Page 103 of Shadows of Change

Malrik’s chest rumbles behind me with what might be a laugh. “Subtle as ever.”

“You love it,” Finn counters, though there’s a flicker of vulnerability in his green eyes that makes my chest ache.

Before doubt can creep in, I lean forward and press my lips to his. The kiss is gentle, exploratory—nothing like the heated exchanges with Malrik earlier. Finn’s hand comes up to cup my cheek, his touch steady and warm. Behind me, Malrik’s arms tighten around my waist, not pulling me away but anchoring me.

When I pull back, Finn’s emerald eyes are wide, his trademark grin replaced with something softer. “Wow,” he breathes, his voice hushed. “Bob was right about everything.”

A laugh bubbles up, and my shadows dance joyfully around us. Even Patricia seems to be scribbling furiously, her shadowy form alive with motion.

“This is insane,” I say, though I can’t help smiling. “We’re in the middle of a war basically. Thorne and Darian are plotting who knows what, the Heart of Eternity is doing... something, and we’re—”

“Finding strength,” Malrik interrupts, his voice firm. “Together.”

Finn nods, his playful expression becoming heated as he reaches out to trace the line of Malrik’s jaw. “The world’s never going to stop being complicated. But maybe if we stop fighting this, we’ll be stronger for it.”

Finn leans in, his gaze locked with Malrik’s. Time seems to slow as they close the distance, their lips meeting in a kiss that’s both tender and charged with restrained passion. Caught between them, I feel the heat of their bodies and the rhythm of their breaths, the moment electric.

The sight makes heat pool low in my stomach. Unable to resist, I lean forward, brushing my lips along the column of Finn’s throat. His skin is warm and slightly salty, and the groan that rumbles through him sends a shiver down my spine. My shadows seem to echo my emotions, swirling around us in lazy, approving spirals.

Malrik’s hands begin to roam, his touch leaving trails of fire across my skin. His fingers slip under my shirt, grazing my ribs, and I arch into him with a gasp. The Heart of Eternity glows warmly at my throat, as if echoing the harmony in this moment. My shadows coil protectively around all three of us, possessive and affirming, and for the first time in what feels like forever, everything feels... right.

The knock at the door shatters our moment. "Kaia?" Aspen's voice carries through the wood, tight with urgency. "We have a problem."

Dammit.

I open the door to find his usually calm expression drawn with tension. His eyes flick briefly over the three of us, but he merely arches one pale eyebrow before focusing back on the matter at hand.

"Professor Lira sent me. The group's trial has been moved up. We're expected in the arena within the hour."

My heart drops. "What? But we're not supposed to trial until next week—"

"Darian's demanded an immediate trial," Aspen cuts in, his voice low. "As a transfer student, he has the right to challenge his placement. He's chosen our group specifically."

"Of course he has," Malrik mutters behind me.

Finn moves to lean against the doorframe. "Let me guess – there's more."

Aspen nods grimly. "The trial parameters have been altered. Darian's insisting on using shadow constructs for the challenges. Claims it's to test our true abilities." He glances at me meaningfully. "Professor Lira wants to see us immediately. She says there's something we need to know before we enter the arena."

My shadows coil tighter around us, responding to the tension in the room. Even Bob seems unusually agitated, his shadowy form rippling with unease.

"Shadow constructs?" I repeat, feeling the Heart of Eternity warm against my throat. "Those are restricted. Only advanced practitioners can—"

"Darian claims he has no choice," Aspen says, his expression troubled. "That he's being forced to prove himself this way.”

Aspen’s usual calm is gone, replaced with a sharp edge that I’m not used to seeing. “Lira thinks there’s more to this,” he says, glancing down the hallway as if expecting someone to appear. “But we can’t wait to find out what.”

I meet Malrik's silver eyes, then Finn's green ones. We all know what this means – what Darian's really saying between the lines.

“Thorne,” I whisper, and my shadows shudder in agreement.

“We should get to Lira,” Malrik says, already moving to gather his things. “If anyone knows how to handle corrupted shadow constructs, it’s her.”

Finn straightens, some of his usual humor bleeding away. “Nothing like a surprise death trial to start the morning. And here I thought catching you two was going to be the highlight of my day.” He grins, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. For a fleeting moment, I see the tension he’s trying to mask—the weight of everything we were walking into. My shadows swirl around us protectively as we move to follow Aspen.

“Whatever happens in that arena,” Malrik says quietly, his hand finding the small of my back, “we stay together.”

“All of us,” Finn adds, his shoulder brushing mine as we walk.

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