Beside him, Veyla stirred faintly in her sleep.
A few students snickered at the sight of the two sleeping through the lecture.
Kael hid a small smile as he opened his notebook, pretending to focus while his mind replayed Selena's words.
For the first time that day, despite the exhaustion dragging at his body, Kael felt a spark of excitement.
The classroom buzzed with quiet chatter as the students copied down the last few notes from Professor Orwen's lecture.
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the wide windows. Kael felt the weight of a gaze on him before he even turned his head.
Cecelia.
Across the class, Cecelia's bright eyes were fixed on him, and though her lips remained pressed into a polite line.
Jealousy.
Kael caught it for a brief moment, an unguarded look, before she quickly looked away and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
(Why is she looking at me like that?) Kael wondered.
He forced himself to look forward again, pretending not to notice.
