The shop felt different now.
The cursed gown had been destroyed. The last of the lingering magic had faded, and Amina had finally swept the broken threads and melted wax from the floor.
But the air still felt charged — not with fear this time, but with something warmer. Brighter.
Kael stood by the window, hands tucked behind his back, his cloak folded over a chair instead of wrapped around him like armor. He looked less like a wandering mage, and more like... someone who'd decided to stay.
"You're quiet today," Amina said, gently folding a scrap of enchanted silk into a sealed box. "Brooding doesn't suit you."
"I'm not brooding," he muttered. "I'm thinking."
"Dangerous habit."
He gave her a sideways glance, but she saw the ghost of a smile on his lips. "I traced the coin that was used to commission the dress."
"And?" she asked, holding her breath.
"It came from a noble house — the House of Velar. They've been dabbling in shadow binding for decades. The Lady of the Eclipse was meant to be a puppet queen for them."
Amina's heart sank. "They used me."
"They tried to." He stepped closer. "But you broke the spell. You stopped them."
She swallowed. "And what now? You'll go after them?"
Kael hesitated. "Eventually. But first... I have something else I'd rather do."
Amina looked up at him, brows raised. "Yeah?"
He reached into his cloak, pulling out a folded length of fabric — not magical, not cursed, just simple linen.
"I want you to teach me how to sew."
Amina blinked. "You're joking."
"I'm serious." He held it out to her. "I've taught you spells. It's only fair you show me your craft."
She snorted. "You'll prick your fingers."
"Then you'll kiss them better."
Her eyes widened.
Kael's smile was real this time — quiet and unguarded. "Unless that's too forward?"
Amina took the fabric from him, her fingers brushing his.
"Not at all," she said softly. "But you better keep up. I don't go easy on beginners."
"I wouldn't expect anything less."
Later that night, as candlelight flickered over silver needles and shared smiles, Amina realized something:
Maybe the curse hadn't brought Kael to her.
Maybe fate had just used a little thread and a whole lot of magic to sew two broken lives together.
And this time, the only thing binding them… was choice.
The End