Nyra approached him later.
"You're carrying too much alone," she said softly.
Kael sighed. "That seems to be a theme."
She smiled faintly.
Her flame flickered—cooler, calmer than any he'd seen.
"Let me try something."
She reached out.
When her hand touched his—
The flame didn't still like with Lira.
It softened.
Different.
Gentler.
Kael blinked.
"…That's new."
Nyra's eyes held his.
"I don't calm fire," she said.
"I soothe it."
From a distance, Lira watched.
Not jealous.
But aware.
Something new had begun.