Spires reach the skies.

Oath couldn’t help but let a soft smile tug at the corner of his lips as Fairytale placed her paw on his, her playful yet determined grin reaching him despite the eerie atmosphere. The wind howled through the spires, their haunting tune growing louder, more foreboding. He knew she wouldn’t back down, and a part of him admired her fierce spirit, even though he felt the same pull to protect her.

He leaned closer, his nose brushing her cheek affectionately, trying to reassure her. “I understand, love,” he said softly, his voice calm despite the tension rising around them. “You always want to help... and that’s one of the reasons I can’t let anything happen to you.”

His cyan eyes flicked back toward the spires, the strange red glow still lingering over them. “But if we’re going to stay, we need to be smart about this.” He nudged her paw gently, inspecting the wound. “I’ll find something to wrap your paw with. We can be careful, like you said.”

A smirk matched hers as he added, “And if it comes to it, I’ll carry you. But let’s take it slow... for now.”

Oath knew the dangers were real, but so was the love between them. He would not let anything happen to her.