, his large frame easing beside me.

Stretching his legs out in front of him, he leaned back on his palms while I hugged my knees to my chest.

I glanced at him again. This time, he was watching me.

My breath caught.

He swallowed, his mouth wrangling before he released a sharp nod. He plucked a single blade of grass and held it out to me.

“For you,” he said gruffly.

The gift was ridiculous. And perfect. Ruugar didn’t deal in grand gestures. He dealt in quiet choices. Like holding my hand. Sitting this close. Giving me something simple yet more valuable than anything I’d ever been offered before.

My giddy laugh bubbled up, but I bit it back, taking the blade of grass with careful hands. He'd just handed me what to him could be a priceless treasure. “Thank you.”

He grabbed another blade and placed it in my palm. Then another.

My throat closed off. I couldn’t stop the tears from springing up in my eyes. Because this was Ruugar. This was him trying. And it was finally happening.

A deep breath steadied me. The sound of the falls filled the space between us, but the tension had shifted, crackling with unsaid words.

I didn’t want unsaid words any longer.

“Things are different between us,” I said.

The moment stretched too long, my words laying exposed between us. What if I’d misread everything?

Ruugar went still. A muscle in his jaw jumped, and for a long moment, I wasn’t sure he’d answer. His chest rose with a slow breath. “Yes.”

That one word held everything.

My body moved before fear could stop me. Shifting closer, I reached for him.

His hand rose, his fingers brushing my cheek.

My skin ignited under his touch.

His eyes searched mine, filled with something raw and uncertain. That look made my lungs ache. His thumb moved in the lightest stroke over my cheekbone, and I shivered.

Slowly, cautiously, he leaned in.

My breath halted, my pulse slamming loud in myears. The first touch of his lips was feather-light, careful, and questioning.

I had a choice here. I could pull back and pretend this never happened, which would be infinitely safer. But a world without this or him?

I rose onto my knees and pressed forward.

He rumbled low in his throat. His hand moved to the nape of my neck, tilting my chin as he kissed me again, firmer this time. The meadow and forest and mountains around us blurred. I lost my blades of grass, but I’d search for them later.