The walk back to Kilima was slow, unrushed. Morning light filtered through the trees, golden and soft, and everything felt strangely still—like even the world was letting them have this moment a little longer.

Tau trotted ahead, tail swaying contentedly. Hassian walked beside Lyra, their hands brushing now and then, but neither felt the need to force words. After last night, silence wasn’t uncomfortable. It was companionable. Full.

When they reached her house, Lyra paused on the front steps.

“I just realized you haven’t been inside,” she said, glancing at him with a faint smile. “You’ve been by a few times but always stayed out here.”

“You were catching your breath,” he finished gently. “I figured you needed space.”

Her expression warmed, touched. “Maybe. But I would’ve made room for you.”

A quiet moment passed between them.

She nudged the door open. “Well, there’s no reason to stay out here now. Come in—I’ll make us breakfast.”

He lifted a brow. “You’re trying to feed me?”

“You say that like it’s a new thing.”

The inside of the house was cool and quiet, and it smelled faintly of dried lavender and warm earth. Lyra set her satchel down and walked toward the kitchen, already moving with the ease of someone who knew what she wanted to do. She was still in last night’s outfit, her hair loose around her shoulders, cheeks soft with sleep, but she looked content—anchored.

Hassian leaned casually in the doorway as she put on water and pulled out eggs and bread.

“I’m not going fancy,” she warned. “Scrambled eggs, toast, and hot tea.”

“Sounds like a feast.”

She glanced back at him, eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Are you humoring me?”

“Completely,” he replied with a smirk. “And gratefully.”

They ate at the kitchen table, knees brushing now and then under the wood. Tau sprawled out nearby with his own small portion, happily chomping away.

Hassian gestured at the kettle with his mug. “You know… I love being with you in the Grove. But maybe we could start spending a little more time here.”

She tilted her head. “Here?”

“You’ve got hot water and plumbing. And a kitchen that doesn’t rely on a fire pit.” He gave a small smile. “You’d be comfortable. As a lady should be.”

She watched him carefully for a moment, then said, “I know you prefer sleeping under the stars.”

He shrugged one shoulder, sipping his tea. “You’ve got a big yard.”

She laughed under her breath and stood, moving to a jar tucked behind a stack of teacups. She opened it and pulled something out, then walked over and placed it in his hand.
A house key.

“Come here whenever you want,” she said. “Even if I’m not home. Especially if you’re hungry—there’s always food.”

He looked down at the key, then back up at her. “You sure?”

“There’s nothing in our lives that isn’t shared now.”

He rose from his chair, fingers closing around the key like it meant more than he could say.

“I like that,” he said quietly. And then he kissed her.

It was unhurried. Sure. A press of affection and understanding, lingering just long enough to make her smile against his mouth.

“Thanks for breakfast,” he murmured.

They stepped out onto the porch, and he made to go. She watched him from the steps.

“Just stay safe,” he called over his shoulder.

Her heart paused—not because of the words, but because she’d heard them before. Again and again, lately. It wasn’t just a habit.
She was starting to understand that it had meaning:
That was his way of saying I care.
Maybe even I love you.

And then, a grin tugged at the corner of her lips—she had an idea. One that might just let them be under the stars, and yet not.

The Bahari Signpost

“Okay, someone check the sky,” Rex said, shielding his eyes. “Is that the sun rising in the west, or is Lyra just late again?”

“She’s always late,” Lexi replied, adjusting the strap on her quiver. “At this point, I just assume she’s building suspense.”

“Maybe she got mauled by a Chapa,” Simon added helpfully.

“Oh, please,” Saraya said dryly. “If she got mauled, Hassian would have swooped in and carried her out by now and personally scolded the Chapa.”

That was when Lyra appeared, jogging up the path toward them, a bit out of breath but looking thoroughly un-mauled.

“There she is,” Lexi called. “No visible injuries! Disappointing.”

“You’re late,” Simon said.

“I know, I know,” Lyra huffed. “I wasn’t with Hassian, if that’s what you’re thinking.... well, I was, but that was earlier.”

They all glared at her.

“…So who was it this time then?” Rex finally asked, crossing his arms.

“I was at City Hall.”

Lexi squinted. “Were you confessing to a crime?”

“Filing for joint custody of Tau?” Simon asked.

“Actually,” Lyra said, brushing hair off her forehead, “I was seeing about getting some work done at my place. I’ve got a brilliant idea! I hope.”

Lexi gasped. “You’re nesting.”

“Shut up.”

“No, no, let’s unpack this,” Rex said, walking in a circle around her like a scientist observing a rare species. “She’s late. She’s glowing. She’s talking about renovations. Something has shifted in the ecosystem.”

Saraya tilted her head. “Wait. Is that a pin?”

The teasing stopped cold.

Four pairs of eyes locked on the small, gleaming shape pinned on Lyra’s chest. Their silence lasted all of two seconds.

Lexi shrieked. “IS THAT HIS?!”

“No, it’s Tau’s,” Lyra replied.

Simon threw both arms in the air like someone had just hit a game-winning shot. “I KNEW IT!”

Rex stumbled backward dramatically, clutching his chest. “She actually did it. She tamed the growling hunter!”

Saraya took one long step forward, eyes narrowing like she was examining ancient treasure. “Are you planning to give him one too?”

“Already have.”

Lyra just stood there, arms crossed, watching them implode with a quiet, victorious grin.

“You absolute legend,” Lexi said, pointing. “Legend!”

“Okay, okay,” Lyra said, holding up a hand. “Let’s all calm down and take a breath.”

“Nope,” Lexi said, fanning herself with her hand. “I refuse to be calm.”

“So?” Rex demanded, eyebrows raised. “You gonna say it?”

Lyra smirked. “Say what?”

Rex leaned in, lowering his voice into an exaggerated imitation. “That’s a bullshit. You know what.”

Lyra let the moment stretch out, then put one hand on her hip and looked at each of them in turn.

“And none of you believed me,” she said, voice rich with satisfaction, “when I said from day one that someday he’d be my man?”

Silence.

Lexi raised a cautious hand. “I believed in your confidence.”

Simon shrugged. “I gave it a ten percent chance. On good days.”

Rex waved a hand. “I said he might come around if you kidnapped Tau.”

Saraya just grinned. “I believed you. Eventually.”

Lyra shook her head, laughing. “Cowards. All of you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Lexi said. “But we’re the cowards you get to gloat to for the rest of your life.”

“Which you will,” Simon added. “Frequently.”

“You better,” Saraya said with a wink. “You earned this.”

And Lyra, still smiling, didn’t argue.