As we cross the courtyard, snowflakes drift lazily from a steel-gray sky. The cold bites through my uniform, but I barely notice. My attention is fixed on a tall, scarred figure standing at the edge of the training yard, watching me with eyes like torches in the darkness.

Raith.

Even from this distance, his gaze burns into me, igniting a heat that washes away the cold evening air. My body remembers the feel of his hands, the press of his mouth against mine, the solid weight of him pinning me against the wall.

Behind him stands his fire panther, Pyrin, its flaming form more substantial than before, more detailed. The elemental's fiery eyes seem to track me as well, its head tilted in what almost looks like curiosity.

Mireen follows my gaze and sighs. "Just go already."

"What?" I tear my eyes away from Raith to look at her.

"We all know you want to talk to him," she says, a knowing smirk on her face. "I’ll just bring you something to eat later.”

"I don't—" I start to protest, but Beck cuts me off.

"Come on, Nessa. It's painfully obvious." He gestures vaguely at my face. "You get all... glowy when you see him."

"Glowy?" I sputter.

"It's an accurate assessment," Ambrose confirms. "Your pupils dilate, your respiration increases, and your cheeks flush. Classic signals of sexual arousal and attraction."

"Have you been studying me?"

He shrugs. "The signs are rather obvious, Nessa."

I want to argue, but Raith is already moving away, heading toward the eastern section of campus. If I'm going to catch him, it has to be now.

"Fine," I concede. "I'll meet you all later."

"You know," Mireen says, her voice dropping so only I can hear, "you don't have to be ashamed of wanting him. I know I've made it hard for you to feel okay about it, and I'm sorry for that. I just... want to make sure you're careful. Okay? I care about you, and I know you trust him, but..."

"But what?"

Her eyes are serious, the crescent scar beneath one eye catching the dim light. "But I've watched people I care about die because they trusted the wrong person. I couldn't bear it if that happened to you, too."

The sincerity in her voice catches me off guard.

"I'll be careful," I promise. "I'm not as reckless as you think."

She raises an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Use protection,” she teases.

I roll my eyes and break away from the group, my heart racing as I follow Raith's retreating form. He doesn't look back, but somehow I know he's aware of me following him. It's in the deliberate pace of his steps, the slight tension in his broad shoulders.

"He intends for you to follow," Typhon observes. "This is a human mating ritual, yes? The male leads, the female pursues. Very primitive."

"It's not a mating ritual, Typhon."

"The elevated cortisol and pheromones your body is producing suggest otherwise."