Warmth cocooned Laverna, along with the now-familiar scent of Shin. Why was it so potent?
And why was she sleeping next to a fire? Did she actually care?
Snuggling up to the warmth, she buried her face in deeper as sleep threatened to claim her again. One leg was wrapped around something, while the other was pinned beneath what felt like a log.
Her arms were pressed against something solid as well, but the more urgent issue was her need to pee. As awareness took hold, she realized strong arms were wrapped around her—one on her lower back and the other cradling her head.
Strangely, Shin found comfort holding her close while they slept. Her softness and warmth sent comfort within his soul, easing something he hadn't even realized needed healing.
Looking up, her face paled at the sight of Shin's closed eyes and the soft fan of his lashes. His heartbeat echoed in her ears like a drum.
"Fuck," she thought, mentally checking herself over. Clothes? Not here. Robe? Gone. Her nakedness was bare.
Her gaze drifted to Shin, whose shirtless form lay beside her. Seeing him like that sent a tingle down her spine, her body reacting before her thoughts could catch up.
She shivered—not from the cold, but from the sudden rush of heat that curled within her belly. The ache in her head grounded her senses, pulling her back before desire could take over.
He was still clothed, from what she could tell. Okay. Good. Good.
She tried to remember the night before, but everything was a blur beyond some teasing banter and him warning her to be mindful. Clearly, she hadn't listened—there was still a fog in her head.
Laverna slowly detached her legs from Shin and attempted to slip from his grasp. Unfortunately, he seemed to be either a very deep sleeper or very good at pretending.
Instead of releasing her, he pulled her closer. For a brief moment, Laverna gave in, her senses flooded with the warmth and masculine scent of Shin.
His touch sent a sultry tingle through her, and as his steady breath fanned against her neck, an ache bloomed low in her belly. Her body betrayed her, responding instinctively to the quiet intimacy.
She could feel his warmth pressing into her, and a rush of heat flooded her core as her bare skin registered his presence—his body strong and close. Then, her hips shifted and she felt 'it'.
Revulsion should have hit her like before, a disgust rooted in her haunted past. But this time... it didn't. This time, it was 'his', and something about that made her want it instead.
Her face flushed, confusion and heat warring inside her. She murmured something incoherent, slurred from the fog of sleep and alcohol—words she didn't mean to let out.
'I wanted you to take me... like a maiden would be taken...'
Now, as the warmth of the morning settled around them, the memory of that whisper crept back into her hazy mind.
Her heart gave a sudden thump as the moment played back, her body recalling the weight of his embrace, the warmth of his skin, and the intimacy they shared without crossing the line. She had wanted it. She wanted him... in that drunken haze, and the revelation made her lips part slightly in disbelief as she stared at the ceiling, breath catching at the truth.
After a few seconds of indulgence, reason caught up, shaking her head as she wanted to stop whatever she was thinking. She finally managed to weasel out of his arms, doing her best to quiet the sudden flutter in her chest.
"Fucking hell," she muttered quietly, grabbing her robe and some fresh towels before heading into the bathroom.
She hummed softly while washing her face and brushing her teeth. Her eyes caught the glass of water on the nightstand, and she downed it quickly before refilling it.
Carrying the fresh glass back to the bathroom, she continued her routine. Dressed in attire similar to their training clothes, she braided her bright orange hair into two neat plaits that fell over her shoulders.
She stepped out onto the deck, stretching under the morning sun. She vaguely recalled something about probing and reconnaissance.
"Learn as much as we can," she reminded herself, stretching her arms and savoring the sunlight.
A soft noise at the door caught her attention. She moved quietly and placed her fingers on the wooden surface.
This was the perfect time to practice sensing auras. Clearing her mind, Laverna focused.
A gentle tingle crept up her arms, and a heartbeat brushed her consciousness as a whisper echoed faintly. "I do hope they open up, I have to pee."
She stepped back, blinking in surprise. "I did it," she whispered, a grin forming before she quickly erased it and composed herself.
Opening the door, she found a large woman holding a food cart with a small cart of drinks behind her. "I'm bringing you breakfast, ma'am."
Laverna nodded as the woman blinked in confusion. "It's okay, I got it, thank you," she said gently, using her foot to pull the cart inside before closing the door.
Inspecting the food, she gave it a cautious sniff. Nothing seemed off.
Carefully making herself a small plate, she headed outside, sitting on the railing with her legs crossed and her posture straight. She watched soldiers sparring on the grounds below, her gaze calm and focused.
As Shin drifted off to sleep, a vivid dream took over.
He saw a familiar sliding door—one just like home. Opening it, he found his mother and father smiling warmly.
In the dream, he was a child again, rushing into their arms. Tears streamed down his face as he hugged them tightly.
It was a memory of returning home after exploring the mountains. His mother kissed his forehead while his father laughed, proud of his energy.
Despite scraped knees, he smiled, knowing he was home. Then another child appeared—a girl whose face he couldn't quite make out.
She felt like a friend. He smiled and took her hand.
They ran off laughing, the girl leading him toward her parents. But suddenly, fire engulfed everything.
He fell to his knees, staring at the lifeless bodies of his family. Then they rose, their expressions twisted and hollow.
"Why didn't you save us?" "Why are you weak?" "This is your fault."
One by one, the entire Clan rose, chanting in unison. "Your fault."
Tears streamed down Shin's face as he struggled to control his emotions. Then came the faces of those he'd killed.
They loomed around him, countless and unrelenting. No matter how strong he was, he couldn't summon his power.
The little girl called out to him, smiling, then her expression turned sinister.
Shin woke up screaming, heart pounding. He looked around, disoriented but safe.
"Fuck," he whispered, breath shaky. Reaching for the pitcher, he drank deeply, parched and shaken.
That nightmare hadn't visited him in years—not like this. He thought he'd buried it.
But clearly, he still had work to do—more discipline, more control. He wiped his face and tried to pull himself together.
'Fuck,' the word echoed again—this time from inside the room. Laverna heard it through the link but kept her gaze ahead.
Pain rippled faintly through the bond. A nightmare, she guessed.
But she didn't react. He needed to ground himself without her hovering.
And honestly, she was too embarrassed to face him. What had happened last night?
She was dressed when she woke, so nothing... serious, right? No—Shin was a gentleman.
He probably resisted her clumsy advances. Gods, how mortifying.
She rubbed the bridge of her nose, shaking her head. She'd decided to drink, and she had to own the consequences.
At least he was decent enough not to take advantage. A soft smile crept across her lips as she remembered bits of their time together.
Shin finally got up, noticing Laverna was already awake. He felt mildly embarrassed.
The teacher should rise before the student, after all. But here he was, rattled by a dream.
He went to the bathroom first. After relieving himself, he washed his face and stared into the mirror.
He gave himself a small, tired smile and slapped his cheeks twice. Composed again, he stepped out and approached Laverna.
"Good morning."