Chapter 6. Bound by Stars and Shadows

Xerina’s POV

Dylan and I watched the stars spread across the vast sky twinkling lights that stretched endlessly above us. The night was clear. The soft, cool breeze rustled the leaves around us, its gentle touch like a balm soothing my soul. It carried the faint, comforting scent of pine and earth, grounding me in the present moment. We sat on a grassy lawn favorite spot of mine behind the house.

We both stayed quiet for a long time, the silence between us comfortable. Dylan had always been less talkative, and I appreciated that. Eventually, he turned his head slightly to look at me.

“Is everything good?” he asked, his voice breaking the silence with a soft, caring tone that made my heart ache.

Was everything okay? Oh, how much I wished I could answer that.

I glanced at him, taking in his features: the sharp line of his jaw softened by the moonlight, the kindness in his eyes, the way his hair slightly tousled by the breeze framed his face.