The academy was quieter than he'd ever heard it.
Stone corridors stretched long and hollow, torches burning low in their brackets, casting crooked shadows across the walls. Merlin's boots barely made a sound, but his pulse felt loud enough to echo for him.
He adjusted the cloak over his shoulders, glancing back once to make sure Nathan was still asleep in their shared dorm. Elara hadn't been there, she was probably drilling the guards again, but Nathan… Nathan had fallen asleep sitting in that chair. Even in sleep, his hand twitched like he was still gripping a sword.
Merlin hesitated before he left. Just for a breath.
'He'd follow me if he woke up. He'd never let me do this alone.'
He pulled the door shut quietly.
The hallways swallowed him whole.
—
