The Next Step

Darius and Elara has come a long way and now it's time for the next step.

Lyle stepped closer, his voice hushed now. “She’d pin it in her hair before we’d go down to the harbor market. Remember that, Dar?”

Darius gave a small nod, eyes fixed on the piece of jewelry like it was the last thread connecting him to a world long gone.

“She had it the day she got sick,” he said quietly. “I never saw it again after that.”

Elara’s voice was soft. “It was left behind...by someone named Diane. She looked like your family. She said to protect you both.” Her gaze flicked to Darius. “And...I need to tell you how I feel.”

He looked up, startled. The room was quiet now. Even Lyle had gone still, watching with a strange mixture of recognition and restraint.

Maren cleared her throat and stood. “I’m going to, uh, make some coffee. Anyone want some?” Without waiting for an answer, she disappeared into the tiny kitchen.

Lyle, never one for lingering tension, gave Elara a gentle pat on the shoulder. “I’ll help her. We’re going to need it if this turns into feelings talk.” He offered a wink and followed Maren out.

That left just Elara, Darius, and the gravity of everything unspoken.

Elara sank onto the rug beside the chair, curling her knees up. Rockford lay behind her, his warm bulk like a living blanket against the cold floor.

Darius turned the pin one last time, then closed his hand around it. “What do you mean tell me how you feel?”

She nodded slowly, watching the firelight dance across the lines of his face.

“I had a plan,” Elara said, forcing a crooked smile. “Keep my distance. Be helpful. Useful. Not get attached.”

Darius’s eyes flicked to hers.

“Obviously, the plan failed,” she added.

He let out a soft breath. “Yeah...same.”