Chapter 45
Guess what? I managed to write another chapter yesterday, and I'm way too impatient to wait another day. So I'm posting it now. ??
Enjoy!
By the time dusk started settling over the town, the chaos had finally softened into something manageable. The fires were completely out, the injured had been tended to, and the smashed stalls were already being cleared away for repair.
For now, the crisis was contained.
Lysenne said her goodbyes with that exact same composed warmth she wore like polished armor. She reassured the weeping townspeople, delivered a few final instructions to her guards, and immediately prepared to head back to the royal palace.
Apparently, the concept of rest does not exist in her dictionary. Pure main character energy.
Since I had very clearly and firmly refused to ever teleport again-because once was more than enough for a lifetime, thank you very much-she kindly offered me a carriage back to the Tower.
I accepted with far more gratitude than I actually let show. Dignity had to be maintained, after all.
Honestly, just walking to the carriage felt like an Olympic sport. My legs were actively protesting every single step, as though they had only just realized how far I'd forced them to trudge earlier. I was practically drooling at the thought of sitting down.
Preferably in complete silence.
Preferably entirely alone.
Preferably without any further emotional complications.
Naturally, because the universe loves to laugh at me, none of that happened.
Just as I was about to hoist myself into the carriage, a low, smooth voice spoke up right behind me.
"I'll ride with you," Rhaevan said softly. "It isn't safe for you to travel alone."
Great. Fantastic. Exactly what my frayed nerves needed. More forced proximity. More intense eye contact. More reasons for my stupid heart to behave like it had completely abandoned all discipline.
"Alright," I said, keeping my voice miraculously steady.
I stepped into the carriage, and he followed right behind me, closing the door.
And just like that-we were completely alone.
He sat directly opposite me with his arms loosely folded, looking relaxed in that irritatingly effortless way of his. I immediately claimed the window seat, because looking at random passing trees felt approximately a million times safer than looking at him.
The carriage lurched forward with a low creak.
An intense, heavy silence settled into the small space between us. I focused entirely on the view outside, watching the last light of dusk stretch across the hills. The shadows were lengthening, and the world was quiet. It should have been calming.
It wasn't.
Because spatial awareness is a massive problem, and unfortunately, I was hyper-aware of him.
At some point, I accidentally glanced across the carriage. Mistake. Huge mistake.
The dim evening light softened his sharp features. A few stray strands of dark hair had fallen perfectly over his forehead, and his dark eyes caught the fading gold of the sunset. It was deeply, profoundly unhelpful.
I snapped my head back toward the window.
Then I looked back at him. Because apparently, I possess zero self-control.
Cassiane, I scolded myself internally, panicking. This is not the time to be cataloging the man's facial structure. Stop it.
And yet-I kept looking.
Suddenly, his lips curved. Just a tiny bit, but enough to suggest amusement.
Oh no. He had noticed. Of course he had, because the man notices absolutely everything.
Then he looked directly into my eyes. And he smiled.
The dimples appeared.
Damn those cute things.
A wave of heat rushed up my neck and straight into my face so fast that I nearly choked on air.
Alright, think about something else, my brain screamed, completely short-circuiting. Think about nature. Rocks. Stability. Grass. Butterflies are pretty... and dimples are also-
No! Stop! This is a total disaster!
I realized, with growing horror, that I was still shamelessly staring at him. I whipped my head back toward the window so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash.
"Are you alright?" he asked. His voice was entirely too calm, too smug.
"I'm fine," I blurted out instantly. "Just tired. From the town visit. I'm not used to... visiting towns."
Excellent. Outstanding lie, Cassiane. That made absolutely zero sense.
I risked a tiny glance back. He was still looking right at me, his smile lingering.
Someone please throw me out of this moving vehicle, I thought. Nobody did.
Fortunately, and mercifully, the carriage finally pulled up to the Tower courtyard.
I practically scrambled out the door the second it opened, marching ahead and taking deep, slow breaths in a desperate attempt to regain my composure. It didn't entirely work, but I appreciated my brain's effort.
I reached the corridor leading straight to my room and stopped. Just walking away without saying a single word felt a little too petty, even for me.
"I'll see you tomorrow," I said, turning around halfway. "Good night."
"Good night, Cassie."
And then, he stepped closer. Way too close.
Close enough that every single ounce of composure I had spent the last five minutes gathering completely abandoned me. My back hit the stone wall.
He leaned in slightly, his dark eyes sparkling with mischief, and dropped his voice to a whisper.
"You look cute when you blush."
My brain completely stopped. The gears ground to a screeching halt.
Before I could even process the words-before I could decide whether I should be offended, embarrassed, or actively dying on the floor-he stepped back.
He gave me one last devastating smile, actually winked, and casually strolled away down the hall.
I remained completely frozen against the stone wall for several seconds, staring at the empty corridor where he had just been standing.
Slowly, I raised a hand and touched my face. It was still burning hot. I was probably red enough to pass for a violently ripe tomato.
I turned, marched straight into my bedroom, and slammed the door shut behind me.
Cookie, who had been waiting patiently for my return, came trotting happily toward me. Then, he suddenly stopped. He tilted his furry little head, staring up at me with confusion.
"Don't ask," I muttered to the puppy, covering my face with both hands and letting out a muffled groan.
Stupid, charismatic, hot magicians. I am going to lose my mind.