The airplane descended over the rolling hills and sparkling coastline of the new country, the first light of dawn casting a soft glow across the water. Lila pressed her forehead against the cool glass, watching the landscape unfold beneath her: emerald fields stretching like patchwork quilts, small villages tucked between rivers, and the distant shimmer of a city awakening.
Beside her, Ethan's presence was quiet but potent. His dark eyes scanned the horizon as if staking claim over every inch of the land—even the land she was about to explore.
"You're staring too hard," Lila said softly, more to break the silence than out of complaint.
He smirked without turning to her. "I'm just… appreciating it. You should try it too."
She turned back to the window, forcing herself to focus on the scenery. "I am. It's beautiful."
"Not as beautiful as you," he murmured, almost under his breath, and she felt her chest tighten.
Lila had learned over the past weeks that traveling with Ethan was like walking a tightrope. He hovered, silently protective, quietly possessive, always close enough to feel the heat of him but careful not to be seen as overwhelming.
She shook her head slightly, trying to push thoughts of him aside, and focused on the country beneath them.
When they landed, the airport buzzed with local chatter, the scent of fresh pastries and sea air mingling as students and teachers guided the group through customs. Their hotel awaited them in the city center—a tall, elegant building with wrought-iron balconies and ivy climbing its façade. Lila's friends immediately scattered, excited to explore the city streets.
Lucas, the boy from Paris, had remained a brief presence in her memory—an example of friendliness and light in contrast to Ethan's shadow—but here, in this new country, Lila's attention turned inward, to the possibilities, the unknown.
She stepped out into the morning sunlight, the warmth spilling over cobblestone streets lined with flower boxes, bustling cafés, and centuries-old architecture. A fountain bubbled gently in the central square, its waters sparkling in the light, and children's laughter rang through the air as they chased each other around its edges.
"This place…" Lila whispered, letting the sights, the sounds, and the smells wash over her. "It's like a dream."
Ethan's arm brushed hers as he fell into step beside her. "You're mine, even in dreams," he said softly, his tone possessive but restrained.
She stiffened, cheeks warming, and looked away. "Don't start with that."
"Why not?" His voice dropped, teasing. "It's true."
She ignored him, letting herself be carried along by the thrumming pulse of the city.
That afternoon, they explored the harbor. Boats bobbed gently on the water, their colorful sails catching the sunlight. Seagulls wheeled overhead, calling out as if announcing their arrival. Lila leaned against the railing, letting the salty breeze whip through her hair, laughing as the wind caught it.
Ethan stood beside her, silent but present, eyes flicking constantly to the crowd, to her movements, to anyone who dared come near.
"Relax," she said, rolling her eyes at him. "I'm not in danger."
"You're always in danger," he murmured, tone low, barely audible above the harbor's bustle. "And I'll always be here."
Her heart stuttered. She knew he wasn't exaggerating. That possessive streak, that obsession—it was as natural to him as breathing. And yet, part of her couldn't deny the pull it created.
As evening fell, the group gathered in a small outdoor square for dinner. Lanterns glowed overhead, casting golden light on the stone-paved street. Musicians played soft melodies nearby, their tunes drifting through the warm air.
Her friends chatted excitedly, pointing at the dishes, sampling local cuisine, and laughing at every small mishap. Lila felt a strange contentment, the kind she rarely allowed herself to experience, surrounded by people who, though far from her family, felt like a chosen family in that moment.
Ethan sat beside her, one hand on the small of her back under the table, invisible to anyone else. Every time she shifted, he followed her movement, a silent reminder that she was never truly alone.
When a local boy from another school approached, introducing himself politely, Lila welcomed him with a friendly smile. They shared stories about the city, their interests, and favorite foods.
Ethan noticed immediately. His jaw tightened subtly, lips pressing into a thin line. A possessive heat burned in his chest, quiet but intense. He didn't speak. He didn't need to. His presence beside Lila was warning enough.
The boy stepped back politely when he realized how close Ethan hovered. Lila's fingers brushed against Ethan's on the table, and she felt that familiar warmth spread through her.
Her chest tightened. She was starting to understand the complicated pull of her feelings—her heart drawn to Ethan, even as she explored friendships, even as the world opened around her.
Later, Lila walked alone along the harbor, the lantern-lit water reflecting colors like molten gold and silver. She stopped at the edge of the pier, staring at the horizon. Waves lapped gently against the docks, and the scent of salt air filled her lungs.
She wasn't alone.
Ethan approached silently, steps soft against the cobblestone. "Beautiful, isn't it?" he murmured, stopping beside her.
Lila nodded, cheeks warming. "It is."
He leaned slightly closer. "You feel it too, don't you?"
She swallowed. "Feel what?"
"That pull. The excitement. The freedom. But also… the tether."
Her pulse quickened. "You make it sound like a trap."
"Maybe it is," he said softly, tone dark but intimate. "But it's ours. This, here, now… it's mine as much as it is yours."
She looked out at the water, heart pounding. She didn't know how to respond. She only knew that in this moment, in this new country with lights shimmering on the waves, she was falling deeper for him—even if she wouldn't admit it.
And Ethan… Ethan knew it too.
He smiled faintly, a predator and protector, dark and possessive, standing just close enough to claim her without touching, letting the world witness that Lila Hart was entirely his.