After the king's departure, the classroom buzzed with excitement and whispers, students replaying the king's praise for Kai. But amidst the chatter, Kai remained wary, his gaze shifting occasionally to Xavier, who sat across the room with an unreadable expression. Seraphina sensed Kai's tension and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, her touch grounding him momentarily.
"Are you alright?" Seraphina whispered, her voice gentle but laced with concern.
Kai nodded, offering her a small smile. "Yeah. Just… something about Xavier doesn't sit right with me."
As the day progressed, Xavier's presence seemed to linger in Kai's mind, a persistent shadow that couldn't be ignored. The way Xavier had responded to Kai's challenge, with that calm, almost mocking demeanor—it was as if he were inviting Kai to dig deeper, to discover something hidden.
Later that evening, Kai and Seraphina were walking through the academy grounds, enjoying the rare quiet moment. The moon cast a soft glow over the gardens, and Kai felt his tension ease just a bit in her presence.
Seraphina brushed her fingers against his arm, her eyes filled with affection. "You know, it's moments like these that make me grateful we're together."
Kai turned to her, his gaze softening as he took her hand in his. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Seraphina. You're my anchor… especially with everything going on."
They shared a quiet moment, but the tranquility was shattered as Xavier suddenly appeared, stepping out from the shadows near a tree.
"Well, well," he drawled, a smirk playing on his lips. "Didn't mean to interrupt such a touching scene."
Kai's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing. "What do you want, Xavier?"
Xavier shrugged, his hands slipping casually into his pockets. "Just thought I'd take a walk. Beautiful night, isn't it?"
The tension between them was palpable, Seraphina gripping Kai's hand tighter as she felt the intensity building. Xavier's gaze flickered to Seraphina for a moment, a flash of interest in his eyes that made Kai's blood boil.
"Stay away from her," Kai warned, his voice low.
Xavier chuckled, shaking his head. "Relax, Kai. I'm here for my own reasons, none of which concern you… yet."
With that, he turned and walked away, disappearing into the darkness, leaving Kai and Seraphina alone again. But the unease lingered, a heavy weight pressing down on them both.
---
Back in the dorms that night, Kai lay awake, his mind racing with thoughts of Xavier. He couldn't shake the feeling that Xavier was more than just a member of Dragon Morach—there was something deeper, something personal.
Just then, a faint knock sounded at his door. Kai opened it to find Seraphina standing there, her face etched with worry.
"I couldn't sleep," she admitted softly. "I kept thinking about… everything."
Kai pulled her into a comforting embrace. "I'm here, Seraphina. We'll figure this out together. No matter what, I'll protect you."
She nodded, resting her head against his chest. For the first time in a while, they felt a moment of peace, wrapped in each other's arms as the world around them grew darker.
But both knew that this peace wouldn't last. Xavier's presence loomed like a storm on the horizon, and Kai was prepared to face whatever came next—even if it meant unraveling secrets he wasn't ready to confront.