The night had enveloped the domain in a peaceful veil.
Sitting on the edge of the roof, Asher observed the starry sky, silent, lost in his thoughts. The stars seemed to respond to him, silent witnesses to his regrets and his secrets.
Behind the window of Asher's room, Miria had been watching him for over an hour.
His heart sank every time he turned his head away slightly, with every quiet sigh. She hesitated... then finally decided.
Without a sound, she opened the window and slipped outside. The night wind caressed her skin as she climbed onto the roof and sat next to him, without saying a word.
The silence lasted a few long seconds.
—What are you doing here? Asher asked in a calm, almost detached voice.
He turned his head slightly towards her.
"Your mother said I'm dangerous...and that you're supposed to be away from me.
Miria crossed her arms, her gaze determined.
"Well, the only person I plan on getting away from is her.
She took a deep breath.
—And then, in a few months, I will be eighteen. She will no longer have any rights over my choices... even if she is my mother.
Asher frowned slightly.
—And if she forces you?
Miria turned towards him, without the slightest hesitation.
—Then it will be up to her to choose.
Either she accepts you into my life... or I ask the Council to keep her away from me.
Either way, she loses.
Asher widened his eyes, genuinely surprised.
"You… you would dare to do that?"
Miria held his gaze.
— I dare. And I will.
A slow, amused smile stretched Asher's lips. Then, against all expectations, he burst out laughing, a low, almost tender laugh.
- You look so much like him...
— What?! Miria said indignantly.
—I heard exactly what you just said!
Asher closed his eyes, suddenly nostalgic.
— No… nothing. Forget.
Miria lowered her gaze slightly, her voice softer.
— Asher… I know you're hiding things from me.
She inhaled.
— I can't continue like this. Please… you owe me some truths.
He remained silent.
Then his eyes lit up slightly.
— I have an idea.
She stood up.
— I offer you a bet.
Asher looked at her, intrigued.
- Oh yes ?
—Every time I win, you owe me a revelation.
He arched an eyebrow.
— I'm telling you that most of our bets... you lost them.
— I can always surprise you.
A slight smile stretched his lips.
- Alright. What if I win?
— You keep silent.
— Deal concluded.
—So… what is my challenge?
Asher stood up and held out his hand.
— We're going to do this the way you trained.
Miria grabbed his hand. In an instant, Asher pulled her close and launched into the air. They landed in the garden, surrounded by night.
Five torches were arranged in a circle.
"Simple rule," Asher announced with an amused smile.
— You must light the five torches with your magic. If you succeed… you get the answers. Otherwise… I don't say anything.
Miria nodded.
She closed her eyes, concentrated... and cast her spell.
The first torch lit up.
— Your request? Asher asked.
"I want to know how you know my mother. The whole story.
He sighed.
— This answer will come at the end. Go on.
Miria smiled.
—Okay… then tell me:
Who is your first love?
Asher's eyes widened, taken aback.
- No. No.
He pulls himself together immediately.
—You haven't lit the second torch yet.
— But it's too easy!
— Don't declare victory too quickly.
Miria refocused. She cast her spell... without noticing that Asher had discreetly taken a hand out of his pocket.
The two spells collided.
The torch remained extinguished.
— But… how?! exclaimed Miria, stunned.
Asher quietly put his hand back in his pocket, a satisfied smile on his lips.
— No luck. I warned you.
Miria stared at him, suspicious.
— You cheated.
- Hey ! he protested, raising his hands.
—I didn't do anything.
— I don't believe you.
— I know... but it's true.
He paused.
— My turn to ask a question.
- Which ?
—Who told you about my first love?
- You.
He looked at her, incredulous.
"Under the effect of the desire spell," she clarified, rolling her eyes.
Asher grimaced.
— I would really like to forget this episode...
Miria cast a spell again.
The third torch lit up.
"I'm listening," Asher said.
—Do you still love my mother?
- No.
He frowned.
- Why this question ?
—I'm the one asking the questions.
He remained silent.
"I'm offering you an exchange," added Miria.
— One more question for me, to balance things out.
- All right.
—Why do you say you don't love him anymore?
Asher sighed.
— Because I realize that I never really loved her.
— Something was always missing... and when I left, she never looked for me. A month later, she was already with someone else.
- Who ?
— Your father. Darrell.
Miria looked away.
"And you," he replied, "you didn't answer my question.
"Maybe… because it would have bothered me to know that you still loved him.
Asher stared at her for a long time, annoyed.
The fourth torch lit.
"Your question," he said.
Miria blushed.
—Is that...
She inhaled.
"Could I have a chance with you?"
Asher opened his eyes wide.
—Wh...what?!
— You heard me correctly.
He scratched his head, embarrassed.
— I… I don't know. Maybe.
Miria's heart raced.
"Okay," he continued, looking away.
— Light the last torch.
The fifth torch ignited.