Liora I wasn't sure when I'd passed out . But when I woke , it wasn't morning yet . The rain had stopped . The wind no longer rattled the windows . The dorm had settled into silence , except for the horror movie still murmuring from the forgotten TV . Mia was curled beside me on the narrow couch , one arm slung over her face.I stayed still for a moment , watching her breathe , the blue flicker of the screen sketching faint shadows across her cheek . I didn't know what had woken me . Maybe just a crick in my neck . Either way , I figured I could finally move to my bed . It would've been peaceful . If not for the pebble . Click . I didn't move at first . Could've been the wind . Click . Click . I squinted toward the glass . Great . Slipping off the couch without waking Mia , I crossed the room and drew the curtain aside with one finger . And there he was . Callum . Standing below my window like something out of a tragic romance novel . His dark curls gleamed silver in the moonlight , and his T - shirt and pajama pants were wildly beneath his usual status , but somehow still suited him . I cracked the window with a push . " You've got about five seconds before I call campus patrol . " He smirked . " You'd have to explain why a noble heir was arrested under your window . " " It'd definitely look worse on you than me . " That made him hesitate . " I just want to talk . " " Talk louder . I'll pretend to listen , " I said , resting against the frame . 1/4 Chapter 36 +15 BONUS His mouth twitched . " Come down , Liora . " " Um , No ? Why would I do that ? " " Please . " I narrowed my eyes . " Say pretty please . " He stared at me like I'd grown another head . Then , with a slow tilt of his head : " ... Pretty please . " The silence between us stretched . The air still carried the storm's chill , the scent of wet stone and moss curling into the room like a dare . I sighed . Loudly . Dramatically . And before I could regret it , I swung out the window and dropped to the ground , dropping two stories . His eyes widened slightly . He hadn't actually thought I'd do it . I straightened the hem of my nightshirt , brushing dirt off my knees . " Well ? I'm out here . Start talking . " To my surprise , he didn't lead with a speech or a smug remark . He looked ... uncertain . Almost sheepish . Maybe he hadn't expected me to come . I sure hadn't . " Want to walk ? " he asked , nodding down the path . I raised a brow . " A midnight stroll ? That's what this is about ? " He shrugged , hands stuffed in his pockets like they didn't know what else to do . " Better than standing in the cold . " I gave him a look . Debated . Then turned . " Fine . But I pick the route . " " Deal . " We walked in silence at first . The path behind the dorms wound through the edge of campus , old trees arching overhead like eavesdropping elders . The ground was still soft from the storm , mud clinging to our shoes . My breath came out in faint clouds . I kept my eyes fixed on the path , not on him . It felt easier that way , like I wasn't really there with him , not walking together . " So , " he said after a while . " Favorite subject ? " I didn't look at him . " That's what you want to ask me ? " " You don't have to answer . " " Botany . " 2/4 Chapter 36 He blinked , " Really ? " I finally glanced his way . " Surprised ? " +15 BONUS " No , " he said . " Just expected something more ... venomous . Like battle strategy or hand - to - hand . " " I'll leave that to the nobles . " That actually earned a laugh , dry and surprised , like it snuck up on him . " And yours ? " I asked , keeping my voice neutral . " History , " he said . " The gritty kind . Wars , treaties , betrayals . " " Let me guess . Favorite bedtime story was a coup d'état ? " He smiled faintly . " I was more of a cursed - king kind of kid . " Of course he was . He slowed his pace slightly , his voice softer now . " Favorite food ? " I frowned . " Are you interviewing me ? " " You're hard to read . " " Good . " , " Not good , " he muttered . " Not when I'm trying to apologize . " I glanced at him , keeping my chin tucked against the wind . His eyes were already on me . I wasn't ready for the way my heart jumped at the sight . " Apologize for ... ? " I asked , wary . " My parents , " he admitted , stepping carefully over a patch of mud . His shoes sank into the damp ground , leaving soft impressions behind . " Their ... involvement . I didn't know . " I nodded . " I could've guessed as much . Don't worry about it . I can handle myself . " He looked like he wanted to argue that , but thought better of it . Silence followed , filled only by the squelch of our steps through wet grass . A few minutes later , I stopped and turned to face him . The moon hung full above us , casting a pale glow over his coat , silvering the edge of his jawline . " Alright , " I said . " Was that it ? " His brow pulled . " What ? " Chapter 36 +15 BONUS " You didn't drag me out here in the middle of the night to ask about my favorite foods and say sorry . So what's this really about , Callum ? " He didn't answer right away . His eyes studied my face like it held a code he couldn't quite crack .