~Ezinne~ Several days had passed since that iconic breakfast, and Malik still had not spoken to me. At least he was now sleeping in his bed, and as much as I hated to admit it, I enjoyed the body heat we shared. Each night, we would turn away from each other as we lay down, but by morning, I
Xavier's grin widened, his eyes twinkling with glee. "Well, his brooding is a bonus. But honestly, I came back because the palace lacks drama without me. Who else is here to rescue you from the suffocating weight of these overly formal dialogues?" I smiled, a genuine grin that felt light and
Ange and I had recently begun practising sword fighting, with Rhea often observing. I hadn’t been particularly focused in our previous sessions, but today felt different. Maybe it was Malik’s presence in the gym that stirred a newfound nervousness in me, making me want to prove myself. But it was re
~Ezinne~ "Get up," Malik commanded, his voice still devoid of warmth. The annoyance in me faltered for a moment, my eyebrows knitting together in confusion. But my body remained still, rooted in place by a blend of apprehension and curiosity. "What are you doing?" I asked. "Teaching,
~Ezinne~ After breakfast, Malik led me through the quiet corridors of his private quarters. He stopped before a door that had been locked since I came, hesitating slightly before pushing it open. Inside was a room steeped in the subtle musk of old wood and memories. "This was my mother's of
Malik raised an eyebrow at me, then he hesitated before he took the chair in front of me, picked up a game piece and examined it. "And which are you, Red? Opponent or ally?" His gaze lifted to mine, piercing and intense that had initially made me feel as if trying to unravel the very fabric of my be
~Ezinne~ A jubilant cheer erupted from the sidelines as my arrow embedded itself into the centre of the archery board with a solid thud. The shouts of the warriors rolled into a chorus of laughter that rose into a cloud-filled sky. Soren's shoulders quivered with soundless laughter as he ran
~Ezinne~ With a thoughtful smile, I reached for another arrow from my quiver. I knew Malik was a better archer than I was, but this contest was more about wit than prowess. I had come here prepared not to be too surprised by whatever question he threw at me. Now, I was given a rare opportunity to