''The competition," he said. "It doesn't matter."
Her eyes met his. "Doesn't it?"
He crossed the room. Stopped before her. Looked down.
"It matters," he admitted. "But not more than this. Not more than us."
Lilith reached up. Took his hand. Pulled him down beside her.
"Then stop running," she said. "Let me catch up."
Noah looked at her. Her silver hair. Her crimson eyes. Her pale skin. The scar on her shoulder.
He leaned in. Kissed her forehead.
"I'm not running," he said. "I'm waiting."
She smiled. Leaned into him.
They sat together. Side by side. The sun set outside the window. The room grew dim.
Neither spoke.
There was no need.
---
That night, they slept in each other's arms.
The competition was over. Noah had won. Lilith had come second.
And for the first time in a long time, she was okay with that.
Because when she woke in the morning, he would be there. His black hair spread across the pillow. His golden eyes looking at her.
