The sun hung low over the dunes, painting the horizon in shades of orange and crimson as Mars quietly made his way through the palms toward the riverbank. The heat of the day lingered, but a cool breeze stirred the surface of the water, rustling the reeds.
Ashara was already there. She sat barefoot on a fallen log, her legs dangling into the stream. When she saw Mars approach, a faint smile crossed her face.
"You took your time," she teased.
"I had to make sure no one was following," Mars replied, settling down beside her.
For a while, neither spoke. Only the water's gentle lapping and the distant chirping of crickets filled the air.
"What happened yesterday…" Ashara began, breaking the silence. "When that man grabbed for me… there was something. I don't know how to explain it. It felt like… the wind itself pushed him away."
Mars raised his eyebrows. "You mean… you used magic?"
Ashara shrugged. "Maybe. It felt like something inside me just… pushed out."
"Sage?" Mars asked in his mind.
"Fascinating. She seems to have a natural affinity for wind. How adorable."
Mars felt his cheeks flush. Not now, damn it.
"Show me," he asked.
Ashara closed her eyes and lifted her hand. A gentle breeze stirred the water's surface.
"Your turn," she grinned.
Mars took a steady breath and stretched out his hand. Nothing. He tried again. A faint whisper stirred the air. The water rippled ever so slightly.
"Well, look at that, you lazy thing. Even you have your uses."
Mars grumbled but couldn't help a small grin.
"This stays between us, alright?" Ashara said softly.
"Promise."
They hooked their little fingers together.
"Pinky promise," she whispered.
In that quiet moment, both of them knew — though neither could have said how — that their fates were already far more entwined than either understood.