Liara had never felt so alive.
The magic that thrummed in the air around her was a constant hum beneath her skin, tightening her chest with each breath. But it wasn't the Vault's power alone that left her breathless. It was the undeniable tension that lingered between her, Aeron, and Cassian.
It was as if the Vault had woven their fates together—and now, she couldn't escape the pull, no matter how hard she tried.
She sat in the chamber, staring at the stone pedestal where the sphere still lay. Her fingers twitched, the energy inside her rising in sync with the Vault's pulse. She could feel its call—but it wasn't the only call she felt.
Her heart raced as she looked up and saw Aeron standing across from her. His presence was commanding, his eyes full of an unspoken intensity. She could tell he was struggling to keep his emotions under control, but the tension was clear.
Cassian stepped in beside her, the air thick with the heat of his closeness. His hand brushed against hers for the briefest moment, and a shiver ran up her spine. "Liara," he said softly, his voice low and almost urgent, "are you sure you're ready for this? The Vault—its power is too much."
"I'm ready," she replied, the words falling from her lips before she could stop them. She was. She had to be. Because the alternative—the unknown, the darkness she had only glimpsed—was something she wasn't sure she could survive without them.
Aeron's gaze flickered between her and Cassian, his jaw tightening. The three of them were standing close—closer than they had ever been, and there was a growing awareness of how their fates were becoming increasingly entwined. Neither of them had spoken of it, but Aeron's protective nature was palpable. It was as though he could feel the invisible lines pulling them together.
"You don't need to do this alone," Aeron finally said, stepping forward. His voice was softer than usual, and it hit her like a wave. He was here, truly here—not just as a protector, but as someone who cared for her more deeply than she had realized.
Cassian moved closer, his gaze never leaving her face. "We'll be by your side, Liara. But if the Vault reacts as we fear, then all three of us are tied to its magic." His words were almost a whisper, his proximity drawing her in. The intensity of his stare left her breathless.
She knew what they were both offering. And a part of her wanted to reach out and take it, to surrender to the warmth between them.
But the Vault.
The danger.
Liara closed her eyes for a moment, letting the weight of the moment press down on her. "I know… I know you both care," she murmured, her voice trembling. "But I feel like I'm being torn in two." Her fingers clenched around the hem of her cloak, the familiar cold of the stone beneath her grounding her in the moment.
Aeron's hand was on her arm before she realized it. "We won't let you go through this alone, Liara. You belong with us." His voice was firm, but there was a softness in the way his thumb stroked her skin. It wasn't just a promise—it was an admission. He wanted her.
Cassian's hand found her other wrist, his grip firm but gentle. "I won't let anything happen to you," he said, his voice low, full of intent. And she could see it in his eyes—the desire to protect her, to be the one she turned to when everything else fell apart.
Liara's breath caught in her throat as she found herself caught between the two of them—two men she had come to trust, to care for, both offering her a place in their lives, in their hearts.
Suddenly, the tension broke, and Cassian flashed Aeron a teasing grin. "Don't worry, Aeron," he said, his voice light and mischievous, "I'll protect you, too." He winked dramatically, as though the weight of the situation hadn't just intensified, but was something to be joked about.
Aeron's eyes narrowed slightly, his lips pulling into a tight, restrained smile. "You think I need your protection?" he muttered, though there was a trace of amusement in his tone.
Cassian shrugged, the smirk never leaving his face. "I don't know, Aeron. You look like you could use some help keeping yourself from falling apart."
Liara chuckled, feeling a moment of relief in the tension. But underneath it all, the pull between the three of them hadn't diminished. It was only becoming stronger, more undeniable.
Her heart raced as she met their gazes, unsure of what to say next. The storm around them hadn't settled—it was just beginning.