Alex's brain completely short-circuited.
He had seen beauty in the capital. He had witnessed elegance after arriving at the academy—Charlotte's charm, Lilith's mystique, Seraphina's untouchable poise, and Elaria's arrogant spark.
But nothing—absolutely nothing—could've prepared him for the bombshell standing before him.
Golden hair that shimmered like molten sunlight spilled over her shoulders in silken waves, catching the light just enough to look unfairly divine. Her pale skin practically glowed—moonlight given physical form, porcelain-smooth and utterly unblemished.
High cheekbones sculpted with surgical grace framed a face that didn't look born so much as carved by divine intent.
And her eyes…' gods above, her eyes'. Twin suns of pure, molten gold that pierced through flesh and bone and soul.
They stripped you bare, peeled back every mask, dug up every secret you ever swore to bury, and laid it out like a library catalogue.
Alex tried to blink.
Failed.
Tried again.
