Theo’s steps slow, just slightly. “I remember.”
“Back when none of us knew what we were doing.”
His mouth twitches. “Still not sure we do.”
I laugh—soft, unexpected. “Maybe not. But it’s still true. What you said.”
He looks at me then, really looks at me, and something in his expression shifts. Softens.
“You don’t have to be whole to be worthy of being seen,” I whisper, echoing the words I just gave Riley. The words he gave me first.
The Ether hums low in my chest, answering the truth of it.
Theo stops walking.
I stop too, turning to face him.
The forest holds its breath around us. The caravan moves ahead, giving us space without seeming to notice. Or maybe they notice and just… let us have this moment.
“Bree—” he starts, but I don’t let him finish.
I step forward and kiss him.
It’s not tentative. Not questioning. Just… real.
For half a heartbeat, he goes still—surprised.
Then he moves.
His hand comes up to cup my face, thumb brushing my cheek as he tilts my head back and takes the kiss deeper. Bold. Certain. This is Theo I’ve never seen before—Theo who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to claim it.
His other arm slides around my waist, pulling me closer, and I feel the steady thrum of his heartbeat against my chest. The Ether rises between us, warm, present, right.
When we finally pull apart, I’m breathless.
He’s smiling—really smiling—and it transforms his whole face.
“I’ve wanted to do that for years,” he says quietly.
“Why didn’t you?”
“Because you weren’t ready.” His thumb traces my jaw. “And I would’ve waited forever if that’s what you needed.”
My throat tightens. “I’m still not whole, Theo. I’m still—”
“I know.” He leans his forehead against mine. “And I don’t care. You’re exactly who you’re supposed to be.”
The words break something open in my chest—something that’s been locked tight for so long I forgot it was there.
I kiss him again, softer this time. A promise instead of a question.
When we pull back, the forest has gone quiet. The caravan’s moved ahead, giving us space, but I can see Rhett’s flames in the distance, waiting.
“And somehow you still manage to surprise me,” he says running his fingers down my arm. He takes my hand, lacing our fingers together.
“Come on,” he says gently. “Let’s go home.”
We catch up to the others, and no one says anything. But I feel the shift—the way Gray’s shoulders relax slightly, the way Jace’s grin widens just a fraction. The way Rhett glances back and nods once, approval clear in his eyes.
