Chapter 384 – The Line

Chapter 384 – The Line

A prickling on his chest jolted Kai from his dreams. Tipping on the edge of wakefulness, the bond made him instinctively aware of the situation.

Dammit, Hobbes! Watch your paws. I was sleeping so nicely.

Thin remorse rang through the bond, watered down with mischief and wry amusement.

His hand moved to rub his chest, still drowsy. Hobbes’ claws had pierced the fabric of his shirt to poke him. More itchy than painful. His shirt would need some mending. Thankfully, it wasn’t one of those woven with enchantments.

He wiped his sleepy eyes with the heel of his palm. Bleary, he caught just a glimpse of silver before the little terrorist blinked away.

You can’t run from me forever! I shall have my revenge!

Threats and admonishments flowed through the bond. From the sunlight outside the windows, he’d napped for about an hour. The throbbing in his head had eased only slightly. His mouth stretched in a wide yawn. Maybe he should return to slee—

Huh…

Kai blinked, pulled himself up on his elbows, and turned a few degrees right to spy beyond the backrest of the couch. About two meters back, emerald eyes stared wide on a flushing face.

“Hi.” He rasped, voice hoarse from sleep.

“Hi.”

They stared at each other with mirrored surprise.

Valela stepped further back.

Aware of his disheveled state, Kai wiped his chin with his sleeve and straightened.

He had not been drooling or snoring, right? Right?

Before he could do more, she regained her voice.

“I got a note you wanted to meet. Flynn and Rain let me in when I got here. I barely got a word in before they left,” Valela spoke without pauses. “I swear I didn’t know you were sleeping there. Sorry I disturbed. I should leave no—”

“Wait!” Kai blurted and cleared his throat. “I mean, you don’t need to leave for my sake. Unless you want to, of course.” His eyes swept the empty room, dotted with stray clothes, school supplies and used glasses in the sink. He had planned to tidy up during the weekend, and simply hadn’t found the time yet.

I told Rob not to leave his stuff around.

He wrenched his gaze away not to call attention to the mess. “Sorry, my brain’s still waking. You can stay. Classes have been kicking me, but I’d like to catch up on your week.”

Valela lingered, one foot toward the door, eyes flitting between. “Are you sure? It looks like you could use the rest. I shouldn’t have woken you.”

“Don’t mention it. It’s clearly a prank of theirs. I’ll deal with them later.” He smiled—more names for his list of vengeance. First, he must salvage the situation. His fingers ran to tame his head of tousled hair. No time for strategizing. “Uhm, take a seat wherever you want. Sorry, I’m being a terrible host.”

Valela huffed. “Truly horrendous. Almost like you were peacefully sleeping and not expecting guests.” A teasing smile danced on her lips.

“Some would say that.” Standing up, Kai kicked his boots under the couch and smirked. “But that’s no reason for discourtesy. Do you want anything? I think we only have water and tea to drink. But Rain always stores plenty of snacks. I can’t promise they’ll be good, but they’ll be memorable.”

“Hmm, if you want me to.” Valela took seat at the table, somehow making each movement seem graceful. “What do you have?”

“What’s the fun if you know what you eat? Pick a color, and I’ll find you something. Anything but golden yellow. Rain really doesn’t like that shade.”

“Okay… mhmm, I’ll test my Luck if you do the same. Do you have aquamarine?”

“Sure, challenge accepted.” Kai buried his head in the pantry, glad for the chance to collect himself. Colorful fruits and boxes of older snacks stood neatly on each shelf. Busying himself, he cast a cloaked stream to covertly scrub the sink. “So… new semester and new courses. How did your week go? The professors don’t pull punches. Much of it must be new for you too?”

Lately, they’d only crossed paths in shared classes or the library, studying their own books without chatting much.

“It’s been a busy week. Still less than for you. I have seven electives, but only four are totally new. Most students from Fall Intake already started some courses before the Trials.”

“They did?” Kai set down a tray of assorted snacks and sat. “Each time I think I’ve closed the gap, I find out more, well… It’s like I can never catch up. Until next year, at least .”

“You’re doing more than fine, but every other student is also learning and moving ahead.” The corner of her lip lifted a little. “If only someone had warned you against enrolling in Winter.”

“Yeah.” He gave a wistful sigh. “If only I had met someone so wise.”

Once past the awkward start, the conversation flowed smoothly. Laughter pushed back his exhaustion. A rainbow of sweets, tarts and fruits blanketed the table. Their snacking turned into daring each other to try the strangest treats in Rain’s collection.

Some time later, Hobbes sauntered on the kitchen counter, wisely out of reach, a salmon jerky hanging from his mouth.

Is that Yellow grade? Where did you get it?

A smug swish of his tail was the only answer as his Majesty settled to devour the treat with pleased nibbles.

Kai sensed the threads of a conspiracy, but resisted the impulse to pull at them. Instead, he inspected the berry Valela had picked for him, round shaped like a cherry tomato with a shiny coppery peel.

“This one. Are you sure? It looks yummy.”

“Sure, your luck is ridiculous anyway.” She watched him with an innocent gleam. “And this was your next pick, wasn’t it?”

Damn.

“I was among several I was eyeing, yes.”

“Tell me how it tastes, then. Unless you want to admit defeat?”

“Nah, I’m still hungry.” Kai snorted. Rain didn’t purposefully buy terrible snacks, but he had a questionable palate when it came to brightly colored snacks. The copper berry gave him an off vibe.

Can’t quit the game now.

Face scrunched in an exaggerated grimace, he threw the berry in his mouth and bit down. The spicy pulp exploded on his taste buds with searing pain. A damned, mana-infused chilly pepper! Heat spread from his neck and soaked him in sweat. Yet, nothing showed on his face. He cocked his head as if savoring it and not fighting back the tears.

“So?” Valela leaned in, a furrow in her brow. “How is it?”

Kai hummed and raised a hand to buy time, washing his mouth with icy water. Spirits bless Water Magic. “As I said. Yummy.” His voice came tight and low, but he didn’t cough. “They have a pleasant aftertaste… fresh.” He reached for another, then halted and offered her the painted box. “Sorry. Do you want to try one too?”

“Hmm, I think I’m full.”

He gave a half shrug. “It’s your loss.” Eating another whole berry, he froze the mana-pepper and fake-chewed before swallowing.

Valela studied him, lips pursed. “What is it like?”

“Mmm, hard to describe. A unique taste.” He made a pleased sound. “And what’s the fun if I tell you? Try one for yourself.”

“I am not falling for that.”

“Alright. More for me.”

She watched him swallow two more before curiosity bested her. “Give me one.”

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“You sure?”

“Yes.”

He reluctantly parted with the box—only two remaining. “Here you go, princess. Do you need a knife?”

“Don’t start with that nickname.” She threw him a dirty look, inspecting the shiny berry. “You know how people are about titles here. I can eat it whole.”