Morning light spilled across the Bahari grass, wrapping the fields in a golden hush. Dew clung to their boots as Lyra and Hassian walked side by side toward Killima, the warmth between them lingering—like the scent of firewood on skin.
They walked on, quiet but not strained.

Only when the rooftops of Killima began to show did Hassian’s hand dip into his pouch.He drew out a small, smooth key—brass worn smooth at the edges. He held it out to her with a hand that didn’t shake, but didn’t quite rest steady either. “For the Grove,” he said. “If you're ever in Bahari and need somewhere to go… or just miss Tau.”

“Just Tau?”

Man up, Hassian thought to himself. He stopped and looked her in the eyes. ”Or me.” he said simply.

Lyra accepted it gently, her fingers brushing his. “You’re sure? Hassian, this feels big.”

He nodded, then after a breath added, “I’ve never shown anyone else that place before. Not even those I consider friends. But you're.... different.”

Lyra looked down at the key. It wasn’t ornate. It wasn’t grand. But it carried more weight than any trinket she’d ever been given. “Thank you for sharing it with me. I’ll take care of this,” she said softly, holding up the key..

They continued the rest of the walk in silence. When they reached Sifuu’s house, Hassian lingered at the gate. “I’ll grab Tau. He’ll want to say hi.”

Lyra smiled. “I’d be disappointed if he didn’t.”

Moments later, Tau bounded through the door and launched himself at Lyra with an eager bark and a wag that could sweep the dust off a stoop. Lyra laughed as she steadied herself, scratching behind his ears.

“He missed you,” Hassian said from the doorway.

“I missed him too.”

After a minute, Lyra stood and wiped her hands on her thighs. “I need to check the garden before I meet the others. We’re heading back into Bahari today. Just a day trip.”

That flicker crossed his face again. Concern, masked behind the still surface of him. “Where are you headed this time?”

“Probably back toward the river stretch. East of the Grove, away from the Outskirts.”

He seemed to consider that, then gave a quiet nod. “Just…. stay safe.”

Lyra hesitated. There was something in the way he said it—low, edged with something like caution. “I will,” she replied.

She turned and walked off with Tau’s bark fading behind her, the key tucked tightly in her palm.

A Different Kind of Target

By the time Lyra reached the meeting spot by the signpost on the road to Bahari, her friends were already waiting — half-geared and half-bored. Saraya raised an eyebrow at the sight of her, arms crossed, leaning against a tree. “Well, well,” Saraya said, “look who decided to grace us with her presence.”

“I’m not that late,” Lyra said, dropping her bag beside them.

Lexi leaned in. “Mmhm. So where’d you sleep last night? Because you sure weren’t at home. I stopped by your place on the way to Saraya’s.”

Lyra paused, brushing a leaf from her shoulder. “In Bahari.”

Rex tilted his head. “Alone?”

She met his eyes evenly. “Noooo.”

That silenced them for a beat.

Simon coughed into his hand. “So… you and the hunter?”

Lyra didn’t smile, didn’t smirk. “We stargazed. We talked. He gave me a blanket. That’s it.”

Lexi blinked. “So you didn’t hit the target, is what you’re saying.”

“Not that kind of hunt,” Lyra said dryly. “But thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Rex looked mildly disappointed. “Not even a kiss?”

“Nope.”

Saraya narrowed her eyes. “But something happened.”

Lyra shrugged. “Something’s happening that’s different.”

Simon grinned. “Okay but… no growling?”

Lyra’s voice was casual, but a hint of playfulness crept in. “Not a growl. Closer to a purr.”

That broke them. Saraya actually clapped her hands.

“Oh, he’s doomed,” Lexi laughed. “That’s when you know.”

Lyra finally allowed herself a little smile. “He gave me a key. To his Grove.”

That sobered them. Rex let out a low whistle. “For real?”

“He said he’s never shown it to anyone before.”

Now they were quiet for real. Even Simon didn’t joke. Saraya nudged her gently. “That’s a big step.”

“I know.” Lyra looked down at her hands. “I didn’t expect it either…. but, some day he’s gonna’ be my man, so….”

Lexi leaned in with a grin. “So… when are we invited?”

“Never,” Lyra said instantly, and they all laughed again. It wasn’t that anything dramatic had changed overnight. But something had shifted. Just enough that the air around Lyra felt… different. And her friends saw it. Even if they still insisted on teasing her about it.

Reflecting

He sat at the guild shack, the quiet morning stretching around him, and let his thoughts drift back to the night before. For the first time, he wanted to try. He was done denying it, done pretending he didn’t feel the pull every time she was around, every time her laughter brushed against him like sunlight. Her beauty, her wit, her stubborn kindness—things he had tried to push aside—were the very things that had undone him.

She made him feel…steady. Like he had a place, like he was enough. But she also set something sharp and restless burning in him. When she stood too close, his chest tightened. When she smiled at him, it made his heart race in a way no hunt ever had.

He remembered how the starlight had clung to her skin in the Grove, how she had looked in that new outfit, soft and strong all at once. He had wanted to reach for her, to pull her close and keep her there.

The urge to guard her pressed in as natural as breath. He wanted her close, wanted her safe. The thought of her anywhere else—anyone else’s—ignited something fierce in him.

And he almost hated how easily she had gotten past his walls. He had thought himself untouchable, certain no one could slip through the armor he wore so well. But she had. Piece by piece, with her clever tongue and her open heart, she had found the cracks and made her way in. He hadn’t wanted it, – not with a human. He hadn’t planned for it, but it was too late now. She was in, and the truth settled deep in his chest: he didn’t want her out.