Chapter 14: Beneath the Canopy

The forest beyond Aeris was alive with soft murmurs: the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze, the occasional call of distant birds, and the serene gurgle of a stream winding its way through mossy rocks. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, painting the ground with golden patches. Calen and Livra walked side by side, their laughter and light conversation blending seamlessly into the natural symphony.

It was the weekend, and after the tense week that had passed, Livra had insisted on celebrating Calen’s reinstatement at the LCC. She’d packed a picnic and dragged him out of the city, away from the weight of responsibilities and shadows of doubt.

“Here,” Livra said, stopping in a small clearing. The trees formed a natural circle around a soft, grassy patch. “This looks perfect.”

Calen dropped the woven blanket onto the grass, smoothing it out before sitting down. Livra knelt beside him, unpacking a variety of treats: fresh fruit, cheese, bread, and a flask of cool, spiced cider.

“This is… way more effort than I expected,” Calen admitted with a grin as he bit into a crisp apple.

Livra shrugged, her cheeks flushing slightly. “You’ve had a rough time lately. You deserved something nice.”

For a while, they simply enjoyed the food and each other’s company, the city and its problems seeming like a distant dream. Calen stretched out on the blanket, his hands behind his head, while Livra sat cross-legged, watching the clouds drift lazily above.

But something tugged at Calen’s thoughts, a shadow in the back of his mind that refused to dissipate. After a long silence, he turned to her, his voice soft but serious. “Livra, I need to tell you something.”

Her serene smile faltered, and she shifted slightly to face him. “What is it?”

“There was a man,” he began carefully, choosing his words. “At the bar last night. Stocky, rough-looking—like someone you’d rather avoid in a dark alley. He said his name was Balthar Drik.”

Livra’s expression immediately hardened, her hands clenching in her lap. Calen noticed the subtle shift: the way her body tensed, the flicker of fear in her eyes.

“He asked about you,” Calen continued gently. “By name.”

Livra’s shoulders sagged, and she looked away, staring at the treetops as if seeking an answer among the branches. Calen waited, giving her the space to gather her thoughts.

Finally, she spoke, her voice trembling. “I knew this would happen eventually. I just… I didn’t think it would be so soon.”

“Livra,” Calen said softly, leaning closer. “What’s going on? Why would someone like him be looking for you?”

She exhaled shakily and met his gaze. “Because I ran away.”

Calen frowned. “From what?”

Livra hesitated, but the concern in his eyes seemed to give her courage. She took a deep breath and began.

“My family,” she said, her voice heavy with bitterness. “The Veynes. They’re one of the wealthiest families in Aelith Shore. My father… he controls everything there. The trade routes, the levicita ports, even the lives of the people who live in the city. He’s powerful, ruthless, and expects absolute obedience from everyone—especially his own daughter.”

Calen’s frown deepened, but he didn’t interrupt.

“For as long as I can remember,” Livra continued, her voice trembling, “my life was planned out for me. The schools I attended, the people I associated with, even the way I was supposed to talk, walk, and dress—it was all dictated by him. I wasn’t a person. I was… an investment.”

She looked down at her hands, twisting her fingers together nervously. “Two years ago, it got worse. My father decided it was time for me to be married. He arranged for me to live with another powerful family—the Mirens—in preparation for my engagement to their son.”

Livra let out a bitter laugh, though her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I’d never even met him. It wasn’t about love or happiness. It was about strengthening alliances, consolidating power. And I was just a pawn.”

Calen’s jaw tightened, anger rising in his chest on her behalf. “So you left.”

“I had to,” Livra said, her voice firm despite the tears threatening to spill. “I couldn’t live like that. I couldn’t let him control me for the rest of my life. So, one night, I packed what little I could carry and ran. I’ve been moving from place to place ever since, staying out of sight, trying to build a life for myself—one that’s mine.”

Her voice cracked, and she buried her face in her hands. “But I knew he’d never stop looking for me. He can’t stand the idea of losing something he thinks he owns. That’s why Balthar is here. My father must have hired him to bring me back.”

Calen reached out, placing a hand on her shoulder. “Livra, listen to me. I didn’t tell him anything about you. As far as he knows, I’ve never even heard of you.”

She looked up at him, hope mingling with fear in her eyes.

“And I swear,” Calen continued, his voice steady and resolute, “I won’t let him—or anyone else—take you back to that life. If you want to stay hidden, I’ll help you. Whatever it takes.”

Livra stared at him, her expression shifting from disbelief to gratitude. Without thinking, she leaned forward and wrapped her arms around him, burying her face against his chest. Calen held her tightly, his hand gently stroking her hair as she trembled in his embrace.

When she finally pulled back, her face was inches from his. For a moment, neither of them spoke, their breaths mingling in the quiet air. Then, as if drawn together by some invisible force, their lips met in a deep, passionate kiss.

The world seemed to fall away, leaving only the two of them beneath the canopy of trees. For the first time in what felt like forever, Livra felt safe.