The forest was restless that night. The fire in the village had died down hours ago, leaving only a distant trail of smoke curling into the sky, a grim reminder of what they had escaped. Iris walked between Luna and Selene, clutching her coat tighter around her as the cold crept through the trees.
Luna moved with her usual calculated steps—alert, poised, and ready to strike at the faintest sound. Her eyes flicked constantly to their surroundings, never lingering long on Iris but always aware of her presence. Beside them, Selene seemed quieter than before, her shoulders hunched, her gaze heavy with something Iris couldn't quite name.
For a long while, the only sounds were the crunch of leaves beneath their boots and the soft rustle of branches above.
"Are we safe here?" Iris finally asked, her voice breaking the silence.
"No place is truly safe," Luna replied softly, without looking back. "But the deeper we go, the harder it will be for them to track us."
Selene slowed her pace until she was walking beside Iris. Her face was partially hidden by the hood of her cloak, but her eyes gleamed faintly in the moonlight. "There's a clearing not far from here," she said. "A stream runs through it. We can rest there for the night."
Luna shot her a sharp glance. "How do you know this?"
"I've traveled these woods before," Selene answered calmly, though her jaw tightened. "Trust me, I don't want to be out in the open any longer than you do."
Luna didn't reply, but her silence carried its weight. Iris felt the tension coil tighter between them, like a thread stretched too far.
They reached the clearing a little before midnight. The stream glistened in the silver light, its gentle current breaking the heavy silence. Iris knelt by the water, cupping her hands to drink, the coolness soothing her parched throat. Luna stayed standing, her hand resting on the hilt of her blade, her eyes scanning the tree line.
Selene dropped her satchel on a patch of moss and pulled out a bundle of dried herbs. She crouched, arranging them methodically, before producing flint and striking it until sparks lit the pile. Soon, a small fire crackled to life, its warmth chasing away the chill.
Iris sat close to it, rubbing her hands together. "Thank you," she murmured to Selene.
Selene nodded faintly. Her eyes flickered to Luna, as though seeking acknowledgment, but Luna gave none.
When they had eaten what little food Selene shared from her pack, exhaustion began to settle over Iris. Her eyelids drooped, but she resisted, leaning her head against Luna's shoulder instead.
"You should sleep," Luna whispered.
"Only if you do too," Iris replied, stubborn as always.
Luna's lips softened into the faintest smile. "I'll try."
They lay together near the fire, the crackling embers casting soft shadows across their faces. Selene sat a little apart, her back against a tree, but her eyes never left them. There was no malice in her gaze, only something Iris couldn't quite understand—a sorrow, maybe, or regret.
Iris didn't care. For once, the danger beyond the trees didn't matter. All that mattered was the steady rhythm of Luna's heartbeat under her cheek, the warmth of her body against the cold night, the quiet strength in her arms.
"Luna?" Iris murmured.
"Yes?"
"If tomorrow were our last day, would you regret this?"
Luna's arms tightened around her. "Never."
The kiss they shared was soft, lingering, and desperate all at once. A promise and a plea. Iris closed her eyes, letting the world fade until there was nothing but the taste of Luna's lips and the safety of her embrace.
The morning came with pale sunlight filtering through the leaves. Iris stirred first, blinking against the light. Luna was already awake, brushing strands of hair from Iris's face with a tenderness that made her chest ache.
"You look like you dreamed of peace," Luna said softly.
"I dreamed of you," Iris admitted.
Luna pressed her lips to her forehead. "That's enough for me."
Selene cleared her throat from across the clearing, startling them both. "We should move before the shadows catch our trail."
Luna helped Iris to her feet, though her eyes lingered on Selene with quiet suspicion.
They traveled again, deeper into the forest. The air grew thicker, the canopy denser. At midday, they paused by an outcrop of rocks to rest. Iris stretched her legs, trying to ignore the ache in her muscles.
"Where exactly are we going?" she asked Selene.
"There's an abandoned monastery two days from here," Selene explained. "Few dare to approach it. The walls are still strong, and it has underground passages we can use. It won't be forever safe, but it will buy us time."
Luna's eyes narrowed. "You seem to know a lot for someone who claims to have no part in this war."
Selene met her gaze steadily. "I once owed your family a debt. Perhaps I still do."
Luna said nothing, but Iris could feel the storm brewing inside her. She reached for Luna's hand, squeezing it gently until some of the tension eased.
That night, after Selene had gone to gather firewood, Iris and Luna sat together under the stars. The forest was quiet, save for the hum of crickets and the distant rush of the stream.
Iris leaned back on her hands, staring at the sky. "Do you ever think the stars are watching us?"
Luna followed her gaze, her expression softening. "Sometimes I think they're whispering. Reminding us that even in the darkest night, we're not alone."
Iris turned to her, smiling faintly. "That's beautiful."
"It's true," Luna murmured. She reached out, brushing her fingers along Iris's jaw before leaning in to kiss her again. This one was deeper, fiercer, fueled by all the fear and longing and love they carried.
For a moment, the shadows didn't matter. The danger, the running, the uncertainty—all of it faded beneath the weight of their connection.
When Selene returned, her arms full of branches, she froze at the sight of them tangled in each other's arms, lips still pressed together. A flicker of emotion crossed her face—something sharp, almost painful—but she said nothing. She set down the wood, turning away quickly.
Iris pulled back reluctantly, her cheeks flushed. "We should… probably rest."
Luna studied Selene for a moment before replying, "Yes. Tomorrow will be harder than today."
They slept close again, though Luna's sleep was restless. In the quiet hours before dawn, she rose silently, slipping from Iris's side. She walked to the edge of the clearing, her hand on the hilt of her blade. The forest was too quiet.
Then she saw it—a mark carved into the bark of a nearby tree. A symbol she recognized all too well.
Her breath caught. The shadows had already found their trail.
When she returned to Iris, she lay back down without a word. She didn't want to wake her, didn't want to shatter the fragile peace they had found tonight. But inside, she knew: their time here was almost gone.