Chapter 14

Eli didn’t like the way Seraphina looked at him.

It wasn’t just curiosity.

It wasn’t even dislike.

It was something sharper.

Like she was trying to figure out where to press to make him break.

And the worst part?

She wasn’t even hiding it.

“…You’re still here?” Eli muttered, wiping sweat from his neck as he stepped back from Kieran.

Training had gone on longer than usual.

Harder, too.

Like Kieran was pushing him more than before.

Or maybe—

Eli glanced briefly at Seraphina.

Maybe it was because of her.

Seraphina smiled, completely unbothered.

“I told you, I’m observing.”

Eli scoffed lightly.

“You’ve been ‘observing’ for over an hour.”

“And you’ve been struggling for over an hour,” she replied smoothly.

Eli clicked his tongue.

“…You’re really annoying.”

Her smile widened slightly.

“And yet, you’re still here.”

Eli rolled his eyes.

“…I’m starting to see a pattern with people around him.”

Kieran stepped in before it could escalate.

“Again.”

Eli groaned.

“…Can I breathe first?”

“No.”

“…You’re unbelievable.”

Still—

He moved.

Because despite everything—

He could feel it.

The difference.

His body reacting faster.

His mind catching up quicker.

Even now—

He wasn’t the same person who had first stepped into this forest.

Kieran moved toward him again.

Fast.

Eli reacted—

Blocked.

Not perfectly.

But enough.

Their hands collided.

Kieran’s grip closed around his wrist again—

Firm.

Controlled.

Eli exhaled sharply.

“…You really like holding my hand, huh?”

Seraphina let out a quiet laugh from the side.

“Oh, he does.”

Kieran didn’t release him immediately.

His thumb shifted slightly against Eli’s wrist—

Barely noticeable.

But Eli felt it.

“…Kieran.”

A second passed.

Then Kieran let go.

“Focus.”

Eli frowned.

“…I am focused.”

“Not enough.”

Eli sighed.

“…You’re in a bad mood.”

“I’m not.”

“You are,” Eli insisted. “You’ve been like this since I got here.”

Kieran didn’t respond.

But Seraphina did.

“He doesn’t like being watched.”

Eli glanced at her.

“…Then leave?”

She tilted her head.

“Or maybe he doesn’t like you being watched.”

Silence.

Eli blinked.

“…What?”

Kieran’s voice dropped.

“Enough.”

Seraphina lifted her hands slightly in mock surrender.

“Fine. I’ll be quiet.”

But the look in her eyes said otherwise.

She was enjoying this.

Training resumed.

But the tension didn’t leave.

If anything—

It grew.

At one point, Eli miscalculated a step—

And Kieran moved instantly.

Too fast.

Too close.

Their bodies nearly collided.

Kieran’s arm came around him—

Steadying him before he could fall.

Eli froze.

For just a second.

Because this time—

It felt different.

Not just training.

Not just correction.

There was something else in the way Kieran held him.

Something… careful.

Eli cleared his throat slightly.

“…I’m starting to think you don’t trust me to stand on my own.”

Kieran didn’t let go immediately.

His voice came quieter this time.

“I don’t trust anything around you.”

Eli blinked.

“…That’s not the same thing.”

“No,” Kieran said. “It’s not.”

Their eyes met briefly.

And for a moment—

Eli felt it again.

That strange pull.

Stronger than before.

Uncomfortable.

Unavoidable.

He stepped back quickly.

“…Okay. That’s enough for today.”

Kieran didn’t argue this time.

But his gaze followed Eli.

Still.

Focused.

“Interesting.”

Eli turned.

“…You really don’t get tired, do you?”

Seraphina walked toward him slowly.

Graceful.

Confident.

“And miss something important? Never.”

Eli crossed his arms.

“…You keep saying things like that without explaining.”

She stopped in front of him.

Close enough to be uncomfortable.

“You want an explanation?”

Eli held her gaze.

“…If you have one.”

She leaned in slightly.

Lowering her voice.

“You affect him.”

Eli frowned immediately.

“…No, I don’t.”

“You do,” she said simply.

Eli shook his head.

“No. I really don’t.”

From behind her—

Kieran spoke.

“Seraphina.”

Her name wasn’t loud.

But it carried weight.

Warning.

Clear and sharp.

She paused.

Then smiled faintly.

“…See?”

Eli looked between them.

“…See what?”

She straightened slightly.

“That’s as far as I go.”

Eli frowned.

“…You’re not making sense.”

Seraphina ignored him.

Instead, she turned toward Kieran.

And for the first time—

There was something like acknowledgment in her expression.

Not submission.

But understanding.

“You’re serious about this,” she said quietly.

Kieran didn’t respond.

But he didn’t deny it either.

That was enough.

Seraphina exhaled softly.

“…Alright.”

Eli blinked.

“…Alright what?”

She looked at him again.

This time—

Less sharp.

But still unreadable.

“I’ll behave.”

Eli raised a brow.

“…You weren’t behaving before?”

She smiled slightly.

“Depends on your definition.”

Eli sighed.

“…You’re exhausting.”

She chuckled softly.

“And you’re very unaware.”

Eli frowned.

“…Of what?”

But she didn’t answer.

Instead—

She stepped back.

Creating distance.

“I’ll leave you two alone.”

Eli blinked.

“…Finally.”

But as she turned—

She paused briefly beside Kieran.

Just for a second.

And said quietly—

“So this is the one.”

Kieran didn’t respond.

But his silence said enough.

Seraphina smiled faintly.

Then—

She left.

The forest felt quieter after she was gone.

Eli exhaled.

“…Thank God.”

Kieran didn’t react.

Eli glanced at him.

“…You didn’t deny anything she said.”

Kieran’s gaze shifted to him.

“What should I deny?”

Eli frowned.

“…The part where she made it sound like I’m affecting you.”

Kieran stepped closer.

Slow.

Deliberate.

Eli held his ground this time.

“…Well?”

Kieran stopped just in front of him.

Close enough for that familiar tension to return.

“You are.”

Eli blinked.

“…What?”

“You affect me,” Kieran repeated.

Eli stared at him.

“…How?”

A pause.

Then Kieran said quietly—

“You’re still here.”

Eli frowned.

“That’s not an answer.”

“It is.”

Eli shook his head.

“No, it’s not.”

Kieran didn’t explain further.

Of course he didn’t.

Eli exhaled sharply.

“…You’re really bad at explaining things.”

Kieran’s lips curved slightly.

Faint.

Almost teasing.

“You’re really bad at understanding them.”

Eli scoffed.

“…Unbelievable.”

But this time—

There was no real heat behind it.