The Ember and The Queen

Rain's POV

The next day, I woke up to the soft, golden light of dawn creeping into the cabana. I turned to my side and saw Kai still asleep, her lashes resting gently on her cheeks, lips parted ever so slightly, her hand still draped over my waist. She looked so peaceful-so beautiful.

I leaned in and kissed her forehead before whispering, "Baby... baby, wake up. The sunrise is beautiful. Come on, let's go to the beach."

She stirred slowly, groggy but smiling. "Hmm? Wait for me at the beach, I'll catch up," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes.

I nodded and slipped outside. The air was cool, the kind that wrapped around your skin like a blanket. The sand was still damp beneath my feet, and the waves gently lapped the shore, catching the first hints of light. I dipped my feet in the water, letting the moment settle in my chest when I heard her voice behind me.

"Baby!"

I turned around to see her, smiling from ear to ear, jogging barefoot toward me, her hair tied up in a messy bun. She wrapped her arms around my waist and pressed a soft kiss on my cheek. "Good morning, my love."

We sat on the sand, shoulder to shoulder, eyes fixed on the rising sun as it painted the sky with shades of peach and coral. Then, I saw her reach into the pocket of her hoodie, pulling out something small and silver.

She opened her hand and revealed a delicate ring-dainty, shaped like a feather. My brows furrowed. "What's this?" I asked, gently taking it between my fingers.

Kai's voice softened. "A ring that Keith gave me."

The moment her name passed her lips, my heart clenched. I looked at the ring like it was something sacred. "Why are you giving this to me? It was Keith's."

She smiled gently and shook her head. "No, baby. That's my ring. It was a pair. Hers is this-" she reached beneath her shirt and pulled out a necklace with a tiny ring pendant. "That was hers. I've kept both since she passed."

I looked at her, tears threatening to blur my vision.

Kai held my hand, her grip warm and steady. "I've been waiting for the right person to give this ring to," she said, voice barely above a whisper. "This is my promise ring to you-that no matter how chaotic things get, no matter how fragile or complicated the world becomes, I will always, always be with you."

Tears rolled down my cheeks. I tried to smile, but it trembled.

"I love you, Kai," I whispered, slipping the ring on my finger like it belonged there all along.

"I love you more," she said, wiping my tears with her thumb before kissing me, slow and sure, like a vow sealed with every breath of the ocean air.

We sat there, arms wrapped around each other, as the sun rose completely over the horizon-bathed in light, bathed in love.

Forever felt like it started that morning.

We had breakfast by the veranda of the cabana-fresh fruits, garlic rice, longganisa, eggs, and warm cups of coffee and tsokolate. Everyone looked content but you could feel that soft sadness creeping in, the kind that comes when a perfect day is nearing its end.

After eating, we didn't waste a second.

We ran straight to the beach, splashing into the water like kids without a care in the world. Kai and I swam out until the waves rocked us gently in each other's arms, like the sea itself was giving us a lullaby.

The girls joined in-Elisse tried to dunk Nica, Solene was gliding on a paddle board like a goddess, and Luna was attempting synchronized swimming moves that ended with all of us laughing our guts out.