Shadows of Change (Arcanum Academy #1)

66. Kaia

I’m caught between mortification and lingering desire, my body still thrumming with heat even as embarrassment floods my cheeks. Malrik’s arms tighten protectively around me, the tension in his muscles unmistakable. But there’s something else—a spark crackling in the air, growing sharper under Finn’s watchful gaze.

“Thinking clearly?” I manage to sputter, my voice higher than usual. “What are you even talking about?”

Finn’s grin softens, his mischief giving way to something rawer, more vulnerable. As he moves closer, my breath catches at the intensity in his emerald eyes. “I’m talking about us, Kaia. All of us.”

My heart pounds so loudly I’m certain they can both hear it. Shadows coil around us, reflecting the atmosphere. Even Bob seems unusually alert, his inky form rippling like the surface of a storm-touched lake.

“Finn…” Malrik’s voice is low and warning, though I can feel the subtle shift in his posture. He angles slightly toward Finn at the same time I do. The current between the three of us crackling like fire on dry leaves.

Finn takes a steadying breath, running a hand through his tousled copper hair. “I mean it. I have feelings for both of you. And I’m pretty sure you both feel the same way about me.” His gaze flicks between us. “Just like I know you’re crazy about each other.”

The silence thickens, heavy with possibilities I hadn’t dared to consider. Malrik’s arm tightens around my waist again as Finn steps closer, his usual confidence softened by something vulnerable.

“You can’t just burst in here and say things like that,” I manage, though my voice lacks conviction. The Heart of Eternity seems to hum against my throat, in sync with my racing heart.

“Why not?” Finn challenges, standing just close enough that I can see the flecks of gold in his green eyes. “Because it’s complicated? Because we’re in the middle of a crisis? Or because you’re afraid I’m right?”

Malrik’s fingers twitch against my side, his voice gruff. “Finn…”

“No,” Finn says firmly. “I’m done pretending. Bob’s been trying to tell us for weeks—haven’t you, Bob?”

To my utter disbelief, Bob nods solemnly. Patricia and Finnick bob in agreement behind him, their shadowy forms almost smug. A laugh bubbles up in my throat despite the tension.

“You’re taking relationship advice from shadows?” I ask, but the words don’t carry the bite I intend. They’re too close to the truth, and my shadows have always known me better than I know myself.

“They see everything,” Finn says, his voice softer now. “The way Malrik watches me when he thinks no one’s looking. The way you light up when I make you laugh. They see how we all orbit each other like stars caught in the same gravitational pull.”

I swallow hard as Finn kneels beside the bed, bringing himself level with us. His proximity sends my pulse racing again. “Tell me I’m wrong,” he says, his voice gentle but unrelenting. “Tell me you don’t feel this too.”

Malrik exhales sharply, his voice rough. “Of course we feel it.” He glances at me, his silver eyes searching. For a moment, I think he might stop, but something in my expression—maybe the way my breath hitches—seems to give him the answer he needs. “But that doesn’t make it simple.”

“When has anything about us ever been simple?” Finn counters, brushing a strand of hair from my face. His fingers tremble slightly—a crack in his facade that twists something in my chest. “We live in a world of shadow magic and time-traveling Valkyries. Maybe it’s time we stopped expecting things to make conventional sense.”

I lean into his touch before I can stop myself, and Malrik’s sharp intake of breath sends a thrill down my spine. The air hums with tension, and my shadows tighten their protective cocoon around us.

“What exactly are you proposing?” I whisper, though I think I already know the answer.

Finn’s smile is softer now, his usual bravado tempered by sincerity. “I’m proposing we stop pretending. Stop fighting this.” His gaze flicks to Malrik. “All of this.”

Mouse chirps softly from the foot of the bed, his violet eyes gleaming with what feels like approval. My shadows coil closer, their movements languid and content.

Wrapped between these two men, I finally let myself stop fighting the pull. I’m tired of resisting, tired of pretending not to feel the electricity that arcs between us. “Okay,” I breathe, the word barely audible.

Finn’s grin lights up the room, hope blazing in his emerald eyes. “Okay?”

I catch his shirt in my hand, pulling him closer. “Okay.”

He moves closer, the mattress dips under his weight, and I find myself caught between him and Malrik—not trapped, but grounded. My shadows move with a contented hum around us, and I swear Bob looks smug.

“So,” Finn says, his usual playful tone softened by something deeper, “do I get a good morning kiss too, or do I have to wait my turn?”

Malrik’s chest rumbles behind me with what might be a laugh. “Subtle as ever.”

“You love it,” Finn counters, though there’s a flicker of vulnerability in his green eyes that makes my chest ache.

Before doubt can creep in, I lean forward and press my lips to his. The kiss is gentle, exploratory—nothing like the heated exchanges with Malrik earlier. Finn’s hand comes up to cup my cheek, his touch steady and warm. Behind me, Malrik’s arms tighten around my waist, not pulling me away but anchoring me.

When I pull back, Finn’s emerald eyes are wide, his trademark grin replaced with something softer. “Wow,” he breathes, his voice hushed. “Bob was right about everything.”

A laugh bubbles up, and my shadows dance joyfully around us. Even Patricia seems to be scribbling furiously, her shadowy form alive with motion.

“This is insane,” I say, though I can’t help smiling. “We’re in the middle of a war basically. Thorne and Darian are plotting who knows what, the Heart of Eternity is doing... something, and we’re—”

“Finding strength,” Malrik interrupts, his voice firm. “Together.”

Finn nods, his playful expression becoming heated as he reaches out to trace the line of Malrik’s jaw. “The world’s never going to stop being complicated. But maybe if we stop fighting this, we’ll be stronger for it.”

Finn leans in, his gaze locked with Malrik’s. Time seems to slow as they close the distance, their lips meeting in a kiss that’s both tender and charged with restrained passion. Caught between them, I feel the heat of their bodies and the rhythm of their breaths, the moment electric.

The sight makes heat pool low in my stomach. Unable to resist, I lean forward, brushing my lips along the column of Finn’s throat. His skin is warm and slightly salty, and the groan that rumbles through him sends a shiver down my spine. My shadows seem to echo my emotions, swirling around us in lazy, approving spirals.

Malrik’s hands begin to roam, his touch leaving trails of fire across my skin. His fingers slip under my shirt, grazing my ribs, and I arch into him with a gasp. The Heart of Eternity glows warmly at my throat, as if echoing the harmony in this moment. My shadows coil protectively around all three of us, possessive and affirming, and for the first time in what feels like forever, everything feels... right.

The knock at the door shatters our moment. "Kaia?" Aspen's voice carries through the wood, tight with urgency. "We have a problem."

Dammit.

I open the door to find his usually calm expression drawn with tension. His eyes flick briefly over the three of us, but he merely arches one pale eyebrow before focusing back on the matter at hand.

"Professor Lira sent me. The group's trial has been moved up. We're expected in the arena within the hour."

My heart drops. "What? But we're not supposed to trial until next week—"

"Darian's demanded an immediate trial," Aspen cuts in, his voice low. "As a transfer student, he has the right to challenge his placement. He's chosen our group specifically."

"Of course he has," Malrik mutters behind me.

Finn moves to lean against the doorframe. "Let me guess – there's more."

Aspen nods grimly. "The trial parameters have been altered. Darian's insisting on using shadow constructs for the challenges. Claims it's to test our true abilities." He glances at me meaningfully. "Professor Lira wants to see us immediately. She says there's something we need to know before we enter the arena."

My shadows coil tighter around us, responding to the tension in the room. Even Bob seems unusually agitated, his shadowy form rippling with unease.

"Shadow constructs?" I repeat, feeling the Heart of Eternity warm against my throat. "Those are restricted. Only advanced practitioners can—"

"Darian claims he has no choice," Aspen says, his expression troubled. "That he's being forced to prove himself this way.”

Aspen’s usual calm is gone, replaced with a sharp edge that I’m not used to seeing. “Lira thinks there’s more to this,” he says, glancing down the hallway as if expecting someone to appear. “But we can’t wait to find out what.”

I meet Malrik's silver eyes, then Finn's green ones. We all know what this means – what Darian's really saying between the lines.

“Thorne,” I whisper, and my shadows shudder in agreement.

“We should get to Lira,” Malrik says, already moving to gather his things. “If anyone knows how to handle corrupted shadow constructs, it’s her.”

Finn straightens, some of his usual humor bleeding away. “Nothing like a surprise death trial to start the morning. And here I thought catching you two was going to be the highlight of my day.” He grins, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. For a fleeting moment, I see the tension he’s trying to mask—the weight of everything we were walking into. My shadows swirl around us protectively as we move to follow Aspen.

“Whatever happens in that arena,” Malrik says quietly, his hand finding the small of my back, “we stay together.”

“All of us,” Finn adds, his shoulder brushing mine as we walk.

I nod, drawing strength from their presence. A trial we shouldn’t be facing, shadow constructs that shouldn’t exist, and forces we can’t yet prove are working against us. But I’ll take whatever they throw at me. I refuse to be pushed around any longer.