The morning light streamed through the window, casting a golden glow over the room. For a brief moment, I forgot where I was, lulled by the warmth and the quiet. But then, a familiar weight against my side brought everything rushing back.
Diana.
Still nestled against me, her arms locked securely around my waist, her face tucked into my collarbone.
Right. I let her sleep here.
I groaned internally, trying to shift without waking her, but the moment I moved, she stirred, letting out a soft, content hum before nuzzling even closer.
"Diana," I whispered, poking her shoulder.
She made a noise somewhere between a sigh and a grumble but didn't let go.
"Diana, wake up."
"Mmm… no," she mumbled sleepily. "Too comfy."
I sighed. "Diana, we're leaving for the academy tomorrow, and I still have things to do today."
"Exactly," she muttered, voice muffled against my skin. "Tomorrow. Which means I still have a full day of keeping you to myself."
I stiffened as I felt the faintest press of lips against my neck.
"Diana!"
She chuckled lowly, finally cracking one eye open. "Good morning, Sera," she purred, her voice husky from sleep.
I scowled, pushing against her shoulder to pry myself free. "Get off me already! We have things to do today."
She smirked but let me go, stretching her arms above her head as she lounged on my bed like a satisfied cat. "No need to be so aggressive," she teased. "It's not my fault your bed is so warm. Or that you make such a good pillow."
I threw my pillow at her face.
She caught it effortlessly and smirked.
Tomorrow, we would be heading back to the academy. But today? Today, I had to survive spending one last day at home—with Diana Hayes attached to my hip.
This was going to be a long day.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair before stepping away from the bed. "Well, I'll go make some breakfast for us. Come down when you're ready," I said, reaching for the door handle.
Behind me, Diana stretched languidly, the sheets slipping slightly as she smirked up at me. "Mkay!" she chimed, far too cheerful for someone who had spent the entire night clinging to me like a particularly persistent vine.
I shook my head, stepping out of the room and shutting the door behind me before she could try anything else.
The hallway was quiet as I padded my way toward the kitchen. The Vandren estate was always so peaceful in the mornings, the scent of fresh flowers from the garden drifting in through the open windows, accompanied by the distant chirping of birds. It was almost hard to believe that in just twenty-four hours, I'd be back at the academy, dealing with the chaos of my so-called friends.
I had gotten used to this temporary peace—training with my parents, uncovering bits of Sera Vandren's past, and adjusting to whatever the hell was happening with Diana and the others. But now, the reality of returning to the academy weighed on me. The North Gate crisis. The shifting relationships. The fact that I had absolutely no idea what was waiting for me when I got back.
I reached the kitchen and rolled up my sleeves. Well, one thing at a time.
Breakfast first. Existential crisis later.
I started gathering ingredients, deciding on something simple yet filling. Eggs, bread, fresh fruit, and of course, tea. I could already hear Diana's voice in my head, demanding something "sweet but not too sweet," and I figured I'd throw in some honey-drizzled pastries as a compromise.
As I moved around the kitchen, setting things up, I felt a presence behind me before I even heard her footsteps.
Diana.
She had that habit—moving without a sound, always getting too close before I could react.
Sure enough, a pair of arms suddenly wrapped around my waist, a chin resting lightly on my shoulder.
"Making me breakfast? You're such a good wife," Diana teased, her voice still thick with sleep.
I nearly dropped the knife I was holding. "Diana!" I squawked, my face heating instantly. "Let go! I'm cooking!"
"But you're so warm," she murmured, completely ignoring my flailing as she tightened her hold. "And you smell nice. Like vanilla and firewood."
I groaned, trying to pry her arms off. "You're unbelievable, you know that?"
She chuckled, finally releasing me, but not before pressing a fleeting kiss to the back of my neck—so quick that I barely had time to react before she sauntered off toward the dining table, looking far too pleased with herself.
I exhaled sharply, gripping the counter for support.
This girl was going to be the death of me.
With renewed determination, I plated our food, ignoring Diana's smug grin as I set her plate in front of her a little too aggressively.
She just laughed. "Awww, you do care."
I scowled, sitting down across from her. "Eat your food and shut up."
She winked, taking a bite of her pastry.
"This is actually really delicious." Diana muttered.
I felt a bit of pride within myself, "Of course, my mother taught me a couple things."
Diana chuckled, "How cute. It's almost like we're a married couple in our own home, my beautiful wife cooking breakfast for me."
I felt my face heat up, "What wife?! Just stop talking and eat before I take away your food."
"This is actually really delicious," Diana murmured, taking another bite of her pastry. The surprise in her voice was almost offensive.
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow. "Of course, my mother taught me a couple of things." I tried to sound nonchalant, but I couldn't help the tiny bit of pride that crept into my voice.
Diana chuckled, a glint of mischief flashing in her emerald-green eyes. "How cute. It's almost like we're a married couple in our own home—my beautiful wife waking up early to cook breakfast just for me."
I nearly choked on my tea.
"What wife?!" I sputtered, my face heating up instantly. "Just stop talking and eat before I take your food away!"
Diana laughed, clearly enjoying my suffering far too much. She propped her chin up with her hand, looking at me with an expression far too smug for my liking. "Aww, don't be shy, Sera. You're already acting the part. All that's missing now is a good morning kiss to start the day properly."
I reached for her plate.
She snatched it back, grinning. "Okay, okay! I'll behave."
I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "You're impossible."
She smirked, taking another leisurely bite of her food. "And yet, you keep me around."
Unfortunately, she had a point.
I let out a resigned sigh, finally sitting down to eat my own breakfast while Diana continued to tease me between bites. As much as I wanted to deny it, a small part of me—one I wasn't quite ready to acknowledge—found the whole thing a little too… nice.
But I wasn't about to give her the satisfaction of admitting that.
"Anyway," I said, steering the conversation away before she could make any more ridiculous comments. "Once we get back to the academy, we should probably meet up with the others. I have a feeling they'll have… reactions."
Diana grinned, stretching lazily. "Oh, I'm looking forward to it. I can already see Claire's dramatic gasp, Camille's unreadable expression, Tessa pretending she doesn't care but secretly glaring at me, and Lillian…" She trailed off, her smirk deepening. "Well, let's just say she won't be thrilled."
I groaned, already dreading the inevitable. "Great. Just what I need—more chaos."
Diana gave me an innocent look. "You say that like it isn't entertaining."
"For you, maybe," I muttered.
She just hummed in response, clearly enjoying herself.
I shook my head, finishing my tea. "You're lucky I didn't poison your food."
She grinned. "Ah, but if you did, who would keep you company during those long, sleepless nights?"
I threw a piece of fruit at her.
She caught it effortlessly, popping it into her mouth with a wink.
Tomorrow, we'd return to the academy.
And knowing my luck, the madness was only just beginning.
I stretched my arms after finishing my plate of food, pushing my empty dish slightly to the side. "We have the whole day to ourselves. What should we do? Train?"
Diana leaned back in her chair, idly tucking a strand of golden-blonde hair behind her ear. "I'm down for whatever you want to do, Sera."
I blinked, tilting my head slightly as I studied her.
There was something about her today—something… different. Softer, maybe? Less smug, less sharp around the edges. She was still Diana, still quick-witted and charming, but there was a quiet warmth to her this morning, something unspoken lingering in the air.
It was almost unsettling.
"What?" Diana smirked, catching my staring. "Am I too stunning for you to handle this early in the morning?"
I scoffed immediately, snapping out of my thoughts. "What? No! I was just thinking…" I trailed off, narrowing my eyes as I continued to examine her. "After last night, it's like you've… softened a bit."
Her smirk faltered for just a second before she raised an eyebrow at me. "Softer?" she repeated, her voice laced with mild offense. "What do you mean softer?"
"I don't know," I admitted, tapping my fingers against the table. "You're still smug and insufferable, but something about you feels a little… different."
Diana furrowed her brows, looking genuinely confused now. A rare sight. And oddly… cute.
"No, I haven't," she said firmly, crossing her arms over her chest as if that was enough to prove her point.
I bit back a chuckle. "Uh-huh. Sure."
"I'm serious," she insisted. "I am the same, cunning, absolutely irresistible Diana Hayes as always."
I tilted my head, amused. "Are you trying to convince me? Or yourself?"
She scowled, jabbing a finger at me. "You are getting too bold, Sera Vandren."
"I'm just saying," I said, unable to hide my smirk, "you're acting suspiciously sentimental."
"I am not sentimental." Diana huffed, standing up from her chair in a dramatic flourish. "And to prove it, I am challenging you to a duel."
I blinked. "What?"
"You said I've gone soft, and I say you're wrong. So, let's settle this the only way we know how—combat."
I stared at her, then let out a heavy sigh. "You're unbelievable."
She grinned. "I know."
I shook my head, standing up as well. "Fine. But don't come crying to me when you lose."
Diana smirked, stepping closer until she was only inches away. "Oh, Sera. You should know by now—I never lose."
We held each other's gaze for a moment, the air between us charged with something unspoken. Then, just as quickly, Diana pulled away, grabbing her sword from the stand near the doorway.
"Come on, my dear rival," she called playfully, twirling the blade in her hand. "Let's see if you can handle me."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't fight the smile tugging at my lips.
This was going to be an interesting day.