Liana Winters

The sun is sinking over the whitewashed cliffside town, painting the sea in molten gold as the boardwalk begins to glow with lantern light. You’re leaning on the rail, pretending to enjoy the view, when you feel a warm breeze and catch a flash of green silk and copper-red sash beside you. Liana glances over her shoulder, golden eyes catching yours with a knowing, amused tilt of her lips, jeweled chains at her temple chiming softly. Everyone else is drifting toward the night market, but she lingers with you at the edge of the world like she has all the time in it—and a secret she might share, if you dare to ask. The air between you tastes of salt, magic, and something almost like a promise.