Chapter 25: STRANGER IN THE LIGHT

"Nice to meet you, Valen," Irwin said, her fingers brushing against his as they shook hands. The bustling trade fair around them seemed to blur, the distant hum of voices fading into the background as her gaze locked onto his. His hand was unexpectedly soft, as his touch lingering just a little longer than necessary, sending an unsettling ripple through her.

Valen’s voice was calm, smooth like a river. “The pleasure is mine, Lovethe,” he replied, using the name she had given him in their earlier exchange. His eyes, deep and unreadable, held hers as if searching for something beyond the surface. For a brief moment, Irwin forgot everything. Ashina, the fair, even Dorian. It was as if Valen’s presence pulled her into a different space entirely, one where nothing else mattered.

Irwin’s breath hitched slightly as his thumb traced a gentle line across her palm. A strange connection seemed to form between them, though she couldn’t quite place what it was. His presence was both comforting an