Chapter 30
Sapphir
The silence of the house was almost comforting as I settled into my hed book in hand. I giggled softly, lost in the witty dialogue of the novel.
But the sound of my own laughter made me pause, realizing how rare it was to for this light and carefree. The week had been exhausting, but the thought of the weekend was enough to lift my spirits, Leah had promised a shopping, spree, and though I didn’t care much for buying anything, the prospect of spending the day with her was exciting
A low grumble from my stomach palled me from my thoughts. I sighed, remembering how I had deliberately skipped diemer. I just didn’t want to sit through the inevitable fuss over the new warrior. Sure, he was luhome enough, but the way everyone was fawning over him would’ve driven me up the wall.
ad I could sneak downstairs fora Calancing at the clock on my wall, I noted that it was almost midnight. Perfen, Everyone would be asleep by now quiet snack. Israpped my hook shwe and tiptoed out of my room, careful not to make a sound as I headed for the kitclsen
The house was dimly lit, and the only sounds were the soft creaks of the floorboard beneath my feet. I peeked into the kitchen, holding my breath, and similed when I saw it was emply, I padded across the floor and opened the fridge, pulling out the leftovers from diemer. My stomach numbled in anticipation as I piled food onto a plate and slid is into the microwave.
As I und wanting for my meal to heat up, I let my mind wander. The hum of the microwave washing, almost lulling me back into that same Jearefree nood. I was so lost in thought that I didn’t hear the soft footsteps behind me. It wasn’t until I felt a presence close by that I froze.
“Pharming to sneak around after hours, are we?” a deep voice said smoothly, laced with amusement. “You should’ve just eaten with everyone else 1 yelped in surprise and spun around to see Anigon leaning against the doorway, arms crossed and a smirk nigging at his lips. He looked more relaxed than usual, his shirt valuatened at the top sleeves rolled up, and his dark hair slightly tousled. His eyes sparkled with mischief as he took in the sight of me standing there, startled and flustered.
“Do you always have to sneak up on people like that?” Tufted, trying to mask my embarrassment with annoyance.
He chuckled softly. Only when h’s this entertaining. What’s the matter, couldn’t face the new warrior and has bu dub?“
I rolled my eyes and turned back to the incrowave, feeling warmth creep up my neck under his gaze. “I wasn’t hungry earlier.” Iled, though it was punly true, “But note I am.”
“Hmm,” he murmured, and I could feel his eyes still on me. “So, what do you think of him? Isaac, right? Seems like quite the charmer.
A small smile ragged me my lign as I thought of hac’s overly confident flirting. He was bold, that much was certain, but in an endearing way. “He’s easy on the eyes,” said lightly, “and he definitely win over a lot of hearts around here.”
There was a low growl from Aragon, almost too quiet to catch, but heard it. I turned back to him with raised eyebrows, catching the flash of something darker in his expression before le masked it with a smirk. “So you’re attracted to him?” he asked, though his tone was deceptively
I couldn’t resist teasing him “Careful,” I said, raising an eyebrow, “someone right think you’re jealous.”
He pushed himself off the doorframe, taking a step closer. The playful look in his eyes was now moved with something more intense, and the air between us felt charged. “Jealous!” he repeated, voice dropping an octave. “Of a guarho’s all talk and no substance! Not likely.”
The microwave beeped, breaking the tension and 1 quickly med to retrieve my food. My heart was racing, and I slemly cursed myself for letting him get under my skin so easily. As I landed myself with my phate, trying to ignore the way his presence seemed to fill the room, Aragon spoke again, his tone softer this time.
“Why didn’t you come down for dinner, really?” he asked.
Ishrugged, keeping my back to him. “I didn’t feel like being part of the crowd tonight”
There was a pause, and I could almost feel him considering his next words. “You don’t have to Bolate yourself you know. Even if it’s annoying, it’s better than sneaking around after hours.”
I turned around to face him, holding my plate. “You’re one to talk about sneaking around. What are you even doing up this late!”
He grinned, but there was something more gemine behind at this time. “Couldn’t sleep,” he admitted. “Thought I’d see if I could catch anyone breaking curfew.”
“Oh, so fm your entertainment for the night?” I scoffed, but I couldn’t help the small smile that played on my lips.
He didn’t answer right away, just watched me with an unreadable expression. Then he said quietly, “You’re more interesting than most people here. Il give you that.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, so I just took a bite of my food, trying to act nonchalant. But the warmth in his gaze made my stomach flip, and I was suddenly more aware of him than I cared to be
“haar might be easy on the eyes,” he said after a moment, his voice low and smooth, “but he’s not the one you want, is
Tawallowed, it juu turned south so far. I was so tempted to ask him if he was on something but I refrained myself. “What are you trying
ng to say?”
He stepped clover, closing the distance between us until he was just a breath away. “You’re uman enough to know exactly what I’m saying,” he mummurd, his eyes locking onto mine
Chapter 30
My pulse quickened, and for a moment. I didn’t know if I wanted to push him away or pull him clover. There was something magnetic about the way he looked at me, something that made at hand to breathe. But before I could respond, he stepped back, breaking the spell.
“Enjoy your midnight snack,” he said, his tone back to its usual teasing lili. With a wink, he tumed and walked out of the kitchen, leaving me standing ther, bran racing and mind reeling.
As the sound of his footsteps faded. Het ont a breath I didn’t realise Ed been holding. The rooms felt colder without him in it, and I shook my head. trying to clear my thoughts.
Was I really going to let him kiss me
e after everything he had done? Was I that f
foolisht
I took another bite of my food, but it didn’t taste as good anymore. My mind was still spinning replaying the way his eyes had burned into mine, the subtle possessiveness in his tone when he’d talked about base. I didn’t know what to make of it, but one thing was clear. He was jealous of his new
That made me feel even more powerful
The smell of sizzling bacon and freshly baked bread filled the kitchen as 1 huummed a tune softly, stirring a pot of scrambled eggs. I hadn’t slept at all Isu night, my mind 100 occupied with thouglus I couldn’t quite shake off, but cooking always had a way of calming me down. The rhythm of preparing breakfast helped drown out the nose in my head.
As I flipped panenkes omo a plate. I heard the telltale sounds of footsteps approaching. I glanced up just as a group of people entered the kuchen, Arapon, Marcel and a few others. They chanted as they look their seats, the more energy buzzing around the room.
My garr lingered on Aragon for a mome. He looked as brooding as ever, but there was something more in his expression, something imitation. Iquickly looked away, not wanting to deal with whatever mood he was in that morning.
Just as I turned back to the stove, I heard someone call my name. “Good morning, bennifull tsaac’s cheerful voice rang out as he sampered over 10 me. flashing one of his signature grim. He took the plate I was holding out of my hands and leaned in a bit closer than necessary. “Let me help you
with bat
“It’s okay, really,” I said, trying to keep my voice light. “I’ve got it under control.”
“Nonsense. Istor’s smile widened as he brushed off my work. “Linio,”
Before I could protest further, hair began helping the with the dishes moving with a practiced case that suggested he was used to charming his way imo sinuations like this. He was pleasant company, and I found myself smiling despire the subtle tension in the room. But then Leight slow, almost Imperceptible growl I looked up locking eyer with Aragon. He
Bring al me or more accurately, at Enar. His aw was deuched right, his hands
gripping the table’s edge as if he was barely holding himself back
I didn’t react, turning my attention back to . If Aragon was going to be jealous, that was his problem, not mine. He could stew in his own mood as much as he liked it was none of his business who 1 talked to or who helped me in the kitchen. Tumiled warmly at bac. “Thanks for the help.“I said, handing him another dish.
“My pleasure. “he replied simonthly, his eyes twinkling as he gave me a wink.
Isaac stayed by my side until I was done cooking, chanting easily as he helpedtime set the table. His effortless charm and lighthearted conversation
made it easy to forget the weight of Aragon’s eyes on me. Once everything was set, I grabbed my own plate, planning to eat in peace upstairs. But as I headed toward the door, Aragon stepped in front of me blocking my path.
“You should sit at the table with everyone else,” he said.
Topened my mouth to argue but decided against a. There was no posse in making a scene, especially not with everyone watching. “Fine,“I muttered, niming to find a seat. I took the empty spot beside hane, who beamed at me as if he’d won a prize.
From arrow the Lible, Marcel caught my eye and gave me a knowing shake of his head, amusemen gleaming in his eyes. I shrugged in response, silently conveying that I wasn’t in the mood for his teasing. I focused on my food instead hoping that if I stayed quiet enough breakfast would pass quickly without any awkwardness.
But Isme had other plans. He was a natural conversationidist, keeping nie engaged with stories and jokes that had me laughing between bites. He had a way of making everyone around him feel at eme, and it wasn’t long before the table was filled with lively chatter. Despite Aragon’s earlier tension even he seemed to relax somewhat, though I could still feel the occasional heavy glance he threw my way.
It was going fine il bar cleared his throat and I realized I had been absent–minded, “what made you transfer to this packe
The questions the air like a sharp crack, and all conversation immediately died. I felt the shift in the room instantly m everyone’s attention
snapped to me.
