—They're arriving today —Declan said without looking at me.
His voice was calm, but something in his posture betrayed him. Leaning against the balcony railing, he stared out at the horizon with a stillness that felt too rigid to be natural.
—Who? —I asked.
—Theron. And Calista.
I fell silent for a moment. I remembered that name. He had mentioned it before, casually, as if it didn't deserve too much weight.
—By ship?
—According to his last letter, they should dock before noon.
—And who exactly are they?
He took a moment before answering.
—Theron is a botanist. Intelligent. Careful. We've worked together for years… though recently from a distance. He has ideas that could change many things.
—And Calista?
For the first time, he turned his head slightly toward me—but didn't meet my eyes.
—His twin sister.
There was something strange in the way he said it. Not warm. But not indifferent either.
—We grew up together —he added—. The three of us.
He said nothing more.He didn't need to.
The island's natural harbor was small, a curve of stone and sand reserved for select vessels. The villagers had gathered at a distance, as if they sensed something important was about to happen, yet chose not to interfere.
I remained behind Declan, standing slightly higher on the southern terrace.
The ship appeared first as a shadow across the water. White. Long. Its pale sails reflected the sunlight like outstretched wings.
Impeccable.
Like them.
Theron was the first to step off.
Tall, athletic, blond hair tied back, his expression calm yet alert. He wore simple earth-toned clothing, though his boots spoke of quality. His light eyes moved across the surroundings as if mapping every detail.
And then he saw me.
It lasted only a moment—but I felt it.
The way his body stilled. The slight widening of his eyes. The slow, deliberate path of his gaze across my face, my shoulders, my hands.
It wasn't vulgar.
It was… unsettled.
As if I wasn't meant to be there.
—We've arrived —he said at last, his voice slightly lower than before.
When he took my hand, his fingers lingered just a fraction longer than they should have.
I said nothing.
But I noticed.
Calista stepped down beside him.
For a brief second, the air itself seemed to lighten.
Blonde, with perfectly symmetrical features, flawless skin, and a smile that looked as though it had never known suffering. She wore a pearl-colored gown that moved with the wind as if it floated. Barefoot, yet each step carried a studied grace that felt almost rehearsed.
—Has she always been like this? —I asked, unable to stop myself.
Declan didn't answer.
But he descended the steps the moment she lifted her hand in greeting.
When we reached them at the temple entrance, Theron stepped forward.
The way he looked at Declan was honest, warm… but heavy with years left unspoken.
—We made it —he said with a genuine smile—. Though the winds grew temperamental.
—I wouldn't expect anything less —Declan replied, embracing him briefly.
Then Calista approached.
—My Lord —she said, her voice like something sung, soft as crystal.
She didn't wait for permission. She kissed both his cheeks, slowly.
I didn't move.
But every part of me registered it.
When her eyes landed on me, her smile widened.
—And you must be… Sereniah.
—And you're Calista —I replied, without embellishment.
—I've heard so much about you —she added—. Theron used to read Declan's letters aloud at night. I already felt like I knew you.
—Interesting —I smiled, though it didn't reach my eyes—. Declan never mentioned his letters were public.
Theron let out a soft, awkward laugh.
—Only the scientific parts —he clarified, raising his hands slightly—. And… the more poetic ones.
The tension lingered for a moment until Declan stepped in.
—Theron, there's much we need to review. But first, you should rest. Your rooms are ready.
—Thank you —he replied, genuine gratitude in his voice.
Calista gave me a look that almost resembled kindness.
—I hope we can speak… just the two of us —she said—. I'd like to meet the woman who made him shine in his letters. That wasn't something he used to do.
I smiled again. Sharper this time.
—Of course. It will be interesting to compare versions.
That afternoon, while Theron explored the greenhouses and studied samples brought from beyond the island, I watched from the library.
Calista moved through the house as if she had never left.
She knew the corners.Where the linens were kept.Which doors creaked.When to speak… and when to remain silent so that Declan would look at her.
It wasn't obvious.
But it was intentional.
And him—though polite—was tense. As if her presence stirred something he preferred buried.
I didn't approach.
But I didn't withdraw either.
Declan entered at dusk.
I was seated on the windowsill, reading without truly seeing the words.
—What do you think of them? —he asked.
—That they're not as similar as they appear.
—They're not —he answered without hesitation.
I glanced at him.
—And Calista? She seems to know you very well…
He lowered his gaze briefly before meeting mine again.
—We grew up together. That's all.
—That's all?
—Not in the way you're thinking.
Silence settled between us.
I closed the book.
—Then what am I?
He didn't answer immediately. But when he did, his voice was firm.
—The only one who doesn't have to ask.
I didn't know whether that calmed me… or unsettled me even more.
That night, while he slept beside me—still without touching me—I remained awake longer than I should have.
Not out of jealousy.
Not out of insecurity.
Instinct.
Because something about Calista's perfect smile… didn't fit.
And I had no intention of ignoring it.
The night felt heavy.
Not a single breeze stirred the curtains. Only the faint creak of wood and the distant murmur of the sea.
Declan slept.Or so it seemed.
He lay on his back, bare torso exposed, a sheet draped low across his hips. His breathing was steady, but his brow was faintly furrowed, as if caught in a dream he couldn't escape.
I turned toward him.
Watched him.
It was impossible not to.
The scars across his back caught the moonlight like silent maps, etched into his skin for no one to read.
But I read them.
One by one.
Without fear.
Then he moved.
His eyes opened suddenly, and without surprise, he looked at me as if he already knew I was awake.
—You can't sleep —he murmured.
—Neither can you.
He didn't answer. He shifted slightly, propping himself on one elbow, looking down at me.
—What are you thinking about?
—Her. You. The fact that I don't like surprises.
—She's not a threat.
—You don't need to protect her. I just want to know where I stand.
His knuckles brushed softly along my cheek.
—Right here —he whispered—. With me. No matter who arrives. No matter who thinks they know me better.
—And you… do you know me?
He didn't answer.
Instead, he leaned in.
His lips brushed mine first, as if asking permission.
The kiss wasn't rushed.
It was gentle. Warm. Steady.
And when I responded, his fingers slid to my neck, holding me with a softness that unraveled me.
Then it deepened.
No urgency.No words.
Just that language of breath and closeness that needs no translation.
He pulled me closer, and this time I didn't resist.
My leg slipped over his.His hand moved down my back, settling at the curve of my waist.
We shifted effortlessly, as if we had always been meant to fit like this.
—I can smell your jealousy, woman —he murmured against my ear, pulling me closer.
—What?
—I don't know whether I should be offended… or flattered —he added, a playful note in his voice.
Indignation flared inside me. I wanted to kiss him and strangle him at the same time.
This was not a battle I was going to win.
So I let my guard down.
At least for tonight.
—It's immature of me to want to be the only one —I admitted.
He smiled softly, something tender in it.
—I like this version of you, Sereniah. You should let her out more often.
Heat rose to my cheeks.
—Just… stay.
—Always.
And that answer carried far more than just this night.
We stayed like that.
No more kisses. No urgency.
Just skin against skin.Synchronized breaths.Hearts at rest.
And in that moment, Calista, Theron… the entire island…
disappeared.
There was only him and me.
In that bed.In that night.
As if the world still couldn't reach us.