Chapter 65 — Silver Steps
Liora adjusted her coat, shivering slightly in the evening air. The festival lights glittered over the ice-covered streets, reflecting off silver streamers and lanterns. Her parents had gone ahead, chatting quietly, leaving her a few steps behind.
Something tugged at her mind—an instinct she couldn't fully explain.
She walked faster, weaving through the crowd. Each step brought her closer to the river district, closer to where the lanterns would float over the ice.
Her heart beat faster.
Why now? she thought. Why this feeling… like I need to be here?
A group of children ran past her, laughing, tossing glowing snowballs. Liora caught their reflections in her eyes, but she barely registered it. The crowd blurred. Everything blurred except one thought: he's here. Somewhere.
Across a street, a figure moved against the festival flow. Tall, confident, silver hair catching the faint glow of lanterns. For a heartbeat, Liora froze.
Her lips parted.
Then the figure disappeared into the dense crowd, leaving only the feeling of presence behind.
She shook her head. "No… it can't be."
But her legs didn't stop.
They carried her closer to the bridge, the frozen river, the heart of the festival. She ignored the stalls, the music, the chatter.
All of it faded except the pull she couldn't explain.
Behind her, her parents glanced back. "Liora? Slow down—"
"I'm fine," she called, though her voice wavered. She didn't turn.
The river district opened before her. Lanterns bobbed on the ice, releasing silver trails into the sky. Fireworks rehearsals began with a faint crackle.
Far enough not to notice, the same silver-haired figure paused, glancing at the lanterns. Something in him hesitated, something in him recognized the energy of the moment.
Two paths. Two hearts. Moving closer without knowing it.
One step. One breath. One festival.
Everything else could wait.