Evelyn didn't cry when Alexander left.
She stood there in the quiet hall long after his footsteps faded, staring at the empty space he'd filled. His scent still lingered—clean, cold, and quietly addictive. But his absence cut sharper than she'd expected.
And maybe… deeper than she wanted to admit.
She didn't go back to her quarters. Instead, she wandered the edge of the Academy's eastern gardens, where the sky hung in soft amber hues and the air was thick with early spring.
"Running from ghosts, or following them?" a voice asked behind her.
She turned.
Caelan stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, leaning slightly as though he wasn't sure if he should approach. His ash-blond hair was tousled from the breeze, his eyes quietly knowing.
"Neither," she said. "I think I'm just tired of pretending none of it matters."
Caelan gave a short nod and walked over, settling beside her on the low garden wall. He didn't push, didn't pry. Just sat in silence until the stillness felt bearable.
"I heard about what happened," he said finally. "And about Valerius."
Her throat tightened. "Of course you did. Everyone knows when Alexander Valerius breathes in this place."
Caelan chuckled softly, then turned serious. "You cared about him."
It wasn't a question.
Evelyn's eyes dropped to her hands. "Still do."
Caelan was quiet for a long moment. "Do you remember when we were sixteen and you told me you didn't believe in safety nets?"
She glanced at him, surprised. "You remember that?"
"Hard to forget. You said, 'I'll jump before I'm pushed. That way, I'm the one who gets to decide how I land.'"
His gaze held hers now—steadier, warmer.
"I'm not here to catch you, Evelyn. I'm just here… if you want to land somewhere soft for once."
Her chest squeezed.
Caelan had never tried to be more than a friend. But now, something had shifted. Not a declaration. Not a push.
Just an opening.
One that made her heart ache for how complicated things had become.
She turned away, eyes lifting toward the edge of the garden where moonlight had begun to bloom.
Alexander had stepped back—given her space.
But now… Caelan had stepped forward.
And for the first time, Evelyn wasn't sure which direction felt more like home.