Her certainty was grounding. Stronger than anything he could have told himself.
They continued walking, heading toward the central courtyard where students gathered before morning training. Merlin could feel the stares already, some curious, others confused, a few trying not to look impressed that he'd been personally summoned by the Headmistress.
Elara noticed those looks too. She stepped slightly closer, enough that their arms brushed.
Not quite touching.
But the message was clear: don't approach him right now.
They passed under an archway covered in creeping vines. The shade gave a momentary coolness, a brief shelter from the sunlight and the murmuring world. Elara's voice softened there.
"Merlin."
He turned to her.
"You don't have to pretend everything is fine," she said quietly. "Not with me."
His chest tightened for reasons unrelated to danger.
"I'm not pretending," he said. "I'm just… thinking."
"Then think with me instead of alone."
He swallowed.
