night, shadows of the past suddenly resurfaced in her mind. Deeply buried

house, there was another story, intricately woven wit

ears

ntrast. The city, alive with sparkling nightlife and bustling daytimes, concealed a dark secr

e the dimly lit, neon-bathed atmosphere of the Neon Af

ourney full of twists and turns-uncovering Ravenhold darkest se

e danced with a brush in hand. Her long, red hair swirled with her

abstract shapes swirling in shades of deep blue and purple. An abstract figure with wide wings app

died her work, then her delicate fingers picked up a mix of cob

murmured to herself

rasting with the floor, which was covered in splashes of colour. An old radio

ned, adding intricate details to the wings of the figure, m

red her reverie. The sound echoed in the quiet room, pulling her from her cr

he soft jazz now fading into the backg

ncing slightly in the room filled with t

is slightly messy jet-black hair framed his tired but handsome face, and

g at his lips as his sharp eyes met Isolde

carrying a hint of hesitation as he

e, Rhysand. Please, come in." She gently wiped her hand, leavin

th the creative chaos of Isolde's studio. He placed the picnic bas

idian-sharp eyes meeting hers meaningfully. "I j

ted gesture. Her cheeks, already dotted with paint,

. She glanced at the wicker basket on the table, th

ing just slightly. There was an amused gleam in

hat you lost track of time. I brought a sandwich an

mysterious man she had met so briefly at the Neon Afterglow nightclub now stood

voice trembling slightly. She struggled to find the

lied, his deep voice sending a flutte

hem, and a familiar scent-masculine, smoky with a hin

skip lunch." His blunt words made Isolde fluster even more. She lowered her gaze, trying to

n't know how to respond to such directness, but she could feel

his expression and smiled. He didn't

ly, his voice quieter now. "I'm sure Grandma Elara's sandwic

up, the tension in her

the dimples on his cheeks stand out, and someth

lde admitted, giving in to the charm of both the food

e. He patted the wooden surface lightly, inviting her to sit. "Have a seat, Isolde

with the scent of paint and lilies, creatin

opening the basket and pulling out two sandwiches wrapped in navy blue cloth

ur grandmother is very kin

ople," Rhysand replied, handing her a sandwich. "Just l

aggerating

ever leaving her face. There was an intensi

eyes, there's a sea of emotions and thoughts just

sand