Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Chapter 21 – Sera
One thing I hate about waking up in the morning is the sunlight. the sunlight was cruel, it shined through our room window illuminating my messy hair and the scattered blanket on the floor.
I groaned, burying my face in my pillow trying to get back to sleep because I didn’t want to get up today. Not after everything that happened yesterday. Nope!
Juliette Beaumont, the kiss, everything was unbearable to me and I didn't have any idea why was I feeling like this.
Everything that happened yesterday especially the kiss replayed itself over and over in my brain, this was humiliation and jealousy I could not escape.
I raised myself upright, groaning as my legs threatened to go numb. My heart was already pounding, and I hadn’t even left the room, what would happen if I step out of this room and meet the SC? I wonder.
“Come on, Seth,” I muttered under my breath. “You’re not going to die from sunlight Probably from embarrassment".
The door opened before I could even grab my hoodie and I looked up to see Theo. Of course. Perfect timing.
“You look like you experienced death twice,” he said casually, tilting his head. “ did you sleep well?”
I glared at him. “Shut up.”
He smirked. “Okay, fine but seriously… everyone’s downstairs. River is already panicking about something or other, Alexander’s brooding in the corner and Luca is flirting with...well, probably anyone in sight. You get the idea.”
I groaned. “Perfect, just what I needed. A full audience to my emotional breakdown.”
Theo shrugged. “ It could be worse.”
I rolled my eyes. “Not that much worse.”
We headed down the hall together, and sure enough, the Sovereign Circle was already gathered in the common room, a mix of amusement, annoyance, and subtle chaos washed over me.
River saw me first and stand to his feet. “There he is! the blush master!”
“River, I swear...” I cut him off, trying not to groan.
He grinned, taking a playful step closer. “Relax. We’re just teasing but… wow, you look like you need serious recovery time after yesterday.”
I blinked. “Why?”
“Because of the kiss, obviously.”
I froze. “What kiss? I don't know what you're talking about”
River tilted his head innocently. “Oh, come on. You know what kiss, don't act dumb”
My stomach sank, I know veryone else had seen it. Lucas snickered and Alexander looked like he was plotting something bad from the corner of the room. Theo was casually munching on a granola bar like he always does
And Kael was not there yet which was terrifying.
I shoved my hands into my hoodie pocket and tried to convince myself that it didn’t hurt that I wasn’t jealous, I didn’t care.
But my stomach twisted into knots and my face betrayed me every time River smirked at me knowingly which was kinda annoying.
Perfect.
I tried to convince myself I was fine, I really did
and then I saw him.
Kael was walking toward the main hall, casually striding as if nothing had happened, and yet… every detail about him screamed presence, aura. Broad shoulders, that sharp jawline, the way his hair fell just right despite the wind…
I didn't realize I was oogling him when I saw River snickering so I turned quickly, muttering something about needing fresh air, and tried to walk past him.
“Hey,” Kael’s voice called out, it was low and sharp.
I froze mid step.
“I said… hey.”
I didn't answer,my feet refused to move and my brain scrambled for excuses,it seems like I went into a shock because I was not able to form any coherent sentence.
I glanced around, hoping someone or anyone would intervene but the only people near enough were River, Luca, Theo, and Alexander. And they were all silently judging, laughing, or pretending not to care.
I had no escape.
Kael’s hand shot out faster than I could blink and caught my wrist.
I gasped.
“Kael” I began, but the word caught in my throat.
He didn’t speak he just held my wrist, and looked down at me. His eyes were intense, dangerous, and he was getting… too close.
I tried to pull away, but his grip tightened just slightly, enough to send a jolt up my arm.
“You’re not leaving,” he said finally, his voice was calm, but every word was loaded with that simmering intensity I hated and feared all at once.
I tried to tug my wrist free again. “I… I’m not..”
“Don’t lie.”
I blinked at him, stunned. “Im not lying. Im...”
Before I could say anything else, River’s voice rang out behind us
“Wow, Kael. That was honestly impressive,I didn't think you had it in you and Seth, you’re blushing like a tomato. This is gonna be good.”
Theo snorted. “Seriously, don’t leave him hanging, Seth. He looks deadly serious.”
Alexander, as always, said nothing. He just watched, everytime he was silent,it seemed like he knew something others didn't and that silent observation somehow made the tension worse.
River added dryly “Oh, come on! Don’t pretend you’re not enjoying this a little.”
I whirled around so fast. “I am not enjoying this!”
Kael’s eyes didn’t leave mine. “Stop running.”
I wanted to, I wanted to run so far I could never return. I wanted to escape the storm of feelings I recently had that I didn’t even understand.
But I couldn’t.
Because despite the jealousy, despite the humiliation of Juliette’s kiss, despite everything I wanted to see why Kael was holding me.
And then…
He leaned closer, not in a playful way just close enough that I could feel his breath.
“Don’t. Walk. Away. From me. Ever.”
My heart skipped violently.
I tried to pull my hand back, to step away but he didn’t let go. His grip was firm and his eyes were locked onto mine commanding.
And then the words that came out of his mouth made my stomach drop into my shoes
“You’ve been lying to me.”