Shock

Kai is about to leave, and though we've spent the entire day together, I still feel reluctant to say goodbye. There's always this sense of comfort when he's around, a piece of home that I don't want to lose too quickly.

Just as he's about to step out, he pauses, a more serious look crossing his face. "May I speak with you alone?" His tone carries a weight that piques my curiosity. Without hesitation, I nod, and we head upstairs to my room.

Once inside, he closes the door behind him with deliberate care. That's when he pulls something from the inner part of his robe—a small velvet satchet, deep red, which he shoves towards me with an unusual sense of urgency.

"Take this," he says, pushing it into my hand. I stare at it, raising a brow at his uncharacteristic behavior.

"What is it?" I ask, opening the little pouch. Inside, I find dried, crushed leaves, their scent faintly herbal as I rub them between my fingers.

"Every morning, as tea," Kai instructs, his voice unusually serious. 

I glance at him, even more curious now. "For what?"

He lets out an exaggerated sigh, as if I should already know. "It's a contraceptive."

I choke on air, completely caught off guard. "What?"

Kai looks at me like I'm the clueless one here. "Are you already on one?" he asks, eyes narrowing in genuine confusion.

"No." I shake my head.

"*You're not?*" He practically screeches, dragging me to the center of the room and lowering his voice to a dramatic whisper. "What do you mean you're not? Do you want to have—" He hesitates, as if saying the word itself might invoke it. "A child?!"

I can't help but laugh. "No, I don't."

His confusion deepens. "Then why aren't you?"

"I'm not *active* like that," I say, folding my arms. His jaw nearly drops to the floor as if I'd just told him pigs could fly.

"Really?" His disbelief is written all over his face.

"Yes, really," I respond, trying not to roll my eyes.

"Huh, that's surprising." Kai waves his fan in an exaggerated motion as if to wave away his shock. 

I scoff, folding my arms tighter. "Ha ha, very funny."

"Well," he says, the playful glint returning to his eyes, "with the amount of sexual tension in this house, I could have sworn there was action of some sort."

I give him a sharp look, but he just grins before snapping his fan closed. "Anyway, hold onto that," he says, motioning to the satchet now lying on my bed. "A spoonful in a cup of hot water, every morning."

I toss the bag aside, pulling its strings shut, and begin escorting him toward the door.

I shake my head, laughing quietly as I see him off, a strange warmth settling in my chest.

*

Nicholai still isn't back, and dinner feels a bit off with just the three of us—me, Valendor, and Haroun. The usual playful banter is missing, leaving a strange silence in its place.

It must be something important. Nicholai doesn't go to the Mage Tower often, especially without mentioning why. I poke at my food, wondering what's going on.

After dinner, I retreat to my room, the quiet evening lingering in the air. As I step inside, my eyes fall on the red velvet satchet resting on the bed. I pick it up, feeling its weight in my palm, considering setting it aside. 

But then again, you never know when it might be useful. I decide it's best to give it to Valendor in the morning. He's in charge of everything I eat or drink anyway.