Lindsay doesn’t say anything for a long moment. Her fingers hover above the illustration, not quite touching the page. Her brows are furrowed, lips parted slightly like she’s still trying to process everything I just said.
“I…” She exhales. “Nolan, this is…you found this?”
I rub the back of my neck, suddenly self-conscious. “I mean, yeah. I wasn’t trying to interfere or anything. I just—after what happened, I needed to understand it. And I thought maybe it’d help you, too.”
Her gaze lifts to mine, and there’s something soft in it. Something that makes my pulse stutter.
“Help me?” she echoes. “Nolan, you might’ve just saved me.”
I blink. “I don’t know if I’d go that far?—”
“No,” she interrupts, voice firm but warm. “You’ve been so sweet since I’ve gotten here. You didn’t treat me as less than because I’m human. And after the magic overload…you didn’t look at me like I was dangerous. And now you’re researching ancient Veil rituals and finding answers no one else even bothered to look for. That matters.Youmatter. To me.”
She says it like it’s the easiest truth in the world. Like she doesn’t realize it’s the kind of thing no one’s ever said to me before.
And then, before I can even process that, she leans forward across the table and presses her lips to mine. It’s not long or dramatic. Not some explosive, cinematic moment. It’s quiet. Gentle. Like a thank you. Like trust.
But to me?
It’s everything.
I freeze for half a second, eyes wide, heart absolutely losing its mind inside my chest—then I kiss her back. Careful. A little stunned. Completely, hopelessly gone. When she finally pullsaway, she doesn’t look embarrassed. Or as if she pities me for being so awkward.
“I meant what I said,” she tells me.
I try to speak. Fail. Clear my throat and try again. “I… uh. Thanks. I mean. You’re welcome. Always.”
She smiles, her eyes sparkling with happiness. And I think I might actually die right here in Runic Arts class, notebook half-filled and soul completely wrecked—in the best possible way.
Before I can find anything else to say, before I can even begin to figure out what I’m supposed todowith a moment like that—a sharp knock echoes against the edge of the blackboard.
“Eyes up, everyone,” Professor Marris calls, her voice crisp and clipped as she stands in front of the room. “Let’s see how many of you actually did your translations last night—and how many of you think winging it counts as preparation.”
Lindsay straightens, blinking as if surfacing from a dream. Her smile lingers for just a beat longer before she reaches for her quill and flips her notebook open.
I do the same, though my hand is still shaking slightly as I scribble down the assignment on the board. My heart hasn’t caught up with the rest of me. I’m half convinced I imagined the whole thing.
But then her foot bumps mine beneath the table. Just once. Just enough to sayI’m still here.
And I don’t think I’ve ever felt more seen.
NINETEEN
LINDSAY
Nolan walksbeside me like it’s the most natural thing in the world, his book bag slung over one shoulder, arms full of scribbled notes, and barely-contained excitement. His smile keeps doing that soft, crooked thing that makes it hard not to grin back.
I should feel conflicted after what happened in Runic Arts. After kissing Nolan—again. After all the chaos swirling around me. But I don’t. It felt right. Easy. Like maybe, in the middle of all this madness, something’s actuallygood.
And that feels... dangerous.
The hallway leading toward the dining hall is already busy, students flowing in groups and clusters—half of them glowing with magic residue, the other half glowing from good gossip. It’s loud for Blackthorn, and I’m grateful for Nolan’s steady presence at my side.
Until the students in the hallway part andheappears.
Auron.
He steps out from a shadowed alcove like he’s stepping onto a stage—tall, composed, the kind of graceful that only comes from centuries of breeding or way too much mirror time. His pale eyes find me in an instant, and once again, they linger.
