laughter

As my day draws to a close, I find Maverick patiently waiting for me outside the tower. With a simple greeting, I climb aboard the lizard, ready to head home.

Our next stop is to pick up Haroun from his academy. I observe as he joins me, his sword carefully stowed beneath him as he settles into the seat opposite mine.

"What keeps you at the academy? I thought achieving the rank of 5-star swordsman meant you were ready to move on," I inquire, curious about his continued presence.

"I have indeed graduated, but I've returned as an instructor. Additionally, I'm preparing for the upcoming national swordsman tournament," he explains, rubbing the back of his neck with a hint of nervousness.

"Remarkable. Do not embarrass us and bring home the victory," I encourage him with a smile.

He returns the sentiment with a smirk, his golden eyes glinting mischievously. "Of course, what else would you expect from me?" he retorts confidently.

I nod, reassured by his determination and resolve, as we continue our journey into the evening.

I find myself chuckling softly as my gaze drifts over to Haroun's shoulder-length raven-black hair. It's a striking contrast to the cascading waves of Valendor's and my own waist-length locks, which is why he's now growing out his. Haroun's reserved yet clingy nature often brings to mind the image of a sleek black cat, agile and watchful, yet quick to seek the company of those he trusts. But still reserved.

The corners of my lips twitch upwards as another chuckle escapes me, drawing Haroun's attention. His golden eyes narrow slightly in suspicion, but I simply offer a nonchalant shrug, relishing the playful exchange between us. Leaning back against the plush seat of Maverick, the gentle rhythm of the lizard's movements soothes my frayed nerves, providing a welcome respite from the exhausting day at the tower.

*

As Maverick glides smoothly towards the palace, I find myself drawn to the window, captivated by the sight of its magnificent architecture and crystalline pillars gleaming in the sunlight. The grandeur of the palace never fails to astound me, even after all these years.

As the gates swing open to welcome us, my anticipation builds. Soon, we're guided along the familiar path to the Princess's palace, my home. With each step closer, I feel the weariness of the day melt away, replaced by a sense of eager anticipation at the thought of seeing her once again.

Straightening my magician robes, I take a moment to ensure my appearance is presentable. Haroun shoots me an odd look, but I pay it no mind. My focus is solely on the impending reunion.

As we arrive, I step off the lizard and take in the sight of the meticulously tended garden, a testament to Valendor's green thumb. A few plants seem to shift and sway, almost as if they possess a life of their own, but I dismiss it with a shake of my head as I make my way into the palace.

As I make my way through the palace corridors, lost in my thoughts, I suddenly collide with Stacy as she hurries towards the kitchen. A wry chuckle escapes me at the unexpected encounter. Stacy bows slightly in apology, and I offer a nod in return before continuing on my way.

Ascending the stairs with purpose, I navigate the familiar halls until I reach her chambers. Pushing open the ornate doors, I find her reclining on a sofa, bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. She looks ethereal, a vision of beauty that steals the breath from my lungs.

Dressed in a gown that hugs her curves, her ashy white curls spill elegantly around her like a cascade of silk. With her eyes closed in serene repose, she seems almost otherworldly, a goddess descended from the heavens.

Carefully, I lower myself to the floor in front of her, crossing my legs as I study her features. Each delicate line of her face, each graceful curve of her form, only serves to deepen my admiration. In this moment, I am struck by the realization that if angels were indeed real, they would surely resemble her.

"If you stare any longer, you'll burn a hole into my skull, Nikolai," she quips, her eyes still closed in feigned slumber.

"I didn't want to disturb your beauty sleep," I reply, unable to resist the temptation of running my fingers through a loose strand of her exquisite hair. Each curl seems to possess a life of its own, swirling elegantly around my finger.

"Like I could sleep with your gaze boring into me," she retorts, her mischief-laden gray eyes meeting mine as she finally opens them.

"I should apologize, but where's the fun in that?" I jest, a playful grin dancing on my lips.

She arches an eyebrow at me, her gaze flickering with amusement. "You're still in your robes. Did you come straight to me as soon as you arrived?"

"I did. Can you blame me? It feels like an eternity since I last laid eyes on you," I confess, gently tugging on the strand of hair I'm toying with.

She chuckles softly, a sound that sends a pleasant shiver down my spine. "You saw me this morning," she points out.

"Exactly," I agree, a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth.

Feeling a surge of boldness, I let my thumb trace along her cheek, lingering until it reaches her bottom lip. With a playful tug on the clearly swollen lip, marked by an obvious bite, I can't help but tease her.

"Valendor is quite the greedy fella," I remark, a hint of mischief lacing my tone.

"It could have been Haroun," she counters, her amusement evident in her voice.

I scoff at the suggestion. "As if. Valendor's been quite the show-off lately. You should see the glares Haroun sends his way," I retort, shaking my head.

"What if it wasn't Vale?" she challenges, her gray eyes sparkling with mischief.

"I trust that the elf would have been on death row for murder," I reply simply, a smirk playing on my lips.

"Hmm, what if I want someone else when I'm bored of you and need something new?" she muses, a playful smile dancing on her lips.

I meet her gaze, my own lips curling into a grin. "I'll do my best, but if you must, I'm not promising to be very nice to your new addition," I quip, unable to tear my gaze away from her tempting lips.

With a swift and unexpected movement, she straddles me on the ground, catching me off guard. I'm too stunned to make any struggles, my energy drained by her sudden action. With her arms wrapped securely around my neck, squeezing gently, she leans in close.

"I think I like you like this," she whispers, her breath warm against my ear.

My brain feels like it's short-circuiting. I dart my eyes left and right, trying desperately not to glance downward, but it's there, right in front of me, and I can't help but panic.

In a desperate attempt to regain control of the situation, I twist us around, reversing our positions so that she's the one lying on the ground. Without another word, I scramble to my feet and bolt from the room as if my life depends on it, her laughter echoing behind me.