The night stretched long, adorned with a sky full of stars, scattered like shattered diamonds against the velvet darkness.
A cool breeze rustled through the open balcony, carrying the scent of the distant ocean, mingling with the rich aroma of aged wine and the faint, lingering trace of lotus flowers.
Ahcehera sat on the cushioned divan, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her crystal glass.
Across from her, Rohzivaan watched her with an unreadable expression, his own drink resting idly in his hand.
His dark hair gleamed under the lantern light, shadows flickering across his sharp features, making him look immortal and deeply human.
"You seem distracted," he finally murmured, swirling the crimson liquid in his glass.
Ahcehera tilted her head, her eyes reflecting the candlelight like molten amber. "Just thinking," she admitted, her voice softer than usual.
"About what?"
She exhaled slowly, turning her gaze toward the vast sky. "The future. Our future."
