Chapter 33 Chapter 33

Chapter 33 Chapter 33
Liora’s POV

The following morning was cold. Despite the fact that my windows were closed, I woke up with a shiver and chills down my spine.
This time, Vyrmoth did not have to wake me.
I woke up on my own, and he hadn’t shut up about how surprised he was.

Goosebumps sprouted on my skin as I splashed cold water on my face, a failed attempt to get accustomed to the cold. If anything it made me colder.
I speedily ran through my routine, which I was now used to. Wake up, freshen up, wear training clothes, braid hair, fly to the Ashfall caves, stare at Kysen’s back before landing, meet and bicker with Kysen, swoon…

Okay! Enough, Liora.

I wondered how today’s training would go. Would it be awkward from yesterday’s conversation or would it be like every other day with us?
I couldn’t tell.
A huge part of me wanted it to be the former. I did not want us to just bury everything, and pretend it did not happen.
I would rather everything be awkward than that.
And we had no reason to rush today, there were no classes.

I threw my duffel bag over my shoulder and made my way out of the palace.
I had grown used to the echoes of my boots in the quiet halls, and the hushed whispers of the workers, but it still managed to make me alert.
It always felt like they were plotting something, or someone was watching me.
I knew it was just my paranoia acting up though.

I made my way to the Ashfall caves, clenching my teeth as if I was protesting against the biting cold that nibbled at my skin.
As I neared the caves, my eyes automatically searched for the familiar toned back with the glimpse of a tattoo that still remained a secret.
My brows furrowed when I realized he was nowhere in sight.

Did he already go in? That would be weird, he always waited outside for me.

I landed, my guards now up as it felt like something was wrong. I slowly made my way into the cave.

“Kysen,” I called out as I entered the cave.
The only response I heard was the echo of my own voice. He was not there.
I frowned in confusion.
Where exactly was he?

I looked around some more before I decided that he was either running very late, which was so unlike him, or something came up.
Either way, I did not like the sound of any of the options and I was worried.

I let my mental boundaries down, and let Vyrmoth in,
“Vyrmoth, where’s Kysen? I can’t find him. Can you ask his drakyn or something?”

He stirred, so I knew he had heard me.
A few minutes passed in silence, as I paced the front of the cave nervously.

“I have no idea,” Vyrmoth's voice finally filtered through my head.

Huh? “What?”

“His drakyn has not been able to get through to him since dawn. He blocked his drakyn out,” he explained and I sighed.

“What is going on with him?” I whispered under my breath.
It was not helping that I literally just confessed that I had feelings for him the previous day. I did not want to overthink anything, but it was getting increasingly hard.
What if he was hurt? Or what if my mother had finally had enough and gotten rid of him overnight.

“Relax, little one. At the very least, you know he’s not hurt” Vyrmoth said, trying to calm my nerves.

“I don’t know that!” I argued.

“Yes, you do. His drakyn is in perfect health. A drakyn cannot exist without their fated fae. Kysen dies? His drakyn dies too.” He explained, and I forced myself to calm down.

And then a stupid idea popped into my head, “I'll go to his house”
Silence.

I bit my lip as I waited for Vyrmoth's response.
“That has to be a joke,” he finally said.

“It’s not,” I replied out loud, already slinging my duffel higher on my shoulder. “If he’s not here, then I’m finding him myself”

“You are not flying into Dravon territory alone, unannounced, and emotionally compromised.” Vyrmoth argued, trying to reason with me.

“I’m not emotionally-” I cut myself off with a scowl. “Okay, fine. Maybe I am. But I’m still going.”

I turned toward the mouth of the cave, wings flexing behind me as I prepared to take off.
“Liora-”
Too late.

I had just stepped out into the open air when a sudden rush of wind hit me from behind.
I spun and almost flew straight into him.

Kysen landed hard a few feet away, boots skidding against the stone. His hair was a mess, dark strands falling into his eyes, his shirt half-tucked, collar open like he’d pulled it on in a hurry. There was a sharp scratch along the edge of his jaw, a faint bruise forming under one eye, and his expression was… stormy.
Hot. Unfortunately.
I froze.

“You’re late,” I blurted.

His eyes snapped to mine.
“Good morning to you too,” he muttered.

“Where were you?” I demanded before I could stop myself. “You don’t just disappear. You never do.”

He exhaled sharply through his nose, running a hand through his already ruined hair.
“Sorry,” he said. The word sounded forced. “Something came up.”

“Something came up,” I repeated flatly. “You blocked out your drakyn.”

That made his jaw tighten.
“I didn’t mean to,” he said. “It just… happened.”

“Right,” I said, not convinced at all.

He looked at me then, really looked at me, and something in his eyes softened just a fraction before snapping shut again.
“Let’s just train, Liora.”
Translation? Not now.
I hated that I understood it.

“Fine,” I said, turning back toward the cave. “But don’t think you’re getting away with that answer.”

Inside the cave, the air was colder, heavier. We started with drills. Sparring, flight maneuvers, close-range combat, exercising our powers.
At first, everything felt normal, way too normal. Like we were both pretending yesterday never happened.
Except Kysen was off.

His strikes were sharper, harder. Too fast.

I blocked one of his blows and stumbled back a step.
“What is your problem today?” I snapped.

“Focus,” he shot back.

“I am focusing!”

“Then stop hesitating.”
That stung.

I lunged at him again, blades flashing, wings flaring wide. He met me head-on, but this time he didn’t hold back. The impact sent a jolt through my arms.

“Dravon!” I hissed. “Are you trying to kill me?”

He caught my wrist mid-strike, grip tight.
“Maybe I’m tired of pretending everything is fine,” he growled.

My heart kicked.
“Then say that,” I fired back. “Don’t take it out on me!”

His eyes darkened.
“You think this is about you?”

“Yes,” I snapped. “Because you’re acting like it is!”

For a split second, he looked like he was going to walk away.
Instead, he exploded.
I somehow wished he had just walked away instead.