As he was training, Kael paused—something caught his attention.
He looked back.
Liz stood in the doorway, arms folded. Her shadow stretched long across the floor behind her.
"So…" she said, slowly. "What are you doing in the private hall at this hour?"
Her voice wasn't sharp—but it wasn't soft, either.
Somewhere between teasing and testing.
She tilted her head, watching him like she already knew the answer.
Kael blinked.
His grip on the sword loosened just a little.
No excuse came to mind. So he went with the first thing that did.
"I was sleepwalking," he said, straight-faced.
Her eyes narrowed. "You were sleepwalking with a sword?"
"Yes," he said again, flat and confident—like it made perfect sense.
She stepped closer. Her boots tapped lightly against the stone floor.
Kael's voice jumped out—louder, strained.
"Don't come any closer."
The moment she crossed the threshold, her legs gave out.
