In the Crossfire of Love

Stolen Glances

The next morning arrived in a golden haze, the sky bathed in soft shades of pink and lavender as the sun peeked over the horizon. I rose early, my heart beating faster than usual as I dressed quickly. Today wasn’t like any other. Today, I would see Kellan again. Away from the town. Away from prying eyes.

I grabbed my cloak and stepped outside, the cool morning air greeting me with a gentle breeze. The path to the old oak tree wasn’t far—a short walk just beyond the town’s edge, through a field where wildflowers bloomed in vibrant colors, untouched by the rush of everyday life. As I made my way there, the sounds of birds waking filled the air, adding a serene melody to the peaceful morning.

When I reached the hill, I hesitated for just a moment. What would he say? What could I say? But the instant I saw Kellan waiting beneath the oak tree, my heart settled, and any nervousness disappeared.

He stood with his back to me, gazing out at the horizon. His dark hair was tousled by the gentle wind, and the morning light made his silhouette look almost unreal, as if he were part of the landscape. His uniform, though neat and pressed, seemed out of place in the quiet serenity of the countryside. When he heard my footsteps approaching, he turned, his expression softening the moment he saw me.

“Seraphine,” he greeted, his voice low and steady, the way it always made me feel both at ease and breathless at the same time.

“Kellan,” I replied, smiling as I stepped closer. “I wasn’t sure if you’d actually come.”

He tilted his head slightly, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. “And miss seeing you? I couldn’t stay away.”

The world around us felt suspended in that moment, the space between us filled with unspoken emotions. There was a calmness in the way Kellan looked at me, as though neither of us was in a rush to name whatever was forming between us.

He gestured to the old oak tree behind him. “I used to come here when I needed to think,” he said thoughtfully. “When things felt too heavy back home.”

I stepped closer, glancing at the tree with its wide branches stretching out as if to shelter us. “What about now? Why are you here today?”

He didn’t hesitate. “I came because of you.”

His words sent a warmth through me that I couldn’t explain. It was more than the flattery in his tone, more than the casual charm I had grown accustomed to. There was something different about today—an unspoken understanding that what was happening between us wasn’t just a fleeting connection.

I looked up at him, my voice soft. “I’ve been thinking about you.”

His eyes darkened slightly, and for a moment, neither of us moved. The space between us felt smaller, the world growing quieter. Kellan reached out slowly, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face, his touch lingering longer than necessary. My heart raced, but not from nerves. It was something else—something I was still figuring out.

“I’m glad,” he murmured, his voice quiet but filled with a warmth that made my chest tighten.

We stood there, under the oak tree, in the early morning light, not saying anything more. The world outside felt so far away, the weight of our daily lives slipping away in the peacefulness of this moment. The birds continued to sing, the wind rustled the leaves above us, and for just a little while, we let ourselves exist in this small, secretive bubble.

“I wish…” I hesitated, unsure if I should say what was on my mind. “I wish we could stay here a little longer.”

Kellan’s lips curled into a soft smile. “Then let’s stay,” he said simply, as though nothing else in the world mattered.