Kneeling for Desire

Kaelen led me from the small conference room to his office, his hand hovering at the small of my back without actually touching me. The hallways were mercifully empty—everyone must have been in class or at dinner. My heart pounded so loudly I was sure he could hear it.

Silas trailed behind us, his presence oddly comforting in the charged atmosphere. When we reached Kaelen's office door, he unlocked it with a wave of his hand, the magical locks disengaging with soft clicks.

"Come in," he said, his voice low and controlled.

The three of us stepped inside, and Kaelen shut the door firmly behind us. His office looked the same as always—imposing desk, wall of books, that leather chair where he'd interrogated me what felt like a lifetime ago.

Silas cleared his throat. "I should probably go."

I shot him a panicked look, silently begging him to stay. Having him there felt like a buffer, a shield against the intensity radiating from Kaelen.

"No, you don't have to—" I started.