The sun had begun to dip behind the horizon, casting a warm golden hue across the forest, turning the thick foliage into a shimmering tapestry of green and amber. The light filtered through the trees in long shafts, illuminating flecks of dust and pollen in the air, making the woods seem alive, almost enchanted.
The path beneath their feet was a mix of soft earth and crisp leaves, crackling gently under their steps. Birds called in the distance, their songs faint and fading, while the air had begun to cool with the early evening breeze, carrying with it the musky scent of moss and pine.
Dera glanced sideways at him, her eyes held a question, a trace of curiosity that sparkled with mild impatience and a teasing undertone only he could recognize.
"Where exactly are you taking me?" she asked, the question light, but very much genuine. "You said you wanted to show me something…"
