Ethan's Perspective
The morning sunlight poured through the tall windows, illuminating the guest room with a warm golden glow. I stretched lazily, savoring the rare peace of the moment. My mind wandered briefly to the strange world I was now living in. Castles, magic, and a brooding magician who made every conversation feel like I was walking a tightrope—none of it felt real, even after days of being here.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts. I already knew who it was.
"Good morning, Alden," I called, pulling on a loose shirt and opening the door to find the butler standing stiffly, tray in hand.
"Mr. Wright," he said, his tone as polished and unreadable as ever. He stepped inside with his usual precision, placing the tray on the table near the window. "Your breakfast."
"Geez, you're efficient," I said, yawning as I followed him inside. "Kael send you to babysit me again?"
His lips pressed into a thin line as he adjusted the tray with unnecessary meticulousness. "Lord Kael instructed me to ensure your... comfort."
There was that tone again. Just polite enough not to offend, but cold enough to remind me I wasn't welcome. "Comfort? Sure. Feels more like I'm under house arrest."
Alden didn't respond. He straightened, gave a curt bow, and turned to leave. I couldn't resist one last jab. "You know, you're really good at this whole 'silent disapproval' thing. Ever consider teaching a class?"
He paused, just for a second, before walking out without another word.
---
The breakfast was great, but the interaction left a bitter taste in my mouth. Alden clearly didn't like me, and I was pretty sure it wasn't just because I was an outsider. There was something else—something deeper. I tried not to dwell on it as I wandered out into the courtyard, hoping to find Kael and maybe start my day on a better note.
Kael was already there, leaning against the edge of the fountain. His coat was unbuttoned for once, the dark fabric swaying gently in the breeze. He looked up as I approached, his sharp purple eyes flicking over me like he was assessing whether I was worth his time.
"You're late," he said.
"Late for what?" I frowned. "Nobody told me we were on a schedule."
Kael straightened, his coat snapping into place as if it had a life of its own. "You've been here long enough. It's time you learned something useful."
"Useful? Like magic?" I perked up, the idea of casting spells momentarily overshadowing my anxiety. "Can I, like, shoot fireballs or something?"
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Magic isn't a toy."
"No kidding," I muttered. "So, what's the plan? Magical boot camp?"
Without answering, he gestured for me to follow him. We left the courtyard and headed toward a small clearing near the edge of the forest. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns on the ground. It was beautiful in a way that made my chest ache.
"This is a basic warding circle," Kael explained, kneeling to draw a series of intricate symbols in the dirt. His movements were smooth and precise, like he'd done this a thousand times before. "It creates a barrier of protection. Simple, but effective."
"Cool," I said, crouching beside him. "So I just draw this and—"
"No," Kael interrupted, his voice sharp. "The symbols are merely a guide. The real magic comes from your intent."
I stared at the circle, then back at him. "So... I just think really hard?"
Kael sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "It's about focus. Discipline. Two things you clearly lack."
"Wow. Rude," I said, crossing my arms. "I'll have you know I'm very disciplined. Sort of. Sometimes."
Kael ignored me, stepping back to give me space. "Try it."
---
As it turned out, I was terrible at magic.
No matter how hard I concentrated, nothing happened. Kael watched silently, occasionally correcting my posture or repeating his instructions, but his patience was clearly wearing thin.
"Maybe I'm just not cut out for this," I said after what felt like hours, slumping onto the ground.
"Magic requires practice," Kael said. "And determination."
"Great. Two things I'm also terrible at," I muttered.
Kael's lips twitched, almost like he was suppressing a smile. "You managed to irritate Alden within minutes of meeting him. That takes skill."
I snorted. "Is that a compliment?"
"Merely an observation," he said, turning to leave. "We'll continue tomorrow."
---
Back at the castle, I found myself in the library, trying to make sense of a book about magical theory. The text was dense and filled with words I couldn't pronounce, but it was fascinating in a frustrating kind of way.
"You're still here," Kael's voice broke the silence. He stepped into the room, his coat unbuttoned and his hair slightly mussed, like he'd been running his hands through it.
"Trying to learn," I said, holding up the book. "This stuff is... complicated."
Kael walked over, taking the book from my hands. His fingers brushed mine for a fraction of a second, sending an unexpected jolt of warmth up my arm. "You're persistent," he said, flipping through the pages.
"Is that a compliment?" I asked, grinning.
Kael smirked, a rare expression that made my heart skip. "Perhaps."
---
Kael's Perspective
Ethan's presence was disruptive, and yet I couldn't bring myself to regret it. There was something about him—his energy, his determination, his infuriating humor—that drew me in despite my better judgment.
But not everyone felt the same.
Alden's disapproval had become increasingly obvious, his carefully measured words laced with tension. I knew he wouldn't act without reason, but the thought lingered in the back of my mind, a quiet warning.
---
Later that evening, as the storm rolled in, I found myself standing in the study, staring out at the rain. Lightning flashed, illuminating the forest in stark white. The air was thick with the scent of ozone and damp earth.
The door slammed open, and I turned sharply to see Ethan standing there, soaked to the bone and out of breath.
"Kael," he said, his voice trembling. "I think Alden's—"
The words were cut off as the door behind him slammed shut, the lock clicking into place. My magic flared instinctively, the air around us crackling with energy.
We weren't alone.
---
Ethan's Perspective
The room felt colder suddenly, the storm outside nothing compared to the chill that crept up my spine. Kael stepped in front of me, his body tense, his magic thrumming in the air like a living thing.
"What's going on?" I whispered.
"Stay behind me," Kael said, his voice low and steady. He raised a hand, and the air shimmered as a protective barrier sprang up around us.
Something moved in the shadows—a figure, cloaked in darkness, its features obscured. My heart pounded in my chest as the figure stepped closer, and for a moment, I thought I saw a flash of silver hair.
"Alden?" I said, my voice shaking.
The figure didn't respond. Instead, it raised a hand, and a pulse of dark energy shot toward us. The barrier held, but I could feel the force of it reverberate through the air.
"Ethan, stay back," Kael said, his voice sharper now.
"But—"
"Stay," he repeated, his eyes locking onto mine. There was something in his gaze—fear, maybe? Or was it something else?
I nodded, stepping back as Kael moved forward, his magic swirling around him like a storm. He raised his hand, and the air crackled with power as he launched a counterattack.
The figure didn't flinch. It absorbed the attack effortlessly, its form flickering like a shadow in the wind.
"Kael," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "What is that thing?"
He didn't answer. His focus was entirely on the figure, his magic burning brighter as he prepared another attack. The figure raised its hand again, and this time, the pulse of energy shattered the barrier around us.
Before I could react, Kael was in front of me, his arms outstretched as he shielded me from the blast. The force of it sent us both flying backward, and I hit the ground hard, my vision swimming.
When I opened my eyes, the figure was gone, and Kael was kneeling beside me, his face pale but calm.
"Are you hurt?" he asked, his voice softer now.
"No," I said, though my entire body ached. "What the hell was that?"
Kael's jaw tightened. "A warning."