After reading the letter, Kael felt his thoughts spiral.

  He needed air. Space. Quiet.

  Instead of going back to his room, he headed to the silent courtyard, the one place in the academy where the noise of the world always seemed to fade.

  It wasn’t far from the library. Within minutes, he stood before the familiar hill, with the lone tree rising from it like a sentinel. Snow blanketed its branches, weighing them down in soft, white arcs.

  A bittersweet warmth flickered in his chest.

  He approached the tree, sat down beneath it, and leaned back against its trunk. The snow formed a half-moon around him, untouched except where his boots had cut through it.

  I know the letter isn’t a trap, he thought, rubbing his hands together to warm them.

  Ausma wouldn’t let just anyone touch him. He wouldn't deliver a message to me unless he trusted the messenger. It must’ve been Astra who handed it to him.

  A small laugh escaped him.

  But how on earth does he know her? I guess Astra will answer that.

  His eyes lowered and his expression sank into thought.

  But how do I even leave the academy? The restriction is still active. I can’t ask Cassandra, not after what happened, and I won't risk exposing her to the Rebels. That’s the last thing she needs.

  His jaw tightened.

  I still can’t believe the Unspoken killed her sister just because of her talent. Something doesn’t add up. If I can figure it out, maybe she’ll finally find peace.

  It's a debt I owe her.

  He was so lost in his thoughts that he didn’t notice the faint crunch of snow approaching, the sound of two figures sneaking up on him.

  Suddenly, darkness covered his eyes.

  Kael jerked and his heart raced.

  But he immediately relaxed when a warm, familiar voice whispered in his ear.

  "Guess who?"

  Cheerful. Soft. Playful.

  It was a voice he hadn’t realized he missed until now.

  A slow smile formed on his lips.

  "Someone I've missed far too much."

  He lifted his hand, and the courtyard’s snowy beauty returned to view.

  He turned, and there they were:

  Lia, her cheeks flushed from the cold, was already laughing.

  Zaros was grinning so widely that it almost didn't fit on his face.

  The sight hit Kael like a wave. Comfort and ache all at once.

  He leaned forward until he was face-to-face with Lia, who was kneeling in the snow before him. Their eyes met—hesitant warmth wrapped in fragile courage.

  "I didn't think I'd see you again so soon," he murmured, his voice thick with guilt.

  "Not after what I did to you."

  Noticing the heaviness in his voice, Lia simply flicked her hand at him and rolled her eyes.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  "Geez, you sound like someone who cheated on his partner with another girl."

  Her lips curved into a teasing smirk, but only for a moment.

  Then the joke faded.

  Her expression softened, then tightened, then softened again as if she were trying to decide which emotion to show.

  She drew a slow breath.

  "To be honest, it was hard for me. It’s always hard to see you or Zaros get hurt during practice, but that’s normal. Necessary. I get that."

  She exhaled, and her breath formed a faint cloud in the cold air.

  "But those injuries. The ones that left you barely able to walk for reasons I couldn't understand. They hit me harder than I expected."

  Her fingers tightened.

  "Every time I saw you in the hallway with your face twisted in pain, I just wanted to run to you and hug you."

  Her voice thinned.

  "But I couldn't. Every time, all I could think about was that moment before the arena, when you turned your back on us and walked away. So, no...”

  She swallowed.

  "I still can't forgive you."

  Kael lowered his gaze; her words cut deeper than any wound he’d received in the arena.

  But then he felt fingers under his chin, gently lifting his face.

  Lia smiled—softly and shakily, but genuinely—and looked over at Zaros, who stood behind her with an innocent shrug.

  "But Zaros," she said, rolling her eyes dramatically, "someone I never thought capable of anything emotionally profound—"

  “Hey!” Zaros objected from behind her, but she continued mercilessly.

  "He actually helped me understand what you felt. What you went through. Turns out, we were both being selfish. But then I remembered something."

  She leaned forward slightly.

  "We've always stuck together. You’ve always been there for me, whether I was struggling, scared, or at my worst. I’ll keep doing the same for you. I’ll stay by your side.”

  She chuckled and wiped the corner of her eye.

  “It’s crazy that Zaros was the one who made me realize that, right?”

  Kael laughed with her, and the last remaining tension eased from his chest. “No, that’s definitely new.”

  Zaros crossed his arms, feigning offense. "Why am I suddenly the one being mocked? You should both be grateful. Very grateful.”

  Kael and Lia exchanged a perfectly synchronized deadpan stare, then burst into laughter.

  “What?” Zaros demanded.

  "Nothing, man," Kael managed, wiping away a tear. "It's just...you're not exactly the type who understands emotions. You usually run when someone confronts you with theirs.”

  Zaros froze.

  A very specific image of Noelia flashed before his eyes.

  He grimaced.

  “Fair enough,” he muttered, then joined their laughter.

  Kael’s smile softened. "Still, thank you. Both of you."

  But then his brows furrowed, and genuine confusion bloomed across his features.

  "By the way, how did you even know I was here?"

  Lia giggled and pointed upward. "Your faithful companion showed us the way. I must say, he knows how to make an entrance."

  Kael blinked, then looked at Zaros.

  Zaros snorted. "We went to your dorm. We knocked for a long time, by the way. When no one opened the door, we left—only to nearly die of shock when we saw your falcon just standing there on the path. He was staring at us like we owed him money.”

  Lia burst into laughter at the memory.

  "So, we figured he wanted us to follow him. He flew off, and well, here you are.”

  Kael stood up, took a few steps into the snowy courtyard, and looked up.

  Above them, Ausma circled in wide, calm arcs, like a silent guardian watching over the three of them.

  "Thank you," Kael murmured.

  As if the falcon understood, Ausma let out a sharp cry that echoed through the courtyard. Then, he turned and soared away, disappearing into the pale winter sky.

  Kael chuckled softly, warmth rising in his chest, and turned back to his friends.

  Just as he looked at Lia, a memory from yesterday slipped into his mind.

  "By the way," he began, "I saw a girl wearing your hat yesterday. Who was that?”

  Lia blinked, surprised. "Oh—right. I completely forgot.”

  She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. "Her name is Medina. She’s my junior. She said she really liked the hat, but I haven't worn it lately for reasons."

  Her gaze flickered away from Kael for a moment before she sat up straight again.

  "But it's time I take it back."

  She stood up, brushed the snow off her clothes, and headed toward the courtyard exit.

  “Tomorrow, same time at the cafeteria,” she said over her shoulder. "I heard they have new meals. I really want to try them.”

  Her hungry expression made Kael laugh.

  "Of course."

  Lia smiled—bright, warm, and familiar.

  "Then...until tomorrow."

  With a wave, she disappeared through the archway.

  Kael turned to Zaros, suddenly overwhelmed by an indescribable feeling.

  "I don't know what to say," he whispered. "Nothing can describe how grateful I am to have you."

  Zaros answered with a lazy wink. "It's all right, brother. You don’t need to say anything.”

  He stepped closer and placed both hands firmly on Kael’s shoulders. His eyes held something deeper than his usual carefree nature—something steady and grounding.

  "But promise me one thing," he said quietly.

  "Always stay true to yourself. Listen to your heart. It knows what you want, even when your mind doesn't."

  He squeezed Kael’s shoulders, his voice lowering.

  "And rely on us. Whatever happens, we’re here. Always.”

  Kael froze for a second.

  There was something in Zaros’s tone. An instinctive understanding and an unspoken warning.

  It felt as if Zaros sensed that Kael was on the verge of something that would change everything: his time at the academy, his friendships, and his future.

  But Kael forced a smile, swallowing the ache forming in his chest.

  "Of course," he said softly. "I promise."