The human market was crowded with people, the air filled with voices, the smell of baked bread, flowers, and spices dancing around them. Ivy walked beside Kael, who stood out like a flame.
He was tall, calm, and almost too handsome. His dark eyes, the quiet strength in his steps, and that sharp jawline drew attention from every direction. And Kael could hear it all,not just the words whispered or giggles but the thoughts. Loud, wild thoughts that people didn't dare say out loud.
Only Kael could hear them.
"Who is he? A prince?"
"His smile should be illegal…"
"He's probably taken. But what if he's not?"
"I'd let him ruin my whole life and say thank you."
A group of girls near a stall selling silk scarves tried not to stare but failed miserably. One of them nudged her friend hard, whispering and stealing glances at Kael like he was a dream. A couple of young men glanced at him too, then quickly looked away, pretending to admire the fruit stall instead.
Kael smirked. He wasn't used to all the noise in human minds, but today, it was loud and kind of funny.
Ivy, on the other hand, didn't need to hear a single thought. She could see everything. The stares. The smiles. The way some girls leaned forward just to catch his eye. And it made something twist in her chest.
She picked up her pace.
Kael noticed and followed easily, matching her steps.
"Ivy," he said, amused. "You seem to be in a bit of a rush."
"I'm fine," she muttered, eyes on a random flower stall. "Just looking around."
Kael grinned, fully aware of why Ivy was suddenly in such a hurry. He quickened his steps and leaned in close, his voice low and teasing. "Hmm… You sure seem eager to speed through this place. Are you trying to escape all the girls staring at me, or just your own jealousy?"
Ivy stumbled a little, then shot him a glare. "Jealous? Me? You wish."
"Oh, come on," Kael chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "You've been huffing and storming ahead like someone just insulted your favorite flower. And your ears turned red. I've seen that before."
She huffed and looked away, gripping her bag tighter.
Kael smirked, walking beside her now, eyes scanning the market lazily. "You really don't want to know what those girls were thinking about me," he said, voice rich with amusement. "One was imagining feeding me strawberries by the lake. Another was wondering if I had a lover or lovers. And one even..God, this one was so bold,she thought about sneaking me behind a stall just to see if I 'kiss as good as I look.'"
Ivy gasped and turned her face sharply toward him, eyes wide. "They did not."
Kael laughed, full and unbothered. "Oh, they did. Loud and clear." He tapped his temple with two fingers. "I hear it all, even the things they don't say out loud."
She looked flustered, her lips parting like she wanted to say something but couldn't decide what. Her cheeks were burning now, and her pace slowed.
Kael leaned closer again, voice dropping to something warmer. "But you know the fun part?" His gaze dropped to her lips for just a second. "The only thoughts that matter to me are yours."
Ivy's steps slowed more. She didn't look at him, but her
Kael stopped walking and gently pulled her to the side, away from the noise of the market. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Ivy," he said, his tone quiet but full of meaning, "You're the only one I see. The only one I want."
She looked up at him, her eyes round and full of emotion. "Even when they all look at you like that?"
"I don't care how they look at me," Kael replied, brushing his thumb over her cheek. "You're the only one who makes me forget to breathe."
She blushed again, this time with a little smile tugging at her lips. "That's really unfair, Kael."
"Why?"
"Because I can't hear your thoughts. But you keep hearing mine."
Kael chuckled and leaned down, his forehead resting lightly against hers. "Then I guess I'll have to keep showing you how I feel... over and over again."
He kissed her forehead softly, then stayed close, not caring who watched.
And this time, Ivy didn't walk ahead. She stayed beside him, her hand slipping into his, fingers lacing perfectly with his own.
They walked hand in hand now, the crowd no longer bothering Ivy the way it had before. Kael was humming softly under his breath, clearly pleased with himself.
Ivy side-eyed him. "You're enjoying this way too much."
"I am," he admitted with a grin. "Jealous Ivy is cute."
She narrowed her eyes at him. "Say that again and I'll push you into a vegetable stall."
Kael laughed, the sound deep and warm. "You wouldn't. You like me too much."
"I might still do it," she said, but her lips curved into a smile she couldn't hide.
They passed a small stand where an old woman was selling candied fruits on wooden sticks. Kael stopped suddenly, tugging Ivy gently back.
"Wait here," he said, and walked up to the stall.
The old woman blinked at him, a little surprised by his looks, but smiled warmly. Kael pointed to the juiciest red fruit and paid with gold because he doesn't have their currency,which got the old woman a bit surprised
He turned back, holding the candied fruit out to Ivy with a small, proud smile. "For you."
Ivy looked at it, then at him. "You bought me candy?"
"I've heard it's sweet," he said, offering it again. "But not as sweet as you when you're pouting."
Her cheeks flushed as she took it, trying not to smile too much. "You're so cheesy."
"Only for you."
She bit into the fruit, her lips brushing the sugar-crystal coating. "Mmm…" Her eyes widened. "Okay, that's actually really good."
Kael eyes glued on her lips. "hmmm"
Then he leaned in and whispered, "Though I think I like watching you eat it even more."
Ivy choked a little and smacked his arm, laughing. "Kael!"
"What? I didn't say anything dirty. You're imagining things."
"You are impossible," she said, still laughing.
"And yet, here you are. Holding my hand, eating my candy, thinking about kissing me."
She opened her mouth to argue,but couldn't. Her smile gave her away.
Kael leaned closer, voice low and soft. "Go on, Ivy. Think a little louder."
Ivy looked up at him, her heart skipping a beat at the way he was watching her.
"You're thinking again" Kael whispered, his voice playful but softer than before.
Ivy tried to look away, but his gaze held her in place. "You're being unfair again."
"Maybe," he murmured, stepping closer, their bodies nearly touching. "But I've been patient. And I missed you. You have no idea how loud my mind gets when I'm away from you."
Her breath caught in her throat. "kael…"
"Come with me."he said
Without waiting for her to respond, he led her through a small path between the stalls, away from the busy crowd until they reached a quiet place where no one was watching
Kael stopped and turned to face her again, both of his hands now holding hers.
"Can I tell you something?" he asked, voice low.
Ivy nodded.
"I know I tease you. A lot. But it's only because being near you makes me feel… like I'm not completely lost." He took a slow breath. "You calm something inside me, Ivy. Something I didn't even know was there."
Her eyes softened, her voice barely a whisper. "You're not lost, Kael. You found me, remember?"
He gave a quiet laugh, his forehead leaning against hers. "Then I guess I better never let you go."
And then, with all the gentleness in the world, he kissed her.
It wasn't rushed. It wasn't wild. Just a soft kiss that could turn the world around.His hand tangled in her hair while the other on her waist. She kissed him back the same way with her hand on his chest
When they finally pulled apart, Kael rested his forehead against hers again, eyes closed, smiling.
"I think I'm going to start a new habit," he murmured.
"What kind of habit?" Ivy asked, dazed and breathless.
"Kissing you in secret places." He opened one eye with a smirk. "Shall we find another one?"
She laughed softly and leaned into his chest. "You're terrible."
"And yet you're still here"He said wrapping his arms around her
"I'm not going anywhere," she whispered.
"Good," Kael replied, holding her a little tighter. "Because you're mine."
Just as Kael was about to steal another kiss, a foot step of someone
They both froze.
Kael slowly turned his head.
a little old man was standing with a cart full of squawking chickens. He was staring at them like he'd just walked in on something scandalous.