Scene: Later that evening
Riah sat alone, on the balcony. She hadn't moved much since returning. Her mind raced, looping over Kazimir's words.
"I've been crowned King of the Vrasnai… which makes you the Queen."
Those words echoed with both pride and pressure. She wanted it—wanted him—but the weight of the title made her chest tight.
A knock sounded softly.
She stood, still in her academy garb, and opened the door. Kazimir stood there, blindfold removed now, his galaxy eyes glowing faintly in the dim hallway.
Riah blinked. "You're back fast."
"I didn't want to leave things… uncertain," he said.
She stepped aside wordlessly, letting him in. He didn't move far. He just stood there, as if unsure if he should even be here.
"Kazimir…" she started, turning to face him. "Are you okay?"
He let out a slow breath. "I don't know. But I feel lighter."
"Because you told us the truth?"
"Because you didn't run away after hearing it."
She looked him over—strong, but visibly burdened. "You think I'd run just because Nebula is your origin? That makes no difference to me."
Kazimir met her eyes. "It should. I was born of darkness. I've done things I can't take back."
Riah stepped closer. "And yet… Solaris still admires you."
He lowered his gaze. "Maybe Solaris is wrong."
She touched his chest, right over his heart. "No. You're wrong. And I'm going to prove it."
He searched her face.
"You said I'm queen now," she said. "That's not just a title to me, Kazimir. I didn't dream of ruling—but I did dream of standing beside you."
His breath caught slightly, like her words chipped away at the wall he kept up so carefully.
"You don't have to carry it all alone," she whispered. "Not anymore."
He didn't speak. He simply stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her—tight, silent, trembling.
For a long moment, they stood like that. Her head against his chest. His power, usually so wild and untamed, was calm in her presence.
Finally, he spoke.
"There's still so much I have to face."
"And you will," she said. "But from now on… we face it together."
The mansion balcony overlooked the endless night sky, stars scattered like fragments of thought, each twinkling in rhythm with the distant pulse of the cosmos. Kazimir and Riah stood side by side, the wind brushing past their hair, soft and cooling. The chaos of earlier conversations had faded, and for once, it was just the two of them.
Riah: (leaning on the stone railing)
"You ever think… we're not meant to have peace like this?"
Kazimir: (quietly)
"All the time. But it's moments like these that remind me why I fight."
She turned to him, her eyes reflecting the starlight, her expression soft.
Riah:
"I don't need royalty. I just want to keep having nights like this with you."
Kazimir: (smiles faintly)
"Then I'll give you as many nights as I can."
They shared a silence that needed no words.
But then—the balcony doors slammed open.
Neve stormed in, her usual playful smirk absent, replaced with concern.
Neve:
"Hey! Sorry to kill the romance—but something's off."
Kazimir: (stepping forward)
"What is it?"
Neve: (serious)
Kazimir:
"She's not in the mansion anymore, is she?"
Neve: (shakes her head)
"No. I just got word from Tyrone—he's trailing her. She slipped out before sundown. No goodbye, no note. Just… gone."
Riah:
"She's alone?"
Neve:
"She went to some town hosting the Ludlow Soul Festival. Tyrone's shadowing her from a distance. He said her energy is fluctuating like crazy. One second calm, the next like she's battling something inside."
Kazimir turned back toward the stars, eyes narrowing.
Kazimir:
"She's following a pull. Something's drawing her there."