The morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor as Kael and Lily made their way deeper into the woods. It had taken some convincing, but after last night's conversation, they had made the decision to seek out Iona. They didn't know what they'd find, or if she could truly help, but the possibility of answers was enough to push them forward.

Kael walked ahead, quiet and focused, while Lily followed, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar path. She knew Kael was nervous-he didn't show it much, but she could sense it in the tightness of his jaw and the way his hands clenched into fists occasionally.

After what felt like hours of walking, they finally reached the river. It stretched wide in front of them, the water a deep, shimmering blue. The sound of the current rushing over rocks filled the air, and a light mist hovered over the surface. Lily glanced at Kael, her heart racing. This was it-the point of no return.

Kael crouched near the edge of the riverbank, peering into the water. "Let me check first," he said, his voice steady but cautious.

Lily nodded, standing back as Kael dipped a stick into the water, moving it around to test for any signs of danger. He checked for crocodiles, or anything lurking beneath the surface, but after a few moments, he stood up and looked at her. "It's safe."

Lily exhaled a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, and together, they waded into the river. The water was cool, but not freezing, and the current wasn't strong enough to sweep them off their feet. As they crossed, Lily's mind raced with thoughts of what was ahead. Would Iona be able to help? And what would it mean for Kael if she could?

The river wasn't long, and soon enough, they reached the other side, their clothes wet from the waist down. As they stepped onto dry land, Lily wiped her forehead, trying to shake off the anxiety building inside her. Kael remained quiet, his eyes scanning the horizon.

"There," he said, pointing to a small house nestled between a thick cluster of trees.

Lily followed his gaze, and sure enough, there it was-a simple, wooden house with a slanted roof and vines crawling up the walls. It looked almost normal, like any old countryside cabin, but there was something about it that made Lily's skin prickle with unease. This was Iona's house-the woman who supposedly held the key to Kael's future.

They approached the house, and Kael knocked on the door, his knuckles hitting the wood with a firm thud. Lily stood beside him, her heart pounding in her chest. A few moments passed before the door creaked open, revealing a woman standing in the doorway.

"Hello, Lily. Hello, Kael," the woman said, her voice smooth and knowing.

Lily's eyes widened. "How do you know our names?"

Iona smiled softly, her eyes gleaming with a strange, otherworldly light. "I just know."

Kael frowned, but before he could say anything, Iona stepped aside and motioned for them to enter. "Come in. Sit down."

They hesitated for a moment, but then followed her inside. The interior of the house was simple but cozy, with shelves lined with jars of herbs and strange trinkets. A small fire crackled in the hearth, filling the room with warmth. Iona gestured to two chairs by the fire, and they sat down, both of them tense and unsure.

Iona sat across from them, her gaze sharp and focused. "You've come to ask about Kael's curse, haven't you?"

Kael's eyes narrowed. "Can you help me?"

Iona smiled again, a soft but mysterious expression crossing her face. "Yes, there is a cure."

Lily's heart leaped in her chest. "Really? What is it? What do we need to do?"

Iona leaned back in her chair, her eyes glinting with knowledge that seemed far beyond this world. "Kael," she said, her voice gentle but firm, "look next to you. The answer has been with you all along."

Kael glanced at Lily, confusion clouding his expression. "What do you mean?"

"It's love," Iona said simply. "True love will break the curse. It will come soon, but the path will not be easy."

Lily's heart skipped a beat as the weight of Iona's words settled over her. Love? Was she the key to saving Kael? Did Iona mean her love?

Kael looked skeptical. "Love? How is that supposed to help me?"

Iona's eyes softened, and she shook her head slightly. "I cannot tell you how it will happen. The future is not something I can reveal in detail. But know this-there will be a moment, a choice, where love will prove itself. And in that moment, the curse will be lifted."

Lily felt a strange mix of hope and fear swirling inside her. If Iona's prophecy was true, that meant she had a role to play in Kael's future-perhaps more than she had ever imagined. But what kind of moment was Iona talking about? What choice?

Kael sat back in his chair, his face unreadable. "So you're saying I'll be cured because of love?"

Iona nodded. "Yes. But it won't happen in the way you expect. The path ahead is dangerous, and you'll face trials that will test both of you."

Lily exchanged a glance with Kael, her stomach tightening with anxiety. Dangerous trials? Love? It all seemed so far beyond anything she had imagined when she first started visiting Kael at his cabin.

"But," Iona added softly, her voice filled with certainty, "you are both stronger than you think. When the time comes, you'll know what to do."

Lily swallowed hard, her mind racing with questions she didn't know how to ask. Kael, meanwhile, was staring at the floor, lost in his own thoughts.

"Thank you," Lily said, her voice quiet but sincere. She wasn't sure what else to say, but she knew Iona had given them more than they had expected.

Iona stood up, her gaze still locked on them. "Your journey isn't over yet. Be careful, both of you. The future is always changing, but some things... some things are meant to be."

Kael rose to his feet, his expression still conflicted. He nodded at Iona and then turned toward the door, motioning for Lily to follow him. Lily stood, her heart heavy with everything Iona had told them.

As they stepped back outside into the cool air, the reality of what they had just learned began to sink in. The cure was real, but it was far more complex than either of them had anticipated. And the idea that love-her love-might be the key to Kael's salvation was both terrifying and exhilarating.

"Are you okay?" Lily asked, glancing up at Kael as they walked away from the house.

Kael was silent for a moment before he nodded. "Yeah. I just... I didn't expect this."

Lily could only nod in agreement. Neither had she. But as they headed back toward the river, one thing was clear: their journey wasn't over. And whatever lay ahead, they would face it together.