Chapter 121: Time Together III

Chapter 121: Chapter 121: Time Together III

"Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be." — Robert Browning

The amber glow of late afternoon gradually faded into deep indigo twilight as Riven and Elora climbed the high stone terraces above the lower harbor.

Below them, Lakeside City began to flicker awake. Warm lanterns appeared along the winding streets, around the harbor stalls, and beneath the balconies of the buildings overlooking the water. Their reflections stretched across the dark surface of the Crystal Basin, turning the lake into a sprawling constellation of golden lights.

The city seemed different at night.

During the day, the harbor had been filled with merchants, fishermen, and travelers moving between the docks. Now, the crowds had thinned, and the streets carried a quieter charm. The occasional sound of laughter drifted upward from the lower terraces, accompanied by distant music from one of the waterfront taverns.

Riven and Elora continued along the stone walkway until they reached a secluded overlook beneath the sprawling canopy of an ancient pine.

Its thick branches extended over the balustrade, shielding the small resting area from much of the breeze. Dry autumn leaves gathered around the base of the tree, shifting whenever the wind passed through them.

The violent gale from the previous night felt like a distant memory.

The air was cool, but calm. Above them, the first stars had begun appearing between the clouds.

Elora approached the balustrade and rested her hands against its weathered stone surface. She watched the mist slowly settle over the lake, her expression peaceful.

There was something almost unfamiliar about seeing her like this.

Her usual sharp posture had completely relaxed. She wasn’t scanning the surrounding rooftops or keeping track of every movement in the distance. Her shoulders were loose, and her attention rested entirely on the scenery before her.

Riven stopped beside her.

For a little while, they simply stood together.

"We shouldn’t stay down here too much longer," Elora eventually murmured.

Her words lacked any real urgency.

"I want to see Master Kaelen again"

"Let him wait."

Elora turned toward him, a quiet laugh escaping her lips.

"Since when do you disregard the Sword Saint’s schedule?"

"Since today."

"That’s a dangerous habit to develop."

"I’ll take my chances."

She shook her head, smiling faintly.

Riven stepped closer, stopping directly in front of her. The mountain breeze passed through the branches overhead, carrying a slight chill with it. He shifted just enough to shield her from it.

Elora looked up at him.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing."

"You’re looking at me strangely."

"Am I?"

"Yes."

Riven didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his inner leather pouch and retrieved the small item he had purchased at the harbor market earlier that afternoon.

It was wrapped in a simple piece of cloth.

Elora glanced down at it, curiosity replacing her earlier amusement.

"What’s that?"

"Something I bought."

"For yourself?"

"No."

He carefully unfolded the cloth.

Resting inside was the small wooden comb he had selected at the market. Its polished surface caught the faint lantern light, revealing the delicate grain of the wood. A single deep blue stone had been set into the handle, adding a subtle touch of color to its otherwise simple design.

Riven took Elora’s hand and placed it in her open palm.

For a moment, she simply stared at it.

Her fingers slowly traced the smooth surface, following the carved edges before settling over the blue stone.

"Riven..."

"I saw you looking at it at the stall."

She lifted her eyes toward him.

"You noticed?"

"You were looking at it for quite a while."

"I was only admiring the craftsmanship."

"Of course."

Elora gave him a small, embarrassed look.

Riven’s expression remained calm, though there was a faint warmth in his eyes.

"You spend so much time carrying weapons for everyone else," he continued. "I wanted you to have something that wasn’t built for a fight."

The words were simple.

He hadn’t prepared a speech or searched for some grand declaration. He had simply seen something that reminded him of her and wanted her to have it.

Somehow, that made the gift feel even more meaningful.

Elora lowered her gaze again.

Her thumb brushed over the blue stone, and the corners of her lips lifted into a small smile. The expression was delicate, almost hesitant, as though she wasn’t entirely accustomed to receiving something without being expected to give something in return.

For once, the sharp tongued swordswoman had no immediate response.

"Thank you," she finally whispered.

Riven nodded.

"You’re welcome."

She looked at the comb again, then carefully lifted her long hair away from her shoulder. A few strands had fallen across her temple during their walk, and she used the comb to gather them back.

Her movements were slow and deliberate.

Once she had secured it, she turned toward him.

"How does it look?"

Riven studied her.

The deep blue stone rested against her dark hair, its color almost matching her eyes. It wasn’t an extravagant accessory, nor did it draw attention away from her natural appearance. It simply suited her.

He reached out, his gloved fingers gently brushing a loose strand away from her cheek.

"Beautiful."

Elora’s cheeks warmed.

"You’re supposed to be judging the comb."

"I am."

"And?"

"It looks beautiful."

She narrowed her eyes slightly.

"You’re avoiding the question."

"Then I suppose you’ll have to decide for yourself."

Elora tried to maintain her serious expression, but a small smile betrayed her.

She stepped closer.

For a moment, she simply looked at him. Her gaze moved over his face, lingering on his eyes before settling on the faint smile at the corner of his mouth.

There had been a time when she would have found it easier to change the subject. She might have made a joke, stepped away, or reminded him of the responsibilities waiting for them.

But she didn’t want to do that anymore.

The barriers she had spent so long maintaining felt unnecessary here.

"Riven," she said quietly.

He met her eyes.

"Yes?"

Elora reached up and placed one hand behind his neck. Her fingers slipped into his dark hair, gently drawing him closer.

Riven understood without needing another word.

He lowered his head, closing the small distance between them.

Their lips met.

The first touch was gentle, almost tentative. Neither hurried. Elora’s hand remained behind his neck while Riven settled his arms around her waist, drawing her closer against him.

It wasn’t like the desperate kiss they had shared at the portal in the darkness of the Abyss.

That moment had been filled with uncertainty. There had been too many unanswered questions, too much fear, and the terrible possibility that they might never see each other again.

This was different.

There was no need to hold on because they were about to be separated. No desperate attempt to memorize the feeling of one another before the world pulled them apart.

They were simply together.

Riven felt Elora relax against him. Her fingers moved gently through his hair, and she returned his kiss with a quiet affection that she no longer tried to conceal.

He held her a little closer.

The distant sounds of the city seemed to fade beneath the pine branches. The lanterns below continued to glow, and the lake remained still beneath the gathering mist.

For a while, neither thought about anything beyond the person in their arms.

When they finally parted, they remained close.

Elora’s forehead rested against his. Her eyes stayed closed as she took a slow breath, her hand settling against his chest.

Riven could feel the warmth of her palm through his clothing.

Her fingers rested over the steady beat of his heart.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"Your heart is beating rather quickly."

Riven glanced down at her.

"Yours isn’t exactly calm either."

Elora opened one eye.

"Are you making fun of me?"

"Wouldn’t dream of it."

"You’re terrible at pretending."

"Probably."

She laughed quietly, and he brushed his thumb along her cheek.

The silence that followed was comfortable.

Then Elora’s expression softened again.

"No more running," she whispered.

Her voice was barely audible beneath the breeze, but Riven heard every word.

He leaned down and pressed a lingering kiss against her temple.

"No more running," he agreed.

His arms tightened gently around her, keeping her close against the chill.

"Where you go, I go."

Elora closed her eyes.

For years, she had convinced herself that leaving people behind was sometimes the kindest thing she could do. She had carried responsibilities that weren’t always hers to bear, and she had spent so much time protecting others that she had gradually forgotten what it meant to let someone stand beside her.

Riven had never made it easy for her to keep that distance.

Even when she pushed him away, he kept moving forward. Even when the path became dangerous, he refused to abandon what mattered to him.

She had once worried that he was too stubborn for his own good.

Now, she found herself grateful for it.

"You really are stubborn," she murmured.

"I learned from someone."

"Then I suppose I have myself to blame."

"Probably."

She gave his chest a light tap.

Riven caught her hand before she could pull it away and brought it to his lips. He pressed a gentle kiss against her knuckles.

Elora watched him, her expression growing softer.

"Come on," she said eventually. "We should head back before Master Kaelen sends someone looking for us."

"You’re the one who wanted to leave."

"And you’re the one who told him to wait."

"Fair enough."

Neither moved immediately.

Elora remained in his arms for another few moments, seemingly reluctant to end the evening. Riven didn’t rush her. He simply rested his cheek against her hair, enjoying the quiet.

Eventually, she stepped back, though she kept hold of his hand.

The blue stone in her hair caught the lantern light as she turned toward the path.

Riven glanced at it.

"You should keep that somewhere safe."

Elora looked at him.

"Why? Are you worried I’ll lose it?"

"Something like that."

She smiled.

"I’ll take good care of it."

"I know."

They began walking back toward the upper terraces, their hands still joined.

The path was quiet, and their footsteps echoed softly against the old stone. Every so often, Elora glanced down at the comb’s reflection in a nearby window or touched it lightly to make sure it was still secure.

Riven noticed each time, but said nothing.

He was glad she liked it.

Ahead, the lights of the academy hall were visible through the trees. Master Kaelen was almost certainly waiting for them, and Riven could already imagine the old man’s expression when they finally arrived.

Elora seemed to have the same thought.

They continued up the terrace together, taking their time despite the approaching hour. The city lights gradually disappeared behind the trees, while the stars grew brighter overhead.

For once, neither was in a hurry to reach the next destination.

They had spent so long trying to find their way back to each other.

There was no reason to rush now that they had.