Chapter 10

The castle loomed above them, its towering spires bathed in the soft amber glow of the setting sun. As they approached the steps leading to the entrance, Rhaine spotted Selara fidgeting near the doorway, her anxious pacing unmistakable. Relief washed over Selara's face the moment she spotted Rhaine, her tense shoulders visibly relaxing.

Without a word, Rhaine turned to the General, her gaze steady as she offered a polite bow. "Thank you, Gen—Kaelion," she corrected herself, the name still unfamiliar on her tongue. "I'll be on my way now."

Kaelion gave her a barely perceptible nod, his expression unreadable, though his eyes lingered on her longer than necessary. "Be careful," he said simply, his tone neutral but carrying an undercurrent of something unspoken.

Rhaine didn't respond, choosing instead to turn and walk briskly toward Selara. She felt his gaze on her back, a weight that didn't lift until she reached her companion's side. Together, they ascended the grand staircase, the soft murmur of their footsteps swallowed by the castle's vastness.

Kaelion remained at the base of the steps, watching until the two women disappeared behind the doors. His jaw tightened slightly before he raised a hand, summoning one of his shadow guards—silent, almost invisible figures who melted in and out of the darkness.

"Make sure no harm befalls her," he commanded curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument.

The guard nodded once and vanished, slipping back into the shadows. With that, Kaelion turned sharply on his heel and headed toward the practice grounds.

Inside Rhaine's chambers, the atmosphere was far less composed. The moment Rhaine shut the door behind her, Selara let out a dramatic, exaggerated gasp that made her look like she'd just escaped a near-death experience.

"Oh, thank goodness you're back! It was terrifying!" Selara blurted, her words tumbling out in a rush.

Rhaine raised an eyebrow, leaning casually against the door. "What happened?"

Selara clutched her chest, as if reliving the ordeal. "It was the General! He—he came up to me after you left!" She threw her hands in the air. "And let me tell you, it was so scary! But also…wow, he's insanely handsome up close."

Rhaine gave her a flat look. "Focus, Selara."

"Right, right." Selara took a deep breath, but the dramatic flair in her tone didn't waver. "So, he asked me where you were. I told him you went for a walk, but then…" She widened her eyes, her voice dropping into an exaggeratedly deep imitation of Kaelion's. "He says, 'I will give you another chance,'all cold and intense. 'And this time, it better be what I want to hear.'"

Rhaine blinked, unimpressed. "And?"

"And I panicked!" Selara threw her hands up again. "I may have, uh, told him you were feeling sick because the food was different and it upset your stomach." She winced, giving Rhaine an apologetic look. "Then he just gave me this look—you know, the kind that could freeze your soul—and walked away without saying anything else."

For a moment, Rhaine simply stared at her, then broke into a small, amused smile. She reached out and gave Selara a playful shove. "And here I thought it was something serious. You scared me for nothing."

Selara blinked, then burst into laughter, clutching her stomach. "You weren't scared; you're just mad I blamed the food!"

Rhaine rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a chuckle. "You're unbelievable."

"Seriously, though," Selara said, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye. "What even happened? How did you two end up walking back together?"

Rhaine groaned and turned away, heading toward the small table by the window. "Don't get me started," she muttered.

"Oh, come on!" Selara said, skipping after her. "Tell me! Did he say anything? Did he confess undying love? Or was it just awkward silence the whole way?"

Rhaine shot her a mock glare, but the corners of her lips twitched in a suppressed smile. "You're hopeless."

 "And you're avoiding the question!" Selara grinned, clearly enjoying herself as she plopped onto the nearest chair. "Come on, tell me everything!"

Rhaine shook her head, her smile finally breaking free. "Fine, but only if you promise to stop making up dramatic stories about Kaelion and l. Deal?"

"Oh already on first name basis l see", Selara gave an exaggerated salute. "But whatever deal! Now tell me!"