Lily burst through the doors, lungs burning as she gasped for air. The dungeon’s stone walls felt like they were closing in, suffocating her with old memories. Her lungs felt as though they were burning, but she didn’t stop running.
Not until she reached the garden. The cool night air helped her refocus. The aromatic fragrance of flowers in bloom helped calm her nerves. Being in nature always helped. Now she just needed to remember how to breathe.
Taking in a deep breath of air, Lily looked up at the night sky. The crescent moon hung in the night sky, accompanied by a sea of stars. For the first time in forever, Lily felt like she could breathe with ease.
Her shoulders relaxed, and a small smile formed on her face.
“Lily!” Zayn’s voice echoed behind her, just a few steps behind.
She turned to see him approaching, concern etched on his face. His dark hair was slightly disheveled from chasing after her, and his eyes searched hers for any sign of distress.
Zayn wanted to approach, but he stopped a few steps short, wanting to give her space.
“I’m sorry,” He apologized, voice softer than she was accustomed to hearing, “I thought seeing him would help you, but maybe it was too soon.”
He turned away from her, running his hand through his hair as he muttered to himself, “What the hell was I thinking?”
Lily walked to him, tapping him on the shoulder.
She shook her head, hands moving quickly to sign, ‘You have nothing to apologize for. Though it was unexpected, it was what I needed. I just..”
She bit her lip, unsure of how to explain. Lily turned back and walked to the bandstand. She sat down on the steps and invited Zayn to join her, gently tapping the space next to her. Zayn obliged. The space was a little cramped, causing their shoulders to brush against each other, but neither of them minded.
Lily looked at the blooming flowers, lips pursed.
‘All these years, I was afraid of him,” Lily began to sign, ‘And now...’
Zayn watched her intently.
‘Now he’s nothing,’ She finally signed, a hint of disbelief in her expression. ‘I was afraid of nothing.’
The moonlight shone down on them, illuminating them and their surroundings. For the first time, Zayn really looked at Lily. He’d always noticed how beautiful the flowers were. But their beauty could not compare to Lily’s.
Zayn found himself studying her features with great detail, the curve of her lips, the way her eyes were filled with so much life.
She was beautiful, and it took his breath away.
Lily’s hands moved again, drawing his attention back to her words. ‘I used to follow Xavier around when I was little, thinking he would love me if I tried to please him hard enough.’
‘I had a stuffed bunny once. Martha told me my mother made it for me before I was born,’ Her fingers trembled slightly as she continued to sign, ‘One day, I couldn’t find it. I searched everywhere. Then I saw Xavier holding it. He ripped it apart in front of me, piece by piece.’
Zayn remained silent, listening to Lily as she continued to tell her story.
‘When I grew older, I distanced myself from everybody, worried Xavier would do something to them. But there was this kind boy who gave me an apple once. Xavier had him whipped in the square, naked. He made me watch the whole process. Until he bled out and died.’
The night breeze carried the sweet scent of night-blooming jasmine, adding to the surreal feeling of the moment.
Zayn hesitated before quietly sitting next to her, close enough that she could feel his warmth but not so close as to invade her space. Together, they looked out at the garden, where moonflowers had opened their pale blossoms to the night sky.
“They only bloom at night,” Zayn commented, nodding toward the white flowers. “They hide during the day, waiting for darkness to show their true beauty.”
Anger flashed in Zayn’s eyes. The cruelty was familiar. But hearing how Xavier had targeted a child, his own sister, made his blood boil.
‘Ever since then, I lived in fear,’ Lily turned back to Zayn as she continued to sign, ‘But thanks to you, I don’t have to anymore. I can breathe again.’
Lily reached out her hand shakily. She didn’t know how Zayn would react to her touch. Zayn took her hand into his, fingers interlocked. His hand was warm, his thumb brushing over her knuckles.
The simple touch sent warmth spreading through Lily’s body. She stared at their joined hands, mesmerized.
The night was quiet around them, only the chirping of crickets and the distant hooting of an owl breaking the silence. The moment felt suspended in time, fragile and precious.
Zayn tugged gently on her hand, drawing her attention. He pulled her towards him. Before she could register what was happening, she found herself enveloped in his embrace, head pressed against his broad chest.
He held her like she was something precious, something he never wanted to let go of.
Lily remained perfectly still, afraid that any movement might shatter the moment. She could feel his breath against her hair, the steady rise and fall of his chest.
She was surrounded by his scent, which comforted her. She felt her body relax in his embrace. Then, Lily felt something she never knew possible. She felt his lips pressed against her forehead, a soft, gentle kiss. The contact was brief but undeniable.
It sent shockwaves through her entire body. She tensed up.
Zayn felt it. As quickly as it had happened, he pulled back, eyes wide with surprise. He couldn’t believe what he had just done. It just felt right, like it was meant to be.
Lily looked stunned, her cheeks flushed pink, her eyes searching his face for answers he didn’t have.
“I—I’m sorry,” Zayn stammered, rising to his feet. “That was... I shouldn’t have... I don’t know what came over me.”
“Excuse me,” he muttered, turning abruptly and striding away down the garden path.
Lily watched him go, mouth slightly open. She remained seated on the steps, staring down the path Zayn disappeared down for a long time. Though he was long gone, she still felt the warmth of his embrace.
She reached her hand to touch the spot on her forehead where he had kissed.
She couldn’t move, couldn’t think clearly. Her heart raced in her chest, her mind spinning as she tried to process what had just happened.
Zayn hated her. From the moment they first met, he had made it clear he hated her. Yet their time together had proven otherwise.
More importantly, why did the brief kiss make her feel more alive than she had in years?