Alex woke to the faint glow of dawn spilling through the curtains, soft light brushing across the polished edges of his room. His ankle still felt warm, the faint weight of gold resting against his skin where Riven had fastened the anklet the night before.
The memory surged back unbidden—the way Riven had kissed his ankle, slow and reverent, before slipping the chain into place. Not playful, not teasing, but deliberate, affectionate. It left Alex with a heat that curled in his chest even now, long after the candles of last night had burned down.
He shook the thought from his head as he dressed and stepped out to meet the others. The gang was gathered in the sitting room, Cecilia having already left trays of breakfast for them.
But Alex's expression was sharp, serious, as he set aside his cup of tea. "There's something I've been thinking about since the exams," he began. "Professor Caelum Dareth. The written questions weren't random. They were the same as our group assignment. That's no coincidence."
The gang stilled, curiosity sparking in their eyes.
Alex's voice lowered. "Either the professor already knows about the discrepancies in the records of Iron Pass, or he suspects. And if he gave us both the assignment and the exam on the same subject, it means he's testing us. For what, though… I don't know."
Edrin leaned forward, brows furrowed. "You're saying he's deliberately watching us?"
Alex gave a small nod. "Which is why I'll seek help from Lady Marianne Thorne. She has the means to quietly investigate without raising suspicion."
Saphira blinked, surprise flickering across her features. "You… know Marianne Thorne? My aunt?"
Alex's lips quirked faintly. "We're business partners, in a way. I supply designs for certain noble wardrobes. She arranges deliveries, discounts, and fittings—but with the added condition that she listens. Gossip, secrets, whispered complaints. Nobles will pay dearly for silks, but they'll pay even more when they think no one is listening."
Riven let out a low whistle, amusement and admiration mingling in his tone. "Of course you'd turn fashion into espionage, Cupcake."
Even Kael, ever steady, allowed himself a faint smile. "Efficient. Calculated. I shouldn't be surprised anymore, yet somehow I always am."
The gang shared a glance, silent acknowledgment passing between them. They had expected Alex to be clever—brilliant even—but this was something else entirely. Intelligence sharpened into strategy, foresight woven into every move.
Alex sipped his tea calmly, though his eyes glimmered with determination. "Coincidence is a luxury I don't believe in. And if Professor Dareth is watching… then we'll need to be ready."
Author's Note:
ALEX IS SEXY, INTELLIGENT, AND STRONG!!! 😭🔥 RIVEN IS SUCH A LUCKY BITCH. BUT YOU KNOW WHAT—SCRATCH THAT—they're BOTH LUCKY BITCHES who deserve EACH OTHER!!! 😩🖤✨ kicks feet, squeals, rolls on the floor in jealousy