The steady breathing on my neck was truly a blessing from the heavens.
As soon as Crow decided it was useless to fight me and leaned his head in the nook between my neck and shoulder, he simply fell asleep.
A testament to how tired he really was and I was beaming.
Seraph even saw the scene and whistled at me, but I didn't care in the slightest.
These last days, locked out of his room, were terrible.
Nightmares kept coming back to me and I couldn't get a peaceful rest for the love of the gods.
Only when we slept near each other would nightmares free me of their never ending torment.
There was also the fact that I was getting used to his body's continuous change in temperature, a change that was strangely comforting.
So when I reached my dorm on the 12th floor, I didn't waste any more time, stripped him of his black shirt and nestled on him in my bed.
Finally.
______________________
When I woke up with a half naked man pressed against my own half naked body, the first thing I thought was that I've been abducted and assaulted, but when I noticed the bundle of unruly silver hair on his head I remembered what had happened in the morning.
Why the fuck is he even sleeping? Did he skip classes?
My mind then kept replaying the scene that happened earlier and I could feel my ears burning up.
I had gotten used to a meek Cael, at least when it came to me, but the way he put his foot forward and didn't accept my bullshit was… interesting.
My hands wondered on the small of his back. The arch was so perfect, his waist so smooth and I couldn't help but starting kissing the crown of his head that presented itself to me so deliciously.
"Fucking finally."
I heard his curse in delight and my lips started quivering, but I didn't stop the smooch treatment.
I didn't know I needed it and although I was still holding some reserves regarding his motives, I at least decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. His forcefulness was entertaining at least.
"Are you ready to talk out this misunderstanding?"
I shook my head and strengthened my hold on his body.
"Five more minutes."
I could feel him shaking with laughter, but I never expected his next action.
"Eeck!!"
His face shot up locking on my eyes at the unexpected scream, but there was nothing I could do about it.
"What?! You bit on my nipple!"
His smile widened with mischief, his tongue came out to wet his lips and I trembled slightly.
This new Cael was… scarily entertaining.
But I would not lose to him.
So I escaped before he could go down on my chest again. I kept looking for my shirt, but I could only find shredded cloth and I realised Cael didn't even bother trying to remove my clothes.
"The hell Cael? That was one of my favourite shirts!"
"All your shirts are literally identical. It's time you start wearing something else."
He was right, I did enjoy those black shirts with green embroidery, but it was probably time to wear something else and decided to take out a readied outfit Yom had prepared for me when he employed me.
"You had those kind of clothes and willingly wore those shirts?"
"Those shirts are perfectly fine, and enchanted. These however… they're a gift from Yom, but I didn't have the chance to enchant them yet."
His face darkened a little, but he quickly composed himself to normalcy. I was still somewhat jittery about being in his dorm room, paired with everything I've been through, finding myself in a new environment was strange.
"So… imma go back to my room, thanks for the bed and… see ya!"
I beelined for the exit and not even a step later I found that I was running on air, yet not moving at all.
"You will not escape. We need to talk."
His eyes were on fire, whatever he wanted, today he'd get.
Could I have freed myself? Easily, but that wasn't the point.
And I also remember their words…
My feet stopped running and I brought myself back to the bed, sitting beside him.
"Fine, talk."
"I don't know what you've heard of the conversation I've had with my mother. But there are a few things you need to know before hand."
I didn't interrupt and just gestured for him to continue.
"There are 3 major things you need to be aware about me, all of us really, but if you hate the others I will not try to defend them."
"You only care about yourself?"
I chuckled a little at his implication, but when he looked at me sternly, I understood he was for real.
"Oh, you really don't care, no, you actually wish for me to hate them."
"Yes, there is a traitor between them. Even I have my doubts, but that's not the point. The point is, we all took 3 oaths. One with Duke Morvane, one with our respective families and one between ourselves." -Cael
"I can't say shit about the oath with the Duke, but I can tell about the others: our families had us promise on our mana to tell every relevant information we have tangible proofs of regarding you. And that is the most important thing, proof. Unfortunately you speaking a different language fluently like you were born speaking it, is proof enough. So I was forced to speak up."
That was… fair.
Unnerving, but fair.
I could feel myself frown, this was getting on my nerves again… but I could handle it for now. Especially since my frown was soon massaged away by Cael's scorching hands.
"The oath we made between ourselves instead… was to try and find any possible loophole to avoid reporting, absolute secrecy about the oath with our families and collaboration in case of attacks from the Beyond." -Cael
"What?!"
"Crow, I'm telling you clearly and please remember this well. The way Duke Morvane and Yom behave is not the norm at all. It's so absurd, we all were dumbfounded by the open love they show."
That doesn't make sense at all… shouldn't family openly love each other and cute shit like that?
"You're wrong. At least regarding the main families."
"I didn't even talk!"
He smiled, a little too smug for my taste, but I let his behaviour slide.
What he was telling me…
It was so relieving.
The heavy weight I was carrying on my conscience was getting lighter and lighter.
"The main families are the exact opposite of the Morvane family. Do you know that Selan had 3 older sisters?"
"Had?"
"Yes. They killed each other racing for the heir title, and when Selan came of age, the last remaining sister was killed by her."
I was horrified, I knew there could be fights for the highest position, but straight out killing your family members?
"That is normal Crow. Not whatever the Morvane family professes. I can swear to you on my life, not a single heir had ever shared a meal with their parents just because they could."
"That is… well, I'm not sure, but probably lonely."
He nodded repeatedly and finally heaved a sigh, he was relieved I was understanding easily his explanations and even if my doubts were… still somewhat there, I was at least favourable to unlock the door to my heart.
"Cael. Since we are being honest, let me tell you something as well. Before you tell me what actually happened with your mother."
He looked at me expectantly, eyes focused and his still half naked figure was starting to blush all over.
I gulped to get my control back and started speaking again.
"If, and I say it loosely. If I ever have even the slightest doubt your actions are moved by an ulterior motive, or you're using me to get favours with the higher echelons of the world. I will kill you."
Resolve never wavered and I was at least glad he didn't shook in the slightest. If I was being used, at least he was an actor he was worth learning from.
"I'm not jocking Cael, I just need to leave the academy to kill you all."
"I'd give you my neck myself before siding with that monster. How she isn't the real traitor still buffles me."