Veronica stepped on his foot, causing Zayn to stifle a scream while giving her a sharp glare, hoping his mana control wouldn't slip, or the soldier would sense their presence. Zayn had just reached the Golden Core, so his power was still somewhat unstable, and he didn't want to cause any trouble. If leader Nicholas found out what he was doing now, his career as a knight would be over.
As soon as the soldier left, Veronica quickly freed herself from Zayn's grip, which had held her against the wall, their faces only inches apart. She could smell the refreshing minty scent of his breath, which was both fragrant and slightly cold, making her skin tingle and her breathing unsteady.
Zayn could also smell the pleasant scent of the soap she used, trying to control his heartbeat so that Veronica wouldn't notice it.
