The morning sun filtered through the thin curtains, casting a golden hue across the room. Kael stirred, blinking away the remnants of sleep as he turned to his side. Darius lay sprawled on the adjacent bed, still deep in slumber, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. A faint smile tugged at Kael's lips. *Late again,* he thought, shaking his head. The faint sound of birds chirping outside the window filled the silence, a stark contrast to the usual bustle of the academy grounds.
Quietly, he slipped out of bed and padded toward the bathroom, his bare feet barely making a sound against the cool floor. The tiles sent a slight chill up his spine, a reminder of the early hour. As he splashed water on his face, his mind drifted back to the previous night. The memory of Thea's laughter, the way her eyes had sparkled under the dim light—it all replayed in his mind like a vivid dream. He wasn't sure what to make of it. She was undeniably beautiful, perhaps the most striking woman he'd ever seen, but his feelings were a tangled mess. Was it admiration? Attraction? Something deeper? He sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair, the damp strands clinging to his fingers.
The reflection in the mirror showed faint shadows under his eyes. Sleep had been elusive, his thoughts too restless to grant him peace. He wondered if Thea had felt the same unease after their encounter. The way she had looked at him—had it meant anything, or was he reading too much into it?
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In another room down the hall, Thea sat on the edge of her bed, lost in thought. The morning light painted soft patterns across the floor, illuminating the scattered clothes and books from the night before. Her fingers absently traced the hem of her sleeve as she replayed the events of the previous evening. Kael was handsome, certainly, but she'd encountered plenty of attractive men before. None of them had ever made her heart race like this. There was something about him—the quiet intensity in his gaze, the way he carried himself with effortless confidence, as if he were always in control. She bit her lip, a faint blush warming her cheeks.
"What are you thinking about?" Lira's voice snapped her out of her reverie. Her roommate leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a mischievous grin playing on her lips. The morning had clearly been kind to her; her hair was already neatly braided, and she looked far more awake than Thea felt.
Thea's eyes widened, and she quickly looked away, feigning interest in a loose thread on her sleeve. "I—I don't know what you're talking about."
Lira laughed, shaking her head. "Sure, sure. Go get ready. Training starts soon, and unlike Darius, Kael's always punctual." She pushed off the doorframe and sauntered over to her dresser, rifling through a drawer for her training gear. "You know, if you keep staring into space like that, you're going to be late. And then what will your precious Kael think?"
Thea's blush deepened. "He's not *my* Kael," she muttered, though the words lacked conviction.
As if on cue, a firm knock echoed through the room. Thea's pulse quickened. She smoothed her pajamas—a futile attempt to look more presentable—before opening the door.
Kael stood there, his tall frame filling the doorway. His dark hair was slightly damp, as if he'd just showered, and his piercing eyes locked onto hers. The faint scent of soap and something woodsy clung to him, sending a shiver down her spine. "Morning," he said, his voice low and steady.
"Good morning," Thea replied, stepping aside to let him in. Her fingers fidgeted at her sides, betraying her nerves.
Kael's gaze swept across the room, taking in the vibrant posters adorning the walls, the neatly arranged books on the desk—a stark contrast to the sparse, utilitarian space he shared with Darius. He exhaled sharply, a hint of amusement in his expression, before sinking onto the nearest bed. The mattress creaked slightly under his weight.
Thea sat beside him, close enough that he could catch the faint scent of lavender in her hair. The proximity sent his mind into overdrive. "How was your night?" she asked, her voice soft.
Kael's throat tightened. She was so close, her pajamas leaving little to the imagination. His mind began to wander, imagining scenarios he had no business entertaining. What would it be like to reach out and tuck a stray lock of hair behind her ear? To feel the warmth of her skin under his fingertips?
Thea noticed his distant look and smirked, clearly enjoying his discomfort. Teasing him was far too easy. "I'm going to freshen up," she announced, standing abruptly. As she disappeared into the bathroom, Lira burst into laughter.
"What?" Kael frowned, tearing his gaze away from the closed bathroom door.
"You looked like a puppy who'd just found his master," Lira managed between giggles. "It was obvious she was teasing you, and you were completely flustered."
Kael rolled his eyes, though his ears burned. He crossed his arms, feigning nonchalance. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Sure you don't," Lira said, wiping a tear from her eye. "Anyway, is Darius coming to training? Today's the last day of our free week. It'd be good to assess our combat power before classes start."
Kael sighed, rubbing his temples. "He's not coming.
We'll drag him out once Thea's done."
Lira smirked. "Of course we will."
Kael exhaled, leaning back against the bed. This was going to be a long day.
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