Chapter 263: 263: A Knock That Means Trouble II
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Fizz whispered to John with admiration, "She just bullied the bully."
Ray tried one last attempt, voice stiff. "Why are you doing this?"
Rhea looked at him without softness. "Because you are my cousin, and I do not want your mouth to ruin my business."
Ray blinked. "Your business."
Rhea’s gaze slid toward John for half a second, then back to Ray. "Yes."
Ray’s pride twitched like a wounded animal. He grabbed his coat and turned toward the door. "Fine," he muttered. "But if I get blamed for anything, I will set something on fire."
Fizz waved. "Set your ego on fire."
Ray glared at him. "I hate you."
Fizz smiled. "That is normal."
Ray stepped out and slammed the door hard enough to make the candle on the desk tremble.
The room became quieter instantly.
John exhaled slowly. "You didn’t have to threaten him."
Rhea’s voice stayed calm. "Yes I did."
Fizz nodded sagely. "Family is complicated. Threats are love with sharp edges."
John ignored him and looked at Rhea again. "Why are you really here?"
Rhea stepped closer.
Her coat was still on. Her posture was still composed. But her eyes were warmer now, less guarded.
"I kissed you today," she said quietly. "In front of people."
John swallowed once. "Yes."
Rhea’s gaze held his. "And then I couldn’t stop thinking about you."
Fizz made a dramatic choking sound. "Oh."
John did not speak. He did not step back either.
Rhea’s voice softened. "I tried to focus on training. I tried to focus on class. I tried to pretend that it was only a moment."
John’s chest tightened. "And."
Rhea took another small step closer. "It was not only a moment."
John’s breath grew heavier without permission.
Fizz leaned closer, whispering as if the walls were alive. "This is the part where you say something romantic and also stupid."
John shot him a look. "Fizz."
Rhea’s gaze flicked to Fizz, then back to John. "He needs to go."
John hesitated. "If he leaves, the warden—"
Rhea nodded. "That is why he goes as a guard."
Fizz puffed up instantly. "I am excellent at guarding. I guarded a pie once. Nobody stole it. Mostly because I ate it first."
Rhea reached into her pouch and pulled out a paper-wrapped slice of cake and a small bag of sugar twists. She held them up like a peace offering.
Fizz’s eyes widened so hard he looked like he might pop.
John stared. "Where did you get those?"
Rhea’s voice stayed calm. "I prepared."
Fizz whispered in awe, "She is a genius."
Rhea held out the cake toward Fizz. "Guard duty. Hallway. If anyone asks, you say you are doing contract spirit patrol."
Fizz tried to resist. He truly tried. His pride shook. His paws clenched. His glow flickered.
Then he took the cake.
He sniffed it.
He took one bite.
His eyes rolled back like he had met a god.
"This is," Fizz whispered, reverent, "illegal."
Rhea’s mouth twitched slightly. "Go."
Fizz hovered toward the door, still chewing. He turned back to John, cheeks full, and pointed one paw dramatically.
"If you get caught," Fizz warned through crumbs, "I will roast you until graduation."
John muttered, "Go."
Fizz floated out, still grumbling, still pleased, still bribed into responsibility. He shut the door behind him and immediately began pacing the hallway like a tiny guard with dessert privileges, humming a victory song to himself.
Inside the room, silence settled again.
John and Rhea stood facing each other.
The air felt warmer than it had a minute ago.
Rhea reached up and unfastened the top clasp of her long coat slowly, eyes never leaving John’s face.
John’s breath caught.
He did not move.
Rhea slid the coat off her shoulders and let it fall onto the chair.
Under it, she wore a thin dress, light fabric that clung to her shape and made the lantern glow feel unfair. It was not fully see-through, but it was close enough that John’s mind stopped behaving properly.
Rhea stepped closer until there was only a narrow strip of air between them.
John’s voice came out rough. "Rhea..."
Her eyes softened. "You are shaking."
John swallowed. "No."
Rhea’s mouth curved. "Yes."
Her hand lifted and touched his chest, right over his heartbeat, steady and warm. "I was hungry after that kiss."
John’s throat was dry. "This is risky."
Rhea nodded. "Yes."
John forced his eyes to stay on her face. "If the warden finds out—"
Rhea’s gaze sharpened. "Then we will be smarter next time."
The calm in her voice made John’s resistance crack.
Not because he was weak.
Because he was tired of always being careful.
Rhea leaned in and kissed him.
Not quick like the yard.
Slow, deliberate, deep enough that John forgot the room was small and the academy was cruel and the world outside had teeth.
His hands rose hesitantly, then settled on her waist, careful at first, then firmer as he realized she was not going to vanish if he touched her.
Rhea pulled back slightly, breath warm. "Do you want me to stop?"
John’s voice was low. "No."
Rhea nodded once, satisfied, and guided him backward toward the bed.
John sat down without thinking.
Rhea stepped between his knees, close enough that his breathing turned heavy and honest.
John’s mind tried to warn him again.
Rules. Curfew. Gossip. Ned White.
But his body did not care about warnings right now.
Rhea’s hands moved to his coat. She began unfastening it with calm patience.
John’s fingers trembled slightly as he touched the thin fabric of her dress.
He hesitated one heartbeat, then looked up at her.
Rhea’s voice softened. "It is only you."
John nodded once.
They moved together slowly, carefully, letting layers slip away without rushing, like they were both afraid the moment would break if handled roughly.
John’s coat slid to the floor.
Rhea’s dress loosened at the shoulder.
Lantern light painted warm gold across skin and shadow, across the red ribbon on her head that stayed in place like a stubborn promise.
Their breathing filled the room.
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