I woke up before the sun.
Or maybe the sun was up and just keeping quiet.
The world around me was still, it hushed in that strange softness of morning where nothing dares to move too loud. The blankets were warm. The air smelled faintly of lavender and something sweet — maybe the oils from the bath, maybe her skin.
Her mana glowed beside me, curled loosely in sleep.
And that's when the memories slammed into me.
The bath.
The closeness.
The kisses.
The confession.
My entire body tensed.
We were together. I told her everything. We were—
My thoughts derailed into white noise. I slapped both hands over my face and sank deeper under the blanket, heat blooming across my cheeks so fast it made me feel like my own blood was boiling.
What the hell came over me?!
A whole year of discipline, of quiet restraint, of staying in line — and one night alone with her and I forget how to be behave?! I'm turning 13, people here won't see me as an adult even if i'm strong. What if people think it's weird? What if I am weird? Gods, in this world, two girls, it's already—
I curled tighter under the covers, hands still covering my face.
Nope. Not thinking about it.
I could face monsters, could stand blade-to-blade with champions, but this? This was too much.
My heart pounded as I tried to breathe steady. But then.
I felt her.
Not in a loud way. Just the quiet presence of her breath. Gentle. Rhythmic. Right next to me.
Her mana hadn't stirred yet, but it radiated warmth even in sleep. Like she was meant to be near me. Like the panic couldn't root itself so deeply with her so close.
I swallowed hard.
I hope she likes our…
I paused.
Our… date today.
Wait. A date?!
The word hit me like a punch to the stomach. I choked on nothing.
Is that what this is? Are we dating? Did the bath count? Did the kiss? Did I just—what?!
I turned redder.
I've never been on a date! Not in this life. Not in the last one. Not even when I was a general and technically eligible and terrifyingly competent!
I groaned into my hands.
I would rather fight the Ætherbound.
A sudden shift. Her mana moved.
Then a breath, louder. Closer. Her weight shifted on the mattress, the soft rustle of cloth sliding as she turned toward me.
And then—
A crawl.
Literal.
Crawling.
She closed the distance like a predator scenting emotional weakness.
"Why are you blushing, Annabel?" Salem's voice, still thick with sleep, brushed against my ear. Teasing. Smug. Dangerous.
I didn't answer right away.
I couldn't.
Because she was so close now — knee brushing mine, hand lightly grazing the edge of my side, her breath puffing against the curve of my neck.
And the worst part?
My heart fluttered.
So unfair.
So warm.
So her.
There was a pause — long and heavy — like the universe itself was bracing.
Then the bed dipped.
Not a shift. Not a shuffle.
A deliberate climb.
She slid over me with the slow confidence of someone who knew I wouldn't stop her. Her knees settled on either side of my hips, her hands bracing the mattress beside my shoulders. Her mana pulsed soft and steady, like a heartbeat right above me.
I could feel her shape. Her warmth.
The press of her body hovering over mine.
My mouth opened — but the moment I tried to speak, something got in the way.
More specifically: Salem's boobs.
Soft and completely unbothered, they squished gently against my face through the fabric of her shirt as she leaned down, giggling softly in my ear. Her skin was warm. Her aura glowed.
"Gods, I can't believe this is real," she whispered, nearly giddy. "You're mine. I mean, finally."
I tried to respond. Honestly, I did — but all I got was a chestful of happy demon.
"Salem—" I managed, voice muffled. "Salem, not now!"
She froze. Slightly.
Then slid back just enough to look down — though all I could see were dark, blurred outlines, her mana trembling with surprise.
"Not now?" she asked gently.
I reached up, pushing a hand to her shoulder.
"I—just…" I hesitated, words sticking to my tongue like tar. "I wish we could. Maybe it's normal here. Maybe it's even fine. But to me… I'm still too young. I don't want to rush the romance part, not yet. Not like that."
There was silence.
For half a breath, I worried I'd broken something.
But then—
Her mana blushed.
No sound. Just this brilliant ripple of soft pink and silver light blooming in her chest like a firework trying to hide behind her ribs.
"Oh, those blind puppy eyes," she muttered, flopping dramatically onto her side beside me. "How could I say no?"
I laughed, relief spilling out with the breath I hadn't known I was holding.
"I knew that would work," I said, smug.
She groaned and draped her arm across my waist.
"But we are still going shopping today, right? Just the two of us?"
I opened my mouth to answer…
Thwip.
She vanished.
Literally vanished.
Shadow magic swirled around the edge of the bed and the next thing I knew, her mana blinked halfway across the room, flaring brightly behind the dressing wall.
"Salem?" I called.
"Getting us ready!" she shouted back. "This is my first date and I'm not going to half-ass it!"
I blinked, the empty space where Salem had just been suddenly feeling colder. Her mana glowed faintly behind the folding screen of the dressing room, flickering with impatient energy.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, heart still pounding like a drum in my ears. Slowly, I stood, pulling the blanket down around my waist.
The scent of lavender followed me down the hallway. It felt like she was pulling me forward, wrapping me in a promise I wasn't sure I was ready for but didn't want to run from.
When I stepped into the dressing room, Salem was already holding up two outfits.
One was soft and flowing, with delicate embroidery that caught the mana like tiny stars. The other was sharper, with clean lines and a playful edge. like it was daring me to try something new.
"I thought you didn't like fancy clothes," I said, voice still a little breathless.
She shrugged, cheeks dusted with that soft, familiar blush that always made my stomach flip. "I've never been on a date before. Not really. Especially not with the girl I love."
I felt that heat again, the flush rushing through me like wildfire.
She tossed the softer dress to the side and held up the sharper one, her mana grinning like a kid who'd just found treasure.
I bit my lip, laughing softly. "You're ridiculous."
She winked. "Maybe. But this is special. This is us."
We spent a while getting ready — fumbling with buttons, smoothing down collars, stealing shy glances and quiet smiles.
The world outside the dressing room was waking up, but inside, it felt like time had slowed to just us, just the moment we were building.
When we finally stepped out of the castle, the cool morning air was fresh against my skin, and the castle halls were still mostly empty.
We skipped breakfast with the others, and instead, we headed toward the market, where colors spilled out in a riot of life, and the scent of fresh bread and spices teased the air.
The soft outlines of shapes, glowing mana like ghostly ribbons wrapped around everything.
But Salem's presence was a steady light beside me, a warm pulse I could follow through the swirl of sounds and smells.
I smiled, heart still fluttering but steady.
This was our day.