Kailin's blush deepened. "I'll ask her to stay with Codric." Her voice was barely audible. "And if she says yes…" she hesitated. "You're welcome to sleep in our room and use her bed."
It wasn't the most romantic or sexy invitation, but I had to take into account that Kailin was a little bashful and a little unsure.
"Thank you," I said. "I will bring my books and we can study together."
She gave me a quizzical look, taking me seriously for a moment, but then I winked, and a shy smile bloomed on her beautiful face along with a fetching blush.
She was just so drakking perfect.
I barely tasted my food, mechanically lifting the fork to my mouth while my thoughts were focused on a different type of hunger.
On the way back to our rooms, I fell into step beside Codric, letting the girls walk ahead of us. "So, you and Shovia have plans for tonight?" I asked quietly.
He grinned. "Yes, sir."
"Is she staying till morning?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. Do you have somewhere you can go?"
"I can find a free bed."
He gave me a knowing look but didn't verbalize what that look implied. I appreciated that.
Ahead of us, Shovia and Kailin were engaged in a hushed conversation, and when we caught up to them, Shovia grinned at me.
"It's all settled," she said cheerfully. "I'll be bunking with Codric tonight, so you two can have our room to yourselves."
"Shovia," Kailin hissed. "Can you keep your voice down?"
"What? We are all just going to study." She winked, but she lowered her voice. "I'm going to teach Codric some things," she said conspiratorially. "And Alar can help you with that subject you are struggling with."
Deciding to keep up Shovia's charade, I looked at her with a perfectly schooled face. "We shouldn't stay up too late because we all have early conditioning again tomorrow."
Codric groaned. "Did you have to remind me? Tomorrow we are running up that accursed hill with backpacks filled with rocks."
"All the more reason to go to sleep early," I said.
When we reached the door to my and Codric's room, I turned to Kailin. "I'll see you later?"
She nodded. "I'll be studying other subjects until you come."
After Kailin and Shovia continued down the corridor to their room, Codric and I entered ours, and as soon as the door closed behind us, Codric flopped onto his bed with a sigh.
"Finally," he said. "I thought this day would never end."
I began gathering my shower supplies, determined to be done with that part of the evening routine first. "You and me both, cousin."
"You're heading to the showers already?" Codric lifted a brow. "Eager, aren't we?"
I ignored him and walked out.
When I got to the bathroom, I was happy to see the place nearly empty. At this hour, most cadets were either still at the mess hall or socializing in the lounge. I claimed a shower stall and took my time, letting the hot water ease the tension from my muscles. They were working us hard in the academy. Between morning conditioning, weapons practice, flight exercises, and tactical training, every day pushed our bodies to their limits.
When I returned to our room, Codric was in the process of tidying up his side, which was such a rare enough occurrence that I raised an eyebrow.
"What?" he said defensively. "Even I have standards."
"I'm just surprised you know how to fold clothes.” I set aside my shower kit.
