Mina wasn't okay.
She smiled in class, nodded during Council lectures, even joked at lunch.
But her eyes were off. Her hands trembled.
She came to Kael's room late, hands clenched.
"I saw you with Liora," she said.
Kael sighed. "Mina…"
"She moaned," Mina said, voice flat. "Loud."
"I didn't mean—"
"She sounded happy."
Kael took a step forward. She flinched.
"I love you," she whispered. "I loved you first. Doesn't that count?"
His heart sank.
She touched his chest, eyes glowing faintly.
"If I lose you…" she whispered, "I'll lose control."
Ether crackled around her fingertips.
She was breaking.