"You surprised me today," Eve admitted finally. "No one in our class has beaten me in a duel. Not even the advanced initiates."
Ian smiled faintly. "Then maybe you needed someone to remind you you're not invincible."
Her lips parted slightly, as if to retort, but no words came. Instead, she shook her head with a small laugh. "You're ridiculous."
"And yet," Ian said, "you're still sitting here."
Eve sighed and glanced away again, trying not to smile. "For now."
He leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table. "That's all I need."
The corner of her mouth twitched upward despite herself, and she quickly looked down at her plate to hide it. Around them, the hum of the hall had returned to normal, though now, more than a few students were pretending not to watch as they whispered and exchanged curious glances.
