Ryon

The night market was a sensory overload—a riot of colors, sounds, and smells. Stalls spilled over with exotic goods, vendors shouted their deals, and the air was thick with the scent of grilled meats and spices that made my stomach rumble. You could barely hear yourself think over the cacophony of street performers, musicians, and the general hum of a thousand lives intersecting.

But honestly? My mind was light years away from this vibrant chaos.

Savannah's laugh rang out like a melody, pulling my attention like it had a rope tied around my neck. She was at a stall, examining these intricately carved wooden figurines, her fingers tracing the delicate lines while the merchant babbled on, clearly trying to impress her. The bioluminescent lamps cast a soft glow on her face, making her look like something out of a dream. For a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

A gentle nudge against my wing snapped me back to reality. Sharlar was giving me a look, one elegant brow arched in question. I shook my head, trying to shake off the daze.

"Are you alright, Ryon?" she asked, her tone laced with genuine concern. "You seem... distracted."

Forcing a smile, I nodded. "I'm fine, Sharlar. Just taking in the sights and sounds."

Which was a total lie because my gaze kept drifting back to Savannah. She was chatting animatedly with the vendor, her eyes sparkling, her head tilting just so as she listened. Every little gesture was mesmerizing.

I knew I should be focusing on Sharlar and Helko, on strengthening our bond. That's why I suggested this outing in the first place. But no matter how hard I tried, my thoughts kept circling back to the human woman who had completely captivated me.

Helko's deep voice rumbled nearby, drawing my attention. He was studying a display of intricate timepieces, his wings tucked tightly against his back. I felt a pang of guilt. As his brother, I should be supporting him, not letting myself get so thoroughly distracted.

But then Savannah laughed again, a sound so enchanting it was like a siren's call. I turned toward her, soaking in the sight of her radiant smile, the way her hair danced across her shoulders as she moved.

Sharlar's feathers ruffled, and I realized she was talking to me. "...don't you think, Ryon?"

Cursing my wandering mind, I put on my best apologetic face. "Sorry, Sharlar. My thoughts were elsewhere. What were you saying?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, but she repeated herself patiently. As she spoke, my gaze involuntarily drifted back to Savannah.

I was completely, utterly spellbound. There was no escaping the enchantment this human had cast over my heart.

As we wandered through the bustling night market, Savannah's eyes sparkled with wonder, soaking in every sight and sound.

"This has been the most incredible experience," she breathed, her gaze sweeping over the kaleidoscope of colors and activity around us. "I wish we could make it last forever."

An idea sparked in my mind, and my feathers quivered with excitement. "Maybe we can prolong the adventure a bit longer."

Savannah's eyebrows shot up. "Oh? What did you have in mind?"

"A scavenger hunt," I announced, spreading my wings dramatically. "A final quest to test our wits and teamwork before the night's end."

Her eyes lit up with a competitive gleam that made my heart flutter. "I'm in," she declared without hesitation.

Laughing, I turned to Sharlar and Helko. "What do you think, you two? Shall we split into teams and see who comes out on top?"

Sharlar tilted her head, amused, but Helko stayed impassive. After a moment, he gave a curt nod. "Very well. I accept your challenge, brother."

Savannah clapped her hands, a radiant smile lighting up her face. "Excellent! Ryon, looks like you and I are teammates."

My heart soared at the thought of being her partner, even as a flicker of guilt nagged at me for straying from my original plan

Sharlar gave us a shrewd look before linking her arm through Helko's. "In that case, it seems we shall be rivals, Savannah." A sly grin spread across her face. "May the best team win."

The scavenger hunt was on. Sharlar and Helko huddled together, their feathered heads bent over a commpad as they compiled their list of challenges for us. Savannah sidled closer to me, her presence sending a thrill through my body.

"Any thoughts on what we should have them find?" she murmured, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

I pondered for a moment, letting my gaze wander over the vibrant tapestry of the night market. "How about something that makes them really immerse themselves in the experience? Maybe a sprig of those zarnith blossoms from the florist's stall?"

Savannah's eyes danced with delight. "Ooh, I like that. And maybe...a piece of that delicious-looking candied skyfruit from the confectioner's cart?"

"Excellent choices," I chuckled, quickly tapping the items into our commpad. With a few more additions, our list was complete, and we exchanged a conspiratorial grin before sending it off to Sharlar and Helko.

Moments later, their list popped up on my commpad. I scanned it quickly, my heart rate picking up at the clever—and undoubtedly challenging—items they had listed. A preserved red Congdon bug. An echo pearl. A vial of rare spices. A hand-carved figurine depicting the mythical Celestian beast. Smaller items that would have us racing from one end of the market to the other.

Each team had an hour to complete their list and return to the Kevax fountain in the middle of the market.

"We've got our marching orders," I announced, showing the commpad to Savannah. "Ready?"

Her smile was all the encouragement I needed. With a sweep of my wing, I gestured for her to lead the way, and we dove into the teeming crowds of the night market.

The next hour? Madness. We darted from stall to stall, ticking off items one by one. Savannah's eyes sparkled with every new find and I wanted nothing more than to keep her laughing.

But then, the last item on our list, the elusive echo pearl, was nowhere to be found. We'd checked every single stall, and it was like the thing had just evaporated into thin air.

"There's only one place left," Savannah said, panting, determination etched on her face.

I followed her gaze to a dim, sketchy-looking alcove with a hunched-over figure behind a rickety table. It was the apothecary's stall, and it was so rundown that it was practically invisible amidst the market's chaos.

We weaved through the crowd, and Savannah's hand found mine. Her touch sent my heart racing, her skin warm against my feathers.

The apothecary was an ancient Draen, his feathers faded to a dull gray, eyes cloudy with cataracts. He squinted at us, his beak clicking in a tired greeting.

"Good evening," Savannah began, her voice soft and polite. "We're looking for an echo pearl. Do you have one?"

The old Draen stared at us for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, with a creak of ancient joints, he bent down, rummaging beneath the table. He emerged with a tiny pouch in his gnarled talons.

"No one wants these toys anymore," he rasped, his voice barely audible. "I hope it brings you joy."

Savannah accepted the pouch with reverent fingers. "Thank you," she whispered, turning to me with her eyes dancing.

But our triumph was cut short. As a theater emptied, the crowd around us swelled, bodies pressing in from all sides.

And Savannah's hand slipped from mine.

"Ryon!" she shouted, panic clear in her voice.

I spun toward her, my heart lurching at the sight of her struggling against the mass of people. Without a second thought, I surged forward, wings outstretched to shield her.

She collided with me, her soft form pressing into my chest. Instinctively, my arms wrapped around her, pulling her into safety. Her heartbeat pounded against mine, her breath warm against my feathers.

Time seemed to freeze. The market's noise faded to a distant hum as I focused on the feel of her in my arms. Her scent—a mix of exotic flowers and something uniquely hers—was intoxicating. I had to fight the urge to hold her even closer.

Eventually, the crowd parted, and we stood in a rare moment of calm amidst the chaos. I didn't want to let her go, savoring the feeling of her in my arms.

She looked up at me, her eyes wide and luminous. A silent question hung between us, charged with tension.

With great effort, I loosened my grip. But one of my wings stayed curled around her, shielding her from the world.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice rough with emotion.

She nodded, lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out. The air between us was thick with unspoken feelings.

At that moment, I knew I was totally lost to this remarkable, entrancing human. And there was no turning back from the edge I was standing on.