Evelyn didn't sleep much anymore.
The new room, tucked in the faculty wing, was too quiet. Too clean. Too full of shadows that didn't belong to her.
And Alexander hadn't returned since the night before.
She lay still, eyes open, staring at the soft flicker of the fireplace. Her thoughts churned too fast to rest.
He said he came here looking for someone. And he hadn't looked away when he said he found her.
That should have meant something.
But then he'd left.
Again.
A soft knock sounded at the door just after dawn.
She moved to open it—but paused, remembering his warning. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a faint charm to pulse against the doorframe. The shimmer of magic held—no danger.
She opened it slowly.
Alexander stood there, tired but still composed. The shadows under his eyes were subtle, but they were new.
"I shouldn't be here," he said without preamble.
"Yet here you are."
His lips twitched at her dry reply. "The Headmaster has questions. So do I."
"Then come in."
He stepped past her, and for a moment, they were just two people in a room too small for all the things unsaid.
Evelyn crossed her arms. "Did you find something?"
His gaze flicked to her. "Nothing that matters more than this."
The silence between them sharpened.
"Alexander—" she started, her voice softening.
"I'm not used to this." He cut her off, not unkindly. "Wanting to be near someone. Thinking about their safety. Wondering if you'll look at me the same when you know everything."
Evelyn blinked. "You think I'd walk away?"
"I think I've built a life around keeping people out. And you…" He exhaled. "You were never supposed to get this close."
A beat passed.
Then she asked gently, "What are you so afraid I'll see?"
He didn't answer.
But his hand moved—slowly, hesitantly—and brushed against hers. Not a touch. Just a graze.
A promise of something he couldn't voice yet.
Not quite a confession.
But not denial either.
The fire crackled behind them, soft and low.
And in the quiet, Evelyn said nothing.
She didn't need to.
Because for the first time, Alexander didn't pull away.
And that silence spoke louder than any vow