The moon hung low over the academy’s outskirts, casting silver light across the empty training grounds.
The usual dayti crowds had long since retreated to their dorms, leaving only the soft whisper of wind and the distant hum of the city beyond the walls.
Elowyn Strix stood alone in the center of the field; her sword extended in a form she had repeated thousands of tis.
Sweat clung to her brow, and her breathing was steady despite the hour.
She had been here since dusk, moving through her forms with a focus that left no room for distraction.
She sensed sothing before she heard a voice.
"I finally found you. I’ve been looking for you, Elowyn."
Elowyn lowered her sword and turned. A silver-haired boy stood at the edge of the field, his violet eyes fixed on her.
"Cael?"
He smiled and waved his hand lightly.
"What’s wrong? Forget already?"
The wind picked up slightly, carrying the scent of night-blooming flowers from sowhere beyond the training grounds.
Cael’s silver hair swayed with the breeze, catching the moonlight like threads of spun glass.
He took a step forward, as if he had been waiting for this mont as long as she had. At least, that was what he truly felt.
Even without actively seeing Elowyn, his feelings for her were complicated.
He wanted to protect her. He wanted to be near her. But he also feared what she might beco.
And worse, he feared that he did not fear it enough.
Before the District Neva incident,
Was Cael in love with her? He did not know.
But he certainly knew that if a day ca when he had to choose between saving his own life or die trying to save Elowyn, he would choose to save his own life.
Do not get him wrong, there was no way he would let any situation co close to that.
But if Elowyn were to choose, she would definitely choose to die trying to save Cael’s life.
That was the reason Cael accepted her feelings and engaged with her.
But after the wraith incident in District Neva,
Elowyn had tried to get Cael out of danger while risking her own life. And that changed many things.
Cael and Elowyn made a promise to share their secrets when the ti ca.
And that simple pinky promise had changed Cael in ways he could not put a finger on.
There was not a day that Cael did not look at his engagent ring and think of that promise.
So, his feelings were complicated.
Cael’s steps paused before Elowyn as he reached out his hand to her face, trying to adjust her hair.
But before he could fully lift his hand, Elowyn moved, pulling his hand forward and shoving him backward.
With a swift motion, she kneed his chest. They both fell backwards.
"Ghaa."
Cael let out a grunt as he stared at Elowyn.
The ground was cool beneath his back, the grass soft against his neck. He could feel her heartbeat through his chest, steady and strong, matching his own.
She lay on top of him, her knee still pinning his chest to the ground.
Her black hair covered her facial expression, but Cael could see a smile on her face.
"Hehe."
As he expected, she giggled.
Then she straightened her posture, her left hand adjusting her hair while her right hand slowly slid from Cael’s neck to the back of his head.
Under the moonlight, Cael saw Elowyn differently for the first ti in a different light. Quite literally.
The silver light traced the curve of her jaw, the line of her shoulder, the gentle rise of her chest as she breathed. Shadows pooled beneath them, rging into one.
"Elowyn, let go. It’s embarrassing."
Elowyn tilted her head.
"You did not et for nearly four months, and the first thing you do is tease ?"
Then Elowyn leaned forward as she pulled Cael’s head closer to her face.
Cael could easily escape from her grasp, but he did not resist.
Elowyn smiled, inches away from Cael’s face, and asked slyly,
"What’s wrong? I heard boys like it when the girl takes the initiative."
anwhile, Cael’s thoughts were running wild.
’What is going on?’
He had thought of many scenarios: how to et her, what to say, how to act.
But never in his wildest thoughts had he expected the current situation to play out.
Clearly, Cael knew Elowyn’s personality. She would never try or even think of doing this.
Unless she was getting back at him by acting this way deliberately.
But Cael was not soone who backed off easily.
"Maybe. But I, for one, like to be the one to lead."
Elowyn’s cheeks reddened.
"Is that so? But it has been nearly five months since we were engaged, yet you never made a move."
Cael rolled his eyes.
"We are too young. Anyway, let’s not talk about it anymore."
Elowyn shook her head.
"See? Even though I gave you such a chance, you did not make a move. Forget it. Since you are not going to do it, I will do it."
Cael’s eyes widened.
"Wha--"
But before he could finish his word, Elowyn pulled Cael’s head even further forward as she leaned in and pressed her lips to his.
Cael’s eyes widened before softening.
On the opposite, Elowyn’s blue eyes shone with crimson lightly before fading.
They parted after a mont.
Cael’s face turned bright red.
Elowyn’s breath was warm against his lips. The world around them seed to hold still, no wind, no cricket, no distant hum of the city.
Only them.
Elowyn took deep breaths and said in a low voice,
"Rember when you said, ’I am yours’ to ?"
The air between them was thick, charged with sothing neither of them dared na.
Cael’s hand found hers on the grass, fingers intertwining without thought. Her palm was warm.
She paused, her clear blue eyes locking onto his. The moonlight caught the edge of her smile.
"Yes... You. Are. Mine."
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