The sky burned with shades of honey and rose as the day stretched toward evening.
In the practice hall, Evelyn stood in the center of the warded floor, her palm raised, threads of magic dancing between her fingers. Controlled. Focused.
But her gaze kept flickering to the edge of the room—where Caelan lounged, half-dressed in his training leathers, watching her with that familiar, lazy grin.
"Still showing off," he said.
Evelyn smiled faintly. "Still underestimating me."
He laughed. "Wouldn't dare."
Behind them, the door creaked open.
She didn't have to look to know who it was.
Alexander stepped into the room like a storm cloud slipping through sunlight. Dressed in black, collar crisp, his expression unreadable.
"Professor Valerius," Caelan said casually, straightening. "Heard about you."
Alexander's eyes barely flicked to him. "I doubt you've heard anything accurate."
Caelan didn't flinch. "Maybe. I'm Caelan Thorne. Childhood friend of Evelyn's."
There was something bold in the way he said it. Intentional.
Alexander's gaze cut to Evelyn—briefly.
She was already moving to smooth things. "Caelan's only staying through the Festival. He offered to help me sharpen my shieldwork."
"He's not affiliated with the Academy," Alexander said quietly. "You're not a student. You're not staff. So why are you in this room?"
Evelyn stiffened. "Because I asked him to be."
For a heartbeat, no one spoke.
Then Alexander stepped forward, close enough to make the air tense.
"You don't need him."
Her lips parted. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"You have instructors. Peers. Me."
Caelan arched a brow, clearly amused. "Didn't think she belonged to anyone."
Alexander's eyes narrowed—but he said nothing.
Instead, he turned to Evelyn.
"Be ready at dusk. I'm taking you somewhere."
She blinked. "Where?"
"To remind you of what you are."
And with that, he left—like the room itself bent around his departure.
Evelyn turned slowly, pulse fluttering in her throat.
Caelan chuckled softly. "I like him. Brooding. Jealous."
"He's not jealous," Evelyn said too quickly.
"No?" Caelan stepped closer. "Then why did his eyes burn when I said your name?"
She said nothing.
But deep down—she knew the answer.
Alexander Valerius didn't get jealous.
He got dangerous.