Sons of a devil

The sun was setting over the hills, dyeing the sky in streaks of orange, gold, and soft lavender. For the first time in what felt like forever, there was no threat waiting in the shadows, no echo of battle in the wind. Just the sound of laughter and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

They had taken refuge in a forgotten part of the forest, where magic still lingered in the roots and the air tasted of peace. Here, for just a moment, they could breathe.

Cain sat by the riverbank, legs stretched out, sleeves rolled up, eyes half-lidded as he watched the water flow lazily past. Selene joined him quietly, holding two mugs of warm tea she'd made from herbs they'd gathered earlier. She handed him one and sat down beside him, knees brushing.

He looked at her with a tired smile. "You always bring tea like it'll fix everything."

She leaned her head on his shoulder, sipping. "Doesn't it?"

Cain chuckled, soft and low. "Maybe. Or maybe it's just you."

Selene tilted her face up to him, their eyes locking. For once, there was no fear, no darkness waiting at the edges. Just them.

"You scared me," Cain said quietly. "When you collapsed back there. I thought—" He couldn't finish it.

Selene placed a hand over his. "But I'm here. I'm okay. We both are."

"You keep doing that," he murmured. "Giving too much of yourself."

"And you keep thinking I can't handle it," she replied with a teasing smirk. "But I can. Because I have you."

Cain kissed the top of her head, lingering. "Then stay with me. When this is over... if we survive it, just stay."