Chapter 9 – Her Magic is Fading

The cry came from deeper in the woods.

A sharp yelp—then silence.

Kaito and Lyria had been gathering herbs in the clearing just outside the cottage when it happened. The sound cut through the breeze like a knife.

Lyria was the first to move.

They followed the sound over moss-covered rocks and tangled roots until they found it: a small fox-like creature curled under a tree, its leg twisted unnaturally and blood matting its fur.

Kaito winced. “That… looks bad.”

But Lyria didn’t hesitate. She dropped to her knees beside it, hands already glowing with golden light.

“Stay still,” she whispered, voice low and comforting. “You’ll be alright.”

The creature whimpered softly, but did not run.

Kaito crouched beside her. “You okay? That’s a lot of energy for one healing, isn’t it?”

She didn’t answer.

Her brow was furrowed. Sweat beaded at her temples. The golden light from her palms flickered—not steady like usual. It pulsed… sputtered.

Then—

Her hands dropped.

Her shoulders slumped.

And she collapsed forward.

“Lyria!”

Kaito caught her just before she hit the forest floor.

He didn’t think. He just moved.

The animal forgotten, he scooped her up into his arms, heart thundering in his chest. She was too light. Her skin too cold.

“Hang on, hang on—please don’t—”

Branches whipped past as he ran. The forest blurred around him. His breaths came fast and sharp, his arms locked around her as if he could keep her from slipping away just by holding tighter.

He burst into the cottage, kicking the door open and laying her carefully on the bed.

Her breathing was shallow. Eyes closed. Lips pale.

“No no no no—come on, come on…”

He didn’t know magic. He didn’t know healing. All he could do was hold her hand and stay beside her.

So he did.

He pulled a chair up to the side of the bed, clutched her fingers between both of his, and laid his forehead against the edge of the mattress.

“Don’t leave me,” he whispered.

When Lyria woke, the world was dim and quiet.

Her body ached—no, more than that. It felt drained. Like her magic had been wrung out completely.

She blinked slowly, adjusting to the soft lantern light.

And then—she felt warmth.

Her hand was being held.

She turned her head.

Kaito sat beside her, head resting on the mattress, completely passed out. His hair was messy, lips parted in sleep, one hand still wrapped tightly around hers.

Her eyes widened.

He carried me here… stayed by me all this time…

She stared at him, heart pounding harder with every second.

He’s still holding my hand. He didn’t let go.

Then—

Wait. He’s holding my hand?!

Her entire face flushed.

Her internal thoughts spiraled:
Do I move it? What if I wake him up?
Why is my chest doing that thing again?!
His hand is warm.
Stop thinking about his hand. STOP—

And then—his fingers twitched.

Kaito stirred, brow furrowing as he blinked himself awake.

“Lyria…?” His voice was groggy, but full of hope. “You’re awake?”

She nodded slowly.

He sat up quickly, gripping her hand tighter. “Thank goodness. I thought— I didn’t know if—”

“I’m alright,” she said quietly. “I just… pushed too far.”

“You scared me,” he said. “You really scared me.”

Her chest tightened at the way his voice cracked.

He looked at her, eyes intense. “You’re not alone anymore. You don’t have to push yourself like that.”

Her lips parted.

The room was quiet. Only the fire crackled in the distance.

“I’ve been alone for so long,” she whispered. “I forgot what it felt like… to have someone worry about me.”

His thumb brushed over the back of her hand, not even realizing it.

Her eyes shimmered.

“You remind me what it feels like to be human.”

Kaito said nothing.

He just held her hand a little tighter—and didn’t let go.